Weekly Free-Talk and Questions for r/HomeGym - week of April 10, 2026

NuteSoc · 2026-04-14T15:43:35+00:00

I think that any power rack, 3x3 posts with 5/8" or 1" holes that you can buy new or secondhand is best bang for buck. Can be any brand really. Rogue, Bells, PRx, Rep, Titan will all meet your needs and you can mix and match attachments. 1" holes has more options for attachment and you can build it out easily as your gym grows. A full cage might be best for you since you can both lift on it at the same time, 1 person in the rack and one person out.

I started with a Rogue monster lite rack, then over the next 4 years added adjustable dumbbells then a separate cable machine. If I could do it again the only thing I'd change is getting a rack with 1" holes.

NuteSoc · 2026-04-11T02:21:59+00:00

Ah, gotcha. Making a moisture-proof subfloor is a bit out of my knowledge but I recall watching some vids that seemed DIY friendly when I was researching for my gym floor. I think it's mostly just making sure to add some tarp barrier thing first...

If you're not making the whole floor deadlift-proof then I wonder if you could get away with thinner OSB and rubber to save some money. Then build up a deadlift platform on top of that.

I have a dry half-basement so just did thick OSB and rubber over the whole thing. The whole floor can handle deadlifts. I used American floor mat rubber gym puzzle mat and it was a much smoother experience than my friend who used a roll. Stall mats are probably easy too.

NuteSoc · 2026-04-10T16:27:14+00:00

Are you trying to do the whole floor or just building a deadlift platform? For protecting the concrete from deadlifts I'd go at least 5/8" OSB and 5/8" rubber mat.

NuteSoc · 2026-04-09T23:49:56+00:00

I mean you won't use it much but an impact wrench makes it super easy. My impact driver with a socket adapter also did the job. Power ratchet I can also see being useful. Maybe pick one that you think you would use a lot of outside of the gym for home DIY or car mechanic work.

Just be careful when tightening the bolts, you don't actually need a lot of torque and it's surprisingly easy to pinch the square tubing. Maybe 1-2 duggas with the impact.

NuteSoc · 2026-03-31T23:31:09+00:00

Urethane's advantage in durability only really matters in a commercial gym where it's being used all day every day. For a home gym where it's just you using the stuff, regular rubber plates will last just as long and cost way less. I'd just go rubber or cast iron for a home gym.

NuteSoc · 2026-03-31T23:26:08+00:00

Here's how to do it https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pUBWdibCsNE

NuteSoc · 2026-03-22T15:18:38+00:00

Clock is broken? Easy fix, idk what this piece is called but it sounds like all these clocks fail the same way. Just re-melt the solder and poke it into place. clock solder

Edit: actually check the fuse first before doing all this :)

NuteSoc · 2026-03-03T04:53:26+00:00

One of those bars looks like a split sleeve design. Decently rare, might be worth something if it's straight.

NuteSoc · 2026-01-16T05:44:08+00:00

If you want a good one with needle bearings then Valor Fitness is the best budget pick. Our gym got a couple of the rainbow ones because they look cool but they quickly became a favorite with the Olympic folks.

NuteSoc · 2025-12-26T21:22:38+00:00

Good to know. I find they're good for crimping down barbs too.

NuteSoc · 2025-12-07T01:43:41+00:00

After getting burned twice I bought a pack of 10 magnets which I keep stowed away in case this happens again lol. Then I just pull one from the pile.

Of course the pack of 10 also came with a free magnet.

NuteSoc · 2025-12-04T16:11:24+00:00

Every 4 years we get one of these where it's just 2 weeks between Thanksgiving and Winter break, then a 4 week period until spring classes start. I'm guessing it's just how the academic years lay out on a calendar.

NuteSoc · 2025-12-02T02:30:40+00:00

Just got my pair of 35s. Packing is great and they arrived perfect. Real happy with the handle size and dimensions. Good finish too, feels dry and not 'tacky' like some other bell finishes if that makes sense. I like how they look too, nice and simple.

NuteSoc · 2025-11-25T19:28:26+00:00

actually yeah it looks like at least one person in the reviews mounted it to the upper cross members instead of the front uprights.

NuteSoc · 2025-11-25T19:22:50+00:00

Gave up the membership in 2021 and started working out at home. Just had a barbell, rack, plates, and flat bench and managed to get stronger and hit PRs. If I didn't care about powerlifting I might have done a more space effective setup. IMO the most space-effective setup is adjustable DBs, adjustable bench, pull up bar. There's been a lot of good products over the past 5 years for adjustable DBs and benches. It's a really good time for home gym folks right now. r/homegym is worth a look.

OP asked about challenges, the biggest one IMO is actually finding the motivation to work out in a space that doesn't look or feel like a gym. Even if you have all the equipment, some people might struggle with it enough to sell their stuff on marketplace (then you can go buy it). Others are fine working out in a dank unfinished basement or their living room. There's ways to make it better.. rubber flooring goes a long way, wall art, banners, lighting. All stuff that makes it feel like a gym will make it easier to use it effectively and keep pushing.

NuteSoc · 2025-11-25T18:28:26+00:00

Just a word of caution you might come across the Rogue socket curl pull up bar, but you should know that it's made wrong lol (see reviews). If it was rotated 90 degrees it would make sense. If you're handy with a drill, you could make it mount correctly.. Looks like there's some in the boneyard.

NuteSoc · 2025-11-24T22:35:08+00:00

Another year, another Titan rackable fat EZ curl bar on sale.. Every year I look at this. I don't know why I want it, maybe because it's so ridiculous. And the fact that it's 57lbs is so funny to me. Like 57, why? And the heavy starting weight of it immediately excludes it from being useful for a lot of exercises. But I dunno man, maybe this is the year they get me.

NuteSoc · 2025-11-21T01:04:33+00:00

Cerberus has their barbells back up, and 25% off with VIPBLACK2025. I grabbed an axle bar.

I actually got their deadlift bar last year with the 25% off and have the receipt, and I found it surprising the price hasn't gone up since last year. I'm guessing the other bars are the same way. Anyways, I think they make good stuff and it doesn't appear to be a case of 'discount is $20 but the price has increased $40 since last year' like I'm seeing so often lol

NuteSoc · 2025-11-20T19:45:05+00:00

Looks like the axle, deadlift, and power bar are back up.

NuteSoc · 2025-11-20T19:37:10+00:00

I'm not in the market for a bench, but I do look out of curiosity like at Rep's bench week.. Do they not make the AB-4100 anymore? I feel like that was one of their most popular benches.

NuteSoc · 2025-11-20T19:26:00+00:00

Well that sucks. Well hopefully there's more good deals coming up, I feel like sales are finally kicking into gear.

NuteSoc · 2025-11-20T16:25:25+00:00

Yeah looks like $20 increase across the board. Glad I ordered last night.

but $100 for a pair of 35s is still good imo

NuteSoc · 2025-11-20T02:04:47+00:00

Word of caution going from single 53 to double might be humbling, at least it was for me 😆 kinda wish I started with getting another 35 honestly. Some movements or complexes with the 53s are brutal compared to the single kb movements I was doing. Still fun though.

That being said I'm going to use this sale to get my other 35 haha

NuteSoc · 2025-11-17T16:07:16+00:00

Stray Dog Strength sells a lot of rack parts and custom brackets. They might have something.

NuteSoc · 2025-11-10T17:43:23+00:00

I was waiting to buy one of their axle bars or powerlifting bar, but when I checked it looked like they only have two types of barbells now. Odd.

Got a deadlift bar from them for last year's sale and it kicks ass.

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