Atmosphere is one of the most important factors for success. I think that is why the old school gyms and garages are making a huge comeback. More and more people are doing it themselves because, pure and simple, the commercial gym attitudes just plain suck! How can you get motivated for a big lift or a PR when you are worried about making too much noise or using too much chalk?
In my younger years, I was lucky enough to train in an old school facility, not to mention alongside some of the greatest teachers and training partners you could ever have. It was the best education and foundation I could have ever asked for, and I have tried to mimic that atmosphere every day since. Nothing mattered except production. There was no fluff, and there were no pats on the back unless you were getting better. The owner, Ken Fantano, was a no-nonsense guy and one of the smartest strength coaches I have ever known. When there was a meet coming up, the place really took it up a notch. One of the rules was that if you were training for a meet, then you had to bring someone with you who wasn’t lifting. This would be the person that would help coach, wrap, load bars, etc. so that the lifters could just concentrate on lifting. The intensity and attention to detail was incredible, and everyone got better. We would do squats on Sundays, and there would be thirty guys training and thirty guys helping out.
One Sunday, this guy walked into the gym to sign his son up for a membership. Ken told the guy to come back on Monday—he was busy. The guy asked again, but he received the same response. This was in the middle of a session where two guys were squatting in the mid-800s. Finally, the guy asked a third time and that was it. Ken went ballistic. He screamed at the guy, “I don’t need you or your money! Don’t ever come back! You should go to hell and take your son with you! If you are so stupid to keep asking me the same question over and over, then there is no hope for you or your son! Get the f*** out!” Needless to say, he never came back.
It was also someone’s job to unplug the phone on Sundays. This way, there would be no distractions while we were training. However, one time a guy forgot, and in the middle of a squat session the phone rang. Kenny looked at him like he was going to kill him! (And in truth, I thought he was). Ken then grabbed a baseball bat and proceeded to smash the phone to pieces. Afterwards, he just threw the pieces into a box behind the counter. After the lift was over, I went and looked inside that box...there were at least six smashed phones in there.
There was also the time when I was training for a meet, and I was going to pull 575 pounds for the first time in training. It was all I could think about. I was out of my mind psyched! Well, I was chalking up and for some reason I grabbed the chalk bin and threw it to the ground. I then stormed up to the bar like it was a WWE entrance, surrounded by a cloud of chalk dust, and pulled. I got coaching cues to help me lock it out, but it got a little in front of me so I had to pull it in. I then quickly put the bar down before I was chased to the parking lot where Ken put his size 13 shoe through my stomach and then his ham-sized fist through my kidney. He then said, "Good lift. Now clean it up!" After getting my breath back and praying that I would not piss blood for a week, I went in and cleaned it up.
I could tell a thousand stories of what went on there, but the lessons were not forgotten. As mad as he would get, or as crazy as his reactions would be, I know he wanted everyone to succeed. I mean, I know that he wanted to kill me when I threw the chalk, but he coached me all the way through the lift—until I finally made it. Then, of course, he would kill me. Who could ask for anything more?
I look at where some of the World's Strongest Man competitors train, and it inspires me. Anyone who has seen Sven Karlsen train in Valhalla, or even Jouko Ahola’s training place, would be amazed. Brian Shaw, Poundstone...all of these guys train in places that are set up for success—not failure. They are creating a culture of winning every day, and they are only letting those who will propel them forward be a part of it. Westside, Iron Sport, Monster Garage Gym, Total Performance Sports—they all get it. They are not the big places, nor do they have everything under the sun, but hey are owned by guys who are passionate and love what they do. They have good equipment, great coaching, and they attract people who are not afraid to pay the price. They are all innovative, they all have great reputations, and they have all produced winners. The same should go for all of us strength coaches, whether we have 20,000 square foot palaces or 3,000 square foot training facilities. You have to get it done. I have met strength coaches who don’t even know the size of their weight rooms. They just roll up their sleeves, set the standard, and push their players until they achieve it.
I don’t know if there is a magic formula to create the optimal training environment, but I am going to give you what I think it is. This list comes from all of the places I have been or from the hundreds of coaches, strength athletes, and gym owners I have been lucky enough to meet over the past 15 years. I hope this helps.
1. Who's Boss?
The man in charge has to be knowledgeable and passionate, and he must be willing to do what is best for his athletes and staff. He has to set the standard and make sure that everyone else is accountable. If it does not come from the boss, then you are doomed to failure. It will never work. If you find a good boss, work your balls off for him. There are less of them than you would think.
2. Staff
The staff must all be willing to leave their egos at the door and give it all for the common good. This means that everyone, from the first assistant to the last intern brought on board. If they are not willing to do this, then get rid of them. It is all or nothing—it is the only way to succeed. Don’t feel bad if you have to get rid of them. Everyone is not cut out for this job. Their personalities and backgrounds can all be different, but the point is that they all should want the same thing. The best staff I ever had could not be any more diverse, but they gave everything they had to the program.
3. Equipment
I don’t think you need everything, but whatever you have, you should buy the best of what it is. Keep it in good working order, and replace anything that does not work as soon as possible. Give your athletes a safe and functional training center, no matter the size. Also, make sure that everyone has a part in keeping it clean—even the athletes. It will become a sense of pride and respect, and they will work out accordingly.
4. Stick with what works
And get rid of what doesn’t. That could be staff members, equipment, workouts...you name it. Do what you believe, and see what works with your own two eyes. Get rid of the fluff.
5. Athletes
In our line of work, we have to work with athletes who could care less about the weight room and how it can help. However, find a way to get through to these kids no matter what. Team them up with guys like them and get the right staff member training them. Do anything you can to help them buy-in and get better. You are only as strong as your weakest link.
This formula may seem basic, but it will go a lot farther in creating the optimal training environment than trying to find the mystical “perfect workout." Take your time planning and putting all of this together, and do your homework on your staff, equipment, and anything else associated with your program. Oh, and don’t forget to unplug the phone.