Best gym you've ever been to?

[luke.w]

Originally Posted by Dan C

If you go to the one in Towson, You might as well use it for what it's worth and do a few laps in the pool or kick back in the hot tub or sauna. It's not like you need to go there to workout, so why not use the things you don't have access to?

There's definitely something to be said about the "adventure" or just the change of scenery though.

If I do go (and thats a big "if") they bought the place right next to my shop, I'll admit it's ego that wants me to go, I just want to show-off some butt to heel high rep squats, or high rep deads with 350ish.
no time for kicking back in pools, theres a nice place for that in PA, we will do every other week this summer!

your second statement is spot on though.

[westside24]

well unfortunately, alot of gyms that open here, have billions of machines, I know they suck, and mite be alot of money, I aint sure.

but ok I think the general amount of people who decide to walk into the gym looking for help, but dont really feel motivated to do anything about it, theyre gonna see machines and see hope...

its like merridia said about her gym, they have a whole set up of like 7 machines that are "gauranteed" to work every muscle in the body. and for the older people , or the really out of shape people whether theyre overwieght or skinny as hell, I think its gonna attract them into signing a membership or keep coming back and paying daily, because theyre gonna think "its really not so hard to get into shape, I can use these machines" thats how I started out.

I actually had no interest at all in working out. My buddy made me go sign up, and I was like damn, this is pretty cool lookin, I could get all buff from all the machines, its so easy. But then I obviously found you guys and start learning... But im saying if it was just a free weights type of gym, I wouldnt of been totally turned off, I never done serious weight lifting like that before, and I was kind of telling myself before I walked into the gym, that I really didnt want to. I am glad I do now, Its my passion now.

I might not make great logical points with this... lol

But me personally, I wouldnt want all the machines in my gym, because I want the cool, hardcore, Todds and DanC and Gooses and Liftgirls, the real experienced lifters in my gym... but then you could miss an opporunity at other peoples money.

[westside24]

Originally Posted by luke.w

marketing and word of mouth can draw begginners to something like this

IMO "crossfit" is appealing to most who may have an interest in challenging their fitness levels (with weight training) one thing IMO keeping the roid monsters out will help, !!

You can market and word of mouth all you want, but you wont get people who arent interested (which is like 90% of the population) to join.

Crossfit is appealing, but like you said, to those who have an interest in challenging themselves... thats what I was saying is, not many people are interested in their fitness, health and quality of life, and I would guess they would be less so when they see a gym thats for PL's and Crossfitters and Oly lifters only... which is fine if thats what one would want to do. im just saying theres opportunity prolly to gain money through non experienced people.

My friend for example, worked out for a year in H.S. I keep asking him all the time if he'll go and sign up at my gym, or just use my free 1 week pass, come check it out. His reasoning for not is, because He doesnt wanna lift heavy ass weights, he doesnt wanna do all that, hes fine how he is, eating 2-3 times a day, and eating crappy ass foods, and he hated bench pressing and shoulder pressing and squatting. and doesnt wanna hurt like that again. they never had machines at his school gym.

I gaurantee if I could get him in to my gym, he would see all them machines and cables, and realize it might not be so hard and sign up.... which in the long run he will be giving his money to the gym!

as an entreprenuer money should be the goal.

sorry I suck at explaining things and I have to write out a novel

[KickerNine]

Favorite commercial gym is Muscle World in CMCH, NJ. I work out there when on vacation. Chalk allowed, rust on the equipment (due to the fact that, up until 5 or so years ago, it was not air conditioned), dedicated platform for deads/oly lifting, old school Nautilus machines that must be 40 years old, smells like a gym. Cheap membership rates a major plus.

My $0.02: Lots of racks, benches, platforms. Kettlebells, chains, bands, bumper plates, sleds, strongman equipment, climbin ropes, sledgehammers and tires. Treadmills for cardio. Have someone available to spot on request. Host powerlifting competitions, strongman competitions (with multiple weight classes), pump-and-runs, STREND competitions to generate new business.

[luke.w]

Originally Posted by westside24

as an entreprenuer money should be the goal.

your right about all machines produce the most profit, any new machine (or variety) will get the most customers.

but being the entreprenuer, is it a good goal to just get by and live comfortly, after all you would be doing what you love, so money isn't the #1, only enough to pay the bills and save something?
but I haven't a clue what Dan wants here as far as profit wise?

once a business becomes too big, it ends up being most peoples nightmares really, so is the most money the main goal, or just enough success (at least the first 10years or so)???? to earn a living and do what you love????

[luke.w]

Originally Posted by westside24

You can market and word of mouth all you want, but you wont get people who arent interested (which is like 90% of the population) to join.

