PICS and DISCUSSION of YOUR HOME GYM V2.0

[JustTheDad]

Heavy bag... .
I'm jealous.

[DesiredDad77]

Current home gym state 2019:

[EricAtl]

Current home gym state 2019:

Very nice.

[SpeculatorSam]

I figured a video would be easier than a photo. Took me from black friday until now to build. I did everything with no help, some things were a pain in the ass to assemble and build, but everything is in place now.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZoAS5IUOHA

You're garage looks like a run-of-the-mill CrossFit Gym Great work. Mine's not as impressive, I don't have a squat rack yet but will purchase the Valor BD-9 next week or two. It's clean-to-front-squats and good mornings for me 'til then.

My setup includes

Marcy Pro Adjustable Bench with Leg Extension
Sports Authority Adjustable Dumbbells that go up to 70lb pair or 95lb single, assorted plates from various yard sales and amazon.
4 rubber mats 4 x 6 x 0.5'
Weider 310lb cast iron olympic set
Gold's Gym Door Mount Pull-Up bar. (not pictured)
Exercise Ball (not pictured)

[JustTheDad]

Sam,
Why not get a rack that could save your life instead?

[Aguisa92]

Looking sick! Getting some serious home gym envy over here!

[SpeculatorSam]

Sam,
Why not get a rack that could save your life instead?

Is the Valor BD-9 bad? I was recommended it by a friend. Not only that, but I'm sure you can see how tiny my garage is. The only other solution would be to get a simple pair of squat stands and purchase/make a pair of platform that could work like safety pins.

[Aguisa92]

Is the Valor BD-9 bad? I was recommended it by a friend. Not only that, but I'm sure you can see how tiny my garage is. The only other solution would be to get a simple pair of squat stands and purchase/make a pair of platform that could work like safety pins.

I think JustTheDad is referring to squat stands in general - they are not particularly safe.

How tall is your garage? It looks more than big enough from the picture to whack a power rack in. Most garages are tall enough to fit one - usually the only drawback with a lower ceiling is that it is harder to perform pull-ups, for example.

Plus. what exercises are you planning to do on it? Does your friend have the BD-9, or is just recommending them?

[RestoringTally]

Is the Valor BD-9 bad? I was recommended it by a friend. Not only that, but I'm sure you can see how tiny my garage is. The only other solution would be to get a simple pair of squat stands and purchase/make a pair of platform that could work like safety pins.

Squat stands are fine if you use them for squats and overhead presses. But you must have enough space to allow the bar to fall to the floor when you fail a lift. I would also suggest having at least the 45s as bumper plates if you are lifting off a concrete floor.

One issue many have with squat stands is trying to re-rack a failed lift without having control of the bar. In that case, one or both stands become unstable and the bar is going down and, most likely, so is at least one of the stands. The lesson is use the stands only when the bar is under control, dump the bar when not under control.

Another issue is when squat stands are used for bench press. This is when having safeties is important. Without safeties, a failed lift means that the only thing between the bar and the floor is your body. There are many cases where this does not end well. And remember, there are two types of lift failures: controlled and catastrophic. A controlled failure is where you just cannot finish a lift. A catastrophic failure is where you pass-out (see YouTube videos), the bar slips from your hands (happened at a public gym here - ambulance carried the guy to the hospital when the bar landed on his face), you rupture a bicep (happened to a fellow lifter who had a spotter), etc.

If you do not have a bench with safeties, you can always do dumbbell bench presses or floor presses.

[SpeculatorSam]

I think JustTheDad is referring to squat stands in general - they are not particularly safe.

How tall is your garage? It looks more than big enough from the picture to whack a power rack in. Most garages are tall enough to fit one - usually the only drawback with a lower ceiling is that it is harder to perform pull-ups, for example.

Plus. what exercises are you planning to do on it? Does your friend have the BD-9, or is just recommending them?

My garage is 99-100in, hard to tell because of the slack on measuring tape I used. He has the BD-9, and it does have safety catches. I'm looking at the Valor BD-18 now though, it's about 100$ more, but it's max load is 600lbs, rather than the BD-9's 350. I think I'd rather have that one, not that I can squat 300+ lbs currently but still I'd rather not by afraid of "oh no, will this break on me?". Either way, this is a temporary thing because I plan on moving in a few months, have a Valor stand would be a lot less pain in the neck to transport than, say, the Rouge RE-3 Echo Rack. The Rouge setup I'd MUCH rather have, since I'm getting pretty good at the weighted chin up now and I'm dreading thinking about "oh no, the weight limit on this thing is 250lbs, better not do sets with more than 60-70lb on me.

