Why I Spent So Much Money On My Gym 

Lol. I don't get people criticizing spending money on a home gym. I mean, its a hobby, its something you love doing and gets you going, why not spend money on it? Some people spend alot of money on cars, other on watches, traveling, jewelry, videogames, computers... For me, it makes sense spending money on something you love. Specially someone that has been lifting for so many years as you....

Time is the biggest asset we got in this life brotha, home gym like yours is on my goal list for the future

My gym and my family are my passion - so that’s what I spend my money on.

Great Video Brandon! You gave me some good points that I can use to justify my new garage gym.

I’ve been on the fence for about a month or two trying to figure if I want to go budget brand quality, or a rogue quality for my home gym. I think the perspective you’re laying out here has tipped the scales toward rogue-level quality for the core gear. I would rather feel motivated (maybe even proud?) to come into my gym to train, rather than loathe having to use my gear, or divert focus toward safety/noise due to compromises in design and build. This is worth some amount of premium to me. Thanks for all you do for this community Brandon!

I personally enjoy the colors on different plates. That alone is my motivation. I also perform better with nicer equipments! My number one rule: If I don’t like it, I don’t or even can’t do it. I completely hate Disorganized, old, unattractive stuffs!

Dude i’m with you 100% for the exact same reasons..And time is just too valuable.. ✌️

I love the solitude of training at home. My garage gym isn't as nice as yours but it is quality equipment. I have a membership to a nice gym near my home, I'm just enjoying my home gym! Titan wall mounted rack, Rogue Ohio bar, Titan flat bench and a lot of other equipment I've had for over 30 years! 💪💪 I really enjoy your channel btw!

Didn't pay attention to a word he said because I was distracted by the fact that he wore a weightlifting belt during the entire video... while sitting and talking.

The hardest part I have with my home gym is dealing with the cold winter, but I think getting the good equipment is the absolute only way to go. I started by buying cheap junk and after having to replace it all I ended up spending more money by being cheap in the beginning. The big thing I am missing right now is dumbbells and in trying to do a hypertrophy block it is pretty frustrating to not have access to fancy dumbbells or machines with easy pin attachments. Still love the home gym, even if I have to freeze in the winter.

I can totally relate. Being 34 with a wife, having an 18 month old son and also a full time job, I couldn't agree with you more. Whatever time I can spend with them is priceless and far outweighs the cost of having quality equipment at home (which also happens to be better quality equipment than any gym in my area)

Get the equipment you can afford. One of the great pleasures of my life is saving up and slowly adding/upgrading my garage gym. I started with Craigslist and play it again sports equipment, then a rogue rack, rogue barbell. Still have a cheap bench. I’m saving up to insulate and add heat/ac to the garage, extreme weather in Chicago does have an impact on my motivation...

I was born and raised in Providence, Rhode Island. Keep up the good work bro.

I really appreciate all your home gym reviews. I was looking for a short term solution for a powerlifting home gym (moving in next 2 years + outdoor gym that I have to tarp) so I went with a Titan cage based on your input. Overall happy with it for the cost vs function, but I did have shipping issues which were expected based on the cost.Thanks dude!

Totally agree. I don't mind spending/investing a little more to get back some time and also, I'm willing and in a position where I can pay for convenience. I also know that with my anxiety and depression, going to a commercial gym no matter how quiet it is will simply be a recipe for a panic attack. And while those do get my heart racing, a panic attack is not a great pre-workout.

How the heck do you talk straight through all your videos with no cuts. You're the man lol.

I 100% agree with everything you said. Thankfully I have 2 gyms within about 20 min from me that are world class in regards to equipment, so I am more than happy to go there. I definitely would love to do a home gym one day and I totally plan to invest money to get the best stuff.

I would never spend that kind of money on a blue rack. If it were red though.... 😜 Seriously though, I agree completely. My rack and bar are both Rogue, though my rack is an R series. My plates are calibrated Vulcan. My deadlift jack is Titan. My bench is Rep.

Brotha keep at it..... Living a life!

