Soon I'm going to take the plunge for a home gym in my garage, as soon as Spring comes around. This is what I have come up with so far, what do you think? Please help me out here! :)

1. Olympic Bar - B&R Bar by York Barbell - $295 - http://www.roguefitness.com/...tore/BR_bar.php
I'm thinking 29mm because I will also be doing squats and most likely deadlifts.

2. Bumper plates - http://www.bsolympicgym.com/ - $424 for 308 lbs.
(2 x 25kg, 2 x 20kg, 2 x 15kg, 2 x 10kg, all black training bumpers)

3. Cast-iron plates - Just find something suitable on Craigslist on the cheap.

4. Squat stand - http://www.newyorkbarbells.com... - $149

5. DIY Plate holders - http://board.crossfit.com/...2761&page=1

6. DIY Platform - http://www.straighttothebar.co...

Total, not including prices for plate/platform materials & iron plates: $878.

What do you guys think?? Regardless, I'm pretty excited. I can do my Oly stuff in my garage, and all other stuff at my gym.

I saw 308lbs and was like "hmm, he looks like a big dude, I don't think that's gonna be enough..." then I saw cast iron plates lol

personally I would get a squat rack of some type if you're gonna be working out by yourself

I use something like this
http://liamrosen.com/..._squat_rack.jpg
except mine doesn't have that weird thing in the back

the pins are good if you're gonna have to bail on a rep and don't have a spotter because you're by yourself in your garage. I don't know, it's a personal choice, and I like I feel more confident when using heavier weights.

I know guys who've bought squat cages love them, so if you have the choice and money to splurge on one right away, you might want to look into that (but they're huge, so make sure you have room for it first)

nice idea on the DIY holder and platform, I might make myself one as well, so awesome.

but yeah, it's looking real solid so far

i think a squat rack is a good idea, if you can get one, because you can then use it for a multitude of other exercises afterwards such as pull ups etc, add chains or trx and a whole new world opens up. (not much use for olympic lifting but a little variety never hurts)

Update:

Going with Sorinex bumpers instead. Less weight, but cheaper price and the weight is in pounds. I can get more bumpers later, and use regular iron weights to make it up for now.

Bumpers â?? Sorinex - $370 for 260 lbs.

And about bars, here are my choices. What do you guys think?

B&R Bar by York Barbell - $295 - http://www.roguefitness.com/...tore/BR_bar.php
Sorinex All Terrain Bar - $300 - http://store.sorinex.com/...lb_p/sorb-1.htm
Pendlay HD NexGen 20kg Bar - $300 - http://www.pendlaybarbell.com/...hdne20olba.html

I'd shy away from the Sorinex only because it doesn't have center knurling, which is pretty useful IMO

I have bought and use the pendlay nexgen bearing bar and I can vouch for it. It has a beautiful knurling and I can use it without chalk for light workouts [Im sweaty as fuk FYI]. The knurling is nice and matte with none of the greasy feel of eliko soft chrome. the spin is smooth as silk. Whip is just nice.

As for bumpers oyu should check out the clearout sale going on right now at muscledriverusa.com

They got all kinda bampers for sale as for spoting rack i use two saw horses that store easily and take up almost no space. they catch some big bars on occasion. no goodfor rack pulls tho.

-chris

Weightlifting in pounds doesn't count.;)

Not using collars is cheap! York make some 0.5kg collars that are pretty decent. Eleiko training collars are overpriced and poorly designed anyway - bits come unscrewed and get lost and they jam pretty easily.

I got my bumpers from Sorinex...I've been satisfied with them so far. But I guess time will tell.

I only live about an hour from Sorinex and Williams Strength, the manufacturer for the majority of EliteFTS's equipment, so I drove up to Columbia, SC to pick the stuff up to save myself the shipping cost.

Good guys there at Sorinex. Damn nice training center, too!

Here's a pic of what I've done in my garage. There's some more pics in my hub...

JPCleary, your home gym is amazing.

Question: How much is an Eleiko Men's International Training Set worth? The set comes with 140 kg and a training bar.

Also, how much is a used Sorinex High/Low Hook Squat rack worth?

They are being advertised on Craigslist for $1500. It seems like a pretty good deal. They look to be in good condition.

That is a good deal. I think just the Eleiko training set would go for more than $1,500.00.

JP I am envious of that home gym. God Damn is that a thing of beauty. I see that you also have a huge selection of barbells, that is just awesome.

Did you make that platform or just buy it?

I made it. That was one of the more creative parts of the build out. Actually building something, as opposed to just putting stuff together. I really like the way it turned out.

This was what I used for inspiration. The only difference with mine is, it is 12 ft long instead of 8 ft. I wanted it long enough for the rack to fit on it with nothing hanging off and still have plenty of room in front of the rack.

But if you plan on just using squat stands, 8 ft will be more than enough.

Badass setup JP. One day when I actually own a home I hope I can get a similar setup.

much nicer than the corner of the basement my parents afford me to use haha

my dad thinks I won't be dropping the bar...I don't care, if I have weight overhead and need to drop it, it's being dropped.

Hey jak3 you live in Greece? I'm half Greek and go there often, I'm actually going this summer in July-August for 2-3 weeks. Know any good places to lift anywhere? (I'm hitting the islands, Athens, and Porto Rafti).

haha, I just put Greece in because a country was required when signing up and I didn't want to put my real country in. I've never even been to Greece, let alone know any weightlifting clubs, sorry.

I know I'm a bit late on this for the home gym but I just ordered what I thought was a pair of bumpers (25kg)from bsolympicgym.com for the price you have mentioned of $97 plus shipping but it's actually only for a single bumper plate so the pair would basically be $200 plus shipping so what you have quoted would actually be double.

Luckily I thought to call to check on my order and got it switched out with a pair of 45# troy bumpers for the same price. I thought I was gonna get a pair of 55 pound bumpers to go with the pendlay elite set that I ordered but that wasn't the case I probably should've just went and got the rogue hg 55's for a bit extra but oh well.

Equipment sale at Elite FTS right now. Sale is through Monday. Check it out. They use JPCleary's garage gym in their sale article!