DIY Strength Training Gear|DIY Fitness|DIY Training|Make Strength Equipment

Unconventional Conditioning PDF - Get it for Free

2012-02-11T15:15:00.000-08:00

Last October did a sledgehammer challenge for my favourite charity Children In Distress, I have done many challenges over the years and each year managed to raise more cash than the last.
In 2011 I attempted to strike a tyre with a 25kg hammer 1000 times. Unfortunately I fell short with 960 reps . As you may guess it was no walk in the park and quite possibly one of the toughest things I've ever done (it's an understatement to say it was uncomfortable).

In 2009 I also attempted the 1 hr sledgehammer challenge and did 791 reps, 2005 saw me do 100,000m on the Concept 2 rower in 7 hr 1 min and 3 secs (which incidently left me hormonally un-balanced for about 7 days and an RSI in my wrist), but still raised over 750 quid! Around 2002 I did a gig with a band I used to play in and I think we knocked up around £300 (this was probably the easiest one!!)

Where Am I going with this?

Well last year to help raise the £1200 I managed, I wrote an ebook (PDF) about my training the things I have done and some of my ideas for getting strong and fit, along with many other things and as I haven't done anything else with it I would like to make it available to DIYStrengthGear readers for nothing else but a LIKE on the Facebook page (you can get it even without doing that but I would appreciate it if you did LIKE DIYStrengthGear)

Check out this post about my Free Training PDF and find out how to download it.

How to Make an Adjustable Homemade Kettlebell

2012-02-09T05:03:00.000-08:00

Great way to make an Adjustable Homemade Kettlebell

Awesome idea!

Homemade Exercise Equipment Resource

2012-02-07T21:42:00.000-08:00

Some of this may have been posted up here before , but here's an up to date list of Joe Hashey's Homemade Exercise Equipment directly over at Synergy Athletics

Thick Handled Dumbbells

Thick Handled Dumbbells - Quick Fix Version

Homemade Ball Grips

Homemade Loading Pin

Find A Large Tire For Flipping

Medicine Ball

Sandbag Construction – Video

Waterball Construction

Pull-up Bar

Homemade Lifting Bars

Simple Glute Ham Raise Machine

T Handle For Swings

Adjustable Slosh Pipe

DIY: Olympic Weightlifting Platform

Rack Mounted Wrist Roller

How to Make Your Own Clubs

Homemade Agility Ladder

Double Ab Wheels – Make these TODAY.

Bumper Plates and Bar

Farmer’s Walk Bars

Atlas Stone Part I and Atlas Stone Part II - Another Atlas Stone Variation

Dip Bars, Farmers Walk Handles, Loading Pin and more.

A Handful of Grip Training Ideas

Homemade Tornado Ball

Homemade Thick Bar Instructions (Video)

Joe has a really good Newsletter worth subscribing to with some great bonus reports and manuals

DIY Bench Press and Squat Stand

2011-12-29T22:56:00.000-08:00

All in one DIY Bench Press and Squat Stand from Garage Gym Resource End of Three Fitness.

This is a very similar build to the earlier DIY Squat Stand we looked at, incorporating the uprights set into buckets of cement. Full details can be found over at the diy corner garage gym along with some other great DIY builds well worth a look

Homemade Weight Machine

2011-12-27T00:21:00.000-08:00

Here's another great Homemade Weight Machine build.

Lou Wozniak from HowToLou.com has made a superb instuctional video packed with information for building a DIY Weight Machine. Most of the materials for this could be from a recycled source, but can also be bought cheaply from a hardware store.

Lou builds this weight machine in a very small room in his basement, but with some adaption I could see this being built in the corner of a garage or shed as the weight slider fits inside stud walling.

I would also recommend checking out some of Lou's other Youtube videos, Lou certainly has developed some serious DIY skills (building a fireplace is one of his achievements!)

If you liked this, you may also like this Homemade Backyard Workout Machine or this DIY Calf Raise Machine or even Make Your Own Elliptical Trainer
or set of your New Year with some Modified Lat Pulldowns

DIY Sandbag Tip

2011-11-30T22:51:00.000-08:00

Awesome tip from Ryan Pitts at DIYstrength on how to plump your DIY sandbag using a pillow

Check out how to make your own sandbag for training

Homemade Backyard Workout Machine

2011-11-30T22:45:00.000-08:00

If you've got the space and access to the materials this would be a real fun build.

Superb idea!

DIY Gymnastic Rings

2011-11-16T22:15:00.000-08:00

Great Homemade Gymnstic Ring tutorial from Ross Enmait.

Ross fills PVC tubing with sand, caps of with duct tape and then heats in an oven, then forms into the required shape. Superb idea!

Homemade Calf Raise Machine.

2011-10-27T21:59:00.000-07:00

Superb DIY Calf Raise

Although there are no dimensions to go with this build it looks pretty straight forward to make using a bit of nouse! Again, don't go buying the wood, see if you can recycle some from a wood skip.

Sledgehammer Challenge 2011

2011-10-14T04:56:00.000-07:00

Only 22 hr to go to Sledgehammer Mayhem 2011 (my 25kg Sledgehammer Challenge)

If you have no idea know what it's about check out Sledgehammer Challenge or go straight to my donation page.
You'll receive my ebook and an entrance into the raffle for grip strength and kettlebell stuff.

DIY PlateMates - Weight Magnets - Limpets

2011-10-08T00:35:00.000-07:00

The Limpet

This a superb idea and a great work around the problem of not being able to increase the weight of a fixed dumbbell or other training implement.

Many thanks to Mark Martin-Dye (MightyKingMark) - Grip Athlete and Dinosaur Training fanatic

Enter the "Limpet"

Equipment required:
Counterbored High Strength Neodymium Magnet
Demijohn bung
M5 Bolt
M5 Washer
M5 Nut

Simple to do! Put the bolt through the magnet and demijohn bung, attach the washer and tighten up. Standard weight plates can be slid onto the bung and the high strength magnet will hold your weights securely onto your chosen implement.

Where do I get Neodymium Magnets from?

First4Magnets in the UK (exact magnet required to make a limpet)

HelloTrade one I found in the USA

Here's a pic where I just use a magnet direct onto my York Blob

Sledgehammer Charity Challenge

2011-10-06T22:18:00.000-07:00

I have been training since May for to get into shape for a 1000 rep Sledgehammer Challenge and had a very fun and testing time. In essence I will be attempting to strike a tyre 1000 times with a 25kg Sledgehammer in 1 hour.

Shortly after the event I will post up my full routine of the exact reps and dates etc that I completed them.

So far I have done over 13,000 strikes over 57 training sessions in training(all done on a lunchtime at work).

So, to raise awareness and help me along the way and raise some extra cash for my chosen charity, I have written my first ebook 'Unconventional Conditioning', a 45 page ebook with lots of videos and info about my training, including tips and ideas for putting together your own training program, even a section on how to Bottoms Up Press a kettlebell and train for it, check out the table of contents below.

To get hold of this book I am asking for a £2 minimum donation Go to my JustGiving page and get the ebook and enter the raffle

Not only this but for every £1 you sponsor me you will get 1 entry into a raffle for some strength and fitness goodies.

Items for the raffle so far are:

1. Logan Christopher's Kettlebell Snatch Domination DVD (3 DVD set)
2. Original Vulcan Gripper (second hand with dipped black spring)
3. IMTUG 3 (second hand)
4. 1 copy Jedd Johnson's Nail Bending ebook (thanks Jedd)
5. 1 copy Jedd Johnson's Card Tearing ebook

The offer will be open until the 31st Ocotber 2011 and raffle drawn 1st November 2011

If you run your own blog, I would be very appreciative if you could spread the word on this one or share on facebook or twitter.

Many thanks

DIY Fitness Training - Slosh Can

2011-09-21T13:13:00.000-07:00

Awesome, very simple idea for training fitness, grip and strength

A very odd object indeed!

DIY Sandbag

2011-09-19T12:00:00.000-07:00

DIY Sandbag Training

I've been training with sandbags for some years now and have used various DIY methods from loading a tarp up with sand and then duct taping round it (not ideal if you want to adjust it), I've filled old sports bags with various smaller bags and also used an old hessians sacks, and DIY store builders rubble sacks for swings and presses etc.

I recently found an old punch bag thrown away in a skip, which I recycled by filling with old rags and some smaller sandbags, hey presto an awesome sandbag that is great for tussling with and also carrying for distance.

