So, You Think You Want to Build a Home Gym?
Are you the kind of person who needs the premade atmosphere of a small or commercial gym? There is nothing wrong if you do, but I would put some serious thought into questions like this before putting in the time, effort, and money it takes to create a home gym.
WATCH: Equipment Feature — Spud Inc. Econo Triceps and Lat Pulley
This item is one of the most cost-effective ways to add a ton of variation to your training and enable you to perform a greater number of exercises.
Building The Executive Meathead’s Home Office
I wasn’t ready to settle for pick-up golf or calf roping. A busy professional and personal life didn’t keep me from making my most important training decision.
WATCH: Equipment Feature: The elitefts 5 Rings Bar
More precise bar positioning, simpler coaching cues, and easier chain and band placement are just a few of the many benefits of this innovative bar design.
Gifts for the New Class of Annoying Gym Members
Members in smaller training facilities are like family, and what says family more than giving a gift to someone you can’t stand?
5 Gifts for the Ultimate Powerlifting Garage Gym
I am here to tell you if these are on your Christmas list and you get all these items, then you will be on track for a massive total and some of the best training of your life. I cannot recommend all of these pieces enough.
7 Gifts for New Dads
Let’s be honest: Moms do most of the work at first with babies. That means us dads need to make sure that we’re in the best shape to help our strong, badass wives with the newest addition of the family, and this wishlist will kick our dad bods back into shape.
5 Things Every Small Garage Gym Owner Should Have
Your training space is a one-car stall garage, and you want quality equipment at a decent price. Does this sound like you? Great, say no more. Every small garage gym owner should have these five things for endless training possibilities and year-round gains.
5 Gifts for the Friend on Santa's Naughty List
Bad news: Your buddy is on the Naughty List. The only thing he deserves for the holidays is a kick in the ass to get back into the gym. Good news: You take the high road and give him the gift of training with you next year with some nice incentives.
THIRST: Bringing Quality, Service, and Integrity to Terre Haute
Anyone who walks into the Terre Haute, Indiana-based gym, THIRST, can see both quality and integrity through the primary services it offers, along with its affiliation to elitefts through gym owner Brandon Smitley.
The Best Bang for Your Buck: elitefts Plyobox and Tri Plyo Cube
Jump in — er, jump on the opportunity that comes along with using the elitefts Plyobox and Tri Plyo Cube to train plyometrics!
WATCH: Equipment Feature — elitefts Tri Plyo Cube
With three different heights in one plyobox, the elitefts Tri Plyo Cube is a great tool and one you should definitely have in your home gym.
Power in Motion: A One-of-a-Kind Gym Culture
“We’re the only functional training gym in the Midwest.” Power in Motion is truly one of a kind, from its focus on functional training to individualized services for its diverse clientele to its arrangement of specialty equipment.
Why I Bought From elitefts
My first experience with elitefts equipment was from the days I was a Division I strength coach at the University of New York at Buffalo. Let’s just say the price was not the only factor in why I decided we should go with elitefts equipment.
WATCH: DIY Sissy Squats
Want to mix up your home gym training session with the equipment you already own? Grab your rack, a pair of elitefts Pro Light Bands, and a pipe, and we’ll get you all set up in no time to do some sissy squats.
Items Every Weight Room on A Tight Budget Needs
Not everyone has been there — there being a facility on a tight budget — but I have. If you’re feeling the financial squeeze but desperately need new equipment, these should be more than enough to get your weight room by.
Universal Pro Gym: Full Service With a Personal Touch
Universal Pro Gym’s clientele might mostly be made up of bodybuilders, but that doesn’t stop owner Bob Caron from ensuring that all people who walk through the doors get a personalized experience and a variety of services — including an on-site barbershop.
Xpress Fitness: Your Family-Friendly Neighborhood Gym
Xpress Fitness, located less than 2 miles away from the elitefts S5 Compound, is a product of support from the rural London, Ohio, community at all levels: family, friends, neighbors, and businesses, all built strong from the ground up.
University of Dubuque's Veterans Memorial Training Center is Custom...
The new weight room inside the Veteran’s Memorial Training Center is a combination of clean and rugged beauty. With the addition of this new weight room, their facilities are among the best in the nation, and second to none in NCAA Division III athletics!
Top-3 Cardio Options for the Powerlifter, Strongman, Bodybuilder, and At...
