Wouldn't it be great to know you were in the "good old days" while you were actually in them? Instead of looking back fondly, you could enjoy them more. In this episode, I make a case that for garage gyms, that's exactly where we are right now!

Mentioned in this video:

Home Gym Con: https://homegymcon.com

Apex Bench: https://gymcrafter.com/recommends/apex-bench/

ABX Bench: https://gymcrafter.com/recommends/freak-athlete-abx/

Hyper Pro: https://gymcrafter.com/recommends/freak-athlete-hyper-pro/

Rep Smith: https://gymcrafter.com/recommends/rep-smith-machine/

Force C20: https://gymcrafter.com/recommends/force-usa-c20/

Rep Altitude System: https://gymcrafter.com/recommends/rep-altitude/

1,000 True Fans: https://kk.org/thetechnium/1000-true-fans/

Partners & affiliates: GymCrafter.com/partners

Website: GymCrafter.com

Newsletter: GymCrafter.com/Subscribe

Insta: Instagram.com/gymcrafter

Review Guidelines: GymCrafter.com/review-guidelines/

0:00 Intro

2:00 Home Gym History

5:45 CrossFit Influence

9:05 The ‘Rona

10:30 Commercial Gear Traits

13:20 Build Quality

15:26 Multi Function

17:07 Niche Products

18:44 High Dollar Experiments

20:28 Better Prices

21:45 Narrow Appeal

23:30 The Golden Age?

25:19 New Products

30:59 Poised For Growth

32:38 Wrap Up

*GymCrafter is viewer-supported. I may earn a commission if you purchase through my links. A huge thank you to anyone who helps out in this way. It's what allows me to continue to make videos like this for you as often as I do!

In the last couple of weeks, Vulcan Strength has sued the Gluck's Gym You Tube channel for defamation because of a bad review. In this episode I dive deep into this lawsuit to dig out some lessons for us as consumers. Oh, I also weigh in pretty vocally on what I think of this whole thing!

Mentioned in this video:

Summary of suit: https://ppc.land/fitness-equipment-maker-files-defamation-suit-against-youtuber/

Pdf of actual case: https://ppc.land/content/files/2025/11/gov.uscourts.ncwd.121655.1.0.pdf

Garage-Gyms review: https://www.garage-gyms.com/vulcan-talos-power-rack-dual-stack-multi-function-cable-trainer-review/

No Fate 24/7 Review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uc6AlmLW5gE

Gluck’s Review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUmEEvx5MM0&t=2s

Partners & affiliates: GymCrafter.com/partners

Website: GymCrafter.com

Newsletter: GymCrafter.com/Subscribe

Insta: Instagram.com/gymcrafter

Review Guidelines: GymCrafter.com/review-guidelines/

0:00 Intro

1:26 Disclosure & qualifications

3:37 Lawsuit summary

7:11 My opinion

9:33 Vulcan’s reaction

15:18 Consumer lessons

16:04 Written reviews

27:05 Intentionally bad reviews?

33:37 Learning from negative reviews

35:44 Don’t trust those who don’t train

41:21 They actually sent this for review?

43:44 Company research

45:24 Pay to play

59:19 Review sites

1:04:59 The impact on YouTube reviewers

1:09:10 Types of reviews you can trust

1:15:48 What I do to be trustworthy

*GymCrafter is viewer-supported. I may earn a commission if you purchase through my links. A huge thank you to anyone who helps out in this way. It's what allows me to continue to make videos like this for you as often as I do!

"Buy once, cry once" is a saying you hear alot from people buying gear for their garage gym. But what does that acutally mean? What do you get when you spend more money? In this episode I cover many of the things that come with higher priced products and why you might want them.

