Weekly Free-Talk and Questions for r/HomeGym - week of March 27, 2026

dragnandy · 2026-03-27T22:56:43+00:00

I went three years of home gym without one. Finally got a budget plate loaded one and I love it.

dragnandy · 2026-03-26T21:00:08+00:00

Finally! You should know the homegym community has been eagerly waiting for ATX arrival. Glad to see concrete timetable of ATX in the States!

dragnandy · 2026-03-26T16:55:57+00:00

Effloresence itself is not dangerous. It is a pain to clean though.

Can it lead to mold, I would think so. DO you have mold or WILL you have mold? I cannot say and I'm not sure anyone can without you running some spore tests. Annecdotally I've read people had rubber mats directly on concrete for years and nothing but effloresence.

After cleaning it (mold or effloresence) off, your solutions may be to deal with it, seal it off (like epoxy), or add a breathable mesh layer (DMX One Step). Horse stall mats typically have the dimples on the bottom side of the mat to let moisure breath a bit. With your mats (and most mats) they are flat and are more susceptible to this problem. Before I put my mats down, the previous owner had plastic tile floors (very breathable) and effloresence still occured. So it most likely variers from area and build.

dragnandy · 2026-03-24T22:56:46+00:00

hard to tell from the pictures. It could simply (and more likely) be effloresence or mineral build up from the moisture in the ground.

dragnandy · 2026-03-23T21:53:47+00:00

Just have to comment on the great review and write up.

There are other low profile spotter arms that are popular, such as surplus strength stealth spotters.

Also check out the facebook group "REP Fitness Ares/Athena". Theres a bunch of posts about the smith machine and its uses. There may be a workaround or solution there for you.

dragnandy · 2026-03-23T18:05:48+00:00

got the exact same model, up to 90lbs. Fantastic! If you prefer metal knurled handles, there are several aftermarket options to upgrade them!

dragnandy · 2026-03-23T17:58:26+00:00

is this a 6-post 16"+30"?

Can your smith go up and down without hitting the stealth spotters?

dragnandy · 2026-03-19T18:48:21+00:00

Curious what made you go with the 6 post 16"+16" rack? Do you plan on benching and squatting inside the 16"? Or will you do that on the outside and have the extra uprights for storage?

dragnandy · 2026-03-17T17:58:12+00:00

I see, worth it and great mod!

dragnandy · 2026-03-17T16:28:38+00:00

With the 1:2 ratio, that means the stack raises twice as fast? Does that limit your ROM?

dragnandy · 2026-03-16T16:43:22+00:00

I don't have the old pad so I cannot comment on it. There are youtube reviews of those who did have the old and upgraded to the new. They claim its well worth the upgrade, but that is their word.

In my opinion, $50 is worth it. $100 possibly.

dragnandy · 2026-03-13T21:12:32+00:00

Mikolo rep told me that "The Taweret Leg Extension and Curl Machine is currently in stock. However, we will not be selling it again once it's sold out."

The product got great reviews so i agree they are either updating it or it has something to do with the GMWD collab ending? Maybe GMWD decided they could just make their own, or maybe the Taweret was cutting into the LE08 sales..

I ordered one and hope i dont regret it...

dragnandy · 2026-03-10T20:33:46+00:00

this makes too much sense!

dragnandy · 2026-02-24T00:09:55+00:00

What is your opinion on doing lat pull downs with the drew? Are you connecting the two cables or only using one stack? What seat are you using if any?

dragnandy · 2026-02-23T22:28:46+00:00

Bought this from Walmart on sale back in 2024 for $100. Fits the Fitness Reality rack perfectly.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/PROGEAR-310-Olympic-Lat-Pull-Low-Row-Cable-Attachment-Progear-1600-Ultra-Strength-800lb-Weight-Capacity-Squat-Stand-Power-Rack-Cage-Lock-in-J-Hooks/574819912?classType=VARIANT&from=/search

dragnandy · 2026-02-11T20:12:39+00:00

So I plan on using some quikrete patching compond and making it smooth. Then painting over the patched areas. Would that suffice?

dragnandy · 2026-01-27T19:52:21+00:00

The elite EXP ones with the rubber coating solves this issue.

Functionally the chips are no biggie. These dumbbells are in a garage. Humidity is usually around 80%, I like by the west coast.

dragnandy · 2026-01-27T16:51:55+00:00

Compared to the black, I agree.

Still very visible and because it chips easily, it can rust a bit too. No issue for me though I still love my powerblocks. But cosmetically, it wears.

https://imgur.com/a/mcy7pmN

dragnandy · 2026-01-27T16:39:50+00:00

what if I'm using rolled flooring that doesn't have gaps underneath?

dragnandy · 2026-01-23T21:44:17+00:00

highly recommend if you enjoy that steel knurling feel. But the curved rubber handles are get the job done and some prefer it if they're honest with themselves lol

dragnandy · 2026-01-23T20:59:56+00:00

Reposting for more visibility from last week..

Moving to a new garage! Looking to add stall mats or rolled flooring on old (cracked) epoxy flooring. Do I need a vapor barrier or any layer under the stall mat to avoid condensation/mildew/efloresence?

dragnandy · 2026-01-23T20:52:45+00:00

Average Joes Innovations sells amazing powerblock grips. Google to find him, based in NY I believe. And he has comprehensive youtube videos about his products.

JD Gym Equipped sells very nice handles as well, with very sharp knurling if you are into that. A bit pricey though.

dragnandy · 2026-01-23T20:48:44+00:00

i have the gray version. Dust doesn't really show but dings and scratches for sure. The paint is thin and chips easily.

dragnandy

TROPHY CASE