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How Old School Is Your Gym?

S

Simply Swole

New member
Just checking to see how many guys here train at a true gym, or have to train at one of those nice fitness facilities where you can't grunt & have to wear tennis shoes w/ non marking treads.

If you train at a hardcore gym, what makes it so hardcore?
 
My gym is old school...

I train whithout a shirt, and sometimes even on just underwear in order to practice posing between each set.
There are no machines in there...just free weights and cables.

I saw the Dorian Yates blood and guts video, and my gym looks very close to Temple Gym without the machines.
 
i train at an old school Golds Gym (i actually work there too)

All the machines are old as hell, we even have an old leg press thats like 20 years old, Arnold used the actual one in the gym. you lay down underneath it, and put your feet on a piece of wood, and press up vertically, and theres weights on top of it.

Its a cheap membership, and offers nothing but iron, SOME machines, and treadmills/lifecycles
 
Umm the gym doesn't have to be old to be an "Old School" gym.

If you can't use chalk it's not an old school gym.
If you're not alllowed to deadlift it's not an old school gym.
If you can't train in boots<some like to squat in these> it's not an old school gym.
If they have anything other then one gym t - shirt for sale it's not an old school gym.
If is doesn't have a power rack it's not an old school gym.
If there are no dumbells missing it's not an old school gym.
If there's anyone walking around with "trainer" on the back of their shirt it's not an old school gym.

I can't think of any others for the moment.
 
99% free weights and and the rest are cables, smith machine, and a few other shoulder and chest machines thrown in, no cardio equipment. The owner doesn't buy new stuff he just fixes it! A 100lb barbell could weigh 105lbs he just welds them back together when something snaps. Half of the benches are hand made. He reupholsters everything himself also.

No air conditioning just large floor fans and garage doors. There are broken mirrors on the wall spit and sweat. Oh yea can't forget the stacks of nudy mags laying around.

The only thing that sucks is you very rarely find a woman worth looking at there.But it's worth the $20 a month and it's a great place to learn how to do things right without machines doing the form for you. It's a classic power lifters gym, no pretty boys posing in the mirror either.

When you walk in you see chalk on the floor and used alcohol snaps thrown around. Hope I created a good image for you!
 
I use my college gym cuz it is free and I am broke. Not very hardcore lots of skinny wifebeater wearin' types and very small. Dumbells go up to 95 I think. Not quite there yet but close for some exercises.
 
got me one of each...
when i'm at college is sucks... i have to lift next to 135lb pretty boys in wife beaters that cant bench 135, no chalk, and mariah carey playin on the radio..... but during the summer when i'm at home its a different story.. half the ligths in the place dont work, theres chalk everyhwere, dumbells go to 160's, very few machine, alot of big mo fo's, dudes power cleanin, power pressin. dead liftin abd squattin till they puke.... thats a real "old school gym"
 
my gym sucks i am at college so its the only thing around, i try to set myself aside from everyone and everything and get in my own hardcore world, but its hard while Rod Stewart plays on the speakers
 
We have two old school gyms in town, dirty, unsanitary lockeroom facilities, broken and rusted equipment, full of unemployed or barely employed know it alls. No women, not much of anything really other than barbells, dumbells and benches and racks.

That's why I choose to train where I train at, clean, well lit, state of the art equipment, and tons of free weights, squat racks, and hammer strength equipment. Sorry you can't use chalk, we use a modern contraption called lifting straps. Also you need to wear a shirt and shorts to train in. When I hear everyone brag about how much of a dump their gym is, I mean "old school" I think two things either they don't have access to a modern well equipped facility or else they can't afford one. No offense to anyone in this thread intended. By the way if I had to choose between a old school hardcore gym, or a gym with just spit and polish and chrome plated plate loaded machines. I would take the hardcore gym. But I prefer a gym that offers the best of both worlds.:)
 
liftsiron said:
We have two old school gyms in town, dirty, unsanitary lockeroom facilities, broken and rusted equipment, full of unemployed or barely employed know it alls. No women, not much of anything really other than barbells, dumbells and benches and racks.

