Building A Badass Garage Gym

Jared Ferruggia
Feb 15, 2017
5 min read

Today we are going to discuss the absolute essentials for building a badass garage gym.

When outfitting a facility like this a few things need to be taken into consideration first and foremost.

GOALS:

If you are a powerlifter you will obviously need different equipment then someone who does crossfit. If you are strictly into cardio you will need different equipment then a bodybuilder.

Therefore, this first needs to mapped out clearly to determine excatly how you like to train and what your specific goals are.

BUDGET:

Are you working with any kind of budget or rollin deep with endless funds?

If you are on a budget then we need to look at how we can get the most bang for your buck. Exactly what pieces will be the most essential to start and then slowly build over time. If there is no budget, you can put a wish list together and go to town.

SPACE:

How big is the space you have to work with? If you have a small one car garage, space will be limited and therefore again you will need to utilize space accordingly to get the most bang for your buck. You will want to go with the most beneficial pieces that will fit in the space that you have while simultaneously helping you to reach all you training goals.

Lets face facts, commercial gyms straight up suck. You either get every machine under the sun but zero specialty equipment and can't deadlift. Or you find a hole in the wall that will allow you to deadlift but has zero shit for good accessory work.

You're fucked either way.

If you're not training at "The Strength Experiment" in beautiful central New Jersey, you might as well train at home (shameless plug)

And if you do choose to train at home you better be using the best strength and muscle building training app on the market today, find it here. http://www.thestrengthexperimenttc.com/#!app-1/esvhv ( I really do have no shame)

Aright, back to business at hand.

Lets say that you are the average hard working individual. You love to train and have a few bucks to spend to outfit a nice garage gym. Not over the top but nice. Lets say you enjoy a nice blend of powerlifting and bodybuilding like myself.

Here we are going to go over what I feel are a few essentials that would outfit a really nice garage gym while getting you the best possible results.

ESSENTIALS:

OLYMPIC BAR & PLATES:

This is pretty much a no brainer. If you’re doing any sort of vertical or horizontal pressing, squatting, or deadlifting, you will need a barbell and plates. How much weight you will need will obviously depend on your level of strength and again, specific goals.

DUMBBELLS:

Dumbbells are essential for multi plane pressing exercises, single leg squat and deadlift variations and arm work such as curls and tricep extensions.

SUSPENSION STRAPS:

A vast number of exercises can be done with suspension straps including rows and face pulls for the back, ab work, triceps and biceps and chest. This type of training tool is great for beginners and advanced athletes. The difficulty can be adjusted from easier to harder in one step or vise versa. This tool takes up very little space and can be moved or taken down within seconds. This is an extremely versatile tool and highly recommended.

ADJUSTABLE BENCH:

This is another nice option to have especially if you plan to do any horizontal full range pressing or pulling. Either with dumbbells or barbells. You can hit a variety of different angles with an adjustable bench from 15-90 degrees. That will include exercises for the chest, shoulders, back and arms.

SQUAT STAND:

Not mandatory but recommended. If you plan on pressing overhead or squatting this is a good thing to have. Now, I suppose you could clean the bar up to the press position and start from there but some risk does come with that. If you can afford to add a piece like this, it is a good one to have. These are somewhat affordable and you will be glad once you have it.

45 DEGREE BACK EXTENSION:

For those wanting to build a strong, athletic looking lower body this machine is king for accessory work. Not only can you perform back extensions from multiple different angles but you can perform a modified glute ham raise as well. If you change the position and angle you can almost simulate the exact hit the glute ham raise will give you. The 45 degree back extension is also essential to getting that much needed oblique work in. This is a highly versatile piece to have in your arsenal.

LANDMINE ATTACHMENT:

One of my absolute favorites! An extremely versatile tool for both upper and lower body. Many different squat, row and pressing variations can be done with the landmine. This is free moving training tool so you are never in a fixed position. This helps to build stability throughout the entire body. This is a MUST.

KETTLEBELLS:

Kettlebells are great training tool. They are a great way to introduce beginners to strength training and for serious athletes to ket a killer workout in. They can be used for goblet and front squats along with swings. In my opinion, I would not buy to many, maybe one medium and one heavy. As much as you can do with a kettlebell you can also get done with a dumbbell if you are creative enough.

FARMERS WALKS:

One of my top choices and favorites by far. Wether they are heavy dumbbells, kettlebells, Jerry Cans, or something homemade these are a must. These will give you an awesome workout from head to toe, hitting every muscle in the body. You can either perform a static hold for time or take them for a long walk for distance.

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS:

Some of my other favorites that I have in my own training facility are.

Reverse Hyper-

Fantastic exercise for the entire posterior chain.

Cable Cross Over-

Extremely versatile tool to do a multitude of upper and lower body exercises.

Indian Clubs and Macebells-

A simple tool for increasing mobility in the shoulders.

Mobility Bands-

A simple tool for increasing mobility

Heavy Ropes-

Great training tool to increase conditioning