We are going to downsize and move from our house into a being built new construction condo next year. (On specs my garage parking spot will have a charger in it, and there is a bike room in the garage.) I’ve had a basement to spread out my gym toys in but now my home gym will be relegated to a 9’4" x 9’6" space with a 10’ ceiling that is meant to be a study. It will have a sliding pocket door.
Fitting my essential gym toys in that snug space is the question.
My essentials include my elliptical that measures 2’ x 6’8" and Concept2 rower that is about 2’ x 8’ (very light and easily lifted to lean against a wall to create open floor space), and to have a set up for weights and pull-ups (the balance disc takes up no space to speak of as long as I can clear some floor space when needed). My current weight set-up will without question not fit. Really just over 9’ is just enough to have the bar comfortably fit and have room to change plates. Bonus if I can attach the rings I have in garage to use too. (should be able to string them from a pull-up bar.) We are to be top floor and will have a private deck area on the rooftop about the size of a bedroom. I can do the jump rope up there as weather permits (similar to now in my backyard).
So I need a rack set up that can fit. Bench more important to me than squats (I’ve been preferring goblets) and my overhead press is more often with dumbbells than the bar but I do want the versatility.
The cheapest solution would likely be adjustable freestanding squat bench stands like these and add in a separate wall mounted pull-up bar, but even though the stated 330# max would cover my needs (my squat is for crap) they look flimsy and there are no safety bars.
So I’m looking at various “garage racks” that attach to the wall and wonder if anyone has experience with them or informed input to offer.
The two most popular and well regarded seem to be:
The Rogue RML-3W Fold Back Wall Mount Rack, which left extended goes out about 25" (safety bars would extend farther) and folds in such that it only takes up less than 5 inches.
And the PRx Profile rack which folds upwards as compactly and extended takes up the same space.
Another contender does not fold at all, the Wright Lean Garage rack. Its space saving trick is to just have long extended bar catches (and even longer safety catches) which of course can then be removed. Left in place the bar catch would be only 16" and the safety catch 30" from the wall and of course safety and bar catches removed same minimal floor space. Less hefty than the other two but its rated 500# is more than enough for the likes of me (and a few bucks more gets “the Elite” which goes to 1000# for the much more serious lifter than me). I’m leaning to it.
All have the pull-up bar built in.
Anyone with any experience with any of these or any informed opinions?
I’ve never seen wall mount racks before, but that seems like an awesome idea for someone with limited space. I have a powertec rack & bench that I use 3-4x per week and have been for about 8 years now and it still looks and works great but would completely max out your space. My concern for your space is the standard bar length is 7’ which doesn’t leave you much space or room for error if you have a plate slip off. I think the rack part of the problem is solved, but it will be an annoyance to store plates and the bar in that room.
I use quick release locking collars, like these, so I’m not worried about plates slipping off. (And I do try to keep good control!) There are wall mounts I can buy to store an empty bar or two and the plates but I’m not sure that I’m going to use them. My concern is more that the placement of the studs will allow for the wall mount to be centered on the wall. If so then a foot plus either side is enough I think. I won’t have room for the dumbbell rack either I don’t think. (I have pairs of 40, 45, 60, and singles of 75 and 90.) Might try to squeeze it in. Giving up my dip station, but dips and tucks/els/etc. on the rings will be more than fine. Also giving up a NordicTrack treadmill that the now out of house kids had been the users of (daughter prefers going to the fitness club and will be off to college a year after the move anyway and if I’m not running outside I’m not running), a stationary bike my wife used briefly and gently after hip surgery for rehab, my indoor bike trainer (haven’t used it in years), and the Parabody 893 rack with lat pull-down and pec deck (neither accessory of which I ever use) and safety catches (which are always used). The bar and weights of course I am taking.
Anyone in the Chicago area who wants them very cheap early next summer? When it gets closer I’ll post on Marketplace!
When it gets closer I’ll post on Marketplace!