I have been a trainer in the fitness industry for over two decades and recently did something for the first time in my professional career.
No, I did not recommend a juice cleanse to a client.
No, I didn’t do my first bike pull.
And no, I didn’t not Play Wu-Tang Clan on Wu-Tang Wednesdays
I joined a commercial gym.
Who cares? And why?
Admittedly, I can understand why some of you reading might be thinking to yourself, “ooooo, Tony.”
It’s too stupid to announce.
I mean people go to commercial gyms all the time. Like brushing their teeth in the morning, making a grilled cheese sandwich, or, I don’t know, shopping at The Gap.
People do shit.
What’s the big deal?
Well, nothing. But you made it this far so keep reading…;o)
1990 (or maybe it was ’91)
It was the year it started.
I was 13 and that was the year Mariah Carey dominated my bedroom walls Got my first weight set. You know, one of those sets that were always on sale at K-Mart that came with a bench, barbell, and concrete weights covered in plastic.
I loved this weight set. I set up shop in my parents’ basement and got a job.
I followed the drill poster it came with to a “T” and, along with my Mark McGwire and Jose Canseco rookie cards, it became one of my most prized possessions.
I soon entered high school and was old enough to be allowed to use the weight room in the school itself. Until then it looks like Beverly Hills 90210, Melrose Place, In Living Colorand Swallow they dominated my cultural landscape, along with baseball (and the idea of playing it at the collegiate level).
Also, not for nothing: Salma Hayek came into my life.
via GIPHY
I spent almost every day after school between my sophomore and senior years lifting weights in this dungeon. He had one of those universal gyms with a chest and shoulder press station, pulldown, leg press, leg extension/curl, and press station. There was also a squat rack (and, if I had access to a time machine, I’d go back and tell myself to start using it sooner), some barbells, and a bunch of weight plates that were rusty enough to need an annual tetanus shot
I have fond memories of that dungeon.
Where I bench pressed 135 pounds for the first time.
1996
In 1996, while home for summer break after my freshman year of college, I was punched in the face (in a good way) by the surprise opening of a commercial gym in my hometown.
My hometown was not only surrounded by corn fields and dairy farms, we didn’t have a fast food restaurant (or a traffic light), but now it had a gym.
I was beyond excited.
It wasn’t perfect, but it came with all the bells and whistles I never had access to before…
- Two squat racks (at this point, I’m still not a fan. Damn you Tony!)
- A litany of selected machines
- More weight plates than I could count
- And even the token oldhead who, much to my mother’s gasp, told me to put raw eggs in my protein shakes.
It was glorious.
It was mine.
I think most of the other patrons hated me because I would go out of my way to play techno music whenever I was there
And then…
2002-Present
In 2002 I became a fitness professional.
For the first five years of my career, every workout was at a menagerie of gyms I worked at, except for the one year Eric Cressey and I drove to Stratford, CT 2 times a week to train at the South Side Barbell (powerlifting gym) among giants.
That gym no longer exists, but it was one of the best training years of my life.
Then in 2007 I helped found Cressey Sports Performance, and since then I’ve lived in this weird strength and conditioning bubble where people do full-ROM pull-ups, are more inclined to squat on Monday than bench press, and dismiss it as a big deal every time someone does 405-pound reps.
Cressey Sports Performance, Hudson, MA
It’s been 25+ years since I paid for a gym membership because I either worked at one or owned one.
- From 2015-2024 I worked and trained from CORE…500 square feet of badassery.
- My current space – Core Collective – it’s 5500 square feet (counting the various offices) and a great place to lift heavy stuff.
Core Collective, Brookline, MA
It gets the job done and I have everything I need to meet my training goals:
✅ Keys for the door.
✅ Big weights.
✅ Special bars.
✅ Power Racks
✅ Sick 90’s hip hop.
That being said, I’d be remiss if I didn’t admit that I’m sometimes upset that I don’t have access to certain types of gear.
Think: Hammer Strength machines, a functional trainer or, cue the dramatic chipmunk…
…a foot stomp
That being said, I hit a breaking point recently and decided I needed a change of scenery. even if only 1-2 times a week.
Now, it’s not me to complain about something that many would kill to have access to (especially during the pandemic), but dealing with where I work has become monotonous and boring.
I needed a change of pace. A break. Separation of church and state if you will.
After doing some scouting, I ended up at a neighborhood commercial gym, and so far it’s been a great experience and a welcome jolt to my training. Granted, I don’t miss the incessant “peacocking” of dudes walking by, or the confused looks I’ve gotten every time I ask someone if I can jump on a gear.
Relax.
I’ll only need 30 seconds and then you can do the 47th set of seated rows.
Regardless, so far the benefits have far outweighed the drawbacks. I quite enjoy the quiet camaraderie with other people and the change in vibe was welcome. Plus, it definitely offers an opportunity to disconnect and focus on my training with fewer distractions.
Plus, I never thought I’d be so into seeing a deck…;o)