Here's a good video tutorial for making a sandbag from an inner tube which is a similar idea to the DIY Bulgarian Bag

You may also like this DIY Atlas Stone Sandbag

How to Make your own Squat Stands

2011-09-15T14:18:00.000-07:00

Making your own squat stands doesn't have to be difficult.
If you're not willing to spend a few hundred on new squat stands then this could be for you.

These lovely looking Homemade squat stands were put together by Strongman Jonny Wignall.

Equipment needed:
Buckets of some description (these were made using old protein powder tubs), to set the uprights in.

Wood thick enough and long enough, for yourself - make sure you do your homework and make them the right size (don't forget to try and recycle from a wood skip if possible) 4 inch square would be a good size.

Sand and cement

Something to cut notches in the top of the wood for the bar to sit in.
The rest should be self explanatory.

Check out these homemade squat stands from a previous post

Assisted DIY Glute Ham Raise

2011-08-28T01:18:00.000-07:00

Great idea for performing Glute Ham Raises with limited equipment from Chris Beardsley of the GarageGymOnline

Equipment required:
Couple of pull up bars
Stretch bands
Weight discs
Pulley system (if you made the DIY TRX then you could use that) or at least some of the above
or some ingenuity.

Check out Chris's excellent article on the assisted glute ham raise over on his blog

You may also like this DIY Glute Ham Raise

I Know Which DIY Kettlebell You Made Last Summer

2011-08-13T01:08:00.000-07:00

The DIY Kettlebell Craziness continues

This one is a video from MechanicalMashup

I've posted many Homemade Kettlebell builds now here's some of them, all of them good

Kettlebell for Swings - DIY Strength Training Gear

Tim Ferris Kettlebell ...

Homemade Kettlebells - DIY Strength Training Gear

Make your own Kettlebell - DIY Strength Training Gear

Homemade Kettlebell with Beer Keg - DIY Strength Training Gear

DIY Agility Training Hurdle

2011-08-01T21:34:00.000-07:00

Boris Terzic of Life in Training Blog shows how to take a very cheap $1.25 hanger/hook and use it as a Agility Training Hurdle

Great idea and so simple! Although it's not the same width as a standard agility hurdle it certainly beats the price of a purpose made training hurdle.

Check out Boris' original post on his Life in Training Blog

You may also like this DIY post on the Crossfit Plyometric Box

DIY Suspension Trainer - Scott Sonnon

2011-07-21T15:33:00.000-07:00

Scott Sonnon provides us with a superb video for a Do-it-yourself suspension trainer.

With some build information and great ideas for training too, it makes this a great video in the TRX/Suspension Trainer family.

I really like the style of this video, with all the mention of recipes and addons, '100% of results out of your rope', love it!!! I'll repeat it, 100% RESULTS FROM YOUR ROPE (don't forget that)

'Rope' is #1 ingredient of the DIY'ers out there!

You need to get 100% results from your Homemade Exercise Equipment
too!

DIY Euro Pinch Device

2011-07-12T21:57:00.000-07:00

This will be the last DIY Grip Device posts for a while, apart from a round up.

For those who don't know what a Europinch device is: David Horne (Grip master) invented this back in 2004 for pinch grip competitions so that it would cater for athletes of all hand sizes to be able to compete against each other fairly. Although I don't have an original it is on my shopping list.

I currently use a 1 inch bar with collars and plate to prepare myself for grip competitions. This build would be a better option, with the best option being actually buying a Europinch from David Hornes World Of Grip Shop

If you liked this you may also like my DIY Pinch Lever

DIY Grip Tools - Pinch Lever - Pinch Lift Device

2011-06-29T21:56:00.000-07:00

DIY Grip Tools

I have seen several Pinch lever devices on the internet that are on sale for quite some cash so have made up my own for almost nothing and also turned it into a pinch lifting device too.

Using good old 'recycled wood' (there surely is no need to buy this from anywhere - just keep looking till you find something suitable)

Simple to do:

Take a piece of wood about 50mm thick and 200mm x 400mm, drill a hole at the bottom in the middle. Put a bolt through the hole, attach a weight and make sure you have a nut to keep the disc safely attached.

To make the grip thicker, screw another piece onto the wood. Word of caution - be very very careful with your thumb when pinching at the limit of your range, it is very easy to damage your thumb and cause injury which will take months to repair itself (I know this from experience). Take a narrow grip first and increase the width slowly.

Pinch Lever

Thick Grip Pinch Lever

Pinch Lift

If you have no idea how to use this device then I would suggest watching this video

http://youtu.be/JEA_N4hdb-o

The pinch lift device should be self explanatory. Both exercises are great for building grip and forearm strength.

If you like this you may also like these other DIY Grip Strength Training devices

DIY Formulator

DIY Grip Strength - Pony Clamp

Homemade Strength 2

DIY Gada - Mace

DIY Inch Dumbbell Trainer

DIY T-Handle Tutorial

2011-06-27T22:02:00.000-07:00

Ross Enmait provides us with a great video tutorial about the DIY T-Handle

Ross covers the build and how to use it, a very good video!!

The T-Handle must be one of the top DIY builds in terms of cost and effectivness. Not sure exactly where this idea came from although I do recall Dan John using a 'Hungarian Core Blaster' back in the early 2000's which he probably got from some Hammer Throwers (it may even have originated (first introduced on Sorinex)

Check out a previous post about the DIY T-Handle
you may also be interested in a very similar device from Tim Ferris' DIY Kettlebell Handle

DIY Kettlebell - Homemade Kettlebell

2011-06-16T12:06:00.000-07:00

New DIY Kettlebell videos

from giryaguy of RevelFitness

This is a real cracker and looks so good, make sure you watch the video right through for the materials required and method for the build.

I've put a playlist together for you so the 4 videos will run one after the other

Make your own kettlebell:

If this doesn't take your fancy, check out some other Homemade Kettlebells on DIYstrengthgear

Homemade kettlebell using a dumbbell

DIY Kettlebells

Tim Ferris T-Handle Kettlebell

T-Handle

DIY Crossfit - Plyometric Boxes

2011-06-16T04:41:00.000-07:00

Crossfit is massive nowadays and growing!

Due to the Crossfitter's aim to keep their training programs constantly varied with high intensity functional movement many of them tend to use easily accessible training gear such as sandbags, DIY medicine balls and the like.

There have been a few builds on DIYSTRENGTHGEAR via the Crossfit population, one of them being the DIY Crossfit Glute Ham Raise (I have some plans of my own to build one very soon)

One definite 'must have' piece of training equipment is the Plyometric Box. I have one box that I made years ago for DIY purposes and have since used for many different training applications from plyometrics to dumbbell training.

If you are thinking of making your own PLYO BOX then look no further than this superb PDF plan that will explain in great detail with dimensions how to build one identical to the one in the picture.

DIY Forearm Training - Formulator

2011-06-12T03:07:00.000-07:00

Homemade Forearm Exercise Equipment from Pat Hodgson of HomemadeGymStuff

Classic build here, with great photo's from Pat @ HomemadeGymStuff - Formulator

Material required:

Plyboard offcut and tubing
Nuts and bolts

gymhodgson

Forearm and grip strength is a must for almost all sports and can take your performance on another level

Check out my post about kettlebell training for grip strength or go straight to my youtube video Kettlebell Training for hand strength

More grip and forearm equipment builds to come

Homemade Exercise Bike

2011-06-03T02:14:00.000-07:00

Following on from yesterday's DIY Cross Trainer here's another 'Wacky' (call it what you want) homemade build - DIY Exercise Bike.

Requirements materials:

Old rusted bike from a skip somewhere
Mesh bed
Breeze block
Pole
Metal Plates
Rope supports
and some imagination should do the trick.

Add extra resistance by applying the brakes!

It doesn't get any more simple than this!

Awesome Homemade Cross Trainer - Elliptical Machine

2011-06-02T12:45:00.000-07:00

Check out this brilliant DIY Cross Trainer (Elliptical Trainer)

I love this idea, show some real 'thinking outside the box'

Although there are no dimensions or method for this, with a little bit of thought and a look at an 'off the shelf crosstrainer' I'm sure you could make a job on this with some recycled wood and hard work.

