In the 13 years since opening my first CrossFit gym, I've come to appreciate the importance of maximizing every square inch of gym space.

This is especially important for gym rigs and racks. Given the size and weight of pull-up rigs and squat racks, not to mention the fact they're often bolted down, it's crucial to ensure the selection and placement are right.

In this article, I'll guide you through the key considerations for choosing the ideal rig for your garage. By the end, you might even decide that a freestanding rack is a better fit, offering more flexibility for your space.

1. Define Your Goals and Space Constraints:

What are you planning to achieve with your rig?

Is it for squatting and pressing, or do you need clearance for pull-ups and muscle-ups? Do you need your training station to feature ball targets for medicine ball throws, plyo step attachments, battle rope attachments, and suspension trainers? The versatility of rigs makes answering these questions an important first step.

A typical wall-mounted rig measures 8’ in height and 4’ in width. However, there's flexibility in adjusting the distance from the wall and the pull-up bar height, which I'll dive into later.

A 20kg barbell is 7’ long. Make sure you have enough clearance around the rig, allowing the barbell to fit easily and ensuring you can make hassle-free weight adjustments. This avoids any awkward movements that could lead to injuries or accidents.

2. Wall Spacing:

Again Faster has designed 12” and 24” braces that extend from the wall to the uprights. I have installed both and will say that the 12” variation is plenty. Even if you're into muscle-ups or extensive kipping pull-ups, installing a fly-away bar on the rig can provide the additional distance needed to avoid wall contact, all without sacrificing valuable floor space.

3. Rig Functionality:

What rig attachments are you considering? Be it a dip attachment, pivot attachment, band hooks, rings, or a pulley system, the range of attachments and possibilities is plenty. Powerlifters requiring safety straps might lean towards a cage setup over a wall rig. However, for general fitness enthusiasts, most removable attachments can be easily fitted and removed from the front of the rig, making it highly versatile.

4. Quality and Durability:

Again Faster Rigs are robust. There was a transition from 2X2” to 4X4” metal uprights in the past, but now, a solid 3X3” tubing is used. This size strikes a balance between strength and manageability, making it perfect for home use.

5. Mounting Considerations:

Stringers help attach the rig station to your wall. If you're fixing the rig to lightweight construction with weak wall studs, investing in stringers is advisable. However, an alternative I've found effective is using a 48” long piece of 1X4” wood as a makeshift stringer. Once fixed securely to the wall, it easily supports the rig extensions.

6. Future Expansion:

Plan ahead. If there's a possibility of multiple users in the future, ensure your first rig's placement allows for easy expansion. What's impressive about Again Faster's designs is their modularity, allowing seamless additions to your existing setup and training stations.

In conclusion, whether you're looking at the Slim Rig, Competition Backyard Rig, or the versatile EvoX Squat station on the Again Faster site, there are plenty of great out-of-the-box options. We're also happy to help you build your own custom solution based on your space requirements!

My parting advice? Make the most of your purchase. A garage pull-up rig offers endless fitness possibilities, from squatting and pulling to hanging off the thing. Go get it!