Meet Justin Menning | Iron Titan Gym Owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Justin Menning and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Justin, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?

I’ve been training/competing in the sport of Strongman for nine years. I’ve been a part of several gyms & crews during that time, and the biggest pain point I noticed was how Strongman are treated in “regular” gyms. Most of the time, they are put in a corner and told not to be too crazy, don’t scare anyone, and don’t use any tacky ever. They get the blame anytime something is broken and typically get the “we need to talk” discussion. I wanted a place that a strength athlete could call home. A place that had all the necessary implements for training. A place where using chalk & tacky was welcoming. A place that members yelled in encouragement to each other was normal. A place where smelling salts were common for big lifts. To get this kind of unique place, I realized it would have to be created. So, on January 1st, 2022, my wife and I decided to purchase a local gym that had been on the decline and create a whole new environment and culture for the Denver area’s strength-seeking members.

Iron Titan Gym has that “old school” gym feel to it. We are certainly not a fitness center. Strength builds strength which is why we’ve combined the worlds of powerlifting and Strongman into one house. Oly lifters are welcome as well! We only have one rule, and that is No Drama. Witty gym banter and rivalry are healthy for growth and should be fun, but we are all here to help each other get better through encouragement and support.

What should our readers know about your business?

I’ve always dreamed of being a gym owner since I was 16 years old. While in college, though, I had no idea how that would even be possible, so I went a different path. I got a BS in Accounting which I knew I could turn into a career. I met my wife in college, and we started our family young. We moved to Denver, CO, from Missouri while we were pregnant with our first boy. As life went on and our family grew with a second boy, the dream of having a gym pretty much became a thing of the past. I always kept up with lifting and competing through everything because that was always fun and a great form of therapy. My wife Katie started coming over to the dark side (strongman training) during the spring of 2021. After getting her hooked, the gym became a family time event which has always been great. I’m happy to share this lifestyle with my kids. While it’s a bit unconventional, I can say that my boys will know how to deadlift with great form long before they ever have a phone.

Just because life evolved and continued to grow, didn’t mean that I forgot all about my early dreams. An opportunity came knocking in the late fall of 2021 about purchasing a gym. I’m certainly not one to shut the door on a chance. So we walked through that door, and here we are today, growing a home for all strength enthusiasts. Has it been challenging being a family-owned business? Certainly! My wife and I both still have day jobs, and our kids are young (6 and 9). But with some scheduling practice, we’ve made it all work. Anything truly great never comes without some forms of hardship. We will continue to face whatever comes our way together and keep moving forward.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.

If you live in Denver and don’t go to the mountains, do you truly belong in Denver? Hunting, hiking, camping, sightseeing, skiing… the list goes on forever. I grew up in the country. Even though I live in Denver, I’m not the biggest fan of “city” life. So you certainly won’t catch me downtown very often unless the family is going to a sports game, aquarium, zoo, or Disney On Ice. I’m a fan of grilling and chilling at the house when it comes to friend time.

Tons of food choices! Santiagos is hard to beat for the breakfast burritos. Torchy’s is an excellent choice for different styles of tacos, and wash it all down with a few Peg Legs. Sushi Train has to be one of my go-to staples here. All you can eat sushi is no joke. After about seven rolls, my wife is usually rolling me out the door.

Another interesting thing to check out in Denver is Strongman Saturday at Iron Titan Gym 🙂 It’s entertaining in many ways!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?

Number 1: shoutout goes to my forever bride Katie. It takes a very special gal to handle all my crazy. Even though she may be what I consider fun size, she certainly has a big character and attitude of support for me and our family. Owning a gym means you have no days off, ever. Katie fully understands this and helps with everything. It’s a family business, and even though my boys are still young, they are a part of it. Even the most minor things, such as cleaning equipment, they help out!

Number 2: shoutout goes to my parents for raising me into who I’ve become today. A tree is only as strong as its roots. I was raised from day one to have morals, values, and ethics. It’s all a part of who I am and how I am today.

Number 3: shoutout goes to everyone in the strength community. I’ve met so many people who are all so diverse, and it’s amazing how strength can bring them all together. Networking with so many individuals has created a fire to want to keep the tradition going and give everyone a place to call home for this to happen. Extra props go out to my inner circle crew, and you know who you are. Keep making big things happen, and I’ll keep helping you grow.

Website: IronTitanGym.com

Instagram: @irontitangym

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IronTitanGym

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmT9rbfjctUGVmTf_O_pCuA

Other: justin@irontitangym.com – email address

Image Credits
Bryan Matthew Media