Looking for help with my gyms rules

[chicken_hawk]

Hey guys, I am opening a new gym in the next few months. It will be 4k SF with the basics, dbs up to 150s, 3 racks, comp bench, hammer strength, jungle, bumpers and a few other items serious athletes would recognize. Basically, a place for people who don't like the commercial gym scene. My goal is not have an elitist mentality, but provide a safe space free from dbags, peering eyes and tramps. Simply put a place to train, and train hard with other like minded people.

That being said, I want it to reflect us and have a personality of it's own, so we will have black and white pics with athletes and slogans on the walls and variiou other pieces of nostalgia. The gym being a reflection of myself and vision will be a bit over the top in ways and when it comes to the rules I want them to be humurous and sarcastic. Most people will get a chuckle, but if the $65 month fee doesn't keep out the trash I want the rules to minimize the possibility.

So, I am asking for help. Keep in mind if any of these relect you that's cool, but this is my place so these represent my thoughts of how a member should behave.

1. If you pick it up then put it back.
2. Remember, you kiss your mother with that mouth.
3. Save the ILS for the stage.
4. If you take a selfie make sure I'm impressed (we have a problem with young people setting up tripods and cameras to do leg extensions. One day I watched a kid dump a 405 squat attempt because he had his partner holding his phone).
5. If you're gonna grunt it better be heavy (there is this cute Asian girl who grunts orgasmicly on the last 5 reps of every set )
6. No exposed nips or transparent clothing.
7. Sneakers, not sandles.

These are a rough draft, but are all issues that I have rolled my eyes at particularly at my current gym. I swear every dude is showing their nips and several ladies where that sheer spandex that shows their when they bend over. I want wife's and husband's to feel their spouses are safe when they are at my place.

Now, I am willing to make exceptions and change some things, but I don't feel these rules are unreasonable. And well you don't have to join.

Any input appreciated.
Hawk

 

[liftsiron]

Don't take up five stations supersetting with sub par weights.

 

[Darkness]

If I owned a gym and I saw people dropping and throwing heavy DBs I would throw them out and charge their credit card for the replacements. As easy as it is to set them on your knees as you sit up... I guess it doesn’t look and sound as good...

 

[b52]

You forgot to add that the equipment is to be used for the intended exercise. I've seen some people do some weird stuff.

 

[b52]

Also good luck bro. Wish I could say the same. The guy basically went silent on our gym deal, and is just making bs excuses now so we pulled out of it after he accepted our offer. Sucks after all that time we put into it so I wish you the best.

 

[chicken_hawk]

Also good luck bro. Wish I could say the same. The guy basically went silent on our gym deal, and is just making bs excuses now so we pulled out of it after he accepted our offer. Sucks after all that time we put into it so I wish you the best.

That sucks brother. Speaking towards your situation, the only reason I have this opportunity is because the owner of all the equipment was getting the run around from his potential investor for 6 months. First one excuse, then another and finally another and my buddy ran out of money and was willing to listen to me. I had a crazy idea and very little money, but I was serious.

We hope to sign a lease this weak. I won't be quitting my job any time soon as I realize we are speaking to a minority, but...but...it is a minority that no one is catering too. Essentially, guys just like me. Overhead, is low and location is great( we are at a major intersection but that strip mall died when the mall came to town, but everywhere around is thriving). If we get 100 members we break even, 300 and we kill it.

Yet, still a ton of work to do(we have to do out own build out, basically demo, carpet, Matt's, mirrors and paint) and all the leg work, but the business is actually in my wife's name so she can get all that done while I drive nails.

Here's to hoping,
Hawk

 

[chicken_hawk]

Also good luck bro. Wish I could say the same. The guy basically went silent on our gym deal, and is just making bs excuses now so we pulled out of it after he accepted our offer. Sucks after all that time we put into it so I wish you the best.

Don't take up five stations supersetting with sub par weights.

Looks like I should have something about using equipment as it was designed. But, with the price and other rules I suspect I should minimize or ostracize stupid behavior.

Hawk

 

[b52]

Find a horse supply store also. 4x6 rubber mats are 42 bucks each. Way cheaper than gym suppliers. AND they're grooved on the other side so moisture won't build up.

 

[chicken_hawk]

Find a horse supply store also. 4x6 rubber mats are 42 bucks each. Way cheaper than gym suppliers. AND they're grooved on the other side so moisture won't build up.

