As many of you probably already know, two months ago I moved my gym into a bigger, more badass facility! This move was a far cry from our humble beginnings in the storage closet!
Just in case there are people reading this who aren’t familiar with the DeFranco’s Gym “story”, here’s a quick timeline for you…
DeFranco’s Gym: Through the years…
- February 2003: “DeFranco’s Gym” is founded…although my “gym” wasn’t much of a “gym”…it was the back of my truck! In my first “facility,” I kept a sled, sandbag, farmers walk implements and a stretching table in my Tahoe as I searched for a “home” for my new business.
- March 2003 - August 2005: “DeFranco’s Gym” moves into a 500sq. ft. storage closet (literally) that was located downstairs from a health club. Before Dhani Jones was “Tackling the Globe” he was squatting with chains in our storage closet!
- September 2005 – June 2010: After being politely asked to leave the storage closet due to “obnoxious” music and a “conflict of interest” with some health club members, DeFranco’s finally moves into its own 2500 square foot warehouse!
- July 2010 – present: DeFranco’s Gym moves next door (740/750 Braen Ave.) into a 5000 square foot warehouse!
At this time, I’m very proud to present this virtual tour of our new facility! The sleepless nights, missed vacations and endless sacrifices have paid off! I think you’ll see that we’ve come a long way since our humble beginnings…
“When you want to succeed as bad as you want to breathe, then you’ll be successful!” THAT, my friends, is the “secret” to success!
Old Gym
Before Dhani Jones was “Tackling the Globe” he was squatting with chains in our storage closet!
Old Gym Spec List:
- 3 x 3 Power Rack
- Texas Power Bar
- Trap Bar
- Glute Ham Bench
- Reverse Hyper
- 2 Pairs Chains
- 500 Pounds of Weight Plates
New Gym
New Gym Spec List:
- Collegiate Power Rack with Custom Platform (4)
- Texas Power Bar (4)
- Multi-Grip Swiss Bar
- Rackable Cambered Squat Bar
- Rackable Cambered Spider Bar
- Trap Bars (2)
- Log Press Bar
- Bench Log
- 4 Inch Cambered Bar
- 1500lb. Safety Squat Bar
- Olympic Style E-Z Curl Bar
- Fat Barbell (El Gordo)
- Collegiate Box Squat Boxes (4)
- Collegiate 0-90 Bench (4)
- Dumbbell Flat Bench (3)
- 12 Pairs of Chains
- Mini bands, Light bands, Average bands & Strong bands (8 pairs of each)
- Collegiate Glute-Ham Raise
- Belt Squat Machine
- Professional 45 Degree Back Raise
- Dumbbells (Grey Plate Chrome end cap): 5lbs – 150lbs
- Cable Crossover/Lat Pulldown/Low Row Combo (with every thick-handled cable attachment) – Call for more information
- EFS Rickshaw
- Prowler (2)
- Dragging Sleds (2)
- 6’ Farmers Walk Handles
- Yoke
- Medicine balls (5-30lbs.)
- Kettlebells – 15lbs. – 124lbs.
- Bench Press Boards (1, 2, 3, 4boards – 4 of each)
- Chain Mates (2 pairs)
- Captains of Crush Grippers (Trainer, #1, #2, #3)
- Fat Gripz (6 pair)
- Grip4orce (2 pair)
- Blast Straps (3 pair)
- Power Wheel (2)
- Chalk (lots!)
PDF 
Joe is one of this countries most highly sought after performance enhancement specialists. Joe has trained over 500 high school and college athletes from various sports. This includes All-State and All-American performers in football, baseball, wrestling, basketball, track & field, lacrosse and hockey. 31 of Joe’s athletes have been drafted by the NFL. Joe has developed a reputation for achieving previously unheard of results with his athletes. He is considered one of the most highly respected trainers in the world. 
That’s amazing. This is a goal to shoot for: 7 years from Nothing to a SuperGym. Congratulations on getting it.