So my home gym consists of: Powertec Power Rack (w/ lat tower), Powertec Bench, Ironmaster dumbbells, Schwinn treadmill, Rogue bar and bumber plates, and some iron plates I had bought years back from Sports Authority. Like u mentioned, my free time means a lot to me. I love the convenience and I’m a self motivated guy. I enjoy ur videos and each review 👍

I've been training out of my garage for the last 6 years and love everything about it. Recently sold my house and purchased a new one with space to build my dream home gym. I'm investing a lot into this gym because it's more than a hobby. It's a passion. I enjoy training there and I want family, friends and my kids to enjoy training there as well. It's money worth spent, IMO.

I get my best motivation in my home gym! I like the convenience and the fun of building it too.

Yeah nothing beats a quality home gym. Definitely a privilege to own one. Agreed with your comment on time. If you also add the preparation time and down time after a gym session, it adds to the travel time. Wasted time. I also do morning and evening sessions in my gym a few days a month. Another benefit of a home gym.

Always appreciate and enjoy your gym equipment reviews. NO BULLSHIT,,,thanks

Just moved from Pawtucket to North Attleboro ( big upgrade) but there doesnt seem to be any solid gyms near me. I'm going rogue for a home gym, rack TBD... so tough just starting out from scratch.. Got the cash to go a little crazy but I dont want to over do it

Gotta get the core stable while making a youtube video #inzerbelt

Like you, I’ve spent thousands on my home gym but I don’t regret even one penny because it is very motivating to get my moneys worth

Yeah man I completely agree. Sometimes ide rather spend full price on ROGUEs website then buy it used. Sounds crazy but I’m committed to my health and my life. I really enjoy spending hard earned money on my stuff. Extremely motivating for me.

thanks for the vid and the training week updates.

I started with just a basic titan rack and weights out of the scrap yard but got a bar from rogue. I also must say this is just to get me started with a home gym. I have all intent on buying calibrated plates and selling the used ones back to the scrap yard. Getting started was the most important thing but I see the value in having the best equipment possible.

“I never had motivation problems” Words to live by.

Like you it's finding a balance on what you want and can spend. Having a home gym, it's beyond awesome and you want to have the best equipment possible within your budget. And something that will last. Spending $120 on something to save 100 then have it break will cost you more money in the long run. I agree 100% with this video

I think another thing people fail to grasp is the fact that you "own" this gym; sure training at a gym, it might not matter the quality of the equipment, cuz when something breaks its their responsibility to fix it/get it replaced. In this case, it falls on you, the owner, and hence it might be worth it to go the extra mile! Great video B!

Self motivated guy, totally in love with my home set-up. Fuel/time/annual fee spent on commercial gym are too big cons to simply go for a home set-up. The convenience is unparalleled.

Spending my hard earned cash on Dynamic Fitness and Strength, Rogue, and American Barbell. Thanks for the inspiration.

Can you please do a video going over your tattoos? The left arm looks awesome from what is peaking out.

I'm with you man. I don't mind spending money on things that I need to take a beating. There are some things that I would rather not break the bank over i.e a deadlift jack.

Dead on! I prefer to spend more on quality equipment I can use forever than to cheap out. We spent right around 8k on all of our garage gym, but if you compare what we have equipment wise and quality wise we don’t have a gym near us that can compare. I love training with top quality equipment. We did buy a cheap land mine attachment and handle from Titan but that’s it for cheap.

I fucking love the chump change right out of the gate :) LMAO at the tattoo part. First tat from my cousin when I was underage because mom's was trippin' yo'

Hey Brandon what camera kit do use & lens, tripod, microphone etc? The whole setup?

95% of my gym equipment is Titan. Because of affordability, but I do want to upgrade my garage gym t3 rack in 5 years or so to a rouge rack with all the fixings and gravy.

Hey! Where did you get that Stoic Shirt? Nothing like being reminded of Seneca and Marcus Aurelius for killing excuses in my option! P.S. Awesome vid

I'm a huge fan of "buy once, cry once" when it comes to durable goods. Once I realized that this wasn't going to just be a passing interest for me, I waited the better part of a year for Rogue's Matte Black Friday sale to pick up my RML-490 and accessories.