Thanks b, I'm in the Midwest so we have both a tractor supply and a smaller feed store Feldman's that I suspect sell more mats to gyms than stables LOL. But, please and I mean it please any ideas you have I will hear. I am not a business man, just a man with a vision. That is why my silent partner is managing the place and my wife is the official owner. I am a bull type big picture guy who overlooks the details and have zero experience in this field besides I know the culture.

Hawk

 

[kinetix]

Thanks b, I'm in the Midwest so we have both a tractor supply and a smaller feed store Feldman's that I suspect sell more mats to gyms than stables LOL. But, please and I mean it please any ideas you have I will hear. I am not a business man, just a man with a vision. That is why my silent partner is managing the place and my wife is the official owner. I am a bull type big picture guy who overlooks the details and have zero experience in this field besides I know the culture.

Hawk

I have seen this many times! The are fantastic for the gym floors.

Maybe have a section for the hardcore gyms with chalk and chains. Like a corner or a side of a wall space. for the power lifters, keep some of the old school feel to the gym.

A warm up area/ ab area to stretch out do do some finishing sets of abs

 

[b52]

Thanks b, I'm in the Midwest so we have both a tractor supply and a smaller feed store Feldman's that I suspect sell more mats to gyms than stables LOL. But, please and I mean it please any ideas you have I will hear. I am not a business man, just a man with a vision. That is why my silent partner is managing the place and my wife is the official owner. I am a bull type big picture guy who overlooks the details and have zero experience in this field besides I know the culture.

Hawk

Are you going to do anything for functional training? Astro turf? Tire pull/push etc. That stuff is in right now and it's pretty hardcore. Would attract a lot of athletes.

 

[b52]

Use every door direct mail for flyers and put a couple free passes on each one to get people in the door. Service usps provides. Pick your towns and they make and send your flyer to every address.

Offer real personal training to get people results and hold them accountable to their goals. Seeing results gets attention from others and will bring more people. And a hardcore atmosphere will bring you the ones who are serious about it. I just got certified just to have it on my personal gym wall to pick up some extra winter cash with something I'm passionate about.

 

[Dawgpound_Hank]

Don't take up more than 2 stations simultaneously PERIOD! And if so, get it done within 10-15 minutes MAX so everybody isn't waiting forever on yo azz.

Fixed.

 

[Dawgpound_Hank]

Hawk you might wanna rethink this one:

5. If you're gonna grunt it better be heavy (there is this cute Asian girl who grunts orgasmicly on the last 5 reps of every set )

Man you don't want a Planet Fitness atmosphere haha! I DO get your point, but heavy is relative. You might have an intermediate level, determined guy who grunts doing 40lb db curls, where you and I might need 70's to do the same. We all started somewhere.

 

[01dragonslayer]

Foot apparel most be worn at all times.

 

[chicken_hawk]

Hawk you might wanna rethink this one:

5. If you're gonna grunt it better be heavy (there is this cute Asian girl who grunts orgasmicly on the last 5 reps of every set )

Man you don't want a Planet Fitness atmosphere haha! I DO get your point, but heavy is relative. You might have an intermediate level, determined guy who grunts doing 40lb db curls, where you and I might need 70's to do the same. We all started somewhere.

You raise a great point DH, and I actually went round and round over my selfie rule. As with grunting, I expect it, but it's the abuser that annoys everyone. The guy who grunts on every set of kickbacks, or the guy who films himself constantly and clogs up machines. But, what I decided was just to make a vague rule to obey at your own discretion.

I figured the person grunting for attention would realize that we are watching (at least in their mind they would think that) and like the selfie rule their own conscience would police them if they liked the gym. As with the selfies, I am not against them just the abuse so simply saying something in a humorous way will minimize the issue.

Hawk

 

[chicken_hawk]

Are you going to do anything for functional training? Astro turf? Tire pull/push etc. That stuff is in right now and it's pretty hardcore. Would attract a lot of athletes.

no, I don't have the money and honestly IMHO the space it requires will not pay out in my situation. We had the discussion, but we thought about strongmen for instance, they will still likely train here as we will be unique, but they will have to flip tires wherever they do now as they are such a minority. Another 100 SF for 10 more members who I'll probably get anyway unless you like 24hr or planet fitness just wasn't in the budget.