A+ for effort, looks great

Homemade Push Pull Mauler Sled

2011-05-24T04:42:00.000-07:00

Nice find via RossTraining

Awesome DIY Mauler Sled

No need for any detailed explanation here as The Fitt Warehouse has provided us with a superb very detailed PDF with full Instructions Check it out the manual here

Check out other DIY Prowler/Mauler Sleds

DIY Prowler

Push Pull Sled

DIY Prowler Plans

Homemade Dumbbell Spotting System

2011-05-20T04:45:00.000-07:00

Something new here and certainly something I've never seen or used before.
I don't really do a lot of dumbbell work but have been in some precarious positions before with heavy dumbbell bench press and found it really akward (if not dangerous) to shed the weight easily when there has been no spotter present.

Here are a couple of videos that will help you build your own Homemade Dumbbell Spotting System

Testing Homemade Dumbbell Power Hooks

and a good one from Home Gym BodyBuilding

This pretty much reminds me of the good old Smith Machine but with a whole lot more freedom.

DIY Grip Strength Training - Pony Clamp

2011-05-11T04:41:00.000-07:00

Jedd Johnson provides us with a with a superb tutorial for increasing thumb strength using a 'Pony clamp'

Thumb strength is essential for 'all round grip strength', so take note and get yourself one of these great little devices.

Check out more grip related DIY Gear

Homemade Farmers Walk Bars

Homemade Grip Training Equipment

How to Make a Wrist Roller

Homemade Ball Grip Pullups

Jason Steeves Grip Tools

DIY Inch Dumbbell Trainer

Also, using this DIY Kettlebell you could try to Develop Grip Strength with Kettlebells

DIY Farmers Walk Bars

2011-05-08T00:30:00.000-07:00

Farmers walk is one of the most functional exercises there is, there is nothing more natural than picking up a weight and walking with it.

The farmers walk also appears in nearly all Strongman competitions with the strongest men in the world now walking with over 440lb's in each hand (wow!).

Although I don't recommend trying to lift maximal weight with the farmers walk, I do think the movement will benefit most people and is also a fun exercise to do. There are some great ideas for making your own Farmers Walk Bars across the net. One of my favourites is this one from timmcbride00

This should be pretty straight forward to build, with some recycled wood (try to get this from a nearby wood skip, many businesses have them and would welcome you taking them as it saves them money), the only cash you'll need to spend is on some tubing and threaded bolts.

I also like this idea from Instructables

An alternative to this one is using some eye bolts and putting a 1" bar through so you can load your weights on rather than using a hook.

Ring eye bolt

Or using this method where the bolt actually goes through the tubing that you load your weights onto.

http://img103.imageshack.us/img103/7152/01062008144jb3.jpg

Chris Beardsley from GarageGymOnline also did a great post on making your own farmers bars here here Chris uses straps instead of a solid handle - another great idea for saving cash providing you use sufficient padding.

Which ever bars you decide to make be safe and have fun

Grip Raffle for the Arni Trust

2011-05-06T04:40:00.000-07:00

Unfortunately this is not a DIY build (more of that to follow)

(Note:Please Tweet and Add this to Facebook to spread the word)

I'd like to make you aware that there is a great Grip Raffle going on here in the UK for the ARNI Trust (Action for Rehabilitation from Neurological Injury)

Being a grip fanatic myslef and I'm sure some of you folks who visit this blog also are, I'd like to suggest you support the ARNI trust by taking a look at the superb range of devices and products on offer for a small fee
Check out the products for the ARNI Trust by clicking the link.

I've got my eye on the 53kg Baby Inch Dumbbell, some of Jedd Johnson's DVD's.

It's not often you get to enter a raffle with gear like this in it, so please consider buying some tickets

Well done to Mark Robinson for this superb idea and cause

ARNI Raffle

If you're still not tempted to tak a look then here is a list of some of the great things on offer (AND CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL WHO DONATED)

1-10. Nuttipetz range (Donated by Kevin Buckett)

11. 53KG Cast Iron Circus Dumbbell with 60mm grip

(Donated by Brian at Strength Shop)

12. Weider Pro Bench

(Donated by Mark Richard at Icon Fitness)

13 & 14.

Two Weider 40lb Powerbells

(Donated by Mark Richard at Icon Fitness)

15. Olympic Micro Disc set/fractional plate set

(Donated by Simon Watson at Watson's Gym)

16. 2" thick revolving handle heavy duty swing bar

(Donated by Simon Watson at Watson's Gym)

17 & 18. Two 2" thick Thor Hammers lever bars

(Donated by Simon Watson at Watson's Gym)

19. Cast Iron 16kg Kettlebell

(Donated by Brian at Strength Shop)

20. Z-Trainer Suspension Training System

(plus carry-case, door anchor and instructions booklet)

(Donated by Zita Alves at Z-trainer)

21. Rare unused Viking standard EZ Bar from 1970s

(see Gold's spinlock below it for comparison)

(Donated by Dr Tom Balchin at ARNI)

22. Ironmind Tug3 gripper
(Donated by Dr Randall Strossen at Ironmind)

23. RB 130 Gripper

(Donated by Andy at Pullum Sports)

24. RB 210 Gripper

(Donated by Mark Robinson)

25. CoC Gripper No. 1

(Donated by Dr Randall Strossen at Ironmind)

26. CoC Key Miles to Millimeters

(Donated by Dr Randall Strossen at Ironmind)

27. 24ct Gold Mirror Finished Atomgripz

(Donated by Daniel Evans at GripTraining.co.uk)

28. Single Band Atomgripz PLUS a coloured Atomgripz key ring

(Donated by Lloyd Kelley at GripTraining.co.uk

29. Double Band Atomgripz PLUS a coloured Atomgripz key ring

(Donated by Lloyd Kelley at GripTraining.co.uk)

30. Triple Band Atomgripz PLUS a coloured Atomgripz key ring

(Donated by Lloyd Kelley at GripTraining.co.uk

31. Thick grip Olympic Stubby Bar

(either 2. 2.5 or 3 inch can be chosen)

(Donated by Simon Watson at Watson's Gym)

32. Wrist Developer (comes with white spring)

(Donated by David Horne at World of Grip)

33. Heavy Duty Ab Slings

(Donated by Andy at Pullum Sports

34. 40mm Thick pinch block

(Donated by Andy at Pullum Sports)

35. 1950s James Grose vintage weights display set for your gym

(Donated by Dr Tom at ARNI)

36. Home Made Strength I DVD

(Donated by Jedd
Johnson at Diesel Crew)

37. Home Made Strength II DVD

(Donated by Jedd
Johnson at Diesel Crew)

38. Nail Bending DVD

(Donated by Jedd
Johnson at Diesel Crew)

39. Road to the Record DVD

(Donated by Jedd Johnson at Diesel Crew)

40. Captains of Crush Grippers: What are they and how to close them.

by Dr. Randall Strossen (signed)

(Donated by Dr Randall Strossen at Ironmind)

41. Legacy of Iron

by Brooks Kubik, 1st ed, (signed)

(Donated by Dr Tom Balchin at ARNI)

42,43 and 44. Understanding Stroke (3 copies)

by Rosemary Sassoon

(Donated by Dr Tom Balchin at ARNI)

45. The Successful Stroke Survivor.

by Dr Tom Balchin, 1st ed, (signed)

(Donated by Dr Tom Balchin at ARNI)

46. Kettlebell Juggling DVD

(Donated by Logan Christopher at Legendary Strength)

47. Kettlebell Snatch Domination DVD

(Donated by Logan Christopher at Legendary Strength)

48. Radiant Health DVD

(Donated by Logan Christopher at Legendary Strength)

49. The Evolution of Milo Barbells

by Reuben Weaver (signed).

(Donated by Reuben Weaver)

50. T-shirt ('There is no Cannot')

(Donated by David Horne at World of Grip)

51. Iron History Long Sleeve T-Shirt

(Donated by Joe Roark at Iron History)

52. Kettlebell T-shirt

(Donated by Mark Robinson)

53. 4kg Ankle/Wrist weight

(Donated by Dr Tom Balchin at ARNI)

54 & 55. Two Rotators

(Donated by Chris Melton at Therotator.com)

56. Forgotten Secrets of the Old Time Strongmen by Dave Yarnell

(Donated by Dr Tom Balchin at ARNI)

57. Tribulus, Whey Isolate Protein, Amino Acids, Creatine & Vytal Nutrition sweatshirt

(Donated by Sacha Clarke at Vytal Nutrition)

58. Titan Red Devil 12" Wrist Wraps

(Donated by Mark Robinson)

59. Growth Hormone Release, Whey Isolate Protein, Recovery Fuel, Creatine & Vytal Nutrition sweatshirt

(Donated by Sacha Clarke at Vytal Nutrition)

60. Ironmind Hub

(Donated by Mark Martin-Dye)

Free Bodyweight Training Guides

2011-04-28T04:37:00.001-07:00

Free Bodyweight Training Guides

Bodyweight training is certainly part of DIY training, you don't need much equipment (if any, possibly a pull up bar) and fits the 'Frugal Fitness' bracket.

