ROCKINGHAM – Passed down furniture, questionably valuable collectibles, old clothing that can’t quite be parted with, and relics from years past - all things that people traditionally keep in their storage lockers. But at 2206 Fayetteville Road in Rockingham, within one of American Storage Company’s largest units, Errol Hood houses something very different.
A workout facility he has named “Tha Shack”.
Opening in 2015, “Tha Shack” is a 1,000-square foot storage unit, which Hood has transformed into an athletic training center for youth athletes and adults alike. Filled with agility ladders, cones, hurdles, and jump boxes, Tha Shack is a pleasantly unconventional twist on an athletic training facility.
“I opened Tha Shack with the sole purpose of training my Raider Youth Football and Richmond Heat Basketball athletes in speed, agility, and plyometrics,” Hood described. “I trained other athletes in my spare time at the Raider Track. However, those training sessions all would come to an end during the winter months. So, I wanted to invest in a small facility so that I could train athletes year round.”
As explained by Hood, his original purpose for opening Tha Shack and what it has grown into today are two very different, yet inspiring, things.
Shortly after opening, word about the fun, success, and athletic transformations taking place at Tha Shack spread like wildfire, leading Hood to the decision to expand his list of services and begin training adult clients as well.
This continued growth has paved the way for Hood’s current slew of course offerings, all of which are lead by Coach Hood himself. A lifetime athlete, which includes playing cornerback at the University of North Carolina, and long-time coach, he teaches each class based upon his years of experience within the athletic training circuit.
Each week, Hood offers three different types of classes, taught in a combination of large group, small group, and private sessions. Beginning with children as young as six years old, Hood uses his coaching expertise to orchestrate and facilitate classes in agility training, plyometrics, and overall speed - skills that are transferrable to any athletic endeavor.
Separated by age and ability, classes at Tha Shack are broken down into groupings of six to nine-year olds, beginners, and advanced trainees.
Additionally, for adults who are looking to improve their overall physical fitness level, Hood also offers a fourth type of class each week for adults only. Within these adult fitness classes, Hood shifts gears from the performance driven nature of his other courses, and instead leads sessions centered upon aerobics, core training, and strength and conditioning.
“Errol was great. He immediately found out what my goals were for working out and customized a workout that would help me reach those goals,” expressed Blair Fetner, a participant in Hood’s Ladies Bootcamp class. “The workouts were fun, challenging, and made me sweat like I’d never sweat before. I loved it!”
Each course is 45 minutes long, and is offered three times each week on a schedule that rotates based upon the availability of himself and his clients.
Since Tha Shack is different than your typical fitness facility, it is not surprising that his membership policy and class registration is different as well.
Individuals who take classes with Hood do not have to pay any sign on fees, monthly premiums, or obligate themselves to a long-term contract.
Instead, individuals are offered an unparalleled level of flexibility, and are only obligated to pay for the classes they specifically register for. People are able to try single classes, contract free, for the cost of just $8 per class, or are able to register for an entire month worth of weekly workouts, for a total of four classes, for the cost of just $25.
Those who become hooked on Hood’s class offerings are able to register to take two to three classes a week, for a total of eight to 12 classes per month, for the price of $50.
To keep track of who plans to attend each class, Hood relies heavily on the power of social media. Each Sunday, Hood posts a listing of the upcoming week’s schedule to his Facebook page, at which point individuals are able to comment with the class days and times they, or their child, plan to attend.
The flexibility afforded by this combination of rotating class schedules and lack of long term contracts has proven beneficial for Hood and his athletes, who he typically works with in-between their sports seasons.
To anyone who is wondering if this style of workout is right for them, Hood recommends to “come give it a try!” His sports related trainings are available to anyone ages 6 and up, and will have something for people of all fitness levels.
For more information on Tha Shack, contact Errol Hood at (910) 331 – 6896 or find him on Facebook.
