DIY Leg Press for Power Rack
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 8 ก.ย. 2024
- This is a DIY Leg Press inspired by Bastionhead's creation. I made some minor changes and used wood instead of steel. In my opinion, Bastionhead's leg press is pure genius and credit for the design idea goes to him. Got a total right knee replacement and had some complications and setbacks so I needed a good leg press to build it back up.
"I don't know how much this thing can hold, and I don't care" that's the attitude I like to hear!
I have been fabricating cabinets and custom furniture for 40 years and i own a metal fab shop. I want to commend you on your wood working you did a vary nice job you should be proud. It's functional and looks good
Freaking brilliant mang!!! You’ve given me much to consider on my own build. Thanks so much!
Awesome, isn't it ?
Trully quite a beautiful leg press solution.
Absolute genius. I've been looking for a leg press design to build and here it it. Thanks!
This is actually quite ingenuous and efective !
Congrats man !!
Just wanna say I ran into your video like a year back and finally got around to making my own DIY leg press for my power rack just like yours. Awesome idea (I know you said you took the idea from Bastionhead) and I'm really thrilled about how it came out. Thank you so much for posting this! Was especially a nice addition during COVID times lol
I would love to see your creation. This kind of post really makes me happy that I helped someone. Good work PD.
@@kurtheitman552 I'd be happy to send you a couple pictures! Whats the easiest way for me to send them to you? I don't know of a way to message those on here. Thanks!
Man is king. Perfect job
The most solid support too all the way along the back as it should be better than any gym machine i been on!!
I will be building leg press attachment to my powerrack tomorrow thanks to you brother !
Good luck Darryl. Only thing I would have done differently is to use 4x4's on the sides, but not a big deal.
Kurt Heitman I used all 4x4’s and a different style pivot. Works amazing !!! Thank you !
I did that power rack all in 4x4. It have a standing calf raises and a pull ups bar. soon I will build a lat pull down too. I didn't painted. The leg press looks nice.
I am in the process of building my own power rack. Your leg press and leg extension attachments are awesome and a future part of my build. Plus a pulley system
Good deal Timothy. Make sure you look at the comments because I recommend upgrading the leg press with 4x4's on the outside supports. Let me know if you have any specific questions. Good luck. Kurt
What a great idea thanx alot for showing us this genius way to make a power rack as Leg press machine. 👍👍💪
This is an amazing hack. Thanks so much!
You’re awesome dude. I have a home gym with every piece I want except a leg press and a back squat
o my god thank you so much for this amazing idea !!
Amazing, mate! I am getting things ready to build my own power rack and all I had missing was... exactly, leg press! Thank to you, I have my complete power rack! I will sub))
This is amazing and so simple
This is incredible. Thank you sir 💪🏽
My pleasure!
Hi Kurt, I plan on implementing this for my power rack in the future, likely with some slight modifications (due to having a metal rack, Rogue R3, in place of the - awesome - wood one you've built). But first, I just wanted to say thank for the info you put out, and continue to put out while replying to people's posts, regarding these DIYs for home gyms!
JP, Thanks for the kind words. If you haven't seen it, check out Bastionhead's steel creation. That's the one that gave me the original idea. Of course, this wooden one will work perfectly and it can do many things (check out my Kurt Machine). The smooth action of this leg press is better than any gym apparatus I've used. Absolutely no drag or resistance. Good luck and please post whatever you make so I can check it out! People like you make it worth while.
Hey Kurt, do you happen to have a write-up of the parts, sizes, process, etc. handy that you could share? I figured I'd ask before watching your video several times to make sure I don't miss anything, before attempting the modifications.
THIS is awesome!
thanks so much for sharing and I can't wait to do something very similar to my garage gym.
Awesome!!
thanks! please post the result so we can learn!
Wow...This is so awesome and motivating...I want to make all of my gym equipment out of wood...Great vid...
You could also design a way to do squats and standing calf raises using that design as well. You did a.great job.
I just built my rack. I’ll include this makeshift idea. 👍🏻
This guy is 60 years old ,can you believe that ?!?!?! :-)
so awesome!!! thx for sharing
You are very welcome!
Nice work on that looking good and study!!
I have an idea for an additional modification. Add handles on the end of the leg press. If you start with the barbell rest at a higher level it could make for a nice shoulder press. With the barbell at the leg press level, the extra handles could be used for shrugs as well.
Good idea Justin! Guess what? I pretty much did this already. Check out my Kurt Machine video. Great minds think alike right? Cheers.
