My current garage gym set up:

[kd7nfr]

Racking weights is for people that don't have their own gym.

[ddctech]

mirin. dont even know what 90% of that shiz is.

[bdrusse]

hmm..."must spread reps around" whatever. EFFIN incredible man.

[RGEORGE1978]

Great job on rearranging the gym!

[matrix563]

you should get a another reverse hyper and GHR. unless i missed those in the pics. i think perhaps you said you didn't like the reverse hyper and thats why you sold the one you had?

[ndmike99]

you should get a another reverse hyper and GHR. unless i missed those in the pics. i think perhaps you said you didn't like the reverse hyper and thats why you sold the one you had?

In the process of doing this actually. I have a Hammer Hip and Back that works in a similar fashion to a reverse hyper, but it is not in the photos and does not offer the spine decompression. I know of a few reverse hypers not too far from me, so that should happen fairly soon.

[AttyGuy]

Additions:

Deep dish Yorks

Nice!

[ThatGalZoey]

WHOA -- that's a home gym? Seriously, that looks even better than those basic commercial gyms at hotels!

[MikeNick]

Simply amazing what you have done. So far the best home gym I have seen, even just from pictures.
I like the high-end equipment selection! You simply know what to look for...

[phatsx]

wow! one of the best home gyms i have ever seen

[ndmike99]

So I have not really been keeping up on this thread like I should. But here are a few changes that have been made.

First of all I have added a large air conditioner and ceiling fans. Not as exciting as the equipment, but has helped a lot.

Secondly I added a space for (2) Cybex Treadmills and my Concept 2 (not shown in photos but fit right next to the treadmills). At first I did not like the idea of losing weight equipment for cardio, but I am actually starting to enjoy using it and it is giving me better stamina for even better lifts, so I am happy with that shift.

Finally, here is a list of weight related equipment that has changed or was added.

These were upgrades over my other versions:

Atlantis Lat Pull (NM500)
Atlantis Low Row (NM510)
Atlantis Adjustable Bench
Magnum Adjustable Decline Bench
Life Fitness Chest Press (Replaced Body Master Version)
Cybex Seated Calf (I prefer this over the Hammer Strength)
Cybex Plate Loaded Leg Extension (I prefer this over the Hammer Strength)

I also added:

Westside Barbell Reverse Hyper
Orlando Barbell Floor GHR
Atlantis Adjustable Step Up
Medicine Ball Set with Rack

I need to take a video walk through and I am looking to upgrade the dumbbells at some point. Any other suggestions are welcome.

[jackbravo]

Satisfied my equipment craving for this morning. nice pics.

what do you think of the orlando barbell ghd? i've been entertaining it....

[twodog]

Mike, as always, I love seeing new photos of your gym. The coolest thing is knowing that everything is used, or it will eventually be moved out. I like how you're streamlining it and getting rid of some of the clutter by keeping the center of the gym open (reasonably).

What's the reasoning behind the two treadmills ?

[irongrandpa]

your gym is looking great. i'm envious of the space you have.

[ndmike99]

Mike, as always, I love seeing new photos of your gym. The coolest thing is knowing that everything is used, or it will eventually be moved out. I like how you're streamlining it and getting rid of some of the clutter by keeping the center of the gym open (reasonably).

What's the reasoning behind the two treadmills ?

The only thing potentially on the chopping block at this point would be the Smith machine. I just do not have anything else I am dying to put in its place, so it will stay for now.

One of the guys that lifts with us is a runner. I usually run with him after we lift and he was a big reason I got the treadmills in the first place.

your gym is looking great. i'm envious of the space you have.

Thanks, it has been a goal of mine for several years. It it nice to finally have a dedicated spot I can do what I want with.

[HealthNutMD]

Looking awesome. How do you like the Atlantis NM500 dual pulleys? What advantage is offered by the dual pullies and on which exercises? I'm planning on going to Quebec this fall to visit their huge commerical gym (with every single piece in the catalog) and Atlantis facilities.

[ndmike99]

Looking awesome. How do you like the Atlantis NM500 dual pulleys? What advantage is offered by the dual pullies and on which exercises? I'm planning on going to Quebec this fall to visit their huge commerical gym (with every single piece in the catalog) and Atlantis facilities.

