Adam from Garage Gym Lab was kind enough to take some time and answer the questions below. Garage Gym Lab is “committed to providing honest and thoughtful advice on equipment training, and home gyms in general.” Adam provides reviews on gym equipment, features home gyms, shares deals, highlights new products, etc. Basically, he’s working to help others as they look to build out their home gym.
Okay, let’s go.
What has been your favorite (not best) item you’ve reviewed?
I think I’m supposed to say ‘I love all my children equally’, but the Rep Fitness AB-5000 (Zero Gap) bench has probably been my favorite to review. It’s a fantastic bench with a very clever design, but what made it so fun for me was the photography. Taking photos is one of my favorite aspects of reviewing equipment, and that bench just photographed really well. The Vulcan Buffalo bar would be a very close second for the same reason – that was the first time I was able to showcase my Sorinex rack in pictures.
What’s one or two things that surprise you about the home gym population? Something you didn’t know before starting Garage Gym Lab.
One of the biggest surprises has been how resourceful the community is. Whether it’s DIY’ing awesome gear, maximizing their limited spaces, or just finding ridiculous deals on the used marketplace… I’m constantly blown away with the community’s creativity and resourcefulness.
A second surprise is how supportive the community is. It’s filled with people who lift others up, offer advice, share and engage with each other, and so much more. I’m truly proud to be a part of it.
What’s the #1 item on your “wish-list” for the garage?
Tough call, but I’ve been eyeing some selectorized cable pieces. When I think back at what I miss the most from the commercial gym, cable pieces (functional trainers, lat pulldowns, etc…) are high on the list.
In less than 50 words, what would be the primary advice you give to MOST people looking to start a home gym?
Start with the essentials and grow from there. Build your gym around your core training style. You don’t need everything at once. After you have your basics in place, venture into some accessory pieces that support your training. Garage Gym Experiment flags and Garage Gym Lab banners are also cool.
If you could only have one barbell for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Very tough decision. I would want it to be versatile if it’s going to be my only bar, which means I’m going to pick a multi-purpose bar. I would want it to look good for as long as possible, which means I’m looking at stainless steel, cerakote, etc… and it would need a strong reputation backed by a good warranty.
That said, I would probably go with the American Barbell California Bar. 28mm shaft, recessed welds, cerakote finish, smooth sleeves, etc… just a great all around bar, and it’s made right here in the U.S.A.
Why did you personally start a home gym?
I was waking up a 4:45 AM to drive 30 minutes to train at a gym that didn’t have a shower, which meant I needed a second gym membership a mile down the road just so I could shower before work. I didn’t mind it all that much because that gym was incredible, but when my wife and I decided to start our family, it just wasn’t something I was willing to do anymore. We had been in our house for five months at that time, and it just made sense to bring the gym home. It’s been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made, for many reasons.
What’s an “underrated” benefit of the home gym that no one talks about?
Complete autonomy. Autonomy to listen to what we want, wear what we want, pick the equipment that we want, decorate how we want, DO what we want. We are the masters of our domain, and it feels oh-so-good!
To Adam, thank you again for taking the time! Go check garagegymlab.com and make sure to follow the Instagram account.
He was the first of hopefully many weekly Q&A’s! Be sure to subscribe to the blog below to get these sent directly to your inbox!
Great read. Adam always provides useful and insightful information on a multitude of products and ideas. His attitude is always positive. I wish him nothing but the best.