Meet Katie Rodgers.
Katie is a certified trainer and owner of RoveFit in Marietta, Georgia.
When I first saw Katie’s garage gym, I’m pretty sure my jaw dislocated from my face as it fell to the floor. This facility is downright amazing. It’s packed full of badass equipment, it’s efficiently laid out, and it just looks like an incredible place to train.
Join me as we step into RoveFit.
The Journey
Katie’s journey started long ago as a former high school and college track/cross country runner. She spent a significant amount of her training in endurance events after college, including road & trail marathons, ultra marathons, and extreme hiking. In 2012, after more than 10 years of high-mileage training, she traded in her running shoes to focus on a more comprehensive training approach – one that included functional strength and high-intensity conditioning.
After competing in the 2013 Boston Marathon using her new training philosophy, Katie’s passion for working out was reinvigorated. She knew she had to share these methods with others, so she started RoveFit.
Aside from wanting to share her newfound training approach, Katie wanted to simply practice her own skills and do additional lifting outside of what she could do in the limited time at her local CrossFit box.
She started accumulating equipment in 2013 when she purchased a Rogue S-2 squat stand and a couple hand-me-down all-purpose barbells and kettlebells from her brother. Katie’s brother, mind you, was an American record-holding powerlifter who started a well-known powerlifting gym in a storage unit. He has since moved his equipment into his two-car garage, which includes a monolift, platform, power rack, lat pulldown, and multiple other machines/pieces.
It didn’t take Katie long to catch the equipment bug… you know what I’m talking about… that irresistible urge to keep buying gear. The acquisition phase really began to take off in 2014 when Katie and her husband moved into their current house, which is now home to RoveFit.
While the journey started with a few second-hand acquisitions, Katie mainly buys her equipment new these days. That’s not because she doesn’t find value in second-hand purchases, but mainly because she has all the basics. The equipment she’s buying now is very difficult to find on the pre-owned market.
Let’s have a closer look at all of RoveFit’s equipment.
The Equipment
Just by looking at these pictures, you can see that RoveFit is offering a first-class training experience. It includes equipment that is built for a commercial setting but also that’s accessible to the greater home gym community.
When asked about her favorite piece of equipment, she was a bit hesitant to respond, as this is something her and her husband often debate. Katie loves to lift heavy, but she also loves conditioning, and for that reason, she said she would pick the Assault Bike if she was forced to pick only one thing.
It may not be her “favorite” per se (that may be the Rogue Trap Bar), but it’s one piece that she finds to offer a stimulus that can’t be replicated.
In her words:
“I’ve been an athlete all my life and I’ve done some pretty crazy shit, but I’ve never been able to push myself hard enough to throw up except on the Assault Bike.”
That’s probably the best response I’ve ever received on this question.
I can’t wait any longer to share the full list, so let’s have a look at this beautiful space piece by piece.
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Barbells
Wow – does this place have some barbells! I’m seriously impressed by the number of quality bars RoveFit offers.
- Ivanko Power Bar
- Rogue Bar 2.0
- Rogue Rich Froning Bar
- Rogue Cerakote Bella Bar
- Rogue Bella 2.0 Bar
- Rogue Safety Squat Bar
- Rogue Cambered Bar
- Rogue TB-2 Trap Bar
- Earthquake Bar
- Deadlift Bar
- Buffalo Bar
- Shorty Bar
- Stainless Steel Technique Bar
- Lynx Hybrid Bar
- Compact Farmer’s Carry Handles
- Full Farmer’s Carry Handles
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Rack & Bench
RoveFit went with the higher end Rogue Monster rack, which is a great idea for high traffic. I’m also anxiously awaiting Rogue to start utilizing the key holes, which it looks like is imminent. Katie will be able to take advantage of that. RoveFit also includes an awesome outdoor rig on-slab with ropes and wall ball targets. So awesome.
- Rogue RM-4
- Rogue Sandwich J-Cups
- Rogue Matador
- Rogue Safety Straps
- Rogue Yoke
- Pure Strength Outdoor Rig
- Rogue Flat Utility Bench – (Review Here)
- Adjustable Bench
RELATED: Best Squat Racks and Best Weight Benches
Plates, Dumbbells, & Kettlebells
Whether you’re a powerlifter, an Oly lifter, or just a general purpose lifter, RoveFit has you covered with plates and other tools.
- Rogue Training Plates
- Rogue Hi-Temp Plates
- Standard Iron Plates
- Kettlebells (15lb x 2, 25lb x 2, 35lb x 4, 53lb, 70lb)
- Dumbbell Pairs (25lb, 35lb, 40lb, 50lb)
- Center Mass Bells (50lb & 70lb)
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Stones, Bags, Clubs, & Balls
Will it ever end!? Not yet, because RoveFit has an impressive assortment of out-of-the-box tools like clubs and stones.
- Atlas Stones (70lb, 95lb, 115lb, 145lb)
- Sandbags (30lb, 40lb, 80lb, 120lb, 130lb)
- Indian Clubs (5lb x 2, 25lb)
- Wall Balls (10lb, 14lb, 16lb, 20lb x 3, 25lb)
- D-Balls (20lb, 30lb, 60lb, 100lb, 150lb)
Conditioning
If you like conditioning, you’ll love this space because it has a lot to offer.
- Assault Air Runner
- Assault Air Bike
- Concept 2 Rower x 2
- Concept 2 Ski Erg
- Pacemaster Platinum Pro Treadmill
- Rogue Butcher Prowler
- Rogue E-Sled + Straps and Harness
- Rogue 20″-24″-30″ Soft Boxes x 2
- Rogue 20″-24″-30″ Plyo Box
- 12″ Plyo Boxes x 2
- Weight Vests (10lb, 20lb, 40lb x2)
- Gymnastics Mat
- Gymnastics Rings x 2
- 15′ Climbing Rope
- 50′ Rope
- Battle Rope
Machines
It’s not every day that you see an official Westside reverse hyper, but at RoveFit, you surely will. They also have an Edge Fitness belt squat on the way, which is becoming a popular option for the home gym crowd given its attractive price point.
Misc.
To round out the space, RoveFit has a number of miscellaneous items including jerk blocks and other tools for accommodating resistance.
- Rogue Monster Landmine
- Rogue Jerk Blocks
- Spud Inc. Pulley System
- Crossover Symmetry Bands
- 3 Lifting Platforms x 3
- Zercher Squat Harness
- Bands
- Chains
- Paralettes
- Rogue Gun Rack
- Rogue Hanger
This gym is just badass in basically every way. I absolutely love the layout, I’m very impressed with the assortment of equipment, and the outdoor space just takes it to a new level.
If you’re in the Marietta, Georgia area, stop in to check it out and meet Katie.
I’d like to thank Katie for sharing her journey, her garage gym, and a list of RoveFit’s equipment with the community!
You can follow and stay in touch with Katie/RoveFit on Instagram @Rove_Fit.
If you would like the chance to be featured on the site, shoot me an email at Adam@garagegymlab.com.
The bar is loaded,
Adam