I'm probably one of the rare cases where I never had a gym membership and decided to build a home gym and actually use it. If anyone reading this is in the same position I was in, do some bodyweight workouts at home for a while just to see if you can stick with an exercise routine before buying big gym equipment

@toby9999

3 ай бұрын

Yeah, sticking with it is the toughest thing. I've failed multiple times and I'm still failling. Gym work is just so soul destroyingly boring.

@greglabar9017

3 ай бұрын

Same, I am antisocial haha

@ryanhkimmel

3 ай бұрын

bodyweight workouts to get started is great advice! I did the same before I bought my dumbbells and a bench!

@tiitjuhei

3 ай бұрын

Pull-up bar, wooden rings and calisthenics workout plan is everything you need to get started and thats not even bad idea to use only those things for the rest of your life. So not only beginners equipment but for advanceds also.

@tiitjuhei

3 ай бұрын

As i have home gym also i can suggest getting only squat rack and barbell and weights and bench. So you can buy second hand rack and if you dont like home gym anymore, can sell it probably for same price. And my gym is in 3x4m room so not much space needed also.

Quality squat rack, quality barbell and middle of the road plates and that is pretty much 80% of home gym. No need to overthink it

@bigger62265

3 ай бұрын

I agree. It def helps to have been in and around commercial gyms for decades so you can really know what you will utilize, not just what you "think" you want. Getting equipment that will last is important but NOT overspending on names that carry price above their value.

@gsquared2394

3 ай бұрын

The $300 barbell I bought was my best ever purchase. It’s awesome. Plates are meh, rack is good enough

@GuitarsAndSynths

2 ай бұрын

same here the Rogue Ohio barbell and Rogue Trapbar are super awesome! Also bought a bunch of horsestall mats@@gsquared2394

@edwardlimoges5709

Ай бұрын

Certainly a strong start

@georgemacdonald8667

Ай бұрын

I would add a bench. My first "real" fitness purchase was a stupidly expensive Legend commercial bench. Haven't ever regretted it.

During covid when I gained a lot of weight I bought power blocks and started 30min 3days/week amongst walking more and eating better and lost 20lbs. Then I wanted to try lifting heavy that's where i found this channel! I added stall mats, that $200 rack, a Rogue boneyard bar, and the Walmart everyday bumper plates. All just under $1k and I've used it pretty consistently for over a year doing a 4 day upper/lower split. It's basic but super nice to have living in the middle of nowhere! There's no way I would have drove to a gym so since it's in the garage I actually workout regularly now.

@_syzz

3 ай бұрын

What rack did you buy?

@claytonlister25

Ай бұрын

Love it. I started going to the gym early 2020, but when covid hit I built a squat rack with pull up bar, flat bench and safety bars out of wood because it's all I could afford. Bought a used bar and plates right as prices started going up. I can't imagine going to a commercial gym, but I love the solitude and peace of working out at home. My whole setup was around 450. It's been one of the best investments of my life.

@user-nt3zd7yc2h

Ай бұрын

@@claytonlister25How much weight have you done for squat and bench are they strong enough?

I LOVE that you continue to stay on top of this subject.

Built my budget home gym based mostly on the advice on these videos. Lots of great advice - thanks!

CONSIDER YOUR SLANT!!!!! Most garages are not poured level and will slant toward the garage door.. Made the huge mistake of mounting the rig on the slanted wall, so when I would squat, one foot was lower than the other. Over time, at heavy weight, it started causing hip issues. Removed the rig, put the pull up bar on the ceiling and switched to individual squat stands. Saved a ton of space since I can move the stands completely out into the driveway if I dont need them, and I can squat with the slant to avoid hip issues.

@TrevionHill

Ай бұрын

Found this out one squat session in. This will def save some hips and knees

It's pretty crazy to see how good the quality of these videos have gotten over the years. Besides my power rack, I've never purchased a new piece of equipment before first checking for your review -- it's been a mandatory part of my screening process since 2019 lol

I agree. Get a home gym equipment buy what you can afford. Most important , use it.

