What’s up, guys? Welcome to my garage gym tour—a behind-the-scenes look at the space I’ve poured time, energy, and over $47,000 into building.

When I bought my house here in Westchester two years ago, I knew I wanted property, privacy, and a home gym that could double as a content studio. As a coach, a business owner, and a dad, I needed flexibility. And this gym? It’s been one of the most fulfilling investments I’ve ever made.

Let’s walk through what’s in the gym, what I use, what I don’t, and what I’d do differently if I started from scratch.

Why a Garage Gym?

• I train clients.
• I shoot content.
• My wife uses it more than I do.

Since we had our baby two months ago, she gets in here three to four times a week. I work out in here probably every other week, but I love having the option, especially when life gets hectic.

The space sits on private property, tucked off a quiet drive, with a few of my cars parked out front. When people visit, they walk through the gym to enter the house—which makes it a statement piece as much as a functional space.

The Build: Where It All Started

The Essentials

• Adjustable bench
• Adjustable dumbbells
• Power rack: The centerpiece.

I started with the Reps Athena rack. I’ve reviewed it in-depth on YouTube, and while it’s served me well, I’d go with the Reps Aries 2.0 today. The functional trainer feature on the Athena adds serious versatility to the space.

Regret #1: Lever Arms

Everyone warned me. I ignored them.
I spent over $2,000 on lever arms from Rogue—and I never use them.

They’re great in theory for pressing or rowing movements, but unless you’re training daily in your garage (which I don’t), they’re probably not worth it. Learn from my mistake. Skip the lever arms.

The Barbell Breakdown

• Kabuki Strength Bar: My favorite. $800+, but worth it—versatile for hinges, squats, presses. The company may be gone, but if you find one used, buy it.
• Kabuki Deadlift Bar: Cool, but I actually prefer my cheap hex bar.
• Olympic bar & EZ curl bar: Essentials for variety.

Most of this is for my wife’s training—front squats, deadlifts, lunges. She uses it more than I do.

Dumbbells: What We Use & Recommend

• Hex Dumbbells (10–50 lb): Small footprint, durable.
• Micro Gains Plates: Clip-on weight options for fine-tuning.
• Smart Fit Adjustable Dumbbells: My daily go-to. But be warned—they’re not durable. If you drop them, they will break. As an influencer, I get quick support. For regular folks, that $80 replacement handle might sting.
• Rep Pépin Dumbbells (up to 120 lb): Heavier, sleek, not toaster-sized like other adjustables. Best-in-class for heavy adjustable dumbbells.

Sleeper Pick: Your Bench & Wall Storage

The Bench

• Versatility is key: Incline, decline, upright.
• I use a Titan adjustable bench. If I had to buy today, I’d go with the Rep Fitness Nighthawk.

OmniWall

This was a game-changer. All my attachments—ropes, cuffs, bands, belts, straps—are organized and easy to access. It’s sleek, efficient, and totally worth the upgrade.

Lower Body Training: What Makes the Cut

• Rogue Belt Squat: Protects your spine. Removes grip and low back from the equation. Amazing for longevity and isolating legs.
• Freak Athlete Platform:
  • 15+ lower body exercises: GHDs, Nordic curls, extensions, curls, hinges.
  • Comes with leg extension/curl attachment (best I’ve ever used).
  • Cables connect to the Reps Athena.

It’s a non-negotiable for leg training at home. I did a brand deal with them, but I’d gladly pay out-of-pocket.

Cardio Zone

• SkiErg & Assault Bike: For HIIT, zone 4, or Norwegian protocol.
• Concept2 Bike: My go-to for steady state cardio.
• Walking pad + weighted vest: Indoor rucking.
• Rower: My wife’s favorite for cardio.

Misc. Equipment (What We Love + Laugh At)

• Freezer: Sometimes meat, right now breast milk.
• Kettlebells: My wife asked for them, never used them. (I bought them secondhand—thankfully.)
• Dip bar: I bought it. Never used it once.
• Slideboard, calf block, hip thrust pad, Hero board (ab wheel): Used frequently.
• Iron Neck: Sent to me, still in the box.
• Goruck Weight Vests: One in each car—great for rucks.

Lessons Learned

When it comes to building a home gym:

• Buy for versatility, not novelty.
• Don’t assume you’ll use everything just because it looks cool.
• Consider how often you’ll really use your space.
• Think about your partner’s training needs, too.

Final Thoughts

This was my fourth iteration of the garage gym, and I’m sure we’ll do another next year. I share this because I want to help real people get real results.