A Cannabis Gym is Opening in San Francisco

Things you find at a gym: barbells, bad dance music, bro tanks, yoga pants, and marijuana. Marijuana? At Power Plants Fitness, opening in May in San Francisco yes, you will find marijuana. Founded by Jim McAlpine, with funding help from former NFL star Ricky Williams, the cannabis gym is designed to be a complete health and wellness experience. Patrons will be able to purchase marijuana edibles on-site, and consume the drug before, during, or after their workout.

Billing itself as the “world’s first cannabis gym” on its website, Power Plants Fitness “will help those who understand cannabis as a wellness tool proliferate that message to the rest of the world.” The website continues:

Power Plant trainers have a full knowledge base of both physiology and training as well as focused education in all aspects of how to integrate cannabis into one’s daily routine of ‘wellness.’ This philosophy of using cannabis for optimal states of wellness and peak performance is not new, however it has been hidden from the general public.

McAlpine, the 46-year-old serial entrepreneur who founded the gym, recently spoke with Outside Magazine about his new concept. “If you use it right,” he said, “cannabis takes the things you love and lets you love them more. With fitness that can help get you into the zone, into eye-of-the-tiger mode.”

There is scant evidence to suggest marijuana boosts athletic performance. It is on the International Olympic Committee’s list of banned substances, though only in enormous amounts. There is evidence however, that THC, the active chemical in marijuana, can reduce anxiety, loosening the muscles and the mind for a more enjoyable and, perhaps, more effective workout.

McAlpine’s latest brainchild will be opening its first branch in the Mission District of San Francisco, with plans to expand to Los Angeles, San Jose, Seattle, Denver, and Portland. In November, California was among the latest batch of states to legalize recreational marijuana. As the drug becomes more accepted–both by society and by the law–it will likely find its way to less traditional venues and concepts. Over the next few years, will marijuana be integrated into workout routines? It’s unclear, but if it does, one thing is for sure: gym-goers would have no problem downing their post-workout protein shake.

Alec Siegel

Alec Siegel is a staff writer at Law Street Media. When he’s not working at Law Street he’s either cooking a mediocre tofu dish or enjoying a run in the woods. His passions include: gooey chocolate chips, black coffee, mountains, the Animal Kingdom in general, and John Lennon. Baklava is his achilles heel. Contact Alec at ASiegel@LawStreetMedia.com.