Your first point (in particular) is spot-on! Having never bought this kind of equipment I recently set my sights on some bench racks/squat stands (even considered a two-part like you showed) but noticed that most of them require the same space as a power rack 48" x 48"! Given that my bench is 58" long I realized I wouldn't be saving much space while losing the versatility of a power rack!
@@GymCrafter which is why I sold my old bench rack as it was as much space as a power cage! Now saving for a good power rack from Sorinex or Rogue Fitness.
I bought a weider xrs 20 stand and I had it for a year and a half, it’s not terrible but I eventually had to get something better. Just go for a cheap power rack that is good quality. I bought a titan t2 short power cage last week and i LOVE it. It’s tiny but sturdy. I’m short so it works for me. It was less than 400 bucks. So worth it.
Good content. My best tip: buy a big fan, quality rubber flooring, and two of the largest dumbbells you can curl for 5 reps before you buy any other equipment. Then do burpees, push-up, squats, lunges, presses, pullovers & curls. If at the end of four weeks you're still at it, buy the rack and the bench and the bar and the plates. If you didn't stick to it, then don't buy more equipment, join PF. $10 per month for something you don't use is cheaper than $5,000 up front that you don't use.
Agreed. I have a half garage gym I love but keep my $120 a year membership to Crunch. Sometimes its hard to be motivated at home when you know there is housework to do.
I'm starting my home gym and I'm going to start out getting the machines I use the most at the gym. Even when I spend 2 hours at the gym I only end up using the same old handful of machines.
When you first start, you don’t know what you don’t know. I’m so glad I started with a cheap rack. For example, my son has an elbow span of 41 inches. He needs a minimum inside width of 43 inches, which I almost overlooked. We spent 15% of what a beafy rack would cost. Now when we do go and buy the 3x3, we will know exactly what we want.
That's a great point. It's why I come down so hard on review channels that don't actually use the gear they review. It's so obvious and also completely unhelpful. There are just things you'll never know until you do them! Your example is perfect for that point!
Be aware of power rack attachment mania. When I got my T3 rack I was a little over invested in the idea of getting attachments. I wanted to get the lat pulldown attachment but it was not in stock for ages. So I eventually bought T3 Jammer Arms instead. Stupid. They are glorified plate holders 97 percent of the time. As a novice lifter they just don't get worked into my routine and I don't see a future where they do. Maybe someday. But not now. And frankly the beefy lat pulldown attachments I had my eye on seem overkill as well (thankfully I never bought that). I went with a super thrifty pulley system and pullups.
Brother you got me on the Rogue Echo Bike!!! I know the quality is there but I’ve had it 3 years and used it 20 times. I got caught up on all the people working harder than me on youtube. My new year's goal is to do a circuit 2x a week or sell it by summer. It's amazing… if you use it. Also, first time coming to your channel. Good content.
Thanks! Man, that bike is pure torture! I am working on an article now about which cardio machine burns the most calories and I've come to the conclusion that it's the one you'll actually use consistently. Good luck on your NY goal!
I agree a rack is important. I bought a Rogue RML 390C 30 in cross members. I added the safety arms to bench on the inside and squat on the outside. Also added a second pair of j cups set at pressing height. The centerpiece of my home gym
Thanks for the video, The best cardio is what you will actually use. Had a rowing machine and hated it. The treadmill is my choice for indoor cardio. I’ve made many home gym mistakes along the way. The first was a large purple Gold’s Gym multi station unit. It was ugly as sin and the “stations” were pretty worthless. 🙄
Ha! I remember those! Gold's and Weider were pretty much the only home stuff you could get for a while. Agree on the cardio piece. Treadmill is my choice too. Run, walk, incline, etc. Love the versatility. With a bad back, walking every day is super important. Not sure how my back would like a rower 😂.
@@fedguy9182 I've been looking at rowers. I have a foot injury and it makes using my sled (my current HIIT tool of choice) very painful. Same with walking or running on the tread. C2 seems to be the choice for a lot of CrossFit folks.
great video will admit i bought my airdynepro without trying . Your correct it kicks your ass . But i love a challenge i also find it a good warm up . being 45 i always try to get a sweat and find it warms up my joints good . need that type of warm up to workout and avoid injury
Ha! I'm literally shooting a video right now about things that I love but that I wouldn't buy again. Bumper plates are one of those things for me! Honestly, the best thing about bumper plates is it looks like I'm lifting a lot more weight than I actually am 😂. I'm convinced that's why everyone on Insta and YT are using them too.
