DIY Squat Rack

About a year ago, I made my own heavy duty squat rack out of simple, cheap materials.

So you wanna make one?!?! Come on, you know you want to!

What You’ll Need:

2 five gallon paint buckets
60lb bag of Quikrete concrete mix
6 2×4′s****
Box of 10D 3 inch nails
Hammer
Wood glue
Stirring rod (I got a piece of rebar)

****note about the 2×4′s– measure to the point right below your shoulder and cut 2 of the pieces to that length. Then, add two inches to that and cut 2 more pieces to that length. Subtract two inches from your shoulder height and cut the remaining two pieces to that length. You should have three pairs of short, medium, and long pieces. Since I don’t have a saw, I got them cut at Home Depot.

The Process:

Step 1: Lay one of your longest boards flat on the ground and coat it in glue. Place one of your shoulder height medium boards on top and line up the ends carefully.

Step 2: Nail the boards together with three at each end. Even space single nails down the length of the boards.

Step 3: Slather wood glue on top of your new shoulder height/long board combo and nail on your shortest board the same way you nailed in step 2.

Step 4: You now have a “sandwiched” looking pillar that should be able to stand on its own if you lined up the boards correctly.

Step 5: Repeat Steps 1-4 for the remaining three 2×4′s.

Step 6: Now you’re ready for the concrete! Place one of the pillars in a 5 gallon bucket and pour in half of your 60 lb concrete mix bag. Then, place the other pillar in the other bucket and dump the remaining half of mix. MAKE SURE THEY ARE LEVEL!!! When you’re sure they’re level and balanced, add in water. (It’s better to use too much water than too little– you can dump off the excess when it’s done)

Step 7: Grab your rebar or stirring rod and churn. Make sure to really mix it well so it will dry strong.

Step 8: Let it dry for a day. I put my barbell in the notch to keep them stable and level during the drying process.

Step 9: Stand back, admire your creation, and TEST IT OUT!!!

Total time: 1.25ish hours to nail, pour cement etc. and a day to dry.

Total price: $38.23!!!

So, for under $40, you can have a wicked cool addition to your home gym. It may look outrageously ghetto and smell like the forest, but it’s THE BOMB.