As June 1st approaches, we realize that this is going to be somewhat of a fork in the road for our community in regards to training locals. Some will decide to come back to the brick and mortar gym and others will decide to continue training in their garage, driveway, living room, backyard, etc. via TCS@HOME. We want you to know that there is no wrong answer here. You’re each going to be where you need to be, and that’s that.
We’ve taken the necessary steps to ensure that those of you that are returning to TCS (the gym) are entering a safe and organized environment. Y’all will be taken care of - just like always.
For those of you taking advantage of our TCS@HOME program, you have some homework to do: You need to start collecting equipment. We are NOT suggesting that you go out and buy the top of the line barbell, bumpers, pull-up rig, rower, air bike, GHD, kettlebells, etc. In fact, we are encouraging you to make use of what you’ve already got! You’ll be surprised with how items you have around the house can do a pretty damn good job replacing some pieces of workout equipment. (More on that in a bit.)
In addition to using what you’ve already got, you may need to actually make some items. DIY equipment will offer immense value and versatility for cheap. Another option you have is to start scanning Craigslist, FB Marketplace and LetGo for equipment for sale - but you need to be smart here - people know that home gym equipment is in high demand and they are trying to get top dollar for stuff that would otherwise cost a fraction of their asking price.
In general, don’t get caught up in thinking you NEED all the fancy things. A little creativity will go a long way. And, we’re here to help you figure all of this out along the way.
So, here’s a list of items that I suggest you start collecting, making and/or possibly purchasing:
Jump Rope
Box
Kettlebell(s)/Dumbbell(s)
Cinderblock(s)
ALL THE SAND
Small Sandbag (30-60lbs)
5-gallon bucket with lid
Solid wood broomstick/dowel rod (approximately 6ft long)
New or empty 1-gallon paint cans (2-6)
Smaller, lighter “hand weights” (5-15lbs)
Bricks
Empty laundry detergent jugs (2)
2.5-10lb metal weight plates
Dumbbells
I realize that this is a very random list, so let’s break it down a little bit.
JUMP ROPE
This should be very easy to acquire. Moving on.
BOX
You have some options here. Find something stable and well-constructed that you can use for step-ups, box squats, possibly box jumps. new-age coolers (like a yeti) are practically indestructible - you’ll just need to make sure it’s stable. You can also, look online for manufactures that have them in stock. Trouble here is that some will have you assemble it, which might be a deal breaker for some of you. A really solid makeshift option is a PVC valve box. You can get these at Home Depot or Lowe’s for about $50 and they are great for step-ups, low jumps, support for bent-over rows, hip thrusts, etc. If you go this route, I would suggest gluing the lid to the box.
KETTLEBELLS/DUMBBELLS
I know. Everyone is sold out and everyone on Craigslist has lost their damn mind when it comes to asking prices. But, I would still suggest keeping your eyes peeled for a lighter KB and a heavier KB or a lighter pair of DBs and a heavier pair. If you see a deal, jump on it. Dumbbells are extremely versatile, so the price that you pay (along as it’s not absurd) will still be worth it - and kettlebells are even more so.
CINDERBLOCKS
Besides a KB or DB, the next best thing to swing would be a cinderblock. I know, who woulda thunk it? But it’s true. Besides swings, they offer a ton of other uses like farmers carries, ground-to-overhead, front/zercher squats, mixed pushups, parallette platforms, even a step-up “box”. They are cheap and easy to acquire. All of these attributes make the cinderblock a big winner. You may even consider buying two full blocks and two half blocks to further increase your usage options.
SANDBAG
Another big winner on this list is the sandbag. When we talk about versatility, the sandbag is at the very top of the list. And, if you’re committed, it’s pretty easy to make one on your own. Of course there’s the option of finding something online, but you may be able to use an old duffel bag or sports bag if it’s in good shape and was well constructed originally. The process of making a sandbag is very easy:
Find a shell (the duffel bag)
Find a suitable sandbag liner (heavy duty contractor trash bags are the best)
Buy filler material. I’d recommend one of these or a combo mix depending on the weight your shooting for and the overall volume of the filler bag you are using:
All-purpose sand - each bag weighs 45lbs
Pea gravel - each bag weighs 45lbs
Rubber mulch - adds volume, each bags weighs ~20lbs
Put the liner bag(s) inside the shell, fill the liner with sand/gravel/rubber mulch until the shell becomes full, secure the liner so that sand cannot leak out, close the shell and add duct tape reinforcements if needed to take stress off of seams and zippers.
5-GALLON BUCKET
Again, this is something you may not think of as a useful peice of equipment, but when filled with random stuff or 5 gallons worth of sand, you’ll quickly realize it value. When filled with sand and lid on, the bucket offers a great option for heavier front-loaded carries and gut squats. Not to mention, it creates a very stable platform for bent over rows and possibly even step-ups if the lid is supported by the sand inside. A major plus is that they are cheap, easy to find and useful even after you return to the gym.
BROOM HANDLE OR DOWEL ROD
Now, most of us are not going to go out and buy a new barbell and full set of bumpers. So, I think it would be useful to have something to could do a decent job of filling in for the bar and weight until you make your return. I would suggest going the dowel rod route. You can go to Lowe’s or HD and find a strong, solid wood dowel that can be cut to a 6ft length that then can be used for pass thrus as well as loaded movements such as deadlifts, squats and presses. You see, slipping two, 1-gallon paint cans filled with sand on either side of the dowel rod will offer a DIY barbell option.
PAINT CANS and/or LAUNDRY DETERGENT CONTAINERS
So, if you didn’t see where I was headed with the suggestion of these items, not you probably do. Not only are they great options for stand-alone equipment, but they can be used to load your DIY barbell for even more possibilities. You’ll see in the picture above that Jaimie attached the paint cans to her bar via some oversized carabiners - so add those to your shopping list as well. The alternative is that you tie some loops of strong cordage through the handles of the cans or jugs and then run the dowel through the loop. That would work as well.
HAND WEIGHTS
This is a broad category, but basically it’s anything that ranges from 5-15lbs that can easily be held in each hand. Large plastic water bottles filled with either water or sand would be a good DIY option. You could also check the brick selection at your local home improvement store, they work well. And then, of course, you can keep your eye on what comes across on Craigslist or other such sites in the way of lighter DBs, metal plates, or even kettlebells. Think of these hand weights as what you would use for shoulder complexes that include bent-over flys, front raises, lateral raise and others challenging movements where more substantial objects would prove to be too heavy.
Alright. I know I threw a lot at y’all with this post. It’s not meant to overwhelm, but rather intended to help you realize that you have real options available as you prepare to get started on this next chapter. Remember! We are here for you and would love to help you get set up. Please reach out to us if you are having any trouble gathering this stuff or if you simply just need more guidance along the way.