Choosing strength over smallness.
A gym where women are encouraged to be stronger, louder and unapologetically powerful, at every stage of life. Ankeny's all-women's strength gym.
Why Valkyrie.
In Norse mythology, the Valkyries were powerful women who decided the fate of warriors. Our members choose their own.
- Named for
- Norse warrior women
- We choose
- Strength over smallness
- We choose
- Community over competition
- We choose
- Empowerment over accommodation
Built on one belief.
Chelsy Dahms built Valkyrie Society on one belief: every woman deserves to see her own strength.
So she made a place to put self-doubt down, lift heavy things, and lift each other up.
Chelsy brings over a decade of hands-on training experience. She coaches young female athletes, including wrestlers and volleyball players, and she leads our Young Valkyrie Athletes.
Lift heavy. Be a Valkyrie.
Four promises behind every class.
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Programming for every life stage
From teen athletes to women in menopause, training adapts to hormonal shifts, pregnancy and postpartum.
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A judgment-free community
First lift or fifth year, this is a fiercely encouraging place to train.
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Technique first
Form-focused coaching on every lift, so you get strong safely and stay that way.
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Women all the way through
Coached by women, with daycare on site so you can actually make it to class.
We rise by lifting others.
Those words are on our wall because they describe the room. Members cheer each other through the last rep and celebrate every milestone together.
Stronger together, unstoppable alone.
The women who coach you.
Skilled women dedicated to helping you build strength through every stage of life.
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Chelsy Dahms
Owner and head coachThe driving force behind Valkyrie Society. Over a decade of hands-on training, and a coach to young female wrestlers and volleyball players.
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Andrea McGinn
CoachMom of three, co-founder and partner of The Law Shop Iowa, and loves to lift heavy. Believes strength training builds a foundation for every part of life.
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Meg Iburg
CoachGroup fitness became her lifeline postpartum. Mental health advocate, mom of two toddlers, and her favorite lift is the back squat.
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Courtney Reints
CoachPediatric Nurse Practitioner in pediatric endocrinology, two years coaching, with a background in soccer, sprint hurdles and CrossFit. Deadlifts are her love language. No diet culture. No guilt.
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Sarah Kate Bode
Yoga instructor200 RYT and RPYT, certified through Breathe For Change in 2020, with prenatal training from MA Yoga in 2024. Also teaches theatre at DMACC and Grand View University. Yoga with Sarah Kate
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Jillian Johannsen
CoachCoaches Large Group Strength classes.
Also on the team: coach Chelsey Weirson, Sophie Showalter, and daycare provider Mira McCarthy.
Work. Grow. Get stronger.
In our members' words.
What I appreciate most is how the environment challenges you to grow stronger at your own pace.
Jayde W Wonderful, positive environment for women to grow in strength. Can't recommend it more! By far the best women's gym in the area!
Brooke S Amazing, knowledgeable, and super motivational coaches!!! I'll always recommend this gym to my friends and family.
Katelyn C I freaking love this gym!! I don't even wanna miss a day! U wanna get stronger please join!!
Olivia H
Stop waiting. Start lifting.
Claim a Free Session. Pick a class. Show up ready to work. Smart, coached strength training in a room built for women who lift.
Rather talk first? Call or text (641) 590-0966.