Although there is nothing to build, here are links to some really good 'Free Bodyweight Training Guides'

Jim Halton

Art of Manliness Push Up Guide

Body Trainer Chin and Pull Up Guide

Art of Manliness - 5 Gut Busters

Burpee Guide

How to Work up to a Hand Stand

Bodyweight Circuit Workout

And some more (not absolute Bodyweight movements)

Medicine Ball training using this DIY Medicine Ball

Strong Like a Bull using Kettlebells using this DIY Kettlebell

DIY Suspension Trainer Video Playlist

2011-04-25T22:01:00.000-07:00

DIY Suspension trainers have been looked at lots of times on DIYstrengthGear, here's a great Youtbe Playlist featuring different ideas for making your own.

Check out previous posts TRX/Suspension Trainers

Homemade Suspension Trainer Video - Ross Training

Homemade TRX Suspension Trainer

Homemade TRX Suspension Trainer ~ DIY Strength Training Gear|DIY ...

Homemade Strap|TRX|Ring Exercises Video ~ DIY Strength Training ...

DIY Throwing Weight - Kettlebell for Swings

2011-04-17T22:08:00.000-07:00

DIY Throwing Weight - Kettlebell for Swings

Being a thrower myself I have often used various homemade throwing devices over the years, many of which were very good and some of wish fell apart on the first throw. However, I've been looking for a decent solution for a 28lb/56lb throwing weight which could also be used for fitness training as well (as the dynamics are very similar between elements of the kettlebell swing and parts of the Highland Games Weight for Height - WOB)

For this you will need:

Some weight discs
A length of chain (no more than 1 inch link width)
A couple of shackles or a shackle and carabiner
A handle (of some description)

Pull the chain through the weight discs and attach shackle

Pull tight

Attach carabiner with as little slack as possible

Attach handle - 'Enter Adjustable Throwing Weight/Adjustable Kettlebell Device'

Once finished you can cut any extra chain you don't need but bear in mind that you will want some spare to make the weight more adjustable or alternatively you can have a couple of different lengths of chain to suit (it will be cheaper with less chain). Also, I would use duct tape around the weight to keep them together or take up the slack with another smaller shackle at either end.

If you're struggling to find a handle for your throwing weight then David Horne does a very good one which will last forever, check out David Horne Throwing Ring

Homemade Weightlifting Equipment - Cheap Home Gym Fitness Training

2011-04-12T22:27:00.000-07:00

Great video with some really cool Homemade Exercise Equipment ideas to check out

Homemade Grappler - Core Trainer

2011-04-05T22:31:00.000-07:00

DIY Grappler for Core Training

Shoua from Shoua's Stuff has posted up a Grappler/Core training he has made himself. Great looking device at a massive saving compared to commercial versions

Check out the BOM for this build

Go to his blog Shoua's Stuff to find out more

How To Make a Mace(Macebell) - DIY Gada

2011-03-28T06:00:00.000-07:00

Great idea for a Homemade Mace

Equipment required:

Length of tube/bar
Sand and cement
Empty Hot Dog/Coffee Can (Largest you can get hold of) or similar container
Duct tape

Off you go!

The mace is a great tool for building all round upper body strength and fitness and is a great way to build grip strength and endurance.

Check out my Homemade Mace

DIY Rope Climbing Apparatus

2011-03-24T23:13:00.000-07:00

This is a great idea for learning how to climb ropes, for next to nothing.
From the guys at f3crosstraining.com

These guys also came up with an awesome DIY Powerwheel

DIY Grip Strength Training - HomemadeStrength 2

2011-03-14T22:52:00.000-07:00

DIY Grip Strength Training - HomemadeStrength

Jedd Johnson from HomemadeStrength and Diesel Crew has just launched a follow up to his HOMEMADE STRENGTH DVD - HOMEMADESTRENGTH -GRIP STRENGTH EDITION

Here are a couple of Jedd's videos for making your own HUB and AXLE

Homemade Hub for Pinch Lifting check it out Here

DIY Axle for thick grip deadlifting/weightlifting check it out here

Jedd is offering HOMEADESTRENGTH GRIP EDITION for a limited time @ only $27

Check it out @ HomemadeGrip Strength II

Based on owning many of Jedd's products this will be a 'Wealth of Homemade Strength Gear Magic'

Homemade Exercise Equipment

2011-03-07T11:30:00.000-08:00

John White from ReadyMade.com shows us how he made a medicine ball, sloshpipe and TRX Trainer

Great video which runs through the build, a trip to the hardware store to buy the materials and a selection of exercises at the end. Certainly worth the 4 min 37 secs watch time

ReadyMade Homemade Fitness Equipment Video from John White on Vimeo.

You may also like this link about homemade strength equipment

DIY Dumbbell Lever - Homemadegymstuff

2011-03-02T21:59:00.000-08:00

Another pearler from HomemadeGymStuff - The HMGS Freeweight Lever for bi's tri's and lats!

Very simple to build.

Equipment required:
Offcut of plywood sheet
Dowels
Jigsaw
Drill

Check out the original post over at HMGS freeweight-lever-bis-tris-lats

To learn more about levers check out EXRX

Homemade Suspension Trainer Video - Ross Training

2011-02-22T21:46:00.000-08:00

Homemade Suspension Trainer

Ross Enmait demonstrates how to make a simple Suspension Trainer (TRX)using cam buckle tiedowns

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7GjoI2p-ob0

From 5 min 22 sec Ross demonstrates exercises you can do with the Homemade TRX, this in itself is a great resource

Some more related posts on this blog

Homemade TRX Suspension Trainer

Homemade Strap TRX Ring Exercises

Homemade TRX

DIY Kettlebell Handle - Seen in Tim Ferris' Fourhour Body Book

2011-02-21T21:53:00.001-08:00

Tim Ferris (of the Four Hour Work Week and Four Hour Body) is getting some press at the moment about the homemade kettlebell handle.

Tim didn't invent it, but he has written about it in his new Four Hour Body Book.

I believe I first saw it some years ago in the form of the Hungarian Core blaster when Dan John, talked about its use in training for throwing events.

The T-handle, homemade kettlebell, hungarian core blaster has been called many things and is a really useful tool to have. What's more it can be made for next to nothing.

UK readers will find this build more difficult as the threaded pipe is not readily available here. (unless someone can point us in the right direction)

More references to the DIY Kettlebell on DIYStrengthgear

Homemade T-Handle

Beer Keg Kettlebell

DIY Kettle Handle using dumbbell

Homemade Kettlebell

More DIY Kettlebells

HMGS Quick Release Homemade Roman Squat

2011-02-10T21:33:00.000-08:00

Pat from HMGS demonstrating his simple Homemade Roman Squat.

Necessary equipment:
Wood
Old leg curl/leg extension pads (or some imagination - shorts bars and foam)
Somewhere to hook it into (or imagination)

Check out Pat's plans and details on HMGS

Awesome and Cheap Homemade Push Pull Sled

2011-01-25T22:40:00.000-08:00

Ryan Pitts demonstrating how easy it is to make a simple push pull sled using the base of a wheel barrow

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLCbX89Ut5w

Gear required:

Old wheel barrow
Chain
Threaded u bar or ane eye of some kind
weights or rubble to add resistance

Lat Pulldown - Modified

2011-01-23T01:37:00.000-08:00

Lat Pulldown - Modified

Pat from HomemadeGymStuff has put up a great idea for hitting the lats more effectively with a homemade modified lat pulldown bar.

Equipment needed:
Hollow bar - or some imagination will do!
Stretch band
Lat machine or some pulldown/pulley device.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qOOz32huv4

Build Strength for $9.96 BUDGET FITNESS

2011-01-18T05:02:00.000-08:00

Smitty of the Diesel Crew visits the great idea for fitness training using Furniture Sliders

DIY Grip Training Tools

2010-11-30T05:02:00.000-08:00

Check out Adam T Glass' free video on how to make grip training tools from junk you might finding lying around in your garage or house.

DIY Grip Tools

DIY Powerwheel

2010-11-30T04:51:00.000-08:00

Great looking and well made Power Wheel by f3crosstraining

Check out the video for details of the build.