Actually, for some exercises such as deadlift or hip thrust from the floor, bumper plates are useful (due to its larger size) to perform the exercise when people are not strong enough to use 45 lb plates.
So what you are saying is we should buy a Titan power rack and then put a Rogue Monster Rack name plate! That way you get the name so you can still be a fanboy without the price!
Our home gym is in our bonus room. We have carpet that we want to tear out and replace with flooring. We do have a heavy treadmill with a mat under it. Any suggestions as to what type of flooring would work? I don't want rubber type flooring. I want real flooring. We don't throw weights around either. I do fitness classes mostly and weight training.
Rubber flooring is functional, so you'll want something that has similar qualities. Some give to protect your joints and durability as well. I don't really think there is a perfect substitute, but I have seen both bamboo and cork in higher end home gyms and it looks nice.
Good advice and tips! My first purchase were several large horse stall mats from local tractor supply store to protect my garage gym flooring. Then a good set of Iron Grip USA made durmbbells and Hammer Strength adjustable bench. When I worked out in gyms, dumb belll exercises were the meat and potatoes of my workouts. Next year, I will buy power rack when I finish clearing space in the garage.
Also wanted to say a reason you might stick to one brand is for the accessibility and usability of attachments. Yes, Rogue is expensive unnecessarily, but all of the best attachments work on their 3 x 3 racks, and they seem to set the standard that other companies produce accessories for. Other companies know they need accessories to fit a Rogue rack or they're going to have a much smaller potential customer base on their hands. Because of that, I went with Rogue with an eye on having the most access to the most accessories in the future.
Great point! Luckily, the Rogue accessories fit on my Titan rack! I have Rogue safety straps, for example. Doesn't work the other way around, though, and I don't think the fit is ideal for some of the accessories. Very cool that you will have a full system that you love. One of the most fun things about doing GymCrafter is seeing just how many variations there are out there and how different people use and gravitate to different things. Thanks for the comment!
@@GymCrafter Love the videos. And I'm grateful to have found them and your channel. I may be mistaken on the power rack brand; but Coop from Garage Gym Reviews said that not all 3x3 racks are 3x3. So if you get a Titan rack and add a Rouge accessory it may fit a little loose. Is that true? Have you noticed the non-Titan attachments you put on your rack fit awkwardly?
@@dragonbattle646 Thanks! So it's not always the post size, it's the size of the holes themselves (at least in this case). The Titan holes are slightly larger than the Rogue, so Rogue stuff fits (honestly, it fits pretty well too). The other way doesn't work. Rogue holes are a tad too small to fit Titan accessories. I'm honestly not sure about other brands. Keep in mind this is for the mid sized racks. Once you get to the premium racks with 1" holes, I'm pretty sure everything fits everything, but for sure don't quote me on that one! The Rogue stuff I've tried (j-hooks, safety straps, and dip bars) all worked great. Not sure I'd try for bigger things like jammer arms, etc.
Lol, Rogue even makes accessories that don't fit some of their own racks... Beside, their accessories and products are so expensive that many times, you can get custom made racks and accessories for your rack cheaper than what Rogue is charging.
Rogue seems to offer the best variety of quality USA made gear as a complete ecosystem. Expensive but still way less than Life Fitness/Hammer Strength equipment! Iron Grip is very expensive but my favorite dumb bells.
To be honest, the reason I got the squat stand was to fill the immediate need to squat. I never planned to squat heavy like I did in a "real gym" so rack never entered my mind. Only now, I'm thinking about it as I'm outgrowing it. But I also got my money's worth out of it over the past 10+ years.
Or you don’t mind spending a bit more to get American made whenever possible. no regrets buying the RML390C and Rogue power bar. Understand the point you are making with good options though
I wish I hadn't had so many terrible experiences with Rogue. When I first went all in on a home gym, I legit thought it would be 100% Rogue. I now only have 3 Rogue products, all accessories I couldn't buy elsewhere at the time. Other than that, I just can't deal with them anymore. I'm always happy to hear from others who have had a different experience!
