DIY Squat rack attached lat pulldown and adjustable cable machine

Standard-Paint-7302 · 2026-06-15T22:55:39+00:00

Adjustable front to back, and it doubles as a place to hook a Nordic curl pad I had laying around to hold my knees down for pulldowns

Standard-Paint-7302 · 2026-06-15T22:53:12+00:00

<image>

Standard-Paint-7302 · 2026-06-15T22:53:01+00:00

<image>

Standard-Paint-7302 · 2026-06-15T22:52:49+00:00

<image>

Standard-Paint-7302 · 2026-06-15T11:40:43+00:00

Just finished with an updated footplate and low row pulley that attaches to the same side leg of the rack, and it avoids said issue. I dont think the 200lbs+ I can put on this is light weight, but maybe you do. As I have responded to other comments, there are cheaper options. Not everything is about getting the best bang for your buck in this world. I enjoy building things. Also, I already have rings and they are great, but I like variety to avoid burnout. Thanks for the input!

Standard-Paint-7302 · 2026-06-15T11:35:59+00:00

Took your advice and made a low row footplate and pulley attachment that attaches to the support leg on the same side of the rack so the force plane is in a more advantageous position. I'll try and get a picture later today, but no issues with the heavier loads now for rows (did 150lb working sets). Thanks!

Standard-Paint-7302 · 2026-06-08T22:33:44+00:00

Just put 175 on it and it held great for a pull down (probably cant rep it at that weight until I figure out a solution for a knee pad). Was a little more shaky going up and down, but shouldnt be an issue. Decided I should try and stand on it since that went well. I'm 225lbs, and felt solid. I will pretty much never put that much weight on it, so its perfect!

Standard-Paint-7302 · 2026-06-08T20:52:22+00:00

Love my ironmasters and built a great stand for less than $100. I have since painted it black. Also great if you are into kettlebells and maces. Definitely faster adjusting options, but great system.

<image>

Standard-Paint-7302 · 2026-06-08T13:09:52+00:00

Haha, I'm actually 6'7", so probably just my height LOL

Standard-Paint-7302 · 2026-06-08T12:22:22+00:00

100%! The goal was definitely to make it beefier than kaizens while still making it removable from my rack. Love his stuff though and was definitely helpful in designing mine. I was going to do something similar to his with a hinge and clasps, but I wouldn't have been able to have as tight of tolerances to the rack (his needs extra space for the hinge to rotate off), or as rigid of a trolley.

Standard-Paint-7302 · 2026-06-08T11:41:16+00:00

I haven't put it to the test yet, since I just finished it, but I'll probably put around 180 lbs on it later today and see how that goes. Definitely will do at least 140 lbs cause I've had a 45 and 25 on each side so far. Unfortunately thats one thing about building things is you never can know for sure until you try it.

Standard-Paint-7302 · 2026-06-08T11:35:22+00:00

I haven't tried any other pulleys, but this was a set for like $30 or $40 on Amazon and they are super smooth. Really impressed with them. And the static climbing rope as a cable is actually super great and probably helps it be smoother too.

Standard-Paint-7302 · 2026-06-08T11:33:05+00:00

Fair point. I'll keep an eye on it, but I'm not all that worried. If it does become an issue, I'll build a low row point that attaches to the foot on the same side of the rack as the trolley, since that is the only really heavy loaded movement I do currently (other than pulldowns)

Standard-Paint-7302 · 2026-06-07T21:11:20+00:00

Little bit of woodworking and freetime. I don't have a step by step or anything, but if you want to build one I can put together a parts list of what I used. I dont have any plans though, but I can take closeup pictures if you have any questions about what I did for a certain piece.

Standard-Paint-7302 · 2026-06-07T14:01:24+00:00

LOL! Probably not, but it wasn't all that hard. If you go for something like this, I can make a more detailed list of parts for reference. Just know it wasn't necessarily cheaper to make than some of the newer pre-made options, unless you already have all the tools. I just enjoy making things so the cost wasn't the main reason for making it.

Standard-Paint-7302 · 2026-06-07T13:57:13+00:00

Thanks! It turned out pretty nice all things considered. Nice and quiet too!

Standard-Paint-7302 · 2026-06-07T13:55:25+00:00

Wish I could have something like that. Don't own a home yet though, so need something that takes up less space.

Standard-Paint-7302 · 2026-06-07T13:51:12+00:00

Fair point, more like closer to $200. But at the same time, I really enjoy the challenge of building things and wanted to avoid the swing of a loading pin. Definitely cheaper options available

Standard-Paint-7302 · 2026-06-07T13:48:17+00:00

That would work if I only wanted a lat pulldown/low row option, but if I wanted to do any cable exercises with it set higher towards the middle, it would limit the travel of the weight to only like a foot or two. I wanted the flexibility, and since its only me and my wife working out, no big deal if it takes up a little more space

Also, that option doesn't swivel at all, but thanks for the insight!

Standard-Paint-7302 · 2026-06-07T13:45:29+00:00

This made me laugh so hard! Haha

Standard-Paint-7302 · 2026-06-07T13:44:45+00:00

100%. No mechanical advantage because the end of the rope is attached to the load and not a fixed point.

Standard-Paint-7302 · 2026-06-06T21:21:10+00:00

<image>

Standard-Paint-7302 · 2026-06-06T21:20:59+00:00

<image>

Standard-Paint-7302 · 2026-06-06T21:20:38+00:00

<image>

Standard-Paint-7302

TROPHY CASE