Properly designed and effective programming is the key to getting results from your home or garage gym. The problem is that the internet is littered with crappy programs sold mostly by fitness models. Their six-pack abs and toned bodies sway thousands of people into spending millions of dollars. The problem is that 95% of all the exercise programs sold on the web and social media are mediocre at best (most are downright terrible). And while …
Functional Patterns 10 week Course Review – Is It Worth Your Money?
There are a seemingly endless number of options in the fitness space when it comes to mobility and movement programming. Everything from free YouTube channels to costly in-person guidance is available. One of the more visible options these days is the 10-week online postural dysfunction course by Functional Patterns. Backed by a good number of 5-star reviews and a very persuasive marketing campaign, it’s an attractive option for anyone with movement issues, postural difficulties, or …
MAPS Prime vs. Prime Pro, What’s the Difference?
View PostMAPS Prime, A 3-Year User’s Review
I’ve been using the MAPS Prime program from the guys over at Mind Pump for a little over three years now. Even when I’m not running a MAPS-based program, Prime is integrated into my practice. MAPS Prime is a program that helps you self-assess movement and mobility issues that should be addressed when training. It then helps you, step by step, to develop a customized warm-up and recovery program that is specific to you and …
I used MAPS Prime Pro for 2 years and this is what happened
As a 50-year-old with a history of injuries, I have to do everything I can to not only deal with the injuries I’ve had in the past but to make sure I don’t injure myself going forward. Several years ago, I’d simply had enough. I found myself absolutely fed up with the state of my health at that time. I was in my late 40’s, overweight by almost 40 lbs, and in pain. I needed …
24 months training on the Titan Fitness X-3 Rack, An Owner’s Review
View PostRep Fitness AB-5200 Bench: An Owner’s Review
Eight months ago, I ordered the Rep Fitness AB-5200 adjustable weight bench. I didn’t need a new bench (my Rep AB-3000 was working beautifully for me), but I like to buy new gear every now and then, and I’d been looking at the AB-5200 for some time. I originally bought the AB-3000 because of its price and ability to decline. I ended up never using the decline, and thanks to a bonus I received at …
Rep Fitness AB-3000 Bench: An Owner’s Review
Last updated on April 19th, 2021 at 05:48 pmThe big four of rack, weights, bar, and bench are essential parts of a complete home gym. It’s hard to say that one of those is more important than the others. It’s not hard to say which will be most noticeable if you go cheap or low quality. Buying a cheap or low-quality bench is immediately noticeable. Safety, durability, and comfort all suffer when using a sub-par …
11 Ways to train in a home gym with a low ceiling – Real tips from real people
View PostHow to do pull-ups in gyms with low ceilings.
Last updated on February 28th, 2021 at 07:45 pmThe pull-up is a foundational functional movement pattern that everyone should train regularly. While it’s one of the more challenging movements anyone can do in a gym, it’s one that has a myriad of benefits that apply to everyday life. The pull-up is also a movement that requires more vertical room to perform than any other resistance training movement pattern. This makes it challenging to do in …
Overhead Pressing in gyms with low ceilings.
Last updated on July 7th, 2021 at 01:34 pmIn its many forms, the overhead press is one of the best compound lifts you can do when training with weights. After the “big three” (bench press, squat, and deadlift), some consider the overhead press a very close fourth when it comes to critical lifts. While there are a significant number of variations of this lift, all of them require you to press weight over your head. …
How to clean your treadmill to keep it working and looking like new
View PostPicking the right size motor for your treadmill
Last updated on February 27th, 2021 at 05:35 pmWhile all treadmills look similar to each other, some key differences will help you determine which treadmill is right for you. Deck height, deck cushion, belt width, platform length, and motor size are just a few. Some of those differences will determine how well the treadmill performs. Others will determine how long the treadmill lasts. Some, like the size of the motor, will impact both. For this …
The best indoor cardio solutions for home gyms with low ceilings
Last updated on February 28th, 2021 at 07:46 pmMany home gym owners seem to think that all they need is a treadmill or rower or tend to leave the cardio out altogether. In my opinion, both sides of that argument are wrong. As I’ve written about numerous times, all home gyms need three basic components: Space to train Resistance to train with An indoor cardio option That said, what if you are trying to build …
Finding a Squat Rack for a home gym with a short ceiling
View PostBuilding a Home Gym You’ll Love in a Room with a Low Ceiling.
Last updated on July 7th, 2021 at 01:26 pmThe very first home gym I ever saw was in the early 1970s. My grandfather and uncle had carved out a small back room in their basement that held a drum set and a small home gym. That gym consisted of a heavy bag, a speed bag, a flat/incline weight bench, and a set of plastic covered cement weights from Sears (I later got a set just …
Can you put a treadmill on the second floor?
Last updated on March 3rd, 2021 at 01:01 pmAn average treadmill measures approximately 3’ wide x 6’ long x 5’ high. What may surprise you is that a treadmill of this size needs an area about 7’ wide x 12’ long x 8’ high. I cover all the reasons why in my article here, but in the end, treadmills take up a fair amount of room! In fact, they take up a lot more room …
Do you really need a treadmill mat?
View PostIs BowFlex the best option for an all in one home gym?
Last updated on February 28th, 2021 at 07:28 pmI’ve owned two Bowflex home gyms in my life. Their late-night infomercials featuring super-fit models training for “20 minutes a day, three days a week” hooked me. Twice! While I don’t still own either of those machines, I do look back on them and wish I’d used them more often. Both times, they became very expensive clothes racks for me. Not because they weren’t decent machines, but …
Building a great home gym, what do you really need?
Last updated on March 16th, 2021 at 01:40 pmAsk ten home gym owners what you need to build a great home gym and I can pretty much guarantee you’ll get ten different answers. That’s because each of those ten people has different needs and enjoys different types of training. This makes it hard for someone trying to build their own home gym to figure out what they should and shouldn’t get. Should they get free …
Squat Rack or Power Rack, which one is best for your home gym?
View PostAdding mirrors to your home gym… Everything you need to know.
Last updated on July 7th, 2021 at 01:45 pmAlmost every commercial gym I’ve ever seen has mirrors on the walls. It’s part of the deal when building a gym. They are useful for both the patrons and the trainers and it would be hard to make a case for not installing them. So when people are building their home and garage gyms, a commonly asked question is should they install mirrors? If so, where do …
Why and how to mix bumper plates with iron plates
Last updated on February 27th, 2021 at 06:06 pmBuilding a home gym can get expensive. And it can get that way fast! So finding places to save money without sacrificing functionality becomes important to those of us on a budget. One of the best ways to stay on budget and still get a functional gym is to spend money where you need to and look for ways to save in areas you don’t. My best …