• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
The BarBend Logo in white.

BarBend

The Online Home for Strength Sports

  • Strength
    • Best Home Gym Machines
      • Best Functional Trainers
      • Best Squat Racks
      • Best Budget Home Gym Equipment
      • Best Cable Machines
      • Best Weight Benches
      • Best Smith Machines
      • Best Smart Home Gyms
    • Best Barbells
      • Best Budget Exercise Bikes
      • Best Budget Barbells
      • Best Powerlifting Barbells
      • Best Barbells For Women
    • Best Kettlebells
      • Best Adjustable Kettlebells
    • Best Dumbbells
      • Best Adjustable Dumbbells
    • More Strength Equipement
      • Best Resistance Bands
      • Best Weight Plates
      • Best Bumper Plates
      • Best Slam Balls
      • Best Weighted Vests
      • Best Weight Sleds
      • All Other Strength Equipment
    • Training
      • Exercise Guides
        • Deadlift
        • Bench Press
        • Back Squat
        • Overhead Press
        • Lat Pulldown
        • Shoulder Exercises
        • Chest Exercises
        • Ab Exercises
        • Quad Exercises
        • Biceps Exercises
      • Training Guides
        • Beginner’s Guide to the Gym
        • How to Build Muscle
        • Guide to Muscle Hypertrophy
        • How to Train on a Cut
      • Workouts
        • Back Workouts
        • At-Home Workouts
        • Chest & Back Workouts
        • Full-Body Workout
        • HIIT Workouts
        • Bodybuilding Workouts
        • Farmer’s Carry Workouts
      • Programs
        • 5×5 Program
        • Bodybuilding Programs
        • Push-Up Program
        • Pull-Up Program
        • 5/3/1 Program
        • Powerbuilding Program
        • German Volume Training
        • Build Your Own Program
    • News
      • CrossFit
      • Strongman
      • Bodybuilding
      • Powerlifting
      • Weightlifting
      • HYROX
    • Individual Strength Equipment Reviews
  • Nutrition
    • Best Protein
      • Best Protein Powder for Men
      • Best Whey Isolate Protein Powders
      • Best Protein Powder For Women
      • Best Tasting Protein Powders
      • Best Protein Bars
      • Protein by Goal
        • Best Mass Gainer
        • Best Protein Powder for Weight Loss
        • Best Protein Powder for Weight Gain
        • Best Protein Powder for Muscle Gain
      • Protein by Diet
        • Best Egg White Protein Powder
        • Best Keto Protein Powder
        • Best Organic Protein Powder
        • Best Vegan Protein Powders
    • Best BCAA’s
      • Best BCAA’s for Women
    • Best Fat Burners
      • Best Non-Stim Fat Burners
      • Best Fat Burners For Men
      • Best Curved Treadmills
      • Best Fat Burners For Women
    • Best Pre-Workouts
      • Best Non-Stim Pre-Workouts
      • Best Pre-Workout for Women
      • Best Pre-Workouts for Men
      • Strongest Pre-Workouts
    • Best Creatine
      • Best Creatine Gummies
      • Best Creatine For Women
      • Best Creatine for Men
    • Other Nutrition Products
      • Best Meal Replacements
      • Best Nitric Oxide Supplements
      • Best Electrolyte Supplements
      • Best Greens Powder
        • Best Greens Powder for Pregnancy
      • Best Meal Delivery Services
        • Best Budget Meal Delivery Services
        • Best Vegan Meal Delivery Service
        • Best Healthy Meal Delivery Service
        • Best Meal Delivery Service for Weight Loss
        • Best Paleo Meal Delivery Services
