Welcome to Garage Gym Lab

Since 2017, Garage Gym Lab has been the place to read reviews, find equipment, and get inspired to build the home gym of your dreams. GGL has hundreds of articles, helpful tools, and great resources to help you along the way.

Answer a few quick questions to get a personalized list of barbells, benches, plates, and racks right inside your browser!

Find YOUR Equipment

It takes less than 30 seconds. No emails, no funny business, just helpful content.

Reviews

The most detailed reviews in the business, each with a focus on helping you make informed decisions.

Shogun NORD-EX Review (2024)

Quick Overview The Shogun NORD-EX is a posterior chain machine that allows for Nordic curls and back extensions. It's a heavy-duty piece made with thick steel and high-quality...

REP PR-5000 Power Rack Review (2024)

Quick Overview The REP PR-5000 is a highly configurable power rack with excellent specs for home and commercial gyms. It uses 3x3 uprights with 1" holes for excellent...

Prime Fitness Shorty Adjustable Bench Review (2024)

Quick Overview The Prime Shorty Adjustable Bench is one of the most versatile benches you can buy. Its unique design and attachment options make it great for bodybuilding...

Bells of Steel Residential Air Bike Review (2024)

Quick Overview The Bells of Steel Residential Air Bike is an affordable home gym option with solid specs. It has a low-maintenance belt drive for quiet operation and...

Best of 2024

See the best gym equipment for 2024 so you can buy with confidence.

8 Best Squat Racks in 2024: Top Picks for All Budgets

A squat rack is one of the most important pieces of equipment in any gym. With a squat rack, a barbell, some weight plates, and a weight bench, you...

13 Best Weight Benches in 2024: Top Picks for Flat and Adjustable Benches

A weight bench is one of the most important pieces of gym equipment that most lifters can own. I consider it to be one of the 'core four': a...

8 Best Adjustable Dumbbells in 2024: Top Picks for Your Home Gym

A set of adjustable dumbbells is one of the most versatile and efficient things you can add to a home gym. They take up considerably less space than traditional...

9 Best Weightlifting Shoes in 2024: Powerlifting, CrossFit, and More

Weightlifting Shoes are an invaluable training tool for serious lifters. A proper pair of "lifters" can increase support, put you in better lifting positions, and enhance performance. We've tested all...

Advice

Insightful articles including buying guides, equipment benefits, tips & strategies, and much more.

16 Types of Barbells To Elevate Your Training in 2023

Did you know that there are dozens of different types of barbells? From traditional Olympic barbells to niche specialty bars, there's no shortage of tools to help you reach your...

The Ultimate Guide to Building a Budget Home Gym (2023)

Let's be honest here... Building a home gym isn't always the cheapest endeavor. Depending on a number of factors, including quality, brand, product, etc... a home gym can vary wildly in...

10 Must-Use Craigslist Tips for Finding Used Gym Equipment

Let's be honest for a second... Buying gym equipment isn't cheap. It can actually be pretty freakin' expensive. But it doesn't have to be. I'm a HUGE advocate for sourcing gym equipment...

Inspiration

Step into real home gyms around the world to find inspiration, get ideas, and read stories of actual home gym owners.

Step Into This Competitive Powerlifter’s Compact Home Gym

Meet Brian. Brian is an accountant from Arkansas who has transformed half of his two-car garage into a beautiful powerlifting home gym. As an award-winning powerlifter...

Step into Shawn Donaldson’s Basement Gym

Meet Shawn. Shawn is a former collegiate offensive lineman at Kent State and now a father, husband, high school teacher, curator of morninglifter.com, and a...

Step into This Navy Veteran’s Incredible Garage Gym: Illuminati Iron

Meet Joe. Joe is a veteran U.S. Navy Officer and current Certified Personal Trainer living in San Diego, CA. I first learned of Joe and Illuminati...