Squat stands are fine if you use them for squats and overhead presses. But you must have enough space to allow the bar to fall to the floor when you fail a lift. I would also suggest having at least the 45s as bumper plates if you are lifting off a concrete floor.

One issue many have with squat stands is trying to re-rack a failed lift without having control of the bar. In that case, one or both stands become unstable and the bar is going down and, most likely, so is at least one of the stands. The lesson is use the stands only when the bar is under control, dump the bar when not under control.

Another issue is when squat stands are used for bench press. This is when having safeties is important. Without safeties, a failed lift means that the only thing between the bar and the floor is your body. There are many cases where this does not end well. And remember, there are two types of lift failures: controlled and catastrophic. A controlled failure is where you just cannot finish a lift. A catastrophic failure is where you pass-out (see YouTube videos), the bar slips from your hands (happened at a public gym here - ambulance carried the guy to the hospital when the bar landed on his face), you rupture a bicep (happened to a fellow lifter who had a spotter), etc.

If you do not have a bench with safeties, you can always do dumbbell bench presses or floor presses.

If you don't have safeties, then don't do heavy bench or squats; almost feel that should be common knowledge. I'm aware and yes I should probably keep looking for a better rack in the meantime. I'll work on getting a rubber pair of 45s too.

[70chevellegsp]

Had a Concept2 Rower delivered today. Got it assembled, placed and gave it a few pulls. Seems like my wife and I discuss getting one every winter, so decided to pull the trigger this year. So, here's some pics of the updated setup.

[JustTheDad]

Awesome. I've had mine for 20 years. Still works about a good as day 1 (which is annoying since I want the new model.)
You're going to love having it.

[Aguisa92]

Had a Concept2 Rower delivered today. Got it assembled, placed and gave it a few pulls. Seems like my wife and I discuss getting one every winter, so decided to pull the trigger this year. So, here's some pics of the updated setup.

Looking sweet!

[Deep-Voiced-One]

Quick update on the monolift attachment probably won't be too popular of a post lol, but I'm not a big fan of using them for squats...don't get me wrong not having to walk them out is kinda nice, but I think I'm just more used to walking them out and I grip wide on squats and the outsides of my hands pinch in the hooks.

I look forward to using them for bench though and seeing how they work out in that area which I'll update on soon...

[chadsalt]

Quick update on the monolift attachment probably won't be too popular of a post lol, but I'm not a big fan of using them for squats...don't get me wrong not having to walk them out is kinda nice, but I think I'm just more used to walking them out and I grip wide on squats and the outsides of my hands pinch in the hooks.

I look forward to using them for bench though and seeing how they work out in that area which I'll update on soon...

I like them for BP better. I grip at the collars for SQ also, but my GPR378 is a few inches narrower.....still nearly lost a piece of hand on several occasions.

[vhd16]

Quick update on the monolift attachment probably won't be too popular of a post lol, but I'm not a big fan of using them for squats...don't get me wrong not having to walk them out is kinda nice, but I think I'm just more used to walking them out and I grip wide on squats and the outsides of my hands pinch in the hooks.

I look forward to using them for bench though and seeing how they work out in that area which I'll update on soon...

DVO, it might take few workouts to get used to it for SQ's. But anyway, even you don't like them for BP which would be rare , keep them . You never know i might need mono's for a 2X3 posts, just saying..

[Deep-Voiced-One]

Quick update, after using the monolift attachment (still gotta try them on bench press just to test how they work), I feel they take up a lot of space in the rack. I personally do all my lifts inside the rack and feel they're a bit of a bear in there and impede space compared to the good old fashioned j-hooks, also they're not really the easiest to store away when not in use due to the limited space I have in the garage, so I might possibly flip them soon despite them being epic and top notch quality as is expected from Mech pieces.

[kevin3636]

Quick update, after using the monolift attachment (still gotta try them on bench press just to test how they work), I feel they take up a lot of space in the rack. I personally do all my lifts inside the rack and feel they're a bit of a bear in there and impede space compared to the good old fashioned j-hooks, also they're not really the easiest to store away when not in use due to the limited space I have in the garage, so I might possibly flip them soon despite them being epic and top notch quality as is expected from Mech pieces.

I'll take them depending on the size!

[poorMAN12]

Looks so cool!

