Opening a Gym...Need Help

Training Powerlifting
1

I am one signature away from opening a small (1000 sf) facility in Connecticut geared toward individuals looking to work out without cardio machines and long, useless conversation.

I have questions about insurance and how much to get, companies, etc.

Also, if anyone can give me ideas about equipment, what to get for racks, stations, etc.
I want two or three power stations with adjustable benches, 5-125 lb. DB’s with a couple more benches handy, and some stations like lat pull, row and dip.
Thanks for any help.

2

I would get the equipment from the Elite site. I am just a trainer who works for an 8,000 sq. facility, but I have purchased myself for the facility and had my boss purchase numerous pieces from them also. They do a great job just give them a call. Not sure about insurance.

3

[quote]psts wrote:
I am one signature away from opening a small (1000 sf) facility in Connecticut geared toward individuals looking to work out without cardio machines and long, useless conversation.

I have questions about insurance and how much to get, companies, etc.

Also, if anyone can give me ideas about equipment, what to get for racks, stations, etc.
I want two or three power stations with adjustable benches, 5-125 lb. DB’s with a couple more benches handy, and some stations like lat pull, row and dip.
Thanks for any help.[/quote]

go to Elitefts and read their article by Dave Tate “Sick of your Gym part II, starting your own gym” it gives some of the best advice in terms of the questions you are asking.

4

You might also consider contacting Sportstrength for the pulldown equipment. Their Twinstack style makes a HUGE difference in training quality, and they’ll custom modify pieces if you need it. Their Glute-ham bench is superior to the Elite models as well.

-Dan

5

[quote]buffalokilla wrote:
Their Glute-ham bench is superior to the Elite models as well.
[/quote]

Dan, have you used both pieces of equipment? What makes the GHR from Sportstrength better?

6

Thanks,
I have been looking at the PowerLift and Samson sites, but I am just waiting for calls back. I am pretty sure their prices will be out of my league.
I have looked around the elite site too, and they are the next on the list to call, especially after hearing the feedback.
Do any of these companies lease equipment with a buy option?
I will check out the Sportstrength option as well.

7

[quote]Brian Whiddon wrote:
buffalokilla wrote:
Their Glute-ham bench is superior to the Elite models as well.

Dan, have you used both pieces of equipment? What makes the GHR from Sportstrength better?[/quote]

Don’t get me wrong, both pieces are good, but there’s two small advantages to the SS -

  1. Comfort. The slightly tilted in thigh pads on the SS machine makes a big difference in distributing the pressure on your quads. Not a big deal with the more hardcore guys, but the discomfort can drive some newer lifters away from a great movement. The slightly blocky pad design also follows the path of the movement better - there’s less of a tendancy to slide the knees down in the top half.

It fits ab-supported back extensions better as well.

  1. Stability of the machine. The SS model has a weight pin on the back of the base to hold it down when you get really strong guys doing the movement for speed.

SS will also modify the machine with a ring on the front to allow the use of bands if you ask 'em.

-Dan

8

Thanks Dan.

9

As far as stability goes, the glute/ham bench from Elite mounts to the floor. Then again, just about anything can be mounted to the floor.

10

Where in CT?

11

Is 1,000 sf going to be big enough for you? If it goes gangbusters is there room for expansion?

12

[quote]Eric Cressey wrote:
Where in CT?[/quote]

Watertown, just north of Waterbury

13

[quote]usdsig wrote:
Is 1,000 sf going to be big enough for you? If it goes gangbusters is there room for expansion?[/quote]

It would be in a factory/industrial building. The owner said that if I ever wanted to move laterally within the buildings, he’d tear up the lease so that I can expand. I kinda want to start small.

I’m not sure if this will be for everyone. I train high school athletes too, so this will function as a place for them as well

14

DB’s are sooooooo f’in expensive. Any thoughts?
Even the racks are crazy money.

15

Not too far from Fairfield County; if you market it right, you should do pretty well. That area lends itself well to personal training.

16

Look for used equipment near you, or elsewhere if you’re willing to take a road trip and have a truck and/or trailer. Check out nearby university websites, they’ll normally have an asset sale/recovery page, sometimes they sell weight equipment.

http://www.fitnessinventory.com is in NYC. Looks like they have a dumbbell rack on sale. If it comes with the globe dumbbells pictured, you could probably sell them for enough money to pay for the rack to somebody over on the grip board.

Check out here:

This guy used to have a bunch of nice stuff, don’t know if it’s sold or not, it is a little far from you, though:
“Private Training Center is moving. Over 20 piecies of commercial gym equipment available. Atlantis, Sorinex, Strive, Elite, Plates, dumbbells, LIFESTRIDE 9500 Treadmill etc. North Suburbs of Chicago”

If you want to find good deals, you’ll have to be pretty persistent and search pretty hard.