When corona restrictions closed gyms and set new demands on training, Matt Merrill, a life-long weightlifting enthusiast, partnered with Eleiko to create a complete gym at his residence in Kansas City, Missouri.
“In my spare time, if I’m not actually lifting weights, I’m watching home gym and equipment reviews online to relax and wind down. Before the outbreak in early 2020, I had been giving getting a home gym serious consideration, and when I got wind that gyms would close, I put a large order in with Eleiko,” explains Matt.
Matt partnered with Eleiko and chose to integrate the strength equipment in his living room, providing easy training access at all times. Matt’s home gym features Eleiko’s Evo dumbbells, lifting platform, Eleiko Competition Combo Rack, Eleiko Öppen Deadlift Bar as well as a complete range of plates, bars, racks, benches and kettlebells.
The versatility of the space provides at-home training opportunities for both Matt and his daughter – one of his favorite aspects of having a home gym.
“The best part is having ownership of a valuable asset that I can enjoy during my lifetime, then leave to my daughter. I’ve gotten her into weightlifting now and she loves it. Not just “valuable” in a monetary sense, but the equipment is meaningful to me. It represents a healthy activity that improves all aspects of life. Second best is not having to wait for the squat rack or bench,” shares Matt.
For Matt, the bar steel was also a determining factor in choosing to work with Eleiko.
“The steel that Eleiko uses is unmatched – and I’ve used almost every bar out there. I know it will last my lifetime, and my daughter can continue to enjoy it when I’m gone.”