Use every door direct mail for flyers and put a couple free passes on each one to get people in the door. Service usps provides. Pick your towns and they make and send your flyer to every address.

Offer real personal training to get people results and hold them accountable to their goals. Seeing results gets attention from others and will bring more people. And a hardcore atmosphere will bring you the ones who are serious about it. I just got certified just to have it on my personal gym wall to pick up some extra winter cash with something I'm passionate about.

Awesome stuff brother, but dam I can't find a good pt who is worth a shit who doesn't have their own gig. And I won't have some pimple faced boy just getting his feet wet. But if you know someone willing to move to KC their will be great potential. $800 a month rent and they keep the rest at $50/hr the sky is the limit.

Hawk

 

[Big B]

I have seen this many times! The are fantastic for the gym floors.

Maybe have a section for the hardcore gyms with chalk and chains. Like a corner or a side of a wall space. for the power lifters, keep some of the old school feel to the gym.

A warm up area/ ab area to stretch out do do some finishing sets of abs

I like private area for chalk use. Keep chalk off other machines and equipments. Pain in azz to clean. Very clever...

 

[chicken_hawk]

Foot apparel most be worn at all times.

Yeah, I will add that one to the list for sure.

Hawk

 

[chicken_hawk]

I have seen this many times! The are fantastic for the gym floors.

Maybe have a section for the hardcore gyms with chalk and chains. Like a corner or a side of a wall space. for the power lifters, keep some of the old school feel to the gym.

A warm up area/ ab area to stretch out do do some finishing sets of abs

I am not sure of the exact layout yet, but it will have exactly what you said, a old school pling area with mats and then carpet under the machines.

Hawk

 

[Roughrydr]

No nips? I love exposed nips on women.

 

[chicken_hawk]

No nips? I love exposed nips on women.

Ha ha...that's for the dudes lol

Hawk

 

[Magnesium]

No creeping on the women.

Use collars on the bar.

Load and unload weights evenly.

No running or horsing around as bumping into someone's weights or body while lifting is dangerous.

 

[Roughrydr]

I'm from the south. So maybe this isnt a problem up north, but no spit cups lying around. And no spitting in the garbage cans. Guys dipping and chewing lay their nasty shit everywhere or they spit in the garbage can. Employees shouldn't have to deal with that.

A question too. How do you not creep on the women when they are creeping all overvyou?

 

[Friggemall]

I think you should record the Asian chick for us to make a proper decision

On what rough said, just ban tobacco products from the gym. Chewing in the gym shouldn't happen, and I am a former Copenhagen addict, had it in my lip constantly EXCEPT the gym and sex...lol

 

[Roughrydr]

I think you should record the Asian chick for us to make the decision

I concur whole heartedly.

 

[chicken_hawk]

No creeping on the women.

Use collars on the bar.

Load and unload weights evenly.

No running or horsing around as bumping into someone's weights or body while lifting is dangerous.

Great suggestions, never thought about the collar issue, but it happens.

Thanks
Hawk

 

[chicken_hawk]

I think you should record the Asian chick for us to make a proper decision

On what rough said, just ban tobacco products from the gym. Chewing in the gym shouldn't happen, and I am a former Copenhagen addict, had it in my lip constantly EXCEPT the gym and sex...lol

I'll see what I can do, but won't that make me a creeper LOL

Hawk

 

[Dawgpound_Hank]

I'm from the south. So maybe this isnt a problem up north, but no spit cups lying around. And no spitting in the garbage cans. Guys dipping and chewing lay their nasty shit everywhere or they spit in the garbage can. Employees shouldn't have to deal with that.

I dipped Copenhagen for 30 years. Crazy friggin' thing is I ONLY did it at work - that used to trip my friends out haha. I still dip sometimes, but usually only at night while chillin' on the PC. I NEVER could figure how a guy can dip while lifting. Perhaps a powerlifter doing low rep sets, but I can't even fathom doing a higher rep set of 15+ reps going to the limit with a dip in my mouth. Hell it raises your BP for one, and while doing an intense set, BP is already thru thru the roof!

 

[Roughrydr]

I see guys all the time with dip. Some of my gym buds, guys I converse with regularly. I dont see how they do it. It seems all that juice flowing in the mouth you'd choke or something when you're digging deep.