Seriously, I see so many of you hit you home gym video guys not being honest about why companies like Rogue, Sorinex, Grind Fitness NJ, Granite Etc are more expensive. It’s cheaper to make it in China. So, that’s an excellent reason to buy these companies. Have pride in American manufacturing
It's certainly cheaper to make things in China, but that doesn't necessarily mean it's lesser quality gear. I've had some absolutely awful and poor quality things made in the US and I've had some amazing things made in China. Some people care about the country of origin more than anything and it's awesome that there are options for those people. I'd hate to live in a world where nothing is made locally. But quite a few people don't care about that (right or wrong, it's how they feel). Each to their own. No reason to bash either side. I vote with my own $ and so does everyone else. May the best gear win!
I want one bad! No place to use it. Saving up for one with wheels that won't scratch up the community driveway I share with the other townhomes here (another guy got billed for fixing that when he had a sled). But the wheeled ones are pricey!
Sorry but you are wrong about dumbells and plates. I hold plates in my hands far more than dumbells. Bar. Bench. Plates. Rack. Cheap out on dumbells. Buy loadable for light weights. My man uses Olympic 2" loadables for 35lb to 85lb and then rubber hex for 90, 100, 110 etc. I use loadables 10-25. rubber hex 27.5lb and 30lb. This will save you alot of money.
I think a big issue is people listening to all of the influencers on RUclips. I personally believe that nobody needs 6 different power bars and one or more of each specialty bar. I see these RUclipsrs who buy everything, have $50k gyms, and they look like they don't even use the equipment. I think some people just enjoy collecting, cleaning, and showing it off rather than using it. It also doesn't help when the biggest RUclipsrs never bad mouth a product because they are affiliates. I built a high quality gym with products I know I will use. I would probably be laughed off of RUclips with what I have but I would probably kick their A*$es in most workouts.
Totally agree on this, but I understand where the influencers are coming from too. Those people's hobby is lifting. It's not just something they do to stay fit, it's how they spend their lives. In that case, I totally understand all the gear. The problem is that they only represent a small fraction of a % of the people out there. For normal folks looking to build an effective home gym, stay on budget, and hopefully improve the quality of their health and life, there isn't much content out there. And that's why I build GymCrafter. It's also why I haven't produced many videos lately. Once I figure out exactly how to get the message out to the people who actually need it, I'll start up again. Thanks for your comment, I think it's really valuable!
Your first point (in particular) is spot-on! Having never bought this kind of equipment I recently set my sights on some bench racks/squat stands (even considered a two-part like you showed) but noticed that most of them require the same space as a power rack 48" x 48"! Given that my bench is 58" long I realized I wouldn't be saving much space while losing the versatility of a power rack!
Glad that point came across, that was a big one for me too!
@@GymCrafter which is why I sold my old bench rack as it was as much space as a power cage! Now saving for a good power rack from Sorinex or Rogue Fitness.
Great stuff, Im a Rogue fanboy. I say “cry once, buy once”. My home gym has been an accumulation of 15 years buying Rogue equipment.
I bought a weider xrs 20 stand and I had it for a year and a half, it’s not terrible but I eventually had to get something better. Just go for a cheap power rack that is good quality. I bought a titan t2 short power cage last week and i LOVE it. It’s tiny but sturdy. I’m short so it works for me. It was less than 400 bucks. So worth it.
I had a cheap Nautilus bench that I sold and at least was not loss as I sold for what I paid for pretty much.
Good content. My best tip: buy a big fan, quality rubber flooring, and two of the largest dumbbells you can curl for 5 reps before you buy any other equipment. Then do burpees, push-up, squats, lunges, presses, pullovers & curls. If at the end of four weeks you're still at it, buy the rack and the bench and the bar and the plates. If you didn't stick to it, then don't buy more equipment, join PF. $10 per month for something you don't use is cheaper than $5,000 up front that you don't use.
Love this advice! Build the habit of training first and everything will flow from that.
Agreed. I have a half garage gym I love but keep my $120 a year membership to Crunch. Sometimes its hard to be motivated at home when you know there is housework to do.
