Redeemer
New member
Having just recently done this for my team’s gym, I thought I'd share what I found out through my research. Doesn't seem like there's a lot of PL info over here, so I'll throw it out there.
The most important item, IMO, the power rack. We bought this power rack from newyorkbarbells.com:
http://www.newyorkbarbells.com/92563.html
$259, free freight.
For Olympic weights, I'd suggest Dick's sporting goods. You can get 300lb sets for $89 on sale, which is generally a lot cheaper than buying individual plates. The bars they come with are pretty much chrome crap, but they'll do. We purchased some 100lb plates here in town for .35 a lb. If we could've found 'em used, that would've been better, but such is life.
As a side note, which may be obvious: a set of hex dumbbells is pretty much required for accessory work, and for weighing down your band anchors.
Bands, a must for speed work and AR:
http://www.flexcart.com/members/elitefts/default.asp?m=PD&cid=138&pid=566
$145
That pack has all the bands you need. If you're on a tight budget, and just starting out, get the mini and the light.
Next, a lat pulldown machine:
http://www.newyorkbarbells.com/4650.html
$399, free freight
I like this one better than the base model because it has two posts for the weight carriage. I've used one with a single support. It's not smooth, and the cable has a tendency to twist. In any event, make sure you’ve got the low pulley for pull throughs.
Boxes, I'd suggest building with 2x4 and plywood. I build each box with two 24" sections of 2x4 and three 21" sections, with a 2' x 2' piece of 3/4" ply on top. Build three of these, and you're set.
You can build band anchors with 2x6's to approximate the same tension the Westside guys get on a monolift. It just takes four 2' sections. Stack two right on top of each other, then space the bottom two out 12" on either side of the stack so as to leave a gap to thread the bands through. You end up with 12" of space on either end to stack weights on to keep 'em from flying away.
BTW, I'd suggest 2 1/2" screws to secure anything you build. The band anchors in particular will have to endure a lot of tension, so you don't want any wobble.
Chains, I don't have a good suggestion for yet. Westside uses Topper Supply, but the shipping on that is outrageous.
For mats, I went to a livestock supply store, and asked for horse trailer mats. They're 4' x 6', and 3/4" thick. You can get one, cut it into 2' x 2' sections, and use it with your boxes to adjust height and keep them from sliding. A jigsaw is necessary to cut the mats, and it'll take some time, but well worth it. They're $40-$50 each, and we used several more for gym flooring.
Other options...we built a deadlift platform which is monstrous, but it's not necessary. It's about 9' x 5', with a large number of 2x4 braces. It's damn near indestructible, and keeps the concrete floor from getting torn up.
I also just recently built a dip squat platform if you have a dip belt. The belt itself is cheap, like $30 if I recall, and it’s a great move for hip/hamstring/glute strength. I believe the total cost for the platform was about $40, and I can post specs if anyone’s interested.
There’s always stuff to add, of course. We haven’t found a bench we like yet, but we’ve got the APF specs for height and width from Dave Tate, so we’re going to get one that’s comp spec.
Another item we bought that’s cheap is the corner row attachment:
http://www.newyorkbarbells.com/9135br.html
$40, free freight
We use one of the crappy chrome bars with this handle:
http://www.newyorkbarbells.com/9135rh.html
Also $40, free freight, and it works great.
So, there you go. It’s not a perfect list, and it’s not complete, but it’s good for a starting point, with the exception of a bench.
The most important item, IMO, the power rack. We bought this power rack from newyorkbarbells.com:
http://www.newyorkbarbells.com/92563.html
$259, free freight.
For Olympic weights, I'd suggest Dick's sporting goods. You can get 300lb sets for $89 on sale, which is generally a lot cheaper than buying individual plates. The bars they come with are pretty much chrome crap, but they'll do. We purchased some 100lb plates here in town for .35 a lb. If we could've found 'em used, that would've been better, but such is life.
As a side note, which may be obvious: a set of hex dumbbells is pretty much required for accessory work, and for weighing down your band anchors.
Bands, a must for speed work and AR:
http://www.flexcart.com/members/elitefts/default.asp?m=PD&cid=138&pid=566
$145
That pack has all the bands you need. If you're on a tight budget, and just starting out, get the mini and the light.
Next, a lat pulldown machine:
http://www.newyorkbarbells.com/4650.html
$399, free freight
I like this one better than the base model because it has two posts for the weight carriage. I've used one with a single support. It's not smooth, and the cable has a tendency to twist. In any event, make sure you’ve got the low pulley for pull throughs.
Boxes, I'd suggest building with 2x4 and plywood. I build each box with two 24" sections of 2x4 and three 21" sections, with a 2' x 2' piece of 3/4" ply on top. Build three of these, and you're set.
You can build band anchors with 2x6's to approximate the same tension the Westside guys get on a monolift. It just takes four 2' sections. Stack two right on top of each other, then space the bottom two out 12" on either side of the stack so as to leave a gap to thread the bands through. You end up with 12" of space on either end to stack weights on to keep 'em from flying away.
BTW, I'd suggest 2 1/2" screws to secure anything you build. The band anchors in particular will have to endure a lot of tension, so you don't want any wobble.
Chains, I don't have a good suggestion for yet. Westside uses Topper Supply, but the shipping on that is outrageous.
For mats, I went to a livestock supply store, and asked for horse trailer mats. They're 4' x 6', and 3/4" thick. You can get one, cut it into 2' x 2' sections, and use it with your boxes to adjust height and keep them from sliding. A jigsaw is necessary to cut the mats, and it'll take some time, but well worth it. They're $40-$50 each, and we used several more for gym flooring.
Other options...we built a deadlift platform which is monstrous, but it's not necessary. It's about 9' x 5', with a large number of 2x4 braces. It's damn near indestructible, and keeps the concrete floor from getting torn up.
I also just recently built a dip squat platform if you have a dip belt. The belt itself is cheap, like $30 if I recall, and it’s a great move for hip/hamstring/glute strength. I believe the total cost for the platform was about $40, and I can post specs if anyone’s interested.
There’s always stuff to add, of course. We haven’t found a bench we like yet, but we’ve got the APF specs for height and width from Dave Tate, so we’re going to get one that’s comp spec.
Another item we bought that’s cheap is the corner row attachment:
http://www.newyorkbarbells.com/9135br.html
$40, free freight
We use one of the crappy chrome bars with this handle:
http://www.newyorkbarbells.com/9135rh.html
Also $40, free freight, and it works great.
So, there you go. It’s not a perfect list, and it’s not complete, but it’s good for a starting point, with the exception of a bench.