Cardio can help you cut weight, get shredded for the stage, and increase athletes’ performance. But with so much cardio out there, where do you start? Start here with elitefts team members’ top-3 cardio items, based on their sports or areas of expertise.
Getting A Bigger and Better Weight Room on A Small-School Budget
AJ Mott has 21 years of wrestling under his belt. Luckily, when it came to working on a small school budget, the Farleigh Dickinson strength and conditioning coach didn’t have to wrestle with elitefts for the best deals.
The Best Damn Specialty Bar on the Market
I can’t get over how versatile the American Cambered Grip Bar is. You can use it forward and backward, giving you a total of 8 grip options. Flip it over, you’ve got a total of 16. I’ve found 250 options, and I’m sure there are more to find.
Union Fitness: Pittsburgh's Community Gym
“We only have our word.” For Union Fitness owner Casey Williams, his history with elitefts, staff, integrity, and the imagery of Pittsburgh unions and steel are the things that hold his gym and community together.
Omaha Barbell Is More Than Just a Gym
“When we opened this gym, I just didn’t want it to be a gym; I wanted it to build a legacy that would always be remembered in Omaha.” Bret Carter, owner of Omaha Barbell Gym, talks about the growth of his gym and how he keeps his diverse gym membership thriving.
Equipment Feature — elitefts Power Bar
In this video, Equipment Sales Director Matt Goodwin shows off the elitefts Power Bar and its specs, focusing on the bar’s gnarly knurling. It’s amazing how it easily fits into just about any gym — garage, private, or commercial. It’s no wonder it’s a favorite!
Equipment Feature — PRIME Fitness Squat Wedges
There is a lot of information about the science behind heel elevation during a squat. For the sake of keeping this article at a digestible length and in a language that’s easy for just about every reader to understand, let’s highlight a few of the key benefits of incorporating squat wedges into your training.
WATCH: Equipment Feature — elitefts Squat Box
Are you always on the go? Not sure when you’re going to get your next box squat in? We have the perfect solution for you, and it’s called the elitefts Squat Box. Not only is it lightweight, but it’s incredibly versatile, with three heights in one box!
Hybrid Performance Group — A One-Stop Shop for Recovery
Do you need help recovering from an injury? Do you want to prevent future injuries? If so, Hybrid Group Performance is for you. The clinic’s co-owners, Dr. Tyrel Detweiler (who’s also an elitefts columnist) and Dr. Devee Sresthadatta, talk about the origins of Hybrid Performance Group, their treatment philosophies, and more.
Equipment Feature — PRIME Fitness RO-T8 Handles and Accessories
Tired of using attachments that hurt your wrists? Sick of models that don’t allow you to target load-varying positions? It’s time you take notice what PRIME has to offer. In this feature, we’ll be highlighting their popular RO-T8 (“rotate”) Handles and a few of the related RO-T8 accessories.
The Rack Athletic Performance Center: Fear the Moose
The Rack is an athletic performance facility that prides itself on its intelligent, passionate coaches, state-of-the-art equipment, and a community of members who are supportive and thrive in a fun and competitive environment.
Equipment Feature — elitefts Custom Functional Trainer
At over nine feet tall and five and a half feet wide, this machine cannot be described as “compact.” This is a premier, fully-customizable machine that offers near limitless exercise options.
WATCH: Howe Military Academy Strength and Fitness Center
Given their expertise in the industry, what better way for the Tate’s to give back and support the school, then to put in place the foundational infrastructure needed to create strong, well-rounded cadets?
WATCH: Equipment Feature with Mike Bartos — Contrast Platform
In this video, Bartos demonstrates the quick-release technique, traditional isometric movements, the Ladder Deadlift, Pause Deadlift, and three different ways to use eccentrics with the support of the multi-purpose Contrast Platform.
WATCH: Equipment Feature — elitefts Custom Bench
Whether you’re outfitting a branded company weight room or simply designing your dream home gym, Custom-Built Benches create a training environment that’s polished, professional, and personalized.
WATCH: Must-Have Equipment for Any High School Weight Room
Board of Education President Josh Hobbs recounts what he’s learned and shares his checklist of must-have equipment for any high school gym or weight room.
WATCH: Strength Training Program at Waverly High School Boosts Athletics...
With a budgetary commitment from the school district in place, combined with fundraising and donations from local businesses, Waverly High School was able to make an initial investment in their strength training program.
