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Ralph and his dad have created something truly special. A modern barn designed specifically to be a home gym that is connected and matches the rest of their house. Not only is the gym great, but the people are even better. Ralph is Garage Gym Built.
Ralph and his dad Curt have built a home gym that would make even the nicest setups envious. Not only is the surrounding structure epic, but the equipment inside is essentially a Rogue Fitness showroom with their latest and greatest creations.
Recently, during our 2019 Garage Gym Tour we were able to visit Ralph and Curt, talk about their training which is focused on CrossFit (Curt is a CrossFit Games Masters Athlete, NBD) and learn more about why they have a home gym and what makes it special. The bond this father and son have is special and they were a joy to be around.
You can follow Ralph on Instagram @ralphie.thebulldog
Here is the equipment that makes up Ralph’s Barn Gym.
Ralph’s Barn Gym Video Walkthrough
Squat Racks
Two Squat Stands
Rogue SML-2 Squat Stand
Product Highlights
- Efficient and compact
- 3×3 in.11-gauge steel uprights
- Adjustable fat/skinny pull-up bar
- 5/8 in. holes in Westside spacing pattern
- Affordable hybrid Rogue model
Pros & Cons
Pros
- 3" x 3" 11-gauge steel
- Laser-cut holes and logos
- Comes in a wide variety of colors
- Accepts Rogue Monster Lite accessories
- Fat/skinny pull-up bar comes standard
- Lifetime warranty
- Made in the USA
- No requirement to bolt down the rack
Cons
- Rack can rock with kipping pull-ups if not weighted down
- Doesn't come with spotter arms standard
- Squat stand style isn't as versatile as a power rack
Bottom Line
The Rogue SML-2 is the first rack Coop had in his garage gym, and he still has it to this day. Despite being used for nearly a decade, the rack still looks great with only a few chips and surface rust spots. Although we prefer a power rack, if you don't have space or don't feel like spending the extra to buy one, the SML-2 is the squat stand we recommend most often. It's stable, has a lot available accessories, and is priced well for the quality.
The Dunns have two squat racks in their gym that are daisy chained together via a single pull-up bar.
Their racks of choice are the Rogue SML-2C Squat Stands with a Satin Clear powder coat color. We’ve reviewed these in-depth in the past and they were also chosen as our top pick for the best squat racks for most people.
Although they said that they’d prefer power racks that were bolted down, one of their issues is that they have heating throughout the floor and if they drilled into the ground, they could damage it. Definitely a nice “problem” to have.
Although the stands do shake a bit when used for kipping pull-ups and the like, they’re sturdy enough for just about anything else you want to do and chaining them together definitely makes them more stable.
Barbells
Main Barbell
Rogue Ohio Bar – Cerakote
Product Highlights
This new variation on our flagship 20KG Rogue Ohio Bar introduces a unique polymer-ceramic composite coating—popularized in the gun industry for its durability in thin applications. Available in a range of custom-color finish options with exclusive Rogue branding, this model is a genuine game-changer.
Pros & Cons
Bottom Line
As with any home gym where people actually train, there are a variety of barbells.
Ralph and Curt, due to their main focus being CrossFit, focus on general training bars.
The bar that likely gets the most use is the Rogue Castro Bar. The Castro Bar is very comparable to the Rogue Ohio Bar or Rogue 2.0 Bar and features the same 190K tensile strength steel, bronze bushings, dual knurl marks, and a lifetime warranty. The big difference is it has a bare steel shaft and bare steel sleeves that do develop a patina over time pretty much regardless of whether you take great care of it or not.
Other than the Castro Bar, the Rogue Ohio Bar – Cerakote gets the most use. The cerakote finish is feels great on the hands, looks great, and is extremely long lasting.
In addition to the Castro Bar, they have a Rogue Bella Bar coated in purple Cerakote for the ladies that come over to workout, a training bar for technique and younger kids, an Eleiko WL Bar (my personal favorite), a Rogue Stubby Axle Bar, and an XMark Chisel Curl Bar that we’ve reviewed due to it’s unique attribute of bearings in the sleeves.
All of these bars are placed in the only Titan Fitness piece of equipment in their gym, the Titan 9 Bar Barbell Holder.