Brandon, I went ahead and purchased a ton of stuff from Rogue yesterday, Matte Black Friday. I think you said you got a good deal on Black Friday from them in one of your videos.. So I took a look yesterday. I got a great price for the kg plate set, with $5.00 shipping. I saved almost $800.00 with my bundled purchase. Only thing, one item is on back order. I have to wait 14 days before they ship everything. I'm going to make a video when everything arrives.

How TF have I watched 30 of your vids but not realized you're from RI as well. Have you checked out Top Strength in Pawtucket? If you ever want to get your hands on some strongman kit before possibly adding it to the garage it's great and the owner is bringing new stuff in constantly.

I agree with you. In all honesty if I had the space I would have done the same. I’m all about quality in all honesty ! Also for me it takes 2 hours round trip to the gym which is probably the best equipped gym in London for me. Wish I had the space for the whole home gym for me and the wifey. Hopefully when we move !

I really like your gym. Would love to have a home gym like that.

I have a very "basic" setup in terms of overall equipment. When I first started out, I had almost no money, so I went with a cheap, 300 lb set from Dick's. Later, when I had money, I bought all quality. Rogue power rack, bench, replacement bar, and a couple bumper pairs to add 15 lbs into my options, as well as full radius 45s. I don't regret my approach one bit. And I agree: Having the equipment right here makes it very easy to train and not make excuses. Having invested so much inspires me to do things like use an acrylic marker to make my bumpers two-tone, and other QOL tweaks to my setup. And since training improves your overall confidence and motivation, these tweaks also help me to better approach projects that are short-term investments with long-term payoffs.

Have you tried any Texas strength systems stuff? I am looking. At their belt squat/lat pull down. I am in the market for a combo like that. Just wondering if you have played with any?

It's your money so use it however you see fit. I have spent a ton on my home gym also because after years of using commercial gyms, I learned that I hate the gym environment but I love using quality equipment. I mostly buy used, but it's nearly all commercial stuff (Cybex, Hammer Strength, Life Fitness, Star Trac, etc.). My landmine (funny you should mention that) is a Titan because I just couldn't see any value in spending more for that piece. My weight plates are the other area in which I didn't see sufficient value in buying high-end stuff. They're just a menagerie of whatever I could find on FB Marketplace for $0.50/lb or less - though I did manage to pick up some Star Trac (urethane?) plates for that price as well.

You said it at the start of the video. It’s your money you can spend it however you want. If it makes you feel good to get nice equipment go nuts

I think the next upgrade to your basement gym should be lighting. I see that sad little lightbulb hanging there and it reminds me that I need to upgrade my own lighting. Then, of course, you would need to make a video about it!

What’s your outro music, I really dig it!

I always go with quality and don’t mind paying for it.

I just purchase a Titan H-PND as well for about the same price, it was a steal. Working out is more than a hobby, it’s a lifestyle for many. Why not purchase equipment that you like or are interested in...

question, if there was a company making the same equipment as Rouge but wasnt as "popular" just better price for the same quality would people buy it ?

Personally I rather save up for a year on something I really want, with the quality I am looking for than, waste money on something that will make "do" for now. Love you videos.

A young infant..as opposed the old kind lol

How do you go with training when the baby is sleeping? clanging them deads?

I totally get it. For me---someday...I have a "Craigslist" squat rack with Olympic bar and almost 500 lbs of weights for a grand total of $200....I want more stuff and better stuff, but this is it for now. Great vid, keep it up!

I feel like it depends on your goals as well if you’re looking to lift casually to stay in shape then titan or a mix of rogue and titan (rogue still has more products at their disposal) would be ideal , if like yourself your train to compete then a gym that’s of a higher quality is an investment in your performance.

I actually go to next level.. would love to see you there sometime!

Can you guys tell me how the hell that scale can track your muscle density and bone density? I simply can´t get and idea on how it would be remotely possible.

you can also set cross over in that power rack

Because it’s awesome!

