Beginner's Guide to Strength Equipment: Build Your Home Gym

Coop from Garage Gym Reviews joins us to discuss the basic strength training equipment you need to get started. In this video, he gives recommendations for squat racks, barbells, deadlifting platforms and more.
SUBSCRIBE TO COOP'S CHANNEL: bit.ly/2MeAEhT
Purchase the recommended equipment right here!
ROGUE R-3 POWER RACK: bit.ly/2MlAjKJ
TITAN T-3 POWER RACK: bit.ly/2mWlSxB
CAP BARBELL:
ROGUE OHIO POWER BAR: bit.ly/2AUF619
ROGUE B&R 2.0 BAR: bit.ly/2MaiNcQ
ROGUE FLAT UTILITY BENCH: bit.ly/2KFPAky
REP FITNESS FB 5000: bit.ly/2OUok5f
TITAN FITNESS OLYMPIC PLATES: bit.ly/2Oqg3EO
ROGUE MACHINED OLYMPIC PLATES: bit.ly/2KG14nS
HOW TO BUILD YOUR OWN DEADLIFT PLATFORM: bit.ly/2OsFea1
Coop from Garage Gym Reviews joins us to discuss the basic strength training equipment you need to get started. In this video, he gives recommendations for squat racks, barbells, deadlifting platforms and more.
The Power Rack
You need a solid, well-constructed squat stand or power rack. Stands are designed to lay upon your platform, and racks are designed to be anchored to bolts in the floor. Coop suggests a power rack with safety arms or pipe safeties so that you can also bench press safely. Also consider the spacing for the J-hooks - smaller gaps are better, because they will be more custom to what you need.
He recommends the Titan T3 (budget option) or Rogue R3 (gold standard).
The Barbell
Don’t skimp on the barbell - cheap barbells bend and will need to be replaced. The barbell should be of good quality, with a center knurl and not too thick in diameter.
Coop suggests a few options from Cap (OB86PBCK or Cap Boss Barbell; budget option) and Rogue (B&R 2.0 or Ohio Power Bar).
The Flat Bench
We suggest that you don’t skimp on this either. A good bench needs to safely support you and the weight in your hands during a bench press. Coop recommends a bench with a fatter pad, and gives two options of well-made, good quality flat benches. Be sure to choose a flat bench with the standard height of 17 inches.
He recommends the Rep Fitness Fb 5000 or the Rogue Flat Utility Bench 2.0.
Weight Plates
You can purchase bumper plates or iron plates. Bumper plates are necessary for Olympic lifting, but iron plates are more readily available on the used market.
You can save money here, if you can find them used on Craigslist. For newer plates, you can look at Titan Fitness cast iron plates or Rogue machined plates for an upgrade. More expensive plates equal more precise weight (closer to what they say they are).
You will also need fractional plates smaller than the typical 2.5lb plate. A good set of fractionals will go all the way down to 1/4lb plates, which will be useful as you become more advanced as a lifter. MicroGainz is a great place to find fractional plates.
The Platform
You’ll need a platform for deadlifting and/or Olympic weightlifting. You can save money on a deadlifting platform by building your own. Horse stall mats (available at agricultural stores like Tractor Supply or your local feed store) stack perfectly on top of plywood. If you choose to purchase an already-made platform from Rogue, or another equipment supply company, expect to spend more money.
If you want to purchase a platform, both Rogue and Titan sell deadlift frames.
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[@BarbellLogic]

What questions do you have about equipment? Let us know in the comments below! SUBSCRIBE! And give this video a THUMBS UP. Also, check out Coop's channel in the description box.

[@GarageGymReviews]

Thanks for having me on. Always enjoy helping show the light to commercial gym goers!

[@UltimateHansford]

Garage Gym Reviews great info. What are your thoughts on ordering plates from York compared to your other two plate suggestions?

[@GarageGymReviews]

I love York's Machined Plates, but there's a couple of things to understand with them. One, they're shipping is egregious. The plates typically come chipped up and they charge quite a bit for the shipping. Secondly, the plates have a smaller outside diameter than most other plates. Meaning you'll be deadlifting from a deficit compared to competition plates (not bad as you'll lift more in comp,) but they are not good if you plan on mixing other plates with Yorks. Finally, they're a big pricey. BUT, with all that said, I still like them, but personally, I wouldn't buy them new.

[@UltimateHansford]

Thank you!

[@wallyirizarry7092]

Thanks Coop for providing some of the various options out there..!!keep the good work.

[@feralwoodcraft]

You gotta love it when two of your favorite channels start collabing. Good stuff guys!

[@CFH298]

I went with a Titan Fitness T2 rack because I didn’t have space for a platform and it was cheaper. Nice video!

[@christopherwatton1257]

I bought a pair of 10kg green bumper plates, and the rest standard iron tri-plates. This allows me to easily remove and slide on the iron plates when the bar is on the floor, as the bumper plates are by far the largest diameter. That is an option if you want to protect your floor.