Weight Plates
Bumper Plates
Rogue HG 2.0 Bumper Plates
Product Highlights
Same quality plates, revamped design. Rogue HG 2.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- We’ve been using a large set of Rogue HG 2.0 Bumper Plates for close to 4 years and although they’ve gotten scratched, faded, and used a tremendous amount, they still function like new.
- Black rubber bumper plates are the best value for the garage gym owner, and these are the best one’s Rogue offers.
- With an average Shore A Durometer score of 88, the HG 2.0 Plates have a low bounce, but are unlikely to chip like many cheaper bumper plates.
- These plates have been used at all levels of competition from Regionals to the CrossFit Games.
- The plates are very accurate with a weight tolerance of +/- 1% of the claimed weight. For black bumpers, that’s extremely good.
- The 25-45 LB plates are warrantied for 3 years.
- The inner steel ring is stainless steel and is locked to the rubber using a secure method that keeps them from coming loose as quickly as what often happens with cheaper bumpers.
Cons
- Due to the thickness of the plates, the max amount of weight you can fit on the bar is less than 500 pounds.
- A few reviews stated that the plates had a black grease that came off after use, but also smelled. This is typical of imported rubber.
- Despite being a good value plate from Rogue, there are better priced bumper plate options on the market.
Bottom Line
We’ve tested and reviewed the Rogue HG 2.0 Bumper Plates and found them to be a great bumper plate for most garage gym owners. They can stand up whatever abuse you inflict, are accurate, have a low bounce, and are priced pretty good. Although we prefer competition bumper plates, these are a great price, although we would suggest comparing to the Fringe Sport Black Bumper Plates.
Unsurprisingly, the plates of choice for this gym are bumper plates.
For most people working out at home, bumper plates are the best option. They’re more pricey, but they last a long time, protect your equipment, your flooring, and make a lot less noise than iron plates.
Ralph and Curtis decided to go with a large set of Rogue HG 2.0 Bumper Plates. These are actually the first set of plates I ever bought for my garage gym and they still perform like new.
All of these plates are stored on plate posts that have been bolted to a large beam that runs along their staircase. The way they’re organized looks great and makes them easily accessible. I really like this idea.
Conditioning Equipment
Air Bike
Assault AirBike
Product Highlights
- Heavy-duty exercise bike
- Monitor is easy to use
- Affordably priced
- Uses a chain drive, not a belt drive
Pros & Cons
Pros
- A staple in many CrossFit gyms
- Great, easy-to-use monitor
- Made of mostly metal for great durability
- Matte black finish
- Comfortable seat
- Rubber grips on handles are very durable
- Affordable for an air bike
Cons
- Chain-driven system that requires additional upkeep
- Some rocking side to side
- Screws may come loose often
Bottom Line
The Assault AirBike was once the standard air bike for CrossFit athletes. In our testing and reviews of the bike, we’ve found it to be durable and enjoyable (not in the traditional sense) to use.
A CrossFit gym isn’t a CrossFit gym without a whole lot of conditioning equipment that no one actually likes using, but uses it anyways.
Ralph and Curt happen to have the holy trinity of conditioning equipment, the Assault AirBike, Concept 2 Model D Rower, and Assault Air Runner.
The Assault Air Bike, also dubbed the devil’s tricycle has to be one of the most effective conditioning tools on the market. It’s brutally effective. Ralph was kind enough to display it’s difficulty through a 10 min AMRAP that featured burpees, air bike cals, and kettlebell swings.
The Concept 2 Rower is likely the piece that gets used most considering it’s so popular in CrossFit gyms and is great for both short and long duration training. We’re big fans of the Concept 2 Rower both for it’s usefulness as well as it’s bomb-proof nature.
Treadmill
AssaultRunner Pro
Product Highlights
- Low-impact shock absorbing belt
- Incredibly sturdy and durable
- Built-in wheels for portability
- 100% athlete-powered
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Extremely popular
- Durable machine
- No motor means fewer maintenance issues
- Easy-to-read monitor
- Thick rubber belt provides great traction
- Bearings under belt provide smooth run
- Sturdy
- Rear handle makes moving easier
- Powder-coating withstands the elements
- Affordable curved treadmill
- Staple for CrossFitters
Cons
- Extremely heavy
- Curved shape takes getting used to
- Plastic shell may crack
- High spin rate on belt
- No fancy monitor, water bottle holder, or other conveniences
Bottom Line
The AssaultRunner Pro is one of the best value non-motorized treadmills for home gyms on the market.
