I've been eagerly awaiting the Rep x Pepin adjustable dumbbell stands from Rep. However, they're taking forever. I also watched Gluck Gym's review of the dumbbells and really like the Black Widow stands. However.... $450 ($500 starting Jan 1) for stands is absolutely absurd. That's $40 (soon to be $90) more expensive than a Rogue SML-2.

So I decided to build my own.

I'm not "handy" at all. Not even close. I can assemble Ikea furniture, but that's about it. Here's what I ended up building:

https://preview.redd.it/8njg7jbj8xzd1.jpg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=55514a98ce9af3e76edf4837e620dd4a58f21736

https://preview.redd.it/js5t1mbj8xzd1.jpg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=0c7b89b7b9ee1eaa8c60edbd4f2906093e55c33a

https://preview.redd.it/lw5qtnbj8xzd1.jpg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a3bcc188239551a7f0d0cf13a3c96a1715ef3ead

https://preview.redd.it/g6lcdlbj8xzd1.jpg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=8fc48a487ce628f8ea7e7ef797d22be6d0565195

They're extremely simple. The vertical posts are 2x4s. The feet/stands are 1x6 boards. The top horizontal piece to connect them is remaining 2x4. The bottom horizontal piece to connect them is scrap wood. The vertical piece to hold the 2.5 lb change plates is scrap wood. The cradles are screwed into the top 1x6 pieces with wood screws and #8 washers. I have no idea what that means.

To get it out of the way, this isn't the most stable stand. However, there's no movement when you push forward/backward on it. There's a little wobble when you pull it left or right. The stand easily supports the weight of the dumbbells (160 lbs) plus I decided to add my bodyweight (200 lbs) and it easily held the 360 lbs in total for 10 seconds without moving.

I asked ChatGPT and it says that a 20" 2x4 can hold 37,000 lbs in compression. I feel comfortable that this stand can hold the weight no problem, even when I upgrade to the 125s in the future.

Materials cost $30 in one of the highest COL areas in the USA, so I saved more than $500 compared to the Black Widows. Though I already had a circular saw to cut the wood.

Assembly took 2 hours. I cut the 2x4s to 20" and the 1x6s to 19.5". The 2x4 pieces are centered on each side of the weight plates so the load is on there vs. the 1x6 (roughly 3.5" from the end of the 1x6). Total height is about 22". If I were to do it again, I would make the 2x4s 18" to slightly lower the height of the stand.

Overall super easy, it was fun, not hard at all, and I saved $500. Or $300 if I bought the ones from Rep whenever they're released.

Next add is either a barbell for deadlifts or a cable tower and cage combo. Really want the combo, but the barbell is a little easier on the wallet.

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I got this about a year ago for 50$ and am finally putting it to use. Just replaced the batteries and put it to work. It definitely has kicked my ass two days in a row!

Finally got a deal on some marketplace weights. Picked up 270lbs for $150!

First basic set up in a rental garage, then we moved it to our basement living room. Now into a two car garage with everything we need - GHD, leg press, knee extension/hamstring curl combo, kbox, etc. such a worthwhile investment

Now time to work out how to cool down this damn shed 🤣