We the owners of private gyms, in Order to form a more perfect facility, establish PRs, insure quality equipment, provide for the common lifter, promote the general strength, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Bill of Rights for the Private Gyms of the World.
Article I – Gym Owner Freedom of Speech and Rule-making
Section I
- It doesn’t matter if you like the gym owner or not – he pays the bills. Respect shall be given to the owner of the club.
Section II
- The owner has the right to refuse entry to anyone for any reason. He can throw people out or ask them to leave for any reason. Membership can be revoked for any reason.
Section III
- The owner has the right to change these rules at any time.
Article II – Right to a Clean Facility
Section I
- Re-rack all weights even if you didn’t use them. The location you should put them is not where it is most convenient for you, but rather where they’re supposed to go.
See anything wrong with this picture?
Section II
- Leave the gym in better condition than it was found.
Section III
- Clean all sweat, blood, zit puss, etc., off pads and mirrors. Wipe pads off when you’re done.
Section IV
- If you notice trash on the floor – pick it up. If you don’t notice trash on the floor – look harder.
Section V
- Don’t track rain, snow, dirt or mud onto the gym floor unless you plan on cleaning it up.
Section VI
- Flush toilet after using. Wipe lid if needed.
Article III – Conditions for the Attitude of Lifters
Section I
- Come to train, not “workout.”
Section II
- Leave your personal drama at home.
Section III
- Check your ego at the door.
Section IV
- No excuses. Train like a champ.
Section V
- No whining.
Section VI
- Help others be better than you.
Article IV – Right of Regulated Training
Section I
- The group determines how the group will train. Your style of training and thoughts on training don’t matter. You do have the right to train as you wish, but if you’re training negatively affects the group training in any way, that lift needs to be trained on a different day or at a different time.
Section II
- If you see a technical flaw in someone else, help to correct it.
Section III
- No mindless chatter – we’re here to train, not hang out.
Section IV
- Don’t speak to someone in the middle of a set or walk in front of someone doing a set.
Article V – Provisions Concerning Hygiene
Section I
- Come dressed to train. And make sure your clothes are washed.
Section II
- Don’t smell like shit. Use deodorant.
Section III
- If blood splatters in the bathroom, clean it up.
Section IV
- Don’t spit on the floor.
Article 6 – Right of Respect
Section I
- Leave your drugs at home.
Section II
- If you’re contagious – stay home.
Section III
- Respect others.
Section IV
- Don’t be late.
Section V
- In the gym, we’re all equal.
Section VI
- No stealing.
Section VII
- Pay your dues on time or ahead of time.
A little known fact – most hardcore gyms go out of business not because of members, but because of members that don’t pay. Every private gym owner that we’ve spoken to has enough members to break even, so have enough respect to pay your dues and keep your private gym open. The second reason they close is that the owners get sick of all the B.S. listed in this article and just move what they need back into their garage and close up shop.
After reviewing this list and all the “I hate commercial gym articles,” we’ve come to the realization that most people have more respect for their commercial gyms than the private gyms we have all worked so hard to create. Most people who train at private gyms are in violation of at least 70 percent of the rules on this list, but will follow the lame commercial gym rules to “T.” If commercial gyms suck so badly, why do you follow their rules (yes you bitch about them, but you DO follow them), but then turn around and NOT follow the rules of the very place you always wanted to be? Why would you respect the commercial gym more when they have 10 times the number of rules, but totally disrespect the place you always wished to be? This left us private gym owners no option but to write the declaration of private gyms.
Thank you,
Federation for the Underground Associations of Strength
F.U.P.A.S.
For a desktop wallpaper version of this picture, click here.
To Sum it All Up…
So you just bought a brand new car a few moths ago and finally got it back from being detailed. One of your buddies asks to borrow it and you figure “what the hell” and let him take it out for a spin. As he backs out, all you ask is he bring it back with a full tank.
