How far do you drive....

[SisterSteel]

I'll be driving 30miles each way starting in 2 weeks and I even thought about training at another gym but it's 45miles each way and that's a bit to far for me to drive.

How far would you be willing to drive to train at a gym that will get you closer to your goals (equipment, environment, etc)?

[Ironguruera]

there was an older golds gym that was 20 minutes away vs the one 10 min from my house. I liked the old school one as they had cool old machines u can't find anymore.

They shut down the one I really liked. There are a few machines I miss. I would def drive 30 minutes if the gym was awesome!

the problem is by me there's Tons of fitness gyms. They have pools, tracks, movie theatre cardio rooms, sauna, tons of cardio stuff. Actual weights and gym stuff seem secondary at most places near me.

[babablacksheep]

I drive 20 miles one each way right now.....it's a large commercial gym LA Fitness actually and it's nice they have pretty much any piece of equipment anyone would want or need but it's more family/fitness orientated not a very hard or environment and I don't know anyone there that competes

[Vicious 13]

I'll go 30 miles to work out w my boys from back home not everyday though... My goals don't require a certain gym though if they did or I felt I was benefiting I'd do what I needed

[kazman68]

I'm lucky it's a 5 minute drive, not the super hard core gym, I used to train in, but it does the job..

[neoclassical]

3 days a week I train a few mins from my house. Once a week I train at a hardcore gym in the southside of town. I also have a power rack with a basic oly set and dumbells at my house that I can use if I need to squeeze a workout in.

[red crayon]

I think I would drive an hour or so. I dont have a lot of choices here, its a small town. I went to the "Y" for about 15 years but they got really weird so I changed. The one I go to now is about 20 min away. We have one girl there who competes in the figure class events. She has been to the NPC Nationals a couple of times. I think she would do better if there was a couple more girls there who were on that level as well. Her Husband is a wanna be, he is big and muscular but mostly big and round. Oh and no legs, well his legs need a lot of work. He is one of those guys who always sayes that you can build decent legs without squats. Its just not gonna happen. His lack of knowledge is just amazing.

[SisterSteel]

I'll go 30 miles to work out w my boys from back home not everyday though... My goals don't require a certain gym though if they did or I felt I was benefiting I'd do what I needed

That was my reasoning for my willingness to drive 30miles. I will definitely benefit from having a mono, comp bench, and a dl platform. I'll pass by probably 20 gyms within that drive (possibly more) but none of them have what I need.

[layddually]

Takes me an hour no matter what gym I go to. The problem is when I leave the gym for work. It can be a 2 min, 5 min, or 30min drive. I went back to the 2 min even though I prefer the gym that's 30min away.

[Ecto]

My gym was only 5 minutes away, but I don't have to do that anymore. Got everything I need at home. DB's, Barbell and Bumper Plates, Squat Rack, Bench, Dip/Pullup Station, Sled. It's all I'll ever need. I will get me a GHD soon, maybe by summer. I would love to have a Reverse Hyper, but too damn expensive, I'll just continue pulling weights on my Sled.

[SisterSteel]

My gym was only 5 minutes away, but I don't have to do that anymore. Got everything I need at home. DB's, Barbell and Bumper Plates, Squat Rack, Bench, Dip/Pullup Station, Sled. It's all I'll ever need. I will get me a GHD soon, maybe by summer. I would love to have a Reverse Hyper, but too damn expensive, I'll just continue pulling weights on my Sled.

A reverse hyper is a great piece of equipment. A GHR is also another great machine everyone should utilize.

When you pull your sled don't forget you can do it facing the sled (pulling backwards) and facing the front. You can also use many different positions to hold the bar or whatever you hold to pull the bar.

[Nitrous]

No drive for me just a flight of stairs, but I do miss the environment of gyms. I felt an extra boost to push harder. When I work out in the basement it’s so easy to call it quits and head up stairs. At the Gym I would seem to go the extra mile. Having 5 kids I am needed at home and they are my motivation.

[SisterSteel]

I don't think I would train at home even if I had everything I needed there. The environment I train in is also very important to me.

