Tidbits
Good ideas that don't require a lot of explanation.
When ever possible, I will give credit to the author and site. Unfortunately, since I just started this, many of the ideas will be without sources listed. I haven't necessarily tried ALL the ideas, and I don't have any photos available.
There is a REALLY nice homemade version of the Formulator™ at the Gripboard.(Note: you may have to register to see the link. It's worth it. They also have a active equipment section.
The best homemade rings I've seen are at this Crossfit link. This is an AWESOME idea!
Angled boxes for box jumps were featured at this Crossfit link.
A really nice floor and wall plate racks were featured at this Crossfit link. It might also be possible to make angled racks by cementing 2X4s at an angle, into cement blocks.
Janda's setups - Cut down two 6 x 6 wooden blocks, so when the bar sets on top of them it hits the mid-calf region (or what ever area works best for you). The place the blocks on the inside of a doorway. One on each side. Place the bar on top of the blocks. The bar can be made of flexible PVC pipe, for a little more challenge. From ash1 on the Strength and Conditioning board at MMA.TV.
Tornado Ball - The lazy and cheap method I have used is a pillow case. It works fine, but it is limited to the length of the pillow case. A better method is to use a basketball net. Seal up one end with parachute cord (or similar rope). Put in the ball. Seal up the other end and attach the desired length of cord. It would be possible to make this end a non-permanent closing, so the ball could be changed to a different size. From Scrapper on the Strength and Conditioning Board at MMA.TV. Be sure to check out Scrapper's site.
Bar clamps - Muffler clamps can be used as bar clamps. They hold extremely well and are cheap. With cheap steel bar clamps becoming harder and harder to find, this is an excellent idea. From Netey on the Old School Strength Board.
Dumbbell racks - Old bed frames can be used to make dumbbell racks. If you live in or near a college town, they are easily obtained on moving day.
Bar size increase - Sandblast and a variety of other hose can be used to increase the diameter of a bar.
Farmer's walk bars - Tricep extension and super-curl bars make excellent farmers walk bars. Super-curl bars are long enough that it is almost impossible to drop them on your feet, when the weight becomes too much.
Sled - For use on grass, a wheelbarrow makes an excellent weight sled. It is easy to remove the bucket, on metal ones. Just drill a hole to attach a rope to and add weight. For use on cement, get an old tire. Drill holes to attach a plywood platform, attach a rope, add weight, and pull!
Gripper - Quick-grips, from a hardware store make an excellent gripper. They are roughly the same strength as a Silver Crush Trainer.
Pillars of Power - Sawhorses can be used as spillers of power (safety racks). There are even adjustable kinds available. A little CAUTION, don't count on the weight rating. They are not based on a FALLING weight, and they are under the BEST conditions the manufacture can create! I have a pair of shelves that are rated at 1000 pounds a shelve. I put about 300 pounds of dumbbells on a shelve, and there is NO WAY it was going to hold. I'm told they are tested by putting a metal box, the exact size of the shelve, on it and adding weight. This creates an even distribution of weight, and the steel doesn't allow part of the shelve to bend, until collapse.
This solution for “Stink Gloves” is like the glove dogs but cheaper, and you can customize the size! Go to pet store and buy a bag of cedar chips (for rabbit cages, etc.). Go to the grocery store and get some cheese cloth (for holding together meat and spices, etc.). The only other thing you need is string or twine. Now cut a square piece of the cloth, (size depends on if it is for MMA gloves, boxing gloves, or cut a rectangle for wrestling shoes). Take a handful of the cedar chips and place them in the center of the cloth, gather each end of the cloth to each other and twist to seal. Now use the string to tie the ends up tightly. Stuff this in your gloves (or shoes) and the dreaded stink is controlled for cheap! The cedar chips draw out the moisture and smell good. An even easier solution (but dose not work as good) is to go to Home Depot and have some Cedar wood cut into small pieces and stuff those suckers in! To refresh the cedar smell, a company named cedar fresh makes a cedar wood extract you can spray on the cedar bags or blocks! Hope this helps----Robert. From CageDude on the Strength and Conditioning Board at MMA.TV. Boot dryers work really well, also.
How to make a $50 bar turn like a $400 bar. Well, maybe not exactly like a $400 dollar bar....but it's amazing what a $4 can of aerosol moly lube will do for a cheapo bar. Every 2 months, take the sleeves off, clean with mean green, reapply moly lube, and put the sleeves back on. I've lifted on a York and a Chapman. The lubed up cheapo bar doesn't turn as well, but I promise you, it doesn't turn $250 worse. From BrettPlatt on the Old School Strength Board.
For a CHEAP double end bag, buy a nerf soccer ball. Thread a cord threw it, attach bungee cords, and punch away. I pushed a piece of wire into the ball and pulled it through with a small string attached. I then attached parachute cord to the small string and pulled it threw. It is easy to make and works great. Place the cord off center for and even wilder punching experience.
Real gymnastic rings are extremely expensive. I use a cheap playground version that cost less than $10 at a home improvement store. Unless you are going to do hard core swinging, they are strong enough.
Cheap bumper plates can be made from two spare donut tires. From Benjamin Moore on the Bulk and Power site.
Suppliers
McMaster-Carr is an online supplier for many useful items! They have huge rubber bands that are very cheap. Search for pallet banding. They have heavy sledge hammers. I got my 20 pounder from them. They have sandbags. The bags can be filled will various amounts of sand to add to a big bag, making it adjustable! They have lots MORE!
Goodwill, I recommend going often. Workout cloths are cheap. They occasionally have weighs and stolen milk cartoons. Everything but food can be found here. A lot of my workout books were purchased at the Goodwill.
Play-it-Again Sports, I recommend stopping by often! Everything workout related seems to find its way here. Especially in February and March!