Crossfit is appealing, but like you said, to those who have an interest in challenging themselves... thats what I was saying is, not many people are interested in their fitness, health and quality of life, and I would guess they would be less so when they see a gym thats for PL's and Crossfitters and Oly lifters only... which is fine if thats what one would want to do. im just saying theres opportunity prolly to gain money through non experienced people.

I don't know the %age, but there are many people out there interested, and pushing oneself isn't nessecary (work/challenge is involved, but theres a way to bring them in without them thinking they need to push limits).

the challenge for Dan is finding them.

I saw a group of people come in to a dump of a gym to train the quick lifts (the only day I trained there) it was all balence and tech. training, the only heavy weights I saw go up were by the instructor, everyone was into it though and wanted to be there.

also I train a relative (whom through deadlifts,bodyweight squats ect.) has avioded several surguries, I've been training him for 3 some odd years, I don't supervise him on his sessions however he still needs me to seek differant ideas and exersices,he never deadlifts over 135, and I told him if he isn't looking to strength as a hobby or if he doesn't need to get stronger for everyday life, then don't push it, stay where you are. of course he didn't really want to go heavier, unless he had to, he still doesn't look forward to exercise, but he knows he needs to.
some chain gyms would not allow him to do exercises he's doing.

so there is a bigger market I believe?????????

[Dan C]

So westside, you're saying that you personally wouldn't want a lot of machines in your gym but that most people (who would bring the money) would?

The point you raised about people walking into a gym looking for help I think I can address with the right staff. No pushy salesmen, but people that are passionate about exercise, people that enjoy helping others. One thing I have figured into a new member orientation is an initial workout which basically amounts to a personal training session, albeit more instructional.

I don't believe that people who walk into a gym looking for help aren't motivated to do anything, otherwise they wouldn't have walked in to begin with.

Luke made a good point with his new machine or variety comment... kettlebells are variety

Regarding crossfit, it's great training but that type of intensity is intimidating to most people. Talk about not catering to the masses. The founder of crossfit openly admits that this type of training can kill you. Deaths are not good for business! And I'm not interested in becoming anyones affiliate when it comes to MY gym... selling products is another story.

As for making money, sure, I want to make as much of it as I can! I certainly want to have a profitable establishment, to the point where I can pay people to run it for me. If I have the option to sit back and collect money, take a trip to Fiji with my family, personal train or run group classes... those options are a good, good thing!

[luke.w]

[quote=Dan C;401388
Regarding crossfit, it's great training but that type of intensity is intimidating to most people. Talk about not catering to the masses. The founder of crossfit openly admits that this type of training can kill you. Deaths are not good for business! And I'm not interested in becoming anyones affiliate when it comes to MY gym... selling products is another story.[/QUOTE]




thats something I didn't think about, but I only mentioned it because there are many who just want to learn how to say overhead squat the bar, not nessecarly their bodyweight for 15reps, and it's not a bunch of torque sniffing tattoo monsters is all.

one thing I said in my lastest post was they can be drawn to it, without thinking they need to kill themselves.

[westside24]

Originally Posted by luke.w

so is the most money the main goal, or just enough success (at least the first 10years or so)???? to earn a living and do what you love????

Youre right, I like that better. sometimes I think people (myself) forget that some people seek or start a job because they like it. not for the money.

[westside24]

Originally Posted by Dan C

So westside, you're saying that you personally wouldn't want a lot of machines in your gym but that most people (who would bring the money) would?

Yes

The point you raised about people walking into a gym looking for help I think I can address with the right staff. No pushy salesmen, but people that are passionate about exercise, people that enjoy helping others. One thing I have figured into a new member orientation is an initial workout which basically amounts to a personal training session, albeit more instructional.

OK you are prolly right about that. You might be a good motivational speaker, you might attract peoples attention and make them want to work out and get fit, but honestly (this is just what ive seen) I preech to alot of people at work or in my life...

I tried getting my best friend and his wife in the gym, I have girls that I talk to at work (sexy girls) but they complain about, theyre but aint the way they want it to look and dumb stuff like that, and I tell them the things they can do, and Im like come on you live right by the gym I go to... theres all kinds of people there you know, Ill work out with you whatever, or like my mom and my sisters, I worked out with them each individually for a week (because we get free 1 week memberships tog ive out) and theyre all like "oh yea i love this, it feels good" then after that week they try n act like it never happened and "oh I just dont have the time" or "oh my doctor says I shouldnt be doing those kind of exercises"

So im just saying from what ive experienced, as much as I preech (not bugging the hell out of these people) people just turn a def ear. they dont care, most people are not interested in there health or fitness. But then you show them an easy solution to getting fit and looking good, then im guessing 50% of the time theyre gonna bite on it.

As for making money, sure, I want to make as much of it as I can! I certainly want to have a profitable establishment, to the point where I can pay people to run it for me. If I have the option to sit back and collect money, take a trip to Fiji with my family, personal train or run group classes... those options are a good, good thing!