[Ecto]

A reverse hyper is a great piece of equipment. A GHR is also another great machine everyone should utilize.

When you pull your sled don't forget you can do it facing the sled (pulling backwards) and facing the front. You can also use many different positions to hold the bar or whatever you hold to pull the bar.

I do love my sled, i pull back and front, with just 2 straps. I got this little jewel at Rogue Fitness, I have bought quite a bit of stuff from there

http://www.roguefitness.com/rogue-sleds.php

[SisterSteel]

A client of mine made me a speed sled. It's quite nice. I pull it with a chain and attach it to a straight bar handle that I can hold up, down, etc.

I'd like to get a prowler. That's a great conditioning tool to.

[Orange24]

^^ prowler is soooo great

[Ironguruera]

^^ prowler is soooo great

Isn't that aka a cat burglar lmao. Seriously wtf is a prowler?

[Orange24]

Basically the best form if cardio ever

[ordawg1]

I only travel maybe 5 minutes depending what part of the world I am in.If on a cruise ship is just usually up a few decks.That prowler looks like a fine piece of training equipment !! Never used-YET-now I will Thanks-OD

[Ecto]

Isn't that aka a cat burglar lmao. Seriously wtf is a prowler?


These are Prowlers and they kick ass, great for conditioning and really work the Hams.

http://www.flexcart.com/members/elitefts/default.asp?cid=390

[Fit Guru]

When I started out and wanted to compete you pretty much had to be at this one gym and it was 35 miles away. It was an exclusive gym and had to be on the "in" to train there. I found out later why. That's where all the drugs were. I was 18 and at a ( of all things a car expo) Tom Platz and Rachael Mclish were there( Kaz u remember them) the owner of the gym put on a small BB show at the expo. I approached him and ask about joining his gym. He said NO! Rachael was standing there and said " this guy has potential" so he said "come see me Monday"this story probably means nothing to you young guys but anyone old enuff to remember Platz and Rachael can appreciate it I hope. The rest is history.

[ltyson]

OMG I loved Rachel back in the day!! I have to see if I can find any recent shots of her now that I think about it. Curious what she looks like now.

Ltyson

[SisterSteel]

Platz's legs are legendary. I still don't think anyone has had a better set of wheels in the bodybuilding industry.

[Fit Guru]

Platz's legs are legendary. I still don't think anyone has had a better set of wheels in the bodybuilding industry.

Here's what's funny. I couldn't wait to meet him(and her) now I'm 18 yrs old. I see my dad waving and he's talking to these 2 little short people. I walk up and Dad said "this is Tom Platz" I dwarfed him in size. I weighed 225 about and here was my idol standing 5'3 maybe. I expected him to be a monster! Well I soon learned that some of the best BB in the world are short and look small in clothes. Anyway it was my first brush with BB fame!!

[kazman68]

When I started out and wanted to compete you pretty much had to be at this one gym and it was 35 miles away. It was an exclusive gym and had to be on the "in" to train there. I found out later why. That's where all the drugs were. I was 18 and at a ( of all things a car expo) Tom Platz and Rachael Mclish were there( Kaz u remember them) the owner of the gym put on a small BB show at the expo. I approached him and ask about joining his gym. He said NO! Rachael was standing there and said " this guy has potential" so he said "come see me Monday"this story probably means nothing to you young guys but anyone old enuff to remember Platz and Rachael can appreciate it I hope. The rest is history.

Sure do, and I know what you mean, I was lucky and got into a hard-core gym early, It was Pacifico's gym, lots of big strong dudes, I was like a fly on a wall, sucking up every bit of information I could..remember how hungry you were back then? I couldn't wait to get to the gym, the smell, the sounds, the people, I felt like I 'fit' in right away, I couldn't stand to miss a day, Between studying and having good mentors, I have been fortunate to gain a wealth of knowledge.

[SisterSteel]

Sure do, and I know what you mean, I was lucky and got into a hard-core gym early, It was Pacifico's gym, lots of big strong dudes, I was like a fly on a wall, sucking up every bit of information I could..remember how hungry you were back then? I couldn't wait to get to the gym, the smell, the sounds, the people, I felt like I 'fit' in right away, I couldn't stand to miss a day, Between studying and having good mentors, I have been fortunate to gain a wealth of knowledge.

