Strength Training and Conditioning Facilities

1. Strength Training and Conditioning Facilities Day 27 Reference: Earle and Baechle - Chapter 24

2. Most Important Responsibility of a Trainer is Providing a Safe Training Environment

3. Safe Exercise Environment Requirements • Proper supervision, program design, and exercise instruction • Relevant facility rules and policies • Efficient facility design and equipment placement • Effective maintenance plan that consists of facility and equipment cleaning and repair schedules

4. Facility and Equipment Layout

5. Equipment Organization • Organize or cluster equipment based on the body part that they target (e.g. chest, shoulders, arms, legs, etc) • Improves functionality and accessibility; hence, better for larger facilities that train more individuals • Organize or cluster equipment according to equipment type (e.g., free weights, resistance training machines, aerobic exercise machines, etc) • Creates a more efficient use of space

6. Equipment Placement • Keep equipment for exercises that require spotters away from windows, mirrors, and doors • Place tallest machines/equipment (maintains better visibility) and dumbbell racks along walls • Order resistance machines in a circuit from large muscle groups to small muscle groups • Separate stretching area away from equipment • Upright aerobic exercise machines should be placed behind recumbent aerobic exercise machines to maintain better visibility • All equipment should be at least 6” from mirrors • Group instruction should occur in a separate room

7. Equipment Spacing • Equipment should be spaced to allow clients to safely perform each exercise, facilitate access between each piece, enhance traffic flow, and improve personal trainer’s ability to interact with clients

12. 3’ Rule • All equipment should be at least 3’ apart • At least one 3’ walk way should bisect workout area for a quick, easy emergency access route

13. Other Facility Concerns • Locate facility on ground level if possible • Entire workout area should be visible from supervisory area • Accessible and compliant for disabled populations • Adequate ceiling height with no hanging obstructions • Use rubberized flooring or low-pile carpet • Proper lighting of 75-100 foot-candles • Comfortable temperature of 68-72o F • Relative humidity should be 60% or less • Optimal air circulation of 12-15 exchanges per hour; minimal 8-12 exchanges per hour

14. Other Facility Concerns • Sound levels should not exceed 90 decibels • Adequate number of grounded 110-V and 220-V outlets that are easily accessible • Mirrors should be at least 20 inches above the floor • Easily accessible drinking fountains, rest rooms, and emergency telephones • Signage and bulletin boards communicating policies, facility rules, safety guidelines, and other announcements/information • Adequate storage room located near workout area

17. Special Considerations for a Home Facility

18. Home Equipment Purchases • First determine space availability • Equipment purchases should consider needs and goals of client/athlete, cost, variety and diversity, portability, and space efficiency • Avoid equipment that can be taken down and stored when not being used

19. Home Environment Issues • Children and pets are additional safety concerns for a home facility • Ideally when not being used, access to home facility should be locked and not accessible

20. Example of a Home Equipment Layout A home exercise facility that has good lighting, proper air circulation, and enjoyable entertainment equipment is a more enticing exercise environment

22. Facility and Equipment Maintenance Regular maintenance and cleaning schedules contribute to a safe and functional environment and help to extend the life expectancy of equipment

23. Facility Maintenance • Inspect, maintain, and clean floors regularly • Clean walls, mirrors, windows, exits, storage areas, and shelves regularly • Inspect, maintain, and clean the ceiling and ceiling fixtures and attachments regularly • See the NSCA’s Safety Checklist for Exercise Facility and Equipment Maintenance for an inventory of facility maintenance tasks and cleaning schedules

24. Equipment Maintenance • All mats, bench upholstery, and machine upholstery should be cleaned and disinfected daily and should be free of cracks and tears • There should be no loose and/or worn down bolts, screws, cables, chains, straps, belts, or other parts on machines • Weight plates, resistance training machines, racks, and dumbbells should be inspected weekly for cracks • All lifting and safety supplies/equipment should be properly stored • See the NSCA’s Safety Checklist for Exercise Facility and Equipment Maintenance for an inventory of facility maintenance tasks and cleaning schedules

27. References • Earle and Baechle - Chapter 24

28. QUESTIONS?COMMENTS?