This is a post I have been meaning to do for a while, and it was mainly inspired by my readers. I just want to keep you guys up to date on how a garage gym that is 90% DIY projects is holding up, and show that I still maintain some very effective training with very minimal equipment.
First, I would like to thank all of you who have sent in email requests for specific DIY projects! I have added them to the list…except the DIY rower…I’ve seen it done lol, but some things are better off being purchased. Anyone out there that has a suggestion just email it to jerred@endofthreefitness.com. I haven’t posted a DIY in awhile mainly because I am getting some high quality training in with what I already have. However, I am jumping on the DIY train again very soon, so stay tuned.
Be sure to scroll down to the new Garage Gym Addition!! GHD 🙂
Parallettes
- Frequency of use: Weekly
- Durability: Extremely durable
- Issues: No real issues. Parallettes can slide on smooth garage floor concrete depending on how you set them up, but I haven’t run into that being an issue while working out.
- Maintenance: None
- My honest opinion: I can’t see needing to replace these for a long, long time. A very simple project that can be used for a lot of different things. PVC is much stronger than you would think.
Power Rack
- Frequency of use: Daily; either squats, pull-ups, or when using my rings.
- Durability: Durable
- Issues: I used very small screws to secure my power rack to the wall. After about a year of use the screws form the wall started to loosen a little bit. Instead of waiting for them to pull out of the wall I moved the power rack a few feet over to some different studs in the wall. Other than the power rack being secured to the wall I have had zero problems with the rack itself.
- Maintenance: I tighten down the bolts and check it out pretty thoroughly every 4-5 months. Minimal maintenance.
- My honest opinion: This power rack is a sensitive subject for me. Mainly because of the critics. I have had a lot of people say they wouldn’t trust it and add their two cents for how to make it better, which is fine. But I recently got in a semi-squabble with a dude at the CrossFit forums who said “he wouldn’t trust his life to some 2×4’s“. According to his stats, I squat about 150lbs. more than he does and he was trying to tell me how dangerous it was. I don’t want get into a whole thing here, but here is the bottom line. I have had 405lbs. on the rack and had no problems. I have never had to do a serious bail either. Maybe because I am a little more intelligent than the dude who fears for his life. I don’t lift more than I can handle and when the weights get very serious I get a spotter…It’s that simple. I can see this thing lasting for 5+ years. It would technically last forever, but I probably won’t be on a budget forever 🙂
Weight Rack
- Frequency of use: Daily
- Durability: Durable, just don’t step on any of the boards.
- Issues: None
- Maintenance: None
- My honest opinion: Cheapest most effective way to rack your weights.
Rings
- Frequency of use: Weekly
- Durability: Extremely durable
- Issues: Can get a little slippery if sweating a lot but nothing chalk won’t fix. You have the same problems with normal rings.
- Maintenance: None
- My honest opinion: I love these rings! I know in the DIY instructions I said the liquid nails are optional, but I would highly recommend doing that step. These rings are very strong and durable. I have used Rogue rings a lot and here is my comparison. These are thicker than Rouges rings and heavier. Grip really isn’t a problem and they won’t tear up your hands. No problems at all and I see them lasting a long time.
Plyometric Box
- Frequency of use: Weekly, almost daily because of the reverse hyper and GHD variations.
- Durability: Extremely durable
- Issues: None
- Maintenance: None
- My honest opinion: Best project ever and a must for the garage gym!! I have used this for a lot of different things. I have had 100’s of pounds on it, and used it for pushing and dragging and no problems. I also use it for GHD sit-ups and reverse hypers and still no problems.
Wall Ball/Medicine Ball
- Frequency of use: Every other week maybe…
- Durability: Durable
- Issues: None
- Maintenance: None
- My honest opinion: I haven’t had any leaking or problems with my wall ball. I could see the patch maybe ripping off at some point, but it still wouldn’t leak because I used salt pellets. In which case I would just patch it up. I just can’t justify buying an actual wall ball.
Tire & Reverse Hyper AND…GHD!
- Frequency of use: Weekly
- Durability: Indestructible
- Issues: None
- Maintenance: None
- My honest opinion: This is garage gym ingenuity at its finest. I really like this setup until I get the more expensive options…if I ever do.
Garage Gym Addition!!
This is kind of funny to me, but this is how I do GHD sit-ups. To do GHD sit-ups I use my power rack, barbell, plates, squat/bench stands, my bench, exercise ball, tire, and plyometric box. Put the butt/back on the ball and place your feet on the bench. The bar keeps your feet locked in place, just make sure you use enough weight! I know of the other options out there, but I like this one. A little precarious but it works great! (Use at your own risk!)
Squat and Bench Stand
- Frequency of use: Daily
- Durability: Very durable
- Issues: A little wobbly, but in all honesty that hasn’t proven to be a problem a single time. Not a hug fan of using it for bench. You cannot slam the weight back against the wood. You have to make sure it is controlled. But if you get directly under it, it is much less of a problem.
- Maintenance: I put a metal bracket around on of the tops to prevent cracks. But it hasn’t cracked. Just good to know you have options out there if you are concerned.
- My honest opinion: I love these things. I use them for just about everything. Squats, shoulder press, and bench. Will survive the apocalypse.