100 Starting Strength gyms in 5 years

[mbasic]

Saw a starting strength radio quip ... "strength is mainstream now".

Which, I don't if its the algorithm feeding me more 'stuff' now ....
(really my interaction with the internet and social media hasn't changed all that much)
....but it seems that way.

I guess how with this quasi-intellectual-biohacker movement really spreading, and a lot of the data how "heavy" lifting can stave off bone loss and it seems more 'doctors' now than ever seem to accept having more muscle can be a metabolic plus....and its generally healthy (squatting is bad for your knees stuff seems to have subsided quite a bit).

I would think that with strength training becoming more fashionable, its going make competing in the gym/personal training market tougher for the boutique barbell gyms.

Like anything else, when these trends catch on, at first supply and demand grow together of course and reach an equilibrium of sorts .... until shit falls out of fashion or other methods to reach the end goal become available (one example: use of GLP-1s for metabolic health or whatever). Afterwards .... it might be tough to exist in that market.

[mgil]

I would think that with strength training becoming more fashionable, its going make competing in the gym/personal training market tougher for the boutique barbell gyms.

imho, we are in the decline of barbell popularity.

Like anything else, when these trends catch on, at first supply and demand grow together of course and reach an equilibrium of sorts .... until shit falls out of fashion or other methods to reach the end goal become available (one example: use of GLP-1s for metabolic health or whatever). Afterwards .... it might be tough to exist in that market.

also, imho, a lot of people are finding that any resistance training is sufficient for basic metabolic and structural needs, and compound movements on equipment where stabilization is built-in (leg press, smith machine, etc.) is on the rise, especially with non-athletic types.

furthermore, the economy sucks right now, and peeps are taking a long hard look at the notion of a bare-bones gym being $300 a month when other options exist, despite the lack of coaches to hang out with.

[5hout]

I would think that with strength training becoming more fashionable, its going make competing in the gym/personal training market tougher for the boutique barbell gyms.

Like anything else, when these trends catch on, at first supply and demand grow together of course and reach an equilibrium of sorts .... until shit falls out of fashion or other methods to reach the end goal become available (one example: use of GLP-1s for metabolic health or whatever). Afterwards .... it might be tough to exist in that market.

Agree it'll be tough, the moment to make "money" in this industry was Crossfit's rise. The hour has grown late and the iron is cool.

MSU recently closed down their old main Intramural building (with gym) and opened a new one. The "old" gym was fully renovated in '09 or '08. It had, iirc, 3 bench stations, 2 squat racks and some free weights. The remainder was machineland and cardio machines. The new one is:

https://recsports.msu.edu/facilities/st ... ess-center

That's 10+ bench stations, 6 pictured squat racks, tons of free weight benches. The machines that are picture use plates (although I think it does have a machineland and cardio machine room as well) and it might have more squat racks not shown. If I owned a small gym I'd be be terrified. The cool kids used to go off campus to lift b/c they wanted to squat/bench. Why the fuck would you leave that palace (and pay more)?

In this case I don't think a rising tide lifts all boats, because the tide here is lifting "full service clean gyms, where I can go and Squat, the GF can go and cardio and then we can get a smoothie on our way out" when most (at least locally to me) of the gyms seem to be either Planet Fitness clones, dying crossfit boxes and bro-places. The capital cost is difference between where the market was vs where it is heading is like 20x.

Putting it another way: During the rise of Crossfit you could buy 5 York racks, a few benches and have a big space for group cardio/running/silly bullshit in a huge pole barn and make a living. The market is moving from that to a more full featured experience and the little guys (i.e. SS owners, normies) need not apply.

[lehman906]

also, imho, a lot of people are finding that any resistance training is sufficient for basic metabolic and structural needs, and compound movements on equipment where stabilization is built-in (leg press, smith machine, etc.) is on the rise, especially with non-athletic types.

