Garage Gym of the North
Our second garage gym install came together with the help of another generous neighbor up here in Minnesota. We’ve been very blessed to live next to some wonderful people who aren’t hesitant to share their tools both in Florida and now here Up North. In both places I’ve been able to get some help with our garage gym rig install and learn some new skills. Having a full setup at home has been a game-changer for us – convenience, flexibility and modeling healthy behaviors for our boys all under one roof so I’m thrilled we’re back in business here — and trying to max out the time spent before the cold temps temporarily halt the action.
The Rig Install
The centerpiece of our garage gym is the wall-mounted Rogue rig. We purchased this in Florida when we had a 2-car garage thinking we’d fold in the arms on occasion. Well the only occasions happened to be when we were riding out Category 4 hurricanes — do NOT miss that.
To get this beauty back in business we had to first install stringers to the studs and then mount the rig. I opted for the Rogue versions here in Minnesota but used pressed lumber in Florida and it was a perfect (and less expensive) solution.
Here’s how it went down:
- Measured from the floor to do the lower stringer first
- Fumbled forever with a stud finder to mark the studs
- Q: Is there any tool I find more annoying than a stud finder?
- A: No.
- Drilled pilot holes, overlayed the stringer and installed the lag bolts
- Repeated for the top
Tools we used:
- Stud finder
- Level
- Handheld drill and bit to drill into wood studs
- Rachet for the lag bolts (power to get started, handheld for the finish)
Overall, Rogue’s install instructions were fine. They also have a YouTube video to show you how easy it is when you don’t have to find the studs over drywall — thanks? At the end of the day, it’s installed, it’s sturdy and we’re loving it. In hindsight, the longer wood stringers would have been better here, too, because I still don’t have our barbell holder hung up.
Our Gym Equipment List
We’ve slowly built up a collection of gear that keeps our workouts varied and “fun”:
- Rubber dumbells
- Plyo boxes
- Kettlebells
- Barbells and bumper plates
- TRX suspension trainer
- Ab mats and speed rope
- Resistance bands
- Foldable bench
- Concept2 Rower
- Bluetooth Speaker
- Portable whiteboard & dry erase markers
We didn’t buy everything at once — this has been years in the making. All in, our setup probably cost around what a couple of years’ worth of gym memberships would run, but it’s ours forever.
Curious about the exact gear? I linked my favorites here on ShopMy
How We Use It
We follow Street Parking fitness programming which is CrossFit-ish and the basis of all our purchases. The workouts are a blend of strength and conditioning, built on the premise of “fitness freedom” – start with what’s written and modify to meet your goals or adjust to where you’re at in your fitness journey. Here are some sample workouts from their site.
On a typical day you might see a workout like:
- 10-minute AMRAP (as many reps as possible): 10 kettlebell swings, 10 goblet squats, 200m run (or row/bike).
The kids sometimes join in with bodyweight exercises or I’ll let them grab the 5 lbs dumbells. It never fails that if I’ve got the garage doors up, one of the kids from the neighborhood will stop over for a curious observation.
Future Upgrades
No garage gym is ever truly “done,” right? On our list:
- Hanging our barbell holder to clean up floor space.
- Adding a wall-mounted heater for winter lifts.
- Upgrading lighting and maybe sneaking in a wall-mounted television.
The setup works as is, but little improvements will make it even better.
Wrapping It Up
Building this garage gym was equal parts project and passion. It saves time, lets us train as a family, and keeps fitness part of our daily rhythm. Thinking of building your own garage gym? Start small, invest in versatile pieces, and build over time. Check out my curated gear list here to see what we actually use day to day.
What’s the one piece of equipment you couldn’t live without? Drop it in the comments — I’d love to hear about your setup!