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PHYS1.42× ▲ +42%OUTC1.29× ▲ +29%BGWL1.23× ▲ +23%SAM1.23× ▲ +23%VGA1.23× ▲ +23%HERO1.18× ▲ +18%FCSP1.18× ▲ +18%EMPR1.18× ▲ +18%BXBB1.16× ▲ +16%BDRH1.16× ▲ +16%1REP1.16× ▲ +16%PLBC1.16× ▲ +16%BTSC1.1× ▲ +10%CMDO1.1× ▲ +10%ATL1.04× ▲ +4%BBC1.04× ▲ +4%HALT1.04× ▲ +4%ACK1.02× ▲ +2%CHM1.02× ▲ +2%BRBB0.99× ▼ −1%BWS0.99× ▼ −1%CLSB0.99× ▼ −1%EWLC0.99× ▼ −1%BNKR0.93× ▼ −7%STRA0.91× ▼ −9%1RPS0.87× ▼ −13%XZRH0.82× ▼ −18%KRPR0.82× ▼ −18%PWRH0.82× ▼ −18%PURO0.82× ▼ −18%AORT0.76× ▼ −24%BSTR0.75× ▼ −25%KDS0.75× ▼ −25%CNTR0.73× ▼ −27%DNST0.72× ▼ −28%GNSS0.71× ▼ −29%GIGA0.71× ▼ −29%MFLX0.71× ▼ −29%MSCL0.71× ▼ −29%ZONE0.71× ▼ −29%XLVR0.7× ▼ −30%DAVD0.7× ▼ −30%XBCN0.65× ▼ −35%IRON0.65× ▼ −35%UPG0.65× ▼ −35%REMG0.6× ▼ −40%RUNE0.58× ▼ −42%YRKY0.56× ▼ −44%HURT0.56× ▼ −44%FPMM0.46× ▼ −54%ONAR0.46× ▼ −54%WKSP0.46× ▼ −54%3SPC0.4× ▼ −60%EQNX0.36× ▼ −64%GYMB0.36× ▼ −64%REED0.36× ▼ −64%NUFF0.36× ▼ −64%VACT0.36× ▼ −64%FFRS0.33× ▼ −67%CLVR0.3× ▼ −70%HPLC0.3× ▼ −70%METR0.3× ▼ −70%PURE0.3× ▼ −70%ASPR0.27× ▼ −73%DLLY0.27× ▼ −73%FLOW0.27× ▼ −73%KLAY0.27× ▼ −73%ACTV0.26× ▼ −74%CMG0.26× ▼ −74%DIR0.26× ▼ −74%USIN0.24× ▼ −76%ANYT0.23× ▼ −77%FITX0.23× ▼ −77%JIMS0.23× ▼ −77%ORBL0.23× ▼ −77%MCFT0.23× ▼ −77%NEON0.23× ▼ −77%SUPR0.23× ▼ −77%TGG0.23× ▼ −77%UPDT0.23× ▼ −77%VIVA0.23× ▼ −77%BSFT0.18× ▼ −82%FPRK0.18× ▼ −82%KSER0.13× ▼ −87%1RBL0.11× ▼ −89%BRRY0.11× ▼ −89%F450.11× ▼ −89%
PHYSPowerlifting · Putney · London

Physical Culture

Signature trait: Under Putney's arches since 1928

1.42×
▲ +42% vs par Tier S · Iron Temple Rank #1 of 87
Physical Culture, as pictured on the gym's own website
Photo: physicalculture.co.uk
PHYS 1.42×
FDCBAS
Log scale. Each tick is a listing; Physical Culture is the highest-rated gym on the exchange.

Analyst note

Billed as the UK's oldest continually operating strength gym: seven-plus IPF-calibrated stations, Eleiko and Rogue plates, a Texas Power Bar and 100 kg thick-handle dumbbells. British Powerlifting approved, and exactly as old as sliced bread.

Seven IPF-calibrated stations and 98 years of history. The plates are honest; so is the number.

S
Rating: Iron TempleA PR here is worth more than the plates on the bar.