I started a home gym BECAUSE I never went to a gym and I couldn’t be happier. I’m working out all the time now. I totally understand the point but for some starting the home gym is the catalyst to getting going. Thanks for your channel, it’s been a tremendous help to me

@peterfconley

2 ай бұрын

You are a rare breed. Mad respect 💪

I’ve been training for a little over 60 years , training in home gyms and pro gyms such as the original Golds in Venice Beach. In my opinion Coop is 100% correct on everything. The only thing I’ve ever missed about pro gyms is the array of equipment and the competition along with the socialization. Over a period of time I have everything and miss nothing about a pro gym . No more driving 25 miles one way and membership fees. Great job Coop🤙

@djsullivan7503

3 ай бұрын

Same here-60 years using a home gym. None of the info here was around back in the day -use him!👍

@atlmikex

Ай бұрын

😢😢

@benjamin3615

Ай бұрын

The socialization part is long dead in public gyms. Everyone comes in with earphones or headphones on, listening to music and tuning everyone out. Now you're the bad guy if you talk to someone or look in a pretty woman's general direction.

Coop, you need to do more leg extension/lying leg curl reviews. Things like the ironmaster bench leg curl attachment, the body-solid glce365 leg extension/curl, and prime fitness leg curl/leg extension. Keep up the great work!

Agree 100% with you. I think the biggest one is using your home gym. My wife and I started very small and basic to make sure we would use our garage gym before spending $$$.

I bought almost everything in my home gym 2nd hand and it's saved me a lot of money/enabled me to have really solid equipment that i couldn't have afforded otherwise. Also, DIY has helped a lot too. I have DIY cable pulley systems that really make a difference when I'm on a hypertrophy program.

Got my home gym stacked for the year already .. YEAH BUDDY!

The flooring is such a good point. I waited way too long to put down stall mats. It really does make the space so much better.

@GuitarsAndSynths

2 ай бұрын

I bought a bunch from tractor supply for cheap and plate storage and dumbbell rack.

Some great advice in there! Our basement home gym is a mostly equipment that I found on FB and CL, adding to it when needed. Over the course of a 1.5 years we had built a pretty legit home gym. Now we didn't do the flooring (it's a carpeted room), but that's next and yes we'll have to move everything out and back in. Next purchase is the lat pulldown and row machine reviewed last week.

I started with a $50 squat stand from Amazon, a cerakote barbell, and bumper plates and bands. Now I have a rig with cable attachments for multiple muscle groups, and multiple sets of plates and more barbells, but some of my best workouts were with that cheapo squat stand and barbell. Great video.

Man Coop, u LegendFace! Keep droppin those knowledge bombs!

I live in a pretty small one bedroom apartment. For Christmas, we got a bonus at the job and I was finally able to get a Prx Performance Fold In (Murphy) rack. I'm finally able to have some workouts from home. Much happy with it so far.

I've listened to his advice 7 years ago. And have not regretted any of the choices. From treadmill advice, rack, horse stall matts, bench, adjustable dumbbells, etc. Thank you so much for all of your advice. "Buy now, cry now" go for it, you will not regret it.

A great video that should have been made years ago! I made most of those mistakes! One thing to add, and this is super important: Get agreement with your SO about the home gym space. How far can you go with it? My wife and I agreed that I could do whatever I want with the backyard for a home gym and she'd support it. If I didn't secure that commitment ahead of time, then all the various expansions over the years (I now have 12 ft uprights w/ rope climb and 12x20 ft platform w/ stall mats) would have caused a ton of avoidable friction. I love my home gym!

great episode. best one in a while TBH. all great stuff.

Building a home gym is like bulding a gaming PC. U dont need the creme de le creme u need mid tier and then over time u buy one part at a time to get to the creme de le creme

I’m glad I watched this. There were several things I didn’t think of. I’m in the beginning stages of wrapping my head around what I do and don’t want/need.

Can you do a “top 10 essential attachment” for power racks please!!! Also stair climber/ stepper reviews?