It's unfortunate that those gyms are so hard to come by these days. Now, we're inundated with metro sexual bullshit gyms where you can't make any noise, use chalk, let the bar touch the floor, etc. Instead you should play on some bullshit machine and not even work.

What happened to the days when chalk filled the air, the music was insanely loud, and rust on a piece of equipment was the norm. Where your measure of worth was how much the bar frowned when it was on your back.

[kazman68]

It's unfortunate that those gyms are so hard to come by these days. Now, we're inundated with metro sexual bullshit gyms where you can't make any noise, use chalk, let the bar touch the floor, etc. Instead you should play on some bullshit machine and not even work.

What happened to the days when chalk filled the air, the music was insanely loud, and rust on a piece of equipment was the norm. Where your measure of worth was how much the bar frowned when it was on your back.


I should have said big strong dudes AND ladies, there were some good women bodybuilders/powerlifters, and your so right, everyone squatted, Larry had chalk bins out, deadlift platform, bumper plates, 100# plates, 200# dumbbells etc..all the things YOU NEED. Now 'gyms' are more of pick up joints, no grunting,chalk or heavy lifting, next they will outlaw sweating...

[xdude]

used to go to Powerhouse just 2 towns over.. then they opened a Power house in my home city closer than the nears Dunkin Doughnuts...and in New England that is a statement ..Signed up immediately .. in however shortly there after powerhouse franchise rates went through the roof from what I was told.. and
both dropped the name and have their own name now...

It is hard to find one of those hardcore gyms... Gyms these days want you to sign up , and do the treadmill if you have to show up... or better would be you don't ..

[xdude]

no grunting,...

hear about the guy arrested at planet fitness for disturbing the peace
http://www.fitcommerce.com/Blueprint/_page.aspx?announcementId=1095&cid=631&pageId=276&portalId=2

[Vicious 13]

Lol I like the video where the guy freaks out and starts throwing stuff

[SisterSteel]

hear about the guy arrested at planet fitness for disturbing the peace
http://www.fitcommerce.com/Blueprint/_page.aspx?announcementId=1095&cid=631&pageId=276&portalId=2

That's ridiculous. I think if I made the mistake of training there and someone tried to escort me out for making noise I'd give them an actual reason for calling the cops.

[Minxen33]

Haha that is ridiculous. I make some strange noises to get that last rep out...proceeded by "fuck, shit, and God damn" when i drop the weight. My music is so loud I don't realize how loud I'm swearing...I've yet to get kicked out for this yet.ni guess we'll see.

[kazman68]

Who in their right mind would kick out 2 sexy/strong women from their gym? :p

[Vicious 13]

^ right!! They are like half the reason I go to the gym lol

[SisterSteel]

Who in their right mind would kick out 2 sexy/strong women from their gym? :p

You'd be surprised. Sometimes the owner's wife can get jealous and that can cause problems. True story.

[xdude]

it is amazing to me that they refer to it as the intimidation factor.. not the motivation factor.. first off I always have the tunes a cranking , and have no idea about the grunts I make..
although I am under the impression I am not too bad .. I remember this huge dude ..and he made these relatively loud grunts ...however for some reason they were this high pitch grunt.. let us just say if you heard the grunt you would be expecting a 12 year girl not a 249 LB male BB'er :D

[Vicious 13]

The grunting to me is really no big deal. There are some guys I train bjj w that breathe gnarly all the time. Sometimes it bothers me when guys drop weights or slam them hard I just don't think it's necessary. Plus it damages the equipment.

[kazman68]

You'd be surprised. Sometimes the owner's wife can get jealous and that can cause problems. True story.

I hate jealousy, so glad I don't have to deal with that bs.

[SisterSteel]

I hate jealousy, so glad I don't have to deal with that bs.

Unfortunately, I deal with it all the time. I've had to change quite a few gyms because of it.

[Bruiser]

I train alone in my garage. But once every few months I drive 4 hours round trip to train at an amazing PL/strongman gym in IL. It's well worth it.