I put together a home gym a year or so back, and use it mostly for DE and ME squat days (no bench so I do my upper body work at the university gym). It started with a single olympic set and large piece of thick carpet that I have set up in the back of the garage.
The other day I was trying to find ways to do Westside-type exercises, and scrounged around in the garage for stuff. Here’s a few ideas I came up with that have worked well.
Don’t want to buy squat stands?
Cut 2 2x4s to the height you would like your bar to be at. Brace them in two large buckets with bricks (use a level to make sure they’re straight). Fill the buckets with concrete. Screw two brackets to each side of the posts, at the top to hold the bar in place. I’ve test-loaded these to 500 pounds so far (although I’m certainly not capable of lifting anywhere near that).
Some of you may regard a post I had earlier about the gym’s rack not having low enough pins for partial deads. The solution? I found two automobile jack stands that can be set at the perfect height. Your dad is sure to have these around somewhere if you don’t have them yourself.
Don’t have a way to spot yourself on a heavy squat? Dig out those sawhorses that have been sitting in the garage for years, or buy a couple at the local hardware store. I use these in conjunction with the do-it-yourself squat stands for a perfect squat set-up.
I use my dad’s old Navy footlocker for box squats. It’s at the perfect height and can handle whatever you put on it.
Need more height for deadlifts or sldl’s? Find a wood pallet. They’re 4 inches high and are perfect for standing on.
I do intend to purchase a rack someday when I have the space and the budget…but these little things that are hanging around the garage or the house can do the job.
Hope these help all of you do-it-yourselfers.
-sergeant-