The Slizzard Lounge: A simple but effective home gym.

[problyout]

ever heard of ken wilber? look up kens ideas about weight training and spirituality

[xxgymnastxx97]

I think I will try to make one now, thanks!! If you wouldn't mind, can you explain how exactly I should do it? I am slightly confused on how you attached all of the pieces together and how the bar is attached so it won't move. :)

[slizzardman]

Use two 4x6 pieces as your uprights. First off, build this on as level a floor as possible. The garage would be perfect if it's clear enough to work in.

Choose what size pipe you want and buy a wood-boring bit big enough to drill a hole it will fit through. Drill one hole into the same height of the 4x6, leaving at least 3 inches of wood above the top of the hole, and center it on the wider side of the wood. After this is done, nail one 8 foot long 2x6 to the outside of each upright.

[slizzardman]

Nail these 2x6's centered on the bottom of the 4x6, flush with the bottom. This is why a flat floor is so important. If you REALLY want to be safe, also put a 2x6 on the inside of each 4x6. The 2x6's are for stability on the ground. Use at least six 4 inch nails or screws. If using screws, pre-drill holes. Do one, screw the first screw in and then drill all the others. This makes it easy. Now you want four 8 foot long 2x4s, just to be safe, for the support pieces. These keep the uprights from...

[slizzardman]

... ripping right off of the horizontal stability pieces( the 2x6's at the bottom).

Use a miter saw to cut a 45 degree angle into the end of a 2x4. Set this on the ground and have it come up at least 2/3 of the height of the uprights. With the cut end flat on the ground, mark where you're going to cut the top end. Literally draw the line with a pencil on the wood. Make your cut and then put two screws through the angle part into the upright. Pre-drill holes. Now put a 2x4 piece on the...

[slizzardman]

... outside and screw it onto the cut end of the 2x4 support piece. If you can't envision that you shouldn't really be building! :) It is really important to be able to envision how the support pieces are stressed, so that you can properly attach them. You don't want this thing falling apart on you. If you do it right, there won't be any problems. You could also build it out of all 4x6's, which will be more expensive but somewhat simpler.

[slizzardman]

For what you want to do, talk to the guys at the hardware store and have them show you the best way to keep the pieces together. I can't afford to buy the tools and materials to show you, if I could I would. It would make a great video!

To keep the bar in place, once you've made your stand the bar's in the uprights, take a small metal bit, 3/8" size, drill a hole on each side, measure carefully to make it perfect. Then you put a 1/4" axle through, nut it, and that's it!

[slizzardman]

To make sure your bit is the right size, hold it next to the 1.4" axle. Just buy a 2 foot piece to be safe, you'll have leftovers. That will keep the bar in place and keep it from spinning. You could also drill holes through the metal JUST OUTSIDE the supports and put the bolts there, then use heavy nail-in staples to attach the bolt firmly into the wood. Do that on both sides and you won't even have to worry about a tiny wiggle!

[xxgymnastxx97]

Would you think it would be possible to make a womens gymnastics low bar? I saw the parralel bars and got an idea but it probably wouldn't be sturdy... :)

[slizzardman]

You COULD lol! If you did do that, I'd cast the base into concrete. You know, build the pipe structure and then cast it. Your other option would be making a wooden frame with 4x4s and carriage bolts or something equally strong. Not that hard, and much sturdier. Possibly cheaper too!

[slizzardman]

It was pretty terrible huh :)

Yea, I just mean that when you try to start off the safety bars at the bottom position, it's hard to slide the bar into the position you want, and during the beginning of the lift the bar can "jump" forward or backward a little. It's irritating. You don't get that problem with the straps.

[cavallini82]

Your attempt to explain activation energy really made me laugh.

It's harder to start from the bottom because when you start from the top your muscles store elastic energy on the way down.

Wikipedia has good articles on physics man.