Where around Cambrigdge, MA to aquire a better physique.

June 30, 2013 5:38 PM

For the longest time I have been doing some kind of lifting or mild strength training (benching or pushups, curls, etc. mostly free weights) and am in fairly decent but skinny shape. At the moment I am regularly running 5 to 8 miles every other day and, without access to a gym, doing my darnedest to wing it with the free weights I have and pushups. I am looking to put on a good amount of muscle and am willing to put in the time and effort if I can find an approachable and worthwhile gym. Some googling suggests Total Performance Sports might be worth a look. I am a male in my 20s and I'm hoping to do a couple weeks of personal training to help get a routine down. Any suggestions, Hivemind?
posted by sendai sleep master to Sports, Hobbies, & Recreation (5 answers total)

The Cambridge YMCA was decent when I was there. Note I do not say it was "nice", as it was definitely very plain and the strength equipment was all in the basement, which was unfortunate. But they have a pretty solid weight room and the website says they offer personal training, so you can get that if you do need it.

On that topic, by all means see a trainer if you believe you need guidance as to form, frequency, etc. But as you're looking around, don't be persuaded that you NEED to use kettle bells specifically or do whatever other strength training trend they're onto now. My theory has always been, grab a copy of Starting Strength, get a spotter so you know your form is right, and just hang out with some good old fashioned free weights.
posted by Joey Buttafoucault at 5:55 PM on June 30, 2013

I am looking to put on a good amount of muscle

You will have to change your diet, specifically by eating more protein. Common recommendation is 1 gm per lb of bodyweight; that is, a 150 lb. man would eat 150 grams of protein a day.

You will be able to make what are called "newbie gains," since you are relatively untrained. I suggest following a structured program like Starting Strength, StrongLifts, or Greyskull LP in order to make muscular gains.

The largest muscle groups will develop the fastest, and you can work these by doing squats and deadlifts.

Have a plan, stick to the plan, measure and track. Good luck.
posted by the man of twists and turns at 6:22 PM on June 30, 2013 [1 favorite]

I powerlift at Cambridge Strength and Conditioning. It's a small space that my friends rent and run. Most of the regular crew (around 25 people) do some sort of starting strength/5 3 1/powerlifting routine. We have 4 olympic platforms, a bunch of squat racks, some benches - yea, it's basically a small powerlifting gym. We also have a bunch of people that do olympic lifting. Super great atmosphere -we all spot each other/yell at each other/encourage each other/help with form, and we usually go out on Fridays after lifting to drink and eat. We also have some guys who will "train" in the sense that they will watch you lift and correct you for the first few weeks of you coming there, but you don't pay them or anything.

The guys charge 40 bucks a month, or 5 bucks per visit, there are no contracts. I'd be happy to talk to you more about it if you PM me. We're located behind the Trader Joes at Alewife Brook Parkway. If you want to see more pics of the place I took some pictures during the last competition we held.

OH, I also used to go to TPS so if you want to know anything else about that place shoot me a PM.
posted by carmel at 6:29 PM on June 30, 2013

I agree with the rest of the advice here (particularly the diet stuff. I've been lifting for a year now and I still have trouble giving myself permission to eat that much, but it works when I do), so I'm going to talk about practicality instead. I go to a Crossfit gym in the area and the key for me is that it's within a short walking distance. Depends on your personality type, but in general I think it's important to lower the barriers as much as possible... I've heard nothing but good things about TPS but they are off in Everett, and you'd either have to drive a not-terribly-direct route from Cambridge across city traffic or do some contorted T-and-bus maneuvering, neither of which is fun and may be outright impossible depending on what your schedule is like. (Maybe if you're not on a 9-5 schedule it wouldn't be so bad, but speaking only for myself, if I have to drive to something around here I'm never doing it regularly.)

Cambridge Strength and Conditioning seems like a pretty great place and if I wasn't already doing Crossfit I'd be there. Being able to walk from Alewife is a huge plus.

Unless you are uniquely motivated, I'd strongly suggest you go someplace with a community... the sort of thing a powerlifting gym like CS&C provides. You can technically do powerlifting moves (sort of... depends on the equipment, policies on chalk/dropping weight, etc.) at YMCAs, Boston Sports Club, etc., but doing it somewhere with a community that values that is both safer and way more reinforcing of the habit.
posted by Kosh at 6:51 PM on June 30, 2013

Commonwealth crossfit is a great place. The owner, Brian is a truly lovely and kind guy. It's a nice welcoming crowd. I've tried other places in the area and much prefer it.
posted by sully75 at 10:14 PM on June 30, 2013