Building Your Own Gym Equipment
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Building a Weight Bench
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When building your own gym equipment, start with a weight bench. It's a key piece of equipment that will allow you to do many exercises, including bench presses and sit up. Start with a length of at least 2-inch wide steel pipe, or 2 x 2 metal frames. Cut the material into two 18-inch sections, and two 3-foot long sections. Now cut one 1, 10-inch section and install it horizontally between the two 18-inch sections, 2 inches from the top. Weld them together to form the foot of the bench. Cut another 36-inch section and weld it horizontally between the two 3-foot sections 16 inches from the bottom.
Building Weight Bench Part II
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Install a center piece that connects the two sections you just created. This is made from a 2.5-foot long piece of frame. Weld it to both sections to form the frame of the weight bench. Drill two holes into this frame and bolt a 12 x 2.5-inch long piece of plywood to the frame. This is the weight bench seat. Glue foam to the plywood and then cover it with a sheet of nylon. Staple the nylon to the back to complete the bench cover.
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Building a Weight Bench Part III
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Take two pieces of 1/2-inch thick, 12-gage steel that is 6 x 3 inches wide. Place one in a vice and heat with a torch, then using sturdy metal bending tongs, curve the end down and around to form a holder for the weight bar. Drill a 1/2-inch hole into this piece and then drill a matching hole on the top of the bench frame. Install it in place using a bolt, or weld it into place with an ARC welder.
Building Weights
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The most effective way to build weights is to use a solid steel bar that is shaped with a CNC machine to have a handle and a notch that prevents the weights from sliding across the handle. Yo can design any pattern and program it into the CNC machine. Make your handle a comfortable 1 inch in diameter with a slightly curved body. The handle should rise at the end, with a definite stopper to prevent weights from sliding across it. Check the diameter of the weight holes (the hole that slides onto the barbell) before you design your program.
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