Leg press machines work the muscles in your legs through a vertical range of motion. Unlike free weight squats where a barbell is held across your shoulders, a leg press machine allows you to lie on your back while pressing weights with your legs. Manufactured freestanding leg press machines have a rectangular metal base, padded bench and a pair of uprights that support a barbell. You can save the cost of a manufactured leg press machine by incorporating the same principles in a simple design that mounts to the ceiling in a workout area.
Step 1
Stand a ladder in the area where you plan to do leg presses. Locate a ceiling joist above the area using a stud finder.
Step 2
Locate a ceiling joist each way of the first using the stud finder. Mark the location of these joists on the ceiling. Typical ceiling joist are spaced at 12-inch or 16-inch intervals. With 12-inch joist spacing, the uprights for the machine are 36 inches apart. The uprights are 32 inches apart on ceilings with 16-inch joist spacing.
Step 3
Chuck a 1/8-inch drill bit in an electric drill. Position a 1-inch pipe flange on the ceiling at one of the upright marks. Using the pre-drilled holes in the flange as a guide, drill 1/8-inch pilot holes through the ceiling and into the joist. Repeat this and drill pilot holes for another pipe flange at your other ceiling mark.
Step 4
Attach each pipe flange at the ceiling by threading 1/4-inch lag screws clockwise into each pilot hole and tightening the screws with a socket and ratchet. Tighten the lag screws so they are snug and secure.
Step 5
Place the bench you plan to use on the floor and position it between the pipe flanges at the ceiling. Lie on the bench with your legs flexed 90-degrees. Ask an assistant to measure the distance from your feet to the ceiling. Refer to this measurement and cut two pieces of 1-inch threaded steel pipe to length as uprights using a hacksaw.
Step 6
Drill 1/4-inch holes in each upright for machine bolts that serve as stops for the barbell. Drill the holes 1 inch from the previously cut end of each upright. Insert a 1/4-inch machine bolt in each hole and secure each with a nylon lock nut.
Step 7
Slide a 1 1/4-inch eye bolt that has a 2-inch long threaded stem over the upper, threaded end of each upright. The eye bolts support each end of the barbell and travel vertically on the uprights during leg presses.
Step 8
Thread the upper end of each upright clockwise into a flange at the ceiling. Tighten each upright clockwise with a pipe wrench.
Step 9
Measure the distance between the uprights and deduct 1 inch. Cut a barbell or piece of 1-inch steel pipe to this length as a barbell, using the hacksaw.
Step 10
Fit the narrow end of a 1 1/4-inch diameter tapered rubber washer into each end of the barbell. Secure the washers into the ends of the barbell using a mallet or light hammer with a block of wood.
Step 11
Push one end of the barbell and rubber washer onto one of the threaded stems of an eye bolt. Slide a dumbbell keeper onto the barbell, followed by free weights and another keeper. Slide another keeper and free weights on the bar, followed by another keeper.
Step 12
Align the threaded end of the opposite eye bolt with the rubber washer at the opposite end of the barbell. Push the end of the eye bolt into the washer. Position the free weights on the bar and secure them with the dumbbell keepers.
Tips and Warnings
- Attach a wood or metal foot plate to the barbell using removable clamps.
Things You'll Need
- Ladder
- Stud finder
- Measuring tape
- 1-inch pipe flanges
- Electric drill
- 1/8-inch drill bit
- 1/4-inch lag screws 3 inches long
- Socket and ratchet
- 1-inch threaded steel pipe
- Hacksaw
- 1/4-inch drill bit
- 1/4-inch machine bolts with nylon lock nuts
- 1 1/4-inch eye bolts, 2 inches long
- Pipe wrench
- 1 1/4-inch diameter tapered rubber washers
- Mallet or light hammer
- Dumbbell keepers
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