[Domicron]

Quick update, after using the monolift attachment (still gotta try them on bench press just to test how they work), I feel they take up a lot of space in the rack. I personally do all my lifts inside the rack and feel they're a bit of a bear in there and impede space compared to the good old fashioned j-hooks, also they're not really the easiest to store away when not in use due to the limited space I have in the garage, so I might possibly flip them soon despite them being epic and top notch quality as is expected from Mech pieces.

I can definitely see where you're coming from.

The thing that surprised me the most, at first, with the monos were how heavy and bulky they are. That's a good, thing, as you don't want all that weight supported by something flimsy, but moving them around is probably a PITA if you have to rotate them 90 degrees to get them out first. I'm really glad that i have mine in a drop in rack.

but anyway your solution is to just buy a second rack for benching.

[C123C]

My monos never move. PITA. I have a 6 post rack so if someone isn't my height they go to the outside station with another set of safeties and a different bar. I train with a lot of taller guys when I have guests so not a huge deal. Never got into them for bench. I have long arms so unracking isn't hard.

[chadsalt]

I can definitely see where you're coming from.

The thing that surprised me the most, at first, with the monos were how heavy and bulky they are. That's a good, thing, as you don't want all that weight supported by something flimsy, but moving them around is probably a PITA if you have to rotate them 90 degrees to get them out first. I'm really glad that i have mine in a drop in rack.

but anyway your solution is to just buy a second rack for benching.

My monos never move. PITA. I have a 6 post rack so if someone isn't my height they go to the outside station with another set of safeties and a different bar. I train with a lot of taller guys when I have guests so not a huge deal. Never got into them for bench. I have long arms so unracking isn't hard.

Sure glad working out has made me strong so moving 30# piece of steel around isn't very hard.

[Domicron]

Sure glad working out has made me strong so moving 30# piece of steel around isn't very hard.

i dunno about you but i am lazy AF. lucky i have a drop in rack, so adjusting the monos is super easy. lift and drop.

as far as the rest of it, i have wheels on my benches, i have extra j-hooks for the front of my rack to setup an extra station; it's all designed for me to do the least amount of work when i'm trying to work out...

[johnnysontherun]

I just recently bought a dip pull up station through Amazon and Im loving it. Im making progress rapidly!! started off on being able to do 1 pull up a week ago and now i can do 3. I know its not much but progress is progress. Anyways I made a quick youtube video reviewing my dip station check it out. my channel is J D on youtube

[JustTheDad]

I just recently bought a dip pull up station through Amazon and Im loving it. Im making progress rapidly!! started off on being able to do 1 pull up a week ago and now i can do 3. I know its not much but progress is progress. Anyways I made a quick youtube video reviewing my dip station check it out. my channel is J D on youtube

That's a great start.

[illldrag0n]

I have a squat rack (not power rack, but not freestanding each side), bench with incline and press stands, dumbells, 2 bars, and ez-curl bar and a load of plates in my home gym under the carport.

It lets me get in my 5 compounds and quite a few isolation movements so im happy with it for now.

[Pregily]

Hello, I am new here, starting to build my first small gym in the garage, continue reading this thread and learn experience, hope will show my pics soon

[GJM753]

I just recently bought a dip pull up station through Amazon and Im loving it. Im making progress rapidly!! started off on being able to do 1 pull up a week ago and now i can do 3. I know its not much but progress is progress. Anyways I made a quick youtube video reviewing my dip station check it out. my channel is J D on youtube

Looking into getting sa dip pull up station which one did you go for?

[SpeculatorSam]

Feast your eyes boyos, I bought a Valor BD-7 squat rack and an X Training Olympic Barbell. So the main changes I made is I moved the floor mats to a different side of the garage so I can do cleans and pendlay rows. Otherwise this is the best investment I've made in my young adult life.


My setup

Valor BD-7 Power Rack with Lat Pull
X Training Equipment Elite Bearing Barbell Olympic Power Bar, 45 lb
Marcy Pro Adjustable Bench with Leg Extension
Sports Authority Adjustable Dumbbells that go up to 70lb pair or 95lb single, assorted plates from various yard sales and amazon.
4 rubber mats 4 x 6 x 0.5'
Weider 310lb cast iron olympic set, I donated the barbell to a recycling mill, but keeping the plates for now.
Gold's Gym Door Mount Pull-Up bar I'm giving to a family member, since the power rack and a strong pull-up on it.
Exercise Ball (not pictured)

[Deep-Voiced-One]

I finally got around to benching with the monolift attachment and they absolutely rock for them! Puts me in the perfect setup, they are worth it for bench alone, I imagine floor presses must be epic with these too.

I'll rotate 'em in my lifting when I'm not pressed for time during my workouts.