[@ulmo11]

You should do a second video with "personal" equipment suggestions. Like which of the 300 neoprene knee sleeves or wrist wraps on Amazon are the best?

[@suburiboy]

For the deadlift platform you should check university surplus. I got my deadlift platform, with the University of Alabama logo for like 400$ on GovDeals, and that is just because some joker was sniping the price. I’ve seen platforms go for 100$ and I got my Lat pull down machine for like 100$ from a community center in Winston-Salem.

[@wsmoran]

Love that Barbell Logic has brought on Coop for this video, and a few podcasts previously. I mostly agree with all the picks. In fact I have the main picks for rack/bar and diy platform. However, I actually prefer the FB-5000 over the Rogue Utility Bench and would recommend it regardless of price point, not just as a budget option. The Rogue is actually taller at 18" and I don't like that it's a 4 footed design.

[@gesiisak3120]

Thank you! The power rack is the most important thing in every gym and the proper foundation comes from the most useful equipment

[@BarbellLogic]

We agree!

[@jreynolds716]

Coop is the best! I love that you guys have teamed up on some videos and podcasts, keep them coming!

[@mikeemerick3642]

Hi, how does the Vulcan absolute bar compare to the Rogue b&r? Thanks.

[@jph1596]

What about rep fitness products like the PR4000 rack and foldable rack? How does this compare to rogue and titan?

[@grassman8684]

I bought the Fitness gear half Rack on sale at Dicks and the Ethos Adjustable bench also on sale. 600.00 for both.

[@cnapoli]

I bought a bare steel Ohio Power Bar in February for $250 + $15 shipping + $18 California sales tax ($283 total) from Rouge. The bare steel if fine if you live in a drier climate, and will develop a cool oxide patina over time that's not rust. If you don't like the old steel look or live in a more humid environment, pay the extra $25 and upgrade to the zinc plated version. I had narrowed my choices down to the B&R or the OHP, and decided on the OHP because you could get a real 45 lb. version, as the B&R is only available in a 20 kg (44.1 lbs) -- a little OCD on my part, but I know I'll be lifting a teeny bit more weight at home than at the gym where they only have 20 kg bars ;) . The OHP's knurling IS AGGRESSIVE; your shins will get some road rash on DLs, and the knurling will cut up your back a little bit if you decide to squat shirtless (or your chest if you do cleans, even through a shirt). Also, wear a cotton t-shirt when squatting, the knurling is aggressive enough to chew and pill polyester athletic/wicking shirts. Despite the negatives, I love the bar and highly recommend it.

[@gunfighterdrummer]

Thanks Coop

[@ttmassacre924]

What equipment would be necessary after the initial novice phase to go until advanced level ? Inclined bench ? Prowler ?

[@hampusbrydling6459]

depends on what you want to get advanced in. Powerlifting, bodybuilding etc

[@BarbellLogic]

MOAR plates. Prowler, c2 Rower for conditioning. Spotter arms for rack pulls and pin presses. That's about it IF you are training for strength only.

[@michellediaz9148]

Is it better to squat heavy or light?

[@BarbellLogic]

All things being equal, heavy BUT it depends on what you mean by light & heavy. For starting off, we tend to recommend starting light and adding weight each workout. Better to start light and it will eventually get heavy.

[@TayLybb]

Couldn't you weld a Titan after it arrives?

[@BarbellLogic]

Of course you could. You could reinforce it with angle, re-powder coat it and even make more hooks. Or you could buy a rack that doesn't need it.

[@user-kc1lk4ow1l]

Worldqide shipping available?

[@BarbellLogic]

For which piece of equipment are you asking?

[@user-kc1lk4ow1l]

@@BarbellLogic power rack

[@azizgannar7678]

I found barbells at Decathlon for like 50 bucks, why are they so much cheaper and are they worth it?

[@BarbellLogic]

So, not sure EXACTLY what you're talking about but checked out their website. Most of their barbells have 1" collars, which are crap. If you are on a budget and they have a 2" barbell, it could be a good starter barbell set.

[@azizgannar7678]

Barbell Logic ok thanks

[@anthonyluisi7096]

5 bars ? Are you serious ? .... how about just one do it yourself bar ? ...Rouge is awesome for a great powerlifting /only bar

[@greenmnt.freedom9716]

Don’t text me like that. I started 3 weeks ago 😂

[@blbreptiles4126]

Strengthshop has some of the cheapest plates on the market

[@statnyman]

who needs all of this when you have stone or rocks.

[@BarbellLogic]

Well, we do like some of the benefits & conveniences of this equipment, BUT we like where your head's at.

[@statnyman]

@@BarbellLogic thanks i've been naming my stones as they have the mark of which how much they weigh, Tree trunks are good too but boulders and stones are the best for progression overloading.

[@BarbellLogic]

@@statnyman We commend you, good sir.

[@statnyman]

@@BarbellLogic im not that old to be called sir hahaha im only 17 years old.

[@BarbellLogic]

@@statnyman Well all right then, young whipper snapper!

[@outpost31737]

Rogue are ridiculously expensive.