Released On 21st Jun 2023

Build Your Home Gym using Tubes and Interclamp Fittings

Stay at home gyms have been increasing in popularity ever since lockdown. Having your own gym is a great way to stay healthy and keep in shape without leaving the comfort of your own home. But ready-manufactured training equipment can often be expensive and heavy. So why not build your own fitness set-up instead, using steel tubes and fittings?

Why should I use steel tubes and fittings?

Steel tubes and fittings are an excellent choice for building a home gym as they are strong, adjustable and versatile. Available in a variety of shapes and sizes, they can be used to build equipment that is easy to dismantle and modular, meaning you can easily add or remove components as needed. Their weather resistance also makes them ideal for building an outdoor gym with no welding required.

Using galvanised or powder-coated tubes and Interclamp fittings, you can create a cost-effective, flexible, easy-to-build system that you can fully adapt to your own needs.

What types of tubes and fittings are available?

Fixings & Fittings offers galvanised tube in sizes A27, B34, C42, D48 and E60 to suit clamp ranges. Powder-coated tubes and fittings are supplied in an all-gloss finish and can be provided in all colours on the RAL and British Standard colour chart. To enable completing your projects and customising your workout equipment, we also offer a cut-to-length service.

Depending on the type of equipment you’re building, opt for tubing with a bigger diameter for added stability and safety. Each tube slots neatly into the appropriate fitting to hold the frame rigid and stable, so keep in mind that Interclamp clamps are made in specific sizes to fit different sizes of pipe. There are many clamp types available for different joints within the frame. For example, clamps for joining uprights to top rails, middle-rail joints or three-way corner clamps.

What equipment can I make?

Whether you are looking for a full-body workout or targeting specific muscle groups, creating a home gym with tubes and clamps lets you choose from a variety of equipment such as dips bars, climbing frames, monkey bars and weight storage racks. We recommend sketching your design beforehand and planning the dimensions carefully to specify the length of tube and number of clamps required. To give you some inspiration, we have compiled some of our favourite DIY training equipment ideas.

Squat rack

The squat rack is one of the most essential pieces of equipment for strength training. However, most pre-built squat racks or cages are expensive and due to their weight, they can be difficult to fit into your home gym and be moved around. Building a squat rack with Interclamp fittings provides both affordability and practicality. The entire squat rack can be easily disassembled and reassembled, making it easy to move and store. This gives you further flexibility and allows you to fit your squat rack into your basement, garage or even on your patio during the summer.

Adjustable pull-up bar

Pull-ups and chin-ups are some of the most efficient bodyweight exercises. There are many different pull-up bar configurations to choose from such as the doorway pull-up bar as well as freestanding or wall-mounted pull-up bar.

This freestanding pull-up bar has been built from C42 size galvanised pipe and C42 Interclamp fittings. The bar stands 2m in height, while the base of the frame is 2m long by 1.5m wide.

To create a sturdy pull-up bar, start by connecting tubing using 90-degree elbow fittings on each end, where the structure changes direction in a 90-degree turn. You can see this used in both the base and top of the pull-up bar. A three-socket long tee clamp is installed at the base of the pull-up bar, which helps to create the intersecting section where the base and pull-up bar meet. A double swivel combination is fitted in both the base and top of the structure to create triangles to provide extra strength and stability.

One of the biggest advantages of building a freestanding pull-up bar like this one is that you can build it to whatever height you like for completing pull-ups or chin-ups. Using the Interclamp system means that you can set up or dismantle as required, allowing you to even take your fitness equipment outside into your garden on a sunny day.

How much weight can a pull-up bar hold?

The weight capacity of a pull-up bar varies depending on its design, materials and installation method. A standard pull-up bar can typically hold around 250-300 lbs. A custom-built pull-up bar can be made bespoke to hold the necessary weight. Materials such as galvanised steel and metal fittings are installed directly into the structure and will often be able to hold more weight than a store-bought pull-up bar.

Gymnastics bar

Unlike pre-made kits, which often come with fixed dimensions, building your own gymnastics bar means that width and height are easily adjustable simply by changing the set level on each side. This is particularly useful for children who are still growing and developing their skills, as well as for athletes who want to adjust the equipment as their abilities evolve.

Moreover, the entire gymnastics set can be dissembled and reassembled, making it easier to transport and move from one location to another. This is convenient when frequently participating in competitions, and makes it a great investment for anyone looking to pursue gymnastics as a profession or serious hobby.

Building your own gym equipment using tubes and Interclamp fittings is a great way to save money and customise your set-up to fit your workout routine. Whether you have your own design in mind or need more inspiration, please call us on 01460 261213 or email us a few details to sales@fixingsandfittings.co.uk.