@GarageGymReviews

3 ай бұрын

Yep and yep! - Coop

@pau1rose

2 ай бұрын

Plate storage. Monolift arms, if you bench alone, or often. Dip bar.

Appreciate the insulation plug for my gym!! 3:24! Great tips!

Good stuff. Thanks Coop!

Good advice, esp the floor. If you're just starting out you should just get adjustable dumbbells, pullup bar, bench and an EZ curl bar, if your expanding - adjustable duel cable machine/smith machine... attachments for everything, including leg press.. good to go

This is great advice. I started with my wife’s weights and a tv for her workout service. We added horse stall mats mats, I just recently got some adjustable dumbbells and a bench. Can’t wait to continue my my home gym journey!

Great tips. Definitely get horse stall mats. They are durable and can take a beating. Also get them during black Friday since they will be cheaper. You also don't need every single piece of gym equipment. Just buy equipment for your goals/needs and you will be happy.

Really good video thanks man 💪🏼

I'm glad that most of the guide Art of Manliness we used years ago helped dodge most of these for a budget home gym (rep rack, bos bar), but oh boy, they did not cover flooring to the best of my memory and we just gave away the cheap foam interlocking tiles we bought from amazon so they can be someone else's problem. We're re doing the the basement room the gym was living in, apparently there was a crack in the foundation that was already patched by prior owners (poorly), so new flooring has to go in anyway. Glad to see some recs.

I’ve had a home gym for about three gyms now and i’ve stayed consistent in my powerlifting journey with the basics: rack, bars, plates, dumbbells, flat bench plus a few attachments. I really want to get my hands on a Reverse hyper GHD combo next and then a cable tower and i’ll be set!

If you get the Westside Barbell reverse hyper from Rogue it works great for a home gym. Folds nicely in the corner when not in use.

Thanks for an another great video and also thanks for the pop up displays now I will be prepared for Athens.

This was really good! Thank you.

Great tips coop!

I went with a mix of titan fitness / rep fitness for equipment. Functional trainer, power rack, benches, olympic rings, etc. Been several years and all their products have worked very well for me and I practically use my home gym every day.

@Fan-td8dv

3 ай бұрын

I bought a titan rack during the pandemic and want a new one but can't justify it,

@musicman7297

3 ай бұрын

Sure you do.

Horse stall mats were amazing and I would've never thought about that 😂

Patiently waiting on the Rep wall mounted Athena review!!!

@leehamsterg

3 ай бұрын

Yes this seems like a lynchpin to planning a small home gym. Need to see a review. E.g. can someone spot your bench in there?

I have a shed. I got a rack, bar, some plates, bench, DBs, I added some diy cable stuff and got a sled as luxury and then found a free treadmill online. Its not crazy but I can pretty much do all my favorite exercises.

Hey coop! I picked up the titan leverage squat and omg it’s the best standing shoulder press / Tricep extension piece in addition to an awesome squat/calf raise. Huge versatility and smallish footprint with extra plate storage!

LOVED THIS VID OMG❤

True bro,I made a mistake with my one during covid Most of my tiles were completely damaged

I started with a pull-up station where I could do pull ups , dips , pushups and leg raises. Did that for 4 months , added a rower , then good adjustable barbells. Added some accessories like med balls , plyobox , bands. Then got a bench. Finally after almost a year I added a squat rack , barbell and plates. Couldn’t be happier. I still go go my commercial gym sometimes because I love the community there , but it’s so nice to have it at home. I say I’m 70% at home and I workout 6 days a week. Great advice in this video , I’m quite pleased I did it right on my own but I did and still do have a personal trainer so I had guidance there.