HOURS later he rolls up and as you look over the car you notice it’s covered in mud, all the windows are down, the mirrors are all jacked up and the entire inside is coated with 1/4-inch of dirt. All the seat settings are changed to suit all his buddies, the right rear stereo speaker is blown and all your CD covers are cracked, broken or lost. The right tire is half-full, one of the headlights is cracked, the ash tray is filled with used dip balls, gum wrappers and so much other crap the top of the tray won’t close. There are spit cups in the floor, spit stains on the passenger side interior, a couple used condoms in the back seat, all your stuff in the glove box is gone, the steering wheel is sticky as hell and, after all this, the gas tank is on E.
Your buddy gets out of the car, tosses you the keys and without even a simple thank you walks away. Why not? He’s entitled right?
How is this different than what a typical private gym owner has to deal with?
His gym and equipment costs more than your car.
PDF 
The official Federation for the Underground Associations of Strength. All private gym owners from around the globe, banned together to form this federation and to give themselves a voice. Let them be heard. 
A code for all to read and to apply not only at a gym, but at home and at a workplace. I get disgusted at what people leave behind because it is someone else’s “job” to do.
I love the example of the car. I used to have a small warehouse gym and closed down for many of the reasons described. I now have a home gym with two training partners and won’t allow anyone else in. Been there and done that. Too much drama for me. My own fault thou. If I enforced the rules in this article the gym would still be open but I didn’t want a business I just want to lift weights.
PERFECTLY STATED!!! Members that think they are entitled to do as they please in the private gyms need to be kicked out so those of us who feel privileged and honored to have these places to train in can do so without their crap!
Really good stuff. Going on the wall at my gym today.
YES!!!!
Posting it in my gym right now!
As a private gym owner thank you for this. I just printed this and posted in my gym. I know it won’t make any difference but the car example might make them think before leaving their dip cups in the trash.I never thought about how they respect all the insane commerical gym rules but can’t seem to put weights away in my place.
Does this organization really exist? If so…
1: AWESOME!
2: Is there a way that you can help set up a gym for a member, I tried opening up a powerlifting/boxing/sports training gym with a buddy of mine, but we couldn’t get the funds.
If I were to open up a gym though, Id most definitely would put these rules up and enforce them, especially if fitness facilities can get a way with making their customers do stupid shit like lift without chalk, treat weights like they are made out of glass, and so on and so forth.
This brings back many memories of why I closed my gym. I had to deal with everything on this list plus so much more I could write me own article. The most true statement in this article is the part about the dues. I had enough people to cover all expenses but getting them to pay was another issue. One day I realized I was not only putting all their stuff away, cleaning the gym and dealing with the daily drama I was PAYING for it all! When it was all said and done I was paying close to $400.00/ month out of my own pocket to train and deal with all their crap. The next month I closed the gym and moved my rack and a few other pieces into my basement. All those who could never remember to pay joined Bally’s Fitness and I’m sure haven’t missed a payment yet. I happy to see this article posted. Maybe it will help others avoid all the junk I had to deal with.
The best article yet? As a private gym owner myself I would also say if a husband and wife own the gym and you (assuming you are male) wait for the husband to leave and them complain to the wife – You are a PUSSY! This happens all the time at our gym. Guys will tell me how great everything is and as soon as I leave go and yell at my wife about something.
UNBELIEVAVLE BROTHER! YOU HIT THAT FUCKING NAIL ON THE HEAD! I am printing this shit out and posting it everywhere! I am losing hair daily chasing after stupid shit like that when I should commit all my time to programming and training. I had a discussion the other day with so meone who argued GOLDS doesnt require clean shoes etc to which I explained “I dont have 15 years olds to pay $6/hr to clean your shit off of the floor, to wipe the machines down, and to put your stuff away.”
The ONLY downside to running a private usiness are enforcing rules and policies, and the above article should ber engraved onto fucking tablets!!!!
HOWEVER, one quick question pertaining to “hygiene;” I find it easier to deal with people’s smell or strench than to have to spend an hour picking their excess deodorant out of my rubber flooring. As stupid as it sounds, any suggestions for deodorant policies or application? I speak only on the reasoning that I was having an MMA fighter perform a pushup complex on the ground, proceeded pick up some ladie’s speed stick crumbles with his li and then raced outside to dry heave for 3 minutes on the bushes. ANy suggestions??
