At some point in time, the thought must cross just about every lifter's mind: "Wouldn't it be great to have my own gym?". Whether this thought is just a passing ship in the night or manifests into a personal garage gym made for you and yours will completely depend on your level of commitment and financial intuition. Some may opt to go further, such as a private studio for clients and close friends. Or maybe a commercialized public facility. Perhaps even a semi-off-the-grid gym that has a focus on more niche strength sports versus every day, gen-pop fitness.
This brief article aims to help inform you of the latter: the more semi-private or niche gym that provides a safe haven to your friends, significant other, or just you. Included are prime choices of equipment you will want to consider for the home or garage gym. Now, of course, you could go even cheaper, but I also wanted quality picks on this list to truly get the most bang for the buck and not have to replace something within the first few months because we went absurdly cheap.
High-Quality Power Bar
Chances are, starting off, you will not have money to shell out for a whole set of each lift-specific bar. This is where I would invest a bit more than normal and not purchase some second-hand or Amazon bar. Get a nice one that will last and has good knurling. After all, you will use it for all three lifts plus accessories, so it needs to hold up. Reputable companies that offer small scratches on factory stock or make blemish sales would be ideal, but that should be the only reason you skimp on price. (Ballpark price: $300 to $400).
My Pick: ELITEFTS Iron Cowboy Bar
3x3 Cage with Pipe Safeties
It is an obvious choice for any gym but more essential for the smaller and less space-oriented. This provides a safe way to squat and bench and can also be utilized for many other compound lift variations. Installing a wooden 8x8 platform under it and anchoring it allows for deadlifts, rack pulls, and the ability to safely add bands. It becomes a one-stop shop for many lifters and often provides more room for added resistance, such as bands and chains, without the cumbersome side supports of a combo. With all the latest advances of smaller welding companies, add-ons can be purchased later on down the road. Potential ideas include rollers, mono hook attachments, dip bars, and even pull-down and cable systems. You can also loop bands to the top or middle for many things like tricep pushdowns and kickbacks!
This, without a doubt, should be your first purchase.
(Ballpark: $800 to $1100 for a solid one)
My Pick: EliteFTS Garage Line 3x3 Rack
Deals on Pound Plates
While calibrated kilos are great and one would argue more comp-specific, greater gains have been made using much less. Deals on Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, and the occasional larger company pound plate sale can all be ways to add to the collection. Save the kilos for a later date, perhaps when you are feeling the need to host an event or have the spare cash. (Ballpark for 550 pounds in iron "Standard" plates: around $900 to $1k, depending on deals; the condition of the plates (used or new) and, of course, the shipping).
Dumbbells and an Adjustable Incline Bench
You do not need a huge amount of dumbbells to get the most bang for your buck, and a multi-leveled incline will add to the ability to hit more accessory movements. Focus your heavier weights on the compounds and take advantage of creativity for dumbbell-based accessories. Honestly, a set of 15's, 30's, and 50's would suffice for the bulk of the accessories I do, pre-fatigued from the main compounds and aux variations. Adding a band around them for things like flies and extensions can also be an easy fix to add more resistance without breaking the bank for additional dumbbells. (Ballpark: $200 to $400 on the bench, $200 to $300 for the three pairs of dumbbells together).
My Pick: ELITEFTS SCHOLASTIC INCLINE BENCH
Bands for Your Gym
I can not stress how much this is a good investment. Good bands are the cheapest accommodating resistance you can buy if you do not have enough weight. Maybe you do not have a pull-down or cable tower, but you bought that power rack or a structural beam to which you can attach a D ring. Problem solved. Smaller ones for rehab work and stretching/activation drills are a must! I wish I had known and appreciated the value of bands back when I started lifting and not my 7th year in. (Ballpark for full resistance, five pairs / full set $100 to $150)
My Pick: EliteFTS Pro Resistance Pack
Averaging around $3000 to $3500 for everything.
Sample Garage Split (Squat/Push/Pull)
Want to try your new setup but do not know where to start? Here is a quick and simple in-and-out squat, push, and pull split that utilizes only the equipment above.
