How important is a good/hardcore lifting environment?

[ChecksandGiggles]

I'm doing some thinking about the importance of training in a gym that is geared for Powerlifting. It seems that nearly all if not all the guys at the top levels of the sport are training in hardcore gyms. However, there are plenty of lifters out there, including many on this board, who are pretty damn strong and train at commercial gyms. Obviously we would all prefer to train in good gyms but are lifters who cannot access such places going to have a much harder time reaching their full potential? Does it depend on the skill level of the lifter? In my personal experience, my lifts exploded when I switched to a more hardcore gym, but I was definitely a beginner, so I don't know what would have happened had I not made the switch-perhaps I would have quit out of frustration of not being able to learn the proper technique, or maybe I'd have similar numbers to what I have now.

Cliffs: Can being part of a hardcore lifting environment make or break a lifter and determine their success or lack thereof?

[LegosInMyEgos]

no clue

[blastbeats_stl]

i train at some of each but i kinda prefer the commercial gyms. hardcore gym generally means geared lifters and you will have to wait a 1/2 hour between sets since they spend so much time dicking off with gear. plus there's a lot more to look at at commercial gyms.

[simp3204]

I don't think it will necessarily make or break the person, but I do believe it is a big influence. I can only imagine that lifting in a hardcore environment would increase a lifter's lifts, as long as the lifter is consistent with his training.

I wish I had a good gym.

[Link815]

I've never really trained in a "hardcore" environment. Trained in 2 different gyms back home, one full of old people where I was literally the only person in the weight room 90% of the time, then another gym with a bunch of high school kids who just curled a lot. In college I trained at the university gym, with my 130lb roommate for 2 years, then had a guy who actually powerlifted the last 2 years. Now I train in a commercial gym with my wife. It's always more fun when I do get to train with actual powerlifters, but I think I've made decent progress without. Who knows where I could be with though.

[LiftHeavy85]

trained in both, prefer to GET trained/train people at the hardcore gym. But prefer to workout on my own at the commercial since its generally quieter and most of the equipment isnt taken up since most dont know how to lift. Although I will say that the hardcore gyms are generally nicer and willing to help you and you can gain a ton of knowledge from the people there.

[SPFjudge]

I've trained at commercial gyms, university gym, garage, powerlifting gym.

I can guarantee you will make gains training in a powerlifting gym.

[ighairynutsack]

i think its who you lift with more than where you lift. if you lift with people stronger than you with more drive than you have combined with ****ty equipment i am willing to bet you will still become stronger than lifting in a decked out university gym with a bunch of tools that jack off while doing curls with the other arm

[Heavy_Beats]

plus there's a lot more to look at at commercial gyms.

True, good for test levels.

[BumShrapnel]

I don't think it's the atmosphere that's important I think it's the fact you're surrounded by knowledgeable, experienced individuals all with similar goals. It's not the colour of the walls or the music choice it's the knowledge and coaching you'll get just by being around those people.

I've hit some of my best sets in brilliant gyms with pantera blaring and others alone in a garage while an advert for conservatories plays on the radio.

Intensity is what you make it or whatever silly cliche you prefer.

[IAmBatman]

Train smart and train hard. Doesn't matter where it happens.

[ChecksandGiggles]

Thanks for all the replies so far, it's very interesting to see all your viewpoints on this.

[Tom Bro]

Different strokes for different folks.

At the end of the day, I determine how hard I workout. Doesn't matter if I'm surround by bbers, powerlifters or just on my own.

[someonefat]

the most important thing is that you train hard. You don't need a hardcore gym to train hard.

I've trained in commercial, strongman/powerlifting gyms, garage ext. You can make progress with all of them as long as you have the essentials-bar, rack, weights, bench- the nice thing about good gyms is the equipment is much better-ghr, monolift, reverse hypers, nice bars ext- also you have guys who are really strong to push you a little more-also give advice ext-. The down side is depending on the size of group can take longer to finish a workout. Commercial gym you have freedom to move around and use a lot of different things without having to wait for 10 other guys to finish on the rack.-also I never see anyone in the squat rack, and if they are usually they leave quick once I ask them how long they have left sine they usually are not doing anything serious-

I prefer the garage gym, I have what I need and just have to walk outside and I'm ready to train. Its nice but like to go to commercial gym also to do a lot of other exercises I can't do just in my home gym. If powerlifting gym was closer by I would probably prefer that though.

[brentwillisbgw]

I'm pretty sure Dave Tate said lifting environment is more important than programming.
With that said, I have much better workouts training at my PL gym than I do at my commercial gym. I still have good workouts at my commercial gym, but it's a lot easier to justify skipping my front squats when the guy next to me is doing alternating step-up dumbbell presses. There are also less distractions. The guys I lift with at my PL gym won't try to start conversations with me in the middle of my workout because they want to lift as much as I do. A lot of people in commercial gyms use the gym to socialize and you won't get any of that in a hardcore gym.

[brentwillisbgw]

I've trained at commercial gyms, university gym, garage, powerlifting gym.

I can guarantee you will make gains training in a powerlifting gym.

