Strength Strength Training and Training and Conditioning Conditioning

FacilitiesFacilitiesDay 27Day 27

Reference: Earle and Baechle - Reference: Earle and Baechle - Chapter 24Chapter 24

Most Important Most Important Responsibility of a Responsibility of a

Trainer is Providing a Trainer is Providing a Safe Training Safe Training EnvironmentEnvironment

Safe Exercise Environment Safe Exercise Environment RequirementsRequirements

Proper supervision, program design, Proper supervision, program design, and exercise instructionand exercise instruction

Relevant facility rules and policiesRelevant facility rules and policies Efficient facility design and equipment Efficient facility design and equipment

placementplacement Effective maintenance plan that Effective maintenance plan that

consists of facility and equipment consists of facility and equipment cleaning and repair schedulescleaning and repair schedules

Facility and Equipment LayoutFacility and Equipment Layout

Equipment OrganizationEquipment Organization

Organize or cluster equipment based on Organize or cluster equipment based on the body part that they target (e.g. chest, the body part that they target (e.g. chest, shoulders, arms, legs, etc)shoulders, arms, legs, etc)•• Improves functionality and Improves functionality and

accessibility; hence, better for accessibility; hence, better for larger larger facilities that train more facilities that train more individualsindividuals

Organize or cluster equipment according Organize or cluster equipment according to equipment type (e.g., free weights, to equipment type (e.g., free weights, resistance training machines, aerobic resistance training machines, aerobic exercise machines, etc)exercise machines, etc)•• Creates a more efficient use of spaceCreates a more efficient use of space

Equipment PlacementEquipment Placement

Keep equipment for exercises that require spotters Keep equipment for exercises that require spotters away from windows, mirrors, and doorsaway from windows, mirrors, and doors

Place tallest machines/equipment (maintains better Place tallest machines/equipment (maintains better visibility) and dumbbell racks along wallsvisibility) and dumbbell racks along walls

Order resistance machines in a circuit from large Order resistance machines in a circuit from large muscle groups to small muscle groupsmuscle groups to small muscle groups

Separate stretching area away from equipmentSeparate stretching area away from equipment Upright aerobic exercise machines should be Upright aerobic exercise machines should be

placed behind recumbent aerobic exercise placed behind recumbent aerobic exercise machines to maintain better visibilitymachines to maintain better visibility

All equipment should be at least 6” from mirrorsAll equipment should be at least 6” from mirrors Group instruction should occur in a separate roomGroup instruction should occur in a separate room

Equipment SpacingEquipment Spacing

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

3’ Rule3’ Rule

All equipment should be at least 3’ All equipment should be at least 3’ apartapart

At least one 3’ walk way should At least one 3’ walk way should bisect workout area for a quick, easy bisect workout area for a quick, easy emergency access routeemergency access route

Other Facility ConcernsOther Facility Concerns Locate facility on ground level if possibleLocate facility on ground level if possible Entire workout area should be visible from Entire workout area should be visible from

supervisory areasupervisory area Accessible and compliant for disabled Accessible and compliant for disabled

populationspopulations Adequate ceiling height with no hanging Adequate ceiling height with no hanging

obstructionsobstructions Use rubberized flooring or low-pile carpetUse rubberized flooring or low-pile carpet Proper lighting of 75-100 foot-candlesProper lighting of 75-100 foot-candles Comfortable temperature of 68-72Comfortable temperature of 68-72oo F F Relative humidity should be 60% or lessRelative humidity should be 60% or less Optimal air circulation of 12-15 exchanges per Optimal air circulation of 12-15 exchanges per

hour; minimal 8-12 exchanges per hourhour; minimal 8-12 exchanges per hour

Other Facility ConcernsOther Facility Concerns

Sound levels should not exceed 90 decibelsSound levels should not exceed 90 decibels Adequate number of grounded 110-V and 220-Adequate number of grounded 110-V and 220-

V outlets that are easily accessibleV outlets that are easily accessible Mirrors should be at least 20 inches above the Mirrors should be at least 20 inches above the

floorfloor Easily accessible drinking fountains, rest Easily accessible drinking fountains, rest

rooms, and emergency telephonesrooms, and emergency telephones Signage and bulletin boards communicating Signage and bulletin boards communicating

policies, facility rules, safety guidelines, and policies, facility rules, safety guidelines, and other announcements/informationother announcements/information

Adequate storage room located near workout Adequate storage room located near workout areaarea

Special Considerations Special Considerations for a Home Facilityfor a Home Facility

Home Equipment PurchasesHome Equipment Purchases

First determine space availabilityFirst determine space availability Equipment purchases should Equipment purchases should

consider needs and goals of consider needs and goals of client/athlete, cost, variety and client/athlete, cost, variety and diversity, portability, and space diversity, portability, and space efficiencyefficiency

Avoid equipment that can be taken Avoid equipment that can be taken down and stored when not being useddown and stored when not being used

Home Environment IssuesHome Environment Issues

Children and pets are additional safety Children and pets are additional safety concerns for a home facilityconcerns for a home facility

Ideally when not being used, access to Ideally when not being used, access to home facility should be locked and not home facility should be locked and not accessibleaccessible

Example of a Home Equipment Example of a Home Equipment LayoutLayout

A home exercise facility that has good A home exercise facility that has good lighting, proper air circulation, and lighting, proper air circulation, and enjoyable entertainment equipment is enjoyable entertainment equipment is a more enticing exercise environmenta more enticing exercise environment

Facility and Equipment Facility and Equipment MaintenanceMaintenance

Regular maintenance and cleaning Regular maintenance and cleaning schedules contribute to a safe and schedules contribute to a safe and functional environment and help to functional environment and help to extend the life expectancy of extend the life expectancy of equipmentequipment

Facility MaintenanceFacility Maintenance

Inspect, maintain, and clean floors Inspect, maintain, and clean floors regularlyregularly

Clean walls, mirrors, windows, exits, Clean walls, mirrors, windows, exits, storage areas, and shelves regularlystorage areas, and shelves regularly

Inspect, maintain, and clean the ceiling Inspect, maintain, and clean the ceiling and ceiling fixtures and attachments and ceiling fixtures and attachments regularlyregularly

See the NSCA’s Safety Checklist for See the NSCA’s Safety Checklist for Exercise Facility and Equipment Exercise Facility and Equipment Maintenance for an inventory of facility Maintenance for an inventory of facility maintenance tasks and cleaning schedulesmaintenance tasks and cleaning schedules

Equipment MaintenanceEquipment Maintenance All mats, bench upholstery, and machine All mats, bench upholstery, and machine

upholstery should be cleaned and disinfected upholstery should be cleaned and disinfected daily and should be free of cracks and tearsdaily and should be free of cracks and tears

There should be no loose and/or worn down There should be no loose and/or worn down bolts, screws, cables, chains, straps, belts, or bolts, screws, cables, chains, straps, belts, or other parts on machinesother parts on machines

Weight plates, resistance training machines, Weight plates, resistance training machines, racks, and dumbbells should be inspected racks, and dumbbells should be inspected weekly for cracksweekly for cracks

All lifting and safety supplies/equipment All lifting and safety supplies/equipment should be properly stored should be properly stored

See the NSCA’s Safety Checklist for Exercise See the NSCA’s Safety Checklist for Exercise Facility and Equipment Maintenance for an Facility and Equipment Maintenance for an inventory of facility maintenance tasks and inventory of facility maintenance tasks and cleaning schedulescleaning schedules

ReferencesReferences

Earle and Baechle - Chapter 24Earle and Baechle - Chapter 24

QUESTIONS?QUESTIONS?

COMMENTS?COMMENTS?