Assessing a gym
Discussion
Couple of years ago, with advice from here, I started doing 5x5. Loved it.
Life was very different, I was working away from home 4 days a week, there were no local gyms with free weights and the kids were pretty young - so I downloaded as many form videos as I could, bought a squat cage and Olympic weights set, and got cracking.
Then house refurb and change of job happened - the garage was turned from gym to storage/workshop, free time was severely restricted as I was setting up my own business, and power lifting disappeared from my schedule.
Finally cleared the garage last week - my gym is nearly back in action!
However, I've found out a new gym has opened near me, with a real focus on 'proper' kit - looking at the vids it seems bloody superb, with very enthusiastic and impressive PTs.
One thing I was always worried about was self teaching proper form, and struggled a tad without the environment/support for proper advice and motivation.
So, the missus wants the gym kit gone so she can have an artist's studio (which she'll earn a little dosh from), and I'm seriously considering using this gym instead of my home setup. Selling the kit would free up a bit of cash for a new set of wheels for the car too...
Planning on popping down there one night this week to check it out.
How do you go about deciding if a gym is the right one for you? I'm scrawny and want a combination of strength and speed (so, power then!) with an element of endurance. Don't expect overnight results, but don't want to waste time following the latest fad.
What should I be asking? What should I be looking for?
Life was very different, I was working away from home 4 days a week, there were no local gyms with free weights and the kids were pretty young - so I downloaded as many form videos as I could, bought a squat cage and Olympic weights set, and got cracking.
Then house refurb and change of job happened - the garage was turned from gym to storage/workshop, free time was severely restricted as I was setting up my own business, and power lifting disappeared from my schedule.
Finally cleared the garage last week - my gym is nearly back in action!
However, I've found out a new gym has opened near me, with a real focus on 'proper' kit - looking at the vids it seems bloody superb, with very enthusiastic and impressive PTs.
One thing I was always worried about was self teaching proper form, and struggled a tad without the environment/support for proper advice and motivation.
So, the missus wants the gym kit gone so she can have an artist's studio (which she'll earn a little dosh from), and I'm seriously considering using this gym instead of my home setup. Selling the kit would free up a bit of cash for a new set of wheels for the car too...
Planning on popping down there one night this week to check it out.
How do you go about deciding if a gym is the right one for you? I'm scrawny and want a combination of strength and speed (so, power then!) with an element of endurance. Don't expect overnight results, but don't want to waste time following the latest fad.
What should I be asking? What should I be looking for?
Sway said:
Couple of years ago, with advice from here, I started doing 5x5. Loved it.
Life was very different, I was working away from home 4 days a week, there were no local gyms with free weights and the kids were pretty young - so I downloaded as many form videos as I could, bought a squat cage and Olympic weights set, and got cracking.
Then house refurb and change of job happened - the garage was turned from gym to storage/workshop, free time was severely restricted as I was setting up my own business, and power lifting disappeared from my schedule.
Finally cleared the garage last week - my gym is nearly back in action!
However, I've found out a new gym has opened near me, with a real focus on 'proper' kit - looking at the vids it seems bloody superb, with very enthusiastic and impressive PTs.
One thing I was always worried about was self teaching proper form, and struggled a tad without the environment/support for proper advice and motivation.
So, the missus wants the gym kit gone so she can have an artist's studio (which she'll earn a little dosh from), and I'm seriously considering using this gym instead of my home setup. Selling the kit would free up a bit of cash for a new set of wheels for the car too...
Planning on popping down there one night this week to check it out.
How do you go about deciding if a gym is the right one for you? I'm scrawny and want a combination of strength and speed (so, power then!) with an element of endurance. Don't expect overnight results, but don't want to waste time following the latest fad.
What should I be asking? What should I be looking for?
Hi mateLife was very different, I was working away from home 4 days a week, there were no local gyms with free weights and the kids were pretty young - so I downloaded as many form videos as I could, bought a squat cage and Olympic weights set, and got cracking.