Mentioned in this video:

Rep Fitness Ares 2.0: https://gymcrafter.com/recommends/rep-ares-2-0/

Fringe Sport Dane 2.0: https://gymcrafter.com/recommends/fringe-sport-dane-2/

Synergy Custom Fitness: https://gymcrafter.com/recommends/synergy-custom-fitness/

Badlands Bar: https://gymcrafter.com/recommends/rep-badlands-bar/

Black Canyon Bar: https://gymcrafter.com/recommends/rep-black-canyon-bar/

Eclipse Grips: https://gymcrafter.com/recommends/eclipse-grips/

ATX Details Matter: https://youtu.be/bxbVSZpuerU?si=882fFce2OWsG6A5N

Partners & affiliates: GymCrafter.com/partners

Website: GymCrafter.com

Newsletter: GymCrafter.com/Subscribe

Insta: Instagram.com/gymcrafter

Review Guidelines: GymCrafter.com/review-guidelines/

0:00 Intro

2:30 Overview

7:34 Customer service

12:50 Shipping

17:14 Instructions

20:54 Finish

24:24 Tolerance

28:42 Build quality

36:53 Details

45:26 Wrap up

*GymCrafter is viewer-supported. I may earn a commission if you purchase through my links. A huge thank you to anyone who helps out in this way. It's what allows me to continue to make videos like this for you as often as I do!

Get 5% off anything at Force USA, including their new 3x3 line: forceusa.com/gymcrafter

With almost 26k views and 600 comments, the videos I published about Force USA's new 3x3 line have had me thinking and comparing them to the competition. In this podcast, I answer the most asked questions and share how your input has changed my mind about these products!

Gymcrafter main affiliate page: GymCrafter.com/partners

Mentioned In This Video:

Save 5% on Force USA: ForceUSA.com/GymCrafter

C20: https://gymcrafter.com/recommends/force-usa-c20/

FTR: https://gymcrafter.com/recommends/force-usa-ftr/

Tandem Tower: https://gymcrafter.com/recommends/force-usa-tt/

Sliding Bench: https://gymcrafter.com/recommends/force-usa-sliding-bench/

Bells of Steel Oblivyon Tower: https://gymcrafter.com/recommends/bos-3x3-tower/

Get Rxd Phoenix Tower: https://gymcrafter.com/recommends/get-rxd-phoenix/

Rep Athena: https://gymcrafter.com/recommends/rep-athena/

Rep Ares 2.0: https://gymcrafter.com/recommends/rep-ares-2-0/

Swivel Shackles: https://amzn.to/47tk4CJ

Partners & affiliates: GymCrafter.com/partners

Website: GymCrafter.com

Newsletter: GymCrafter.com/Subscribe

Insta: Instagram.com/gymcrafter

Review Guidelines: GymCrafter.com/review-guidelines/

*GymCrafter is viewer-supported. I may earn a commission if you purchase through my links. A huge thank you to anyone who helps out in this way. It's what allows me to keep making videos like this for you as often as I do!

*As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases

At some point in our lives, we have to start training for our "healthspan". In other words, will we be capable people long into our older years? In this episode, I cover training for more than just size and strength, and how we can use our garage gyms to live well for a long time!

Mentioned In This Video:

Dr. Mike vs. Special Forces: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=60vVC-L-KBY

Live Lean RX: https://liveleanrx.com

MAPS 40+: https://gymcrafter.com/recommends/maps-40-plus/

Functional Power Training: https://drjohnrusin.com/product/fpt/

Pain Free Performance Book: https://amzn.to/4hkBh5R

6 Phase Dynamic WarmUp: https://drjohnrusin.com/the-perfect-10-minute-warm-up/

Outlive Book: https://amzn.to/48Bda0l

OVR Jump Training: https://ovrperformance.com/collections/ovr-jump

Partners & affiliates: GymCrafter.com/partners

Website: GymCrafter.com

Newsletter: GymCrafter.com/Subscribe

Insta: Instagram.com/gymcrafter

Review Guidelines: GymCrafter.com/review-guidelines/

Chapters:

0:00 Intro

5:41 6 Areas To Train Weekly

14:20 Cautionary Tales

19:15 My Markers

24:32 The Importance of a Plan

29:50 Recommended Programs

33:31 Warm Up Tools

36:23 Cardio vs. Conditioning Tools

47:16 Committing to Conditioning

48:30 The Importance of VO2 Max

52:24 Athleticism

*GymCrafter is viewer-supported. I may earn a commission if you purchase through my links. A huge thank you to anyone who helps out in this way. It's what allows me to continue to make videos like this for you as often as I do!

