Let’s Help People get Strong
I started Brentwood Barbell nearly 8 years ago with a very simple idea. Teach people how to lift and help them get strong. Why did I think this was an important idea? As best I could tell, no one was really talking about the importance of strength at the time. The world was cardio and HIT crazy. Much of the messaging centered around “torching calories” or “the sport of fitness”.
But what about me, what about the dudes and gals that just wanted to look, feel, and perform awesomely? Doesn’t anybody just lift anymore?
Turns out they do!
Fast forward to the present and we’re now a well-oiled machine. We know exactly WHO we’re looking for and HOW to help them. The question is, does our model apply to you?
Keep reading if you’re:
- An adult
- A working professional
- Have a busy schedule / deadlines / obligations
- Want to age / look / feel / function well
- Enjoy picking stuff up
Building a Strategy – The No Sweat Intro
We start by asking a simple question. What do you want to accomplish? Sounds easy enough but a lot of people join a gym without really asking themselves this question. AND a lot of gyms sign people up not asking their prospects this question. This lack of communication is bad by design. How can the gym provide an ROI if they don’t know where you want to go. How can you feel like your investment is/was worthwhile if you’re not clear about why you’re there?
I’m not suggesting you should have an ultra-short term, highly specific goal in order to get started (or ever for that matter). You can simply lift and exercise because you feel good doing it. Your goal can be to simply “improve your health”. I’m only suggesting that a conversation be had about it.
Smart businesses ASK their customers what brought them in. A No Sweat Intro is our way of asking, “how can we help you”?
Integration – The Foundations Program
I do about 10 meetings per month right now with prospective clients. I get to hear a lot of stories about what people have tried in the past, what gyms they’ve been to, etc. Without a doubt, the most common story I hear goes something like this: “I joined gym XYZ and went to class on day 1. It destroyed me and I didn’t have a clue what I was doing so I just didn’t go back”.
Our Foundations program was created to avoid just this scenario. Our approach involves a 4-session program that is completed with a coach in a 1:1 setting. We take the time to show you the fundamental lifts, and make appropriate adjustments based on your experience and medical history. We also perform a baseline body composition assessment that will help us track your progress over time. Finally, we wrap this program up with a 30 min nutrition consultation where we aim to give you a couple key strategies that support your goal(s).
ROI – Custom Coaching
Full disclosure, I dislike the term “customized”. I think it’s largely a marketing gimmick. If you’re just starting to lift, exercise, and eat better you don’t need a “custom exercise program”. At least not to the extent that is suggested in the marketing.
Here is EXACTLY what we mean by “custom coaching”. Our basic program centers around the basics:
- Squats
- Deadlifts
- Bench Presses
- Overhead Presses
- Upper Back (rows / pull downs)
- Trunk (plank variations)
- Protein Intake
- Meal Structure
- Showing Up
- Walking 30 min x Day
Nothing magical about that at all… unless you do it for a year. I’ve personally used the exact plan above to lose 25lbs in 9 months. I never did a HIT class, handstand walks, or ran a 5K. I just lifted, walked, and ate within reason.
Back to Customizing Things…
Your squats might be box squats because moving too deeply causes knee pain. You might need rack pulls because you can’t keep your back straight when pulling off the floor. Your overhead work might be an incline to start.
What’s more, you might train 2x per week, or 3x per week, or even 4. Note – we do not train beginners more than 3x per week.
You might want to train in a group setting.
You might want to work 1:1 with a coach when the gym is quiet.
You might want to see your coach on Monday and hit classes on Wednesday and Saturday.
You might want to train early, or mid day, or in the evening.
Now you’re starting to see what actual custom coaching looks like. It’s not a special exercise program aimed at a specific goal. If you take away nothing from this article, know there are no special fat loss exercises or special rehab exercises.
There is only exercise and no exercise.
Our “custom” approach is to package it in a way that works for your resources, schedule, and coaching preferences.
Longevity – Day 91 and Beyond
After you’ve completed your first 90 days as an athlete at our gym, we do a Goal Review. This review is a 1:1 meeting with your Foundations coach. You’ll review some key data from your first program:
- Your attendance
- Your strength progress
- Your changes in body composition
- Your wins
- Your struggles
- You next 90-day goal
This process is repeated every 90 days. This way, you’re always able to see if you’re making progress. From time to time, what constitutes progress might even change. It’s all good as long as everyone is on the same page about it. Having that clarity is what will keep you exercising for the long term. And isn’t that the REAL goal?
Hope this helps!
If our approach sounds interesting, here are 3 ways to connect:
- Book a No Sweat Intro
- Join our Free Facebook Group
- Check out our weekly podcast: Brentwood Barbell Radio
Talk soon,
James