As a wrestling nerd in addition to a strength sports nerd, I’ve noticed that a lot of top wrestlers who are jacked (but not 80s roid monster builds) are working out almost exclusively with machines. Is that because of all of the abuse their bodies take? Is it because almost all of the top guys are 40+? Both? Regardless, we aren’t seeing a lot of John Cena types going in and squatting 600 on a whim. The focus seems to be much more on longevity, and I don’t know if that’s bled over from the lifting zeitgeist that you’re describing, but I think it supports your argument.

I’m too dumb to give up my barbells and go to a gym with machines, however.

[DanCR]

I would think that with strength training becoming more fashionable, its going make competing in the gym/personal training market tougher for the boutique barbell gyms.

imho, we are in the decline of barbell popularity.

Like anything else, when these trends catch on, at first supply and demand grow together of course and reach an equilibrium of sorts .... until shit falls out of fashion or other methods to reach the end goal become available (one example: use of GLP-1s for metabolic health or whatever). Afterwards .... it might be tough to exist in that market.

also, imho, a lot of people are finding that any resistance training is sufficient for basic metabolic and structural needs, and compound movements on equipment where stabilization is built-in (leg press, smith machine, etc.) is on the rise, especially with non-athletic types.

This is accurate, if one believes that goings on on the internet reflect real life, which in this case they probably do because the content creators are chasing what they think the audience wants. Other than dedicating powerlifting channels, the only dudes preacher the gospel of the barbell are super off-putting (to any intelligent person) hardos like Tanner Shuck. Fuck that guy. It’s unfortunate.

[hector]

also, imho, a lot of people are finding that any resistance training is sufficient for basic metabolic and structural needs, and compound movements on equipment where stabilization is built-in (leg press, smith machine, etc.) is on the rise, especially with non-athletic types.

As a wrestling nerd in addition to a strength sports nerd, I’ve noticed that a lot of top wrestlers who are jacked (but not 80s roid monster builds) are working out almost exclusively with machines. Is that because of all of the abuse their bodies take? Is it because almost all of the top guys are 40+? Both? Regardless, we aren’t seeing a lot of John Cena types going in and squatting 600 on a whim. The focus seems to be much more on longevity, and I don’t know if that’s bled over from the lifting zeitgeist that you’re describing, but I think it supports your argument.

I’m too dumb to give up my barbells and go to a gym with machines, however.

IMO, barbells and big lifts are better for getting your entire body strong, especially if you are a newby and not on steroids.

However, if you’re already jacked and on steroids then I think machines are probably great for maintenance. Also, machines seem better for advanced bodybuilding, which is more aligned with most pro wrestler goals than PL style training.

[aurelius]

As a wrestling nerd in addition to a strength sports nerd, I’ve noticed that a lot of top wrestlers who are jacked (but not 80s roid monster builds) are working out almost exclusively with machines. Is that because of all of the abuse their bodies take? Is it because almost all of the top guys are 40+? Both? Regardless, we aren’t seeing a lot of John Cena types going in and squatting 600 on a whim. The focus seems to be much more on longevity, and I don’t know if that’s bled over from the lifting zeitgeist that you’re describing, but I think it supports your argument.

I’m too dumb to give up my barbells and go to a gym with machines, however.

I wish I remembered the article. A trainer of pro athletes outlined his philosophy. These guys have trained their entire lives and are genetic freaks. They have to be able to perform at the highest level regularly. Training is in support of their competition (while we civilians training IS the primary objective). He broadly hit on these points:

1) A magic workout isn't going to make significant improvements (if any) to their athletic performance.
2) Monitoring recovery is the priority.
3) Preventing injury.

So he mainly focused on machines for strength training because they are stabilized movements that can be performed with a great deal of control. And he said a lot of what he came up with was keeping it interesting and engaging for an athlete that works out multiple times a day their whole fucking lives. Keep in mind that time in the weight room is a very small part of the athletes overall training.

I also remember a study that compared the maximum squat (might have been 3 rep) to body weight of D1 football players. Then compared that to their athleticism (40 yard sprint, long jump, and some other). But essentially at a 2X bodyweight squat the improvements in athletic performance had a sever drop (or essentially functioned as the limit).