Agreed. I have trained in everything you have mentioned and the gains I have made in a powerlifting gym blow everything else away. To say otherwise would be like saying a runner would make as much progress training on a track in his backyard than training with a running team.

[Farley1324]

Agreed. I have trained in everything you have mentioned and the gains I have made in a powerlifting gym blow everything else away. To say otherwise would be like saying a runner would make as much progress training on a track in his backyard than training with a running team.

My understanding of the question was simply location/environment, not a difference in a trainer/team. For your analogy to work we would have to compare lifting in our garage to training with a powerlifting team. Well no **** that training with a team is better than not.

[someonefat]

My understanding of the question was simply location/environment, not a difference in a trainer/team. For your analogy to work we would have to compare lifting in our garage to training with a powerlifting team. Well no **** that training with a team is better than not.

its still better just based on the equipment being much better

[brentwillisbgw]

My understanding of the question was simply location/environment, not a difference in a trainer/team. For your analogy to work we would have to compare lifting in our garage to training with a powerlifting team. Well no **** that training with a team is better than not.

Maybe I misunderstood the question, but I think that the people inside a gym have an effect on the environment. And although my trainer has made a big difference in my progress, training with serious lifters in a serious environment has made just as big of a difference.

[Big Sexy J]

I like training at both. I squat, bench, and deadlift at a "powerlifting gym", and I do a chest/tri workout and a delt/trap/bicep workout at the Y. The thing I don't like about squatting at the PLing gym is that I am limited to squatting, band leg curls, and a GHR. I'd rather have the choice of leg press, leg extension, and leg curl after squatting. But I definitely benefit squatting at the PLing gym with the group more than I would from squatting on my own at the YMCA. That's the only thing I don't like about the PLing gym

[ChecksandGiggles]

I like training at both. I squat, bench, and deadlift at a "powerlifting gym", and I do a chest/tri workout and a delt/trap/bicep workout at the Y. The thing I don't like about squatting at the PLing gym is that I am limited to squatting, band leg curls, and a GHR. I'd rather have the choice of leg press, leg extension, and leg curl after squatting. But I definitely benefit squatting at the PLing gym with the group more than I would from squatting on my own at the YMCA. That's the only thing I don't like about the PLing gym

Why do you do your chest/tri and delt/trap/bicep workout at the Y?

[LILFATBOI]

training in commercial gym is more fun, know more normal people who come, not just fat powerlifters, bball courts, lifting a big weight is more impressive because no squat bars, everything is walked out obviously, and it is almost a social event at pl'ing gyms, like your obligated to talk even on days you got places to be and things to do.


Edit: gains pretty equal tho

[DanielBeauchamp]

Depends, I guess. I've never been to anything other than commercial gyms, so if I had the chance I'd train at a PLing one just for the better equipment...

But the one I'm at has a group of serious lifters too. Mostly BBers but some who train for strength as well; one big guy in particular who's going to the same meet as me in Sept. So it helps to have some guys there to push you to hit PR's and such.

[Big Sexy J]

Why do you do your chest/tri and delt/trap/bicep workout at the Y?

My training partners only train on MWF. It's not a free standing gym, it's at one of the guy's garage.

Also, the garage does not have the machines I like to use.

[arian11]

I guess when you are more experienced the equipment and rules of the gym will affect your gains. Some gyms have ****ty bars and don't allow chalk or getting pumped up. Some gyms have ****ty racks with safety racks that aren't adjustable.

[Shaun_W]

Training in a proper environment is an amazing experience and will definitely boost your gains. I train at a university gym which can be hit and miss: sometimes there are really strong guys in there, like a 700lb deadlifter and a 400lb x 10 bencher, and this creates a sort of atmosphere that you can feed off of to help your own training. It's full of power racks, good barbells and bumper plates. Chalk is allowed, as is dropping the weights as there are platforms.

But if being a university gym it can also be full of curl monkeys pumping their arms up to hit the clubs later that night. This leads to a really ****ty atmosphere, where no-one has got anything heavier than a 10kg plate each side of the bar and everyone is facing the mirror. At these times, it's much easier to say that you just cannot be arsed and head to the preacher curl station then head off home.

So that's an example of how different people at the same place can drastically change the atmosphere. It's little wonder how most of the top PLers and strongmen train at proper gyms and will travel very far for the privilege.

[guest89]

A trainer/coach is whats important, and your more likely to find a good one at a 'hardcore' gym. Plus there will be lots of inspiration/motivation there.


With that said I prefer to workout alone. I go to a commercial 24 hour gym and I love nothing more then when I am completely alone.

[blastbeats_stl]

True, good for test levels.

The thing I don't like about squatting at the PLing gym is that I am limited to squatting, band leg curls, and a GHR. I'd rather have the choice of leg press, leg extension, and leg curl

training in commercial gym is more fun, know more normal people who come, not just fat powerlifters

these

[Metal Jerk]

I went from the hardcore style, to lifting by mself, listening to whatever music I want (not always hardcore) and im fine.

[Torrtrefireto]

There are pros and cons of both. My favorite gym I've lifted at was my highschool. Had all the athmosphere of a hardcore gym (better actually) but with the frills that some hardcore gyms lack (leg ext ect).

You can make progress nomatter where you go