Why I Started Urban Athletic Club

I didn’t take the usual route to becoming a gym owner. I didn’t play high school sports, but I always had a passion for sports, especially basketball and soccer. My strength and conditioning journey started when I began training with a friend who was a Maryland state champion sprinter. Those early days of lifting weights, training speed, and working on plyometrics laid a foundation for my fitness journey and eventually led me into personal training. Training clients daily and studying by night, I opened my first gym in 2003 and earned my degree at the University of Maryland in 2004. After a decade of running that gym, I had a clear vision: a space focused on strength, conditioning, and authentic connection.

I started Urban Athletic Club to create a space where people could build strength and connect meaningfully, driven by my journey in fitness and a desire to share that joy with others.

The first Urban Athletic Club opened in 2013, starting in Glover Park and expanding to Georgetown and later Adams Morgan. By 2016, with help from a longtime client and real estate broker, I found the perfect spot for our flagship space in Shaw near the Washington Convention Center. With the expertise of Nahra Associates, we designed and built a 3,500-square-foot space that became a sophisticated yet vibrant boutique gym equipped with everything from lifting platforms to an outdoor training area. This is where our community truly took shape, attracting D.C. professionals passionate about fitness.

Programming that Drives Real Results

Programming has always been central to what we do at Urban Athletic Club. The most impactful training focuses on gaining muscle and improving mobility. Over time, I’ve seen that the natural barrier to fitness isn’t a lack of cardio-respiratory conditioning but a lack of muscle and movement ability. That’s why we partnered with Level Method for our programming, whose data-driven approach aligns with our commitment to measurable progress. We layer in our unique flavor, adapting workouts for D.C.’s climate. We (typically!) won’t run outside in February, but we’ll put the rower to good use!

Building a Stronger D.C. Community

At Urban Athletic Club, we’re committed to more than fitness. We aim to positively impact 500 Washingtonians annually through a blend of memberships, free community events, and educational resources. We’re proud to beautify our outdoor area with local plants, feature artwork from local artists, and support D.C.-based non-profits. This focus on community and connection is at the core of our mission to strengthen bodies and the city we love.

More than a Gym: A Community Built on Connection and Growth

At my core, I’m a gym rat—I genuinely love working out and want to help others discover their joy. Urban Athletic Club is designed to be welcoming and flexible, with a team-first culture and a straightforward membership policy. We keep our pricing accessible, aiming to balance financial goals without pushing profit over purpose. I want members to feel as comfortable leaving as they are joining. My goal has always been to build a gym where our staff can thrive personally and professionally, where they’re paid fairly and don’t have to work endless hours. To me, fitness is about balance, which should apply to all aspects of our business.

My name is Graham King. I opened Urban Athletic Club in 2013, and the Shaw location followed in 2017. Today, our mission remains the same: to be a space where people can build strength, find community, and enjoy the journey toward better health. That’s why I started Urban Athletic Club.

Book a Discovery Call with me, and let’s see how I can help you along your fitness journey.