No Chalk Allowed!

[Karl Schudt]

I consider my garage gym to be Wichita Falls Athletic Club, North Annex.

[girifox]

I found this pretty timely. I'm considering buying a gym. I would have liked to set up a strength gym, but the alternative is to buy a franchise general-purpose gym. The economics simply swing in favour of the franchise model, one of the biggest benefits being that my members can attend at either my gym or any of the other locations around Australia.

So the challenge is for my partner and I to find a way to incorporate proper strength equipment (and chalk) within the limits of a franchise. Insurance is one such problem, like for example the policy limits dumbbells to 40Kg (88lbs).

[Schwiggity]

Went to one of these monstrosities the other day just to check it out (LA Fitness in Orlando, FL). The amount of "wtf?" I saw in my two hours there was enough to make me hate it. Saw some guy doing circuits of running on the treadmill and weight machines, all while wearing what looked like a gas mask, and then there was the skinny kid being directed to squat on a bosu ball by a personal trainer. And of course the guy doing ~300lb. quarter squats while making some kind of samurai breathing noises.

[Chebass88]

I also have a home gym. I travel quite a bit for work though, and need to use commercial gyms in order to continue training. Based on what I've read here and on other sites - I know which gyms to avoid (Planet Fitness, etc.). I adapt, and get the workout done.

One of the best commercial gyms I've been to is the Columbia Basin Raquet Club (Richland, WA). Any other gems out there?

[Mr.City]

There was a man on the street hocking memberships to a X Sport. The guy toured me around the joint while speaking with his back facing me and not asking me what my goals were. Lots of women in spandex. Lots of curling. Very little squat racks.

When I told the guy my goals of a 700 squat/deadlift, 405 bench, and 315 overhead press, his face went ashen. He had to bring over a PT who would better explain the concept of functional strength. The man had no science and antidotal evidence, but he still got paid for this. If it weren't the spandex clad women, I might have considered burning down the building.

[LeonidasfromSparta]

Fantastic article. Unfortunately this is spreading all around the world. I have a similar problem in my damn 3rd world country...

[JM3]

Went to one of these monstrosities the other day just to check it out (LA Fitness in Orlando, FL). The amount of "wtf?" I saw in my two hours there was enough to make me hate it. Saw some guy doing circuits of running on the treadmill and weight machines, all while wearing what looked like a gas mask, and then there was the skinny kid being directed to squat on a bosu ball by a personal trainer. And of course the guy doing ~300lb. quarter squats while making some kind of samurai breathing noises.

I failed a job interview for LA fitness despite personal reccs from members because of my answer to this question:
Have you ever been complimented on your personal hygiene..

I got tickled and when I stopped laughing I said "no- has anyone- have YOU?" She thanked me for my "candor" fucking dweebs.

[girifox]

Leonidas, I would have thought in Albania you'd actually have simpler equipment (cheaper to maintain) so lots of heavy metal lifting gear would abound! How frustrating.

[nevermind]

Unfortunately I have to train at one of these metro style gyms.

It is possible to do starting strength workout, and after training there for long enough people just leave you alone. You do get stared at when doing the Texas method though, you're the guy who's always doing legs day :P

[Akoni]

Due to my life being a busy wreck, I was unable to read this article when it was made available. I, therefore, saved it in hopes of reading it when my time freed up. That time was about 20 minutes ago. I couldn't believe what I was reading. I have absolutely nothing against CF... in fact I have a level 1 cert., but the Midwest gym with the girl at the desk was hilarious. I suppose there are all kinds of people out there.
Thank you so much for the article. I plan on using it as a teaching tool for everything to look out for when my clients travel.

P.S. Everyone knows that firefighters are required to run in place for 30 minutes and complete circuits of single joint movements before leaving a burning house... duh!