        • Best Multivitamins for Women
        • Best Multivitamins for Men
        • Best Supplement Stacks
        • Best Multivitamins
    • Guides
      • Diets
        • Carb Cycling
        • Vertical Diet
        • Reverse Dieting
        • Carnivore Diet
        • Ketogenic Diet
        • Intermittent Fasting
        • IIFYM Diet
      • Muscle Gain
        • How to Dirty Bulk
        • Go From Cutting to Bulking
        • Eat These Carbs
        • How to Eat for Muscle
      • Fat Loss
        • Macros for Fat Loss
        • Calorie Deficits
        • Natural Fat Burners
        • Cut 2 Pounds Weekly
      • Supplement Guides
        • Pre-Workout
        • Whey Protein
        • Mass Gainers
        • Greens Powders
        • Creatine
        • BCAAs
      • Daily Protein Needs
      • Pre- and Post-Workout Nutrition
      • Foods With Creatine
      • Bulking Tips
    • Individual Supplement Reviews
  • Conditioning
    • Best Treadmills
      • Best Manual Treadmills
      • Best Compact Treadmills
      • Best Budget Treadmills
      • Best Treadmills Under $2000
      • Best Treadmills Under $1000
      • Best Treadmills For Tall People
      • Best Commercial Treadmills
      • Best Under Desk Treadmills
    • Best Rowing Machines
      • Best Water Rowing Machines
      • Best Budget Rowing Machines
      • Best Compact Rowing Machines
      • Best Foldable Rowing Machines
      • Best Air Rowing Machines
    • Best Exercise Bikes
      • Best Recumbent Bikes
      • Best Folding Exercise Bikes
      • Best Exercise Bikes For Seniors
      • Best Air Bikes
    • Best Ellipticals
      • Best Budget Ellipticals
      • Best Compact Ellipticals
      • Best Rear Driving Ellipticals
      • Best Ellipticals For Seniors
      • Best Under Desk Ellipticals
      • Best Ellipticals Under $1000
    • Other Conditioning Products
      • Best Jump Ropes
      • Best Plyometric Boxes
      • Best Speed Sleds
      • Best Agility Ladders
      • Best Vertical Climbers
      • Best Commercial Stair Climbers
      • Best Affordable Stair Climbers
    • Individual Cardio Equipment Reviews
  • Recovery
    • Best Cold Plunges
    • Best Saunas
      • Best Infrared Sauna
    • Best Massage Guns
      • Best Mini-Massage Guns
    • Best Compression Boots
    • Best Back Massagers
    • Best Massage Chairs
    • Other Recovery Tools
      • Best Inversion Tables
      • Best Vibrating Massage Rollers
      • Best Massage Balls
      • Best Ice Wraps
      • Best Foam Rollers
    • Recovery Guides
  • Fitness Accessories
    • Fitness Tech
      • Best Fitness Apps
        • Best Weightlifting Apps
        • Best Workout Programs
        • Best Cycling Apps
        • Best Treadmills Apps
        • Best Workout Streaming Services
        • Best Workout Apps
        • Best Running Apps
    • Best Bluetooth Earbuds
    • Best Digital Scales
      • Best Smart Scales
    • Best Fitness Trackers
      • Best Heart Rate Monitors
      • Best Pedometers
      • Best Stopwatches
    • Apparel
      • Best Running Shoes
      • Best Weightlifting Shoes
      • Best Cross Training Shoes
      • Best Gym Shorts
      • Best Sports Bras
      • Best Trail Running Shoes
    • Support Gear
      • Best Lifting Straps
      • Best Gym Bags
      • Best Lifting Gloves
      • Best Wrist Wraps
      • Best Lifting Chalk
      • Best Dip Belts
      • Best Pull Up Assist Bands
      • Best Lifting Belts
  • Community Forum