Kurt Heitman I just watched it. That was almost exactly what I was thinking. I was contemplating whether to use the natural grip vs the other grip but you have both. Good work.
Thanks for sharing this Kurt. I think my next project is gonna be building a leg press for my power rack!
NP Dan. Good luck and please post your creation when it's finished.
I'm gonna try to design mine around my Fitness Reality 810XLT power rack. It already has a very strong bar mounted at the base, which I think can serve as a pivot point. I'll just need to come up with a little different design. Maybe instead of a hole, I will cut a groove in the wood to rest over the bar? Either way, your design is perfect and has inspired me!
If I make a vid on the finished product, I'll definitely give you a shout out.
Peace!
Dan, I forgot who it was, but he made a leg press based on my design and, because his had a very short distance/depth between the front and back uprights, his press had a very short arc and awkward angle. Nevertheless, when you are setting up your rack, you can compensate for this by making your back pivot point higher on the back so it pivots more straight up and down. Does that make sense? Therefore, you may need to make a new pivot mechanism that can move up and down the rack (something simple like mine). That will also let you do things like the Viking press, etc. If you have enough depth, your existing pivot will probably be fine, but make sure you do some good rough planning - like just putting a long board between the pivot and approximately where your foot platform angle will be and see what kind of arc you get. Look at my Kurt machine and you will see that the higher the pivot, the more vertical the motion. Peace.
I see what you mean. I think the lower support bar is too low and the distance from front to back of this rack is not as much as your rack.
Man!, I'm glad you replied on this! I think I'll stick to your pivot design so I can adjust up or down like you said because the angle would definitely be to much.
You have definitely earned a new sub and thanks again Kurt!
Great idea Kurt,you are a genius,I have been thinking about making some type of leg press,thanks.
If BH a genius , you're not far behind Kurt . Nice +++ post . Learn & Teach .
Great idea.
A tiny suggestion to your incredible design. At the pivot in the back and at the bar stop at the front, let the 2x4s extend to the ground.
You mean so they are touching the ground where it pivots to make it safer/stronger? The bar stop is a good idea but I want it to be movable for other things. Good thinking thought. The bolts and 2x4s are very stout.
Kurt Heitman. Understood
Nice.. everything in a home gym has to be multi purpose.. great idea.👍🏻
What??? Very Nice. Very Cool.
makin gainz all day everyday bro, seeing a ton of progress!!
Genius, thanks for posting!!
Thanks!
Excellent
I enjoy making this stuff more than actually using it! LOL.
Nice! This is brilliant! Fantastic job!
great idea......was looking for another project
Great is the word! Thanks for making & sharing this. :)
I'm a former high school construction teacher. Great job.
Thanks! Always good to get high marks from a teacher!
Good solution
Thanks Juan!
wow good idea!
Thanks for the video, I know I can make this for my power rack 💯🙏🏻👊🏻
Great video!
Great Job!
Amazing!!
Awesome mate, i'll be making the exact same set up!!! :-)
Very nice, sir. Best wishes.
Thankyou kind sir
that thing is amazing!
Thanks Alan. The miracle of TH-cam. I just see what's out there and get inspired to make my own versions of things.
I'm in the process of making a similar machine using some of your ideas. One suggestion on the leg press. To greatly strengthen the 2x4 @1:48, brad nail (small nails) and glue with Liquid Nail, a plywood gusset plate onto the 2x4..... and drill the 1/2 inch hole through the plywood. With a big hole in the 2x4 and a lot of weight on the leg press, I am afraid the 2x4 could split there. The plywood will stop that. Use half inch plywood, NOT OSB (chip board). You can buy small sheets of plywood at Lowes and Home Depot.....don't have to buy a 4x8 foot sheet. Hope this helps someone.
I think I understand. I agree that may me a weak point. If you look at my other videos, I recommend upgrading this leg press with 4x4's for the outside beams (especially if you can go real heavy). This will also take care of the issue you mentioned. Make sure the wood grain is correctly oriented to prevent splitting. Thanks Construction Guy.
Nice brother 👍
Thanks ✌️
This is awesome
Awesome!!!! Great!!!
Change the height, put two handles on the front end and you have a shoulder press as well.
Look at my other videos Matt. That's exactly what I did! Great minds. . .
@@kurtheitman552 I saw that video, it was very helpful. I really love how you explored the versatility of the home power rack. It’s giving me so many plans to build. Hopefully I’ll get to exercising as well 🤣
Very nice!
Thanks Antonio!
nice work. thanks.
Very cool
Sweet
Hey this is genius what size are those safety bars? And the pivot long screws
NICE IDEA ;)!
