What's Different About GRIT GYM

When I started GRIT GYM I knew it was going to be very different than anything in the local area. What I didn't expect was how different it'd be from other warehouse gyms across the country. I didn't understand that until visiting gyms across the country. I found other coaches were spending little time in their own gyms. Now, I totally agree w/ a certain amount of this. They want to be successful enough to set up their future (for example: retiring, simply going on vacation, and I cannot imagine having kids w/ the schedule I keep now....). This is much of the reason I'm hiring right now (if interested send cover letter and resume to adam@gritgym.com). But I did expect these coaches to be front and center when it came to the gym. 

My gym operates w/o a micromanager (of which I am NOT), and it operates in a way I see fit for producing the results we're going for. This may or may not be the freakiest, or fastest changes but the best change, which would include longevity, maintenance, and adherence. I put more value in the process than the product. In the end I want a quality result that's going to stick, mentally and physically. 

I also have plenty of competition in the area. I do not train a specific way to create a business/competitive advantage. I set up programs based on the individual, the rest takes care of itself. My thought process behind this......worry about yourself. 

Basically, you walk into my gym, you're going to see me. I can make sure of that. 

What else makes GRIT GYM different? This started out as a rant. Agree or disagree you can tell me what you think in the comments below. 

There's only one thing I can say for sure, it's 100% true and it's going on at GRIT GYM daily. 

What’s different about GRIT GYM

1. We do quite a bit of barefoot training

2. We understand the importance of soft tissue work and joint mobility, their affect on performance and injury prevention, as well as detecting the source of the issues, symptoms and what may or may not be preventing peak performance.

3. We don't really do olympic lifts. 

     The return on investment is too low, esp considering the long learning curve, along w/ the negative impact at the elbow in over head athletes like baseball/softball players. 

4. Everything begins w/ the assessment. 

     

     Google maps can't give you directions w/o starting point. I have no idea what your needs are or how to help you get to your goals w/o assessing what we're working w/ first. 

     There are inefficiencies, for instance: sub optimal recruitment of muscles, tightness inhibiting function and structural imbalances. Each of these are extremely common in todays sedentary society, even in youth athletes.  

     An athlete that moves well usually moves fast. Athletes need to be able to change levels, move laterally, know their positioning w/o having to be conscious of it, and they have to be able to drive massive amounts of force into the ground w/ each step. But they also need to be healthy and able to stay that way through an entire season. 

5. No programs are the same. 

     

     We're all human so there will be staples to programs and similarities, but no two people are the same so no two programs are either.

6. There's no coddling. 

     Chihuahuas don't pull dog sleds (I have to give my pal Eric Cressey props for that saying). If you can't pay attention, work hard, be positive, and aren’t willing to learn then you're probably not going to be a good fit. 

7. Nutrition

     We don't screw around w/ a one sized fits all Nutritional regimen. As many people saw, this year the government came out w/ "The Plate", which was a step in the right direction but still abysmal in terms of an actual nutritional foundation to live by. 

     Nutrition is much more than an eat this-not that, good-evil continuum. Nutrition is a topic in an of itself however there are some truths: 

     -Everyone's body reacts differently to food. Everyone.

     -Everyone can benefit from breakfast. No excuses

     -Everyone can benefit from more plant based foods. No excuses    

     -No one has the perfect diet. No one. I sure don't have one to hand you, but we'll work on it and make yours work for you. 

7. There's much more than just teaching strength, speed and athleticism. 

     Besides nutrition. It's how to think, maturing, building a work ethic, insight into themselves to grow into great young men and women, building relationship and growing in those as well. 

8. There is NO long distant jogging 

     Unless it is specific to the sport (triathlons, marathons, Xcountry) there wont be any jogging or steady state cardio. We're going to be burning holes in the ground, moving in short, fast bursts of energy.

     -Bones don't fully develop until between 18-26yrs of age. Usually closer to 18 for females, and usually closer to 26 for males. Repeated low level stress like jogging can stunt the growth of these bones and cause injury. It's common enough that we can say this wont be a matter of 'if' it'll happen, but 'when' it will happen. 

     -We're not training to go slow for a long time, we're training to go extremely fast for a very short time. Training the other way around will just make you slower and weaker (literally). 

     -In sports like football, wrestling, baseball/softball.....speed, strength and athleticism win.  

     -If I told you to do 750 hops on your left leg, then 750 on your right for a cardio workout, you'd call me an idiot. That's called jogging, there are approximately 1500 strides in a mile. 

9. It's definitely not your typical workout arena. There are no mirrors, tv's, treadmills, machines, membership fee, towel service or front desk girl. It's not set up for that. It's set up for hard work, done intelligently to get results. There's no typical globo gym personal trainer either. You’ll find a Performance Coach w/ a very different skill set.

10. No one implements their implements the way I do at GRIT GYM.

     

     Yeah, there are kettelbells, ropes, turf, weights, prowlers (sleds), med balls, trap bars, etc....everyone else has those too. Doesn't matter, it's what we (you and I) do w/ them based on the assessment that makes for progression to maximize potential. 

This is what it takes to be successful. Work hard, work right, work smart.