Usual price is around 50 GBP for these things so this would be a great homebuild if you can!

If you were going to go really cheap then you could always try putting a bar through a 5kg weight disc (for use with the hands only)

Grip and Rip DVD Offer

2010-11-19T05:01:00.000-08:00

Grip and Rip half price

If you're into grip training you'll know Adam T Glass is one of the leaders of this up and coming sport

You will also be pleased to know Adam has put up his highly acclaimed Grip N Rip DVD set on offer at half price for the next 24 hrs

The DVD set covers all aspects of training and perpetual improvement

Don't waste anytime to claim your copy

Check it out at Grip and Rip

Homemade TRX Suspension Trainer

2010-11-19T04:48:00.000-08:00

Another great looking easy to make DIY TRX suspension trainer

Equipment required - Rope, Carabiner and resistance tubing with handle

Check out the full method at Instructables

Previous post on Homemade TRX Suspension Trainer

Homemade Reverse Hyper

2010-11-16T04:40:00.000-08:00

DIY Reverse Hyper

Great idea for a real cheap Reverse Hyper

Equipment required:

Old cable drum or box, old tyre, swiss ball

Found this via Scott Bird's Strength and Fitness Newsletter (great resource for training)

Video from tssathletics.com

Related post which includes a DIY Reverse Hyper

Last post about DIY Hamstring Trainer would make for a good combination

DIY Hamstring Exerciser

2010-11-14T00:25:00.000-08:00

DIY Hamstring Trainer

Great idea from Ross Enmait, found this via Peter at Strength Basics
a great resource for strength training information and strength and fitness book reviews

More Ross Enamait DIY Training Ideas

DIY Waterball training
Furniture Glider Pad Training

Homemade Medicine Ball

2010-10-29T15:05:00.000-07:00

Fantastic DIY medicine ball via GarageGymOnline

Check out the method and equipment required to make your own homemade med ball here

Stuff required:

# A cheap volleyball/soccerball/basketball
# However much sand you want to put in (Or gravel, whatever)
# A knife
# A bicycle tube repair kit
# An old soft drink bottle (any plastic bottle will do)
# A big roll of duct tape
# Some silicon
# A ball pump and needle
# Needle and thread (not essential)
# A perm marker

Check out these links for more diy med balls and other homemade fitness gear

Homemade Inch Dumbbell Trainer - Grip Strength

2010-10-14T04:40:00.000-07:00

Ever heard of the Inch Dumbbell?
If you have and have also tried it you'll know it's an 'Elite Feat of Grip Strength'

What makes the Inch Dumbbell so hard to lift is the thickness of the dumbbell handle and the weight (78kg), add to this the fact that the bell tries it's best to rotate in your hand whilst lifting it, there's no wonder it's difficult.

This homemade'Inch trainer' will help you train for this famous lift and build your grip strength to combat the rotation of the handle

DIYstrength.com - Ryan Pitts

2010-10-03T00:50:00.000-07:00

Ryan Pitts from Strongergrip.com recently started a new blog, dedicated to DIY STRENGTH at diystrength.com
- a great resource for DIY'ers

Here's Ryan's video about DIY Indian Clubs

Check out some Ryan's recent posts below (I partricularly like the wheelbarrow sled - great idea)

Sled contest
Wheel Barrow Sled
Bowling Ball Mace and Sled
Mace swinging with a Bowling ball
Shoulder Health
Sled Strength coming
Clubs and coordination

Twisting club exercise
Labor Day weekend, what DIY project next?
Suspension Handles

Push Pull Sled

2010-09-28T04:55:00.000-07:00

On the back of Pat's Push Pull Sled here's another one for you avid DIYer's and welding maniac's

Great looking Push Pull Sled from Sherdog

Equipment required for the build

3 four foot lengths of thick walled 1x1 steel tubing
2 feet of regular walled 1" od round tubing
2 Hooks
1 Length of rope
2 Carabiners (sp?)
1 Thick nylon tie down (used for a harness)

Tools
Welder
Angle Grinder
Cut off Saw (optional)

Sherdog Push Pull DIY Sled

Push Pull Sled Full Plans - Prowler

2010-09-27T07:23:00.000-07:00

Push Pull Sled Plans

Pat from Homemadegymstuff has put up some awesome fully detailed plans of a Push Pull Sled over on his blog HMGS

Check 'em out at Push Pull Sled Fully Detailed Plans

More Homemade Kettlebells

2010-09-23T05:04:00.000-07:00

Another great idea for a cheap DIY Kettlebell from Instructables

Materials Required:
-1 bag quikrete pre-mixed concrete mix
-1 cheap rubber ball (under $5)
-26" of 3/4" or 1" PVC (sch40)
-Small quantity of sand
-Duct tape
-Water

Away you go! Anyone made one yet?

Related DIY Kettlebell Posts:

Tim Ferris Kettlebell Handle(as seen in the Four Hour Body

Make your own kettlebell from a beer keg

DIY Strongman Yoke

2010-08-30T03:56:00.000-07:00

Great idea for building a Strongman Yoke (usually around £300)

Get some uprights set into buckets of concrete and a bar across the top.
Needs no explanation really.

Make the Strongman Yoke adjustable by making several bar holes on each side of the uprights

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9K9Ou1iALyA

Check out some of David Horne's (Gripmaster) Strongman Training Equipment

Homemade Vibram Five Fingers ($2 running shoes)

2010-08-29T07:10:00.000-07:00

Can't afford Vibram Five Fingers or wondered what they might feel like?

Check out this great idea for homemade low cost vibramesque running sock/shoes

If you've nothing to do and have some old socks, cardboard and hot glue then give it a try.

Method for this is at Instructables.com

Gorilla Bucket Strength training

2010-08-25T04:44:00.000-07:00

Gorilla Bucket strength and fitness training

I've been very busy lately renovating my home, digging earth, bricks, dust, muck and all sorts of other crap out of my house and dumping it in a skip. I've been using plastic buckets like the one you can see here filled with heavy material and carrying them about 15-20 metres.

Guess what?

It's a brilliant DIY workout

These buckets (for a medium size one) cost about 5 quid here in the uk and I'm pretty sure they can be bought cheaper than that.

If you have no renovating to do but would like to workout with a gorilla bucket, I recommend filling with sand or any other heavyish object (weights or stones etc) and going for a walk.

The Gorilla Bucket Walk, will work your legs/back/heart/grip and arms plus a bit more I'm sure.

Use your imagination with this one and you'll be on to a winner (carpet around the handles, one bucket in each hand, carry it by anything but the handles, lift it above your head........)

Make Your Own Kettlebell

2010-07-22T04:58:00.000-07:00

Check out this great looking easy to make homemade kettlebell with full step by step instruction from Instructables.com

I think this homemade kettlebell would require some form of tape on the handle if you were to save your hands from being shredded up, but apart from that looks very functional!

If you haven't heard of Instructables.com before it's really worth checking out as there is a wealth of homemade equipment of all types from health to household stuff!

Homemade Strap|TRX|Ring Exercises Video

2010-07-09T09:46:00.000-07:00

Awesome video from Joe Hashey for TRX/Blast strap/ring training exercises

Checkout Homemade TRX Suspension Trainer to make your own TRX for next to nothing

DIY PVC QuickSwing for Baseball

2010-06-14T05:01:00.000-07:00

Homemade Quickswing

What a great device for training your baseball swing, the Joe Mauer Quickswing is a device you can use to train for baseball alone. The pipe delays the ball allowing you set yourself up to strike the baseball.

At 79.95 I reckon you could make this thing for about a quarter of that price. Just put a kink in the pipes like the guy in the video has done. Check it out.

On the subject of Baseball, Jedd Johnson's awesome resource for developing your forearms for baseball, got released today. Check it out at
Ultimate Forearm training for Baseball

Homemade Equipment - Awesome Resource

2010-05-14T04:44:00.000-07:00

Check out this awesome resource from www.home-gym-bodybuilding.com for HOMEMADE GYM EQUIPMENT

The items here all top quality Homemade Exercise Equipment Items. Enjoy

Homemade rowing machine

I had most of the material to build this already, but to build it from scratch would cost under $80.

Homemade calf raise block

A new calf raise block costs $40, this one $8.

Homemade T-bar row

Utilizing your power rack, make your own T-Bar row.

Homemade calf raise machine

Attach this to any power rack.