At the time I bought my rogue monster rack after finding your channel, the Athena and Aries trainers hadn’t come out, I wish I had gone the rep route but hindsight is 20/20 and I still love my rogue rack it’s amazing, and for flooring 10000% go with horse stall mats it’s the best thing I did for my gym

Nice Timing. This came in as I’m re-energizing my plans for my garage gym. I have a 2-car garage space that I am cleaning and going to begin construction in a couple months (flooring, insulation, joists, ¾” plywood, etc.) I believe this year I’ll be aiming to be ready to buy gym equipment by Black Friday…hopefully they have decent deals this year. My gym routine focuses on squats, deadlift, bench, barbell rows, pull ups, Lat pull downs, cable rows, and ancillary rope exercises - so I know I want a good rack and good cable machine option. I just on the ropes and I’m not sure if it’ll be good to go with a combo system like 6 post Rep Athena or another Rep variation or invest in the PRX fold in to save space and find a dedicated cable machine. I’m starting to look to bounce ideas around if there’s any good resources. Most of my knowledge and prep has to come from all the GGR videos I've watched over the years. I’m not sure if I’ll be able to cancel my gym membership right off the bat, it really depends on how creative I can be with the lack of all the ancillary exercise equipment, but this will make it more flexible when getting to the gym is a challenge.

Very practical advice.

Amazing video

I started my home gym while I was still playing professionally and I still didn’t buy everything new. I hit garage sales, Craigslist (most of my gear), and made some items at home. I still have my 1st plywood barbell storage box, home made plyo box and I even made my own half rack from 3x3 steel I bought from my local ironworks supplier, just bought rogues j hooks and spotter arms. There’s so many way people can get started and still have a quality setup. Also ensure as Coop said it’s worth it start with a gym membership and ensure you’re consistent before you start dropping G’s on equipment that becomes storage units.

part of the process is learning what works for your needs, your space, and what you value as an individual

I love this. I have a home gym and yeah I do use it . but I do also go to a gym. mainly because there's better equipment and more weights. but it's nice to have gear at home when you can't make it to the gym or if your really not feeling going that day and maintaining what you work hard for. my advice is similar by basic stuff that you know you can use alot

I just got my barbell and some plates. Using it!!! Gonna buy my rack next month. Gonna follow this advice.

I remember when I bought a basic incline bench. It broke when I was in the process of benching. Thankfully I invested in some spotter that caught the weight. Now I have the fitness reality bench. It got the support and it tall people friendly

Look and wait for deals. Best advice ever

Couldn't agree more on flooring and a nice barbell. Got my rogue ohio bar when i never even lifted weights and 3+ years in its one of my favorite things in my gym. Bought a crappy bar for super setting and i only use it in the landmine.

Got good interlocking tile 3/8th” floor, Powerblock exp 90lbs, home made db stand, pull up bar, true treadmill. Working on finish my base,ent walls now. Looking to piece in a folding rack some day. I can do all my Bodi workouts for now.

So glad you mentioned #10! I sent $5k on my garage gym hope that I would get stronger through osmosis.

It's good that I'm watching this and I haven't made any of the mistakes. I feel like I spent money on the right things and built up as I needed to.

I'm French and started a home gym during covid, bought cheap chinese barbell and bumper, a polish rack and trained on my balcony. Then moved to a house and slowly upgraded, mostly with used materials i bought on the French bone yard site. Now i got a kingsbox rack, a ohio powerbar, leoko rogue and xenios plates, axle, ssb, football bar. The best deal i've made was 100 kilos of xenios calibrated plates for 120 bucks (real cost 700). Having a home gym was an old dream, so i drink my pre workout on my sofa, go to the garage and kick my ass...

We do use foam mats at my house because we do a lot of martial arts and rubber horse stall mats hurt lmao, but actual gym padded wall mats are like 400$ a piece so if your doing sparing and such foam mats are okay👍 but great video! Long time watcher/lurker first comment here

Dude, Ross Training got me into working out WAYYYY back. Nice reference.

Great content Coop! Thanks for the tips, detail and great quality content! Question for you - what do you think of the Centr bar and weight set and the Xterra adjustable dumbbells both at Costco? Decent quality for cost or no good?

Thank you!

I purchased horse stall mats 2 years ago. When I brought them home I set them outside rain and shine for a solid month, flipping them weekly to off gas. I set up my home gym in my basement, where kids can play freely as I lift. Since I brought them inside I’ve tried several methods of getting the rubber smell out but the smell refuses to come out nor fade. At this point I’m tempted to purchase higher quality gym flooring.