WATCH: Equipment Feature with Marc Bartley — Zercher Straps
It’s tools like this that work to boost a lifter’s confidence and make the difference between completing a lift safely versus risking an injury.
WATCH: Equipment Feature with Mike Bartos — PR Platform
You can use this platform for standard deadlifting or utilize its numerous positions and setups for band, reverse band, rack pull, and stacked band training.
Training, Therapy, and Coaching at Rekovery Athletics
Owned and operated by Ken Nowicki, this facility services its members with the highest level of soft tissue, neuromuscular, and fascial stretch therapy available, through an individually-tailored injury assessment and treatment process.
WATCH: Welcome to the Pit — Dave Tate Coaches the RDL
One of the most common squat issues is weakness in the hamstrings. This exercise is one of many that can help solve the problem.
WATCH: Welcome to the Pit — Dave Tate Coaches the Squat
During a recent visit to Akron, Ohio Dave spent some time teaching proper squat technique to the owners and members of Welcome to the PIt.
WATCH: Welcome to the Pit
No matter your training preference—powerlifting, bodybuilding, Olympic lifting, cardio, boxing, strongman, resistance training, or a style you’ve created yourself—this Akron, Ohio gym has you covered.
WATCH: Equipment Feature — Spud Inc. Big Ray Strap
Spinal traction may feel great, but it can be difficult to set up and awkward to get into and out of position. This product gives you an easier way to manage pain to stay strong and healthy.
WATCH: Equipment Feature — Mike Bartos' Big Top Circus Dumbbell
This product was designed to pay homage to old-time strongmen and make training much easier for strength athletes today. It is easily customizable for your size and weight needs.
WATCH: Custom Equipment for Destination Dallas
After a visit to the S4 Compound, Greg McCoy and his Gasp affiliates found a piece of equipment for their Plano, Texas facility.
Transforming Strength and Conditioning at Livonia High School
In three years, Chad Smith has revamped an old practice gymnasium into one of the best training facilities in the country. It’s amazing what you can do with some drive and showing your administrators some initiative.
WATCH: The New Headquarters of Spud Inc.
The elitefts relationship with Marc Bartley and Spud Inc. stretches far back into his incredible competitive days as a powerlifter. Today, the business relationship is one valued by both parties.
WATCH: Equipment Feature — Spud Inc. Tricep, Lat, Low Pulley System
This system really comes in handy for performing movements that would otherwise require large, expensive pieces of equipment. With a little creativity, you can even add a few new unique exercises.
WATCH: Equipment Feature — Mike Bartos' Stone of Steel
No longer do you need to go through the daunting, messy process of measuring, mixing, and pouring concrete into molds to make stones. There’s now a better way.
WATCH: Equipment Feature with Josh Bryant — Neck Harness Training
These are the three best exercises you can do with a harness to build a stronger, thicker, more muscular neck.
Strength Union: Building A Unified, Empowered Strength Community
A union operates to give a group of individuals one voice, empowering them to lead in the right direction. This fully-equipped facility aims to provide exactly that for each of its members as they become the strongest versions of themselves.
WATCH: How to Box Squat with the Rackable Cambered Squat Bar
Not only does this bar help avoid the wear and tear a straight bar can have on your shoulders, but it also enables you to build strength while using less weight and perform several very useful exercise variations.
WATCH: Equipment Feature — Westside Inverse Curl
This machine enables hamstring training in multiple positions, at any intensity level desired, for both strength and sport athletes.
Optimum Personal Training: The Most Important Athlete Is the One That’s ...
Josiah O’Brien’s belief is that every athlete deserves individual attention, and requires it to reach their best performance. This is why every program is tailored to the client and why the client receives full undivided attention for the whole time they are in session.
Heavy Metal Fitness: Tim Ingram's Strength Haven Grows Again
When we first shared his story in 2014, Tim Ingram had just opened his first training facility. Now he’s back with another story of growth — and an even bigger gym.
WATCH: The Vision and Growth of Showtime Strength and Performance
Nick Showman built his facility with a purpose and, in the process of growing, has found a niche in softball, welcomed serious lifters, and expanded the services he and his coaches provide.
WATCH: Equipment Feature with Steve Diel — elitefts 3x3 Rack
The most essential item of any home gym, you can use this rack to do anything you need for competitive powerlifting or general strength training.