Home Gym History
Home Gym History
Presented by Garage Gym Experiment
A deep dive into the history of gym equipment.
Nice Like Mike | Episode 60 of Home Gym History
In this episode of Home Gym History, Rob from Vintage Weights PGH sits down with Mike, the creator behind Knurled News and Do You Even Lift Bro, to talk about his journey into lifting and how he built his impressive home gym setup. They discuss Mike’s early days in fitness, his passion for strength training, and the evolution of home gyms in today’s lifting culture. Whether you love vintage weights, garage gyms, or gym history — this episode is packed with insight and inspiration.
Oct 21, 2025
58 min
Dr. Tatty Waffles | Ep 59
In this episode of Home Gym History, Rob and Daniel, also known as Dr. Tatty Waffles, discuss their experiences at HomeGymCon, the evolution of home gym setups, and the importance of community in fitness. Daniel shares insights about his gym equipment, including his Eleko rack and Vultra cable system, and reflects on his journey from P90X to barbell training. The conversation also delves into the origin of Daniel's unique online persona, his collaboration with Darko on a product for the Voltra, and his thoughts on various gym brands and innovations in the fitness space. The episode concludes with a light-hearted discussion about Daniel's gym branding, the Salty Goat, and the importance of personal touches in home gym setups.🏠Save 10% on tickets to HomeGymCon 2026 with code vintage: https://tinyurl.com/yv55227pFind Daniel on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr_tattywaffles/Find Rob on YouTube:https://youtube.com/@vintageweightspgh?si=nHp71Y9ez0dudjeRChapters00:00 Welcome to Home Gym History00:30 Reflections on HomeGymCon03:02 Exploring Home Gym Equipment08:31 Diving into Barbells and Plates13:20 The Story Behind Dr. Tatty Waffles19:10 Life in Ohio and Home Gym Evolution23:19 The Vintage vs. New Equipment Debate25:27 Collaboration Origins: The Darko Connection34:06 Innovative Product Development: From Idea to Prototype37:05 Future Innovations: What's Next for Daniel?45:34 The Salty Goat: Gym Decor and Personal Branding
Sep 8, 2025
48 min
Go-To Home Gym Tips & Insights | Building Your Gym | Ep 58
Join the Home Gym History Podcast as I talk with Joey Echeverria, a go-to source for home gym knowledge. Joey shares valuable insights on choosing the right equipment, building a home gym that fits your space, and making smart investments. Whether you’re just starting or upgrading your setup, this episode is packed with practical advice you can put to work right away.🏠 Save 10% on tickets to HomeGymCon 2026 with code vintage: https://tinyurl.com/yv55227pFind Joey on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joey.echeverria?igsh=ZTdnc29mdGswbzNoFind Rob on YouTube:https://youtube.com/@vintageweightspgh?si=nHp71Y9ez0dudjeRChapters00:00 Home Gym Con Experience03:04 Transitioning Venues: French Lick to Louisville05:55 Powerlifting Journey and Home Gym Setup08:51 Equipment Choices and Preferences11:59 Innovative Products at Home Gym Con14:56 The Evolution of Joey's Home Gym18:04 Competing in Powerlifting and Strongman21:00 Future Plans and Upcoming Competitions24:02 Selling Equipment and Market Trends26:57 New Gym Setup and Moving Plans30:28 Building the Ultimate Home Gym32:38 Selling Equipment: What Goes First?35:02 Favorite Home Gym Brands and Equipment40:00 Innovative Equipment on the Horizon42:44 The Importance of Personal Fit in Equipment49:38 Navigating the Home Gym Community53:06 Home Gym Con: A Unique Experience
Aug 14, 2025
1 hr
#55 Alejandro Medina, Olympic Weightlifter and Gym Owner
Weightlifter, Alejandro Medina,  has been a member of Team USA eight times. He is the 2023 Pan Am Champion, 2022 National Champion, and 2x American Open Champion. He is co-owner of 3 White Lights Gym in Florida where he trains. Alejandro tells Rob about his weightlifting career and explains the ins and outs of pursuing his Olympic dream. They also talk a lot about barbells. Alejandro on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/medina_islandWhite Lights Gym: https://www.instagram.com/3_whitelights/
May 15, 2025
1 hr 11 min
#54 Behind the Scenes with Prime Fitness: History, Innovation, and Community
Use code Vintage to save: https://primefitness.com/vintageIn this episode of Home Gym History, Rob from Vintage Weights PGH sits down with Jared Griffin from Prime Fitness USA. They discuss Prime Fitness's journey from a small family business to a renowned name in gym equipment manufacturing. Jared delves into unique features of their products, including the smart cam and torque arm technology, and shares insights on their development process, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. The conversation also covers future innovations, product improvements based on customer feedback, and the significance of their vibrant green color scheme. Additionally, they explore the backstory of their collaboration with Coach Cassim and upcoming products to look forward to at HomeGymCon.
