Posted: 11/14/2024 4:11:34 PM EDT
|
Moving and have a small room in basement for gym. Maybe 12x15'? Low ceiling. Looking to set up for free weights down there. My 13 yo son and I go to the local rec center consistently enough I'm confident it will get used. I'm still only a year or so in and not putting up big weight (squat 245/DL 315) and he is behind me but closing fast. Haven't found anything but on Craigslist and marketplace, either it is Amazon garbage or full retail priced rogue gear. Not sure where to even start. Fold out rack looks tempting for space savings but is it just a gimmick? Came across Titan Fitness as a recommendation. Any thoughts? 2x2 vs 3x3? I mostly just to barbell compounds but he likes the idea of a cable system. But he ain't paying. Open to all suggestions, ridicule, taunts, etc |
|
I have a folding Rogue rack in my Gym... and I never fold it. I CAN, and I HAVE, but honestly, if I were doing it again, I'd just go 4-post. The other thing that you don't think about with folders is that they're bolted to the wall... they're unmovable. No rearranging the Gym, at least not easily. The one caveat on that is PRx. Their stuff is super easy to fold and really nice. (Also not cheap). But you need ceiling height, which alas, I don't have (and you don't either, apparently). But for others - that's good stuff and my friend that has a PRx rack does fold it up. On your racks, I think that there's a quality vs price issue that you need to consider. Titan stuff certainly is fine and isn't going to fail. Rep stuff will be nicer, and Rogue stuff will be nicer still (and made in the USA). But each step up that ladder gets more expensive. My Gym has: Rogue RML-3W fold back rack, Monster lite, 3x3, 5/8" holes. Rogue Matador dip station Rogue Monster lite saftey spotter arms Rogue Fleck Bumper Plates (2x45, 2x25, 2x10#) (These are great, but expensive - get the EE's below instead) Everyday Essentials Bumperplates (3x45#, 4x25#, 4x10#) (I strongly recomend these plates, they're good and cheap) Everyday essentials colored bumper plates (2x45#, 2x25#, 2x10#) (These, on the other hand, are garbage, but it appears there's a new version on Walmarts site now.) Rogue Ohio Power Bar Rep Cambered Swiss bar Rep Rackable Curl bar Rep AB-4100 adjustable bench Amazon Basics flat bench Bowflex 1090 Adjustable dumbells (I do not recomend these, there are better now) Hex Dumbells 10-35# Mad Spotter dumbell hooks (I have the v1, but I love these) PRx weight plate storage, 4 peg with wings (I love this) Rep bands PRx Band wall storage PRx Gym Accessory wall storage PRx Barbell wall storage (3 bar hanging and the specialty bar holder) PRx spotter arm storage (the old version at this point) There's other stuff, but I'm really happy with all that stuff except the stuff I specifically said I'm not.  |
|
Now that I've said all that... Go 3x3. I don't think it really matters on 5/8" vs 1" holes. I went 5/8" with the westside hole spacing, but it's really not a big deal - both are well supported and there's lots of accessories. If you want cables... take a look at the Rep Ares or Athena's, or if you want to go cheaper, Bells of Steel has some cheap cable stations. But as you said... he ain't paying. I have a cheap hanging cable thing from Amazon and bands. Also... it's the best time of the year to buy stuff. Everyone is having sales, albeit not on what I want.
|
|
This also inspired me to update my Gym pics. Attached File Attached File Attached File |
|
A low ceiling might be an issue with a lot of cable attachments. I would pass on the folding style rack. As an earlier poster pointed out, you'll likely just leave it unfolded, or worse, not use it as much as you should b/c setting it up is a hassle. As your workouts get more involved over time, getting in and out of the gym in a reasonable time becomes a challenge. The less setup the better. Other than that, 2x3 vs 3x3, etc doesn't make all that much difference for most folks. If I was looking picking up a single rack, I'd consider what attachments I might want and select the rack around that, rather than the other way. Think of it as buying into a system, rather than just a rack. |
Nowhere in the Constitution will you find the phrase, "unless it's inconvenient to Government".
|
I've had a Titan T2 for years. The T3 wasn't even a thing yet when I bought it. It's been fine, but I would buy a T3 today over that one. They are far more rugged and compatible with all of Rogue's stuff. I may upgrade at some point just because I'll need a reason to spend money on myself, but in reality the T2 could probably last me the rest of my life. |
If you want to view paradise, simply look around and view it.
