How Many Of These 8 Common Garage Gym Mistakes Have You Made?

[@GymCrafter]

Great comment from a viewer: Look at shorty bars (6'-7') and thin plates if you are just a bit short on space for a rack. Also, it looks like I may have indicated you need to buy a bike nicer and more high end than a Peloton and that's not the case at all. You can spend half as much with a much lower subscription fee and get a bike with better ergonomics! A couple of good points from viewers on buying all one brand... Bundle pricing specials are one reason people buy all one brand. The savings can often be significant! Free shipping promos on large orders are another reason people buy all one brand. It's often a lot easier for people to buy everything in one place because they don't want to do a bunch of research. They just want to get their gym built and get on their way.

[@JoeyLisano]

I do a lot of research before buying and am a mechanical engineer so I tend to make less mistakes. Here are some different ones: 1. Being nervous to buy a light fixed weight, such as a kettlebell or gripper, thinking that beginner gains will soon make it obsolete. Light weight makes proper technique easier in the beginning, and it later serves as a warm up weight. 2. Thinking 1 straight barbell, 1 lat pulldown bar, and 1 row bar would be sufficient. My shoulders did not enjoy always being at the same angle for every pushing and pulling movement. I had to get quite a few neutral and 45 degree pronated/supinated options to mix it up.

[@GymCrafter]

Great points. People can train a very long time with just one or two kettlebells! So many different ways to make something feel heavier without buying heavier gear and your point on grooving good form with lighter weights is excellent!

[@edwardmeyer7178]

Brand loyalty is limiting for sure, I went Rep Fitness for the PR-5000 racks I own and they do have some great attachments. But, I have continued to shop the entire internet obtaining some of the most useful extras that Rep just don't offer...

[@GymCrafter]

Great point! There's so much out there now to pick from too.

[@themalloftheinternet5682]

My biggest home gym mistakes were not understanding when getting started what sleeve length means on a barbell and buying a cheap squat rack for my lesser gym "the bad weather gym" in my house. At the beginning of the pandemic i kept looking at the specs on a barbell online and didn't understand that a five foot barbell is not actually useable on a four foot half rack. Yes it fits but i had to use two sets of collars on each side of the bar to hold the single weight plate on each side. Definitely a rookie mistake. Its not a total loss since a short bar still has some use just not for in a rack. When i soon discovered that my garage gym couldn't actually be used all year round i found a cheap squat rack with amazing amazon reviews so i bought it for the gym in the house and it was big mistake. The CAP 3x3 rack with 1" hole spacing is so wobbly from side to side, welds are poor and it has additional bracings for support making it impossible to deadlift with because the hole spacing doesn't go low enough for deadlifts. Also the spotter arms are very sketchy. The rack is rated up to a mere 300lbs but im afraid to put more than 100lbs on the spotter arms including the weight of the bar. I know CAP fitness is budget equipment but other stuff from them is okay just not this rack. In fact their 2x2 rack is cheaper and stronger and allows for deadlifts. No replacement parts are offered nor are add on options for their 3x3 rack. So lesson learned if you cant see the product in person watch trusted reviewers tell you about it before you buy a product of any substantial cost.

[@GymCrafter]

All great points! I think people get too caught up into "weight capacity" and not caught up enough in stability.

[@TheGhu123]

We basically buy everything from ABT. From Kitchen to Exercise equipment to furniture. ABT even did some of my plumbing.

[@GymCrafter]

That's awesome! They really are a great business. I don't miss retail, but I really miss the Abt family and everyone I worked with there. It's a special place for sure.

[@TheGhu123]

@@GymCrafter the service is top notch. We had the same sales person for 20 years. She even came my brother’s wedding.

[@res2788]

I think that a lot of people who make the mistake of buying all of their equipment from the same manufacturer do so because they are trying to save money on shipping. Another reason is because the manufacturer lures the customer into buying more or buying product exclusively from them. For example; “Hundo” pricing.

[@GymCrafter]

both really good points! I also work with a lot of people that just don't want to do the research and buying it all in one place is just easier.

[@carps_gym]

When he gets that Heavy Bag, we will have to start Calling him Timbo Slice!

