Team Stone - How to Join
As stated elsewhere, Team Stone is a private powerlifting club that trains out of Velocity Sports in Willowbrook, IL. While we are a competitive powerlifting team, anyone from lifting novices to meet-experienced powerlifters can join. The main quality needed to join Team Stone is a desire to train and learn with fellow powerlifters.
UPDATE FEBRUARY 2009 - Note that currently we are a very "full" team. We now have a fairly large group of members, and are not necesarily actively looking to add new members. We have had some recent growth, and have plenty of members for a full team. Does that mean we not accepting new members? No, we have always been an open team, and will continue to be. But please read the items below closely, and make sure you are serious about powerlifting. And note that we are serious about a 1-2 month trial period before making anyone a full member.
WHEN: Team Stone trains mostly on the weekends. We do have a mid-week deadlift session, but is very small as most members are working during that time. Members can train at any or all of these times. Occassional guest training sessions are certainly allowed, but comitting to train every week with the team at one, some or all of the times will be better for both you and the team as a whole. Below, the training times are listed. Plan on showing up early to your first session to meet Eric Stone, fill out some paperwork, and to familarize yourself with the training area. NOTE, due to the length of the workouts, we have recently began starting our squat workouts *right* at 9 a.m. Therefore, most members get to VSP at 8:30-8:45 a.m., and the first bar is loaded at or very shortly after 9:00 a.m. So, if it is your first session, plan on arriving at around 8:30 a.m. on Sunday for squats.
Saturdays: Bench Press - 3 p.m.
Sundays: Squats/Deadlifts - 9 a.m.
Wednesdays: Deadlifts/Auxiliary - 9 a.m.
Thursdays: Auxiliary - 9 p.m.
These times are subject to change at any time, so please check the Training Schedule page to confirm these times. In addition, make sure to contact Eric Stone before coming for the first time (see below). Expect the training sessions to last a fairly long time. Squat sessions generally last between 3-4 hours, and bench press sessions last between 2-3 hours. If you have never trained with a team before, just realize that getting everyone on a team through a number training sets takes a good deal of time.
WHO: Again, we accept all levels of lifters onto the team, with very few exceptions. Both males and females are welcome...in fact, many new members are suprised by the number of female lifters we have on the team. The main exception would be that we generally do not encourage young teenagers and high school students to join. This is not a "set in stone" rule, but rather a guideline. Velocity Sports, our facility, is mostly in the business of training school-age athletes. The powerlifting club at Velocity is a low-cost training option only available because is is run by Velocity employee Eric Stone. The club can not take away from the regular business of Velocity. Older high school students that are focused solely on the sport of powerlifting can be considered to join. High school students looking to train their sports performance should contact VSP-Willowbrook for training options.
Team Stone looks for lifters who are hard-working and committed to improving their performance in powerlifting. In addition, it is very important that members want to be a part of the TEAM, not just there for a place to lift. Part of being on a team is helping and supporting your fellow team members. Loading and spotting is part of the workout with Team Stone. Everyone is expect to do their part in loading the bar, same goes for spotting each other. Help to your teammates is expected as well. Others will routinely need help with their wraps, belt, suit, or with a hand-off or checking squat depth. "Prima donnas" need not apply on Team Stone, we are looking for true "team players."
Also note that we are a competitive powerlifting team. We train for powerlifting competitions, and all members are expected to train and compete themselves. We do have designated team events in which all members are expected to either be competing themselves or helping with the meet. Again, it is not a prerequisite that you have competed in the past, but you should be looking to compete in the future if you desire to join Team Stone
TRIAL PERIOD: While anyone is invited to come out and lift with Team Stone, all new members must go through a 1-2 month trial period. During that time, it will be determined whether or not you are a good fit for the team, and whether the team is a good fit for you. Ultimately what makes Team Stone what it is, is the people on the team. We are a supportive, positive group...we have to be able to maintain that atmosphere. Again, while we are a very open group, it is ultimately a private club.
TRAINING STYLE: While we don't necessarily dictate to our members how they should train, you should understand the style in which we train, and be willing to train with us under that type of style. For more information, see the Training Style page. We are not close-minded, or opposed to differing styles. But, realize on Saturdays we train squats and deadlifts together. Do not expect to come in on Saturday and do a "max effort" good morning workout, for instance. We do not mean to denigrate any other training style, just realize how we do train, and make sure you can fit into that style.
WHAT SHOULD I DO?: Quite often new members will come to their first session, see many of our members going up to heavy singles, and think that they need to "max out" on that day. That is not necessary. Come to the workout with your usual squat routine (if you have one), or just come with a moderate weight/reps you want to do for your top sets in mind, and be ready for feedback on form/style/technique. If you have powerlifting gear, bring it and use it. Quite often lifters that train by themselves don't always get a chance to use their gear that often. Use the opportunity of having others around to help you with your gear.
MEMBERSHIP: Velocity Sports in Willowbrook charges the following for its "powerlifting club:"
- $5 for an individual workout
- $25 per month for unlimited workouts
- $200 for an annual unlimited membership
At your first workout, you will need to sign a waiver. At every workout, you will need to print your name on the sign-in sheet, which will be on a clipboard near the "power corner" of the facility, where we train. Cash is generally the most accepted form of payment, and just can be either given directly to Eric Stone or left on the sign-in clipboard. Checks are fine as well, and can be made payable to "Velocity Sports Performance." For monthly or annual memberships, Visa or Mastercard credit cards are accepted. You also can pay in advance for individual workouts. For instance, you can pay $20 at a given workout. That money will be kept on file as a credit for you, and will be deducted from subsequent workouts you attend. This option is a good one for someone who only attends once a week, but does not want to have to deal with paying $5 every week.
Also, understand that Velocity Sports is not a "gym" in the traditional sense. Even a monthly or annual membeship does not allow you to train at the facility at any other times outside of those listed above. Members are only allowed to train at the specified team training sessions.
FINAL STEP: Now, with all of the above in mind, you can contact Eric Stone directly at thestone@chicagopowerlifting.com or at (630) 677-4358 to come to your first workout, and join the team. Eric can answer any additional questions you may have. Please do contact Eric before attending your first training session, if for no other reason but to confirm the time that the team is training on that day
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