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Other/Mixed Home gym recommendations.

Other strength modalities (e.g., Clubs), mixed strength modalities (e.g., combined kettlebell and barbell), other goals (flexibility)
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Aidan14389

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I am moving to a house with a small garage that I can outfit as a home gym and am looking for equipment recommendations. I have plenty of kettlebells so that is not an issue.

I am likely to get a barbell, bumper plates, and a pull-up bar. Any recommendations on those would be appreciated.

The biggest recommendation I need is for flooring. I do a lot of crawling and OS stuff so I’d like something that is forgiving on my knees and can stand up to the weights. Any recommendations?
 
I have a Bells of Steel Yoke that I use as a rack and I love it. A nice half or full rack would be nice, but I can do (almost) everything with my yoke that can be done with one of those and I can use it for carries/sled and it doesn't have to be bolted down.

For flooring, I have 10' x 10' of these mats in 3/4" inch and I love them especially for the price: Amazon product ASIN B074DTG2CB
They work really well for stretching, crawling, TGU's, but they are a bit too squishy for max barbells lifts so I also have a 6' x 8' section of horse stall mats that I use my barbells and kettlebells on.
 
I am moving to a house with a small garage that I can outfit as a home gym and am looking for equipment recommendations. I have plenty of kettlebells so that is not an issue.

I am likely to get a barbell, bumper plates, and a pull-up bar. Any recommendations on those would be appreciated.

The biggest recommendation I need is for flooring. I do a lot of crawling and OS stuff so I’d like something that is forgiving on my knees and can stand up to the weights. Any recommendations?

What's your budget?

Top tier bumpers and barbells can get pricey.

And what are your training objectives?

My answer would be different if you're planning to compete in a barbell sport vs not.

Horse stall mats are good floor if you don't need to make a lifting platform.
 
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Budget is not an issue, though I’m not that dedicated to barbell lifting so I’m not willing to go crazy on those items, but I want something good.

My primary goal is to stay in shape for Bjj. To do that I am targeting a 1/2 bodyweight kb press, which is a bit far off, and a 2x bodyweight deadlift, to which I’m quite close.
 
Haha. I’ll go nay on that one.

;)

But I would spend the extra money to get an all-stainless steel bar, even if it's just a bushing-based power bar like the SS Ohio Power Bar:


They feel as good as raw steel and the rust resistance is worth it.

Adding the stainless sleeves bumps it up to $485.

It will likely last a decade or more.
 
;)

But I would spend the extra money to get an all-stainless steel bar, even if it's just a bushing-based power bar like the SS Ohio Power Bar:


They feel as good as raw steel and the rust resistance is worth it.

Adding the stainless sleeves bumps it up to $485.

It will likely last a decade or more.
I think that depends where you live if it's worth it. Where I live in California, I have bare steel tools and such in my garage that have been left out and for over a decade without even minimum surface rust.
 
I am moving to a house with a small garage that I can outfit as a home gym and am looking for equipment recommendations. I have plenty of kettlebells so that is not an issue.

I am likely to get a barbell, bumper plates, and a pull-up bar. Any recommendations on those would be appreciated.

The biggest recommendation I need is for flooring. I do a lot of crawling and OS stuff so I’d like something that is forgiving on my knees and can stand up to the weights. Any recommendations?
Go to a farm supply store and get a few horse stall mats. They are near unbreakable and don't cost a ton.
 
I bought a relatively cheap power rack by Body Solid almost ten years ago. It’s always been worth the investment to have when I’m doing any cycles involving barbells. This is the current version of the one I have. I bought a dip bar and it has a pull up bar, and it’s pretty small. I’m close to outgrowing it now, so might finally upgrade it but it’s more than served it’s purpose.

Stronglifts 5x5 has a pretty comprehensive list of good, cheap lifting equipment, worth checking out.

The only thing I would have done differently was buy bumper plates instead of iron, it’s worth the investment to help protect your floor and for being able to do things like power cleans or other floor work when you’re not lifting 135+ all the time. Fringe Sport is a pretty affordable brand with a wide variety of sets you can find on Amazon, and great quality.
 
Leave them outside for a couple days and they should be fine. The rubber smell will fade with time but a well-ventilated place at first is recommended. Usually they come in 4x6 or 3x4 sizes.

Mine were 4 x 8, actually.
 
The funny thing about garage gyms is that half of people I know who start off with intent of being minimalist, end up having all sorts of esoteric tools 3-5 years later.

That includes me.

I mean, I've got a rackable EZ curl bar, for example.
 
Oh, and the other half who started minimalist and *didn't* buy more gear ended up not using their garage gyms for more than a clothes drying rack 3 years later. ;)
 
You need a rackable trap bar.

Already have.

 
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