Then house refurb and change of job happened - the garage was turned from gym to storage/workshop, free time was severely restricted as I was setting up my own business, and power lifting disappeared from my schedule.
Finally cleared the garage last week - my gym is nearly back in action!
However, I've found out a new gym has opened near me, with a real focus on 'proper' kit - looking at the vids it seems bloody superb, with very enthusiastic and impressive PTs.
One thing I was always worried about was self teaching proper form, and struggled a tad without the environment/support for proper advice and motivation.
So, the missus wants the gym kit gone so she can have an artist's studio (which she'll earn a little dosh from), and I'm seriously considering using this gym instead of my home setup. Selling the kit would free up a bit of cash for a new set of wheels for the car too...
Planning on popping down there one night this week to check it out.
How do you go about deciding if a gym is the right one for you? I'm scrawny and want a combination of strength and speed (so, power then!) with an element of endurance. Don't expect overnight results, but don't want to waste time following the latest fad.
What should I be asking? What should I be looking for?
I am by no means an expert in looking for a gym as I have just joined one myself a week ago.
I have trained at home using barbell and dumbbells with daily mountain bike rides.
Decided to look at a new gym which opened a month or two a go which is not that big but does have a number of machines with free weights also.
After going now for a week these are the things I love about the gym.
1. You are using machines which give you a total body work out which would not be possible at home.
2. My form was not as good as I thought and after a few tips I am feeling a benefit already.
3. You work harder in company. No distractions which will happen at home.
4. Just getting out of the house environment has made a huge difference. Driving to and from the gym and seeing new people really does help the mind as well as the body.
5. My muscles were actually burning. Using the machines and also pull up bars etc. worked the body so much harder.
6. As this gym was brand new they have brand new equipment.
As mentioned I have limited experience of a gym. I hated the thought of joining a gym but after a week I am so glad I did.
Equipment wise they have the following
Barbell with loads of weights
Dumbbells which go from 1kg-75kg
Running machines
Rowing machines
Cross Country machines
Bench press
Squat rack
Bicep/Tricep machine
Bar stand for pull up and other exercises.
Loads more with an outside area for squats etc.
Edited by anonymous-user on Tuesday 6th September 10:49
I'm in a similar position, I've got a decent set of weights, a bench and a cage in my garage/mancave that never get used. I had no idea on form and just watched a few YouTube videos to begin with, I'd never push myself and found myself easily distracted or simply getting home and flaking out on the sofa.
Joined a local gym a few months back with lots of free weights and a few decent machines. I got friendly with a few of the gorillas in there who were happy to impart their knowledge about routines and form etc.
I've also enlisted a PT to help train me 3 times a week plus I get out on my mtb bike as much as possible and have never felt so good.
I'm going to clear the room at home and flog the weights as I just don't use them and my results at the gym with the correct knowledge and being pushed hard by somebody work so much better.
Typing out this reply was a struggle as my routine last night has destroyed my bi's and tri's.
Joined a local gym a few months back with lots of free weights and a few decent machines. I got friendly with a few of the gorillas in there who were happy to impart their knowledge about routines and form etc.
I've also enlisted a PT to help train me 3 times a week plus I get out on my mtb bike as much as possible and have never felt so good.
I'm going to clear the room at home and flog the weights as I just don't use them and my results at the gym with the correct knowledge and being pushed hard by somebody work so much better.
Typing out this reply was a struggle as my routine last night has destroyed my bi's and tri's.
Depends on what you want. If you are going to start 5x5 again then a rack and weights - which you have 
. The only problem is that unless they have a number of cages then you could find yourself waiting.
If you need motivation then I would sign up for a some sessions with a PT to get your form straight again and then back to the garage gym. I mainly train at home because I am an unsociable git!
. The only problem is that unless they have a number of cages then you could find yourself waiting.If you need motivation then I would sign up for a some sessions with a PT to get your form straight again and then back to the garage gym. I mainly train at home because I am an unsociable git!
Sway said:
How do you go about deciding if a gym is the right one for you?
