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[@RenaissancePeriodization] My $250k Home Gym Sucked - How I Fixed It!

· 6 min read
[@RenaissancePeriodization] Summarizer
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@RenaissancePeriodization - "My $250k Home Gym Sucked - How I Fixed It!"

Link: https://youtu.be/3vX1WSz9lkw

Short Summary​

The speaker discusses upgrading his home gym, initially built during COVID with suboptimal equipment due to availability constraints and lack of testing opportunities. He replaced several machines, including a leg press, chest press, and added a sauna, while also improving the gym's heating, sharing his reasoning and experiences with each upgrade.

Key Quotes​

Okay, here are five direct quotes extracted from the YouTube video transcript that I found particularly insightful, interesting, or representative of the speaker's opinions:

  1. "Is it true that I have to pay for you until you're 18? Couldn't we have the ethics of the medieval times where I could simply drop you off in the market and never see you again? That's how I was looking at some of the machines." (This quote highlights the speaker's initial dissatisfaction with some of the equipment purchased during the COVID-19 pandemic, using humor and hyperbole.)

  2. "Ideally, you want to test out every single piece of equipment before it arrives cuz if it looks pretty in a picture, it probably does a good thing, but that's not guaranteed." (This quote encapsulates the speaker's regret about purchasing equipment sight unseen and emphasizes the importance of testing equipment before buying.)

  3. "And when I have that, I get maximum tension at the bottom of the lift. minimum tension at the top of the lift. I'm able to do twothirds Maya reps on this shit. The leg workouts on here are just a total category level difference. They're psychotic. They're amazing. I love this machine." (This quote showcases the speaker's enthusiasm for the Roger Squat, emphasizing its benefits for muscle hypertrophy.)

  4. "The big takehome here is when you're building your own gym, be it a home gym, a garage gym, even your actual gym that for for clients and customers to come through, really think through that first grouping of machines. Core high quality machines with tons of uses. Smith machines, freeotion machines, power racks, things that tons of people use to get a lot of use out of and they're fundamental good quality." (This summarizes his advice for building a solid gym foundation with versatile equipment.)

  5. "A few people have accused me of grifting on the internet. And I can't tell you I disagree, but you can use more harsh words than that. Total ripoff, scam artist, piece of shit, all qualify." (This is a candid admission, albeit sarcastic, about his online persona and monetization strategies.)

Detailed Summary​

Okay, here is a detailed summary of the YouTube video transcript in bullet points, highlighting key topics, arguments, and information:

Overall Theme:

  • The video is about the speaker's journey of building and improving his home gym, acknowledging mistakes made during the initial setup due to COVID-related constraints and detailing recent upgrades. He emphasizes learning from those mistakes for future gym builders.

Initial Home Gym Construction Challenges (COVID-era):

  • Equipment Availability: Supply chain issues during COVID made it difficult to acquire desired equipment with long or uncertain lead times.
  • Compromises: Settled for "good" but not "great" equipment due to availability constraints.
  • Sight Unseen Purchases: Buying equipment without testing it firsthand led to unsatisfactory purchases.
  • Disappointment: Some equipment proved unsuitable, leading to regret and the eventual removal of those items.
  • Moved out of the gym and given away: Speaker compared them to "orphaned" machines.

New Additions & Replacements:

  • Element Fridge: Installed for hydration and replacing electrolytes during workouts. He mentioned Element being a sponsor and expressed appreciation for their product.
  • Roger Squat: Replaced the Atlantis linear leg press/hack squat. The speaker highlights issues with the Atlantis machine stemming from the shortness of the user leading to less tension at the bottom. Roger Squat accommodates different heights, provides safety racking, and has a favorable force curve (hardest at the bottom, easiest at the top). He enthusiastically recommends it.
  • DIY Shoulder Press Seat: A very inexpensive, homemade shoulder press seat was added because shoulder pressing on an incline was cumbersome. It's recognized as potentially dangerous but considered a risk worth taking for the convenience it offers.
  • Pit Shark (Belt Squat): Purchased for belt squats, rows, and stiff-legged deadlifts. He contrasts it with the Matt Wenning Belt Squat, noting that while the latter is excellent for athletic lifting, the Pit Shark is better for hypertrophy due to its consistent tension throughout the range of motion.
  • Hoist Chest Press Machine: Replaced an older chest press machine that had several problems: no leg-powered unloader, awkward entry, and inconsistent friction. The Hoist machine has a leg-powered unloader, multiple grip options, and a smooth range of motion. He claims it gives a deep stretch and makes workouts more effective.
  • Finnish Sauna: Added for post-workout recovery, longevity enhancement, and cosmetic reasons (getting pumped and veiny for social media pictures). He notes that sauna use does not blunt adaptation, unlike cold plunging, and acknowledges the potential for a "grift" by using these pictures to promote his online products.
  • Heating System Upgrade: Three new heating units were installed in addition to the forced air because the steel building was too cold in the winter. This ensures adequate warm-up to avoid injury, and helps achieve better vein development.

Existing Equipment and Maintenance:

  • He praises several existing machines, including the Arsenal leg press, FreeMotion dual cable cross machine, Atlantis 45-degree chest-supported row, Prime leg curl/extension, Arsenal power rack, dip stand, and a good Smith Machine.

Future Gym Plans:

  • He plans to add machines slowly and deliberately, carefully selecting machines that fit in well with existing workout plans.
  • A rowing machine, curl machine, and specialized bars may be added.
  • He considers testing a "universal machine" that can perform multiple exercises.
  • He suggests not rushing to fill a gym with equipment, but rather adding machines slowly over time as needs and interests develop.

Gym Building Philosophy/Advice:

  • Start with Core Machines: Focus on fundamental, versatile, high-quality machines first (Smith machines, FreeMotion machines, power racks).
  • Layer in Specialized Machines: Add specialized machines for specific exercises (chest press, row machines) later.
  • Test Equipment First: Ideally, test equipment before buying at trade shows, showrooms, or other gyms.
  • Avoid Impulse Buys: Only add machines that consistently come up in workout planning and that demonstrably improve training.
  • Extra Items are Valuable: Extra bars and attachments go a long way.

Humor and Tone:

  • The video is presented in a humorous, self-deprecating tone.
  • The speaker uses colorful language and metaphors.
  • He acknowledges potential criticisms (e.g., "grifting" by using pumped sauna pics).
  • He talks about his own physical limitations and quirks, such as his height.