Powerlifting Friendly Gym in Northern NJ???

[jwojo]

Anybody know of some (or any) good powerlifting friendly gyms in Northern NJ (ideally close to Newark)?

The gyms around here are either real cheasy holes in the wall type places with no equipment to speak of or larger commercial gyms that are more fitness oriented.

Honest to god, Retro Fitness is the only place I was able to find that even has an actual squat rack where you could also deadlift without anybody looking at you funny. All other gyms seem to only have smith machines. Nevertheless, Retro does not have boxes for box squats, no safety squat bar, no cambered bar, no bands or chains, etc......all the things I want and need to start using to keep improving.

Thanks in advance for any input!

[GeneRychlak]

Anybody know of some (or any) good powerlifting friendly gyms in Northern NJ (ideally close to Newark)?

The gyms around here are either real cheasy holes in the wall type places with no equipment to speak of or larger commercial gyms that are more fitness oriented.

Honest to god, Retro Fitness is the only place I was able to find that even has an actual squat rack where you could also deadlift without anybody looking at you funny. All other gyms seem to only have smith machines. Nevertheless, Retro does not have boxes for box squats, no safety squat bar, no cambered bar, no bands or chains, etc......all the things I want and need to start using to keep improving.

Thanks in advance for any input!

Try Skiba's in Carteret. Henri been in the game for years and has plenty of guys who compete to guide you. Tell him I sent you.

[BongoBanger]

Try Skiba's in Carteret. Henri been in the game for years and has plenty of guys who compete to guide you. Tell him I sent you.

i didnt know you posted here.

[BiggBaby00]

Anybody know of some (or any) good powerlifting friendly gyms in Northern NJ (ideally close to Newark)?

The gyms around here are either real cheasy holes in the wall type places with no equipment to speak of or larger commercial gyms that are more fitness oriented.

Honest to god, Retro Fitness is the only place I was able to find that even has an actual squat rack where you could also deadlift without anybody looking at you funny. All other gyms seem to only have smith machines. Nevertheless, Retro does not have boxes for box squats, no safety squat bar, no cambered bar, no bands or chains, etc......all the things I want and need to start using to keep improving.

Thanks in advance for any input!

I lift at Strong and Shapely in East Rutherford (quick trip down 21 from Newark), and it is pretty PL friendly. 2 full racks, a few half racks, safety bar, cambered bar, boxes, deadlift mat, GHR. A good amount of serious PLers and BBers. It's a little over $50 a month. If you want, I could get you a free week to try it out. They're hungry for new members.

[TomMutaffis]

I have heard good things about Strong & Shapely, it is more of a 'bodybuilding' gym but am sure that it would be PL friendly.

Another option is my friend's gym in Fairfield - it is called "Bodygoals" and he has a monolift, bands, chains, rack, various bars, and a full selection of strongman equipment.

Pictures: http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showth...hp?t=135803011

[jwojo]

Thanks for all the replies guys. I visited the websites for both Skiba's and Bodygoals last night and I guess I would need to visit to see exactly what they have in the form of equipment...but both are definite possibilities. I've been to Strong and Shapely once, so I know where it is....never worked out there, but it's nice to know they're an option also.

Looks like I have to plan some visits...

[jwojo]

I lift at Strong and Shapely in East Rutherford (quick trip down 21 from Newark), and it is pretty PL friendly. 2 full racks, a few half racks, safety bar, cambered bar, boxes, deadlift mat, GHR. A good amount of serious PLers and BBers. It's a little over $50 a month. If you want, I could get you a free week to try it out. They're hungry for new members.

I just checked out the virtual tour on Strong and Shapely's website and holy cow...it looks like they've got two cages, two other squat racks....a boat load of rowing stations....dumbells up to more than I can squat....how come I never lifted here!?!?!?!?

[BiggBaby00]

I just checked out the virtual tour on Strong and Shapely's website and holy cow...it looks like they've got two cages, two other squat racks....a boat load of rowing stations....dumbells up to more than I can squat....how come I never lifted here!?!?!?!?

There's a monolift too, which I've literally never seen anybody use in my year there. They have 3.5 sets of dumbbells, and pretty much every pulling/pressing machine I've seen around haha. I'm pretty new to the PL game (knocking on a 1,000lb total @ 245), so I don't have any need for bands/chains yet, but I'm pretty sure they have em somewhere.

[MaybeMoreAbs]

There's a monolift too, which I've literally never seen anybody use in my year there. They have 3.5 sets of dumbbells, and pretty much every pulling/pressing machine I've seen around haha. I'm pretty new to the PL game (knocking on a 1,000lb total @ 245), so I don't have any need for bands/chains yet, but I'm pretty sure they have em somewhere.