That's why I choose to train where I train at, clean, well lit, state of the art equipment, and tons of free weights, squat racks, and hammer strength equipment. Sorry you can't use chalk, we use a modern contraption called lifting straps. Also you need to wear a shirt and shorts to train in. When I hear everyone brag about how much of a dump their gym is, I mean "old school" I think two things either they don't have access to a modern well equipped facility or else they can't afford one. No offense to anyone in this thread intended. By the way if I had to choose between a old school hardcore gym, or a gym with just spit and polish and chrome plated plate loaded machines. I would take the hardcore gym. But I prefer a gym that offers the best of both worlds.:)
Click to expand...

I agree, mine is old school looking because it is poorly managed & the equipment is old but, you can wear boots & do deadlifts. Personally, I really don't want to see someone lifting in their underwear, I sure as hell am not gonna spot anyone while they are in their undies! I'd rather have a quality gym with lots of free weights a clean restroom & if I need to pose, I'll use the posing room.
 
"Old school" is a state of mind. I can go into a Bally's and do deads and power cleans and pullovers or I can go into the dirtiest bass ass dump in the world and do pec deck contractions and triceps kickbacks.

I actually remember the day when gyms didn't have treadmills -- or bikes -- or music -- or trainers. It was great. Man, I'm old.
 
My gym is so old school...

-it has a dirt floor.
-we walk around barefoot.
-we have a wide selection of 'liftin' rocks of various weights and sizes.
-we bench press from old locker room benches.
-all of our barbells are fixed weight - the kind with iron spheres fixed to the ends.
-our dumbbells are iron spheres with handles welded to them.
-we don't have machines to simulate pushups, pullups, situps, or dips. We do the real thing - everyone does them.
-the gym is located in the back room of a tavern.
-playboy and penthouse centerfolds adorn the walls.
-we do more than simply lift heavy weights and rest - we jump rope, run, wrestle, and box.
-when conflict arises, instead of arguing like children we still ask people to "step outside."
-we don't have any pulleys, cables, or weight stacks. If we want to lift something we grab it with our own two hands.
-televisions are not allowed.
-we know what testosterone really smells like.
 
Umm the gym doesn't have to be old to be an "Old School" gym.

If you can't use chalk it's not an old school gym.
If you're not alllowed to deadlift it's not an old school gym.
If you can't train in boots<some like to squat in these> it's not an old school gym.
If they have anything other then one gym t - shirt for sale it's not an old school gym.
If is doesn't have a power rack it's not an old school gym.
If there are no dumbells missing it's not an old school gym.
If there's anyone walking around with "trainer" on the back of their shirt it's not an old school gym.

I can't think of any others for the moment.


I think you got most of them Genarr3.
 
My gym is pretty old school. Theres hardly any girls there.
The floor is always dirty from chalk and theres posters of Arnold and manny other bodybuilders on the walls.
Very few cardio equipment, just alot of barbells and dumbells.
 
My gym is "old school"

-Called Hard Nock's
-Been around since the 60's
-Many of the original weights
-Has a chalk box
-2 power racks
-Pics of Arnold and other bodybuilders everywhere
-Ceiling is only about 7ft high
-Girls there train better than most guys in a preppy gym
-24hr gym. $5 gets you a key after you've been there a while
-You know everyone
-and many other reasons why I love the place
 
liftsiron said:
Sorry you can't use chalk, we use a modern contraption called lifting straps.
Click to expand...

lifting straps make holding a bar far easier than holding it w/bare hands (chalk or not)

far easier
 
and i am lucky enough to train at a brand new 24hr fitness that, according to a friend that worked there, is one of the top selling clubs they have ever built -- read: it is extremely busy at all times of the day. i fucking hate it.
 
lifting straps make holding a bar far easier than holding it w/bare hands (chalk or not)
Click to expand...

And your point is? If you can hold more weight with straps, ever think that just maybe your back gets a better work out.
 
scruples said:


lifting straps make holding a bar far easier than holding it w/bare hands (chalk or not)

far easier
Click to expand...
Using lifting straps means you don't have the grip strength to hold the bar. Plan and simple. All chalk does is remove the sweat from your hands.
 
liftsiron said:


And your point is? If you can hold more weight with straps, ever think that just maybe your back gets a better work out.
Click to expand...

my point is that chalk is nowhere near the same as lifting straps

but i agree w/you 100%, and i use them as well, because my grip strength cannot support the amount of weight that i can dead
 
I'll second that. Grip stength is a separate issue. I could never understand how pain in one area equates to development of another (i.e. front squats -- but that's a topic for another time.)

