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View Full Version : Anyone lifting in VA?


Tommy Sittinger
03-27-2011, 06:36 PM
Hello all, I'd like to introduce myself, as a new member to the forum. I'm turning 35 next month. I lifted for a while in 2007 at Lost Battalion Hall in queens, NY. I live in winchester, VA, and work as a firefighter/paramedic for Faifrax County. I'm wondering if there are any lifters near Winchester, near Fairfax County, or anywhere in between?

I've recently purchased one of the Pendlay Econ bumper sets, so I can train in my two car garage whenever I want. It's like a dream come true, since I haven't had access to bumper plates since I left NY in the fall of 2007. It's sad that our sport has such a small following. O-lifting is a close second behind surfing as my most favorite sport, BJJ being the third. I'm going to try and turn my garage into a Mike's Gym of sorts in the coming years, if my wife will tolerate it. I also carry the set to and from work, so I can lift on the job, since the dept mandates daily PT for all it's members.

I hope to learn much from the forum, and contribute if I can add anything of value despite my limited experience. I'm not going to break any records at my age and training years with oly, but I still have some goals that I'd like to hit.

As a side note, listen to this: I recently bought my home in Winchester. There's a Gold's two miles from my home. I walked in to check the place out on a Sunday, when the sales reps were off. I was told that I could take a walkthrough to see if I liked the place. Lo and behold, I leave the bathroom, look to my right, and see a platform with a bunch of bumpers! My more than three year frustration with a lack of an oly training facility was over! I walked in on Monday, joined up, and lifted. I returned on Thursday, and the bumpers were gone! I was told by the front desk that a few members were bringing in their own bumpers, and were told that they can no longer use them, since other members were complaining about the noise. Meanwhile, I'm locked in for a one year plan.

If you want a good laugh, look at Gold's kettlebell instructional videos on their main site.

Mike McKenna
03-27-2011, 08:30 PM
Check out Crossfit Fairfax. There are some other folks around, but Gordon is a decent guy and really wants to get some strong lifters. Also look up rick Bucinell; he holds a weekly session at one of the Crossfit boxes in the area and he's worth talking too.

Tommy Sittinger
03-27-2011, 09:26 PM
Check out Crossfit Fairfax. There are some other folks around, but Gordon is a decent guy and really wants to get some strong lifters. Also look up rick Bucinell; he holds a weekly session at one of the Crossfit boxes in the area and he's worth talking too.

I noticed that Crossfit Fairfax has a weightlifting club. I'd like to join, but it's $40 a month for members, and $150/month for non members:

http://www.crossfitfairfax.com/wlc

There's a 25% public safety discount. I work in the same FD as Jeff Tincher, one of the owners, although I don't know him personally. Even if he let me in for half price, that's still way too steep. It's also at 0530 on Monday and Thursday, and at 0700 on Saturdays. We start our shifts at 0700, and work 24 hour shifts ten times a month. I couldn't make to work from the gym in time, and I wouldn't be able to make it after work, either. I'd be lucky to be available for three sessions a month there. I could see charging a flat 25-35 bucks a month for a weightlifting club. Bumpers are expensive, but the overall start up cost would be less than a commercial gym, I would think. I paid $100 a month at Lost Battalion Hall in NYC, and only $350/yr on a public safety discounty at Coliseum Gym in Middle Village, NY, which had a platform with bumpers, weightlifters to train with, and a bunch of PL stuff as well, such as the monolift, GHD, chains, bands, boards for board presses, etc. $450/yr for both gyms.

http://www.coliseumgym.com/equipment.html

These crossfit boxes are way too expensive. I should turn my two car garage and basement into one and get in on the action lol.

I'm very appreciative of the tips, don't get me wrong. I may contact these two gentlemen, and see if we can work something out. In the meantime, I still have my bumper set, my garage, and the fire station.

crkilgo
05-12-2011, 05:59 PM
Tommy,
Im in Arlington. I have a similar set up to you in my basement where I train most of the time. I also lift twice a week in Bethesda, MD. Both those are a far drive for you but let me know if you want to get together sometime to train.

Craig

BMac
05-14-2011, 04:13 PM
Hi Tommy,
Name is Brendan. I am moving to Winchester in a few weeks, would enjoy a weightlifting partner. And the lack of bumper plates at the GG's is a bummer. I already scoped out the lifting scene haha

- Brendan

Tommy Sittinger
05-14-2011, 09:11 PM
Tommy,
Im in Arlington. I have a similar set up to you in my basement where I train most of the time. I also lift twice a week in Bethesda, MD. Both those are a far drive for you but let me know if you want to get together sometime to train.

Craig

I may check out your club in the not to distant future, but for now, I've found a gym in my area that has equipment and some lifters as well. Thanks!

Tommy Sittinger
05-14-2011, 09:19 PM
Hi Tommy,
Name is Brendan. I am moving to Winchester in a few weeks, would enjoy a weightlifting partner. And the lack of bumper plates at the GG's is a bummer. I already scoped out the lifting scene haha

- Brendan

I'm in GG right now, but I'm looking to quit there and start at Body Renew fitness, which is near the Costco down by 522 near 50. I was in Gold's two weeks ago, and I saw a rather large individual in weightlifting shoes doing snatch pulls off of the squat rack next to me. He told me about Body Renew. Apparently the lifters at Golds were bringing in their own bumpers, but were thrown out since they were causing too much of a ruckus, being loud and such. they all train at Body Renew, and will remain there as lone as they remain respectful towards other members, as in not being overly loud, flinging weights around, chest thumping, etc (they're mostly young from what I've heard). The gym has what we need for weightlifting, but I haven't looked in there yet. Here's the address:

http://national.citysearch.com/profile/617446860/winchester_va/body_renew.html

There's always my garage. I've got the 160# Pendlay Econ set, some metal 10's and fives, and I'm looking to order some 55's and a squat stand soon.

BMac
05-17-2011, 07:00 PM
Sounds great Tom, thanks for the tip.
I will PM my email address. Some of us dont need more then 160kg haha. Well not yet. I want to enter some club competitions while I am at SU.