Where I Train Myself

Nov
2010

Hundreds, maybe thousands of people drive past it everyday and most don’t even know it exists. It has an old sign hanging above its combination locked entrance. When you set foot in the door you’re either going to love it or hate it. I don’t think there is an in between in this case. Those of us that love it also keep it our secret.

It has few if any luxuries, especially compared to the other choices in town. Little luxury but many pluses. Membership is only $100 a year, no enrollment or initiation fees like other clubs charge. A day pass is only three bucks, if you get charged at all. It seems the first visit is always on the house. There isn’t any staff running the gym, and that’s fine with me. There’s 24 hour access, and it has everything you need for a great workout, but to me the best thing is the members. I think it’s only about a dozen of us, if that many. And they’re all really nice people. Most days, if I don’t have the place all to myself there might be one or two others working out. The busiest I’ve ever seen it is 5 training at the same time, and we joke about how that is a full house.

There are weight machines but nothing fancy or new. 13 if you count the leg press and Smith machine, but not counting the few multi-cable stations upstairs. It has four different places to do pull ups, dumbbells range from 10 pounds up to 150 pounds, there is a power cage and a platform. Music is optional. If you want the radio on there is a switch on the wall. Bringing your own tunes is always an option, headphones not required. Everyone is considerate and asks if anyone minds the lights or music being on. Good luck having that control at a 24HR, Bally’s or LA Fitness.

There’s no cardio equipment, although there are stairs and it’s across the street from a 24 acre park.

Besides the solitude, one of the things I like best is how it reminds me of training at home when I first started working out. My brother and I, and some of our friends put together a small gym in my parents’ basement. Summer afternoons we’d leave the lights off and the back door open to keep the temperature cool. I’m able to do the same thing as long as there isn’t another member working out that prefers it brighter. Another thing is the privacy. Since most of us know each other, the fact that I’m a professional trainer doesn’t prevent me from getting in a great workout. When I worked and trained at large clubs it wasn’t unusual for members to interrupt a trainer’s own workout with questions.

I’ve always said that if this gym wasn’t around I’d have to seriously get started building my own well equipped home gym. The thought of working out in a crowded, noisy health club doesn’t sound that ideal to me. Thankfully it has been around for decades, without even the slightest rumor of the doors being shut.

Judging from the photos would you love it or hate it?