Lifting devices for resistance training develop muscle mass and tone. Most lifting devices consist of cables, pulleys and a weight stack with adjustable settings. Manufactured devices are typically welded steel tubing and have engineered guides that maintain the weights during a workout. Building your own lifting devices can save the cost of a manufactured machine and afford the convenience of home workouts. A home lifting device for dead lifts, squats, bench presses and military presses is made from standard-grade lumber that's fitted to make the base and upright guides for a barbell. The ends of the barbell extend outside the uprights for changing the weights.
Step 1
Use the circular saw and cut two pieces of 2-inch-by-6-inch lumber 60 inches long as the right and left sides of the base. Cut an additional piece 48 inches long as the overhead stabilizer for the lifting device. Cut four pieces of 2-inch-by-4-inch lumber 84 inches long as uprights.
Step 2
Lay the 2-inch-by-6-inch base pieces flat and use the builder's square to mark center lines between the ends of the pieces. Make additional marks 1 1/2 inches on either side of the center lines. Use the electric drill with a 3/16-inch bit and drill two pilot holes for lag bolts at each of the wider marks. The holes should be 1 1/2 inches from each edge of the base pieces to prevent splitting out under the strain of lag bolts.
Step 3
Place two 84-inch uprights on edge 1 1/2 inches apart. Flush the ends of the uprights and lay a base piece perpendicular across the uprights. Flush the edge of the base piece with the ends of the uprights. The pilot holes should align with the uprights with 1 1/2 inches between the uprights for a barbell.
Step 4
Put washers on 3/16-inch lag bolts and thread a bolt into each pilot hole. Use the socket and ratchet to attach the base to the uprights. Repeat the procedure with the remaining base piece and uprights to complete the other side of the lifting device.
Step 5
Drill 3/16-inch pilot holes at the upper ends of the uprights for lag bolts that will attach the 48-inch long overhead stabilizer. The holes should be 3 inches from the ends of the uprights, and offset about 1/2-inch so the opposing lag bolts will not conflict. Stand the right and left base and upright assemblies about 48 inches apart.
Step 6
Insert the 48-inch-long, 2-inch-by-6-inch stabilizer between the uprights. Flush the stabilizer with the outer edges of the uprights and use lag bolts with washers into the pilot holes to make the attachments at each end.
Step 7
Use the adjustable square to mark 45-degree cuts on each end of a 48 inch long piece of 2-inch-by-4-inch lumber that will be a brace. The long points of the cuts should be on the same edge of the piece. Cut the brace and use it as a pattern to mark and cut three additional braces.
Step 8
Position the 45-degree braces with the upper ends against each side of the uprights and the lower ends against the inside faces of the base. Attach the braces using 16-penny galvanized finish nails at each end.
Step 9
Drill pairs of 5/16-inch holes in the faces of the uprights for 1/2-inch foundation anchor bolts that will serve as barbell rests. Drill the holes at selected heights for bench presses and military presses. Insert the anchor bolts into corresponding holes on each of the uprights and set a barbell in place atop the bolts.
Things You'll Need
- 2-inch-by-6-inch lumber
- 2-inch-by-4-inch lumber
- Circular saw
- Adjustable builder's square
- Electric drill
- 3/16-inch drill bit
- 3/16-inch lag bolts with nuts and washers
- Socket and ratchet
- 16-penny galvanized finish nails
- Hammer
- 5/16-inch drill bit
- 1/2-inch foundation anchor bolts
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