*As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases

If you are building a garage gym and over 40, 50, or 60, you'll need to do it a bit differently than when you were younger. In this first of two episodes, I cover training and gym build tips that will help you prevent injury, recover better, and address your mobility.

Mentioned In This Video:

Slant Stack: https://gymcrafter.com/recommends/slant-stack/

Flex Wedge: https://gymcrafter.com/recommends/exp-edge-flex-wedge/

MAG Grips: https://www.maxagrip.com/products/

Rep Atlas: https://gymcrafter.com/recommends/rep-atlas-wide/

Eclipse Grips: https://gymcrafter.com/recommends/eclipse-grips/

Neutral Camber Bar: https://gymcrafter.com/recommends/rep-cambered-swiss-bar/

Helio Strap: https://amzn.to/4hlf6N0

Mammoth Belt Squat: https://gymcrafter.com/recommends/fringe-mammoth-belt-squat/

Sled Tred: https://gymcrafter.com/recommends/tbg-sledtred/

BC Strength Hip Thrust: https://www.bcstrength.com/collections/bestsellers/products/thruster-bar-lite

The Ready State Free Trial: https://gymcrafter.com/recommends/the-ready-state-free-trial/

MAPS Prime Pro: https://gymcrafter.com/recommends/maps-prime-pro/

MAPS Symmetry: https://gymcrafter.com/recommends/maps-symmetry/

Partners & affiliates: GymCrafter.com/partners

Website: GymCrafter.com

Newsletter: GymCrafter.com/Subscribe

Insta: Instagram.com/gymcrafter

Review Guidelines: GymCrafter.com/review-guidelines/

Chapters:

0:00 Intro

3:31 Injuries

4:35 The Prison Shower Rule

6:11 Non-Lifting Precautions

9:39 Gym Layout Tips

11:59 Age Appropriate Training Tools

19:30 Joint Safe Angles

23:18 Bench Angles

26:10 Recovery Bucks

34:28 Lower Recovery Equipment

39:03 Recovery Tools

*GymCrafter is viewer-supported. I may earn a commission if you purchase through my links. A huge thank you to anyone who helps out in this way. It's what allows me to continue to make videos like this for you as often as I do!

*As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases

There are very few things in my garage gym every day, but the Bells of Steel single-stack cable towers are one of them. In this review, I cover why I like them and why I think they are perfect for most home and garage gyms.

Mentioned In This Video:

Bells of Steel Cable Towers: https://gymcrafter.com/recommends/bos-single-stack/

Fringe Sport Walrus: https://gymcrafter.com/recommends/fringe-walrus/

Rep Fitness Adonis: https://gymcrafter.com/recommends/rep-fitness-adonis/

Bells Manticore Rack: https://gymcrafter.com/recommends/bos-manticore-4-post/

Matt Porter Accessories: https://gymcrafter.com/recommends/porter-phys-ed/

Use code "GYMCRAFTER" for 5% off!

3x3 Tower Review: https://youtu.be/3oB9vcustsM?si=ihwj5Iua3zwFXSA0

Partners & affiliates: GymCrafter.com/partners

Website: GymCrafter.com

Newsletter: GymCrafter.com/Subscribe

Insta: Instagram.com/gymcrafter

Review Guidelines: GymCrafter.com/review-guidelines/

0:00 Intro

2:18 Why A Cable Tower?

3:26 Tower Ecosystem

7:47 Attachments

10:01 What I Like Most

16:44 What Could Be Better?

23:08 Wrap Up

*GymCrafter is viewer-supported. I may earn a commission if you purchase through my links. A huge thank you to anyone who helps out in this way. It's what allows me to continue to make videos like this for you as often as I do!

There are many ways to recognize a bad garage gym company. But what about the good ones? What do they all do that makes them good? In this episode, I'll go over 9 traits most quality home gym companies share.

Mentioned In This Video:

Force USA C10 Review: https://youtu.be/NWwsMlPP0Ik

ForceUSA.com/gymcrafter - saves 10% on any order!