Real old school gyms included:


Vertical leg presses (the best kind)

Curved pullover benches

Standing incline benches

Standing face down benches (with cut out for head)

Roman chairs

Kettle bells

Sissy Squat racks

T-Bar rowers in-between boxes

Lying leg extention machines

Straight slant boards

Swingbells

Wrist rollers

Heavy bags and speedbags

Climbing ropes


And if you remember any of these, you're definetely old school.






'
 
Old School is:
-Guys still lifting in those neon baggy pants w/ elastic bands, shirts cut off at the stomach w/ no sleeves, wrestling shoes, & stocking caps.
-1 toilet in the whole gym - unisex.(no women anyway)
-Buckets catching the leaks from the roof.
-Weights are 44lbs, 22lbs, 11lbs, & 5.5lbs.(only a few of you have seen these)
-Ab roller is a broomstick w/ a lawnmower wheel.
-Nothing is counterbalanced.
-The only way to cool off is if someone is doing cardio & the bikes fan wheel is blowing.
-All of the shakes have peanut butter as the main ingredient.
-Everybody working out in there looks like they are on the work release program.( Don't ask for a spot or advice.)
-The gym's phone # is not even in the phone book.
-The owner will put your peanut butter shake on a tab till payday.
 
Using lifting straps means you don't have the grip strength to hold the bar. Plan and simple. All chalk does is remove the sweat from your hands.
Click to expand...

Plan and simple or is it plain and simple, either way I do shrugs and deadlifts with 5 plates plus at a bodyweight of a little under 200 pounds, so yes I do lack the grip required to move that weight. Just messing with you about plan I know its just a simple typo.:)
 
i have 3 gyms i go to

college-free- furnushed by one of the top d3 football schools in the nation its great just some pretty boys go in and do their shit
chalk boxes with chalk on the bars and clean/deadlift platforms

church-1 dollar a year- ye u heard me right, there are some big dudes in that place, some make me look small. I can deadlift and clean and the trainers actually commemd me. have to where a shirt with sleeves and long pants ( church remember ) clean language. HAve dumbells into the mid 100s power rack everything.

JCC metrowest-family is 500 a year- dont go there a lot have the membership for pool, sauna steam room and gymnasium.
 
genarr3 said:
Umm the gym doesn't have to be old to be an "Old School" gym.

If you can't use chalk it's not an old school gym.
If you're not alllowed to deadlift it's not an old school gym.
If you can't train in boots<some like to squat in these> it's not an old school gym.
If they have anything other then one gym t - shirt for sale it's not an old school gym.
If is doesn't have a power rack it's not an old school gym.
If there are no dumbells missing it's not an old school gym.
If there's anyone walking around with "trainer" on the back of their shirt it's not an old school gym.

I can't think of any others for the moment.
Click to expand...


1. If there is any variety of a juice or smoothie bar..it's not an OSG

2. If you constantly have some peckerwood asking you if have checked out the chick in the spinning class..it's not an OSG

3. If they HAVE a spinning class it's not an OSG

.......more to come....just got done training legs....Pitbullstl not so smart right now.........:freak:
 
chalk......deadlifting stand........all free weights.........hard rock music..........old school enough for me. I fucking hate lifting to the soft music of the "new school gyms"
 
I just switched gyms from a "posh" fitness club to a hardcore "Iron Jungle". The reason I switched was becuase I moved, and the new "old school" gym is much closer to where I live now. It is one of the oldest gyms in town, but still very popular. There is chalk, and many old machines, and there is no dress code and you can scream as loud as you want. Much different from the fitness club.

Its a really cool gym, and you get to know everyone, but, on the other hand, I kinda miss the fitness club that I went to. It was actually pretty sweet. It was the biggest gym in the city. Huge variety of free weights, EZ curl barbells of almost any weight which I really liked, every kind of machine that you could ever ask for, and many multiples of racks so you never have to wait for anyone. Huge cardio theatre with brand new cutting edge equipment. Not to mention the sauna, steam room, hot tub, free shaving cream, squash courts, tennis courts, pool, basketball courts, track, and juicebar. There was also a high abundancy of hot women there. There was also a lot of elderly people who went there surprisingly.

