Monochromatic Oeuvre wrote:sg8 wrote:A second question, if I may;
How good/bad is Dodge gym? Are you constantly waiting for squat racks / bench (how many squat racks are there out of curiosity)? Are there sufficient free weights?
I take my gym fairly seriously so would appreciate any comments. The other options in the area for solid powerlifting seem limited to crossfit which cost a fortune. Alternatively, are there any good gym recommendations in the area (with sufficient squat racks etc?)
Thanks =)
sg8
Dodge is crowded. Plan on your workout taking 20% longer than it usually does. Would unquestionably avoid 4-8:30 if it's at all possible.
Advantage is that it's (a) cheap, and (b) close, which are two things you'll probably need if you're anything like the average student.
I take my gym seriously too sg8, and Dodge is fine if you go at the right times. It's actually a pretty loaded gym, which I didn't realize until I moved away for the summer and was surprised that the only place that had a comparable number of equipment was Gold's. Anyway:
There are three benches; one decline bench; two incline benches; three squat racks. There aren't any extra bars for deadlifts, so people end up taking a bar from one of the benches or squat racks, which is annoying but it's Dodge's fault for not having more bars.
In the dumbell area, there are two adjustable benches, one regular bench, two seats (for military, sitting tricep press, etc.). There is also a sit up bench that you can adjust the decline on from 5 degrees to 30 degrees.
Also, there is one of those combination pully systems that you see in all gyms (they're those big bastards that have like stations for lats, rows, pullups, etc.)
There are also a lot of machines on the third floor (the above description is on the second floor), but I don't use any.
During the school year there are classes throughout the day that end at 4pm. I recommend getting to dodge at 3:45 and change and head to the weight room. If you get started right at 4pm, the regular crowd trickles in and it doesn't get busy until 5pm. I get all of my compound lifts done in that hour, and vanity lifts are more managable when there are a lot of people because most people aren't doing them. During the weekend, anytime before 2pm is the best. I usually lift on Saturdays at noon, and there's usually only 4 to 8 other people in there at any given time.
I don't pay for a locker. In the second floor weight room, there are two inset windows that people put their bags in. They easily can hold up to 20 or so bags, and they're never completely full. I usually have my backpack and gymbag, and just plop them up there. I'm not down with paying $100 bucks for a locker.