Apr 25, 2025
36 min
#53 Weight It Out Tour and Interview | History of Weight Plates
LinksUse code Vintage to save on HomeGymCon Tickets: homegymcon.comWeight it Out Website: https://bit.ly/3VP3RTvFollow Rob on IG: https://www.instagram.com/vintageweightspgh/
Apr 21, 2025
1 hr
#52 How Luke Raymond Began His Business, Arm Assassin Strength Shop | Grip Strength, More
LinksUse code Vintage to save on HomeGymCon Tickets: homegymcon.comSave 5% at Arm Assassin Strength Shop with code vintage: https://www.armassassinstrengthshop.com/Find Arm Assassin Strength Shop on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/armassassinstrengthshop?igsh=czBuNmdpZW9obWUz👀 $2,500 plus Prizes 🤯 The HomeGymCon Grip Strength Championship is June 27, 2025 ➡️ https://ironpodium.com/browse/event/home-gym-con-grip-championship?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaYDRdlT7qx1w37vBJ0-dVjiCu2qzcAjYcESeETACaV4CjoEw7IJGiO4loE_aem_t0TKTeitqN5xHFv43Sx4YA
Apr 5, 2025
1 hr 3 min
#51 John “The Viking” Mouser: Old Time Strongman, Pro Wrestling, and America’s Got Talent
Episode Description In this engaging episode of Home Gym History, Rob from Vintage Weights PGH sits with John Mauser, also known as Viking John. John shares his passion for old-time strongman feats and his journey as a coach and performer. Listeners get insights into his unique powerlifting techniques, arm wrestling pursuits, and entertaining feats like bending steel and ripping cards. The episode also touches upon John's Amazon publication, 'Forgotten Strength 101', his social media presence, and his experience auditioning for America's Got Talent. An exploration of John's methods emphasizes both strength training and engaging audience performances, encouraging viewers to subscribe for more unique strength content. Episode Outline (0:00) Welcome to Home Gym History (0:24) John Mouser's Training Regimen (1:39) The Challenges of Arm Wrestling (3:03) Balancing Grip Training and Arm Wrestling (6:29) Journey into Pro Wrestling (12:42) Transition to Strongman Competitions (16:06) Discovering Old Time Strongman Feats (28:59) Planning and Performing Strength Exhibitions (34:19) The Mindset of a Performer (35:35) Grand Finale: America's Got Talent (38:15) Relatable Visuals in Strongman Acts (41:09) Learning from the Best(50:51) Coaching Journey and COVID Adaptations (59:10) America's Got Talent Experience (1:06:19) Final Thoughts and Plugs Links John Mouser’s Book, Forgotten Strength 101 John on Instagram
Oct 3, 2024
1 hr 7 min
#50 Indiana Stones, the Man Uncovering the History of Irish Stone Lifting
Links Use code Vintage to save on HGC Tix: https://garage-gym-experiment.myshopify.com/products/2025-homegymconFollow - @vintageweightspgh Indiana Stones on IG: https://www.instagram.com/_indiana_stones_/ Episode Outline (0:00) Introduction: David Keohan's Mission to Find and Lift Ancient Stones (4:42) Exploring Stones with Fascinating Stories (15:07) The Scalp Stone: Uncovering Ancient Celtic Traditions (20:32) Preserving Irish Culture Through Oral History and Stones (23:51) The Wind Under It: Unearthing an Irish Culture - David Keohan's Book (26:30) Training with Kettlebells and the Transition to Stone Lifting (33:58) Reviving Ancient Traditions: Stone Lifting (38:20) Preserving Heritage: Impact of David Keohan's Work (46:04) Upcoming Projects: Documentary and Book on Stone Lifting Summary David Keohan, also known as Indiana Stones, embarked on a mission to find and lift forgotten and lost lifting stones in Ireland. His journey began