Included in our next phase of development is a small gym. Imagine a home gym with all the obvious things you would want, room for three or four people to work out at the same time; an adjoining room for six or eight people to practice yoga, learn the Carolina Shag, or whatever; and a pool with a hot tub.
In the meantime, so that folks who like to lift will have some place to bang and clang, I installed a rack in the storage room of the Spring House. It is a legit rack bolted to the floor, with a legit barbell, the best barbell plates available, horse stall mats, and a wood flat bench. This is not hotel equipment. It is the sort of equipment you’d find in a barbell gym or a CrossFit box.
I have been calling this the “(interim) Big Ridge Barbell Club”, or iBRBC for short. It is tight in there. Lifters may see a spider during their workouts. They will want to turn on the space heater in the winter. And, in truth, I did it as kind of a joke. I really just wanted to convey that an actual gym was forthcoming. Of course, I expected to use it myself and thought maybe some members might use it from time to time, but I did not expect it to become a feature that made the brochure. To my surprise, a number of our members and their guests are experienced lifters, and the iBRMC is getting some great use. Someone even added a Leaderboard last week. The ladies’ current pull-up record is 4. Awesome! 💪
To my surprise, one of the members who joined a few weeks ago half-joked that they would join on the condition that we add an adjustable bench. Of course, I was delighted to have an excuse to expand the iBRBC arsenal. I finally received the shipping notification this morning (supply chain!), so expect to see it and a second barbell (smaller diameter for ladies or kids) in the iBRBC within a couple weeks.
P.S. If you’re curious about barbell training, here’s a great primer with Mark Rippetoe. I’ve also learned a ton via remote group training with The Strength Co. Watch 86 year old TSC client Corki pull 135 triples. She never misses a workout. Amazing.
P.P.S. The iBRBC smells like honey because that is where we store our beekeeping equipment.
[Sept 5, 2024 Update] P.P.P.S. My friend Grant, owner of the aforementioned The Strength Co reviewed the iBRBC:
Posted on August 17, 2022 by Geoff Graham