@@wynnbob $120 a year for CRUNCH?? I pay like $385 for the basic package a year
I'm starting my home gym and I'm going to start out getting the machines I use the most at the gym. Even when I spend 2 hours at the gym I only end up using the same old handful of machines.
That's the key! Buy what you know you'll actually use. Now..... How do I convince you to go free weights instead of machines. 😉
What’s a brand you recommend to buy good quality dumbbells from???
I recorde an entire podcast episode about that, complete with specific recommendations: ruclips.net/video/wafxCPTtDBQ/видео.htmlsi=OWjIkQrAdzQEC9xq
Good information, especially about cardio devices which are big, expensive and usually gather dust.
So true! Thanks for checking out the video!
@@GymCrafter for me I love my Precor elliptical trainer and pool for cardio. Or kettlebell swings
bought a used xlt rack probably get stainless bar and curl rack able bar and rubber coated plates
When you first start, you don’t know what you don’t know. I’m so glad I started with a cheap rack. For example, my son has an elbow span of 41 inches. He needs a minimum inside width of 43 inches, which I almost overlooked. We spent 15% of what a beafy rack would cost. Now when we do go and buy the 3x3, we will know exactly what we want.
That's a great point. It's why I come down so hard on review channels that don't actually use the gear they review. It's so obvious and also completely unhelpful. There are just things you'll never know until you do them! Your example is perfect for that point!
Be aware of power rack attachment mania. When I got my T3 rack I was a little over invested in the idea of getting attachments. I wanted to get the lat pulldown attachment but it was not in stock for ages. So I eventually bought T3 Jammer Arms instead. Stupid. They are glorified plate holders 97 percent of the time. As a novice lifter they just don't get worked into my routine and I don't see a future where they do. Maybe someday. But not now. And frankly the beefy lat pulldown attachments I had my eye on seem overkill as well (thankfully I never bought that). I went with a super thrifty pulley system and pullups.
Brother you got me on the Rogue Echo Bike!!! I know the quality is there but I’ve had it 3 years and used it 20 times. I got caught up on all the people working harder than me on youtube. My new year's goal is to do a circuit 2x a week or sell it by summer. It's amazing… if you use it.
Also, first time coming to your channel. Good content.
Thanks! Man, that bike is pure torture! I am working on an article now about which cardio machine burns the most calories and I've come to the conclusion that it's the one you'll actually use consistently. Good luck on your NY goal!
Am really surprised your sub count is so low given the quality of the video. Very useful. Tons of wisdom. Thank you!
Thanks! I think it's because I haven't put out any content in a while. I'll be getting back to it again sooner than later.
@@GymCrafter please do. You're good at this.
Super good video, I completely agree with all the points!
Thanks!
I agree a rack is important. I bought a Rogue RML 390C 30 in cross members. I added the safety arms to bench on the inside and squat on the outside. Also added a second pair of j cups set at pressing height. The centerpiece of my home gym
Nice rack!😂
Thanks for the video, The best cardio is what you will actually use. Had a rowing machine and hated it. The treadmill is my choice for indoor cardio. I’ve made many home gym mistakes along the way. The first was a large purple Gold’s Gym multi station unit. It was ugly as sin and the “stations” were pretty worthless. 🙄
Ha! I remember those! Gold's and Weider were pretty much the only home stuff you could get for a while. Agree on the cardio piece. Treadmill is my choice too. Run, walk, incline, etc. Love the versatility. With a bad back, walking every day is super important. Not sure how my back would like a rower 😂.
love my Precor elliptical trainer and pool or walking outside for cardio.
@@GymCrafter C2 rower and C2 bike are my preferred cardio. Rower is my go to though for a quick HIIT work out that can kick my butt in short order
@@fedguy9182 I've been looking at rowers. I have a foot injury and it makes using my sled (my current HIIT tool of choice) very painful. Same with walking or running on the tread. C2 seems to be the choice for a lot of CrossFit folks.
great video will admit i bought my airdynepro without trying . Your correct it kicks your ass . But i love a challenge i also find it a good warm up . being 45 i always try to get a sweat and find it warms up my joints good . need that type of warm up to workout and avoid injury
Great use for that!
@@GymCrafter great channel just discovered it today . its interesting hearing what equipment people get and why .
bumper plates... everyone wants bumper plates but never have done any overhead drops, which is what BP were intended for... anyways great video!!!!
