Who here trains at home? I’m looking for some pictures and tips for setting up a gym in tight space. I’m about 2 years away from buying a house but when I do it will be a garage gym set up (south Florida, no basements, will need air conditioning as well, so if someone has advice on how to best set that up I’d love to hear about it), 2 stalls so the space will be like 20x20. This will not be a cross fit or powerlifting gym (I do deadlift and squat however), it will be set up for bodybuilding.
Wish list:
Power rack with last pull down/low row with land mine, the following is what I have in mind:
Cable cross over (adjustable for height), not sure what model I want except I want pin selected weight stack (not plate loaded)
Smith Machine, again open to suggestions here, I’d want something solid.
Preacher or preferably preacher/spider curl combo)
Seated calf raise machine
Leg press/Hack squat combo
Glute/ham developer
Sit up bench
Now I’m thinking if I put the power rack on one side of the room, smith machine directly opposite the power rack I’d have room to fit the cable cross over in between them (saving some room) and I’d be able to fit the other pieces in there. Is this possible or am I delusional?
The rest of the gym would consist of various bars & cable attachments. For Dumbbells I think I’d go with the old school standard weights as they are smaller than Olympic Dumbbells.
Nice set up, but be careful with rubber mats if you have any moisture. The rubber can trap moisture, causing mold/milder issues. Not saying it won’t work, but keep an eye on it…
It’s quieter with the rubber mats. It covers the ugly plywood and prevents splinters. If it is the right type and thickness of matting, it can protect the slab when you drop the weights, especially if you don’t have a lot of bumper plates.
Going to a gym is a giant pain and you have to share.
Plus, wear and tear on your vehicle, gas cost, subject yourself to a vehicle accident, gym dues and rules.
At home, when I’m ready to work out I don’t have to wait for some dude to get done so I can use the equipment. Or listen to his crappy music. Or the gym’s crappy music.
Or put up with someone blabbing on their phone, or sitting on bench b.s.ing with another gym member.
Or…, wait, the list of reasons to train at home is endless…
Of course, if you train at home, you won’t be able to show off (if you’re into that) or meet women or socialize, which I think many actually go there for those reasons.
If, you’re serious about training and not for all the b.s. reasons some go to a gym, home is perfect.
No photos but had a garage setup. What worked for me total body centered around a Body Solid Series 7 Smith.
It contained:
Squat rack/bar/gun rack on the front of a 7* smith machine w weight stack/cables
flat/incline bench
leg station attachment
preacher attachment
plates
Plus:
set of dumbbells
resistance bands
cable attachments - wide bar, close-grip bar, single handles, rope, chain, ankle straps
4"x4"x6" wood blocks (for risers smith work)
2"x6"x5’ board (for risers on smith work)
From this equipment I was able to do a lot of exercises, compound and isolated movements, free weight and cable exercises.
The Smith Machine was pricey, it was a total splurge. Partly due to me having only one arm and the features of this machine allowed me to do all the exercises in my workout as I needed to do them with my physical limitations, SAFELY. I work out alone, I had to make sure I didn’t completely mame or kill myself on heavier days. The versatility of this setup was impressive.
This is ours. I find working out at home to be ideal. I can workout anytime I want, doing anything I want. The kids can play outside in the driveway or do some exercises with us.
I have been doing the SOFLETE Juggernaut program and I can do 90% of the program with what is shown.
Good stuff fellas keep the pictures rolling and Shorts you are a really inspiration brother keep up the hard work!
I found the following piece, it would allow me to combine smith machine & cable crossover (Shorts got me thinking about this type of combo), anyone have any experience with it?
Damn dude you must be an animal. The shit they post on FB looks fairly crazy. I need to get to that level.
I’ll post mine in a minute. It’s kind of a mess at the moment between stuff we need to sell and my in-laws buying a bunch of random groceries while in town but it’s a pretty solid setup. I think what you posted is overkill, but that’s just me.
Haha, no, I’m probably “below average” by most accounts. You may be thinking of SOFWODS, I’ve seen those, they look ridiculous. The soflete program is pretty ideal for me. Workouts aren’t too long, nothing complex, but I get good results. I just need to eat more. That’s the hardest part for me.
I’ve accumulated the stuff over a period of about a year. I just bought a hammer and that’s been my new favorite workout.
This is not aimed at Shorts, as he is using the Smith machine and cables as they were intended to be used.
I was always steered away from Smith machines. I have yet to see a need for them with exception for those who cannot safely use a power rack. Most of the big name lifters, both olympic and power, do not use them.
Cables seem to be predominantly a bodybuilder (manscaping) thing. I think the machine linked above is inferior to a sturdy power rack, olympic bar, and adjustable bench.
If you don’t have physical limitations, stick to barbell training for strength and dumbells if you need auxillary work.
It’s a little crowded but it gets the job done. With the car moved out on the other side of the garage from time to time it’s much easier to maneuver. Either way it fits my need and after getting used to it I can do a wide variety of exercises and workouts.
You make a valid point and it actually is one that I hold myself. If it weren’t for the one arm I would be running a power rack only. Cost alone is a glaring factor. Setup is another,
I’ve had mine for 7+years. I have the 120lb set that can go from 5-120lbs in 2.5lb increments if you want. Also picked up a set of the 165lb set screws so I can actually take one dumbbell up to 180lbs for rows… They are not super quick to change weight but they are solid like real dumbbells.
Add in the kettlebell handle and you have quite a set up.
Other than that stuff I have a power rack with pull up bars and dip attachments, a couple bars, a bunch of weight, nice elliptical, and a treadmill.
As some people have said. They have their place. I often used them when I trained in gyms if I did not have a partner or no one was available. I would not substitute them for free weights, but they can be useful if you want to target specific areas, while not having to utilize stabilizers.
