[quote]LiquidMercury wrote:
I definitely plan on making what I can. My hopeful opening date is Sept 1, 2011 so I’ve got some time to be able to wait for deals on equipment as well as make my own.[/quote]
Best of luck with it and hope it all goes well!
I dont know if you have done this or not but you could try contacting some of those people you mentioned (de franco, cressey, tate) and see if they could give you any insight.
I’m sure you would get at least one or two responses back? I think that would be pretty helpful, maybe they would tell you something you havent already thought of?
Besides that I think it looks good. you’ve already worked with so many people that you could get a pretty good size client base just off of word of mouth.
Good Luck man
I think Defranco’s going rate for business consultation is about 3k which could mean a lot of extra equipment. So while it may definitely be beneficial I’m probably going to have to avoid any costs like that but you’re right I should at least try contacting them and see what free advice they might offer up.
Whatever you do, don’t buy boards for board presses. Make them 2 by lumber is cheap and so it wood glue and or screws. If you had to cut a few things I’d drop the Fat Bar (fat grips + power bar almost = Fat Bar), deadlift bar (unless you have powerlifters no one will care or know the difference), and the 45 degree back ext.
Something to really consider adding though is farmer’s walk handles.
Good luck.
[quote]worzel wrote:
Mirrors so people can check their form
[/quote]
I agree with everything you posted except this. I would not put up a single mirror in the training area.
I have no intention of having mirrors. I’ll have flip video cameras (100 bucks or so now) that people can borrow while there. This won’t be a huge operation or an open gym (with the exception of powerlifters that contact me personally about using the place) so I’m not too worried about mirrors as everyone there will be getting video taped for form. That way they’re not looking in a damn mirror and letting their chin drop messing up their form.
As far as boards go - I make them all myself. I’ve already made my own set and will probably make another few. My set cost me 14 bucks so yes, definitely not making them.
I plan on having powerlifters there (including myself) so I want a deadlift bar, if anything for my own use. I had farmers walks on my “luxury” list of things to add over time.
Check out Williams Strength in Columbia, SC. They manufacture most of the stuff Elite sells, and being that you’re in Atlanta and can drive there to pick it all up, you can save yourself a bundle on shipping costs (which may amount to several thousand for the amount you’ve got listed here). They also may be able to work out some deals with you since you’re going to be buying a lot of stuff.
As far as plates, straps, and kb’s; call up Marc Bartley in Columbia (Spud Inc). His stuff is very high quality and last I heard, they were selling the plates for around $1/lb, which is insanely cheap. He also may be able to work out a deal with you if you’re picking up a lot of stuff.
Thanks Stronghold. I’ll definitely check both those places out. I may even be making a trip up to Columbus for the EFS since all my family lives about 45 mins from there and some even in Columbus so I’ll be up that way anyways for some family get togethers. That being said I’ll shop around for sure. I think for the plate weight I’ll be getting hodge podge used stuff since I can find it used for about 45 cents a pound.
How about a deal on that website?
What website?
[quote]LiquidMercury wrote:
Thanks Stronghold. I’ll definitely check both those places out. I may even be making a trip up to Columbus for the EFS since all my family lives about 45 mins from there and some even in Columbus so I’ll be up that way anyways for some family get togethers. That being said I’ll shop around for sure. I think for the plate weight I’ll be getting hodge podge used stuff since I can find it used for about 45 cents a pound.[/quote]
EFS doesn’t stock equipment. It’s all drop shipped out of Columbia.
Ah I see. Well like I said, I’ll be using the two places you recommended for some as well. Anything I can shave off shipping the better.
[quote]LiquidMercury wrote:
What website?[/quote]
the one you need 
(I do that stuff for a living)
[quote]worzel wrote:
I dont know if you want to go down the route of some homemade equipment because imo TRX straps are quite expensive (over here anyway) so why not make your own?
Get your hands on some beer kegs and fill them with water.
Make your own ‘Slosh Pipes’ courtesy of Dan John
Homemade Bulgarian Bags are another option that would open up a whole new range of training possibilities.
This fella has some info that might interest you if you choose to do up ‘some’ homemade pieces
Abb Wheels - cheap n effective
Mirrors so people can check their form
Chilled water fountain or get some company to install their own drinks dispenser (they should stock and maintain it without any cost incurred by you (except electricity to power it of course))
Air Con OR portable fans (cheaper option)
Oh yeh’ I second the Medi Ball suggestion
[/quote]
Making some of your own stuff would help loads. Also I figure keeping the GHR is well worth it.