Hi Mark,
The range of bars available in Australia is different from that in the States. Rogue looks so freakingly expensive here. So, a few questions:
- Does the choice of bearing matter? I read people complained that needling bearings (for olympic lifts) are too loose that it makes bench press harder to control and more dangerous. Should I look for brush bearings?
- Is the lack of centre knurling an issue for the squat?
- In general, should I look for powerlifting bars instead of olympic bars?
Thanks.
I created a home gym a couple of months ago, pretty much as described. I like it a lot.
What's the best way to clean the horse stall mats? I'm not sure what to mop it with. I have never mopped rubber before.
Thanks.
I recently put together a home gym for barbell training. I got everything from Rogue except the bench, which is a cheapo from the sporting goods store. I'll probably have to replace it at some point.
For the bar I went with the Ohio Power Bar, 45lb version.
For plates I decided on the Rogue steel calibrated plates. I just don't want to deal with weight deviations in the standard plates. The Rogues are expensive no doubt, but as far as calibrates plates go, they aren't too bad. I got the rubber coated change plates in 1.25, 2.5, 5 (2 pairs), and 10. In the steel plates I got one pair each 25, 35, and 55 (as Rogue can't seem to keep the 45s in stock). I'll add more 55s as I need them.
I went with a squat stand with safety arms instead of a power rack.
For whats its worth I got a Rogue R-3 which I love, a B&R bar, Rogue bench, and then cheap bumper plates. I'll probably eventually and slowly upgrade my plates but they work.
I just built out a basement home gym. I covered the entire floor in a single layer of horse stall matts (13ftx13ft). A total of 7 matts. I feel that this single layer over concrete adds enough protection as I do not plan on dropping any of the weights.
I have to do this. There is one spot in my basement where I have to step off the horse mat and align myself just so with the joists so my knuckles don't hit the members and the weights go in between the joists. It barely works for 35 lb plates, won't be good enough for 45's, but I'll buy more smaller plates when I actually get to that point.
Some helpful tips here:
Setting Up a Home Gym | Grant Broggi
I've since changed to stall mat covered plywood as outlined in the book. However I deadlifted/squatted 500+ off of the eco-safety tuff mats seen in the video with no felt compression under my feet.