2026-03-07T12:44:49.249Z

I joined this gym recently as someone who has a fitness background but completely new to lifting heavier weights and it has been such a positive experience. The coaches are incredibly knowledgeable and supportive—they take the time to explain movements, watch your form, and help you build confidence with progressive loading in a safe way.The group training classes are great. Every workout can be scaled, so whether you’re just starting out or more experienced, you can work at the right level for your body while still being challenged. I appreciate that there’s a system in place to measure progress and adjust goals along the way. It makes it easy to see improvements over time and stay motivated as you get stronger.Everyone is friendly, encouraging, and genuinely happy to see each other succeed. It’s the kind of place that makes you want to keep showing up and getting stronger.

2025-07-28T15:32:02.099Z

Training at Hardbat Athletics with Coach Derek has been one of the best decisions I’ve made for my fitness. In just a few months, my squat has gone up 50 lbs, and I feel stronger and more confident in and out of the gym. The small group training gives me the structure and accountability I need without the distractions of a typical gym. Every session is customized to my goals, and the coaching is top-notch. Hardbat is more than just a gym — it’s a true strength and conditioning facility right here in Newark, Delaware, close to the University of Delaware. Whether you’re looking for personal training or small group fitness, this is the place to get serious about your progress.

2025-07-08T20:42:17.175Z

Finished my levels introductions today, and I already feel at home. My shoulder is garbage but I know I’m in good hands to be able to work around that.I can’t stress enough that it feels like I’ve been here for years. A very welcoming environment.

2025-06-30T00:03:19.287Z

Hardbat is one of my favorite gyms to drop into weekly in Delaware! The coaches Nina, Shawn, Iris, Derek, Rob, and Steve all make a point to say hello to each and every member when they come in BY NAME. I drop into gyms across the country often due to my job, and this is so rare and beautiful. It creates a welcoming environment from the beginning. What really sets them apart is not only does each coach really care about their athletes’ technique, but they also take the time to encourage members to be the best version of themselves Inside and outside of the gym.The gym is beautiful, clean and humongous with a diverse array of gym equipment. Outside of everything a traditional CrossFit gym would have like dumbbells, kettlebells, wall balls, rings, rig and barbell, rower, echo bike, air runner,ski erg, they also have c a stair stepper, a leg press, reverse hyper machine, lat pull down, knee extension and curl machines and MORE!Derek’s programming is top notch- giving you longer domain workouts than a traditional CrossFit style domain which I continue to enjoy when I drop in.Just a top notch gym and smart bunch of driven humans-the lot of them. Grateful to have a punch card, and honored to treat the athletes they refer to me at Onward Wilmington!

2025-05-01T00:16:26.889Z

It is much more than a gym, it’s a great community of people that help you stay motivated tough workouts and keep you coming back for the next class. Coaching staff are great! They work with you to establish attainable health and fitness goals. Workouts are scaled to match your ability to accommodate newcomers and elite competitors alike. By tracking performance through the Level Method provides holistic approach to evaluating self improvement with more than just the bathroom scale.

2025-04-03T21:35:44.743Z

I have been a part of the Hardbat Athletics community for over 5 years now and I cannot emphasize how much this place has changed my life! From the programming, to the people that make up the community, to the empowerment I've gotten, it is truly a special place. A wide variety of equipment (specialty barbells, machines, etc.) help you reach your performance and aesthetic goals. Additionally, if you're looking for a spacious, clean area to workout in, this is the place to be. I would not be the athlete I am today if it weren't for this place, especially Coach Derek.

2025-03-26T02:52:36.916Z

Coach Derek is D - Demanding, E - Educational, R - Respectful, E - Energizing/ evocative & K - Kind yet kicks your a**.I started training with Coach Derek in December as I was coming off a two-plus year pause after recovering from accidents and injuries, and seeking accountability and support to re-engage a consistent workout regimen focused on strengthening, flexibility/mobility and addressing imbalances.The experience has been great! Derek is also the founder and owner of Hardbat--a great gym environment full of energy, warmth, competition, hard work and a sense of community, through classes and group/individual training sessions.The other coaches and clients are competitive, supportive and welcoming! Shout out to Coaches: Iris, Shawn, Nina & Steve!If this sounds like the experience you seek. Check out Harbat Athletics! You won't be disappointed!

2025-03-19T16:12:31.918Z

Hard workouts but great staff, coaches, and people training around you.I’ve both lost fat and gain muscle in 2 months.

2025-03-18T23:03:29.634Z

Recently fell off with my fitness journey a few months back and decided to switch it up and joined HardBat Athletics. Easily one best decisions I made in my lifetime. I was so used to working out by myself and getting information from mostly YouTube but my workouts pale in comparison to knowledge and overall positive camaraderie this gym produces.Big shoutout to my coach and spiritual guru Iris for helping me set realistic goals and keeping my motivation on course. For reference, I'm a 6'1 260lb dude and she kicked my *ss in the best way possible. I was always begging for more exercises and ways to make it more challenging and somehow she did that while making it fun. Couldn't have achieved my fitness goals without her and arguably one of the cleanest gyms I've been to.Seriously no lingering musky smells or broken down equipment, they know how to keep their clients coming back for more. Also if that isn't enough, the owners last name is Batman.....that should reason enough to stop in and see what the BatCave's gym looks like.