Well said. I wish it would shut more people up. I have quite a bit of Rogue and don't judge those that buy off of Craigslist, nor do I care that people go out and buy Sorinex.

What brand of deadlift jack do you own?

Cool to see someone who is really dedicated. There is nothing like calibrated plates:)

I just bought all my stuff fro my home gym (waiting till I get paid to get weights) I got a titan rack, dip bars, and flat bench and a rogue barbell. The Westside bar is already here and at all the gyms I've been to haven't even come close to having a bar that nice. The rack I'm sure will be just fine. Bugenhagen has a super shitty power rack and he's an absolute unit. I think spending money on a home gym is definitely going to be worth the money no matter which way you slice it. You're going to use it a couple times a week, every week for the next however many years. Do a cost breakdown and time breakdown for the 30 minutes you're saving driving to your gym and back and it will pay for itself.

In my short 32yrs on this Earth, I've quickly learned that 'spend more now, save more later' rings true. Just my personal experience ... it may be hard to swallow at first, but I definitely think going with Rogue or American Barbell equipment is worth it over companies like Titan. I don't know if I'd go so far as to start buying Ivanko or Werksan stuff tho ...

Hi, Do you think than a squat stand (with safeties) isn't as safe as a power cage for a homegym?

Hell ya B , get your stuff no shame in gainz and gaining an enlightenment of content when it all comes together as you sit back and go "This my shiiii" and I'll do what thou wants when thy wants

I’m confused is base barbell the same Chanel as this one or is there two different channels?

i spent a lot on home gym too but its the convenience, i can wake up start lifting go to work go back home lift again and lift through out the day when im off work or late which is surely a better way to train than going flat out for 1 hour or 2 not over exxerting , cutting out the travel but getting stronger/ slimmer none the less and being able to cut the body weight because if you have trashy home gym equipment your not going to want to use it or optimisng full potential of a workout or if you have no home gym stuff then you risk getting obese (i know about that) plus it's privacy rights you dont have to bother with undesireable people ... so yeah people bash on buying expensive gym equipment for at home - but look at what you get, no longer a crappy gym membership, locked into contract , you buy freedom away from needing a locker, no travel, no one to look at you, no mirrors (keep yourself grounded) etc plus if your cost is around 1500 the stuff is going to pay for itself against membership fee, it will take a couple of years but after that you got free weights available to you for as long as you live

Any advice for good Canadian companies? The majority of stuff ends up being A.M. staff before I start paying close do double of the original listed price.

Good video. I think there's a lot of misconception out there on how much a home gym does or does not cost to set up. My gym is very basic, but so is my training. My gym consists of a titan x2 rack (kind of wish I had an x3, but have no complaints about my x2), a cheaper bench that I need to replace (allegedly rated for 1000lbs, though I have my doubts), an ohio power bar, and I just buy weight plates from Dicks. A little bit about the plates from Dicks - weight is weight for someone that isn't competing, so I don't mind small inaccuracies (I've never weighed them, but I'm sure they're not super precise.) My biggest issue with them is just that they're not the right diameter, so I have to put some homemade blocks under them to deadlift from the appropriate height. Inconvenient? Sure, but it only takes a minute to put the blocks down. I'll likely try to sell these on craigslist and eventually replace them with an entire set of steel plates from another company (rogue or otherwise, don't really care. just want them to be the right diameter.) But the bigger point is that.. All in, for what I'd consider a budget gym, I currently invested around $1600 I think, give or take. That's counting everything (jk i lied i left out the platform i built and i'm not gonna fix it... fight me), and calculating the cost of my new plates at 1 dollar per lb (which you could get cheaper if you look around, or so I hear. I never see any listings near me.) The cost of a membership at the nearest gym to me, which is only 15 minutes away, is like $40 a month the last time I had a membership there. So it would take 3.3 years of training at home for the equipment to pay for itself, just based on membership fees. When you factor in gas, probably a little less. Not to mention that some people are training at strongman, powerlifting, or crossfit gyms where the memberships can become ridiculously expensive - making a home gym make even more sense if space allows for it. I'm currently on my second year of training at home and love it. Never have to wait for equipment, I know who used my stuff last, I know it's cleaned and maintained, I know where everything is - it's amazing. One last thing that isn't often talked about in regards to a home gym is that if you do have loved ones around that will also train (whether it be with you or on their own) then the value of your gym raises exponentially. You might not make money off of it, but I think it's something worth considering. A home gym is an investment, and when you consider a lot of the equipment is good for years, maybe even several decades if you take care of it, it's easy to see that spending a lot of money up front is a good investment.