I would love to hear a great success story like that.

[pseudonym]

some exciting ideas being talked about here my friend, I can't wait to see what sort of gym you open (I'm sure it'll be killer).

re: westside and getting newb's involved. It's all about your target market IMO - I totally agree a lot of people are wholly unmotivated when it comes to their own fitness and the easier you can make it for them the more chance you have of getting their custom (i.e. fill the place with machines and pink Dumbells and they will come). From a business perspective though this smacks of 'mixing our markets' - cater too much for the unmotivated (the lazy) and the clueless and you'll have a gym full of them at the expense of dedicated enthusiastic trainees.

I'm not for a second saying beginners ought to be ostracised and not catered for (the exact opposite needs to be true) - just that there is not much point unless you have the resources and desire to become another Fitness First or Goodlife (to use Aussie globo gym examples) chasing the 'new years resolution' dollar (which will vanish in no time without exorbitant contrast periods).

Most untrained people out there are not averse to hard work or at least don't shy away from exercise because it's 'too hard' (and if they do they are likely not ever going to make a profitable long term gym member).

Catering for beginners (the untrained) does not (in my mind) mean reducing the proliferation of free-weights or kettlebells in favour of a PecDec, instead it means, as you've said Dan, having trainers/staff with a passion for fitness who will teach someone how to squat with the bar or start swinging the 4 or 8kg kettlebell.

Filling a gym with machines so people with no idea (as most of us were when we started in the gym ... at least I was) will spend their money to 'get fit the easy way' is ethically questionable IMO (particularly when it's done by people who should and do know better). Much better to fill a gym with real training equipment and welcome n00bs with open arms and a sign pointing to the squat rack (where a passionate trainer will show them gently and kindly how to use it... for squats ... not bicep curls).

Secondly re: CrossFit - I was not for a second saying you should open a Crossfit affiliated gym , just that you could rent some of your space/equipment (or have a dedicated area as per Minime's gym in Boston) to a local affiliate (or trainer who wants to become affiliated). Much like you'll allow trainers to bring their clients in for 10 bucks a shot, you'd let a Crossfit affiliate bring their group in for whatever fee you set - same concept.

Globally the Crossfit brand is growing at a stupendous rate (something like 2-3 afffiliates a month I believe) and I think it makes good business sense to set yourself up to cater to it (though in all honesty your gym will do that regardless with the equipment you'll have and the vibe it seems you'll be projecting).

there some more of the $0.02 I have on the subject .

I really think I'd like to train at your gym Dan.

[Dan C]

westside24:

Keep in mind that the people I'll be talking to in this scenario will have already step foot in my gym, so they're ready to take action.

I hear what you're saying about machines being more beginner friendly but honestly, I don't have $50k+ to spend on an entire line of Hammer Strength machines & a cardio theater. (I did however just buy a mint-condition Hammer leg press off of eBay for a $1k - that's a $2,700 machine and one of the nicest leg presses out there - SCORE!)

Either way, I think there's a market out there for people who are tired of the foo-foo gyms with fancy machines and all the latest technology that makes working out easier.

[Dan C]

Good comments pseudonym. Not a bad idea at all about hooking up with a crossfit partner... there will certainly be that type of training going on anyway.

[westside24]

Originally Posted by Dan C

I did however just buy a mint-condition Hammer leg press off of eBay for a $1k - that's a $2,700 machine and one of the nicest leg presses out there - SCORE!

Lucky!

Yea I hear ya, it would be quite a bit of money to buy a several machines.

Dan,

Here is the link to a gym nearby where I live that is a fun place to train. I have paid a drop-in fee of $10 to train there a couple of times:

http://www.physicalsubculture.com/

This is an example of an ecletic training place favoring strength and non-traditional gym training equipment and methods. Quite frankly, I don't know if the owner makes a decent income from it, but I know he is having fun.

The owner of the gym I belong to consulted with me once and I had a chance to look at their prior year tax return. I was shocked that the bottom line number was so low and that his gross income wasn't higher than what I perceived it to be.

I think trying to be an independent gym owner and make a reasonable income for the effort required is a tough task. Many years ago I had a younger client who owned an independent gym until I canned him for not being a good bill payer. The glory is in the opening and all the tasks leading up to it, with grandious visions of making a ton of money. I put independent gyms in the same category as restaurants - alot of new ones come into existance, stay open a while, then eventually fold. Naturally, I wish you success in your journey and a better outcome.

If you ever want some financial counsel and you can wait until after April 15th, let me know. For a DiscussFitness brother, I'll give you some of my time, without charge of course. It is what I do for a living and I'm pretty good at it. But I may tell you things that you really aren't crazy to hear.

Back to your original question: I like super-clean bathrooms and shower facilities. And a plain-and-simple training environment. I like the response that KickerNine gave in his earlier post.