I have been working out in my garage for the past 3 years. My current lifestyle and life situations have really limited my time available for hitting the gym. Having a home gym set up in my garage is very convenient and I have come to enjoy training ...
I have been working out in my garage for the past 3 years. My current lifestyle and life situations have really limited my time available for hitting the gym. Having a home gym set up in my garage is very convenient and I have come to enjoy training at home even more than going to a public gym. I figure there might be other people out there like me, whose life situations don't allow them to make it to the gym as often as they'd like to. There are also other people like my brother Luke who live 30 miles or more from the closest gym. In these instances it is very beneficial to have a home gym.
One piece of equipment that I would highly recommend in setting up your home gym is a power rack. Racks come in many different brands, features, attachments, and prices. This article/video review is just a small attempt to focus on some key features of power racks to help in setting up a home gym.
The power rack that I have, and have been using for the past 3 years is from PowerTec (similar to the PowerTec WB-PR11). I am not so sure they make this exact version anymore, however the main thing to take away from this article is just the key points to look for in finding a power rack that is right for you.
A few nice features of the PowerTec rack that I have include:
Simple rack, yet very sturdy (rated for 1,000 lbs) Safety bars and Rack Pins are easily adjustable Dip Handles are easily adjustable and very sturdy Rack has appropriate width (44.5in.) and depth (24.5in) Rack was easy to assemble PowerTec has many available attachments i can add (pulley system, leg attachments, dips, etc.)
Overall the PowerTec rack has been great for me. One of the only downfalls I find with it is the pullup bar. I would prefer that it be a little wider, and be a solid bar all the way across the middle. Other than that, this is a great rack.
If you find a rack you want, you will also be in need of a bench. The bench I have is from BodyCraft. This bench is perfect for my home gym.
Highlights of my bench include:
Adjusts to full incline position Adjust to decline position Very sturdy, and locks securely into position (rated for over 700lbs) varitey of attachments available (preacher curl, leg attachment)
In review, a few things to keep in mind when going to purchase a Power Rack and/or Weight Bench:
How many pounds is each item rated for? Is it going to be enough for when you turn into a beast and start squatting 500 lbs? Are the safety bars easily adjustable? Is there a variety of attachments available, and can you purchase them separately if you want to? Is the rack wide and deep enough? I measured from inside post to inside post and 44.5 inches wide and 24.5 inches deep seems to be fine. Does the rack have an adequate pullup bar for your needs? Can the weight bench adjust to incline, decline, and does it lock securely in place?
These are some of the main things to keep in mind when searching for home equipment. There are obviously other factors and determinants that will come into play when selecting what is right for you such as price, space available, etc.
When it comes to price, you need to remember you will not be paying for a gym membership, and the equipment you purchase will always have value. Weights and equipment does not lose its value as fast as other items. If you are serious about setting up your home gym, be prepared to throw down around $1,000 for new equipment (rack, bench, free weights), and $500-$750 for used equipment.