The facts

Address
The Arches, Winthorpe Road, Putney, Wandsworth, London, SW15 2LW
Open in OpenStreetMap
Type
Powerlifting
Founded
1928
Website
physicalculture.co.uk
Instagram
@physicalculturegym
Chalk
Not published
Federation / meets
British Powerlifting-approved club; staff includes British Powerlifting champions
Notable
Marketed as the oldest continually operating strength training gym in the UK, running since 1928; over 680 five-star reviews.
Equipment
  • Eleiko and Rogue calibrated plates
  • 7+ IPF-calibrated squat/bench/deadlift stations
  • Competition-spec combo benches (ER, Rogue, SportsKraft)
  • Deadlift platforms
  • Specialist bars (Texas Power Bar, deadlift bars, squat bars)
  • Thick-handle dumbbells up to 100kg
  • Vintage strength machines (Hammer Strength, Nautilus, MedX)
Specialties
  • powerlifting coaching
  • meet prep

How the 1.42× is built

Five pillars from the facts above, weighted and combined by the published rubric. Pillars marked est. aren't published by the gym and use the default for its type.

Iron quality10/10

Competition-grade kit in the sourced equipment list: calibrated plates, platforms, specialty bars, strongman implements, premium machine lines.

Chalk policy est.8/10

From the gym's published rules: allowed 10, liquid only 5, banned 0.

Strength focus10/10

What the gym is built for: strength clubs 10, bodybuilding 8, hybrid 7 … HIIT studios 1.

Pedigree9/10

Federation affiliation, notable athletes and history, and how long it has been going.

Comfort0/10

Saunas, spas, pools, lounges, cafés. Counts against the multiplier.

What your lifts are worth here

Gym multiplier × lift honesty. Standard claims on the left, the truth on the right.

Common lifts converted at Physical Culture
LiftClaimedReal
Bench Press (free bar)ego factor 1.00×100 kg142 kg
Back Squat (full depth)ego factor 1.00×140 kg198.8 kg
Deadliftego factor 1.00×180 kg255.6 kg
Overhead Pressego factor 1.05×60 kg89.5 kg
Hip Thrustego factor 0.70×160 kg159 kg
Leg Pressego factor 0.25×300 kg106.5 kg

Try your own

Real, Physical Culture-adjusted
142 kg
—
Open in the full calculator →

Exchange rates

What a 100 kg bench at Physical Culture is worth elsewhere: the claim you'd need at each gym to match it. To match a 100 kg Physical Culture bench at Basic-Fit, you'd need to claim 788.9 kg.

Bethnal Green Weightlifting Club115.4 kgBGWL · 1.23× · LondonSociété Athlétique Montmartroise115.4 kgSAM · 1.23× · ParisBrussels Barbell122.4 kgBXBB · 1.16× · BrusselsAC Heros Berlin120.3 kgHERO · 1.18× · BerlinCEM Bac de Roda Power Hub122.4 kgBDRH · 1.16× · BarcelonaOutcast Strength System110.1 kgOUTC · 1.29× · ZurichPureGym473.3 kgPURE · 0.3× · chainMcFit617.4 kgMCFT · 0.23× · chain

Around London

Where Physical Culture sits among London's gems. See the whole city →

Listings ranked near Physical Culture
#GymTierMultiplierSignature trait
1 Physical CulturePHYS
Putney · London
 S 1.42× Under Putney's arches since 1928
2 Bethnal Green Weightlifting ClubBGWL
Bethnal Green · London
 S 1.23× London's oldest weightlifting club
3 The Commando TempleCMDO
Deptford · London
 S 1.1× Eight atlas-stone platforms
4 British BarbellBRBB
Peckham · London
 A 0.99× Coach present or doors closed
5 Classical BarbellCLSB
Hoxton · London
 A 0.99× Olympic lifting in a Hoxton arch
6 Ealing Weightlifting ClubEWLC
Ealing · London
 A 0.99× Olympian-founded, champion-producing
7 Strength AmbassadorsSTRA
West Ham · London
 A 0.91× All three strength sports, one roof

Sources

Where every fact on this page comes from. Last checked 25 September 2026.

  1. physicalculture.co.ukequipment, address, federation status, notable facts, hours
  2. britishpowerlifting.orgconfirms British Powerlifting approved club status

Spotted something wrong, or run this gym and want a change? Get in touch with a source and we'll fix it.