What do you expect from a gym?

toned_thugs_n_harmony wrote: »

amtyrell wrote: »

What type of gym are you creating? Who is your target customer? It matters. Are you doing a pretty people flirt gym? A weights and boxing gym? A soccer mom gym? A high end wealthy gym? A low end circuit gym?

like ive already said, this isn't about what my gym will be, i simply wanted to know what people liked or didn't like about their gyms for some ideas...

but fine, here's some detail lol.

the gym will be geared towards people who are serious about fitness, specifically lifters, but there will be a little bit of everything. this will be no planet fitness type place.
there will be no pool, but some saunas. there will also be no childcare, but the childcare facility across the street is going to offer extremely discounted drop in visit fees for those with a membership.

the gym i currently go to is closing down at the end of the year, so a good number of their staff will be coming to work at ours, including the co-owner. they are all extremely intelligent and good looking (someone said that's a must). we will also have a nutritionist on staff (a good friend) to assist with diet plans.

the only other gyms in the general area are the Y, SnapFitness and Planet fitness, so we won't have much competition for the type of gym we will have.

Your childcare plan is awesome. I would MUCH rather leave my kids at an (assumable) accredited child care facility, with educated people vs. a place where someone takes a first aid course and then clears a security screen. I think the level of care would be greater at a place that is meant for exactly that. And honestly... I want someone who will change a diaper or whatever, so I don't have to interrupt what I'm doing, because it's "above the workers pay grade" or whatever BS.

Having access to a nutritionist is also awesome. Especially if it's included in the price of the membership (which would hopefully still be reasonable). I can't afford to hire one right now, so I've been using this place and IIFYM, where I am making my best guesses. But being able to sit down and layout my goals with someone with experience, in order for him/her to give me a tailored plan... that's invaluable. It takes the trial and error out, ensuring that I'm going to reach more goals more handily.

Love the childcare idea, spreads the wealth AND work around, and keeps the noise out of the gym too. No kids on any of the machines or running around.

Several cages, racks, and benches as said over and over. My work gym is gorgeous *swoons*. Very few people use the free weights. I can often set up one cage for safely bench pressing (full range over chest, safeties catch it 3-4 inches above my neck which scares the *kitten* out of people but works), one for squatting, and another bar on the deadlift platform. That still leaves one open . Extra collars (where do these go???), at least a few bumper plates, small weights... The 2.5lb ones are great but smaller is even better. Sometimes you just can't progress a lift 5lbs at a time, particularly but not just women. These washers are approximately 0.6lbs, allowing ~1.25lb increments. Never seen these at a gym, but I know several people that have purchased them including myself: https://www.mcmaster.com/#91081a046 They're also available at good hardware stores.

Lots of fans near the cardio equipment! Nothing better than your own fan if youre doing a run. I also really like Jacobs Ladder. Nice when you want full body cardio/something different: http://totalbodyexperts.com/jacobs-ladder-exclusive-biggest-loser-model.html.

Wifi.

Someone who knows how to do a caliper body fat reading. 1 free per month? A nice trainer used to do this for me if he was free and I loved it.

Water. More than one drinking fountain, or a drinking fountain and a water bottle filling station.

Another source of income, and seemed to get used a lot: vending machine mostly full of "health" foods/drinks. Mine had 2: power bars, gatorade, muscle milk, water....

Feminine products in the bathroom (for sale at least)..worst day ever...

VioletRojo wrote: »

A scent free policy would be great. This is one reason I built my home gym, and I'm always surprised at the number of people who tell me they are also scent sensitive.

All gyms should have this!

I didnt read it all yet, but a few pieces of equipment our gym has that are a little different (compared to the other gyms on the area) and very popular are the variable rope pull, the curve manual treadmill, jacobs ladder machine, lateralx trainer, single spin bike with a virtual class.The free weight equipment, that is a given. The wipes for machines are plentiful and therefore used. I dont like the configuration of some of the equipment. When its actually in use at the same time with full range of motion, its like an inch between getting whacked or hoofed. Best of luck.

bbell1985 wrote: »

Xvapor wrote: »

Don't let people use there phone

What? My music is on my phone. I use it to log my training. I also have long set breaks when I'm lifting near 85-90% of my max and use it to pass some time as well as text my coach and take form videos.

Yes ... I listen to music on my phone, and watch the coverage of whatever cycling event is on while I'm running on the treadmill. And if the treadmills will let me, I hook up to them to download my stats.