- RPE 6 = Moderately intense, submaximal effort, could do four more reps easily
- RPE 7 = Intensive, could perform three more reps
- RPE 8 = Maximal effort applied two reps left in the tank
- RPE 9 = Maximum Effort; one more and you would tap out
- RPE 10 = All-out effort, nothing left
Day 1: Squat and Lower Body BB (Monday)
Competition Squat (on Power Bar)
- Intro Week: Work up to a 4 x 5 at RPE Ranges 6.5 to 7.5
- Week 1: 4 x 4 at RPE Ranges 7 to 7.5
- Week 2: 4 x 3 at RPE Ranges 7 to 8
- Week 3: 3 x 2 at RPE Ranges 7.5 to 8.5
- Week 4: 2 x 2 at RPE Ranges 7.5 to 8 + an additional single at RPE 8.5 to 9
2nd Movement: RDL Style Deadlifts
2 Warmup sets of 5 reps, then
- Intro Week: 2 x 7 at RPE 6
- Week 1: 2 x 7 of RPE 7
- Week 2: 2 x 6 of RPE 7
- Week 3 2 x 6 of RPE 7.5
- Week 4: 2 x 5 of RPE 8
Accessory Lift / Exercises (Sets x Reps)
- Standing Banded Quad Extensions: 2 x 20
- Lying Leg Curls with Dumbbell on Flat Bench: 2 x 20
- Stationary Split lunges with Dumbbell: 2 x AMRAP
- Banded Good Mornings Superset with Banded Terminal Knee Extensions: 2 x 20 each
- Cross Body Hammer Curls w/ Dumbbells Superset with Banded Curls w/ a hold at the Top: 2 x 20 (10 each arm) and 12
Day 2: Bench and Upper Body BB (Wednesday)
Competition Bench Press (All Reps paused and under control)
- Intro Week: Work up to a 4 x 5 at RPE Ranges 6.5 to 7.5
- Week 1: 4 x 6 at RPE Ranges 7 to 7.5
- Week 2: 4 x 4 at RPE Ranges 7 to 8
- Week 3: 3 x 5 at RPE Ranges 7.5 to 8.5
- Week 4: 3 x 3 at RPE Ranges 7.5 to 8 + an additional single at RPE 8.5 to 9
2nd Movement: Backdown: Spoto Press
- 2 x 8 for all weeks at RPE 8
Day 2: Accessory Lift / Exercises (Sets x Reps)
- JM Press with Straight Bar: 20, 20, 15, 12 (4 sets total)
- Incline Dumbbell Bench: 2 x 20
- Inverted Rows using the bar in the rack: 2 x AMRAP
- Seal Rows w/ Dumbbell on Incline Bench: 2 x 10
- Bent Over Barbell Rows: 2 x 12
- Triceps Overhead Ext on the rack with Bands, Superset with Triceps banded Pushdown or Dumbbell Tricep Kickback: 2 x 15 for each movement
- Dumbbell Reverse Curls: 2 x 12
Day 3: Deadlift and Upper BB (Friday)
Competition Pull
- Intro Week: Work up to a 6 x 3 at RPE Ranges 6 to 7
- Week 1: 4 x 4 at RPE Ranges 7 to 7.5
- Week 2: 5 x 3 at RPE Ranges 7 to 8
- Week 3: 4 x 2 at RPE Ranges 7.5 to 8.5
- Week 4: 3 x 2 at RPE Ranges 7.5 to 8 + an additional single at RPE 8.5 to 9
2nd Movement: Auxiliary Squat (Opposite of Competition Position / Dominant Placement)
Two warmup sets of five reps, then
- Intro Week: 2 x 7 at RPE 6
- Week 1: 2 x 7 of RPE 7
- Week 2: 2 x 6 of RPE 7
- Week 3 2 x 6 of RPE 7.5
- Week 4: 1 x 7 of RPE 8
Day 3: Accessory Lift / Exercises (Sets x Reps)
- Single Leg Dumbbell Deadlifts: 2 x 12
- Incline Bench Dumbbell Skullcrushers Superset with Incline Tate Press: 2 x 12 and 12
- Standing Overhead Dumbbell Press: 2 x 20
- Bent Over Barbell Row: 2 x 10
- Single Arm Banded Pull Downs: 2 x 12
- Dumbbell or Banded Side, Front, Y, A Raises: Giant Set 2 Rounds of 7 each movement
Extra Money and Looking for the Next Upgrade?
Not only will this bad boy destroy your legs, but you can do rehab, marches, rows, and all other sorts of hinge movements. My only regret, even with the bigger gym I own now, is that I did not save up and drop money on this sooner. It was an absolute game-changer for me. (Ballpark, for a legit one, starting at $2700)
- Safety Squat Bar with Removable Handles
Now you can JM press, split squat/lunge, Hatfield squat, good morning, reverse front squat, and add ALL the terrible (but fun) variations to your training. This can also provide much-needed relief on the elbows and shoulders from all that straight bar work! (Ballpark $350 to $400)
My Pick/ONLY CHOICE: EliteFTS SSB Yoke Bar
Own Your Home Gym
I sincerely hope these tidbits help you, whether you are barricading yourself away from the world to lift in peace or scratching the itch of owning a little piece of iron for yourself. Be safe, find good deals, and try not to get disowned by your household for starting the never-ending sinkhole that is buying things for your own cave!
Travis Rogers currently resides on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, where he owns and operates a strength training facility, “The Bear Cave.” He also works as a graphic designer, 10th and 12th grade ELA teacher, and is active in the community with his 501(c)3 charity organization for underprivileged children. He is the WRPF MD and DE state chairman, a national-level referee, and a meet director for the surrounding area.
Travis has been in the top-10 198 rankings for the last four years in both sleeves and wrapped divisions. After double quad rupture surgery, he's begun a new journey in equipment. In his first meet back from surgery, he totaled 2138 in the unlimited 198 division.
