GROUNDWORKprototype

Ground. Work. Grow.

Your space can do
more than you think.

Three things here already do all eleven kinds of training. Groundwork starts from what is in the room and where it sits, and shows what works together, what is within reach, what is blocked, and what one change would do. Photograph the room, or tell it what is in there. What it reads from a photo is a suggestion until you say it is right.

One change at a time, and usually it is a tape measure or a tidy-up rather than a purchase.

Have a code? Start →

A drawing of a garage set up to train in: a power rack with a loaded barbell on its J-hooks, a bench and a mat on a clear strip of floor in front of it, pegboards of tools and helmets down both walls, plants on the shelves and the floor, and a wagon, a child's bike and an air bike parked along the sides.
A garage like the one behind these figures. Every figure on this page is computed from a real room, measured with a tape — not from this drawing.

Work · three moves

  1. 01Photograph the spaceOne photo of the room, or a few. Nothing to set up first.
  2. 02List the whole roomOne box, a line each. The photo is the evidence for every one of them.
  3. 03See what it does togetherOne kettlebell covers six of the eleven patterns, not one thing you own. Say the rack is against a wall and the back squat goes with it; the pull-up bar, the grip work and the landmine stay.

Ground · the room is the model

Move something. Watch every room change.

Pick a thing, then tap a room. Every room answers at once — including the ones that do not change.

Suspension trainer is in Garage now. Tap another room to see what moving it would do.

Garage would lose its suspension push-ups, rows and 5 more — Adjustable bench and Gymnastic rings still cover those there. Recovery closet would gain them.

Garage would lose its suspension push-ups, rows and 5 more — Adjustable bench and Gymnastic rings still cover those there. Backyard would gain them.

Garage would lose its suspension push-ups, rows and 5 more — Adjustable bench and Gymnastic rings still cover those there. Basement desk would gain them.

Kettlebell — 35 lb is in Garage now. Tap another room to see what moving it would do.

Garage would lose its kettlebell press, one-arm row and 5 more — Olympic barbell and Kettlebell — 25 lb still cover those there. Recovery closet would gain them.

Garage would lose its kettlebell press, one-arm row and 5 more — Olympic barbell and Kettlebell — 25 lb still cover those there. Backyard would gain them.

Garage would lose its kettlebell press, one-arm row and 5 more — Olympic barbell and Kettlebell — 25 lb still cover those there. Basement desk would gain them.

Power rack is in Garage now. Tap another room to see what moving it would do.

It does not go there — there is no room for it there. The only room on this record that holds it is Garage.

It does not go there — it is not a thing you carry outside. The only room on this record that holds it is Garage.

It does not go there — there is no room for it there. The only room on this record that holds it is Garage.

Sandbag is in Garage now. Tap another room to see what moving it would do.

Garage would lose its sandbag bear-hug squat, deadlift and 3 more — Olympic barbell and Kettlebell — 25 lb still cover those there. Recovery closet would gain them.

Garage would lose its sandbag bear-hug squat, deadlift and 3 more — Olympic barbell and Kettlebell — 25 lb still cover those there. Backyard would gain them.

Garage would lose its sandbag bear-hug squat, deadlift and 3 more — Olympic barbell and Kettlebell — 25 lb still cover those there. Basement desk would gain them.

Cannonball grip is in Garage now. Tap another room to see what moving it would do.

Garage would lose its cannonball grip holds — Gymnastic rings and Power rack still cover that there. Recovery closet would gain them.

Garage would lose its cannonball grip holds — Gymnastic rings and Power rack still cover that there. Backyard would gain them.

Garage would lose its cannonball grip holds — Gymnastic rings and Power rack still cover that there. Basement desk would gain them.

Every figure is the real model run twice, before and after — the same answer the thing’s own card gives. Nothing moves until you say so.

Or pick things to put together. The bar reaches three cells on its own. Watch what each thing opens.

Olympic barbell

The olympic barbell on its own3 of 11

Empty-bar pressEmpty-bar rowBar carry

What the bar reaches with nothing on it.

The olympic barbell with the plates9 of 11

Floor pressStanding pressBarbell rowBack squatDeadliftEmpty-bar pressEmpty-bar rowBar carryPlate carryGround-to-overhead · and 2 more

Opens pressing, squats, deadlifts and swings, conditioning, trunk work and grip.

The olympic barbell with the landmine5 of 11

The bar drops into it and the far end becomes a lever, so the load is one-handed and angled.

Empty-bar pressEmpty-bar rowBar carryLandmine pressLandmine rowLandmine rotationsLandmine squat

Opens squats and trunk work.

The olympic barbell with the plates and landmine9 of 11

The bar drops into it and the far end becomes a lever, so the load is one-handed and angled.

Floor pressStanding pressBarbell rowBack squatDeadliftEmpty-bar pressEmpty-bar rowBar carryLandmine pressLandmine row · and 6 more

Opens pressing, squats, deadlifts and swings, conditioning, trunk work and grip.

The olympic barbell with the cable handles3 of 11

Empty-bar pressEmpty-bar rowBar carry

Same cells as the bar alone, and more ways to reach them.

The olympic barbell with the plates and cable handles9 of 11

Floor pressStanding pressBarbell rowBack squatDeadliftEmpty-bar pressEmpty-bar rowBar carryPlate carryGround-to-overhead · and 2 more

Opens pressing, squats, deadlifts and swings, conditioning, trunk work and grip.

The olympic barbell with the landmine and cable handles5 of 11

The bar drops into it and the far end becomes a lever, so the load is one-handed and angled.

A cable handle slips over the free end of the bar in the landmine, so every attachment you own is a different grip on the same lever.

Empty-bar pressEmpty-bar rowBar carryLandmine pressLandmine rowLandmine rotationsLandmine squatLandmine row with a handleLandmine rotations with a handle

Opens squats and trunk work.

