How to Choose the Perfect Barbell Storage - 9 Quick Tips
Your gym equipment should be one of your top priorities when kitting out your home gym. After all, without the right gear, you won’t be able to work out effectively (or safely). But with so many products on the market, it can be tricky to know where to start – especially when it comes to big-ticket items like barbells.
A barbell is one of the most versatile pieces of equipment you can buy for your home gym. It can be used for a huge range of exercises, from squats and deadlifts to presses. But, storing a barbell can be tricky. They’re long and unwieldy, and if you don’t have the right storage solution, they can take up a lot of space (and be a trip hazard).
That’s where good storage comes in. A good storage rack will allow you to safely store your barbells (and other gym equipment) out of the way, so you can make the most of your workout space.
Not sure how to choose the perfect barbell rack for your home gym? Here are 9 quick tips for selecting suitable barbell storage.
1. Make Sure the Barbell Rack is the Right Size & Weight for Your Needs
The first thing you need to consider when choosing a barbell shelf is the size of your barbells. Barbells come in a variety of sizes, so you'll need to make sure that the shelf you choose can accommodate the size of your barbells.
In addition, you'll need to consider the width of your barbells. Most shelves are designed to accommodate standard-sized barbells, but if you have a wider barbell (like a hex bar), you'll need to ensure that the shelf is wide enough. It is also important to make sure that the bar rack has a weight capacity to hold the weight/number of barbells you want to store.
2. Choose Between Wall-Mounted and Free-Standing Barbell Racks
When it comes to barbell storage racks, you have two main product options: wall-mounted or free-standing. Wall-mounted barbell racks are great if you're short on space, as they take up far less room than free-standing shelves. They're also generally more affordable.
You may choose to use two types of storage if you have quite a few barbells to store, using a wall mounted option and a free standing unit for the others. There are also multi-purpose storage units worth considering. These store a number of different weights and different gym equipment in one unit saving space and cost on lots of separate storage solutions.
Speciality Barbells can be quite awkward to store. The best solution for this is single wall-mounted barbell hangers.
There is also the option to store your barbells either horizontally or vertically. Again, it is down to space and personal preference which one you opt for.
3. Consider the Material
Choose a material that is durable and easy to clean. Barbells can be quite heavy, so you'll want to make sure that the material you choose for your shelf is durable enough to support the weight of your barbells. Additionally, since barbells are often used in sweaty workouts, you'll want to choose a material that is easy to clean and won't retain moisture. Stainless steel is a great option because it's durable, easy to clean, and won't rust or corrode over time.
You can match the material of your shelf to the rest of your gym equipment for a cohesive look or choose a contrasting material to make your shelf pop. There are options for plain or coloured rack options that complement the rest of your gym decor.
4. Make Sure the Barbell Rack is Stable and Level
When looking at barbell storage, it's important to ensure they're stable and level. You don't want your shelf tipping over when you're trying to use it, and a level surface is important for getting consistent results with your lifts. There are a few things to look for when assessing a shelf's stability.
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Base: The wider the base, the more stable the shelf will be. Look for a shelf that has a wide, flat base.
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Bolts: The bolts that connect the shelf to the wall should be high-quality and firmly tightened. Make sure that there are no loose bolts on the shelf before you use it.
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Weight Capacity: Be sure to check the weight capacity of the shelf. You don't want to overload it and risk having it collapse.
5. Look for a Shelf With Ample Storage Space
Your fitness goals will dictate how much storage space is needed on your barbell shelf. If you only plan on using a few weights, you won't need a lot of storage space. However, if you're planning on lifting heavier weights or adding more weights to your collection over time, you'll want to make sure that the shelf has enough storage space to accommodate your needs.
The details of the storage space are also important to consider. Make sure that the shelf has enough weight pegs for all of your weights and that the pegs are spaced far enough apart so that your weights don't rub up against each other and get damaged.
6. Choose a Shelf With the Right Features
Depending on your needs, there are certain features that might be important to you when choosing a barbell shelf. For example, if you have limited space in your home gym, you might want to choose a wall-mounted shelf that folds up when not in use. Or, if you're looking for a more permanent solution, you might want to choose a free-standing shelf with built-in weight pegs.
Some other features to look for include:
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Built-in wheels for easy transport
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Adjustable height to accommodate different users
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A lip around the edge of the shelf to keep weights from rolling off
7. Consider the Space in Your Gym
Another thing to consider when choosing a Storage is the space in your gym. If you have limited gym space, you will need to choose a smaller storage. However, if you have plenty of space in your gym, you can choose a larger or free-standing shelf.
Think about how much space you have to work with and choose a shelf that fits well in your gym. You don't want it to be too small or too large.
Conclusion
We hope these tips were helpful in guiding you through the process of choosing the best barbell shelf for your home or commercial gym. Investing in a quality barbell rack not only prolongs the life of your equipment and makes it more efficient to use and maintain, it also adds an attractive feature to your gym, showcasing your equipment in its best light.
You may also be interested in reading:
Why a Squat Rack is One of the Most Valuable Additions to your Home Gym