DIY Squat Racks?

[ENCBBQ]

As you probably know, everything online is either sold out or on back-order. I picked up a bar and plates from a local used/warehouse supplier but couldn't afford his prices for a rack and bench. I can afford the Titan T2 and a flat bench, but those are at least a month or two out from shipping. Are the DIY racks worth it? Can you safely bench and squat?

[Payton1221]

As you probably know, everything online is either sold out or on back-order. I picked up a bar and plates from a local used/warehouse supplier but couldn't afford his prices for a rack and bench. I can afford the Titan T2 and a flat bench, but those are at least a month or two out from shipping. Are the DIY racks worth it? Can you safely bench and squat?

Do you have a basement with exposed joists? I made one using 4x4's that I lag screwed into the joists for the vertical members. Inexpensive and can support a lot of weight.

[ENCBBQ]

Yep, its going in the basement. So you have one? Im thinking about one similar to the buff dudes rack.

[ENCBBQ]

looks like I missed the window in ordering online and now its july before anything can come lmao

[shaneinga]

I see a lot of people making these. I considered it but was lucky and found one used locally. Depending on the size of the city you live in you can probably find one used but you have to jump on the deals quickly or they will be gone. ******** market place, craigslist and Letgo app are places I frequented until I found mine.

[ElrondHubbard]

Yep, its going in the basement. So you have one? Im thinking about one similar to the buff dudes rack.

Absolutely endorse the Buff Dudes rack. I built my own before I saw their video, and mine works great -- but theirs is better. My next one will be more like theirs, and there WILL be a next one!

I don't regret building mine out of lumber and pipe at all.

[lsiberian]

The Buff Dudes rack looks legit to me.

[OldFartTom]

Of no help right now, just throwing it out there... In a month or two, unfortunately you might find some squat racks for sale cheap second hand where gyms went bust

[Payton1221]

Yep, its going in the basement. So you have one? Im thinking about one similar to the buff dudes rack.

The buff dudes rack looks good. If you're willing to lag screw the top of each 4x4 into the joists, it'll make it much stronger and stiffer. I eventually bought a steel rack (got a Nautilus beast of a rack for a ridiculously cheap price), but here's the wooden one I originally used:

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[ENCBBQ]

nvm

[ECGordyn]

I almost built a wood one when my gym closed. Thought about it for 2 weeks but decided it wouldn't work long term. My thinking was that wood isn't designed to handle repeated shocks of a heavy barbell hitting it every time I re-rack. The only examples I could find were guys squatting much less than 300 lbs, and I wanted to bet on something really solid that I could use long term. So I bought a steel rack.

Tom's right that a lot of equipment will be pretty cheap after this lockdown is over, and there will be many choices.

[NorwichGrad]

Built a week ago for me and my son.

[ENCBBQ]

Built a week ago for me and my son.

little guy is doing work- nice

[ElrondHubbard]

Built a week ago for me and my son.

Little man moving some big weight! It's a great thing to see.

Now, if you could only get that goat to lift...

[ENCBBQ]

What I have so far, need to figure out j cups
https://photos.app.goo.gl/cBap1pBfh9rAW4uj8

[shaneinga]

What I have so far, need to figure out j cups
https://photos.app.goo.gl/cBap1pBfh9rAW4uj8

Good job!

I think the j hooks they did in the pipe/plumbing section

[ECGordyn]

What I have so far, need to figure out j cups
https://photos.app.goo.gl/cBap1pBfh9rAW4uj8

I've seen people use pipe elbows screwed to a longer pipe that goes through the post.

Also seen pipe flanges attached in the same way.

[ENCBBQ]

I've seen people use pipe elbows screwed to a longer pipe that goes through the post.

Also seen pipe flanges attached in the same way.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/X9uvbZ4mJz3Q2AyE8

This is what I did. I’ve seen people do elbows and i envisioned the possibility of knocking them sideways, the floor flange can’t get knocked

That pic also shows a lot of moisture on the bar, will probably need another dehumidifier for that side of the basement

[ElrondHubbard]

What I have so far, need to figure out j cups
https://photos.app.goo.gl/cBap1pBfh9rAW4uj8

Good looking rack! What I usually see is people drilling out 1" holes at their preferred height and inserting steel pipe. What I use is a 5" nipple with a cap on one end and coupling on the other, then another 1 1/2" nipple capped by a flange. A 90 degree elbow fitting would also work if you can get the cap and coupling tight enough to keep the whole thing from flipping over.

It's also a good idea to cover that whole assembly with some kind of larger sleeve to keep the wear on your bar to a minimum.

[ElrondHubbard]

https://photos.app.goo.gl/X9uvbZ4mJz3Q2AyE8

This is what I did. I’ve seen people do elbows and i envisioned the possibility of knocking them sideways, the floor flange can’t get knocked

That pic also shows a lot of moisture on the bar, will probably need another dehumidifier for that side of the basement

Hey, that's good. As long as you can keep the shaft from backing up into the post, you're good to go.

[ENCBBQ]

finished- https://photos.app.goo.gl/o1XedGyNyYcdQhwg9

[ElrondHubbard]

My danky, busted ass basement (dungeon) gym ������https://photos.app.goo.gl/QewhfDds4CdBHpMFA

Nice! Is that a dip stand on the right?

I'd say you're off to a good start.

[ENCBBQ]

I made the dip stand a year or so ago. I’ll be subbing those for bench until I can order a bench. The diy benches don’t look comfortable at all

[ElrondHubbard]

I made the dip stand a year or so ago. I’ll be subbing those for bench until I can order a bench. The diy benches don’t look comfortable at all

My homemade bench is plenty comfortable. I covered the top with soft rubber from a floor mat, and then overlapped that with material from a thick plastic tarp which I stapled to the wood below. For good measure, I drape a towel over it when it's in use. I've got no complaints, except I made it slightly too tall so it interferes with my leg drive when I bench. I'll be building another version eventually that's more suitable.

But using just 2x4s and plywood and wood screws, it doesn't cost much or take too long.