I don't think Diamond is quite as famous as it used to be. And I think it was more bb focused than PL. But worth a check. But the equipment at S&S seems pretty scary good.

[jonnymonny]

Anybody know of some (or any) good powerlifting friendly gyms in Northern NJ (ideally close to Newark)?

The gyms around here are either real cheasy holes in the wall type places with no equipment to speak of or larger commercial gyms that are more fitness oriented.

Honest to god, Retro Fitness is the only place I was able to find that even has an actual squat rack where you could also deadlift without anybody looking at you funny. All other gyms seem to only have smith machines. Nevertheless, Retro does not have boxes for box squats, no safety squat bar, no cambered bar, no bands or chains, etc......all the things I want and need to start using to keep improving.

Thanks in advance for any input!

It is all about finding better gym which is committed to providing the best training support. There are professionals in this area providing the best services personal trainers, personal training classes to each and every member.

[focryinout]

check out a new gym ...Chiseled Health And Fitness in Plainfield. owned by a former USPF regional Champion, Hiroshi Powell 1800 total @ 165 several platforms..He gets it..will allow you to train the way you need to to get the BIG numbers

setting up teams now...
making great signon deals for new members... competitive rates

chiseledhealthandfitness.com

[MasterBench]

I'm probably going to train at Skiba's this summer. I just called Henri to ask him about rates but he hasn't got back to my yet.

From what I've hear it's the place to be in Nj

[LT1Squirrel]

I have heard nothing but good things about skibas

[Sebastianc2012]

check out a new gym ...Chiseled Health And Fitness in Plainfield. owned by a former USPF regional Champion, Hiroshi Powell 1800 total @ 165 several platforms..He gets it..will allow you to train the way you need to to get the BIG numbers

setting up teams now...
making great signon deals for new members... competitive rates

chiseledhealthandfitness.com

Strong 1st post



Anyways, it seems nj has a lot of good choices, which I could say the same about where I live.

[naturalguy]

I train at Skiba's on Sundays, here is a quick vid I did a few weeks ago of one of our Sunday training sessions:



As far as powerlifting/strongman equipment and atmosphere plus the guidance of Skiba (the yoda of powerlifting) it's an amazing place.

Here are some other notes on other gyms in the area, I've trained at them all:

Diamond: the epitome of a hardcore gym, great atmosphere. They welcome bodybuilders and powerlifters and the owner is a great guy.

Strong & Shapely: It's like a huge playground of equipment. One of the biggest gyms in the area. Great atmosphere

Apollon Gym: Caters to bodybuilders & powerlifters, they have monolifts, boxes, etc. everything you need and great owner as well. I train here on occasion.

Muscle Mill (Milltown): Another old school, hardcore gym.

Any other questions about these gyms or others, feel free to hit me up.

[sheed30]

Equinox is pretty powerlifting friendly. There's one in Summit as well as Paramus, but it's extremely pricey.

CanDo Fitness is also pretty powerlifting friendly.

[ptrmull]

Could a average guy workout at skibas or appollon without feelin stoopid? Do they hav meets for beginners? Ty

[naturalguy]

Could a average guy workout at skibas or appollon without feelin stoopid? Do they hav meets for beginners? Ty

Absolutely both gyms are very helpful and welcoming to new lifters.

[MakeABanana]

check out a new gym ...Chiseled Health And Fitness in Plainfield. owned by a former USPF regional Champion, Hiroshi Powell 1800 total @ 165 several platforms..He gets it..will allow you to train the way you need to to get the BIG numbers

setting up teams now...
making great signon deals for new members... competitive rates

chiseledhealthandfitness.com

Bump

I checked this place out today. It's a small warehouse kind of gym but it's got racks, platforms, and bumper plates. Chalk is cool to use and Hiroshi's a really nice guy. It might just become my go-to gym.

[naturalguy]

Bump

I checked this place out today. It's a small warehouse kind of gym but it's got racks, platforms, and bumper plates. Chalk is cool to use and Hiroshi's a really nice guy. It might just become my go-to gym.

Yup great gym, I trained there a few weeks ago, very powerlifting friendly.

[ChiseledGymNJ]

Yup great gym, I trained there a few weeks ago, very powerlifting friendly.

Don't forget - Chiseled Health and Fitness was on Universal Nutrition's 2013 Summer Road Trip tour... We're legit - but you gotta find that out for yourself by stopping by for a workout.

Chiseled Health and Fitness - 1280 North Ave - Plainfield - chiseledhealthandfitness.com or ********.com/chiseledhealthandfitness

(1/2 block off of Terrill Rd/Scotch Plains). Easy to get to from 22, 78, GSP and NJTransit.