My current garage gym set up:

[nflan113]

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...

Oh, but the land costs out there! Here in the midwest land can be purchased (to house such a nice building) for much much less than out there. That being said, i'm honestly just typing this out of pure jealousy for the 9 months out of the year when it is cold here :P

[HealthNutMD]

Oh, but the land costs out there! Here in the midwest land can be purchased (to house such a nice building) for much much less than out there. That being said, i'm honestly just typing this out of pure jealousy for the 9 months out of the year when it is cold here :P

Yes, thats the problem... a 10,000 sq foot lot goes for around 1.4 million on the peninsula. Its a big problem. You need dual incomes to make that happen cause that ends up being a 2.5 million dollar house ... 5000 sq foot house sitting on a small 10,000 sq foot lot = 2.5 million.

[ndmike99]

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

I was fully prepared to wait 6-8 weeks for it to arrive, but I got it in less than a week. I think the 6-8 timetable is kind of a CYA statement. I was shocked to see it arrive so soon.

[jackbravo]

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.

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.

was thinking the same thing...would rather buy used. interesting...didn't know sorinex had one. i'll look into that.

[ndmike99]

was thinking the same thing...would rather buy used. interesting...didn't know sorinex had one. i'll look into that.

Here is the Sorinex version.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/SORINEX-Poor...f#ht_500wt_949

[ffrink]

Here is the Sorinex version.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/SORINEX-Poor...f#ht_500wt_949

That is a great little bench! (As you told me many a time!)

Place looks great. Love the open space in the middle.

Looks like there is still room for some chains!!!

[ndmike99]

So I have made a few changes and figured it was time for an update.

First: Animal was kind enough to pick this log up for me on his way down to my house. It was made by pitbull strength I believe and is pretty cool.



Second: I found a good deal on a GHR in Chicago. I had been looking for this style GHR for a long time but finally broke down and bought a new Orlando Barbell one. Of course once I did that I found what I was looking for:




Finally: Once I knew I was going to be in Chicago I started looking for other deals I could score on the same trip. I was able to find some Troy Prostyle Dumbbells that matched the ones I currently had. This convinced me to get them and finally get a few racks to have everything together in one spot with 5-150





I am not sure what other changes or additions will come (maybe a rope trainer which Rogue and Atlantis both sell now). The gym is pretty full without being totally over crowded.

[dumb.bell]

What brand racks are those?

[BloodType3R]

Not


fair.




I mean, very nice. Well done on the matching DB's.

[aestheticparrot]

That is sick man. Should rent it out to some people or mates and make a fortune.

[ProtienandIron]

Now THAT is a dumbbell set! LOL at all the top shelf looking well worn while the ones on the bottom looking brand new. Thats one beastly set. I'm liking all your other equipment choices too. Very jealous of that GHD.

[ndmike99]

What brand racks are those?

Hoist - a fitness place in Wisconsin was selling them and the seller was nice enough to meet me near Chicago with them.

Not


fair.




I mean, very nice. Well done on the matching DB's.

Well they don't TOTALLY match. I am trying not to be too OCD about them but the 5-70 are a little older, the 75-115 look a little better, and the 120-150 are mix and match brands. I actually have extra Troys from 75-100 and I thought about making those into 120s, 130s, and 135s. I also considered repainting them all, but I am trying not to over think it.

That is sick man. Should rent it out to some people or mates and make a fortune.

I am not set up to be able to rent it out. No bathrooms and it is not set up as a business. In all honestly I can barely get people to come lift here even though I do not charge people. I have 2 guys and myself that lift here regularly and thats it. Maybe I am just a big jerk and don't realize it lol

[ndmike99]

Now THAT is a dumbbell set! LOL at all the top shelf looking well worn while the ones on the bottom looking brand new. Thats one beastly set. I'm liking all your other equipment choices too. Very jealous of that GHD.

Dude I am trying NOT to think about that lol. Trust me it is because I bought them from different places. Although I did notice the 140s+ had collected some dust when I went to switch out the racks.

[dumb.bell]

Hoist - a fitness place in Wisconsin was selling them and the seller was nice enough to meet me near Chicago with them.

I remember seeing a triple level rack like those years ago and it was a Hoist also. I really need to find one of those and sell my two double racks. I could then downsize my dumbbell collection by a few pairs and save some space.

[matrix563]

which nautilus is that near the GHR? thought you sold the pullover . if thats what i see

[ndmike99]

which nautilus is that near the GHR? thought you sold the pullover . if thats what i see

I sold the pullover. You are seeing the Nautilus Ab Machine.

[Northernmoris]

Mike, gyms looking real clean. Awesome job. I like the look a lot. It seems a lot more functional.

[Skidmarx]

That db set rocks !

[animalfan]

Congrats on those dbs! I remember you saying you were looking for them to complete the set. If I lived a lot closer I'd love to lift there!

I take it you like that log? I wondered how it would be since it was a bit thinner than most I've seen.

[ndmike99]

Well guys I have a little extra equipment money and I am trying to decide what to add to the gym. I am considering the Black Widow Football Bar but I can not really think of much else. I am very limited in space now, so I can't see adding any other machines, but I may be able to squeeze in a small one. Any special bars or smaller items you guys find especially useful? I already have chains, bands, blast straps, rack ropes, and a bunch of attachments.

[BAVE]

Well guys I have a little extra equipment money and I am trying to decide what to add to the gym. I am considering the Black Widow Football Bar but I can not really think of much else. I am very limited in space now, so I can't see adding any other machines, but I may be able to squeeze in a small one. Any special bars or smaller items you guys find especially useful? I already have chains, bands, blast straps, rack ropes, and a bunch of attachments.

Do you already have a rackable hex bar? BWTG's rackable hex is pretty nice. Deads, shrugs, rack shoulder presses.

[ndmike99]

Do you already have a rackable hex bar? BWTG's rackable hex is pretty nice. Deads, shrugs, rack shoulder presses.

I do not have one of those. Thank you for the suggestion. I will consider it, just not sure how much use it would get.

[AttyGuy]

Now THAT is a dumbbell set! LOL at all the top shelf looking well worn while the ones on the bottom looking brand new. Thats one beastly set. I'm liking all your other equipment choices too. Very jealous of that GHD.

P&I probably has a sore wrist by now from all the time he's spent staring at those DBs on his screen.

Those are some durdy, durdy pics. That's centerfold material there. . . .

[Jetigen]

Well guys I have a little extra equipment money and I am trying to decide what to add to the gym. I am considering the Black Widow Football Bar but I can not really think of much else. I am very limited in space now, so I can't see adding any other machines, but I may be able to squeeze in a small one. Any special bars or smaller items you guys find especially useful? I already have chains, bands, blast straps, rack ropes, and a bunch of attachments.

With this kind of a hardcore gym, have you thought about giving a try to BodyCraft Jones machine?
They also have a commercial club version of it.

[smokeater]

1200 square feet is about the size of my first house, haha. Amazing set up dude.

[iportal]

So I have made a few changes and figured it was time for an update.

First: Animal was kind enough to pick this log up for me on his way down to my house. It was made by pitbull strength I believe and is pretty cool.



Second: I found a good deal on a GHR in Chicago. I had been looking for this style GHR for a long time but finally broke down and bought a new Orlando Barbell one. Of course once I did that I found what I was looking for:




Finally: Once I knew I was going to be in Chicago I started looking for other deals I could score on the same trip. I was able to find some Troy Prostyle Dumbbells that matched the ones I currently had. This convinced me to get them and finally get a few racks to have everything together in one spot with 5-150





I am not sure what other changes or additions will come (maybe a rope trainer which Rogue and Atlantis both sell now). The gym is pretty full without being totally over crowded.

I'm totally in love with your dumbells and rack. They look amazing, I'm completely envious.

What a cracking gym you have, commercial equipment within your home, what more could you want...

[ndmike99]

I still need to get some new photos, but I added the following items to the gym:

Black Widow Football Bar: http://www.blackwidowtg.com/Football...r-football.htm

Elite FTS Rack Ropes: http://www.flexcart.com/members/elit...d=114&pid=4167

Black Iron Strength Cable Attachments: http://www.blackironstrength.com/zen...products_id=35
http://www.blackironstrength.com/zen...products_id=37
These items I found used at a college surplus store:

A Hammer Strength Tibia

(2) Ivanko Curl Bars

And a Hammer Strength Wrist Curl

[matrix563]

how much was the tibia? i wanted a hammer strength one but i have never seen a tibia period on any craigslist near me

[ndmike99]

how much was the tibia? i wanted a hammer strength one but i have never seen a tibia period on any craigslist near me

$100

[BRUTUSPLAC]

YOU are not a jerk. It's very hard to find training partners, i left the commerical gym scene 12 years ago and will never go back . the last 2 years work has been a joke .But I'm back and i have 15 months to my first strongman contest,

YOU are 1 of the EXTREME few i recall here, peaceeeeeee