Homemade monster rack & t-bar bracket + new stuff

[Skidmarx]

A couple months ago it dawned on me that I could free up a lot of floor space by combining my power rack with my smith machine. I lucked out and the power rack fits perfectly inside. This allowed me to remove the bottom brace on the rack and bolt up to the smith, nice walk-through design. Drilling those holes in the smith was a bitch.




Here's an adjustable height t-bar row bracket I made from a 2" pipe nipple. Works great and only takes about a minute to install. I'm tall so I need to elevate this end of the bar so it really focuses on my back, but not so high I rack my nuts(again). Total investment = $7.00



I picked up these Power Systems DB's for $20 a pair a few weeks ago on CL.



I got this Cybex cable column on CL for $100 awhile back. It's cool cuz' it has the high/low pulleys plus and adjustable column. The low pulley swivels out of the way so you don't trip over it. I use this for bis, tris, 1-arm rows, rear delt flys. It came with some big handlebar system that mounts in front, I got rid of that and built some wall brackets out of square tubing and mounted it to my wall studs. The unit uses little space this way.



I snagged this Promaxima seated calf a few months ago on eBay for $175 with that 100 lb plate. I love this thing! Rock solid.

[Skidmarx]

Oh yeah, this pic is for Hardcore79. Instead of buying chains I'm deloading my bench press by using a light flex band. Works great. Band is too long for squats, but squatting hasn't been my problem.

[HardKore79]

I like that combo you made and you got really lucky that it fit perfect. Usually, ideas fall apart when stuff just doesn't fit. I haven't made up my mind yet on what to do regarding chains or bands. Bands are cheaper but they also don't last as long as chains do.
Also, don't you want the bands at the bottom of the rack?!

[Swollen_Powell]

You are a genius, I envy u

I like your gym setup...all your plates match unlike mine.

09 is my time to sexy up my garage

[Accutron]

Very nice job SM, looks great.

Regarding your plates:
Can you pls let me know exactly what paint (paint code or name / brand) you used to paint them, Im really liking that color, and its one of my main projects in 2009

I dont want to get the wrong color or texture or shade, so if you could please let me know, that would be great!

[Skidmarx]

Sure. Rustoleum #7218 "dark bronze" hammer spray(cans).

[animalfan]

awesome gym there. i think if i could do that, i'd get a smith. i can't find the room right now, but i guess if i found a good deal on a nice one i'd have to see about the space. those dumbells are great, $20 a pair? i'd probably give up some floor space and sell my powerblocks if i got a deal like that... i'd rep ya for the gym, but i've gotta spread.

[Skidmarx]

$20 a pair?

Yeah it was a sic deal. Some country club got all new equipment and blew out all their old equipment. I bought a bunch of stuff and flipped it except for these bad boys.

[Keetman]

You are a genius, I envy u

I like your gym setup...all your plates match unlike mine.

09 is my time to sexy up my garage

Swollen powell's bringing sexy back.....

[HardKore79]

Swollen powell's bringing sexy back.....

Motherfers don't know how to act ...

...on this forum.

[Accutron]

Sure. Rustoleum #7218 "dark bronze" hammer spray(cans).

Thanks very much, Im going to go out later, return my unopened Flat Black Tremclad and try to find your paint

I rememeber you said Dark Bronze from a few months ago, but I didnt think your plates looked bronze from the pic. Regardless the color looks great.

Best wishes in the training and gym for 2009!

[Swollen_Powell]

Sure. Rustoleum #7218 "dark bronze" hammer spray(cans).

any other prep work?

Any dandruff flakeage from chipping?

I may have to do this to mine after wire brushing to resexify them

[AaronCF]

Nice work Skid... Don't think I've seen a pic of your gym yet, I'm envious.

[Accutron]

Your mats look pristine by the way, do you clean them a lot, or are they new?

[Skidmarx]

They are about a year old. I shop vac them every week.

[woodlake]

Really nice work and great idea using the pipe for the t bar adapter.

[Keetman]

Motherfers don't know how to act ...

...on this forum.

What, I got an e-beat down coming? Then you gonna hang my beaten profile on the main page as a reminder for others to act right? Tough crowd......

[HardKore79]

What, I got an e-beat down coming? Then you gonna hang my beaten profile on the main page as a reminder for others to act right? Tough crowd......

I was thinking to post it on my fridge, but posting it on Misc. would help also.

P.S. I was just following the lyrics of sexy back LOL.

[Keetman]

I was thinking to post it on my fridge, but posting it on Misc. would help also.

P.S. I was just following the lyrics of sexy back LOL.

Hah...that's funny. Show's you how in to pop culture I am....most of the time I still feel 22.....but then every so often I'm reminded!

[Keetman]

Hey Skid, I repped you for that setup, but didn't get a chance to tell you how sweet that is. I've been thinking about rigging something up for my half/rack smith to give it safer squat capabilities. I was thinking something like detachable safeties that look like a sumo rack. Your setup there has inspired me!



Oh, and you need to slap some wheels on your bench. I bought some $2 wheels and a pull handle at Walmart and put them on that powerblock bench; I've been very pleased with the results....makes it so much easier to move it around.

[Skidmarx]

Oh, and you need to slap some wheels on your bench. I bought some $2 wheels and a pull handle at Walmart and put them on that powerblock bench; I've been very pleased with the results....makes it so much easier to move it around.

I'll check that out. Got a pic of your install?

[HardKore79]

Oh, and you need to slap some wheels on your bench. I bought some $2 wheels and a pull handle at Walmart and put them on that powerblock bench; I've been very pleased with the results....makes it so much easier to move it around.

Having wheels on the bench makes it easier to work out. That's what I loved about the Cybex.

[animalfan]

Having wheels on the bench makes it easier to work out. That's what I loved about the Cybex.

it really does. both of my benches have wheels on them. i can't believe how long i picked up my bench to get it in and out of my old rack.

[Accutron]

it really does. both of my benches have wheels on them. i can't believe how long i picked up my bench to get it in and out of my old rack.

Thats why I love my flat bench press bench so much, its only 50lbs so its very easy to move around.

Many of the fully adjustable ones weigh in at well over 100lbs, so theyre pretty difficult to move...

[fitmember]

Your gym rocks bro.

GOD I FUKCING HATE YOU











J/K

Im jealous

[Keetman]

I'll check that out. Got a pic of your install?

Yea, give me a couple days. Can't get to it tonight and I work tomorrow.

[aikidoka]

Nice job and nice gym!

[Skidmarx]

Here's a pic of the row bracket in action.



I got the idea from http://www.home-gym-bodybuilding.com

If you want to install parallel to your rack you can do like this guy did and save space. I did perpendicular so I can watch my form in the mirror by my treadmill.

http://www.home-gym-bodybuilding.com...t-bar-row.html

[kaos336]

Repped for a good idea and great looking gym.

[Keetman]

I'll check that out. Got a pic of your install?

Here you go Skid. Not much to it really. The most important part is getting the holes drilled correctly and close to even for both wheels. I used a punch to make sure the drill bit didn't "creep", then drilled a pilot hole. Took a bit longer than I wanted, but once you stard drilling you can't go back.

I did pick up some extra self tapping screws as the ones that came with the handle were weak and the wheels came with none.

In the last picture you can make out a little gap betweent the wheel and the floor when the bench is set. Obviously, you don't want the bench resting on the wheels, but its a detail that might be overlooked.


HANDLE:




WHEELS:




GAP BETWEEN WHEELS & FLOOR: