Gym/workouts

I used 3/4” stall mats from tractor supply. Best and cheapest gym flooring there is.

 

A 4x6ft horse stall mat is $150+ here in Canuckistan. Some of my American friends tell me they've paid as low as $50 Freedom Bucks for a 4x8ft mat at Tractor Supply Co.

 

Yeah they do. Though your traditional barn mat will be just black. There are tons of manufacturers and the more pricy versions you can choose colored specks like from Rogue.
I have these https://northwestrubber.com/redbarn/products/equine/stalls/
The “max” ones. Buttons down so my top surface is smooth.
I would Google or CL horse stall mats in your area. I have about 4 or 5 gym vendors that sold different brands and some had like blue or red speck. But I wanted to save some money so I just got these.
I want to say they were like $50 a piece and I think I have 12 of them.

No matter which ones you get a little moving tip..roll them up length wise. You will be able to pick one up at a time and carry them under your arm. Trying to carry them flat or drag them is a huge PITA as they way 97 pounds a piece. They do sell grips for moving them but you won’t need them if you roll them up.

 

No I actually lay all the mats out then tape them at the edges sticky side down.

 

Indoor!! Nice. You will be surprised what you can get in a small space if you do some planning. Mine is only on a 16x12 floor..however, I do have a bunch of stuff stored off that floor in the rest of the garage.
If you were going to get a power rack that looks like a prime candidate for a wall mounted foldable one.

Congrats though on the new place!

 

Not wasting any time! Looking Good. Cant wait to see the "finished product"

 

Unless you already have one I highly suggest staying away from a Smith machine and just getting a quality power rack. Much more versatile with the option of manny useful attachments.

 

Or when you go to do chest on a Monday and all these idiots sitting on the benches with 135, some gloves and they are on their phone.....





Oh wait that never happens with a home gym. Your almost there!!!

 

I dont miss that gym bro stuff at all haha, I love having my own gym

 

Yes...

 

Garage/basement/home gyms have really taken off in the last 5 years or so. Not that it was unheard of 10+ years ago, but they seem to be commonplace now. I used to do CrossFit at an affiliate. Now I just train in my garage, and do a mix of CF and powerlifting. I have a power rack, wall-mounted pull up bar, two very nice barbells (Wright Equipment cerakote, and a GetRX’d chrome) about 800lbs of plates (mostly bumpers), an Airdyne, a Stamina ATS rower, some kettlebells, a plyo box, and a few other things I’ve gathered over the years. The cost of everything is less than what I’d pay in 2yrs of standard gym fees (or just 1yr of CF fees). And I’ve been at it for 4 years now, so I’ve already gotten my ROI. Every year from here on out is a bonus, and most of my equipment will last longer than I will. Not having to wait for the clowns curling in the squat rack at the globo-gym is priceless. Plus I can blast my own music and workout whenever I want. Garage gyms are the best!

If you haven’t already, check out garagegymreviews.com. They review all kinds of equipment, have a DIY section (I built my own reverse hyper using their tutorial), and they have a FB group for any of you social media enthusiasts.

 

Coop is the man! Bought a bunch of equipment off his reviews...and didn’t buy some as well.

I have always wondered about that DIY reverse hyper. I have the Rogue GHD and want to add a reverse hyper to help with lower back rehab. I also wouldn’t mind adding a squat max md to the mix as well. I have thought about selling my GHD and buying that Rogue combo unit but unless it’s on Black Friday special it’s just not going to happen.

 

That Titan GHD/Reverse Hyper combo might be worth looking into. I’ve also seen a DIY reverse hyper that basically sits across the spotter arms on your power rack. If I had it to do over again, that’s probably the route I’d go since it would take up less space. I love my reverse hyper though, especially after heavy deads. I can feel the decompression immediately. Here’s a pic. I just put an abmat on it and crank em out.

 

Yeah I have seen the Titan one too. I would have to look more into the Titan one before purchasing it. I seem to remember there was something about the pendulum that wasn’t quite right. Now I could be wrong about that but if I’m going to buy something that helps with rehabilitation I want it to be correct.

For now for decompression or traction I use the Spud Inc Big Ray strap. That thing is freaking awesome. Only need to use it for a couple minutes and i am normally good.

 

Anyone have personal experience with Titan brand? They make some reasonably priced equipment.

 

Titan is quality budget stuff. PRX just dropped a reverse hyper GHD combo but it ain’t cheap. Love the homemade hyper

My setup I just finished last fall... right before I ruptured a disc ‍♂️

 

I only personally have 3 plyo box’s and their DL jack. All of this stuff has been great.

They had an issue about a year and a half ago with J Cups breaking. It was the same time I almost bought their power rack. That turned me away from them from a while.

They are basically in business to copy Rogue and now Chris Duffin(Duffalo Bar) and make the stuff cheaper in China. With that being said I think that most of their stuff would be 100% safe to purchase. But be aware at what you are going budget on.

I bought budget Chinese steel plates and bumpers locally...well in the PNW at least. The bumpers are fine. The steel plates suck ass. I was able to get them close enough to matched sets and have them specifically placed in order to keep bar weight equal on both sides as well as close to target weight in general. But I had to weigh all 13 of them to get there. Only bought 12 but had an oddball 45 that was 6 pounds heavier so they gave me a replacement for free.The holes are not as closely casted as others and are not smooth. They messed up my Rogue Power bar sleeves. Just the finish so I’m not to pissed as wear will happen.

 

I’ll just echo what @Juanjoolio007 said. Pretty much spot on. I’ve been eyeing Titan’s safety squat bar for a while. It’s a copy of EliteFTS’s SSB, but much cheaper.

 

That EliteFTS SSB is Awesome!! I have the Rogue. I used the 5k ships free thing which is why I have so much Rogue stuff. I almost ordered that one. My PL coach trained clients in a few different gyms up here. Everyone of them has the Elite bar.

If money was no option I would buy Chris Duffins Transformer bar first. Then either the EFTS or Rogue as a very close second. If I ever need or want a new DL bar it will be his as well. I got to pull on the prototype last year at a DL only event. Oh my gawd was that thing sweet!!

 

OLY Lifters

When you havent lifted heavy in a while and can barely clean 225

 

Ok guys...and/or girls I am thinking about changing training styles again. Long story short I have been doing Powerlifting programs for the last two years. 5th Set for the first 6ish months and professional coaching for about 18 months. For the last year(almost) have been mixing various amounts of Crossfit into it via Street Parking programming. Now let me say that there is nothing wrong with SP. I really like everything they offer. One of their extra programs is the Starting Strength program. I am running that 3 days a week and doing 3 or 4 days of CF and sometimes 2 a days as I am helping a few guys I work with getting started. I like that program minus two of the main lifts the Power Clean and the Press. I SUCK at the Press. It basically looks like I'm getting hit by a car from the back. Power Clean isn't that bad I'm just not a big oly fan yet.

So with that said I am thinking about going back to regular old body building... at least for a while. Might change my mind again in a few months...its happened before . I know there are like thousands of splits. So what are some of you using. My goals for this possible change are to stay as close to current max's as possible, perform the DL and squat with PL mechanics like no touch n go deadlifts...thats not a DEADlift anyway and no quarter squats...I'd have to throw myself out of my own gym. Being as that we went from a mild summer to winter over night here cardio will be 1-3 days a week inside and consist of rowing or the air bike.

 

@T-Rex266 @15Yota

 

I do a similar mix of CF/power lifting. Although for me it’s more powerlifting these days. I get 3-4 days a week of lifting, and 1 or 2 days where I do a CF workout (I loosely follow Linchpin programming as I have become disillusioned w/ mainsite programming).

It works for me and I am set in my ways (almost 40yrs old). So I’m not changing, but after all I’ve been through in my fitness journey, I have a newfound respect for bodybuilding. The bulking/cutting phase and all the iso work they do takes tremendous discipline. I just want to squat and deadlift, or hit a quick metcon and be done for the day. I love power cleans and snatches, so the oly side of CF appeals to me.

I get what you’re saying about touch and go DLs. IMO, as long as you’re not bouncing them off the ground, and you’re keeping perfect form, touch and go is ok. I actually think they can help with form if done correctly.

I’m right there with you on the cold garage days. I’m going to try to make a DIY fan guard for my airdyne, so during the winter I don’t get icicles in my beard while I’m trying to warm up! Luckily we still have another few months before it gets cold down here in Bama! It was 103 yesterday!

 

If I don't switch back to BB then I may change my PL/CF up to a more manageable schedule like you are. I liked(still do) 5th Set for a PL program and if I had the extra money/time would go back to my previous coach as it was a great freaking program. But with my schedule I can't/ don't have the time to drive to his gym 45-60 minutes away to train 1-2 times a week. I also don't really want to do online only either.

My issue with Squat and DL in CF is that it almost forces me to throw away form and/or posture...notice I said with ME. Street Parking tries to push form but I am getting older and slower so if I try to make my lifts faster then something tends to give. I started this Starting Strength program to do two things: Start a linear program that would allow me to work on posture and getting rid of my horrible APT and also start working with a lower weight bench while wearing my Bowtie to enforce better shoulder stability. In 4 weeks I have accomplished both. I am continuing this program till I fail a lift as it was designed. Then I may make the switch to BB or just adjust my starting weights and start the current program again.

I guess I forgot about the other hybrid style Powerbuilder. That was more like what I was doing when I first started 5th Set. On non power days I did arms or back or cardio.

103 Yesterday!!! Damn. We went from mid 70's to low 50's in like a weekend. I almost bought a heater at Costco yesterday.