Why We’re Different
Our system is built on the idea that real results come from doing the simple things exceptionally well. That’s why we invest in the best equipment, the best coaches, and the best clients (yes, we said it).
Our coaches go through a rigorous development process—including weekly team trainings and world-class education from leaders in the field—so they can bring unmatched expertise and care to every session.
At the end of the day, it’s not just about strength or speed—it’s about giving people the confidence to live fully. We’re grateful for every chance to do that.
And we’re proud to call the people we train not just clients, but family.
Not a just another gym.
A training facility.
A mission.
A family.
The Spot Athletics isn’t a gym. We’re a private training facility built around one mission:
To impact and inspire as many lives as possible through world-class coaching.
Since 2011, we’ve helped thousands of athletes and adults move better, get stronger, and live healthier—not through quick fixes, but through expert guidance, a supportive environment, and a relentless commitment to doing the basics savagely well.
Founded by World Champion Powerlifter and former University of Kentucky strength coach J.L. Holdsworth, The Spot started as a 2,000 sq. ft. space in Columbus and has grown into two elite training facilities—including a 20,000 sq. ft. flagship in Dublin, Ohio.
But our approach hasn’t changed.
We’re still 100% private, meaning no open memberships, no wandering aimlessly, and no guessing. Every client trains with a coach. Every session has a purpose.
Who We Serve
Athletes chasing scholarships, championships, or pro careers
Adults who want to move pain-free, feel strong, and build sustainable habits
Anyone who’s ready to stop guessing and start seeing real results
Our Training Philosophy
Build Better Movement
Before you get stronger, faster, or leaner, you have to move well.
Every training program at The Spot starts with a focus on movement quality—flexibility, control, and coordination. We don’t rely on rows of machines. Instead, we use open space and purposeful equipment to build stronger, more capable humans from the ground up.
When you move better, you move more. When you move more, you get results.
Positive Energy Always
We believe mindset is everything.
No matter how great the program, if you don’t believe in yourself, it won’t work. That’s why we bring positive energy to every session, and we expect our clients to do the same.
Our founder, JL Holdsworth, learned this early. Instead of “I can’t,” his grandma would make him repeat: I can. I will. I’ll try. It worked. He became a state finalist in wrestling, a collegiate football player, and a world-record-holding powerlifter. And that mindset is part of our DNA at The Spot.
Teach Perfect Technique
It’s not about how much you lift. It’s how you lift it.
We teach technique first, always. Whether you're brand new or a seasoned lifter, you’ll "earn the right to touch a barbell" by proving great form and control—not just racking up weight.
Why? Because strength training should build you up—not break you down.
Perfecting technique helps prevent injuries, builds real confidence, and creates results that actually last.
Zero Pain Tolerance Training
“No pain, no gain” is a myth. Pain is your body’s way of saying something’s wrong.
We don’t train through pain—we train around it, with smart programming and modifications that still get results. Our coaching isn’t designed to break you down—it’s built to make you strong for the long haul.
Yes, you’ll work hard. But every workout will serve a purpose in your long-term plan—and we’ll never throw in “hard” just for the sake of it.