Need to Have Vs. Nice to Have

Michael Boyle

For many of our readers on StrengthCoach.com and Hockey Strength and Conditioning the question of facility design often comes up. Lets face it, everyone likes toys. The question is which toys. Which items do you have to have in your weightroom? Which items are luxuries? Do you "need" a Keiser machine? Do you need the MVP Shuttle? Although I cover a lot of what you need to know in chapter 1 of my second book, Designing Strength Training Programs and Facilities ( available as a free download for StrengthCoach.com members), here is the Mike Boyle Need to Have List. This is the bare bones list for opening a facility and training athletes or clients.

Need to Have
Dumbbells or Powerblocks
Adjustable Bench
Full Power Rack
300 lb Olympic set
Pulldown apparatus (Obviously we'd prefer a Kesier unit but, a plate loaded cable column gets the job done)
TRX
This need to have list makes for a great home gym, a great small facility or a great studio setup. If you have more clients or athletes, duplicate, don't vary. Get more racks, more benches and more bars. Think about production, not luxury. I know many people are going to say "What about …". I guess that will make for a few forum posts.

Nice to Have
The nice to have list is not luxuries, simply items to get that will increase your effectiveness.
Slideboard
AirDyne
Kettlebells

Luxuries
Items like the MVP Shuttle and the Keiser Functional trainer fall in the luxury category. Great tools but, tools that you can live without until the money rolls in.
So, if you are thinking about setting up a training facility, start with the need to have list and duplicate it based on the size of your space. Remember, duplicate don't diversify. For more info you can download Designing Strength Training Programs and Facilities at http://www.strengthcoach.com .

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