Squatting is one of the best exercises you can do for your body, whether you want to slim down or bulk up. But as much fun as you may find exercising, going to the gym daily is simply not an option for many people. This is where creating your squat rack comes in.
So, how to build a squat rack for your home gym? To build a basic squad rack at home, you need some concrete mix, a couple of 4″ x 4″ wooden poles, two 5-gallon plastic buckets, and screws to drill it all together. Simply build the frame out of the lumber, and be sure to plant the base of the 4″ x 4″ poles in the buckets and fill them with concrete. This will give it the stability you need to hold the weight.
A squat rack typically has a high-pitched metal bar on the base, on which the person doing the squat will rest their forearms. It also often has four metal j-hooks on the top of the bar, used to hold the weights.
DIY Squat Rack Ideas for Your Home Gym
Exercising is a daily activity for many people, but not much fun. No one likes the feeling of being sore all over, not to mention the general level of inconvenience. However, there are a few things that can make this less painful and more rewarding.
Like a squat rack. A squat rack can make all the difference in your workout, but you need to know what you’re looking for to get the best one. Size is key. It’s best not to get a squat rack that’s too big as the weight could easily topple as you use it. Even if you’re not that experienced, a squat rack specifically designed for your height will be easier to use than one that’s not.
Now, it is time to be proactive and motivate yourself by building your squat rack!
As a result of this DIY project, you will: save money, have a piece of equipment that can be customized, and more importantly, you will be doing something for YOU!
Here are some DIY squat rack ideas for your home gym:
Wooden Squat Rack
If you’re in search of a cheap and safe option, a wooden squat rack might be just what you’re looking for. All you need are a few wooden poles to frame the base – make sure it’s strong enough to hold the weight of the barbells, a metal bar, and some screws to fix it all. These run the entire length of the frame, allowing for a nearly infinite number of carries, variations, and exercise intensity. And the best part? The design is available to anyone for free!
Wall Extended Squat Racks
Don’t have enough space in your home? No problem!
This squat rack makes use of any wall at your home to help you maintain an active shape. To build the rack, you only need a hammer, some nails, and wood sticks. Firstly, Strategize the shape of the rack. Afterward, nail the wood into the wall with the help of a hammer, and your squat rack is ready. Building this simple rack is easy and costs even less than 20$.
Two-in-One Squat Rack & Pull-up Bar
I think my favorite thing about squat racks is their versatility. You can use them for so many exercises, and building a two-in-one squat rack isn’t even hard. All you need are some wood sticks, bolts, and screws.
Many of us often have some scrap wood lying around our houses. Simply make use of it and create your own squat rack with a pull-up bar. Mark the points according to your requirement on the wall. Position the wood sticks and drill holes to create the base for your bars. Now, place your weight bars onto their cradles, and you’re done!
Bucket Racks
Are you still searching for a better option? Try out this Bucket Racks DIY.
You only need two 5-gallon buckets, some concrete mix, wooden poles, some nails, and a hammer.
Create the frame using wooden poles with the help of nails and a hammer. Now, add the concrete mix into your buckets and use them as the supporting base for the wood frame. That’s it! Your bucket racks are ready to use.
Milk Crates Squat Rack
Don’t want to deal with hammers and wood? Here’s another option.
Get some empty milk crates, around 6-8, to create two stacks of crates. Simply place your barbell on top of the stacks. And there you have it; your easiest squat rack is ready!
Here’s a reminder; while creating your DIY squat rack, don’t forget to test its weight capacity. Each squat rack will have a different capacity, so be careful you don’t overdo it and end up hurting yourself.
Building the Perfect Squat Rack
I have trained at gyms, and I have had the opportunity to visit many home gyms as well, so I have seen a variety of squat racks. Most people have a misconception that a squat rack is for a single exercise, but there’s so much more you can do with it: Squat Racks, or Power Racks, are used for squat exercises of course, but they can also be used for bench presses, incline bench presses, Incline flyes, decline bench presses, decline flyes, lateral raises, close grip bench presses, shoulder raises, seated shoulder presses, calf raises, leg extensions, and more.
Squat racks are a versatile tool for a home gym, and the best part is that it’s easy to build one yourself. Home squat racks are a DIY way to work out at home, or to have a bodyweight workout when you’re stressed and feeling homesick. They require minimal equipment and no electricity. For the price of a few pieces of lumber, various levels of screws, and some power tools, you can get a solid, adjustable, safe, and sturdy DIY squat rack for your home.
With so many designs and variations of power racks available today, the possibilities of what you can create in your own home gym are endless. Create a workout center that will be both functional and fun to operate out of, while providing a safe space for you to train.
The right equipment is one of the most important factors in successfully transforming your home into a functional personal gym, so make sure that you consider these DIY Squat Racks when building your ultimate training space.
Below are some basic guidelines you can follow to help with the project:
- Find a peaceful place in your home where the rack will not be obstructed by anything such as a table, chair, bed, etc.
- Understand your requirements
- Purchase the materials such as screws, nuts, bolts, and wood.
- Get working!
Difference Between DIY vs. Ready Squat Racks
When it comes to fitness equipment, you never know what you’re going to find at your local gym. This is the motivation for many people to purchase their home gym equipment or build it themselves. Ready squat racks or DIY racks, which one is better? I think it depends on your preference. Both the options have their pros and cons, what matters is your requirement and the effort you’re willing to put in.
The ready squat racks are a great option for people who want the convenience of having the equipment ready right when they get home from work. You won’t need to put in hours of work every week to set it up and you can use it right away. While these racks are convenient and will save you time, they can also be very expensive. It’s difficult to find one for less than $400 so if money is tight this might not be the best option.
DIY is a great option for people who might be on a budget or enjoy being creative and constructing things out of their own hands. It also offers you the choice to customize your squat rack according to your height, weight, and style, etc. Moreover, building a squat rack on your own can give you the motivation to work out more often to enjoy the result of your own craftsmen ship.
Quality-wise, it’s almost certain that ready-made squat racks are better as they are made from wrought iron and given a professional finishing. While DIY squat cages aren’t necessarily lower in quality, the durability of wood is less compared to wrought iron.
However, there isn’t any surety on which one will last longer. Whether DIY or ready-made, the durability of any power rack depends on its usage and maintenance. Take care of your exercise machines, and they’ll stick around longer with you.
Maintaining a Home GYM
We all know the benefits of working out and getting a great workout in it’s a great lifestyle development and a habit that will change your life for the better. But commercial gyms are expensive, and you also need to take extra time out of your routine to go there.
So, if you want to take the weightlifting and exercise world by storm, you’re going to need a home gym.
Having a home gym is the perfect way to maintain a workout routine: You don’t have to worry about inclement weather or a lack of time, you’re free from the distractions of your day-to-day life. It’s private, convenient, and cost-friendly. However, one of the best advantages is that you’re able to train at your own pace.
Whether you need some extra time or a short break because you’re injured, fatigued, or simply stuck, nothing’s a problem. No one is going to rush you out of a home gym unless you want them to – which is great for those who prefer to train slowly and gradually.
Related Questions:
What can I use instead of a squat rack?
If you don’t have a squat rack, you can use the floor to perform front squats. Place the barbell on the clean floor surface. Instead of picking the barbell at your back, bend forward and pick it from the front. Alternatively, you can also use dumbbells to perform squats.
How much does it cost to build your own squat rack?
Depending upon the material you use, building your own squat rack can cost anywhere from $0 – $200.