An Ode to the CrossFit Garage Gym

March 2, 2024 by Nicky Freymond

In one of his first orders of business after CrossFit.com went live in February 2001, coach Greg Glassman programmed and published the site’s first workout. Though it originally went unnamed, the workout later became known as “Fast and Heavy” and consisted of dumbbell thrusters and quarter-mile runs.

As more and more athletes began to check in on this new website and use the “dot com” workouts to train, many did so from their basements, in their backyards, in their driveways, and in their garages. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qrlKPhTt4Ng

[Related: Breaking Down the Most Common CrossFit Open Movement Combinations]

The Garage Gym Spreads

In September 2002, Glassman penned an article in The CrossFit Journal titled “The Garage Gym.” In it, he guides his readers through “outfitting a world-class strength and conditioning facility in your garage.” He provides equipment shopping lists and instructions on how to create the ideal space on a budget. 

Glassman’s article came out before CrossFit affiliates began multiplying throughout the world. Today, CrossFit.com reports that there are currently over 12,000 affiliated gyms, which makes it easier for athletes to find a space that suits their needs and goals. 

However, many individuals still opt for the humble garage gym, perhaps due to convenience, accessibility, schedule, or just a personal preference. 

In a sport where the garage gym is at the heart of its history, it’s always meaningful when the CrossFit Games crew gives a nod to these athletes and their often impressive spaces. 

A Time to Shine

In 2016, the 16.2 Open announcement and the subsequent throwdown between Dan Bailey and Björgvin Karl Guðmundsson was held in a garage gym for the first time. On that cold night in Candler, NC, in Crossfitter Joel Hartzler’s garage, Bailey and BKG went head-to-head across 20 minutes of toes-to-bar, double-unders, and squat cleans. 

Hartzler was chosen from a field of thousands of hopefuls, who had to send pictures of their garage gyms to CrossFit for the chance to be chosen to host the workout. 

A Return to Form

For the 24.2 Open Announcement, CrossFit returns to a garage gym, but this time, it belongs to two-time CrossFit Games champion Justin Medeiros. 

Medeiros’ “Shred Shed” will host the March 7 battle between himself and fellow Games athlete Colten Mertens. Anyone who has seen Medeiros’ YouTube channel has quite likely drooled over his facility. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=koN-3towr08

[Related: Laura Horvath Takes 7th at 2024 European Weightlifting Championships]

While garage gyms may call to mind multi-use spaces with gritty floors, a squat rack in one corner, and some fertilizer and tools in another, the Shred Shed is far from that. With almost every piece of Rogue equipment one can imagine, Medeiros built and customized the ultimate destination for any CrossFitter. But this isn’t technically the first Shred Shed. 

In 2021, before he won that year’s CrossFit Games, Medeiros trained out of a literal shed. During this time, he traveled periodically to Vancouver, Washington, to work with coach Adam Neifer at CrossFit Fort Vancouver. But while he was home in Boise, Idaho, his facility was an 18-by-15-foot shed, equipped with what he could afford at the time and what would fit. It wasn’t much, but it was enough to build a champion. 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Justin Medeiros (@justinmedeiros34)

[Related: Interview: Haley Adams Talks About Her Year Away From CrossFit Competition]

The Bottom Line

The 24.2 throwdown is a significant tip of the cap to all the garage gym grinders out there, opting for a more grassroots approach to their fitness. Each year, #garagegym can be found on the Open leaderboard so those athletes can compete against one another, far and wide. 

An ardent supporter of affiliates, Medeiros extended an invitation for any and all gyms in his area to send a shirt his way so that he can hang it up during the live event for the CrossFit team to film.

With 24.2 right around the corner and without all the details known, the excitement is building and speculation is running wild. Regardless of the workout, Thursday, March 7, is going to be a proud moment for garage gym owners everywhere.

Featured image: @justinmedeiros34 / Instagram

BarBend

BarBend is an independent website. The views expressed on this site may come from individual contributors and do not necessarily reflect the view of BarBend or any other organization. BarBend is the Official Media Partner of USA Weightlifting.

  • About Us
  • Advertise With Us
  • Contact Us
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Pinterest

Sections

  • CrossFit
  • Strongman
  • Bodybuilding
  • Powerlifting
  • Weightlifting
  • Reviews
  • Nutrition
  • Training

More

  • BarBend Newsletter
  • BarBend Podcast
  • The Ripped Report
  • 1RM Calculator
  • BMR Calculator
  • Macros Calculator
  • Protein Calculator
  • Squat Calculator

Policies

  • Accessibility
  • Advice Disclaimer
  • Cookies Policy
  • Disclaimers
  • Disclosures
  • Editorial Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use

Copyright © 2025 · BarBend Inc · Sitemap