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Post by dbunch on May 11, 2013 15:39:17 GMT -5
Best gym in…….
Just a thought I had here. Every now and again someone posts looking for a gym that is power lifter friendly. The problem is that most of them are hidden gems that unless you know where to look you’ll never find them.
I figure this thread could do double duty. First it could be a resource for our brothers and sisters in iron find a place to train wither they are on the road or at home and second we could help these people who open a gym where they get us.
I would suggest that the only 2 requirements to post a gym here are: one, there a powerlifting friendly gym, of course and two, there a public gym. There are some really awesome home set ups but it doesn’t do much good for people looking for a gym.
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Post by Ryan on May 11, 2013 18:36:38 GMT -5
Iron Sport gym, Glenolden PA.
Best gym in the US, period.
Built and owned by former strongman Steve Pulcinella, its got top of the line equipment for PLing, OLY lifting and strongman (have Atlas Stones, etc. You name it...)
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Post by dbunch on May 17, 2013 16:20:56 GMT -5
Omaha Barbell – It only been open for about 6 months but it is by far the best gyms in Omaha. The place is well equipped for Powerlifting as well as strongman training. They have 2 monoliths, 2 power racks, 2 benches, and 2 deadlift stations. They also have a prowler, yoke, log, and numerous specialty bars and chains.
The owner (Brent Carter) is looking to get some tire and is always looking for unique but useful equipment.
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Post by George on May 20, 2013 11:22:10 GMT -5
Its easy to judge gyms based on equipment, and nice equipment is a plus. The only thing that would lore me away from my home gym would be a place with an awesome core of people. Since most powerlifters are receptive, this could be anywhere.
Personally, I dont dig on intimidating atmospheres, mostly because I have an unearned anti-authority personality. (Coming from a cop!). In other words, I don't translate being strong with being an alpha male. These stories of guys who fling plates and threaten people in the squat rack sound hard core, but if you analyze it it is almost always a well established guy (big and strong) doing it at some young, inept (possibly even just as arrogant but likely scared) newbie. I dont think I have ever heard a story in which two monsters faced off against one another and it went somewhere. Instead, its some huge guy bragging about tossing a 45 like a frisby toward the guy doing rack curls. So, even if a guy is massively stronger than me, I would probably find myself challenging them outright. There are gyms that still have these types, I had one surface in my own once who was given the boot. I consider aggression to be, well...aggression. And if you've fooled yourself into thinking you can yell at me because your stronger, perhaps you've also fooled yourself into thinking that gives you magical abilities beyond running your mouth. I consider yelling and trying to intimidate me aggression towards me. Perhaps its immaturity on my part, but I think some people need their punk card pulled every now and then. This isn't the same as being intense, or being a coach or mentor and yelling at guys you care about...thats different. My coaches can get in my face all they want and they'll get respect back...they yell because they care. I'm talking about intimidation and yelling before you know the other, and get to care and love 'em...lol.
Sorry about the digression! Check powerliftingwatch.com for powerlifting gyms in the index corner. They have a good list, but be warned the updating is usually user entered, which means someone will list a place and it could be closed for the past five years without the admins knowledge. There is usually contact info listed to verify.
I've had better luck googling gyms in different areas. For instance, I was going to Myrtle Beach, so I typed "powerlifting gym Myrtle Beach" and found a friendly spot. I was also surprised to see that some states have powerlifting sites dedicated to them that are somewhat under the radar.
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Post by dbunch on May 21, 2013 5:53:17 GMT -5
LoL George, I loved the rant and I agree with you 100% I wouldn’t want to lift with a bunch of elitist.
My goal here was to add another “trusted” resource to find a place to train for people on the road or who have relocated.
Powerliftingwatch.com only list “Powerlifting Gyms” and as you said they don’t frequently update their listing so it can be hit or miss. I’ve had similar problems locating gyms on the internet. When I travel I ways call ahead to make sure the gym I’m looking at does not have a problem my training, I ask about chalk and the whole 9 yards. Still, I have had occasions where I get there and all of a sudden there is a problem. Now I’m scrambling to get a plan B.
Actually, I even got away from the goal on my reply, while Omaha Barbell, is a Powerlifting gym, there are 2 other public gym in the area (that I know of) that are accepting of power lifters, the 24 hour fitness in Papillion, Ne. and Prairie life in Ralston, Ne. they are both big box gym but the do accommodate powerlifters
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Post by 3speed on May 23, 2013 16:34:31 GMT -5
Gateway Fitness in Leland, NC just outside of Wilmington.
Don't let the name fool you - Plenty of free weights, a squat rack, a power cage, several benches and very lifter friendly. Chalk is allowed and deadlifting is strongly encouraged. There are also several different sized tires, a home made prowler, a large rock, farmer's walk apparatuses, and a slosh pipe for playing around with outside.
We have all types from gym squirrels to hardcore powerlifters and everybody knows and encourages everybody else.
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Post by chancey on May 23, 2013 18:58:46 GMT -5
I thought I had the perfect gym. Then you find out everyone but you is juicing...
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Post by Ryan on May 23, 2013 20:18:08 GMT -5
I thought I had the perfect gym. Then you find out everyone but you is juicing... What's that got to do with the gym? |
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Post by chancey on May 24, 2013 1:52:13 GMT -5
People also make the gym. I'm not making a morality statement. I just didn't like the lying and deception - especially coming from your own crew. Knee Jerk comment bro.
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Post by dbunch on May 24, 2013 7:19:06 GMT -5
I’m kind of with Chancey on this one. I would not want to be at a gym where people were openly using. If a person wants to partake, I guess that is there business but I personally don’t want to be around it.
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Post by Ryan on May 24, 2013 7:55:33 GMT -5
I guess maybe I'm cut from a different cloth then.
I put my head down and work, no matter who's around me and no matter what's going on, put my headphones on and train. That's it.
I don't care if there's a disco ball with a spider monkey hanging from it shooting itself in the arse with a syringe filled with who-knows-what, because that doesn't change my focus or plan.
It's understandable how maybe this sort of stuff would bug some people, I'm just not one of them.
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Post by dbunch on May 24, 2013 9:20:23 GMT -5
I like my gym to be family tolerant. I like to be able to occasionally bring in my daughter to train with me. She is 5 and I only bring her during slow hours. I wouldn’t want her to be exposed to that
My other issue is that it is still illegal and if usage is rampant in a gym there is a good distribution is rampant, which in-turn makes it a target for law enforcement and I just don’t want to be associated with it.
That being said I think the “disco ball with a spider monkey hanging from it” would be kind of cool
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Post by George on May 25, 2013 23:44:45 GMT -5
I think the concept of a perfect gym is on par with the concept of a perfect woman. If you could design one, by nature you would eventually want to change a few things as time goes on. If you find one, there is probably a catch. To complete the gym woman metaphor, I'll quote a lyric from Stephen Stills, "...and if you cant be with the one you love, honey, love the one you're with"!
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