So, you can see what I sacrificed to move to the Iron Jungle, but I am happy with this gym. You feel much closer to the people there, and another bonus is that my gym membership is 1/2 what it used to cost me. So ya, the fancy fitness clubs are nice also, but I guess that you just get what you pay for.
 
For me, it's the old downtown YMCA. The building was done in the 20's, a WPA project of the Depression. The weight room is huge and has character. The equipment is older than me, but in perfect shape. Hand-welded massive squat cages and racks. Not a friggin chrome bar in the place. Stuff for olympic type lifting, power lifting, and bodybuilding. Also heavy bags and speed bags, jump ropes.....stuff for boxers.
Most people in this city aren't even aware this place exists....and I prefer it that way. The only patrons are some seriously big guys who are dead serious about the job at hand. God, I love the sound of all those plates clanging against one another, and the smell of the powder and pain.
What I really like, though, is the history of the place. It's gives me power to know that generations of the brotherhood have labored in solitude in this room in pursuit of physical excellence and extraordinary strength.
I guess I would call this an old school gym.
 
I used to train at a real hardcore gym....
Tbar rack, power rack, lots of free weights, dumbells of 130lbs (that's heavy here in Holland)...
But that gym closed. they hadn't enough members so they couldnt bring up the rent and shit..

Now i train in a very hightech gym. Dont realy like it there, but they have the heaviest dumbells of all the gyms in the area (90 lbs..). But they're actually too light. They even havent a benchpress. I always have to fuckin dumbell press or have to build some kind of bench for myself. Yeah they have machines...lots of it. But i like to train with free weights.
 
i work at a "fitness center" and hate it to death, but i train at a Powerhouse Gym which has the best facilities in my state
 
Before college in my old town I trained at a 24 hr gym OLD school gym no employee only on monmdays to pay your fees everyone had a key. It was in a warehouse with huge fans no air. Dumbells to 220. More freeweights then you can imagine. Chalk on the floor. several chalk boxes. Mirros did line the walls however. putting your weight away meant clearing the bench down to 225. Had some machines just the basics though pec deck leg press etc. 2 treadmills in the corner. You couldl grunt moan screen throw weights around and no one would flinch. The biggest guy in there would help out the smallest. Had a cleared out cornor for jumproping and had a speed bag and heavy bag and some wrist curl ropes on a bar. there too. In the summer the garage doors were open for fresh air. Half the guys would have an amonia rag there to aid in breathing havent seen that since this gym. Lift in whatever you pleased as long as you had short on. No shirt was required. Could be barefoot or have on boots. Music was 4 speakers connected to an amp and a cd player. You supplied your own or chose your own radio station god i miss that. It did have a tanning bed too, kinda odd but not all that out of place.

Now that Im at school i workout on campus and hate it. Overcrowded filled with scrawney kids constantly asking how to grow. Nsync in the backround, no chalk allowed. Must wear a shirt and tennis shoes. Got thrown out once for squating barefoot. Dumbells only go up to 120. Does have the hoes unlike my old gym however Im there to train not get ass. So Im about to join a gym to get out of that shithole and join a 24 hr Worlds gym.
 
My gym is straight outta "rocky".
1) Its in south philly.
2) Its not dirty but has a musty smell to it.
3) Chalk is found all over the floors in various areas.
4) Dbells go up to 180lbs.
5) Squat rack and power rack are damn near impossible to get on
6) 95% of gym trains chest on Mondays and arms on Fridays
7) The walls are a collage of "rocky", "AAS", and "70's BB's"
8) The same guys are always in there at the same times.
9) You can curse, yell, scream as loud as you want.
10) No air conditioning until it 90 degrees.
11) Everyone knows everyone
12) Memberships are paid at your conveince. (my personal fav)
13) Yes, during heavy rain buckets are used for leaks.
14) NO WOMEN
15) Place is filled with either cops or former convicts.
 
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