One piece of equipment that you rarely see in garage gyms is the Assault AirRunner.
The AirRunner is a curved, non-motorized treadmill that has been used at the CrossFit Games and many other competitions. It’s not our favorite motorized treadmill (we prefer the TrueForm Runner,) but it is the best value.
Miscellaneous Equipment
The rest of the gym is filled with all kinds of goodies that we’ve reviewed.
One that really stood out was the Rogue Rhino Belt Squat.
Belt Squat
Rogue Monster Rhino Belt Squat
Product Highlights
Pros & Cons
Pros
- The Rogue Rhino is the most versatile belt squat we've tested. The only belt squat that may be more versatile is the Westside ATP, however, it takes up twice as much space and costs over twice as much.
- The size of the Rhino lends itself to working in just about any space from a garage gym to a commercial gym.
- There are three versions available and thanks to it's drop-in nature, it can perform extremely well in a Monster Series Power Rack.
- The same 3"x3" 11-gauge steel is used as the frame for the Rhino.
- The price makes it one of the most budget-friendly versatile belt squats on the market.
- The Rhino is one of the best engineered products we've tested from Rogue. There are an insane amount of custom parts.
- The platform size is small enough to fit in most places, but large enough to be very useful. We were even able to stack rubber tiles on top and use it for step ups.
- The platform is made of diamond plate that is then sprayed with a textured powder coat that allows your shoes to grip the floor well.
- Eventually, we foresee the Rhino having multiple attachments like a lat pulldown.
- The weight trolley is very smooth and because it's not uncoated metal like most systems have with guide rods, it doesn't need any lubing or maintenance.
- The new belt squat belt that comes standard with the unit is great, although we still prefer the Spud INC Belt Squat Belt.
Cons
- The assembly for the Rhino is pretty intensive. Here's what one user had to say, "The instructions are utterly pathetic but once you get it put together after the 5th attempt, the machine is awesome.
- The Rhino can be a bit difficult for taller people to use. One user had this to say, "Our tall members need an additional height setting ( 1' higher ) on the middle horn position. Also, we added more quick links to the belt to make it easier to hookup."
- Although squatting on the Rhino is nice, the SquatMax-MD is much better in that regard. However, the Rhino blows it away when versatility is taken into consideration.
Bottom Line
The Rogue Monster Rhino Belt Squat is by far the best belt squat we've tested. There are many contenders now on the market, however, the Rhino is the most versatile and offers the best value. We don't recommend lever based belt squats due to the sheering forces that occur on the knees as well as lower versatility. If you're in the market for a belt squat, the Rhino is what we recommend.
We’ve tested and reviewed the Rhino and have said it many times, it’s one of our favorite pieces of equipment that Rogue has come out with to date.
Ralph said he uses the belt squat mainly for squats as well as marches. The motivation to buy it came from having an injury and wanting to work around it.
We love the belt squat and would like to see more people add them to their gyms. They’re just that good.
A variety of tools are stored under the stairs including the ever-popular Rogue Echo Sled.
We really like this sled for the value you offered. It’s very durable and just works at a lower price than the heavier Rogue Dog Sled 1.2.
Next to the sled are some farmers carry handles from the now defunct company, Pure Strength (RIP), and some Rogue Parallettes.
One thing we were surprised to see due to their focus being CrossFit was a Rogue Monster Bench with a Thompson Fat Pad attached.
Bench
Rogue Thompson Fat Pad
Product Highlights
Pros & Cons
Bottom Line
Although the Thompson Fat Pad was initially made for someone much larger, we’ve gotten great use out of the pad. It’s helped with shoulder stiffness and just overall shoulder health.
Ralph got it due to some shoulder issues and he said it’s definitely helped.
To close it off, they have a variety of Rogue OSO Collars that look and perform great.
There’s a Strongman Sandbag, change plates, gymnastic rings, a climbing rope, and an Echo GHD from Rogue that’s quite popular among those in the garage gym community.
Further reading
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Pondering spin bike vs exercise bike for your next cardio session? The machines may seem similar, but there are a few differences to consider. Learn more! Read more
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