I’ve been thinking more and more about turning my garage into a gym. I just can’t stand lifting in the morning and it will allow me to set up something more specific to my goals. For those of you who have your own set up, what rack are you using? Does anyone regret going to a home gym instead of the commercial gym?
I have weights but no rack yet, planning to get this one eventually. If it didn’t come with a bench I might consider other options but that one looks solid and I’m picky about them.
http://www.flexcart.com/members/elitefts/default.asp?m=PD&pid=6
It mostly depends on your price range, there are some nice options if I was willing to spend a few hundred more, and awesome options for a thousand more.
I probably would regret not going to a gym. If you have a cheap membership no reason you can’t do both if you enjoy lifting. If I was paying $45 a month (the price of 24hour here) I probably would not have purchased home gym equipment but mine is only $20 a month.
[quote]sufiandy wrote:
I have weights but no rack yet, planning to get this one eventually. If it didn’t come with a bench I might consider other options but that one looks solid and I’m picky about them.
http://www.flexcart.com/members/elitefts/default.asp?m=PD&pid=6
It mostly depends on your price range, there are some nice options if I was willing to spend a few hundred more, and awesome options for a thousand more.
I probably would regret not going to a gym. If you have a cheap membership no reason you can’t do both if you enjoy lifting. If I was paying $45 a month (the price of 24hour here) I probably would not have purchased home gym equipment but mine is only $20 a month.[/quote]
The more and more I look I always go back to the Economy rack from Elite.
http://www.flexcart.com/members/elitefts/default.asp?m=PD&cid=391&pid=3234
I also like the direction Rogue is taking with their racks. Seem to be quality products with a lot of attachments ranging from Reverse Hyper, GHD, etc. However they are a little on the high side.
Check out the squat rack on Garagegymstore.com Also have a combo with dip stand and GHR. But it isn’t a cage just the rack.
[quote]FFMatt wrote:
The more and more I look I always go back to the Economy rack from Elite.
http://www.flexcart.com/members/elitefts/default.asp?m=PD&cid=391&pid=3234
[/quote]
That one is probably better if you have the space. I might even hold off until I move and get something like that. A big factor in choosing my next house will be location for a home gym, either basement or garage.
I have the Rogue R-3 “Westside” Rack. Love it! It’s a solid rack with 1’ hole spacing. Band pegs, regular and fat grip pull up bars, j-cups, American made! Best $700 I’ve ever spent. Rogue also has an assortment of attachments you can add to it.
Other then maybe lacking some equipment like dumbbells and machines which i rarly use anyone, I cant think of any bad reasons to start your own garage gym and even if there are the I think the good would far out weigh the bad. No chalk nazis, listen to w.e music you want, lift whenever you want and never wait on anything. Unless you belong to an already awesome gym thats not planet fitness.
I have always used a home gym and always will. No regrets here.
Just look on craigslist and you can find racks for $100-200 dollars. In my opinion a rack is a rack and weights are weight, use the money to purchase yourself good bars.
The more and more I think about it I just don’t see the downside to turning my garage into a gym. I don’t have any good PL gyms in my area that I know or that would work with my schedule. I have a solid start as my dad used to lift when I was little. I have access to about 700 LBS of weight along with a leg press to get me started. Then I’ll hit up Craigslist and pick up stuff along the way.
Anyone who has a home gym feel free to post up some pictures as well!
I have a gym in my backyard, and I absolutely love it. I can go there to be alone and lift after work; the environment is mentally uplifing and recharging. It is my happy place.
The downside is that I am not able to learn from bigger lifters, except by reading articles and threads here.
here are shots of bits and pieces of my home gym out in a 1.5car detached garage.
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.199803126720893.48335.100000736209559&type=3
hopefully i made that public.
edit
i guess i dont have pics of the adjustable clubbells, adjustable macebell, 2" and 3" slosh pipes, sledge hammer, weight for height bar, and got a new handle for my adjustable throwing weight.
i have plans for so much more to build this summer too.
[quote]asooneyeonig wrote:
here are shots of bits and pieces of my home gym out in a 1.5car detached garage.
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.199803126720893.48335.100000736209559&type=3
hopefully i made that public.[/quote]
Nice addition with the tires.
You won’t go wrong looking into this guy…Customize to fit your garage and training at a fraction of the price you’ll pay elsewhere. I have a few pieces and everything is top notch.
/www.blackwidowtg.com
I bought the TDS rack from new york barbells
Survived many 500lbs squats, very happy with the purchase.
[quote]HARA wrote:
You won’t go wrong looking into this guy…Customize to fit your garage and training at a fraction of the price you’ll pay elsewhere. I have a few pieces and everything is top notch.
/www.blackwidowtg.com[/quote]
Took a look at his FB page and he does have some impressive stuff. Sent him an email about one of his racks! Thanks for the heads up.
[quote]FFMatt wrote:
[quote]HARA wrote:
You won’t go wrong looking into this guy…Customize to fit your garage and training at a fraction of the price you’ll pay elsewhere. I have a few pieces and everything is top notch.
/www.blackwidowtg.com[/quote]
Took a look at his FB page and he does have some impressive stuff. Sent him an email about one of his racks! Thanks for the heads up.[/quote]
Great. Just be patient, he does everything by hand and is a perfectionist.
Here’s a pic of my gym. If you into powerlifting I wouldn’t just buy any cheap rack you come across. You need one that can handle a load if need be. And you want 1in. spacing through the clean and pull zones. I’m very happy with my equipment from Rogue. Any time I need equipment, I check their stuff first. This is the “Shorty” Westside R3 Rack. Made for home gyms.
Awesome rack! Rogue certainly makes quality products.
The two front runners now are either the 3X3 Economy Rack from Elite or the Rogue R-6. I think I want something with plate storage but it’s not priority. Hopefully get this rolling here shortly.