Dialed Motion Leg Developer: https://gymcrafter.com/recommends/dialed-motion/

Jacked Up Return Policy: https://jackedup.com/return-cancellation-policy/

Partners & affiliates: GymCrafter.com/partners

Website: GymCrafter.com

Newsletter: GymCrafter.com/Subscribe

Insta: Instagram.com/gymcrafter

Review Guidelines: GymCrafter.com/review-guidelines/

0:00 Intro

0:22 Force USA Trip Overview

5:19 Domestic Customer Service

8:32 Designers Who Lift

11:53 Avoiding Amazon Only

14:19 Fake Reviews

20:46 Listening To The Customer

25:34 Innovation

28:50 The Cheapest

33:06 False Websites

37:03 Return Policy

41:02 Wrap Up

42:17 A New GymCrafter Channel?!

*GymCrafter is viewer-supported. I may earn a commission if you purchase through my links. A huge thank you to anyone who helps out in this way. It's what allows me to continue to make videos like this for you as often as I do!

Exercise machines for your garage gym are getting more and more popular by the day. In this episode I go over everything you need to know BEFORE you buy a machine for your home gym.

https://tidd.ly/4mKJxOa

Partners & affiliates: GymCrafter.com/partners

Website: GymCrafter.com

Newsletter: GymCrafter.com/Subscribe

Insta: Instagram.com/gymcrafter

Review Guidelines: GymCrafter.com/review-guidelines/

0:00 Intro

3:05 Need To Know More

4:15 Knowing Your Training Style

6:34 3 Costs of Buying a Machine

15:59 Movement Patterns

17:19 Adding Volume

18:52 Limiting Systemic Fatigue

20:14 PT Applications

23:09 Ease of Use

25:10 Companies Gotta Sell!

26:13 Team Free Weight

26:52 More Enjoyable

27:10 More Versatile

27:49 Efficiency

29:01 Movement Patterns

30:02 Aging Well

31:32 Variability

32:29 Team Machine

33:07 No Barbell!

34:12 No Learning Curve

34:53 Better for Families

35:28 Training With Injuries

35:57 Hypertrophy

37:29 Cubs vs Sox

38:46 Which Team are You On?

40:10 What Should Your Gym Look Like?

43:00 Return of the ’70’s?

46:55 Wrap Up

*GymCrafter is viewer-supported. I may earn a commission if you purchase through my links. A huge thank you to anyone who helps out in this way. It's what allows me to continue to make videos like this for you as often as I do!

Buy new gear for your garage gym now, or wait until something better comes out? Wait for that new product that's supposed to come out from your favorite home gym company, or buy something that's available today? I'll answer these questions, with some specific examples, on this episode of the GymCrafter podcast.

Automatically save 5% on ANY Force USA product:

ForceUSA.com/gymcrafter

Rep Fitness Smith Machine: https://gymcrafter.com/recommends/rep-smith-machine/

Bells of Steel Smith Machine: https://gymcrafter.com/recommends/bos-byob-smith-machine/

Dialed Motion Leg Developer: https://gymcrafter.com/recommends/dialed-motion/

Partners & affiliates: GymCrafter.com/partners

Website: GymCrafter.com

Newsletter: GymCrafter.com/Subscribe

Insta: Instagram.com/gymcrafter

Review Guidelines: GymCrafter.com/review-guidelines/

0:00 Intro

2:55 Is It Obsolete?

6:00 Don’t Wait Forever

7:21 Don’t Go Into Debt

8:06 Companies Can’t Please Everyone

10:02 Affiliate Links!

11:18 Force USA C20

19:56 Beware the Marketing

21:51 Rep Bolt On Smith Machine

26:29 Dialed Motion Leg Developer

33:20 General Guidelines

33:37 The Importance of Resale Value

35:19 When to Settle

37:10 Stop Shopping!

38:23 Beware V1 Products

*GymCrafter is viewer-supported. I may earn a commission if you purchase through my links. A huge thank you to anyone who helps out in this way. It's what allows me to continue to make videos like this for you as often as I do!