Back during the pandemic was the first time I really took a stab at creating a home gym. I’m willing to guess that happened to a lot of people across Oregon—and the rest of the world, for that matter. With so many unknowns at the time, setting up a space where I could consistently work out at home was a necessity.
Now, I know some people went all-in and built incredible home gyms. Mine has been much more of a piecemeal project. I’ve always had a treadmill available, but I wanted a little more room to do some of the things I’d been neglecting over the years, like stretching, mobility work, and yoga.
From there, I just kept adding things here and there—sometimes with a plan, sometimes without one. Old shelves, unused furniture, random dumbbells – whatever I could repurpose found its way into the space. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with that, and sometimes you simply make do with what you have.
Fast forward six years and many, many running miles later, and I’ve started recommitting a personally long-neglected aspect of training- strength work. As I’ve gotten more consistent with lifting to complement my running, I’ve found myself looking around my garage and thinking, “Maybe it’s time for a bit of an upgrade.”
Recently, RitFit sent us a handful of products to help outfit our home gym, and after spending some time with them, they might be worth considering for yours as well.
PVC-Coated Round Dumbbells
Over the years, I’ve accumulated a random assortment of dumbbells. I have invested in a set of adjustable dumbbells that go fairly heavy, but I also have several lighter pairs that are perfect for accessory work and exercises where constantly adjusting weight isn’t worth the hassle. Those 25 pound-and-under pairs are sort of all over the map. I have black hex pairs, grey “metal” ones that are super chipped, and even some random-colored rubber ones.
Overall, it’s fine – but it looks a little chaotic. Luckily, RitFit has dumbbells that come in pairs of 10’s – all the way up to 500-pound sets. They are super durable and the grip – with its grooved handle makes grip solid even in sweaty times.
A-Frame Dumbbell Rack
Now that I have some of the dumbbells more standardized, there’s another slight problem. My previous dumbbells were scattered across the floor or sitting on an old wooden dresser. It seems an injustice to submit these new dumbbells to that same fate.
The RitFit A-Frame Dumbbell Rack immediately cleaned up the space. Assembly was incredibly straightforward—even coming from someone who is far from handy—and it comfortably holds three pairs of dumbbells. Simply organizing everything makes the garage gym feel cleaner and more inviting. RitFit also offers larger versions if your collection has grown beyond three sets.
Adjustable Weight Bench
I’ve been using a weight bench far more over the past several months than I ever have before. A few years ago, I picked up an inexpensive Amazon version. It got the job done, but only just. It doesn’t decline, the incline adjustments never inspired much confidence, and it always had a bit of side-to-side wobble no matter how much I tightened everything down.
Now that barbell bench press has become part of my regular routine, a more dependable bench isn’t just nice to have—it’s pretty much a necessity.
The RitFit 1300 lb. Adjustable Weight Bench has been a substantial upgrade – even while I won’t really ever be pushing the 1300-pound limit. While it’s a bit more expensive than the budget bench I originally purchased, it feels significantly sturdier and much more confidence-inspiring. No one wants to be worrying about their bench when they are pressing 200 pounds above their body.
The wider pad adds stability, the decline position opens up additional exercise options, and adjusting the bench is both quicker and easier. Even the seat part itself adjusts independently for tailored exercises.
It also has wheels to easily move out of the way when I am converting from bench day to squat day. Assembly was quick – with just 6 bolts- and it’s one of those upgrades I notice every single workout.
Final Thoughts
Not everyone has the space for a home gym, but if you do, I can honestly say it’s been one of the better investments I’ve made for my overall health. Since recommitting to strength training, I haven’t felt this strong during my running in years. Having equipment that’s organized, reliable, and enjoyable to use has made it much easier to stay consistent.
Whether you’re building your first garage gym or, like me, slowly upgrading one that’s evolved over several years, RitFit is worth checking out. They offer everything from budget-friendly essentials to more heavy-duty equipment, including squat racks, cable systems, benches, storage solutions, and complete home gym setups. There’s a good range of options depending on your goals, and it’s easy to see how someone could gradually build a really impressive training space over time.