They actually feel great because you can vary the width of your pull during the motion. It is similar to how Hammer using the converging arms. You can also change your grip as you go. I know some people try to replicate that with a duel chain but this really does have a different feel. In all honesty though I do not get a lot of use out of either machine. I mostly stick with free weights. They seemed like an upgrade and the price was extremely low so I jumped on it. There are a few pieces in the gym that don't get a ton of use, but when they do get used they seem to have a great feel. The life fitness chest press surprised me. I traded it for some barbells I had and I ended up liking it quite a bit. It is no hammer horizontal chest press, but as for the machines with stacks go it is pretty nice.

[HealthNutMD]

They actually feel great because you can vary the width of your pull during the motion. It is similar to how Hammer using the converging arms. You can also change your grip as you go. I know some people try to replicate that with a duel chain but this really does have a different feel. In all honesty though I do not get a lot of use out of either machine. I mostly stick with free weights. They seemed like an upgrade and the price was extremely low so I jumped on it. There are a few pieces in the gym that don't get a ton of use, but when they do get used they seem to have a great feel. The life fitness chest press surprised me. I traded it for some barbells I had and I ended up liking it quite a bit. It is no hammer horizontal chest press, but as for the machines with stacks go it is pretty nice.

Yes, there always seems like some random piece that surprises... I will keep looking for those. Do you have a close up pic of the life fitness vertical chest? Whats the stack like? I would agree that machines are great to burn out on at the end of a workout. I tend to do all my free weights and then finish up on machines. Agreed on the Free weights, but as you say, its nice to have a variety of tools. Free weights simply don't take nearly as much research, just space and what budget allows.

[ndmike99]

Yes, there always seems like some random piece that surprises... I will keep looking for those. Do you have a close up pic of the life fitness vertical chest? Whats the stack like? I would agree that machines are great to burn out on at the end of a workout. I tend to do all my free weights and then finish up on machines. Agreed on the Free weights, but as you say, its nice to have a variety of tools. Free weights simply don't take nearly as much research, just space and what budget allows.

I do not have a close up, but here is a link to the model:

http://www.lifefitness.com/commercia...hestpress.html

It has a 300 pound stack, but it feels way heavier than the 300 pound Body Master chest press I had. I am not sure what causes it exactly, but the tension is more constant and the stack just feels heavier. I also like the angle of the handles.

[STR8OUT]

Mike, your gym is looking fantastic as always! The 2 treadmills side by side is awesome haha. There is a planet fitness here selling some of those, did you get them from a PF? They are nice treadmills, I used to go to the PF that is selling them.

My favorite piece is still that Hammer Rack you have, I am so envious. I have had 3 chances at buying a used Hammer rack for a decent price and every time I almost pulled the trigger and was going to figure out a way to cut it to size but I always backed out thinking it would be too crazy. The Legend 3133 is on my hit list now since its 88 inches tall but I dont think I'll find one used.

Well damn nice setup you have!

[HealthNutMD]

Are you still using the Sorinex dumbbell autospot bench? What are you doing about dumbell spotters for a rack? Sorinex also makes those free standing dumbell spotter stands which look very versatile?

[ndmike99]

Mike, your gym is looking fantastic as always! The 2 treadmills side by side is awesome haha. There is a planet fitness here selling some of those, did you get them from a PF? They are nice treadmills, I used to go to the PF that is selling them.

My favorite piece is still that Hammer Rack you have, I am so envious. I have had 3 chances at buying a used Hammer rack for a decent price and every time I almost pulled the trigger and was going to figure out a way to cut it to size but I always backed out thinking it would be too crazy. The Legend 3133 is on my hit list now since its 88 inches tall but I dont think I'll find one used.

Well damn nice setup you have!

I ended up getting the treadmills from a friend of mine in Chicago. I think they came from a corporate wellness center as they have super low hours and are in great shape. If you ever come across any extra hooks or accessories for the rack let me know. I am looking for a pair of hooks and maybe the technique trays. I also have an extra set of the spotter stands if you ever get a rack and need to spotter stands that flip up.

Are you still using the Sorinex dumbbell autospot bench? What are you doing about dumbell spotters for a rack? Sorinex also makes those free standing dumbell spotter stands which look very versatile?

I still have the autospot bench. I have not been using heavy dumbbells recently so it has not really been an issue. I usually stick with a barbell for my heavy lifts, but luckily this bench is great for that too.

As for the free standing dumbbell spotter stands I grabbed a pair of those as well. They will take some getting used to, but once I shift back to heavy dumbbell work they should come in very handy.

[Roniboney]

having read every page of your thread my gym porn urge has been satisfied.