|
I have the Titan T-3 "space saving" rack. Wall mounted, not foldable but you can get it in 12", 18" or 24" depths (mine is 24"). I think they make 2 heights as well. You can adjust or not use the pull up bar if it's too tall. After WAY too much research I landed on this one because it fit the spot it needed to perfectly. It's built like a tank and I love it. I opted for the top cross brace and use it for all kinds of pulley exercises as well. Attached File |
|
I am going to pick this up when they get a taller 90 inch version they are selling an 80 inch version now that checks all your boxes OP. You can lift inside or outside the rack. Height adjustable cables on a 2 to 1 ratio. 3x3 rack with 1 inch holes for accessories. Comes with TONS of accessories as well. This will last him well into college. https://maxumfitness.us/product/maxum-x2-functional-trainer-power-rack/ |
|
I have a Hulkfit since 2020. Yeah it's thin metal but I squat 385 regularly and yeah it's no Rogue but it also cost 1/3 of one. I have ZERO complaints with the rack. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07FBDVJN5/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1 |
Joined:
Mar 2024
Posts:
855
EE: 0% (0)
USA
|
Originally Posted By car_wash_guy: I have a Hulkfit since 2020. Yeah it's thin metal but I squat 385 regularly and yeah it's no Rogue but it also cost 1/3 of one. I have ZERO complaints with the rack. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07FBDVJN5/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1 Got the same one. I've messed up a 465lb squat and jumped out, everything held up fine, no issues whatsoever. |
|
Originally Posted By _Nataraja_: Got the same one. I've messed up a 465lb squat and jumped out, everything held up fine, no issues whatsoever. All of the Rogue, Titan, Rep, etc racks are MASSIVELY overbuilt for what most people actually use them for, and the cheap stuff is, as said, adequate. What you're really buying into is the accessory ecosystem that those companies have (and the interchangability, since they're mostly similar). The Amazon racks, with their odd sizing, generally don't have that. It's all up to you and what you need. |
Joined:
Mar 2024
Posts:
861
EE: 0% (0)
USA
|
Originally Posted By ASUsax: All of the Rogue, Titan, Rep, etc racks are MASSIVELY overbuilt for what most people actually use them for, and the cheap stuff is, as said, adequate. What you're really buying into is the accessory ecosystem that those companies have (and the interchangability, since they're mostly similar). The Amazon racks, with their odd sizing, generally don't have that. It's all up to you and what you need. Yeah for sure. Mine was a covid buy like a lot of other people. It was the only thing I could get my hands on when the gym shut down. I've got a lat pull down/low pull cable on there and it works fine. I had to jerry-rig a seat, but it works. If I had some funny money and wanted to start again I'd go T3 with the cable accessories on the sides. Those are sick. |
I have the Titan T-3 and the short version. At 6’2” I fit just under the pull-up bar. I have to do over head presses and similar seated. Titan has been pretty good, only issues have been one of the roller j-hooks was cross threaded but if you did it right would still thread properly. Sent video to CS they sent me new ones and had me keep the old ones. Also just got the rack mounted wrist roller and it was missing two set screws and the user manual listed the wrong size. They don’t have a 12” extension for sale for the rack so I bought the wall mountable space saving rack and another set of the side bracings.  |
|
Attached File Thread resurrection time: thanks for everyone's input. I ended up finding a guy who sells used gym equipment online. Got an old squat rack from what I think was a local community college. Way overbuilt for my needs but price was right. Attached File Attached File Got the idea in my head to refurbish it. Tried to juggle that and the move to a new place in the Winter. Didn't actually spend all that many hours on it but was doing it without a proper heated space so it seemed to take forever. Kept figuring out a better way to do the paint after having worked on one part. And then thinking about redoing the whole thing, and then getting analysis paralysis, and then getting sidetracked with the house project. Attached File Anyhow, at some point, my son was helping me, and just laughed and was like that it's a squat rack, not a hot rod. So despite all the crappy paint we wrapped it up and got it installed. That's when I realized I really hadn't lifted consistently for months and had to deload majorly. Attached File Finally back into the routine and trying to make some progress. Being close to 50 makes it feel like the going is really slow. Wonder if I need my T rechecked. Attached File |
Member
Joined:
Mar 2024
Posts:
1694
EE: 0% (0)
USA
|
I'm about to be in the market for a new rack as I'm expanding and have a lot more space. Some of the Amazon stuff is perfectly adequate for a home gym. The most popular is the Fitness Reality. I've used one for years and my son squats over 400lbs. Problem I'm facing is that I'm ready to add a loaded cable the just changed the design so I can't add one to my old rack. Right now I'm between the new fitness reality and the Rep pr1000 Both are 2x2s and you can find plenty accessories in 2x2.. Stuff like jammer arms and adjustable cable attachments are harder to find. I wouldn't look at a 3x3 unless you just want to have the best possible, spend a lot of money, and be able to get accessories you will rarely use. I can respect that, but wouldn't recommend it. |
Every citizen should be a soldier. This was the case of the Greeks and Romans and must be that of every free state. -T Jefferson
https://everycitizenasoldier.blogspot.com/
https://everycitizenasoldier.blogspot.com/
|
Never mind, I replied before I read that OP had already made a move. The advice still stands. But finding a used quality one is cool too. |
Every citizen should be a soldier. This was the case of the Greeks and Romans and must be that of every free state. -T Jefferson
https://everycitizenasoldier.blogspot.com/
https://everycitizenasoldier.blogspot.com/