🏋️garage gym buy order (learned some of this the hard way)

bought a rack before I owned a single plate once. don't do that. this is the order that actually works.

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Rubber flooring

skipped this to save $200, cracked the slab under a dropped plate within a week

A real Olympic barbell, not the $80 special

the cheap one bent at 225. RPE 8 on a bar that flexes is terrifying

300lbs of plates, used first

Adjustable bench

A full squat rack, not a half rack

bought a half rack thinking I'd save $150, immediately capped at squat + bench, nothing else fit under it

Chalk

Lifting straps

cheap nylon ones are fine, don't overthink this purchase

Flat shoes (Chucks work)

Spring collars for the bar

the clip-on plastic ones that came with the bar slip loose mid set (form > ego, but also just buy real collars)

One adjustable dumbbell set

Pull-up bar attachment

A box fan

Foam roller

way too late to the party on this one, recovery was an afterthought for the first year

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