Seriously though nice one man.Maybe consider getting some power hooks if your looking for really heavy dumbbels(providing you have oly db handles or standard handles and a lot of plates)

My home gym has cost me all of my summer job wages over 2 years(21 now).

Got myself a power rack,oly bar with 300kg of weights,db's up to 65kg ,pull-up and dip bars,leg press,leverage pressing machines,lat pulldown and seated row,hyperextensions bench and a leg curl/extension machine.


You see ........it has nothing on your gym.Absolutely blown away by the pics mate.

[HealthNutMD]

Love the fans by the way....

Hard to believe that is only 1200 sq feet.... looks a lot larger... what is the dimensions of your space?

[Skidmarx]

Mike how do you like that Orlando floor ghr ? How much did it cost?

[ndmike99]

Love the fans by the way....

Hard to believe that is only 1200 sq feet.... looks a lot larger... what is the dimensions of your space?

The building is 24x50, in fact it is probably closer to 1100 sq feet due to the cinder block base. It feels a lot larger with less equipment, but the pictures do not really do it justice. I tried taking video of it from an Iphone, but the video was too long. You are going to need a HUGE building for everything you want to do. I originally wanted a 40x60 pole barn, but it is probably a blessing in disguise I only have about half of that. Heating and cooling such a large area would have been a challenge.

Mike how do you like that Orlando floor ghr ? How much did it cost?

I do like the Orlando Floor GHR. I am not GHR expert and I do not have a lot to compare it to, but I am happy with the purchase. It is very easy to get in and out of, I like that it is close to the floor, and I love that you can hang it up out of the way. I ended up paying full retail ($370 plus about $50 for shipping) which was a tough pill to swallow since I highly prefer buying used, but it was just one of those things I figured I would never find used and that it was the last piece I was really looking for to complete the gym. I think that GHR, an Ivanko Rackable Curl Bar, and my Black Iron Strength cable handles are the few things I have ever bought new. Having said that I am very happy to have bought it and have that decision behind me. I spent years looking for the Sorinex floor GHR used and even found one, but could not find a way to get it shipped. At the end of the day I think the Orlando one was money well spent.

[tumtum]

WHOA -- that's a home gym? Seriously, that looks even better than those basic commercial gyms at hotels!

screw this.. i'd prefer this over EVERY million dollar facility here in Chattanooga, TN

[OutKlast]

New gym layout looks much better. Far less cluttered. I swear it doesn't look like 1200 sq ft though.

[Skidmarx]

I do like the Orlando Floor GHR. I am not GHR expert and I do not have a lot to compare it to, but I am happy with the purchase. It is very easy to get in and out of, I like that it is close to the floor, and I love that you can hang it up out of the way. I ended up paying full retail ($370 plus about $50 for shipping) which was a tough pill to swallow since I highly prefer buying used, but it was just one of those things I figured I would never find used and that it was the last piece I was really looking for to complete the gym. I think that GHR, an Ivanko Rackable Curl Bar, and my Black Iron Strength cable handles are the few things I have ever bought new. Having said that I am very happy to have bought it and have that decision behind me. I spent years looking for the Sorinex floor GHR used and even found one, but could not find a way to get it shipped. At the end of the day I think the Orlando one was money well spent.

Yeah I checked it out and shipping is now $75, and I'm in the same state.

How long was the wait. Says 6-8 weeks on their website.

Being able to stand it up in the corner would be great for a cramped home gym

[HealthNutMD]

The building is 24x50, in fact it is probably closer to 1100 sq feet due to the cinder block base. It feels a lot larger with less equipment, but the pictures do not really do it justice. I tried taking video of it from an Iphone, but the video was too long. You are going to need a HUGE building for everything you want to do. I originally wanted a 40x60 pole barn, but it is probably a blessing in disguise I only have about half of that. Heating and cooling such a large area would have been a challenge.

One of the advantages of California coastal weather, if I decide to live in California, is that heating is only rarely needed, and only maybe to top of a slight chilly day when it is only 55 or 60 on some winter days. Depending on where you are along the coast of California, it avgs about 75-85 degrees in the summer, so only minimal cooling is needed. I think a 40 x 60 pole barn would work well out here, but I can understand how that would be more challengin in just about everywhere else in the country. the waether is really unique here, and it is really the only reason people put up with this state govt I think: beautiful outdoors and weather. Not sure I will live in CA or not... depends on what happens over the next year or so... Every time I think about it, there really is no other place that offers an avg temp of 70-75 degrees all year round with no humidity and not dry either...