BasementGymDad’s
JPo Gym
Vintage Home Gym Archive - Entry No 6
Jason of Westfield, Massachusetts, has owned a basement gym for 6 years. The weekend Jason’s wife told him she was pregnant, he began a home gym. He competes in powerlifting, and a home gym seemed like a good way compliment his gym membership and do some speed work at home. What began as a simple setup with a rack, barbell, deadlift platform, and Bowflex 1090s, quickly “took on a real life of its own.” He hasn’t had a gym membership for 5.5 years now. Jason goes by BasementGymDad on Instagram and YouTube.
How long have you been collecting/using vintage weights?
My goal was to always have a home gym filled with Ivanko weights. They were the first plates I ever trained with at my first gym I ever joined. I knew it would take time. It was 5 years until I found my first set locally. Over the past 12 months I have successfully sold all of my original plates and now only own Ivanko, Ferrigno, York, and my wife’s Rogue fleck.
Why do you use vintage weights? Why not buy everything new?
There is just something about the clang and bang of old school deep dish…..They tell a story…..The hunt made it all worth it too. At one point a little over a year ago, my wife told me to just buy all new Ivanko or Rogue plates. You can’t make this up — I had a quote in hand and was ready to order the Ivanko. that night a seller had 6 45’s, 2 35s, 4 25s, 4 10s, 6 5s and two pairs of 2.5s along with an Ivanko OB30 curl bar for 1$ a lb. I messaged and was in my truck in 3 minutes. It would have been so easy to just order. But, there is something about the hunt and the work, time, effort, to get what you want.
What were the first older/vintage weights or equipment you acquired?
I stumbled across 4 York milled back 20kg (blues). For my wife’s first mother’s day she told me she wanted a pair of 10lb bumpers. I found a seller about 15 minutes away for 20$. The day of pickup he emailed asking if I was interested in other plates. I said I’d check them out when I got there. When I arrived, I saw the blues. He said ‘80$ for the 4 Yorks, 2 10’s, a bar and a few sets of collars. I’m hitting the road to Florida and just can’t fit this.’ I did a quick eBay search. Saw the 20kgs going for around 250-300 a pair, I asked if he was sure, loaded the truck and ran.
What are the most used vintage weights in your home gym?
My first 4 plates on deads are the York 20kgs. But, I use my Ivanko every day.
What is a favorite vintage item in your home gym?
Tough one…..It isn’t restored yet, but I love the OB84. I got it randomly when I picked up a set of M series last winter. It is going to be my winter project and I think it will quickly become my favorite. I also love the OB30 curl bar. I have a newer Rogue curl bar and a few other power bars, but I can’t let these go.
You can invite one strength sport related person and/or athlete to lift with you in your home gym for a day. Who's stopping by?
Ronnie Coleman. When I started lifting I didn’t have a coach, trainer, or anyone in my life who lifted. I just started watching YouTube videos of this guy and loved that he was a cop, a dad, a lifter, a champion!
What is your most frequent method for finding and buying vintage weights?
I have a self-admitted, unhealthy, addiction to Facebook marketplace. I spend far too much time. But, aside from vintage, I was able to build my space through buying and selling. I am not a “flipper” though. I never have gone after a buy that I wouldn’t/couldn’t keep one item I wanted or needed. So, I would go and make a big buy, keep my items of need, then post priced well under the area flippers to hit my break even (free for my item) point and help other local buyers.
Do you have any advice for someone interested in starting to find and buy vintage weights?
Find what you love, and go after it. There are so many different brands and styles out there. It’s tough. But, get what you love vs. what the internet makes you think you should love is important. If you love what you use it just adds something special to the workouts.
Do you have any other hobbies?
Love cooking on a Blackstone flattop grill, being a dad, competing in powerlifting, reading about equipment and training programs.
Do you have anything you're currently in search of? A dream find?
This will sound cheesy. But, right now I am searching a vintage stand alone wrist roller and a pair of 60lb GPI iron pro style thick grip dumbbells. I have 65-100 and just need the 60s to complete my DB set.
Is there anything else you'd like to say/include for the readers?
Not truly vintage weights related, but home gym related, people often ask ‘how do you workout at home?’ For me, I always admit I struggled at first. Things were all over the place, it was dark, I was using hand me down weights, didn’t love what I had, and really kind of labored through my lifts to ‘get the work done’. Once I committed to organizing, getting equipment I enjoyed, adding lighting, etc…..I love nothing more than walking down those basement steps and getting a lift in. Make it your own. Make it what you love. Build slowly. And, enjoy your process.
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