We review free products that we receive and participate in affiliate programs, where we may be compensated for items purchased through links from our site.
See our disclosures page for more information.
Garage Gym Reviews pledged $50,000 in fitness equipment to the New York Fire Department – and you can help, too.
Did you know that the New York Fire Department firefighters themselves often pool their own money for the weight equipment in their station’s training rooms?
When I learned that, my jaw almost hit the floor.
These men and women are tasked with physically (and emotionally) challenging work. Every day, they can be found climbing skyscrapers wearing extremely heavy gear, moving through burning structures and rescuing people. Being in excellent physical condition is more than expected; it’s practically a requirement for the job.
To maintain their fitness, FDNY staff have the ability to exercise right there at the station.
“We’re in here at 5:30 in the morning working out, getting our bodies ready, so we can do the work,” said Capt. Robert Cefoli of the FDNY. “Our city depends on it. If one of us is the weak link, we’re a liability.”
Unfortunately, there is a significant need for equipment at the fire stations. As a solution, firefighters either purchase their own equipment, or they secure donations of it. And sometimes, the donated equipment is in poor condition.
I went to the Big Apple to visit the FDNY. I got a tour of a training facility where men and women test their skills. I was told that they exercise in rain, sleet, snow, 100 degrees and freezing temperatures.
“If you hate fitness, this is not the job for you,” Cefoli said.
The fitness center at the central training facility I walked through had the equipment I’m used to seeing: Rogue racks, barbells, weight plates and manual treadmills. It looked pretty decent, and that’s coming from a guy who makes a living from building out home gyms.
However, I was reminded that the fire stations themselves – and there are 218 across NYC – do not have such great facilities. Cefoli reiterated that often, the firefighters themselves are chipping in to buy equipment for the station.
I want to change that.
Donate Now
It was an easy decision for us at Garage Gym Reviews to pledge $50,000 to FDNY for their fire station training rooms. If you feel inspired to help, please do so at the link below:
Further reading
Anyone who’s ever used a battle rope knows how quickly it can jack your heart rate up and leave you feeling winded. Even the fittest people I know can get their behinds whooped by a battle rope.You might normally see these long and heavy ropes in use at the gym, but they’re also an excellent choice for a home workout. Like most home gym equipment products, there are tons of battle ropes to choose from, spanning a wide range of budgets. Choosing one can get tricky, as you always want to make sure you get the most bang for your buck.In our Hyperwear Hyper Rope battle rope review, I take a look at the patent-pending design of this unique piece of workout equipment. Is the Hyper Rope one of the best battle ropes? Let’s find out.RELATED: Read My Hyperwear Hyper Vest Elite Weighted Vest ReviewWhy You Should Trust Us I’ve tested many a battle rope in my day. I’ve used budget options that fray within days of use and high-end ropes that don’t show a single sign of wear after years. From traditional battle ropes like theOnnit Battle Ropes to niche fitness rope products like theInertia Wave, I understand what materials, construction, anchoring systems, and designs make a good battle rope. Read more
The MIRROR is fun and futuristic, but is it a good home gym investment? Our MIRROR review will help you decide. Read more
TheTexas All American Barthe first general-purpose barbell produced by Buddy Capps, the company behind the legendary Texas Power Bar. Utilizing a similar construction and material list as the Texas Power Bar, the All American Barbell features a more passive knurl to allow things like barbell cycling. Although the Texas All American Bar isn't the best bar we've reviewed, the price, features, and quality make it a bar that we can easily recommend. Read more
Nearly every home gym in the world features dumbbells. The issue for most is that they take up a lot of space and they’re expensive. In this guide, we’re going to solve one of those problems by showing you how to make DIY Concrete Dumbbells for less than $20. With the proper creativity, you could get these above 150 LB or as low as 5 LB and do it cheaply. Read more