Updated Garage Gym Power Rack

[Shock6050]

Sorry haven’t been as active on here lately, but hopefully things have settled down for a bit with work/family. My old home gym thread closed out, but wanted to share an upgrade I just made. The previous power rack was fine and served it’s purpose, but knew I was pushing it as it was pretty cheap. I got it early in when I wasn’t sure how I’d respond to dropping my gym membership and work out at home for virtually everything (this was around peak covid so most gyms were shut down as well). Now that one of my kids is getting into strength training I wanted a more sturdy rack that is deeper inside the cage as I can set up multiple stations so I don’t have to keep swapping out weights. Going from a 2x2 to 3x3 made a huge difference as this rack is a tank and won’t rattle. Added the high/low pulley in back, landmine, and removable dip station. I also really like the strap safeties as they are not only quiet but can set them up to do barbell shrugs right off of them. Selling the old rack to a coworker (last pic). Fits perfect in the garage.

View attachment 17425

 

[Xpliot]

Damn that’s a nice set up!

 

[Poppy]

Real nice rack

 

[Ominous]

Very nice

 

[Shock6050]

Thanks! I was a bit hesitant/worried about discussing adding a new rack with the wife, but surprisingly she gave me the all clear fairly quickly. Maybe she knows I will definitely be using it regularly with no plan to have a gym membership expense, kids will need a sturdier rack as they grow up, and lastly I like to think she may like the personal body recomp results she’s seen over the past year and a half (fatass dad bod at 265 lbs to now 205-210 lbs). LOL

Worked out back/bi last night and using the safety straps as a lift point for barbell shrugs is so much easier. Neighbors I’m sure thought a full on rave was going on.

Here is where I’m currently at. Planning to continue to focus on adding more size without dramatically increasing body fat, then in about 8 weeks going to diet down to hopefully right around 9-10% for a big family vacation. Vacations when I’ll be shirtless most of the time is my version of a competition. HAHA

 

[Shock6050]

I know these aren’t showing skin definition, though I plan to kind of produce a before after post about my journey back into the game. One game changer and something I’m really proud about is the growth I’ve seen in my legs as I got away from “bro” splits where if I missed a day it likely was leg day. As a result gains in lower body never were that great. Now I actually look forward to leg day!

 

[Kad1]

Looks awesome

 

[JLee]

Sweet set up

 

[ferran]

damn! so jealous man! looking great btw!

 

[Poppy]

Are those safety straps made of nylon webbing?

 

[John]

Nice set up,looks like it’s paying off.

 

[Shock6050]

You got it! Had to look it up myself to be sure. Reinforced nylon.

 

[Shock6050]

Not doing this now but can see (or dream) in the future adding a 16in crossmember and 80in upright in the back to make a 6 post version which is what is shown when looking at the PR5000 at REP. I think I remember you having an awesome 6 post setup from EliteFts, but extends a lot more than 16in. Mind posting a pic of your setup to refresh my memory?

I can use both the crossmember and uprights for additional storage of plates, accessories, and it would be really nice to mount a single barbell holder sleeve to more easily store my trap bar. It won’t really take up much additional floor space as the lat attachment already adds at least that off the back. Unfortunately, my trap bar won’t fit on the gun rack storage where I keep my other bars. Doing my best to only use the one side of the 2 car garage so 1 vehicle can always stay inside, but it’s been slowly creeping over.

 

[Shock6050]

Here is the 6 post version with all the bells and whistles. Don’t think adding front feet is needed as I already have quite a bit of weight on the back as is and this thing doesn’t move an inch when I try to rattle it.

 

[EF9kid]

Nice set up sir

 

[Poppy]

Here ya go

 

[Poppy]

Also had my buddy cut holes in two pieces of plate steel and i welded up this bar holder from scraps.

Made this belt squat attachment from scraps also. Had to buy a long bolt and qd pin to take ot off quickly. Made a bushing to go into one of the existing holes in the rack so I didn’t have to drill. I did buy an adjustable spud belt for it.

 

[Poppy]

Close ups of attach point qd pin and bushing.
That was in the fab consideration…try not to drill into rack and a ~30 second attach/dismantle time.

 

[Poppy]

17” off back upright

 

[Poppy]