How LHBK is Redefining Strength Culture in Canada
In the world of barbells and bodybuilding, the loudest message isn’t always shouted. Sometimes, it’s screen-printed in bold type across a hoodie and echoed through action in the gym. LHBK—short for Lift Heavy Be Kind—isn’t just an apparel brand. It’s a cultural shift in strength sports, born from the belief that raw power and radical kindness can, and should, coexist.
Based in Barrie, Ontario, LHBK is making waves across the Canadian fitness community and beyond. With more than $30,000 donated to support lifters and strength events, and a fast-growing tribe of athletes and everyday gym-goers behind them, this Canadian brand is turning sweat equity into social good, one t-shirt at a time.
The Origin Story: Built on Strength and Compassion
Like many grassroots brands in the fitness space, LHBK started with a simple but powerful idea: create a community that celebrates lifting while leading with kindness. Founded in Barrie, ON, the company was born out of a desire to counter the ego-driven gym culture that can often intimidate new lifters or alienate those who don’t fit the typical mold.
In a space where “how much do you bench?” is often the first question asked, LHBK wants to shift the conversation to “how do you treat others?”
With its earliest designs capturing that philosophy in bold, no-BS fonts, LHBK quickly began to resonate with strength athletes who wanted their values to match their PRs. What started as a message on a shirt became a movement across lifting platforms, powerlifting meets, and gyms across the country.
The Mission: Stronger People. Kinder Culture.
LHBK’s mission is refreshingly straightforward: build a strength community where everyone feels welcome to get strong, regardless of background, size, gender, or skill level.
That mission is stitched into every hoodie and graphic tee the brand produces, but more importantly, it lives in the culture they’re building. Their message challenges the toxic edge that can sometimes creep into fitness spaces and replaces it with something more powerful, belonging.
In their own words: “Lift Heavy. Be Kind. It’s not just a slogan; it’s a statement of purpose.“
Whether you’re a first-time gym goer nervously stepping under a barbell, or a seasoned lifter chasing your next deadlift milestone, LHBK is committed to making you feel like you’re part of something bigger. The message isn’t just printed on fabric, it’s modeled in behavior, echoed in community, and championed by athletes at the highest level.
Impact in Action: Giving Back to the Strength Community
To date, LHBK has donated over $30,000 to causes directly connected to the strength community. While specific events and recipients vary, the goal is always the same: support lifters, teams, and competitions that are building better humans, not just better athletes.
This isn’t about slapping a donation line in a marketing campaign. For LHBK, giving back is baked into the brand’s DNA. From sponsoring lifters to helping fund inclusive competitions and providing gear to under-supported athletes, their impact is a reflection of their values.
In an industry saturated with ego-driven brands chasing the next trend, LHBK has chosen something different: community over clout.
Apparel With Purpose: Gear That Lifts More Than Just Iron
From a distance, LHBK’s apparel has the sharp, street-smart aesthetic that turns heads in and out of the gym. But look closer, and you’ll find that every stitch has intention behind it.
Their lineup includes clean-cut tees, muscle tanks, and hoodies built for heavy sessions and everyday wear. Comfort meets message-driven design, where every piece exists to represent something meaningful. It’s minimalist, unisex, and accessible, a wearable form of advocacy for strength and kindness.
Whether it’s a heavyweight hoodie that gets you through winter barbell sessions, or a clean tee that sparks conversation at your local meet, LHBK gear delivers more than style, it delivers belonging.
Faces of LHBK: Lifting the Standard
Every movement has its champions, and LHBK has one of the strongest in the world: Mitchell Hooper, Founder of LHBK, isn’t just a powerhouse in the gym; he’s widely regarded as one of the most accomplished strongmen to ever compete.
Hooper has stacked an unmatched resume that includes three consecutive Arnold Strongman Classic victories, the 2024 Rogue Invitational, the 2024 Strongest Man on Earth, and the coveted 2023 World’s Strongest Man title. As the only athlete to have ever claimed all four major titles in the sport, his legacy is already cemented, and he’s still adding to it.
His reputation as a dominant force in strongman is matched only by his commitment to creating a more inclusive, value-driven strength community.
And that’s exactly what LHBK represents.
His creation of the brand wasn’t about launching a clothing line; it was about launching a movement. Hooper’s alignment with LHBK isn’t just a brand affiliation, it’s the foundation of a mindset. When he steps onto the world stage wearing LHBK, he’s not just repping a logo. He’s repping the belief that true strength includes character, compassion, and community.
“I wear LHBK because it reminds me, and everyone around me, that strength is only impressive when it’s paired with character,” says Hooper.
Alongside Hooper, LHBK’s community includes lifters of all levels who see the brand as a badge of values. As one fan shared in a recent testimonial:
“Every time I wear my LHBK hoodie to the gym, someone asks about it. It’s more than merch; it’s a reminder to be better to each other in a space that can be intimidating.”
Another community member posted:
“LHBK makes you feel like part of a team, even if you’re training solo. There’s something powerful about seeing that message in the mirror while you’re grinding through your sets.”
The Final Word: The Strength That Really Matters
In an industry that often emphasizes what’s visible, bigger lifts, leaner physiques, louder attitudes, LHBK is shifting the spotlight to something deeper. It’s not just about how much you lift. It’s about who you lift up.
LHBK isn’t trying to be the biggest brand in the gym, they’re trying to be the most meaningful. And in the process, they’re proving that purpose-driven apparel isn’t just good business. It’s a movement that makes the strength community better, one rep, and one act of kindness, at a time.
Shop the brand. Join the movement.
Follow LHBK on Instagram @lhbk_apparel, on Facebook as well as Tik Tok @_lhbkapparel, and stay connected with a community built on strength and heart. And be sure to check out www.lhbk.shop for all their apparel, bags, and gym gear.
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