You’ve seen the "influencer" gyms. The ones with the neon signs, the ring lights, and the people spending forty minutes on a single set of hip thrusts because they’re waiting for the perfect lighting. Murder of Crows Gym in Brooklyn is basically the opposite of that. It’s loud, it’s sweaty, and honestly, it’s one of the few places left where the "sport" of fitness actually feels like a sport.
Located in Gowanus, this isn't just a place to burn off a bagel. It’s a dedicated strength facility. When you walk in, you aren't greeted by rows of elliptical machines. You see platforms. You see kilo plates. You see people who are genuinely trying to figure out how to move a heavy barbell from the floor to overhead without falling over. It’s intense, sure, but it’s surprisingly welcoming for a place named after a group of scavengers.
What is a Murder of Crows?
The name usually throws people off. A "murder" is just the collective noun for a group of crows. In the context of this gym, it’s about the community—a flock of people working toward the same goal. It sounds metal, and it is. Founded by Jameson Smyl and Pilar DeJesus, the gym was built on the idea that high-level coaching shouldn't be reserved for elite athletes.
They started in a smaller space back in 2015. Since then, they've grown into a massive 11,000-square-foot powerhouse. It’s a USAPL (USA Powerlifting) and USAW (USA Weightlifting) focused facility. This matters because if you're serious about these sports, you need specific equipment. You need the right bars. You need the right vibe. You can't exactly drop a 200kg snatch in a commercial gym without getting banned for life.
The Weightlifting vs. Powerlifting Divide
People often confuse these two, but at Murder of Crows Gym, the distinction is clear. Powerlifting is the "big three": Squat, Bench Press, and Deadlift. It’s about raw, grinding strength. Weightlifting (or Olympic Weightlifting) is the Snatch and the Clean and Jerk. It’s about explosive power and flexibility.
Most gyms pick a side. This place does both.
The coaching staff here is legit. We’re talking about people like Jameson Smyl, who is a Senior International Coach for USA Weightlifting. That’s not a title you get from a weekend seminar. It requires years of producing athletes who actually perform at national levels. They have a structured "Crow Club" program for beginners, which is smart. Most people want to lift heavy but have no idea how to hinge at the hips. You’ve gotta learn to crawl before you can deadlift 500 pounds.
The Atmosphere Factor
It’s gritty. If you’re looking for a spa, go somewhere else. There are no eucalyptus towels here. What there is, however, is a sense of collective effort. You’ll see a competitive lifter prepping for Nationals on one platform and a school teacher learning their first back squat on the next. That’s the "Crows" philosophy in action.
The noise is constant. The sound of iron hitting rubber platforms is the soundtrack of the place. It’s also incredibly diverse. Brooklyn is a melting pot, and the gym reflects that. It’s one of the most inclusive strength spaces in New York City, which is a big deal in a sport that has historically felt a bit like a "boys' club."
Is it Only for Pros?
No.
That’s the biggest misconception. People see the Instagram videos of people moving massive weights and think, "I can’t go there." But the reality is that the coaches prefer working with "white belts." Beginners don't have bad habits yet.
If you’re someone who just wants to get stronger but feels intimidated by the big-box gyms where people stare at you for using the squat rack, Murder of Crows is actually safer. Why? Because people are watching your form. Not in a creepy way, but in a "hey, don't blow out your lower back" way.
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Programming and Customization
They don't do the "workout of the day" thing in the same way a CrossFit box might. It’s more methodical. You’re looking at:
- Customized Strength Programs: They use an app-based system to track your progress.
- Technique Clinics: Deep dives into the mechanics of the snatch or the deadlift.
- Open Gym: For the veterans who just need the equipment and space to follow their own path.
It’s about the long game. Strength isn't built in a week. It’s built over months of incremental gains. One kilo at a time. It’s boring to some, but for the people who train here, that progress is addictive.
The Cost of Real Coaching
Let’s be real: it’s not cheap. A membership here costs significantly more than a $25-a-month "Global Gym" pass. You’re paying for the floor space, the high-end Eleiko bars, and the access to coaches who actually know what they’re talking about. In NYC, space is the ultimate luxury. Having your own platform where you aren't fighting three other people for a barbell is worth the premium for many.
They offer different tiers. Some people just do the "Crow Club" classes. Others pay for full individual programming. You have to decide if you’re paying for a place to work out or an education in how to move your body.
The Competitive Edge
Murder of Crows hosts actual meets. If you want to see what the community is really about, go watch a sanctioned weightlifting meet there. The energy is electric. People are screaming, chalk is flying everywhere, and someone is inevitably trying to break a personal record.
It serves as a hub for the Northeast weightlifting scene. Because they have the space and the equipment, they can host events that other NYC gyms just can't handle. This puts their athletes in a unique position—they get to train on the same platforms where they eventually compete. Home-field advantage is a real thing, even in lifting.
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Why This Model Works
The fitness industry is shifting. People are tired of the "aesthetic only" gyms. There is a growing movement toward functional strength—actually being able to do things with your body. Murder of Crows Gym tapped into this before it was a trend.
They focus on "Relative Strength." How much can you lift compared to your body weight? This levels the playing field. It doesn't matter if you're a 120-lb woman or a 250-lb man; the goal is the same: get better than you were yesterday.
Dealing with the "Gowanus Smell"
If you know Brooklyn, you know the Gowanus canal. It’s... famous for its aroma. The gym is right in the heart of this industrial zone. Does it matter? Not really. Once you’re inside and the fans are blowing and you’re focused on not dropping a bar on your head, the neighborhood's industrial quirks fade away. It actually adds to the "old school" feel of the place. It’s a warehouse gym in a warehouse district. It makes sense.
How to Get Started
If you’re thinking about checking it out, don't just walk in and try to max out your deadlift. That’s a great way to get a stern talking-to.
- Book an Intro: They usually require an initial assessment. They want to see how you move. They’ll check your ankle mobility, your shoulder rack position, and your general fitness level.
- Join the Crow Club: This is their "on-boarding" program. It’s a few weeks of intensive technique work. Even if you think you know how to squat, you probably don't know how to squat "their" way.
- Consistency Over Intensity: The biggest mistake new members make is trying to go five days a week and burning out. Start with three. Let your central nervous system recover. Lifting heavy is a tax on your brain as much as your muscles.
- Invest in Shoes: If you’re going to do weightlifting, get lifters (shoes with a hard, raised heel). If you’re powerlifting, get flats or dedicated powerlifting shoes. Don't lift in squishy running shoes. It’s like trying to squat on a mattress.
The community at Murder of Crows Gym is tight-knit but not exclusionary. They have social events, they go to dinner after meets, and they support each other on the platform. It’s a "third place"—that spot between home and work where you actually feel like you belong.
In a city as lonely as New York can sometimes be, finding a "murder" to join might be the best thing you do for your physical and mental health.
Actionable Next Steps
- Audit your current goals. Are you training for looks or performance? If it's performance, a specialized strength gym is the move.
- Check their schedule. Murder of Crows often runs specific six-week cycles. Timing your start with the beginning of a cycle helps you stay with a cohort.
- Video your lifts. Even before you join, start recording your sets from the side. Compare them to the form videos on the Murder of Crows Instagram or YouTube. You’ll quickly see where your technique is breaking down.
- Visit during a "heavy" time. Go on a weekday evening around 6:00 PM. See if the energy motivates you or scares you. If it motivates you, you’ve found your spot.