Bodybuilding.com Gym Of The Month: J2 GYM!

J2 Gym was nominated as our Gym of the Month because of the positive atmosphere reported by members and for the dedication that is practiced by its owners. J2 Gym is situated in Wales, UK and has everything to offer for the serious trainer. An airy weights/cardio room, the sunbeds and the shake bar are just some of the areas the members highlight that make J2 Gym their fitness center of choice.

Vital Stats

Name Of Gym: J2 GYM
Name Of Owner: Jordan Jones and Jonathan Gowing
Address:

Units 7 & 8, Ely Industrial Estate
Tonypandy, R-C-T
Wales, UK

Number Of Members: 200
Square Feet: 5000
Hours Of Operation:

Monday, Wednesday, Friday - 8:30 a.m.-9:30 a.m.
Tuesday & Thursday - 6:00 a.m.-9:30 p.m.
Saturday - 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Sunday - 9:00 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

Number Of Trainers On Staff: 4
Founders/Owners: Jordan Jones & Jonathan Gowing

[ Q ] How did the gym start and why did you decide to begin (or work within) the gym?

From the first time I ever stepped into a gym I have always loved the atmosphere, the environment, and the comradeship with fellow trainers, it has always been a dream of ours to open a gym. Now we are living that dream. We felt the area we were born and raised lacked that American style gym - the type you see and read about in various overseas publications.

[ Q ] Can you give us a description on what went into opening your awesome establishment?

Right. So we had a game plan, an agenda - we knew what type of gym we wanted. We wanted to try and cover all areas within (i.e. good cardiovascular equipment, selectorized machinery and free weights and plate loaded machinery).

We searched through different manufacturers and companies across the world, and at the time - thanks to the pound being so strong against the dollar (2-1 at the time) - we decided to import from the states. We got the latest pieces from Hammer Strength, Icarian, Body masters, Cybex and Life Fitness. It also became apparent that the U.S was a phase in front so we got the latest machines; firstly at discounted rate (thanks to the pound), but also the latest equipment to blow peoples' minds.

With the equipment on order we set upon renovating the venue - 2 starter units had to be knocked through to one then gutted. My partner and I (I would like to add more my partner) went to work with the job in hand with a group of close friends and family. That job in itself took 6 months work taking place on weekends, free time, days off from "normal jobs".

Finally after months of hard work planning, rough times and some luck we finally had everything fitted and in place to open. The gym is fitted with its own shop filled with the leading brands such as CNP, Gaspari, MuscleTech, etc., giving the client the one stop shop for all his/her training needs.

[ Q ] What makes your gym different?

For starters it has to be the atmosphere - it's a very friendly place, it's full of banter, and the characters that train here make it very motivating and a brilliant place to train. What separates it from other gyms in the area has to be equipment. The range of brands and models - as listed above (i.e. Hammer, etc...) - was total alien to the area before.

[ Q ] What sort of people do you attract into your gym?

Totally across the board: from your average Joe to your professional bodybuilder, from your fitness fanatic to your strong man. Whatever form of training they are interested in, we provide for everyone.

[ Q ] What inspires people to train at your facility?

I like to train there because it has that hardcore feel but at the same time it's clean, weights/dumbbells are always put away... there's a wide range of machinery, heavy dumbbells, weight stacks and a totally wicked atmosphere which seems to push you to train and drive harder.

[ Q ] Do you have any top trainers and why are they so good?

The likes of the 'Guru', 'Yoda' (aka Neil Hill), when visiting trains here and has given seminars with Wales's very own dragon slayer Flex Lewis.

Neil has had unreal success with the likes of Flex Lewis and new IFBB pro James Llweyllyn and is set to work the phenomenon Zack Kahn, IFBB wonder Marika Johansson and massive Mike Ergas to name but a few. His knowledge of the sport is world class and he's a top bloke to go with it!

[ Q ] What special services do you provide?

We offer diets and nutritional advice to all our members along with training plans and guidance. Anything we can do to help our clients.

[ Q ] Who are your most notable members?

All of our members! We have many members who have been national champions and even some pro's. When he is back home in Wales Flex Lewis trains here as well.

Others that train here when in the area: guru Neil Hill, British champions Lee Griffiths and Jordan Jones, Jr. champion Geraint Baldwin, ex Jr. British champion Gary Far, Welsh champions Jonathan Gowing, Mark Andrews, Shane Bye, and British natural champion Neil Andrews, to name but a few. There is a mountain of talent training within the gym and soon many more champions... champions in the making.

[ Q ] What was the hardest part about opening your gym?

As the equipment was coming from the states to us here in Wales, communication was difficult. Everything was done via telephone and e-mail and we only saw the equipment once on a visit. Then only 50% had been gathered so we had to rely on knowledge from close friends in the states who used these pieces on a daily basis (i.e. motions of the machines, good or bad, etc, etc...).

The shipping was another mix up - the company in charge of shipping notified us that it would be arriving on a specific date. This turned out to be the wrong date and the equipment would be arriving a week later; after which we had already advertised and setup for the original date of opening. But apart from these hiccups it was a very exciting time.

[ Q ] What makes you competitive over the large gym chains?

Whereas most of the main stream gym chains have really gone down the route to fitness using selectorized machines, we have a "get it real" attitude so to speak... we want to be seen as a bodybuilding gym. We want the big weights and the big guys or freaks training in our gym because that's what we ourselves are about.

Not saying we are alienating anyone who wishes to train here at the J2 Gym if they are not some monster, what I am trying to say is that the fitness industry is slowly eliminating the big guys from their gyms. Dumbbells in recreational centers are becoming lighter and lighter so we want these people as well as anyone else who wants to train for whatever reason.

[ Q ] How have you been able to remain so successful and how do you hope to remain so?

Well, as this is only month 5 since opening, I'll keep you all posted. So far everything is great! We have a good member's base for such a short period of time and we aim to keep growing and expanding. We aim to please all members. We want to grow with them. Talks are already in place to expand and bring in more equipment, so watch this space.

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