Do You Even Lift Bro?

Summary

The conversation covers the announcement of Rep Ares V2, the frustration of Rep Ares V1 owners, Rep's approach to new product releases, the use of affiliate links by influencers, the controversy between Garage Gym Reviews and The Strength Co, and the influx of Chinese equipment manufacturers in the home gym market. We also cover topics such as buying knockoff products, supporting American companies, the ethics of buying knockoffs, controversy over GymPin's product and upgrading equipment.

Takeaways

• Rep's announcement of Ares V2 has generated excitement and anticipation, but also frustration among recent buyers of the Ares V1.

• Rep's approach to new product releases has varied, with some products being teased out and others being announced without warning.

• The use of affiliate links by influencers can feel spammy and may not always align with the best interests of the consumer.

• The controversy between Garage Gym Reviews and The Strength Co highlights the influence of affiliate links in product recommendations.

• The home gym market is seeing an influx of Chinese equipment manufacturers, which can lead to a flooded market and potential issues with quality and originality. 

• Buying knockoff products can be tempting due to their lower prices, but it raises ethical questions about supporting the original creators and American companies.

• The home gym community is divided on the issue, with some prioritizing cost savings and others valuing supporting the originators.

• The availability of knockoff products on platforms like Alibaba makes it difficult for consumers to differentiate between genuine and counterfeit items.

• Upgrading equipment can be a personal choice driven by aesthetics, functionality, or a desire for change.

Chapters

• 00:00 Rep Ares V2 Announcement

• 02:48 Disgruntled Rep Aries V1 Owners

• 06:33 Rep's Approach to New Product Releases

• 08:51 Affiliate Links and Influencers

• 10:46 Garage Gym Reviews and The Strength Co Controversy

• 15:34 Chinese Equipment Manufacturers and Flooded Market

• 36:30 Supporting American Companies

• 39:35 The Ethics of Buying Knockoffs

• 42:52 Controversy Over Mammoth Belt Squat Kickstand

• 45:13 Jim Pin's Competing Product

• 50:39 Upgrading Equipment

• 55:47 New Equipment Purchases

• 01:04:09 Live Episode at Home Gym Con

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Episode Outline

• (0:35) Attachment recommendations for the DIY rack
• (1:22) Ideal Physique
• (3:22) Cons of home gyms
• (5:34) Tutorial for a leg holder for the wall-mounted pulley to do lat pulldowns?
• (7:39) DIY sandbag that won't break?
• (9:04) How can I do a strong and comfortable hip thrust machine (+300kg) with a bar?
• (10:10) Any new DIYs that you want to make?
• (13:15) Biggest mistake while making something for the home gym?
• (16:20) Leg curls on a reverse hyper?
• (17:07) How long has Mike been growing his luscious locks?
• (18:35) Why does Mike squat?
• (21:05) Where did your rack kettlebell storage shelf go in your latest workout reel? Is it coming back?
• (22:19) 2023 training goals?
• (26:30) Dream piece of equipment if money & space are non-factors?

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Episode Outline

• (0:20) Catching up on weather, dust, and more
• (5:11) Mike's gym updates
• (10:27) Pulley setup time
• (18:44) Pug Box
• (25:21) New gym equipment

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Episode Outline

• (1:23) What piece of home gym equipment would you recommend as a first upgrade over basics?
• (3:53) Can I get the Rogue Trolley without the lever arms
• (4:45) How do you do a DIY GHD with wood?
• (6:02) Trust your spouse with an equipment-related Christmas present purchase or buy yourself?
• (7:39) What is the GOAT Christmas cookie?
• (8:14) Favorite holiday food?
• (9:19) Any DIY projects you regret?
• (11:06) Favorite YouTube content to consume that isn't home gym related?
• (12:11) DIY equipment with the best ROI in your personal opinion? (belt squat, seal row, etc.)
• (14:12) Essential DIY tools? Do I need a drill press?
• (16:52) How sturdy are folding racks?
• (17:47) Wall-mounted/folding ghd
• (18:13) Got any good hacks for setting up glute bridges/hip thrusters?
• (18:41) How much of a boost do holiday sales give your affiliate commissions?
• (20:54) What equipment did you pick up during holiday sales?
• (23:05) Will you lift on Christmas Day?
• (24:05) Favorite Christmas movie?
• (26:37) Do you try to watch calories during the holidays or YOLO?
• (29:01) How you guys manage life and holidays and training!
• (30:48) Update on adapters! Compatibility with vendetta and other trolley arms, etc.
• (32:54) All wood creations you do, do you later do them in metal and sell them?
• (36:20) Matt creating products

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Links

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Episode Outline

• (0:40) DIY Power Rack Build
• (5:31) Matt's Update
• (12:20) Black Friday
• (18:52) Mutant Metals Handle
• (22:03) HomeGymCon

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Tristan Buttle joined Kyle on the pod to discuss:

• (0:24) Who is Tristan Buttle?
• (3:35) Ranting on social media
• (10:57) Commercial gyms
• (17:05) Home gyms in the UK
• (22:06) Michael Myers
• (29:22) What does Tristan’s gym look like?