[@GymCrafter]

😂Please, God, no.😂

[@Mrwatson185]

Gotta call out the inconsistency in messaging when you tell people not to go commercial grade for certain equipment because the quality is often overkill then knock peloton for not being bike snob quality and as good as a studio-level spin bike…

[@GymCrafter]

Thanks for posting this! I do these in one take with no script, just an outline of the points I want to hit. I wasn't trying to say you need to buy a commercial spin bike, just that those are examples of the bad ergos on the Peloton (and don't get me started on their rower!). You can literally get a much better bike at half the price with a subscription that's a third of the price. I appreciate you saying this as sometimes what I want to get across in my head isn't what comes out of my mouth!😂

[@Mrwatson185]

@@GymCrafter no problem, you do much better than I would for non-stop one take talking. Keep it up!

[@bobbyhunt3009]

There is a guy called the "Science guy" or "Science based", something like that and he is exactly what you said. His whole gym is from Major Fitness. He is just a Major Fitness commercial. I don't know how people listen to those type of guys because you can't believe anything they say. Nofate 247 does that too, we don't see eye to eye. I'm just tired of sell out guys who are just a commercial for whoever sent them something free and it is 98% of them. I want true, honest facts and a qualified person's opinion on home gym equipment. Is that too much to ask for in 2024. I think it is, in this world, honesty and integrity is lost, it's sad but it's true. I came up with 98% bad and 2% good. That's You and Gluck. Tim, if you know an honest reviewer I've not seen please let me know!!!!!! Thnkx Man Take Care

[@GymCrafter]

Thanks, I appreciate that and your continued support. If I could suggest, though, to leave those guys alone. I didn't mention anyone by name for a reason. I still don't regret making the Coop video, but I'm prob not ever gonna call anyone out by name again. Not a single Coop fan changed their minds because of my video and not a single detractor changed their minds because of his. Much better to just support the people you like and leave everyone else alone. Just my .02, take it for what it's worth. But I'm not a huge fan of the comments you left for those guys.

[@bobbyhunt3009]

​@@GymCrafter Got it!!!!

[@bobbyhunt3009]

I'm not s person that hurts feelings and I just stated facts and truth but that is not wanted on youtube home gym community. Got it!!!!!

[@weightsnwaves]

Garage space disappears fast! Rack and and an air bike takes up 8'x14' area. A 6' bar, thin plates, minimalist mindset and good organization have made it a comfortable training area.

[@GymCrafter]

Right?!?! I think I'll pin your shorty bar and thin plates ideas though. Both great ways to save space!

[@weightsnwaves]

@@GymCrafter Absolute max on my 6' bar with all weight it out plates would be 843, easily 753. I'll be amazed if I get much over 600 DL

[@verablack3137]

I don’t care if my equipment is the same but I really want all of my grip plates to match, so even if I find cheaper plates I am just gonna keep buying Giant grip plates

[@GymCrafter]

I can relate! I have 4 different types of bumpers in my gym now and when different ones are on the same bar, it drives me crazy!

[@rm_powerhouse6262]

Few mistakes i made -fad purchases i thought I'd use more but not really (Hex pad for preacher curls, clone kabuki bar, band pegs & bands-not strong enough anyway) -buying the popular most promoted social media gear: Verve zero gap bench (cheap coating & too heavy for my needs)

[@GymCrafter]

Gah! if I could only have every dollar back that I've spent because of FB and Insta ads! I've been burned so many times you'd think I would learn!

[@TheKurtlocker]

I definitely don'y agree with everything, for instance I don't agree that many folks need conditioning equipment because god gave us the earth and our chevrolegs. Overall well put together. As a fan of American made, i got partoculer joy from the short list of the many American manufacturers

[@GymCrafter]

Thanks! I think I might do a made in the US episode. There are a lot of great companies out there! If I remember right, you were in the military? Your level of discipline would back that up. I harp on an indoor cardio option because just about 100% of the people I work with will all use the weather as a reason they didn't do cardio or even get out for a walk on a particular day. It's crazy sometimes. It's too hot, too humid, gets dark early, too many bugs, too cold, too windy, etc. If everyone has an option to train conditioning inside, that excuse goes away. I also like to show people that conditioning doesn't have to be a cardio machine. Heavy kb swings, jump rope, a well designed circuit with lighter weights, etc are all great indoor options. My biggest gripe is the number of lifters who will go to great lengths to tell people cardio isn't important. Love your comments, man. I really appreciate when people point out differences of opinion. It makes for a really helpful comment section. And I'm stealing "chevrolegs"! 😂