Homemade pullup bar for a Powertec P-PR Power Rack

There are plenty of complaints about the bent pullup handles that come with this rack.

Add a straight pullup bar to it.

Homemade 45° hyperextension bench. Attachments for an Ironmaster super bench

Using PVC fittings, convert most any incline bench into a hyperextension machine.

Homemade medicine ball

Using an old basketball and sand, save $$

Homemade forearm exerciser

I made this using items I had lying around the house.

Homemade micro weights

What the heck are homemade micro weights?

Homemade power rack

Save $ by building your own power rack out of wood with these detailed plans.

Homemade weight vest

Make your own and save BIG money

Homemade heavy bag stand

Homemade heavy bag stand using a power rack

Homemade Ab Coaster Isolation Strap

Ab coaster isolation strap, an effective way to isolate your upper body and concentrate the focus only on the abs.

Homemade power rack pins

Make a second set of power rack pins out of pipe fittings.

Homemade power rack plate holder

Make a power rack plate holder out of pipe fittings and pvc.

Homemade spider curl bench

Use PVC fittings and a Ironmaster super bench

Homemade rope pull-ups

Rope pull-ups using your power rack and a thick manila rope. Build your grip strength.

Homemade dumbbell spotting system

A safe way to lift heavy.

More homemade weight lifting equipment.

The best I have seen on the internet!

Homemade supplements

Make your own at home and save big money!

Homemade quad blaster

This simple device will blast your quads!

Homemade Ab Pavelizer or Janda sit up

Come on, try and do one!

Homemade seated calf raise machine

Make your own homemade seated calf raise machine using a Powertec power lever L-PL

Homemade multipurpose weight lifting handle

Use this for the perfect pull up.

Homemade belt squat

Homemade belt squat will help your barbell squatting form.

Homemade thick bar

Want better hand and forearm development? Train with thick handled barbells or dumbbells

Homemade pinch grip

Increase your thumb strength!

Homemade hack squat machine

All you need is a rack and a barbell and you'll be able to give your entire lower body a sound thrashing

Homemade powertec leverage arm block

Position the leverage arm so you can start your lift from the top!

Homemade hyperextension Roman Chair

Hyperextensions are a very effective lower back exercise.

Weight lifting bench refurbishing.

Turn a good deal into a new bench.

Homemade reverse hyperextension

The reverse hyper is a great exercise for targeting your posterior chain which comprises of the lower back, glutes, and hamstrings.

Homemade weight lifting bench

Homemade weight lifting bench with a unique two piece design.

Homemade deadlifting platform

Nothing fancy, just a rock solid platform that will hold up over time.

Homemade hand grip machine

Built with spare exercise machine parts and wood.

You can subscribe to Home Gym Bodybuilding by here

DIY Dumpster Training

2010-05-10T12:08:00.000-07:00

Need a prowler but haven't got the time to make one? There's always something just around the corner you can use instead!

Check out Defranco and crew, putting their heads together and coming up with this great idea for a DIY Fitness Workout with a Dumpster. Used as a finisher for any Strongman style workout it's always gonna be a winner!

Another great rubbish bin version of this would be the good old 'Wheelie Bin', fill with heavy stuff and you've all of a sudden got a great device for an impromptu strength/fitness workout

Homemade Prowler Sled

2010-04-25T12:49:00.001-07:00

DIY Homemade Prowler Sled

Knocked up a Homemade Prowler|Homemade push sled for a few quid at the weekend.

Used a couple of car tyres (one of which was a tyre sled in a former life, made by Pat Hodgson of HMGS - check out the tyre with the eye in the front/weight discs can be stacked inside via a welded bar resting on a piece of wood slotted inside)

No real need to explain what has been done to make this if you use 2 standard size car tyres, wood can be held against tyres to get sizes and then holes drilled into rubber (careful with this/I used a drill bit for wood), I've used long bolts to secure the wood to the tyre and used screws and bolts to attach the wood to individual pieces.

To create the handles I bored a hole about 25mm right through the wood and used some old dumbbell handles.

As you can see from the pics, weight can be stacked on top and also in the front tyre.

I tried my DIY Prowler out in my garage and works great on a hard concrete surface, but not really at all on grass.

I made this after being inspired by Chris Beardsley's Make Your Own Sled article from Garage Gym Online which is incidently a good place to start if you fancy making your own Strongman Sled.

If your stuck for exercises for sled training then you should check out Jedd Johnson from the Diesel Crew's Ultimate Sled Training Manual

Check out another awesome DIY-Homemade Prowler Sled

DIY|Homemade Gym Equipment|Homemadestrength review

2010-04-25T04:10:00.000-07:00

HomemadeStrength DVD review

A while back Jedd Johnson and Joe Hashey brought out the Homemade Strength equipment video.

I bought it at the time and have made a couple of the items. Since it's a great resource brought to us by some very knowledgable guys who are pretty much leaders in Homemade Strength Equipment Niche, I thought I'd share a few of my thoughts on this great product.

Although there are some great free resources on the net for DIY Strength gear/Homemade Gym Equipment I think the Homemade Strength Video is well worth the low cost of $27 for the amount that it will save you once you've made all the low cost strength equipment from it.

Without revealing too much of what's demonstrated in the video's I'll say is that the Homemadestrength equipment online DVD will allow you to train all areas of your body and develop grip, explosive power, posterior chain and upper body strength for a fraction of the cost of buying branded equipment.

The equipment I have built have allowed me to blast my glutes, hams and lower back to new levels of strength and power and the other has really assisted my grip strength and forearm power (any clues!)

Check it out here

Furniture Glider Pads Training DIY

2010-04-21T12:24:00.000-07:00

Furniture Glider Pads DIY Training from Ross Enamait

Ross Enamait has found a truly awesome DIY Fitness training tool in the shape of 'furniture gliders'.

Normally used for aiding moving furniture across carpets, Ross uses them for fitness training.

Check out the video where he demonstrates many exercises that'll give anyone of any fitness level a superb workout. These look especially like they'll blast your core.

These 'furniture sliders/gliders' will only set you back about $10 or £6

To buy in the UK I found this link 'furniture sliders'

Check out Ross' original post for details for the US

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XzhrM_vPI5I

DIY Grip Tools by Jason Steeves

2010-04-14T11:41:00.001-07:00

Cheap DIY Grip Tools

Grip training should be a part of all athletes/trainers exercise regimen and doesn't have to cost the earth to do.

Jason Steeves of Shoggoth Basement is a seasoned grip trainer from Alberta, Canada with a keen interest in manufacturing his own grip implements.

Here are some of Jason's Grip/Training Achievements

505# Conventional Deadlift
405# ATG Squat
305# Bench Press
36kg Kettlebell Bottom up Press
46# Legacy Blob Deadlift
17.5# Sledgehammer Lever to Nose
172.5# Euro Pinch - Workout #5
Closed Ironmind #3 Gripper
MashMonster 0
B/H FBBC 3X Oldschool
2" V-bar - 190#
1" V-Bar - 260.75#
145# Rolling Thunder (I Suck)
Reverse Bend - 6" x 1/4" gr 5 & 80d
Half Playing Card Decks - Sabers, Caravans, Mavericks, Bee's, Bikes and a Mini Deck!
180' a SCF "1 Lite

Some of Jason Steeves grip tools are shown below.

The one that caught my eye the most is a device that Jason calls the wrist rocker, a forearm and wrist strengthener which is similar in design to an old style football rattle. Weight can be added to the end to increase resistance. This device is great for rehab to injury, good for warming up and at the top end a briliant device for armwrestling and grip ad forearm endurance.

If you have access to a welder or are pretty good with your imagination (alternative materials) then you can have a go at building one of these. Jason provided us with the necessary component parts below.

Jason Steeves Wrist rocker:Loading pin individual parts - 3" of 1" Cold RollHandle Core - 8" of 1" Cold RollHandle - 7.25" of NPS 1" Sch. 40 PipeArm - 9" of 1" x 3/8" Flat BarHandle Locking Washers - 1-3/4" with a 1" CentreHandle Washer - 2-1/2" with a 1.315" Centre

Also, in Jason's arsenal of grip tools are the pinch lever and the pinch grip trainer. The pinch lever requires some welding gear but the pinch grip trainer could easily be made using equipment found at your local hardware store.

Pinch Lever

Pinch Grip Trainer

DIY Grip training equipment is quite possibly as good if not better than off the shelf equipment.