COOOOOOPPP!!! I am building a home gym it would be extremely helpful if you did a round up. Rogue vs Rep vs bells of steel vs titan. Right now I have a set up picked from bells of steel but so many choices I am stumped.

Hoping to see a ton of Rogue reviews this year!

@GarageGymReviews

3 ай бұрын

Hoping they come out with a ton of new stuff this year too! Been a while! - Coop

Went to a local manufacturer of rubber goods once in Auburn, WA. Made mental note to buy my flooring from them as it will be dirt cheap, any size and thickness i want. Havent bought it yet but it's on my list!

My home gym is some galvanized pipe to fit together and screwed to a board as a pull up bar. Two sawhorses I do tricep dips on. Space on the floor where I do push-ups. It’s a very sophisticated set up.

I will say. If you have the space for a GHD they are lovely. I use mine quite a bit and it is always killer.

I got the Titan wall mount pulley from your recommendation and wow !! Amazing value for money

My dad used to work out with milk jugs filled with concrete in the 70s! My first home gym setup cost under $200! Pullup bar, Adjustable dip bars, and a full set of bands with GOOD QUALITY grips and door attachments. I was able to lose 30lbs in a year with that and bodyweight compound movements. Then Added adjustable dumbells and a bench the next year. Then bar and plates and some fun stuff like adjustable kettles etc. 5 years in and I'm still using every piece I ever bought. BUY OVER TIME and use what you have to the fullest.

i put in foam flooring... but i did it the right way. 1. before the equipment was put in 2. giant/thick rug underneath with grip tape on the bottom 3. foam flooring connected underneath with grip tape as well. works great!

Its so painful to keep having to find alternatives to suggestions for us Europeans ;) We need all your home gym must buys for things I can actually get in Europe!

My home gym garage doubles as a sauna in the summer and a polar plunge in the winter.

I started out with cinderblocks, then moved up to an ezbar that I just buy more plates for every couple weeks. Now I have to buy some 25lbs since I've reached 65lb curl.

Buying over time is a great idea. Have slowly been building out over last few years. Wouldn’t have anything if I’d just tried to buy everything at once

This was all good advice I can speak from experience. But as far as a reverse hyper goes, rogue sells the Westside reverse hyper it folds to a nearly 0 footprint when not in use & the exercise is a lower back fixer/bulletproofer if you deadlift and squat it's a no brainer to own

The most important thing I'll buy is the adjustment bench so that u can. Tilt it up and do a dumbbell press

Your last point, you actually have to use the garage gym, good point! We built up a pretty good gym in the basement that my kids and I call the Gainz Cave. My daughter didn't like the space, mostly because she is a social work out person. We ended having to get her a membership at a great local gym so she could accomplish her fitness goals. My so ln and I continue to use the gainz cave because it fits our lifestyles. Jo matter you have, using it consistently, with a plan, is the crucial aspect. Thanks for another great video

It took me 3 years to build my home gym as I slowly purchased my equipment as I saved money. After covid closed all gyms in my city I decided it was time to build my own since it was a dream I wanted to come true. I decided if I was going to invest in a home gym I would go for the stuff and brands I like. Started with the barbell and bumpers, then got a rack, then started adding dumbbells, and finished with a platform and specialty bars. All free weights. My fitness level is definitely amazing now and I could not think of a better investment than investing in myself. Best part is that it’s low maintenance and it will last me for at least another decade if not more.

With my setup in the garage I have no wall space and 6x6 feet of floor space. Everyone takes for granted having a room available for a home gym or having a garage that provides 200 square feet for equipment.

I built a gym in my bedroom during Covid. I use it 4-5x a week. I built my own half rack and bench. Both solid made with 4x4. One place i found weights for a reasonable price (this obviously varies where you live) was Goodwill/Value Village. Ive found a lot of decent plates, Barbells and even Dumbells (upto 65lbs so far) from the goodwill for less than $1/lb. If you are JUST starting i would check those regularly for items. Mid week is your friend for thrifting equiptment. Its usually gone by Friday afternoon.

