Written by: Kyle Divine
Introduction
Today we’re going to cover barbell storage. These are not the sexiest things I’ve built, but they are both some of the most practical DIY projects for most home gyms
With most barbell holders ranging in price from $30 to a few hundred dollars, the low cost of these DIYs makes them a pretty good alternative.
You can also check out the video below for instructions:
Cost & Time Needed
The cost of materials will vary based on fluctuating lumber prices and your location. The approximate cost of these were $10 for vertical option and $20 for Horizontal, so pretty cheap!
This project only took a couple of hours and the materials were relatively inexpensive. There are lots of options on what tools and materials can be used to make this, here’s what I used:
Tools:
| Tool | Link #1 | Link #2 |
| Dewalt sliding mitre saw | Amazon | Home Depot |
| Dewalt cordless drill | Amazon | Home Depot |
| Drill press | Amazon | Home Depot |
| 1 inch forstner bit | Amazon | Home Depot |
| 2.5 inch forstner bit | Amazon | |
| 1/4 inch drill bit | Amazon | Home Depot |
| Rafter square | Amazon | Home Depot |
| Wood clamps | Amazon | Home Depot |
| 12 inch long 3/8 drill bit | Amazon | Home Depot |
| Dewalt random orbit sander | Amazon | Home Depot |
*for the drill press, the holes can also be drilled using a corded or cordless drill
Materials:
| Materials | Link #1 | Link #2 |
| 7ft 2×4 | Home Depot | |
| 8ft 4×4 | Home Depot | |
| Black spray paint | Amazon | Home Depot |
| 5 inch long 3/8 bolts with nuts | Amazon | |
| Titebond III wood glue | Amazon | Home Depot |
| 2 inch lag screws | Amazon | Home Depot |
Option 1: Vertical Barbell Storage
Step 1: I start off by cutting my 2x4s, you’ll need 4 that each measure 40 inches.
Step 2: It’s not important to be super accurate, so I just use my previously cut pieces to mark where the next cut goes. It is much faster this way.
Step 3: I use my tape measure to mark every 5 inches. Then I use my square to mark the center.
Step 4: Clamping these two pieces together before drilling will make sure the holes line up.
Step 5: I use a 2 and a half inch forstner bit to drill the holes for the barbells. It goes all the way through the top 2×4 and halfway through the one on the bottom. The forstner bit is large and doing a lot of work. You’ll need to keep the excess wood chips out of the way so it doesn’t get stuck. I also recommend clamping down your wood to the drill press on this step. It is possible to use a corded or cordless drill for this, it would just be a little more challenging.
Step 6: Assembly is the last step. I use wood glue and screws to attach the pieces. I don’t go crazy with reinforcing these pieces because they’re not weight bearing.
Step 7: I could have planned this better and made them long enough to span 3 studs. I didn’t and have to attach some 2x4s to screw into.
Step 8: You’ll want to measure your barbells before attaching the top piece. With your barbells standing up vertically, the purpose of this top piece is to keep them from falling over.
It’s Done! This is great! Now I have a place for my specialty bars.
Option 2: Horizontal Barbell Storage.
Step 1: This build is very simple, however it requires a lot of repetitive steps. We are going to cut our 4×4 into 12 identical pieces. I have a trick to make the cuts go a little faster.
Step 2: After I measure and cut my first 5.5” piece, I take the scrap cut off and attach it to a 2×4, then I clamp this 2×4 down as a stopper. Once this is in place, I don’t have to measure the rest of my cuts. Just push the 4×4 to the stopper and cut.
Step 3: Sanding is optional but helps to get rid of sharp edges and splinters.
Step 4: I’m putting a bolt into each of these 4×4 pieces to make sure they can handle the weight of each barbell.
I use a rafter square to mark the center of each piece.
Step 5: Then I drill an inch deep with a 1” forstner bit. In the center of that hole, I drill the rest of the way through with a 3/8” drill bit.
Step 6: These 4x4s are 5.5” long and they’ll be spaced 3” apart. I cut a scrap 2×4 to 8.5” to use as a tool for marking these lines quickly. Then with these 2x4s lined up, I use the rafter square to mark the 2nd 2×4.
Step 7: I pre-drill the holes for my screws. These don’t have to be super accurate. I just eyeball it and drill about an inch above the lines I marked.
Step 8: Each 4×4 is glued and attached with one screw to hold them in place.
Step 9: I use the 3/8” bit to drill through the 2×4 and I add another screw on each one.
Step 10: I want the 2x4s to sit flush on the wall, so I use the forstner bit to drill a shallow 1” hole on the back. This makes room for the washer and bolt head.
Step 11: Finally we are ready for the bolts. I use a mallet to gently hammer them in before putting the washers and nuts on the other side.
Step 12: I drill the holes for attaching this to the wall stud.
(Optional) Step 13: Painting is always optional and depends on what look you’re going for.
Step 14: I use 2 inch lag screws to attach to my wall studs.
To conclude, you can change the spacing to fit whatever type of bars you’re looking to store. For my purposes, I am storing a variety of sizes, so this spacing works perfectly.
A Budget Alternative
If you’re short on time, a budget friendly option that doesn’t require a ton of work is the Yes4All Horizontal Wall Mounted Barbell Rack.
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