Genius......
very cool. can you build a kegerator next?
Man it is good but it will take a lot to set this up after a set of squats.
i just put the seat half of my rower aimed at the weight stack and push away lol
Nice
Thanks Asad.
You look like a younger Tommy Lee Jones and sound like Harvey Keitel.
Interesting. Never heard those comparisons before. Tommy Lee is a bad dude. I guess my accent is San Diego.
@@kurtheitman552 Really? I'm an Englishman so I'm probably not the best at American accents but I had yours as east coast. I swear at one point in this video you sound just like Winston Wolf haha.
I intend to build a wooden multi gym of my own soon. Power rack ala Buff Dudes with a leg press/Kurt machine and a sweet bench with leg raise/extension capabilities and eventually a double cable pulley set up on a rubber horse stable floor. I won't record the process but if I'm successful I'll direct you to a private video of the finished products because you've been an inspiration for wanting to build it. Cheers chief. Thank you so much.
perfect
You’re a genius. For the bolts you used on the flanges, did you countersink them on the underside of the 4x4? Thanks!
If you mean the flanges that are at the base of the pipes that I use to stack the weights, then I believe I did have to countersink into the wood a bit for a flush fit. Otherwise, I didn't countersink anything else.
Kurt Heitman awesome thanks! I’m going to build eventing you did. You’re so clever with all the attachments!
Very beautiful gym 😘😘😘
Thank you 😊
Looks good Kurt I'm trying to add a Smith Macine to mine any ideas I have seen others but no material list thanksArt.
Hey Art. Semper Fi. I wasn't a Marine, but my mother and father were, so that's the next best thing. Take a look at Jarel Jake's DIY Smith Machine. His is metal, but it's the best DIY one I've seen. I just finished trying to make one and it didn't turn out to be any good. I should have taken pictures of the aborted effort, but I already trashed it. I think I can actually use this leg press as a semi-smith machine by mounting the back (pivot) end higher on the rack so it's more horizontal/elevated (like a Viking Press). It won't go perfectly straight up, but it will be on a wide arc like many gym machines. This will allow going to failure without a spotter. Do you have a DIY rack or a commercial one?
Nice.
Thanks Frank. Check out Bastionhead's stuff too.
awesome
Thanks Sowtpaw73.
nice 1 kurt
Thanks Philip.
Wow nice Homegym! What Pipes are you using for the Safety Bars?
They are the standard plumbing pipes you get at Home Depot and Lowes. Strong as hell and what just about all DIY'ers use.
Can you give me details info about the measurements and what all is needed to make it for a power rack. Thanks kindly sir:)
Sorry, I don't have any details other than what is in the videos. One of my videos has some measurements. Just have to watch carefully and make a list. You'll be able to figure it out.
@@kurtheitman552 Thanks so much for your information. Much appreciated.
lol this is too awesome. ima make this soon (y)
thanks man. Make sure you use those deck screws (the ones that come with the star headed driver) and a good wood glue. Drill pilot holes so the wood doesn't crack. Good luck and thanks for the comment.
Hi Kurt, I love this! I just set up a power cage in my home gym and have been trying to figure out a leg press alternative solution, and this seems perfect! Do you happen to have a plan/sketch of this? I am pretty handy so even dimensions would work. Thanks so much!
Hi Melissa, Don't use plans but I'm pretty sure I explained the dimensions and concept in the video. Feel free to ask me questions. I don't get back here much but will try. Cheers.
Melissa, might want to look at my power rack for dimensions. It will help you figure out the size relative to the rack. :)
I got a metal power rack. Gonna use one side to attach the back end of the press, and the other side to catch it. will that work? Thanks for this! I've been looking for a homemade leg press since i absolutely despise squats, lol.
Juanio, Anything is possible. If I were you, I would look at Bastionhead's TH-cam channel and look at his leg press. His is metal. That is where I got my idea. He doesn't give any information or show you what/how he did it, so I watched the video dozens of times until I felt like I fully understood. You can easily adapt a wood leg press to a metal rack. The only thing I would change (from my design) is that I would have used 4x4's on the side pieces. I think I may have to reinforce my design as I get stronger. My crappy knees don't let me squat, but leg presses are the cure. Let me know if you need any specific information. Good luck and please post your creation when you are done. Kurt
Thanks for the tips! I'll definitely use a 4x4 instead of the 2x4 as the side pieces. I also have drill holes on the bottom of my metal rack to slide a piece of metal to hold it. I'll probably go shopping for materials tomorrow. Did you drill through the 2x4, 4x4, all the way through the plywood to keep it all together? And is that grip tape? Thanks! I'll keep you updated!
