Building the Ultimate Home Gym: Equipment Tour and Competition Prep
Creating a functional and versatile home gym takes time, dedication, and smart equipment choices. Whether you're training for competition or simply maintaining fitness, having the right setup can make all the difference in your strength journey.
The Centerpiece: A Lat Pulldown Machine
Perhaps the most significant addition to this home gym is a Bells of Steel pull down and low row machine with a 310-pound weight stack. This versatile piece allows for numerous upper body exercises that were previously impossible with just barbells and dumbbells. The machine features pegs at the top and bottom for band attachment, creating variable resistance options. Multiple handles complement the setup: a V-bar, pull-down ropes, single handles, and both full-length and shorter lat bars.
Power Rack and Barbell Setup
The foundation of any serious strength training gym is a quality power rack. This setup includes a Rep Fitness power rack for heavy benching, squatting, and pull-ups. An adjustable Rep Fitness bench allows for both flat and incline positions. The barbell collection includes a Rogue Power Bar for benching, deadlifting, and squatting, plus a secondary Olympic bar and a 30-pound Rogue Olympic curl bar.
Weight Options
A comprehensive collection of weights includes:
- Bumper plates stored near the rack
- Olympic plates along the garage wall (35s, 25s, 15s, 10s)
- Dumbbells ranging from 10 to 90 pounds
- 2.5-pound magnetic plate mates for creating incremental weights
- Micro plates from half-pound to 1.25 pounds for precise loading
- Kettlebells in various weights
- Two-pound wrist weights for additional options
Specialized Equipment
The gym features several specialized machines:
- GMWD seated calf machine
- Leg extension/curl machine (acquired secondhand)
- Dipping station with a mirror for form checking
- Resistance bands suspended from the dip station
- Boxing dummy for cardio work
Preparing for Competition
With Strength Wars 2025 competition approaching in Sisters, Oregon (approximately 10 weeks out), training has shifted to a heavier focus. This competition, a significant powerlifting meet in Central Oregon, requires specific preparation strategies. The bench press is definitely on the agenda, with other lifts still under consideration.
Creating Your Own Training Space
What makes this gym setup particularly impressive is how it combines thoughtfully purchased commercial equipment with budget-friendly finds. Mirrors from yard sales, secondhand machines, and carefully chosen new pieces create a complete training environment capable of supporting serious strength development.
The personal touches—a custom gym sign, motivational quotes, and a trophy wall displaying achievements—transform a functional space into an inspiring training environment. It proves that building an effective home gym doesn't happen overnight but evolves as your training needs and resources grow.
The Power of Home Training
Having access to a well-equipped home gym eliminates excuses and creates consistency. It allows for targeted training based on specific goals, whether that's competition preparation or general strength development. Most importantly, it provides the freedom to train according to your schedule in an environment tailored precisely to your preferences.
As you develop your own training space, focus first on versatile equipment that serves multiple purposes, then gradually add specialized pieces that address your specific needs and goals. With patience and strategic purchases, you can create a training environment that rivals commercial facilities while providing the convenience only a home gym can offer.
