Broke Lifter, Stupid Gym Owner

[Maverick777]

At the moment, I have a problem. I cannot deadlift. This is not a 'it's too hard, I have an effed up spine' question. This is a 'the gym owner is stupid but it's a good deal' question. The gym I go to costs 10 bucks a month. Good, since practically all of my money has to go to my college fund and my car fund. Bad since he's banned the deadlift and power clean for very viable sales reasons. I've actually started a petition amongst members to have it un-banned, but if I am caught deadlifting, I will be kicked out. I'm also putting aside money each month towards my own lifting set up should worst come to worst. I can still squat, OHP, HANG clean, and bench press. Since low bar squats already hit the posterior chain, is there anything I could do to train the 'non-stretch reflex' lifting? Once again, either as soon as I have enough money to buy a barbell and plates or the petition is adequately filled out, I will resume my beloved deadlifts, I just need something to cover it in the meantime.

[Steve Hill]

Since low bar squats already hit the posterior chain, is there anything I could do to train the 'non-stretch reflex' lifting?

Yes.

Change gyms.

[PressesPeople]

What are his very viable sales reasons? Is it the loudness?

[Maverick777]

People sign up for his gym because of the 'no-intimidation atmosphere'. And changing gyms is not an option because of my limited budget. I'm saving up for a barbell and plates so I can do deads and Olympic lifts at home, but I'll have to make do for a couple months. I know I need to deadlift, believe me, but I'd rather at least have a place to squat that to have nowhere to go.

[Roy]

Is this a planet fitness? You will probably not be happy there. In fact, once your squats get really tough you may be lunked anyway.

[savage]

You're most definitely at Planet Fitness. I don't know how long you'll have to save up for your equipment, but you need to get to a another gym ASAP.

You most certainly will NOT get the deadlift and power clean reinstated. It is in PF's manifesto to be a gym for timid, second-class humans. The deadlift and power clean are intimidating lifts.

Also, as Roy already said, once your lifts get high enough, you will be viewed as a lunk. The Lunk Alarm will get triggered and you will be escorted out of the gym.

[Maverick777]

Actually, it's not Planet Fitness, and because the squat racks are in the free weight section where only us 'hardcore' lifters go, no one reports you on the grunting or screaming, and I've heard guys let loose some pretty primal bellows. It's a chain of four, locally-owned gyms called Blue Moon 'Fitness'. Yeah, gayest name ever, I know. It's funny, because they say no 'powerlifting', but I asked management if I could squat and they said yes. WTF? They also allow bench pressing and any exercise that doesn't involve setting the bar down on the floor. So hang cleans are fine, and I'll probably use them to maintain until I get my own bar and plates.

[FKYT]

Can you do Romanian deadlifts? You can get a lift-off from the rack and bring it close to, but not touching the floor.

I mean, if hang cleans are okay........

[Maverick777]

It's really, really weird, because deadlifts aren't, nor are power cleans, but I just did some Pendlay rows the other day and no one stopped me, even though there were like, 3 managers on duty. And a guy I know got told to stop to Romanians. Some gym owners are just incredibly stupid.

[newsole]

http://bluemoonfitness.com/faqs/

LOL, dude "used to" squat 585 for 10 reps.

Now he runs a "fitness club" that says no to deadlifts but yes to tanning beds.

Sweet.