I look at what can I live with, and what can I live without, and the commute. Everything else is malleable.Is it busy at the times I wanna go, that's the killer, I've turned up at times and not been able to do my routine. I've kept a log book for years, if I can't do my routine it really annoys me.
Commute time is the other biggy.
I currently have a Pure gym near me, it is too close to ignore. I am currently a machine w
ker, but they do have some benches and a power rack. There is a strongman gym and a bells and whistles exercise4less gym in the centre of town, but the kit can't beat my 5 min commute.all gyms will have the isolation machines and dumbells. not all gyms will have a squat/power rack, even less may have an olympic rack area. If you want to do 5x5 (which is what I do) you want the very latter. My gym has an olympic lift racks (i think thats the name) and I do everything on it. that's convienent though, long as there is a squat rack, bench press and somewhere you're allowed to deadlift its fine. (i think?)
lesiure/lifestyle gyms might not have the olympic lift area because they dont want people doing deadlifts. some might not have squat/power racks for fear of people injuring themselves, they might have a smith machine instead. the same goes for really heavy dumbells.
lesiure/lifestyle gyms might not have the olympic lift area because they dont want people doing deadlifts. some might not have squat/power racks for fear of people injuring themselves, they might have a smith machine instead. the same goes for really heavy dumbells.
The first gym I ever went in was an old skool gym, O'Malleys. The DBs I think went up to 70 or 80 kgs. I thought that was normal. I was mildly amused to see caps of 40 or similar in places like Total Fitness or David Lloyd as I frequented more and more gyms.
My current Pure had a 40 or 42 cap, but they have now pushed themselves to 50.
It is annoying that they don't allow heavy bags though. I'm gonna look around for a boxing gym.
My current Pure had a 40 or 42 cap, but they have now pushed themselves to 50.
It is annoying that they don't allow heavy bags though. I'm gonna look around for a boxing gym.
Off the top of my head:
- Does the gym have the equipment you need to do the training you want?
- How many sets of the equipment you need does it have?
- How busy is the gym at the times of day you're likely to use it?
Basically, the key question is will you actually be able use the gym how you want to? Or will you find yourself waiting around half the time to get on the equipment you want?
Also worth checking opening hours. One of my old gyms was closed on a Sunday, which was annoying as I liked to train then sometimes.
- Does the gym have the equipment you need to do the training you want?
- How many sets of the equipment you need does it have?
- How busy is the gym at the times of day you're likely to use it?
Basically, the key question is will you actually be able use the gym how you want to? Or will you find yourself waiting around half the time to get on the equipment you want?
Also worth checking opening hours. One of my old gyms was closed on a Sunday, which was annoying as I liked to train then sometimes.
Visited the gym in question last night. Wasn't what I was expecting, and not sure if in a good way or bad!
It's been setup by a seemingly very well regarded natural body builder, in conjuction with his main supplement sponsor...
Kit is phenomenal - pretty much all hammerstrength, lots of it too.
Cap of 50 members "to ensure you'll never have to wait for a bit of equipment". Stunning changing and kitchen area.
Four PTs, each specialising in a different area - body build/weight loss/strength/endurance.
4 'metabolic' classes a week included in the membership, including an early morning and weekend, which fits with work.
So far, so good.
However, it's bloody expensive (or seems it to me!) - £180 first month, includes 3x PT sessions and will include a training plan and nutrition plan. All online, with macros tracking etc. £120 after that. 6 month lock, not notice period after that.
Seems a bit 'culty', can't put my finger on it, but everyone seemed a tad too keen if you know what I mean?
Ultimately, the biggest worry is the link to the supplement company. With the cap in members, that's £6k a month turnover - with costs including the facility, rates, staffing, equipment, etc. I can't see how they're going to make any money without a constant push for 'carb killa' or 'supa protein', and so on. That would do my head in.
Overall, I'm not sure. Great equipment, impressive staff, zero commute (on my route home). Worries about being locked in for six months, the slightly overkeen nature of the members I met, and the fear of it being a front for a perpetual hardsell are preventing me jumping for it.
Yet I know I need an external motivator - maybe this is exactly the sort of place I need?