during the COVID-19 lockdowns when he couldn't access his usual gym equipment. He started lifting stones in his backyard and fell in love with the functionality and physicality of it. Through research and exploration, David discovered various lifting stones in Ireland, each with its own historical and mythological significance. He has documented his adventures in a book titled 'The Wind Under It: Unearthing an Irish Culture.' David also incorporates kettlebell training into his fitness routine. David Keohan shares his journey in kettlebell sport and stone lifting, highlighting his achievements and the challenges he faced. He started kettlebell sport at the age of 35 and quickly became successful, winning competitions and setting world records. He then transitioned to stone lifting, rediscovering the ancient tradition of lifting natural stones in Ireland. David's passion for preserving and reviving this cultural practice has gained attention and recognition, leading to opportunities such as a TED talk, a book, and a documentary. He emphasizes the importance of the stones' stories and the connection to Irish and Scottish culture. David's journey is a testament to the power of passion and the ability to turn things around at any age. Takeaways David Keohan's mission to find and lift forgotten and lost lifting stones in Ireland began during the COVID-19 lockdowns when he couldn't access his usual gym equipment. He discovered the functionality and physicality of stone lifting and fell in love with it. Through research and exploration, David found various lifting stones in Ireland, each with its own historical and mythological significance. He has documented his adventures in a book titled 'The Wind Under It: Unearthing an Irish Culture.' David also incorporates kettlebell training into his fitness routine. Passion and dedication can lead to success in sports and cultural practices. Rediscovering and preserving ancient traditions can bring a sense of pride and cultural revival. Setting goals and continuously improving can lead to personal growth and achievement. Age should not be a barrier to pursuing new challenges and achieving greatness.
Aug 22, 2024
48 min
#49 Ryan J Pitts, Stronger Grip, the History of Old Time Carnival Games and Strongman Feats of Strength
Summary Rob and Ryan J. Pitts discuss the history and products of Stronger Grip. The conversation delves into Ryan's inspiration for his unique fitness equipment, which draws from strongman, carnival games, and horror themes. They emphasize the importance of functional movements and grip training, and Ryan shares his journey in the fitness industry. The conversation highlights Ryan's passion for creating innovative products and building relationships within the fitness community. Outline (0:00) Introduction and Overview (3:04) The History and Offerings of Ryan J. Pitts Presents and Stronger Grip (11:59) The Intersection of Historical Strongman and Carnival Games in Ryan's Products (23:00) The Creative Process and Motivation Behind Ryan's Products (29:51) Improving Grip Strength and Functional Fitness with Ryan's Products (31:50) The Fun and Interactive Nature of Ryan's Products (49:37) Feats of Strength and Personal Achievements(51:58) Collaborating for Success (56:26) Focusing on Personal Growth (01:01:14) Engaging Customers through the Creation Process Links Use code Vintage to save on HGC Tix Follow  @vintageweightspgh  StongerGrip Website
Jul 25, 2024
1 hr 2 min
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