If you don't have what it takes to build equipment like this or really don't have anyone to help you then take a look around you and find objects that could be hard to lift... think bricks, blocks, bags of sand, rocks, thick wood with weights attached, weighted plate discs, carpet wrapped around a dumbbell/kettlebel handle....etc just keep thinking and trying new stuff out and you'll discover some amazingly testing and useful grip equipment

There are always options, check out some of these articles to help
DIY Rolling Thunder
DIY Wrist Roller
DIY Ball Grip Pull Ups

Keg Training - How to Open Up and Fill a Keg

2010-04-04T08:35:00.000-07:00

Keg Training - How to Open Up and Fill a Keg

Keg training is an awesome form of DIY Strength and Fitness Training

Kegs can be used for swinging, pressing, running with and squatting plus a whole lot more.

Keg training falls into the camp of Odd Object Lifting

To get you hands on a keg, go to your local brewery wholesaler or PUB and ask them for one, it may cost you a few quid but the benefits will be well worth it.

Dave Lemanczyk of Keg Conditioning shot this great video on How To Open Up A Beer Keg for Filling

Now if you really can't get your hands on a beer keg (it's worth it if you can), then next best thing is a water barrel which you're most likely to get from a hardware store or garden centre. Fill this with water and slosh your way to strength and fitness levels you never thought possible.

For more awesome ways to train with kegs check out Dinosaur Training: Lost Secrets of Strength and Development

Odd Object Training|Odd Object Lifting

2010-03-18T05:32:00.000-07:00

Odd Object Training - Real DIY Training

Odd Object training is an awesome way of training almost free of charge and is definitely DIY Fitness.

Pick out an unusual item and train with it. Simple!

The most common forms of ODD OBJECTS that come to mind would be stones and rocks, sandbags, logs, bricks cemented together from an old wall, tyres (tyres full of concrete), barrels (half full of water), kegs, building buckets full of rubble or water, slosh ball (has a cost), pipe full of water (sloshpipe).

Let your imagination run wild and I'm sure you'll come up with something. Take a look out of your window, what can you see? Any large object/awkward object can potentially be used.

For the actual training part of odd objects, again use your imagination.
Here are a few ideas to get you going.

Ask yourself when looking at an odd object if the following can be done with it:
Over head lifting
Dragging
Pulling
Swinging
Gripping
Throwing
Running
Squatting
Shouldering...... the list is endless

Check out Joe Hashey's article about Odd ObjectPrimers over at The Art of Manliness

Here's an excerpt from his article. Top stuff!

Stones
Pinch Gripping Pinch Swings

Pinch Grip Farmers Walk – Shown with Stone + 35 lb Hex Head DB or use DIY Farmers Walk Bars

Obviously Atlas Stones can be used for loading or shouldering. However if you do not have an Atlas Stone, a keg can be a decent replacement. Smaller stones can also be used to add grips to things like curls, rows, presses, etc. Again, use your imagination with these objects. That’s half the fun!

Kegs
Clean and Press Shoulder Loading
Setting Up a Keg “Atlas Stone” Style Lift Keg Throwing

Overhead Iso Lunges

Kegs and sandbags are incredibly versatile. I could list at least 100 exercises for each, but again, follow my above rule of first thinking of gym exercises, then applying the object. Remember Zoolander’s walk-off rules? Old school rules – duplicate then elaborate. Same concept applies here, but less pretty.

Sandbags

Sandbags, like kegs, can be used for a huge array of exercises. I prefer to “grab cloth” when sandbag training. This means, instead of using the handles for grip, I grab the cloth of the bag as if I was grabbing someone by the shirt. This makes it tougher on the grip. Here are some suggested exercises:
Sandbag Pull Through Setup Sandbag Pull Through Finish
Shouldered Sandbag Squat Front Hold Sandbag Step-up

Rope
Rope is a unique training tool. I like to use it for everything from rope battling to added grip on pull-ups. It is worth it to have a few different sizes and lengths in your repertoire. It is best to not get the rope wet, as it frays and not to leave it out in the sun.
Rope Mountain Climbers Rope Battling (other end attached to tree)

Thick Rope Supine Rows

Tires

Tires come in all shapes and sizes, so these exercises are just suggestions. They are unique since you can do everything from beat them with a sledgehammer to throw them for explosive training.
Rotational Tire Throws Tire Flips

Ultimate Stair Exercises By Virgil Aponte

2010-03-10T04:34:00.000-08:00

Ultimate Stair Exercises By Virgil Aponte

DIY training doesn't have to be just about making an implement or device to train with, it can also be about using anything to hand to train with.

Take Virgil Aponte's Stair Training for example where he uses stairs to get fit, explosive and lose excess fat. This is thinking outside the box.

I have used stadium stairs, steps and hills many times for my training. Mostly for cardio but I have also used them for upper body training too!

Try crawling backwards up a set of stairs for a shed load of fun and a great workout

Check out this Stair Training Montage by Virgil Aponte

Take Virgil Aponte's Stair Training

Awesome Bulgarian Bag Exercises|Save Cash

2010-02-23T04:37:00.000-08:00

Another great resource from Joe Hashey

Forget spending a small fortune on a Bulgarian Bag, make one instead and get fit and strong for pennies

40 Homemade Bulgarian Bag Exercises

Curl, Lunge, Swing, Press...... breathe heavily, repeat...... get fit.... get strong..... look great!

What more could you want for a few quid or dollars.

Workout Training Equipment that Costs Nothing

2010-02-21T21:53:00.000-08:00

Workout Training Equipment that Costs Nothing

Got little cash to spend on training equipment? No problem

Check this video by Joe Hashey out, using a bin lid (or a coffee cup tray/piece of plastic) you can get a great core workout along with totally smoking your upper body and legs.

Budget "No Excuses" Workout With A Garbage Bin Lid

No excuses, right! Just do it

York Blob Replica

2010-02-06T08:58:00.000-08:00

York Blob Replica

After my last post about York Blob dimensions I got a couple made using these dimensions.

I got them turned using the 30 blob and 40 blob dimensions. I also opted for no flatter side, so they are York blobesque more than anything.

The biggest one (on the right) is 21.4kg (47lb) and the smaller one is 15.9kg (35lb)

These are gonna be a lot of fun!

Thanks to Jason Steeves (a very accomplished and knowledgeable grip man) for helping me find the blob dimensions. Check out Jason's Grip blog Shoggoth Basement

York BLOB Dimensions|Make Your Own

2010-02-04T04:35:00.000-08:00

York BLOB Dimensions|Make Your Own

Know anyone with a lathe or someone who works in a machine shop?

If so then they could possibly help you make a York BLOB Replica

What is a York Blob

The york blob is literally the end of a York Dumbbell cut off and used to train grip strength. The lift itself is made very difficult by the fact that the blob is very wide smooth making the lift much harder.

I believe the original blob was from a 100lb dumbbell.

Here are dimensions for different weighted blobs

30 lb. blob
3-1/4" at top sloping out to 4-3/8" Height 6-3/8"

35 lb. blob
3-9/16" at top sloping out to 5" Height 6-1/2"

40 lb. blob
3-3/4" at top sloping out to 5-1/4" Height 6-13/16"

45 lb. blob
3-13/16" at top sloping out to 5-1/2" Height 6-15/16"

50 lb. blob
3-7/8" at top sloping out to 5-1/2" Height 7-7/16"

Blob Resources

Dimensions from David Horne's World of Grip Forum

StraighttotheBar Blob Article

Introduction to the BLOB

Loadable Blobs and replicas

Get your hands on a York Legacy Dumbbell to make 2 York Legacy Blobs

Homemade TRX Suspension Trainer

2010-01-22T04:45:00.000-08:00

Homemade TRX Suspension Trainer

Suspension training is a great way to make bodyweight training a lot harder and a fantastic method for increasing the strength in your TRUNK (not your car or on an elephant, some prefer CORE)

The TRX suspension trainer is essentially a length of webbing with handles and a hook on other end to attach to a secure surface. Simple but a cheaper way is to make your own out of webbing or some rope.

Check out this video for more info on the build.

Get more infor on Homemade TRX trainer at Homemadegymstuff and Steve Reed's Blogspot

You may also like these TRX Trainer Videos

DIY Kettlebell Handle using a dumbbell

2010-01-14T22:06:00.000-08:00

DIY Kettlebell Handle using a dumbbell

Turn a dumbbell into a kettlebell

Check out the video

A nifty little idea, whichI like. If you're wanting to try out kettlebels and see what they feel like then this is a great idea to get you started.