Ha! I'm literally shooting a video right now about things that I love but that I wouldn't buy again. Bumper plates are one of those things for me! Honestly, the best thing about bumper plates is it looks like I'm lifting a lot more weight than I actually am 😂. I'm convinced that's why everyone on Insta and YT are using them too.
Actually, for some exercises such as deadlift or hip thrust from the floor, bumper plates are useful (due to its larger size) to perform the exercise when people are not strong enough to use 45 lb plates.
Very true and great tip!
Adopt either attitude, your choice!
1. Buy once, cry once!
Or
2..In the words of Jocko Willink, 'Do what you can with what you've got!'
Agreed! Although I would say Jocko's company, Origin, falls in that first category pretty firmly. Great stuff made in the US, but kinda pricey too.
@@GymCrafter I didn't know he had a company. I do live outside the US though.
Love your videos man, glad I found you haha
Thanks, I appreciate that!
So what you are saying is we should buy a Titan power rack and then put a Rogue Monster Rack name plate! That way you get the name so you can still be a fanboy without the price!
😂I'm gonna guess there's at least one person out there who has already done that!
Great Video, buy nice or buy twice
Our home gym is in our bonus room. We have carpet that we want to tear out and replace with flooring. We do have a heavy treadmill with a mat under it. Any suggestions as to what type of flooring would work? I don't want rubber type flooring. I want real flooring. We don't throw weights around either. I do fitness classes mostly and weight training.
Rubber flooring is functional, so you'll want something that has similar qualities. Some give to protect your joints and durability as well. I don't really think there is a perfect substitute, but I have seen both bamboo and cork in higher end home gyms and it looks nice.
Solid advice
Thanks
Good advice and tips! My first purchase were several large horse stall mats from local tractor supply store to protect my garage gym flooring. Then a good set of Iron Grip USA made durmbbells and Hammer Strength adjustable bench. When I worked out in gyms, dumb belll exercises were the meat and potatoes of my workouts. Next year, I will buy power rack when I finish clearing space in the garage.
Also wanted to say a reason you might stick to one brand is for the accessibility and usability of attachments. Yes, Rogue is expensive unnecessarily, but all of the best attachments work on their 3 x 3 racks, and they seem to set the standard that other companies produce accessories for. Other companies know they need accessories to fit a Rogue rack or they're going to have a much smaller potential customer base on their hands. Because of that, I went with Rogue with an eye on having the most access to the most accessories in the future.
Great point! Luckily, the Rogue accessories fit on my Titan rack! I have Rogue safety straps, for example. Doesn't work the other way around, though, and I don't think the fit is ideal for some of the accessories. Very cool that you will have a full system that you love. One of the most fun things about doing GymCrafter is seeing just how many variations there are out there and how different people use and gravitate to different things. Thanks for the comment!
@@GymCrafter Love the videos. And I'm grateful to have found them and your channel. I may be mistaken on the power rack brand; but Coop from Garage Gym Reviews said that not all 3x3 racks are 3x3. So if you get a Titan rack and add a Rouge accessory it may fit a little loose. Is that true? Have you noticed the non-Titan attachments you put on your rack fit awkwardly?
@@dragonbattle646 Thanks! So it's not always the post size, it's the size of the holes themselves (at least in this case). The Titan holes are slightly larger than the Rogue, so Rogue stuff fits (honestly, it fits pretty well too). The other way doesn't work. Rogue holes are a tad too small to fit Titan accessories. I'm honestly not sure about other brands. Keep in mind this is for the mid sized racks. Once you get to the premium racks with 1" holes, I'm pretty sure everything fits everything, but for sure don't quote me on that one! The Rogue stuff I've tried (j-hooks, safety straps, and dip bars) all worked great. Not sure I'd try for bigger things like jammer arms, etc.
Lol, Rogue even makes accessories that don't fit some of their own racks... Beside, their accessories and products are so expensive that many times, you can get custom made racks and accessories for your rack cheaper than what Rogue is charging.
Rogue seems to offer the best variety of quality USA made gear as a complete ecosystem. Expensive but still way less than Life Fitness/Hammer Strength equipment! Iron Grip is very expensive but my favorite dumb bells.