I think you could use a similar type of wood connector instead of metal (like mine) to secure it to the bottom where it pivots. There is no pressure or stress on that really. For your other question - I am assuming you mean the platform part where your feet go. I just secured that plywood (OSB actually) to the 2x4 and 4x4 parts underneath. Just make sure the platform is thick enough to support your presses. The bolts I used to mount the bars (where you stack the weight) go all the way through and are underneath the platform, which is why you cannot see them. The one other thing you might consider is to use a bigger pipe and base flanges with bigger bolts. Or, use the same size pipe/flanges and bore the holes out a bit so it will be stronger. I think mine is okay, but if you are going really heavy, better to be on the safe side. I used the smaller pipe because I am able to use the old style (small hole) weights. Probably better off going bigger and just use olympic weights. Yes, I got that grip tape on there too. Remember, use deck screws, glue, and drill pilot holes for all the connections. Dude, can't wait to see what you make. Really stoked for you. Kurt
Oh, now I think I understand what you mean by the drill holes on your rack. That would be great. Just make sure the bar cannot work it's way out (maybe put the threaded caps on the pipe or use some sort of pin to keep it in place) or it could be a serious disaster.
I want this....😍😍😍
I am giving it away because I am finishing my basement and it all has to go. Anywhere near Colorado?
Kurt Heitman omg i wish 😊I'm acksully to far..I'm from Rhode island....
Do you have the dimensions you used for the cuts
I have some dimensions in one of my videos. Can't recall which one but I think it's the rack. From there, you can guesstimate the leg press size. That's how I did it.
Top
Does anyone have the plans for this?
There are no written plans but I do have dimensions of the rack in one video and you can estimate the leg press dimensions from that probably. If I had to do this over again, I would use 4x4s on the outsides of the press platform and make it wide enough so it is just an inch narrower than the rack opening.
😁👍☺️🤛 From quebec
May i know how far cm from one hole to another hole?
Please....
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exactly 4.5 inches between the center of the holes. (11.43cm)
Top parabens
Mate, I see you said you are in Colorado. I've just moved there from Australia for work and I've been searching for something like this to augment squats and lunges in a home gym. Did you get the plans from any particular place or come up with it yourself?
Josh, I am in Colorado. I am actually going to dismantle this and you can have it. Reply if you are interested. I will give you everything I have. I am finishing my basement and it all has to go! Kurt
Could you detail the dimensions
Sorry, I don't have any plans.
emmmmm no impending doom if your legs give up,
guess is a pro not a con :3
Not bad Sir ;)
Thanks! It's better and smoother than the 45 degree ones in the gyms. Seriously. No drag - just pure gravity resistance.
Hi kurt just subscribed I am really interested in this,can you send me the plans?
Kurt Heitman Thanks you Can delete it now I have your email👍I Will try to get in touch with you in september or october because I'm in Africa right now and waiting to move to France😉
PJ, Let me know when you are ready to do this. I have an upgraded version and I can help you make it fit whatever kind of rack you have. Take care in your travels.
Kurt Heitman thanks so much Man I Will be 16 in may and planning to put on lean muscle so I haven't made a powerack yet,I think I'm going to use the buff dudes one with the add ons of yours for the stability
Wow, I cannot believe you are only 15. You sound more intelligent and mature (based on what I can gather from your comments). There are tons of channels and information on TH-cam, but check out Lee Labrada's TH-cam channel. That is a place where you can find EVERYTHING bodybuilding. He is the real deal. Good luck little brother. Kurt
Kurt Heitman Thanks I'll check out he's channel, I'll come back in touch in September/October.Stay well Kurt.
Pj
Hi
What size measurement did you use for the wood please. Thanks
I have dimensions of my rack in one of my videos but it's been so long ago that I don't really recall. I just made it fit inside my rack. You can probably glean information and approximations just watching the video. Sorry I don't have more detail.
Muito bom
Muchas gracias!
First!
Kurt, do you have the plans for this?
💪💗💪
can you try to make a cable row?
yes, I already have a whole cable system and I will post a video soon if I can find some time. Thanks, Kurt
you're the man, thanks!
Save like 500$ on this at least.
🤣🤣🤣👍👍👍
that cant be ergonomically good for your knees hips or lower back.
Actually, it's better and smoother than the leg press' they have in many gyms (Lifetime Fitness for one). The standard leg press' are linear. This one goes in an arc. Not sure of the physics, but it is ergonomically sound.