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Matt and Kyle chat about that home gym social media life. 

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Matt and Kyle discuss new equipment in their homes along with other releases in the industry. Plus, Kyle updates us all on those jammer arm adapters.

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Kyle and Peej (@designbuildlift) chat about the role of DIY projects in a home gym, how they record and present these projects on social media, and end the episode with a game called “build, buy, burn.”

• (0:45) HomeGymCon Chat
• (3:45) How Peej got into DIY Gym Equipment
• (16:47) The Beginning of Design. Build. Lift. - DIY Fitness Club on YouTube
• (19:45) YouTube Monetization
• (20:45) Favorite Project
• (24:26) The Recording Process of DIY Projects
• (25:56) Build, Buy, Burn

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Matt and Kyle chat injuries, deloading, recovery times, and gym safety:

• (0:41) Workout-Related Injuries
• (5:53) Injuries Outside of the gym
• (21:06) De-Load
• (34:22) Safety

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Kim from Barbell Rescue

• (0:21) Kim went hunting
• (10:41) What is Barbell Rescue?
• (15:30) Toothpaste
• (20:00) Barbell Rescue momentum
• (27:02) Working out
• (42:05) Key takeaways

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Matt and Kyle take a bit of a new route this week by chatting about nutrition, cardio, ideal physiques, 

• (3:12) Food and Nutrition
• (12:30) Cardio
• (17:42) Ideal Physique
• (20:35) Biggest Struggles

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Kyle sits down with John Greaves III to chat about creating home gym content, balancing a hectic schedule, social media strategies, and more. 

• (0:25) A couple of news items
• (1:13) Tips for those looking to create home gym content
• (4:08) Juggling the work/life/work balance
• (8:51) Social media strategy
• (15:51) Primary platform

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Matt and Kyle discuss some recent news and answer questions about creating content within the home gym community. 

Show Notes:

• (0:00) Catch up time
• (5:33) Bully Glider
• (8:10) Marrs Bar

Content Creation Questions:

• (11:17) Where do I begin?
• (16:44) How do I gain followers?
• (26:20) Money
• (32:32) Do I need my own website?
• (36:55) Tips and tricks for a successful Reel
• (44:12) How do you measure what makes a post successful?
• (50:02) How does the pay structure work?
• (1:01:25) How do I decide which platforms may be the best for me?

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Nice Like Mike joins Matt and Kyle to discuss his home gym story, getting weights during COVID, Seattle, and MORE. 

Show Notes

• (0:29) Who is Nice Like Mike?
• (7:30) DIY Squat Rack & Getting Weights During COVID
• (9:02) Product Highlight: REP AB-5200 vs. AB-4100
• (10:20) Favorite Gym & Fitness Story
• (14:47) What Equipment Goes with a Move
• (16:09) Seattle
• (19:30) Any Chances of Competing?
• (22:34) Would Never DIY?
• (26:06) Best DIY Project?
• (29:18) Mike Turns The Tables

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In episode 2, Matt and Kyle discuss various topics, including the Rogue Multi-Grip Bar, Preacher Pad, interview Kim from Barbell Rescue, and we get to hear another crazy story. 

Show Notes:

• (0:43) Caffeine & Protein
• (6:45) Rogue Multi-Grip Bar
• (10:06) Product Highlight - Preacher Pad
• (12:22) Kim from Barbell Rescue Interview
• (40:21) Crazy Gym Story
• (43:48) Quick Fire Q&A

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In the first episode, Matt and Kyle discuss new releases from Rogue, their latest DIY projects, interview Adam from GGE about his dungeon gym,  a crazy gym story, answer some Q&A questions from the community, and MORE.

Show Notes:

• (1:04) Build Off #2
• (2:54) New Belt Squats for both
• (7:47) Matt Downgrades to Tent, Upgrades to Camber Bar Options
• (11:36) Interview with Adam
• (25:45) Crazy Gym Story
• (28:00) Q&A from Listeners

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