Pinewood Lifting Platform (DIY)

“If you've got the space.... **Power Rack** You can't go wrong with Rogue or Rep. I personally like Half Racks because they provide plate storage and uprights for lifting with spotter arms. If you want to spend more money (and take up more space), get a 6-post rack from either of those 2 brands. Note that Rep innovates way more than Rogue so you can get a Power Rack (PR4000 or PR5000 and there is a lat pulldown/low row rack accessory which is pretty neat so you don't need a standalone unit. **Cable Machine** Rep just released the Adonis Cable Tower but fully loaded its about $3,000. I'm sure its a beautiful piece of equipment. You can also spend about $900 and buy a plate-loaded cable tower from Bells of Steel that is very good quality, though certainly not as "nice" as the Adonis. If you get a Rep rack, there's probably a lat pulldown/low row accessory for it. **Dumbbells** I would get an adjustable dumbbell. Rep Fitness just came out with the Rep x Pepin for $899 - $1399 for 85 to 125 lbs. They are (most likely) going to be the best adjustable dumbbells on the market, period. If you would prefer you can spend about $3600 on a 5-100 lb dumbbell set and the stand will run you another $1000 - $5000 depending on what you get and take up way more space. **Barbell** Get an Ohio Power Bar, a Black Diamond/Double Black Diamond Power Bar, or the Texas Power Bar. You might want a curl bar, get one based on your climate (e.g., find a good stainless steel one if its super humid). **Plates** There are plenty of cheap and nice irons, standard bumpers, comp plates, etc. I have the Rogue Competition Plates because they're nice and thinner than standard bumpers. If I was building a home gym from scratch, I would have gotten some nice iron plates (either the Rep Equalizer made in America, Rogue USA Olympic plates, or calibrated plates). If you get a half rack, get more plates than you need so even if you use all the plates on a squat, for example, there are extra plates to stop your rack from moving on the ground (assuming you don't mount the rack to the floor). You can also buy cheap iron plates for that from FB marketplace). **Flooring** I built a base gym floor from 1 layer of plywood and then a second layer of horse stall mats on top. This lets me drop dumbbells/baby my equipment a little less. I also built an 8'x8' olympic lifting platform for my power rack so I can deadlift in front of my rack too and protect my concrete floor. **Cable Attachments** I got the cheapo Bluslm ones form Amazon for pulls. I got "pro series" from Rep. Honestly get whatever seems the best for you, and don't get a bunch that you need.”