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Weighing the alternative Unleashed offers its members a different take on pumping ironDate: 20.05.2007
Posted by: Anabolic Info Team United States
At a typical gym 15 percent of the people signed up actually use their membership, estimated John Dykeman, owner of Unleashed gym on East Valley Parkway in Escondido.
“It's real sad,” Dykeman said. “I used to own one of those health clubs that's just fitness and we had probably 1,800 members and I only saw maybe 250 to 300 of them on a regular basis.”
Dykeman's gym, established two months ago, is focused on the growing popularity of mixed martial arts. At Unleashed, about 85 percent of its members show up, he said.
“If you're acquiring a skill you have to come in here and learn. It's not like you can come in and just jump on the treadmill and learn how to box,” said Dykeman, who has owned gyms in San Diego and Colorado for the past decade.
At Unleashed, there aren't many machines and treadmills. The space is filled with a boxing ring, punching bags and lots of floor mats for jiu jitsu and yoga classes. The gym also offers classes in boxing, mixed martial arts and kettlebells – training with specialized weights.
Dykeman, 39, opened his first Unleashed gym in December near San Diego State University, where he has signed up 400 members. The Escondido gym has more than 110 members. Dykeman said he plans to open a gym in Temecula in about six months.
Dykeman started boxing when he was 10. He was a cornerback for Sonoma State University's football team and tried out for the New York Jets and Miami Dolphins in the early 1990s, although he never made a final roster.
From there he turned to mixed martial arts, a controlled form of street fighting that takes place in a cage.
“I needed something to do. Us ex-athletes, if there's nothing to do then we just get fat,” Dykeman said.
Dykeman fought in Mexico when the sport was considered too violent in the United States and was banned from cable TV.
Today, ultimate fighting rivals boxing as the most popular fighting format, with regular fights on cable and pay-per-view, including one June 15 at Harrah's Rincon Casino in Valley Center. The Harrah's event features two fighters whom Dykeman trains at Unleashed, Gary Maxwell and Art Briceno.
The increased popularity in mixed martial arts has created a demand for gyms such as Unleashed, Dykeman said.
Boxing classes at Unleashed are taught by professionals, while jiu jitsu is taught by instructors with black or brown belts in Brazilian jiu jitsu. Dykeman, who works as a trainer at Unleashed, said he has hired professional baseball players to teach weightlifting during their off-season.
“I organized a gym where part of your training, part of your nutritional training, part of your exercise, your weightlifting is all included in your membership,” Dykeman said. “It's all personal training in everything that you do.”
He said members can receive help from staff any time it's needed.
Unleashed's focus on personal training means membership costs more than at many other gyms, with monthly dues ranging from $69 to $115.
Bodybuilder Dave Fernandez, an Unleashed member, said the gym has a different atmosphere than others he has joined.
“I've trained at other gyms and there's a ton of competition when you're in bodybuilding,” Fernandez said. “There's almost a feeling of jealousy and backstabbing. This is totally different. It's like a family; everybody helps each other.”
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