I can't wait to get a whole platform and bumper set from either Eleiko or Rogue for my 4th floor apartment. I hope my neighbors don't hate me.

Get something u enjoy l have rml490 rack and comp and training plates from rogue. And proud of my equipment

You are a truth teller

Preach it, brother.

My video would’ve been 10 seconds long... “Because I fucking can! Roll the outro!” 😂

Brandon: your gym is your “happy place,” so buy whatever the hell you want for it. Am wondering, have you ever considered Samson? It’s heavy-duty (7- gauge) quality stuff, but it ain’t a cheap. Again, you get what you pay for. Keep the videos coming.

Better quality means much better resale value if you ever sell at some point! (Not sure if you mentioned that)

There is absolutely nothing wrong with having a gym at home. It's inspiring to see someone legit with a good home gym be successful.

I almost always regret going cheap. There are exceptions but usually if I want top of the line and settle for the 25-50% less option for one reason or another, I regret it. I work hard for my money so I can work hard in my garage gym. The older you get the more you want to enjoy things. . . The nicer things. 1st world struggles. 💪

That Scar from Lion King tattoo for 100$ is genuine AF ! :)

Did you get your belt back?

Lol sometimes I think people struggle with the idea that others might just enjoy being a consumer and having the options of equipment that you chose. Home gym life is the best.

BTW, answering the question... A Rogue squat rack (E3050), in my country, costs 1.850 dollars, when I can get a national squat rack with multiposition safety for bench, OHP, squat, etc. for literally 320 dollars, I find it extremely hard to buy the Rogue one, even if I had all the money in the world. Let´s say that my max squat is 160kg at this moment of my life. Probably with kneewraps and a belt, I´ll be able to lift 200-ish kilos... it´s not that much, I don´t really need ultra top notch Rogue stuff. If I were a heavyweight completitive powerlifter and needed something that could safely hold 400+ kilos, I would probably get it manufactured in my country and, even in that case, it would still cheaper than the Rogue one.

I would pay more for the things I use more and need better quality from (Rack, Bar, Bench, etc.) vs things I'm not using that ofter that would probably be ok with getting it on the cheap end (Curl bar, Titan Rev. Hyper, bands, etc.)

Is there a certain subscriber threshold where companies like rogue will send u products or give discounts in exchange for reviews? It's probably at the point where your channel is so big that money is no longer an issue.

What is your desk job?

I don't have a home gym, but willing to own one I. The future, and I would like rouge equipments, the are expensive, definitely worth it but for me is even more expensive because I have to pay a lot of customs because of where I live witch is Dominican Republic

I would 100% spend the money for rogue and other brands like it. Not only for the piece of mind but the standard of quality.

Not even counting time saved traveling. My basic home gym probably cost maybe 4 years worth of gym membership. All the other perks are gravy, not to mention it will last a LIFETIME of personal use.

Calibrated plates are only necessary for folks who train to compete. A quality barbell makes a huge difference, that the one piece of equipment I don't mind paying a lot for.

Glad to see you strapped your belt on for this heavy video. Safety first man, you have a kid now.

I'm getting old Brandon and I need I finally need a pre-workout supplement. Any advice on good/safe ones to use?

Because it’s your money and you can spend it on what you want. I’ve spent quiet a lot on my home gym, changing it now and again. I hate commercial gyms and wouldn’t have it any other way

Dope I’m going to buy one.