Mableton’s Madhouse Gym: Where Champions Train and Times Are Tough
Welcome to Mableton, Georgia! A place where determination and dedication collide at one of metro Atlanta’s most buzzing fitness hubs—Madhouse Gym. This 32,000-square-foot facility is home to over 540 pumping, grinding, and clanking pieces of equipment, catering to fitness warriors who are serious about their game.
The Gritty Environment
Step inside Madhouse Gym, and you’re instantly hit by that unmistakable smell of sweat. It’s intoxicating for those ready to get down to business! Devon Lewis, a 37-year-old personal trainer and aspiring professional bodybuilder, practically lives here. “You walk in and smell the sweat in the air, and it makes you want to work. That’s what drew me,” he enthusiastically shares. Lewis is up before dawn, hitting the gym at 4:00 AM to either work on his own transformation or help his clients achieve theirs.
Lewis, towering at 6’5” and weighing in at 258 pounds of pure muscle, boasts an impressive 10% body fat. Wow! This guy doesn’t need to flex to show off his strength—but he does anyway. “A bodybuilder looks like they’re building their body. It’s an art,” he explains. As a newly minted IFBB Pro Card holder, he’s not just playing around; this recognition allows him more significant competition opportunities.
The Struggle Behind the Muscle
Despite being a self-proclaimed “big baddest m-therf-cker,” Lewis is feeling the pinch this holiday season. While the gym feels like home, it’s also a tough time for trainers like him, with money flowing a little less freely. Bodybuilding isn’t cheap, and prices for food essentials have skyrocketed in metro Atlanta. Just between August and October, food costs climbed by 1.1% and represent a growing burden for bodybuilders. Lewis currently spends about $400 to $500 a month for groceries, which doubles as he gears up for competitions.
Breaking it down, Lewis consumes an average of 4,200-4,600 calories a day. That’s a lot of meals (we’re talking 8 a day, folks!) just to maintain his physique. And we’re not talking about inexpensive snacks; the price for quality food is climbing. Grocery bills, which once were around $200-$250 monthly, are now much higher—one shopping trip recently left him shelling out over $150 for a measly week’s worth of groceries!
Sharing the Load
While Lewis navigates these challenges, fellow pro bodybuilder Cliff Boyce feels the strain too. At 64 years old, Boyce is not just a fitness trainer, but a celebrity in the industry, having trained personalities from Usher to Nicki Minaj. He also has to dance around tight budgets with food costs going up. “Food is the one cost I can’t get around,” he admits. Boyce’s personal grocery budget sits at $500 to $600 each month, with growing prices making it hard to keep his pecs and calves happy.
Seeking Solutions
Bodybuilders like Lewis and Boyce are doing what they can to manage expenses. They’re sharing tips on small budget meals, hitting simple grocery stores, and even cutting costs by skipping on extravagant dinners. When foods they love become unaffordable, they find alternatives. As Boyce says, “I like to go to Chik-Fil-A for those french fries; gotta treat yourself sometimes!”
The Grinding Future
As they strive for their goals, both Lewis and Boyce continue to train through thick and thin—even if it means sacrificing a night out or two to scrape by on food costs. “Food is important. It’s number one,” Lewis states, expressing hope that these tough times won’t last forever.
While a recent dip in dairy prices gives a glimmer of hope, predictions for future grocery hikes aren’t exactly rosy. “We have to suck it up and let it become the norm,” Lewis says, with determination shining through. In the world of health and fitness, every rep counts, and Atlanta’s bodybuilding community is fighting on against the odds.