DIY kettlebell handle. Materials: PVC and rope, tie down straps, or bungee cords.

In a similar vein you might want to check out how to make a kettlebell and kettlebell handle (welded version)

Homemade Protein Bars

2010-01-05T22:01:00.000-08:00

Homemade Protein Bars

Joe Hashey from Synergy Athletics has put up a great post about making homemade protein bars which will save you lots of cash

Protein Bar Ingredients:

- Peanut Butter – 1 cup

- Oats – 1/2 cup

- Dry Milk or Protein Powder – 1/4 cup

- Honey – tablespoonish (optional).

Pretty simple to do, read the full post here

Also checkout another good source for Home Made Protein Bars here

Homemade Tornado Ball Slam

2010-01-04T04:56:00.000-08:00

Homemade Tornado Ball Slam

Already linked to earlier but this is well worth viewing by itself

It's virtually impossible to buy anything of this weight, but priceless when it it comes to making one of your own for developing explosive power for sport strength and fitness.

Check it out:

Homemade medball PDF directly from Ross Training

Make an Atlas Stones Video

2009-12-21T04:57:00.000-08:00

Make Atlas Stones Video

Make atlas stones with moulds from Slatershardware Store
Great Instructional video from Elliot Hulse

HulseStrength.com - Elliott Hulse shows you the step by step process for creating Atlas Stones for stone training and stone loading for strongman training and exercise for sports and strength.

Home Made Training Equipment Links

2009-12-17T04:59:00.000-08:00

Home Made Squat Rack

2009-12-17T04:46:00.000-08:00

Squat Stands

Found some interesting homemade strength equipment here

Check out the innovative homemade squat stands (nice idea). Sadly this type of threaded tubing only appears to be available in the USA, unless of course someone can point me in the direction of a source in the UK??

In makeyourowngear's own words! 'retail is for suckers!' a view also shared by Pat 'Homemade' Hodgson.

From the site

Indespensible. These have been loaded to 405# and work great. Black iron pipe and fittings all 'round, 1 1/2" for the feet and stationary upright, 1" for the adjustable upright. I had the welder tack all the places that might be trouble if they turn (the feet mostly) and drill the holes. The caps on one side of the feet can be removed and a 3/4" or 1" pipe can be slid thru both stands for added security.

Racks

1" pipe, elbows, etc. I need them for the mental security. Others would say "live with the ambiguity."

Dishwasher Press

2009-12-15T22:17:00.000-08:00

Dishwasher Press

Real DIY strength training is about using whatever you can find and making a workout from it!

Here I lift and press a dishwasher that was lying around in my garage waiting to go to a new home.

Odd object lifting really challenges your body to hit core muscles by making it much more akward to lift

Sandbag training is great for this

For more odd object lifting check out my last post on the waterball

Waterball|Water Ball

2009-12-11T04:43:00.000-08:00

Odd Object Lifting - The Waterball

Ross Enmait came up with this great idea a couple of years ago. This is true 'odd object' lifting at it's best

This is one step on from Sandbag Training

An ultra akward nasty - the Waterball

Simple to make..... hard to lift.

Fill an 'anti burst' fitness ball/swiss ball with water and top up with air, plug the top and you're away.

Waterball sample workout:-

Double handed Kettlebell Swing 20 reps
Walk 20 yards with the Waterball
40 Hindu Squats
Walk 20 yards with the Waterball

Change round the exercises and length of waterball walks and repeat until you can't go no more - a very simple but effective brutal workout

This has to beat the sandbag for walking with, as the water sploshing around is gonna make you work overtime!

Check out Ross Enmait's original article here

Waterball Training

Bulgarian Bag Workout

2009-11-26T04:24:00.000-08:00

Bulgarian Bag Workout

Full body workout with the Bulgarian bag

here Greco-Roman style wrestlers go through the paces with Bulgarian Bags

Great stuff!

Don't pay a fortune for a workout bag learn how to make a Bulgarian Bag yourself in one of my previous posts.

Home Made Strength

2009-10-11T23:19:00.000-07:00

Homemadestrength.com

Jedd Johnson and Joe Hashey's new Home Made Strength Equipment video is live

Check it out at HOMEMADESTRENGTH.COM

Jedd and Joe have massive knowledge of making top quality cheap exercise equipment designed to get you strong as hell for little cost. In these times you can't afford to miss this.

HOMEMADESTRENGTH.COM

Best Homemade Strength Equipment

2009-10-07T22:09:00.000-07:00

Top Home Made Strength Equipment List

Pretty much everything you need for getting very strong and powerful using HOMEMADE Strength Equipment

In no particular order:
(But if I were to choose my favourite it would certainly be the Macebell due to t's versatility.

Homemade Tornado Ball

Home Made Atlas Stones

Home Made Macebell

Home Made Sand Bag

Home Made Bulgarian Bag

Home Made Wrist Roller

Home Made Hungarian T Bar

Homemade Mauler|Prowler

2009-09-07T23:22:00.000-07:00

Homemade Mauler|Prowler

When you're short of cash but need to train like a pro!
Check out this awesome homemade mauler (much like a prowler)

Checkout my own Homemade Prowler Sled

Homemade Bulgarian Training Bag

2009-09-01T22:14:00.001-07:00

Homemade Bulgarian Training Bag

Simple idea for great results!

Using an inner tube, cut to size, tie up, fill with desired material and start blasting your core and fitness.

Love this

HOMEMADE EQUIPMENT

Home Made Glute Ham Raise

2009-08-06T01:54:00.000-07:00

Home Made Glute Ham Raise GHR

Check out this awesome homemade GHR.

All the plans and method are here
Thanks to the CROSSFIT guys

What is the Glute Ham Raise good for?

The GHR gives serious agro to the posterior chain (hamstrings, glutes,lower back and calves), hitting it like nothing else for a return of improvement in your squat, deadlift, clean, snatch and will also help to make you run faster and jump higher.

Train like Westside Barbell for a few quid

Home Made Barbell Weight Discs

2009-08-01T05:38:00.000-07:00

Home Made Barbell Weight Discs

100kg of weight for $10. That can't be bad! With the price of metal, this is a super alterative - concrete weights.

Stuff required:

Sand
Cement
Water
Buckets
Gear for mixing
and a strong arm

Enjoy and get strong

Homemade Rotater

2009-07-31T08:22:00.000-07:00

Homemade Rotater

The brother in law Pat Hodgson has been upto his DIY fitness gear shenanigans again.

I received my Rotater yesterday and will post a review on my Kettlebell Site tomorrow.

However, heres Pat's homemade version.

I love the comment 'so here's the Grim up North knock-off...'

Nice one mate!

Trap Bar Dimensions

2009-07-03T11:11:00.000-07:00

Trap Bar Dimensions

Looking to make your own trap bar?

Here are the dimensions of my Trap Bar

Homemade Ball Grip Pull Ups

2009-07-02T04:57:00.000-07:00

Homemade Ball Grip Pull Ups

Great idea from synergy-athletics.com These grips are homemade with a couple bolts, nuts, and softballs. Ball grip pull ups taxes the grip to a greater extent. Usually used for 1-2 sets of pull ups, and other grips that will allow more reps for the other 2-3 sets.

If you want to up your overall body power and get serious results check out the ever popular and fantastic resource for strength athletes that is the Bull Strength Manual www.bullstrength.com

This one is a no brainer! Drill a hole though a hard ball, pop a bolt with an eye through it, attach a nut and attach the other end to a chain or rope and fix onto your pull up bar.

Alternatively, just make a shorter version and attach weights for training the grip

How To Make A Wrist Roller

2009-06-18T04:54:00.000-07:00

DIY Grips Strength Gear

How To Make A Wrist Roller

Great video from RAWIRONMAN for making wrist rollers for increasing hand and grip strength

An authentic wrist roller can cost you anywhere from 20 to 30 US dollars. And it's really little more than a rod with a rope on it. I'm going to show you how to make one here for free, improvising with nothing more than old junk that you probably have sitting in your garage or basement right now.

Note: If you should decide to make anything (including any variations thereof) that I ever post a how-to video of on YouTube, I take no responsability for any injuries that might occur as a result. Use good sense when making any do-it-yourself items and always be careful when using them as well.

Heavy Sandbag Loading

2009-06-16T04:30:00.000-07:00

Heavy Sandbag Loading 105kg on to Reverse Hyper

My homemade heavy sandbag in action, mimicking atlas stone training/loading

Check out my previous post about putting together a heavy sandbag