Ep. #693: Cooper Mitchell on Building the Ultimate Garage Gym for Every Budget

More and more people are looking to build a home gym these days.

Whether you want to save on membership fees, cut down on your commute time to the gym, or are currently dealing with a closed gym due to corona, building a home gym makes a lot of sense.

The prospect is exciting. You’ll never have to wait for equipment, smell that one StinkyGuy™, or withstand awful gym playlists again.

But once your eyes have begun to sparkle with the promise of an iron utopia, how do you actually realize the dream? What equipment should you buy and how should you set everything up?

The good news is thanks to high-demand for home gym equipment and the power of the unfettered free market, supply is ample and options are plentiful. So whether you want to set something up in your studio apartment or have a 3-car garage you can convert into a full-fledged gym, there’s probably a slew of products that will fit the bill.

In fact, the choices can be downright daunting.

That’s why I’ve tagged in a home gym equipment expert, Cooper Mitchell, to join me on this episode of the podcast. Cooper runs a website called GarageGymReviews.com, which features (as the name implies) product reviews and articles all about setting up a home gym. He’s tested over 300 barbells, 250 squat racks, 50 bumper plates, and more, so he has his finger on the pulse and ear to the rubber flooring on this sort of stuff.

In this podcast, Cooper covers . . .

• How much money and space you’ll need (and how to make the most of that space)
  
• Equipment for an "essentials gym" as well as add-on bonus recommendations
  
• Adjustable dumbbell options
  
• Modular racks, leg press options, belt squats, and kettlebell considerations
  
• And more . . .
  

So if you’re interested in decking out your garage and turning it into a bona fide home gym without breaking the bank, this episode is for you!

9:15 - Who should and shouldn’t create a home gym?

11:26 - How much money do I need for a home gym?

17:51 - How much space do I need for a home gym?

20:52 - Are there any downsides to using a PRX machine?

27:46 - What are some low budget equipment recommendations? What type of equipment would you recommend if money isn’t a problem?

33:17 - Any tips for buying used items?

34:48 - What are your thoughts on Bowflex adjustable dumbbells?

39:03 - Are there any add-ons worth considering?

43:06 - Have you tested any leg press machines?

49:07 - Any information on kettlebells?

51:57 - Is there anything else that you would like to mention?

56:05 - Where can people find you and your work?

Mentioned on The Show:

Garage Gym Reviews Website:https://www.garagegymreviews.com/

Garage Gym Reviews YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCV_zy48AlwwGpdJEka1ay7w

Garage Gym Reviews Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/garagegymreviews/

Home Gym Community:https://www.facebook.com/groups/homegymcommunity

Books by Mike Matthews:https://legionathletics.com/products/books/

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