Gonna mull it over for a week or so.
It's been setup by a seemingly very well regarded natural body builder, in conjuction with his main supplement sponsor...
Kit is phenomenal - pretty much all hammerstrength, lots of it too.
Cap of 50 members "to ensure you'll never have to wait for a bit of equipment". Stunning changing and kitchen area.
Four PTs, each specialising in a different area - body build/weight loss/strength/endurance.
4 'metabolic' classes a week included in the membership, including an early morning and weekend, which fits with work.
So far, so good.
However, it's bloody expensive (or seems it to me!) - £180 first month, includes 3x PT sessions and will include a training plan and nutrition plan. All online, with macros tracking etc. £120 after that. 6 month lock, not notice period after that.
Seems a bit 'culty', can't put my finger on it, but everyone seemed a tad too keen if you know what I mean?
Ultimately, the biggest worry is the link to the supplement company. With the cap in members, that's £6k a month turnover - with costs including the facility, rates, staffing, equipment, etc. I can't see how they're going to make any money without a constant push for 'carb killa' or 'supa protein', and so on. That would do my head in.
Overall, I'm not sure. Great equipment, impressive staff, zero commute (on my route home). Worries about being locked in for six months, the slightly overkeen nature of the members I met, and the fear of it being a front for a perpetual hardsell are preventing me jumping for it.
Yet I know I need an external motivator - maybe this is exactly the sort of place I need?
Gonna mull it over for a week or so.
So £1,500 for a year's membership? That would be far too rich for me. You could buy an absolutely amazing home gym for that kind of money. Sounds like it's more of a set up for real pro lifters who will get real value from the personal training.
Also agree that they are going to struggle to make a profit on £6,000 revenue per month. Seems like a flawed business plan, not that it would be your problem!
Also agree that they are going to struggle to make a profit on £6,000 revenue per month. Seems like a flawed business plan, not that it would be your problem!
£180 then £120 a month sounds mental. I don't mean to sound weird but careful you don't fall in a trap. are you really going to be that commited in order to pay THAT much? the money you're paying is basically to have someone stand next you and give you a thumbs up while exercising. the nutrition side.. you can easily read up on what you need to do.
each to their own, but I'd rather spend some intial time with a PT to teach/check my form when lifting then once I'm ok tell em to sod off and go to a gym that's £20-30.
each to their own, but I'd rather spend some intial time with a PT to teach/check my form when lifting then once I'm ok tell em to sod off and go to a gym that's £20-30.
It isn't possible to run a gym with 50 members.
Firstly the income (even at these prices) will be too low.
Secondly, and perhaps more important 50 members will provide around 10 visits per day at best, there will be no atmosphere, banter or camaraderie which are part of the reason for going to the gym as opposed to working out at home.
Either it will fold or member numbers will need to be well beyond 50.
Firstly the income (even at these prices) will be too low.
Secondly, and perhaps more important 50 members will provide around 10 visits per day at best, there will be no atmosphere, banter or camaraderie which are part of the reason for going to the gym as opposed to working out at home.
Either it will fold or member numbers will need to be well beyond 50.
Gents, you're reading my mind.
I 'want' to love it. Gain much needed space by selling my squat rack, remove concerns about my form as weight increases, perhaps meet a training partner.
But it doesn't feel right - either the hard sell is coming, it's fun at a loss by the supps firm, or it'll fold.
So next question - how do I find a good power lifting coach? One who can bring a beginner along, and would be happy with a (say) monthly trip to me to kick my arse/tell me I'm amazing?
In the depths of West Sussex, on the coast South of Chichester...
I 'want' to love it. Gain much needed space by selling my squat rack, remove concerns about my form as weight increases, perhaps meet a training partner.
But it doesn't feel right - either the hard sell is coming, it's fun at a loss by the supps firm, or it'll fold.
So next question - how do I find a good power lifting coach? One who can bring a beginner along, and would be happy with a (say) monthly trip to me to kick my arse/tell me I'm amazing?
In the depths of West Sussex, on the coast South of Chichester...
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