I need to upgrade my flooring I have foam tiles right now I wanna replace it with horse stall mats I already had the tiles before I set up my gym
Yeah, those foam tiles are terrible. No one should be allowed to call them "gym flooring" at all!
@@GymCrafter yeah they were taken from a room in the house lol
To be honest, the reason I got the squat stand was to fill the immediate need to squat. I never planned to squat heavy like I did in a "real gym" so rack never entered my mind. Only now, I'm thinking about it as I'm outgrowing it. But I also got my money's worth out of it over the past 10+ years.
@@cat-le1hf yep sold it to someone just starting out
@@cat-le1hf He could sell it for peanuts and it's not a waste of money because he used it for 10 years he already got plenty of use from it.
Or you don’t mind spending a bit more to get American made whenever possible. no regrets buying the RML390C and Rogue power bar. Understand the point you are making with good options though
I wish I hadn't had so many terrible experiences with Rogue. When I first went all in on a home gym, I legit thought it would be 100% Rogue. I now only have 3 Rogue products, all accessories I couldn't buy elsewhere at the time. Other than that, I just can't deal with them anymore. I'm always happy to hear from others who have had a different experience!
Buy once cry once right? Lol
I just bought the last quality piece for my garage gym after making the mistake of buying cheaper initially.
For sure! If I had a dollar for every lesson I've had to learn the hard way!😂
Seriously, I see so many of you hit you home gym video guys not being honest about why companies like Rogue, Sorinex, Grind Fitness NJ, Granite Etc are more expensive. It’s cheaper to make it in China. So, that’s an excellent reason to buy these companies. Have pride in American manufacturing
It's certainly cheaper to make things in China, but that doesn't necessarily mean it's lesser quality gear. I've had some absolutely awful and poor quality things made in the US and I've had some amazing things made in China. Some people care about the country of origin more than anything and it's awesome that there are options for those people. I'd hate to live in a world where nothing is made locally. But quite a few people don't care about that (right or wrong, it's how they feel). Each to their own. No reason to bash either side. I vote with my own $ and so does everyone else. May the best gear win!
Yeah the bench was something I couldn't compromise on. My old bench was a piece of crap. My Body Solid has lasted 12 years with barely a blemish.
Yup! That also shows you take care of your gear, something so many people just don't do!
The unnecessary gym equipment tip was spot in. Know lots of people who bought these things and don't use them.
Lots of very expensive clothes racks out there that use to be fitness equipment for sure!
I got the best of everything when I got my gym, buy cheap buy twice is what my Mum said.
smart advice
Get a sled for cardio!
I want one bad! No place to use it. Saving up for one with wheels that won't scratch up the community driveway I share with the other townhomes here (another guy got billed for fixing that when he had a sled). But the wheeled ones are pricey!
Sorry but you are wrong about dumbells and plates. I hold plates in my hands far more than dumbells. Bar. Bench. Plates. Rack. Cheap out on dumbells. Buy loadable for light weights. My man uses Olympic 2" loadables for 35lb to 85lb and then rubber hex for 90, 100, 110 etc. I use loadables 10-25. rubber hex 27.5lb and 30lb. This will save you alot of money.
I think a big issue is people listening to all of the influencers on RUclips. I personally believe that nobody needs 6 different power bars and one or more of each specialty bar. I see these RUclipsrs who buy everything, have $50k gyms, and they look like they don't even use the equipment. I think some people just enjoy collecting, cleaning, and showing it off rather than using it. It also doesn't help when the biggest RUclipsrs never bad mouth a product because they are affiliates. I built a high quality gym with products I know I will use. I would probably be laughed off of RUclips with what I have but I would probably kick their A*$es in most workouts.
Totally agree on this, but I understand where the influencers are coming from too. Those people's hobby is lifting. It's not just something they do to stay fit, it's how they spend their lives. In that case, I totally understand all the gear. The problem is that they only represent a small fraction of a % of the people out there. For normal folks looking to build an effective home gym, stay on budget, and hopefully improve the quality of their health and life, there isn't much content out there. And that's why I build GymCrafter. It's also why I haven't produced many videos lately. Once I figure out exactly how to get the message out to the people who actually need it, I'll start up again. Thanks for your comment, I think it's really valuable!