That place looks so god damn awesome.
Amazing facility, would love to have some where like that to train! Great job, with the knowledge you guys have and the set up you now have you gonna keep turning out so many world class athletes! Keep up the good work!
That is one of the greatest things I have ever seen! Best of luck with your place Joe, you earned it.
This is a good list. About the multi grip swiss bar-I recomend it to anyone. I’ve got 3 power racks and I always keep a pair of fatgripz on each (it takes too long to peel em off)- like em for benching too, and a set of stiff and regular grip4orce to use on all my dumbbells (easier to move the grips from one exercise to the next), they’re good for super sets and the BOMB for arm day. Yo Joey D- u know your weights
moved to the 2500 square foot facility only after being ASKED to leave the storage closet! ya cheap prick!
great work, amazing to see how much the business grew! congratulations.
It’s a long commute from North-Central Ontario to New Jersey… You should expand into Canada Joe. We NEED a real gym such as this one in my area. Awesome place.
I can imagine how the people at my gym would react to such a place: “Where’s the pec-dec? Where’s the leg extension and the inner thigh machine?”…..Sigh, oh well, it’s nice to dream about real gyms. *Single tear*
Awesome! I really wish I had access to such a gym, anything else doesn’t come near.
To me, the best part about this article is how you were able to become successful with such minimal equipment at the old gym. Looking at that spec list, and the spec list of stuff you used to keep in your truck, it’s motivating to anyone who wants to start a gym wit little overhead.
Well done, Joe!! You have EVERY right to be proud; you’ve done a tremendous job every step of the way and serve as a HUGE inspiration for a LOT of people!! Your results speak for themselves.
I visited over the summer. the new facility is absolutely amazing. Congrats Joe
That gym brings tears to my eyes. So effin beautiful.
When I die, I hope this is what Heaven looks like…
It’s beautiful.
Joe, you should be very proud of this place. I’m where you were 7 years ago, my truck (and the local park) is my facility. If I’m ever in the area I’m definitely stopping by for a workout.
Best of luck on continued success.
Chris
unreal facility!
The new mecca
Where do you keep the eliptical and recumbents? LOL
Seriously, Congratufreakinglations!!! You’ve done an incredible job to get here.
Joe-
Congrats! Keep pumping out the athletes.
possibly the sexiest thing i’ve ever seen in my life
AWESOME work man!!! You desire all the success you have created and will have in the future from a crap ton of passion, hard work, desire and RESULTS. Congrats again and keep it up
Rock on
Mike T Nelson PhD(c)
Congrats and good luck. I am only sad that I live so far away (vegas,) but who knows, maybe one day I can take a vacation trip to jersey to train with you guys. By the way, I have your dvd “strong,” and I have to say, you and your family seem like the kind of old school/solid values type of good people who are becoming more and more rare in this world by the day. Your mother’s attitude toward her illness is ridiculously inspiring.
I don’t know that guy but I hate him. I mean seriously why isn’t there a gym set up like this everywhere.
Amazing place to train
Congratulations Joe; I’m sure your parents are very proud. Keep on doing what you do!!!
Anti “fitness center”. The way it should be.
I’ve been following Joe for years, and learned alot from him, and many other strength coaches, so keep up the good work coach Defranco.
Why isn’t this gym in the UK (preferably Stoke-on-Trent area)
Good for you, Its nice to see Americans succeeding at what they love to do.
i started the sameay, at the park with a equipment bag full of bands,ladder,cones, and couple tires, then to a 1 car garage n now to a 2 car garage, almost all my kids are getting college offers
Hey JD:
You listed the following gear below – I’m curious did you have any dumbbells or additional pulling gear – lat pd/chest support rows?
3 x 3 Power Rack
Texas Power Bar
Trap Bar
Glute Ham Bench
Reverse Hyper
2 Pairs Chains
500 Pounds of Weight Plates
When I die, I wanna come to place like that!