When you step inside MaxStrength Fitness in West Plano, the first thing you notice is what’s missing. There’s no thumping music, no clanking metal, no rows of mirrors or large televisions. Instead, the studio is quiet, and the focus settles on one thing: the person who just walked in.
Owner Scott Mirliss likes it that way. In a fitness world built around doing more, sweating harder, and pushing past limits, MaxStrength Fitness has carved out a different kind of space, one designed for people of all ages and abilities to feel capable, guided, and genuinely cared for.
“It’s an anti-gym in all the right ways,” Mirliss says. “Some people are hesitant about going to a gym. Here, they don’t have to be. It’s quiet, private, distraction-free, and they have a trainer by their side the entire time.”
MaxStrength’s model aims to be simple to stick with, featuring 20-minute, high-intensity, low-force strength sessions, twice a week, each one led one-on-one by a trainer in a semi-private setting. The machines are fully customizable, built to adjust to each person’s size, strength, and physical needs.
That structure has opened the door to people who previously felt left out of the traditional gym world. For some, it’s because they don’t know where to begin. For others, it’s physical limitations that make mainstream fitness spaces overwhelming or impossible. For Adrianne Nawa, it was both.
Adrianne, 32, has cerebral palsy. She had never belonged to a gym before, just childhood physical therapy that felt nothing like the exercises she does each Thursday evening at MaxStrength Fitness.
“I feel like if I went to a normal gym, they wouldn’t be as willing to work with me,” Adrianne says. “So, I’m thankful they let me participate. Everybody here is so nice, and it’s a calming place to work out.”
Adrianne attends her workout sessions with her mother, Kari Nawa, who helps her transition from her wheelchair onto each piece of equipment before beginning the trainer-designated exercises. Once Adrianne’s session ends, Kari begins her own.
For Adrianne, the progress has been life-changing.
“I used to get super fatigued just taking a shower,” Adrianne says. “Now my fatigue has gone down really, really low. I’m excited for that.”
Her mom has noticed differences too. For both of them, the slow, controlled method utilized throughout the 20 minute sessions has been a perfect fit.
“It was important to find a place that didn’t rush us, didn’t overwhelm us, and didn’t shut the door because of Adrianne’s disability,” Kari says.
But Adrianne and Kari aren’t the only ones finding their stride here. John Johnson, one of the studio’s earliest members, came in looking for a different kind of fitness experience after trying gyms that didn’t match what he needed.
“I wanted personal guidance,” Johnson says. “Guys sometimes overestimate the weight they can handle. Now, I focus on moving slowly and controlled and on breathing. Anyone thinking about getting in shape—this is a great place to start.”
Stories like theirs are exactly why Mirliss opened the studio in March of 2025. After suffering his own injuries from years of overtraining and watching his wife struggle with chronic pain during cancer treatment, he set out to find a safer, science-driven approach to strength. That’s when he discovered the MaxStrength Fitness brand and wanted to bring the unique gym model to the Dallas area.
“Muscle is the organ of longevity,” Mirliss says. “We protect muscle, protect bones, boost metabolism, balance hormones, and defend against disease. That’s why this matters.”
In 2026, Mirliss will open his second studio location in Frisco.
Whether someone is recovering from injury, navigating disability, aging gracefully, or simply unsure where to begin, MaxStrength Fitness offers a place of inclusivity.
“Whether someone has osteoporosis, is aging, or is facing physical challenges, we meet them where they are,” Mirliss says. “Everyone has 20 minutes twice a week to get into their best shape, and everyone deserves a place where they feel comfortable doing it.”
Fitness That Fits Real Life
- Perfect for beginners - No prior gym experience needed.
- No waiting - Your equipment is ready the minute you walk in.
- No crowds - Private, distraction-free training every session.
- No noise - No mirrors, no music, just focused strength work.
- No guesswork - A trainer guides you through every movement and adjusts the machines for your needs.
- All abilities welcome - Adjustable equipment meets each person where they are.
- Low impact - Slow, controlled exercises protect the body while building real strength.
- Built for busy schedules. You’re in and out in under half an hour.
- Consistency made easy - 30-minute appointments keep you on track.