@DR-kh6jb

Ай бұрын

Currently Amazon has bumper plates for less than a dollar a pound. I don’t drop weight, so I don’t know how good they are from that point, but great as just plain weights.

Shout out RossTraining in 2023!!! Ross and his forum got me building my home gym back in 2007!

@GarageGymReviews

3 ай бұрын

Real recognizes real. He inspired me to start this whole things a decade ago. - Coop

@nmallica

3 ай бұрын

Yeah man I miss that forum but he is killin it as a boxing trainer now with Katie Taylor. Never Gymless and Infinite Intensity are what got me into working out at home. Naturally I discovered your channel down the line and have made several additions with your reviews. Thanks Coop, keep it up! @@GarageGymReviews

Yes! REP! 🎉

Horse stall mats, that's what I did, and it's great!

Senergy half rack with pullup bar, 315 in plates, cap barbell, cap hex bar, sturdy adjustable bench, 35 lb kettlebell, 35 lb dumbbells, lat pulldown pull attachment. 400 give or take for equipment, got weights from friends. Around 800 total for a solid setup.

Just getting started with the gym in the basement. Did not even consider the mats for the floor. Thankfully, I’m just using a bench, dumbbells, and heavy bag. I will be sure to cover the floor before adding any more equipment.

yes, it happened to me i bought a barbell and weights and exercised for a couple of years then gaveup after i got sick for many months, and i coudn't recover well. but atl least after a couple of years, i returned to exercies and i bought more weight that i need, i don't have a rack, nor a mat (i use folded carboards)

I love when he does movie references and he gets them just slightly off 😂 he gets so close every time!

Picked up a startrac spinner bike for 100$ on offerup ! So happy i got this baby. And the other month i found a nice calf raise machine for 130.

2 car garage converted into home gym. Floor is fully matted. Squat rack with pull up bar, 125 lb Muay Thai bag, TRX system, bench press, 50 lb adjustable dbs from nuobell, multiple KBs, weighted jump ropes, grizzly tub cold plunge, 3 person sauna, inversion table, concept 2 rower and a Nintendo cause it’s cool.

One thing on the horse stall mats - be sure to get them well ahead of time and plan on letting them air out for several days (weeks even) because they really do off-gas a lot and will stink up any place you put 'em in.

please do another diy video, those are fun

Other advice that you missed. Get a buddy who will workout with you. Totally changed the game when my friends started showing up to my home gym, combined equipment, and kept us all accountable. Saves money and way more fun.

@WtfYouMeanDude

3 ай бұрын

It's good to have a partner that can keep you motivated but if you can't stay motivated and consistent on your own you're never going to make it

@bruuhhhh

3 ай бұрын

​@@WtfYouMeanDude Personally I disagree, I think having a partner can be great for initial motivation and once you're into it you can carry on with internal drive. Also some people just continue to train with a partner their whole life so there's no problem

I miss my old gym setup. I was able to do hyperextensions on the end of my bench, and do ghr's with my seated calf raise machine. Only thing i didnt have was a treadmill, but thats ok cuz i had a small elliptical.

From someone who built a pretty cool gym, made a few mistakes along the way and uses it daily, you hit all the targets on this one. I had a text message buddy even as you recommended.

Workout DVDS are a must, I do P90X, Body Beast and Cathe STS 3.0. Cathe slow and Heavy is a nice mix-up routine

@gearardlefore

20 күн бұрын

Body beast is so underrated I as well have some of these and it's amazing.

Get a rack that has an upper lower cable rig and you have an endless possibility of exercises. Add on an adjustable bench and some adjustable Dumbless and you seemingly can do everything you need.

I work out 5 days per week, have for a year now. I don't have the space atm, so I have a large room, but it also contains my bed and my desk, and my bench press bench and an incline bench, and a pull up bar, Olympic bar, 160 KGs of plates for bar and set of dumbells with 50 KGs of plates. You need to get creative to work all muscles, but you can.