Today we are going to share the 3 best budget friendly bench for a home gym that still gets the job done safely.
2026 Fall Garage Gym Competition
When? October 3rd - October 10th
Where? Wherever You Lift!
How Much? Totally Free
What Is The GGC?
The biggest and baddest virtual powerlifting meet on the planet
is back… the Garage Gym Competition!
Our Fall event will take place in the beginning of October
between the 3rd and 11th.
As always, free participation, tons of prizes, and the inclusive environment you’ve come to love.
Lift, have fun, maybe win a prize, and help donate to non-Profits.
Did I mention, it is all free? And the fun doesn’t end on the 10th.
Live Stream Events, Awards Ceremonies, Prize Week, and Data Insights all coming your way throughout the month of May!
What do you have to lose?
From 2 years old to 62 years old, first time squatters and professional powerlifters, all across the globe, We welcome all who pursue strength with a barbell!
Over $17k in prizes up for grabs in this event
We will donate 1 Penny Per Pound Lifted To A Non-Profit On Your Behalf
Prizes and Sponsors
We’ve given away over $100k in prizes since 2018, and this Fall we’ve got another $17k up for grabs. Prizes go out in our “open drawing” which means everyone has an equal chance… as long as your participate… to take home everything from shirts and banners to gift cards, barbells, benches, cable attachments, and much more!
How Can I Compete In The 2026 Fall GGC? Don't worry, we keep it simple
Step 1
Perform a successful 1 Rep Max Squat, Bench, and/or Deadlift
Step 2
Record those lifts with your phone, camera, whatever you got.
Step 3
Upload the videos to Social Media and use the event hashtag #26FallGGC
Step 4
Enter your results in the Submission Form
Non-Profits
We’ve donated more than $25k to Non-Profits since 2018 with YOUR HELP. The GGC and Gray Matter Lifting will be donating ONE Pennny PER Pound lifted in the 2026 Fall GGC, directly to Better Through The Barbell.
Learn From The Best Want To Bring Your Best To The GGC? Our Coaches & Contributers Are Here To Help
Josh Max, MD, CPT
Josh Max(well) is a Pediatrician, NASM certified personal trainer, and home gym design specialist. Dad, garage gym owner, GGC participant, and proud member of the 999lb Club.
Sanjiv Gupta
Far from a traditional powerlifter, Sanjiv competes in USAWA with a background in CrossFit, Grip Training, Climbing, Strongman, Cycling, and much MUCH more.
Michael Shae
Michael currently holds 24 National and State records in powerlifting, an MS in Occupational Therapy, and multiple coaching certifications.
Manda Wolff
Manda is the GGC Resident Expert Powerlifter. has competed in four federations, judged for four federations, and has attended more meets than she can keep track of.
Sam Funderburk
Sam has gone from collapsed lung in his early 20s to competitive strongman and powerlifter… often competing in BOTH sports in the same week. Friend of the “no-warm-up”, Sam is a monster.
Everett Brill
He comes from a powerlifting family watching both his parents compete in powerlifting. He has been competing in powerlifting for over a decade.
Matthew Taylor
From eating disorders to broken bones, torn hamstrings and powerlifting records. Matthew has made all the mistakes and been through a number of ups and downs, all so you don’t have to.
Mark Rosenberg
His Instagram feed is full of him doing anything but “normal” lifting. But don’t think his tricks are illusions, he can deadlift damn near 1000lb and has taken top spots in the GGC multiple times.
Christina Leonatti
Christina is a world record holder in the bench press, while running a Non-Profit helping women get into powerlifting.
Helpful Articles Basics and Beginners To Advanced Tips and Tricks
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So the question arises: “What rack attachments do you really need for powerlifting?”. Today, we’ll answer that question for you with the 3 power rack attachments you need for powerlifting.
Live Streams & More
We’ll compete the week of October 3rd, but the fun doesn’t end there. The following week is Awards Week, where we have multiple Live Stream Events and hand out SWORDS and PIE! We’ll follow that up with Prize Week all week long, and then wrap it up with Data Week and full results before we close it out.
Our Athletes We've had over 5000 athletes around the globe enter
Gabriel is a Type 2 Diabetic crushing state records in powerlifting and married to his high school sweetheart.
Joey Echeverria has been competing in powerlifting for multiple years now, and has recently clocked his 3rd year and 5th event for the GGC. Let's take a look at his journey.
When I get a chance to see someone like Andrew Garrison who has found a path forward as a father and a lifter in his garage gym, I get excited.
Trae Hobby has won TWICE in the GGC, and he isn't even a powerlifter. He just refuses to NOT show up. Check him out.
He asked if he could lift in a luchador mask, and the rest is history. Today we talk to Eddie Baumgartner - AKA The Masked Lifter.
Got Friends?
One of the best ways to take full advantage of the GGC, is to open your doors to local lifters. Friends, family, neighbors, or a buddy from work. Invite them over, and get after it together. If you run a gym and want to host a meet, this is a great opportunity to line it up for your athletes.
We’ve got checklists and articles to help, and we’ll even kick ya some cash money for food and drinks.