The Kansas City Barbell team are (from left) Sean Dunston, Jay Ashman and Scott Hall

KC Barbell Beefs Up Size at New Location Near Crown Center

April 29, 2020 | Kevin Collison | 2 min read

By Kevin Collison

As soon as the city gives the all clear from Covid-19 health restrictions, Jay Ashman and his partners are ready to teach people how to pump iron at their new digs at 2734 McGee Trafficway just south of Crown Center.

The new home of Kansas City Barbell is twice the size of the studio Ashman opened two years ago in the East Crossroads.

His approach to individualized coaching for people wanting to increase their strength lifting free weights proved popular.

“A year into our lease we were running out of room,” he said.

Now, he has a partner, Sean Dunston, and another trainer joining him, Scott Hall, in his 3,400 square-foot gym next to the new Gallerie apartment development. The building formerly housed the Hallmark bus barn.

“It will be a good location,” Ashman said. “We get a lot of people walking by.”

Dunston added, “Compared to Holmes, we have much more foot traffic.”

The new facility is twice the size of the original in the East Crossroads. (Photo from KC Barbell)

KC Barbell provides one-on-one coaching for lifters, and its operators want to make sure their students achieve their goals.

“We operate a strict coaching environment,” Ashman said. “The typical business model for health clubs is to sign up as many as they can and hope they don’t show.

“Everybody that comes here is investing $175 or more per month for their health. If I don’t see people coming, I’ll text to check up on them.”

Hall previously operated a lifting gym in Tupelo, Miss. and decided to merge his operation with Ashman and Dunston.

“We’re running a true, premium strength-training program here,” he said. “We manage the volume so each person gets individual attention.”

When the conditions allow for the new facility to open, possibly after the city lifts its closing order May 15, the hours will be Mondays through Friday, 6 to 7 a.m., 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 3:30 to 8 p.m., and Saturdays from 8 to 11:30 a.m.