I owned a commercial gym and now have moved it back to my garage. Every home or private gym should have a “no cause” clause. I can ask you to leave and never come back without a cause. I don’t have to explain myself, it is my equipment and my house, you are ALWAYS a guest. If anybody wants to train with us, I explain what it is and go from there.
Why did I do this? 1) A guy who brought his kids on a regular basis and they weren’t respectful; 2) a guy who smelled and stunk up the garage; and 3) a guy who was crazy, he couldn’t be trusted.
Isn’t odd we are teaching kids who are 18 or 21 years old to STOP peeing ON the toilet
Man, the new generation has NO F***ing clue!
–z–
I closed my gym after getting tired of cleaning up after the ‘animals’. I drew the line when a member sh!t themselves and then proceded to the toliet leaving a trail of sh!t from the squat rack to the toliet… that was it. Closed down extended my gargage at home and train there now with a select few. Best thing I ever did. A real sh!tty way to go out.
When can we buy this as a poster?
Yeah I trained at a gym where we would train in the early mornings lke 6am and the owner with most of the rest would flake out then bitch at you for bothering them
Thank you… Kinda along what Zach said, but WTF that people don’t know how to pee any more yet alone clean up after themselves… The best is when people rack weights just cause there is an open spot when clearly the plate, db, etc doesn’t belong there. Tired of all the bitchassness.
As a gym owner I could really appreciate this article. Its amazing how selfish and insensitive people are.
—–>Come to train, not “workout.”
Point blank
.. and yeah randy bout that piss thing. Wash your hands too or at least rinse off bc i know you touched your d*** and i dont want that on my hand.
On a similar note, one of the power racks at my gym has had a broken pin for weeks and is thus unusable. I told a staff member and he told me that it wasn’t his job. Uh, yes it is. If you can’t fix it, tell someone who can. It is EVERYONE”S responsibility to make sure the equipment is in working order and safe.
Just like in a private gym, everybody, whether they are staff or lifters, is responsible for everyone else, they should also all be responsible for the equipment.
It good to know I’m not the only one to get pissed at ingreats. At the end of the day nobody really gives a sh-t but you.
Thank you so much for this. We have already printed it out, framed it, and hung it on the wall of our facility. Maybe people will think twice and have some respect for the blood, sweat, and tears that gives them a sanctuary in which to train.
Best Regards,
Larry & Denise Pollock
http://www.bodytemplegym.us
(805) 484-5553
My wharehouse gym has not been cleaned in the two years we use it, including the toilet. It all takes care of itself. After about six months you don’t smell anything anymore. There is no toilet paper, they have to bring their own. The place is a big ole mess just the way I like it. Don’t mix business with pleasure. It’s like complaining about a whore being a slut. The experience is meant to be filthy. We have a group of no more than eight guys and everybody pays six months in advance or can go. Keep it small. It still costs me money but it’s my hobby, it’s supposed to cost money. Nice read though!
Outstanding article. I have been dealing with most of this lately. It will be posted in my gym. Thanks.
Amen. Work in a gym myself and even during my off time (training) I take time out to tidy up. People have no manners…
THis was a great article and that eagle wall paper with logo would make a great t-shirt (hint hint).
@Hank I don’t beleive that you “had” to deal with people’s crap at your gym. It’s your house man and if people put their feet on the coffee table. You can do what my mom did Lay the Smackdown…lol
But on a serious note.
Us as trainers, coaches sometimes feel like that is part of the job. I often see people who pay $100 hour for a trainer tell him or her what they “feel” like training. Athletes do this too. Well the spoiled ones.
Everyone the gym is YOUR house and even if you don’t have a gym or do in house training you DO NOT have to take anyone’s bullsh*t. Excuse my french but its true.
I have never met a lawyer or a surgeon who had a patient or client that complained about their methods. You are the professional what you says go. End of story
Completely on point.
I work on a senior health and wellness center that is located on the campus of a hospital. I refer to it as ” The Wrinkle Ranch” because our median age is 75, and we have roughly 3,000 members. One member wrote a check for his quarterly dues, and prorated out 1 week since due to snow ( we had 78 inches of it this winter) he couldn’t get to the gym, which was of course open. We informed him that his gym membership is like his car payment. He didn’t prorate Toyotas payment because he couldn’t drive his car in the snow, and he wasn’t going to prorate his gym payment. He got irate and quit our gym. I wonder if he turned in his Toyota.
Right on point with this. Saved to disc and will be posted in my facility.
Great, great read. I don’t have an elaborate private facility, but my gym in my basement and I’ve been thinking of bringing on some people to train there. This Bill of Rights is really useful in my case because it’s not just my gym, but my damn house. I don’t need people treating it like their garbage can.
And while “the Netherlands will be world soccer champions!” feels differently (and to each their own), I don’t find a place that is completely disgusting to be hard core. Hard core is your mental approach, not how you keep where you train.
Outstanding.
It’s my hope that private gyms will eventually overtake commercial gyms as more and more people realize what a waste of time and money those places are.
I think that one of the main things holding back the success of a lot of private gyms is that those who own and operate them do so out of a love for what they do there, and are essentially hobbyists trying to run a business.
As soon as you open your doors and start taking other peoples money to provide them a place to train, it’s important to understand that you are no longer just a guy working out who happens to own the place. You’re the creator, the alpha who determines how this place will run, and have just created an animal that has to be fed and taken care of. You are responsible and if it’s not working you must fix it.
Yeah, commercial gyms suck, but if you take a moment to know your enemy you’ll find that there are a few things they do well. Namely, they create systems to ensure consistent operations. Members aren’t paying? Create a procedure that as soon as someone walks in your door they are going to sign up to have their bank account automatically drafted for that privilege every month or they are going to pay for their membership up front.
When people pay as they go, they’ll inevitably come up with bullshit reasons not to pay for something, as someone else pointed out. “Well, i went to florida with my wife for a week this month, so…” Fuck that. Their payment is coming out and they can either accept that or leave. You don’t pay half your cable bill for the month because you decided not to watch it for a while.
If someone tries to argue this with you, it’s no longer a personal issue. It’s the standard procedure for the business, the animal you created, which is an outside entity and doesn’t really care about their excuses or stories.
“one of the main things holding back the success of a lot of private gyms is that those who own and operate them do so out of a love for what they do there, and are essentially hobbyists trying to run a business”.
Wow that struck a nerve with me, I am looking to open a small private gym when I finish my time in British Army next year.
My take for what it’s worth as a non owner, is if you select the right customers rather than just see the £/$ signs, the trainers who have pride in YOUR facility it can work, at least that is my experience of the gyms I have trained in & the reason I chose those gyms was because I saw something in them that I wanted myself & gave it the respect it deserved.
Hey, just wanted to let you know to keep up the brilliant
job on your website!
Hilarious and on point! The cleanliness is sorely needed at our gym……
Dude could not have said this better myself. We deal with a lot of the same bullshit.
Sad thing is the a-holes that need to read this probably never will, and if they do, they’ll think “I don’t do any of that!” It’s like the guy that blow dries his sac with a leg on the sink and finds nothing wrong with that…
Great Article.. gonna have to post this up at my gym!! Thanks
old article but worthy of a repost. very true for all gym owners.
Never gets olds, love it.
Rich
Posted September 27, 2011 at 9:13 AM
Sad thing is the a-holes that need to read this probably never will, and if they do, they’ll think “I don’t do any of that!” It’s like the guy that blow dries his sac with a leg on the sink and finds nothing wrong with that…
Dude My dad use to do that …… With the door open!
Article 3 section 6… Help others be better than you.
Thats what a real private gym is all about.
Good read. I have to say my private gym as well as gyms ive had in the past dont have too many rulesmy place is grungy and hardcore so i dont mind a mess. But what is very frustrating is bugging my guys for their fees every month. I show up for mma practice spend countless hours and most dont pay until i bug them or close the gym for a week. I dont get it.
Generally I don’t read post on blogs, however I would like to say that this write-up very forced me to take a look at and do it! Your writing taste has been surprised me. Thanks, quite great post.