The olympic barbell with the plates, landmine and cable handles9 of 11

The bar drops into it and the far end becomes a lever, so the load is one-handed and angled.

A cable handle slips over the free end of the bar in the landmine, so every attachment you own is a different grip on the same lever.

Floor pressStanding pressBarbell rowBack squatDeadliftEmpty-bar pressEmpty-bar rowBar carryLandmine pressLandmine row · and 8 more

Opens pressing, squats, deadlifts and swings, conditioning, trunk work and grip.

The olympic barbell with the rack5 of 11

Empty-bar pressEmpty-bar rowBar carryPull-upsBar hangs

Opens pull-ups and hangs and grip.

The olympic barbell with the plates and rack10 of 11

Floor pressStanding pressBarbell rowBack squatDeadliftEmpty-bar pressEmpty-bar rowBar carryPlate carryGround-to-overhead · and 4 more

Opens pull-ups and hangs, pressing, squats, deadlifts and swings, conditioning, trunk work and grip.

The olympic barbell with the landmine and rack7 of 11

The bar drops into it and the far end becomes a lever, so the load is one-handed and angled.

Empty-bar pressEmpty-bar rowBar carryLandmine pressLandmine rowLandmine rotationsLandmine squatPull-upsBar hangs

Opens pull-ups and hangs, squats, trunk work and grip.

The olympic barbell with the plates, landmine and rack10 of 11

The bar drops into it and the far end becomes a lever, so the load is one-handed and angled.

Floor pressStanding pressBarbell rowBack squatDeadliftEmpty-bar pressEmpty-bar rowBar carryLandmine pressLandmine row · and 8 more

Opens pull-ups and hangs, pressing, squats, deadlifts and swings, conditioning, trunk work and grip.

The olympic barbell with the cable handles and rack5 of 11

Empty-bar pressEmpty-bar rowBar carryPull-upsBar hangs

Opens pull-ups and hangs and grip.

The olympic barbell with the plates, cable handles and rack10 of 11

Floor pressStanding pressBarbell rowBack squatDeadliftEmpty-bar pressEmpty-bar rowBar carryPlate carryGround-to-overhead · and 4 more

Opens pull-ups and hangs, pressing, squats, deadlifts and swings, conditioning, trunk work and grip.

The olympic barbell with the landmine, cable handles and rack7 of 11

The bar drops into it and the far end becomes a lever, so the load is one-handed and angled.

A cable handle slips over the free end of the bar in the landmine, so every attachment you own is a different grip on the same lever.

Empty-bar pressEmpty-bar rowBar carryLandmine pressLandmine rowLandmine rotationsLandmine squatLandmine row with a handleLandmine rotations with a handlePull-ups · and 1 more

Opens pull-ups and hangs, squats, trunk work and grip.

The olympic barbell with the plates, landmine, cable handles and rack10 of 11

The bar drops into it and the far end becomes a lever, so the load is one-handed and angled.

A cable handle slips over the free end of the bar in the landmine, so every attachment you own is a different grip on the same lever.

Floor pressStanding pressBarbell rowBack squatDeadliftEmpty-bar pressEmpty-bar rowBar carryLandmine pressLandmine row · and 10 more

Opens pull-ups and hangs, pressing, squats, deadlifts and swings, conditioning, trunk work and grip.

The olympic barbell with the bench5 of 11

Empty-bar pressEmpty-bar rowBar carryBench step-ups and split squats

Opens pressing and squats.

The olympic barbell with the plates and bench9 of 11

Floor pressStanding pressBarbell rowBack squatDeadliftEmpty-bar pressEmpty-bar rowBar carryPlate carryGround-to-overhead · and 4 more

Opens pressing, squats, deadlifts and swings, conditioning, trunk work and grip.

The olympic barbell with the landmine and bench6 of 11

The bar drops into it and the far end becomes a lever, so the load is one-handed and angled.

Empty-bar pressEmpty-bar rowBar carryLandmine pressLandmine rowLandmine rotationsLandmine squatBench step-ups and split squats

Opens pressing, squats and trunk work.

The olympic barbell with the plates, landmine and bench9 of 11

The bar drops into it and the far end becomes a lever, so the load is one-handed and angled.

Floor pressStanding pressBarbell rowBack squatDeadliftEmpty-bar pressEmpty-bar rowBar carryLandmine pressLandmine row · and 8 more

Opens pressing, squats, deadlifts and swings, conditioning, trunk work and grip.

The olympic barbell with the cable handles and bench5 of 11

Empty-bar pressEmpty-bar rowBar carryBench step-ups and split squats

Opens pressing and squats.

The olympic barbell with the plates, cable handles and bench9 of 11

Floor pressStanding pressBarbell rowBack squatDeadliftEmpty-bar pressEmpty-bar rowBar carryPlate carryGround-to-overhead · and 4 more

Opens pressing, squats, deadlifts and swings, conditioning, trunk work and grip.

The olympic barbell with the landmine, cable handles and bench6 of 11

The bar drops into it and the far end becomes a lever, so the load is one-handed and angled.

A cable handle slips over the free end of the bar in the landmine, so every attachment you own is a different grip on the same lever.

Empty-bar pressEmpty-bar rowBar carryLandmine pressLandmine rowLandmine rotationsLandmine squatLandmine row with a handleLandmine rotations with a handleBench step-ups and split squats

Opens pressing, squats and trunk work.

The olympic barbell with the plates, landmine, cable handles and bench9 of 11

The bar drops into it and the far end becomes a lever, so the load is one-handed and angled.

A cable handle slips over the free end of the bar in the landmine, so every attachment you own is a different grip on the same lever.

Floor pressStanding pressBarbell rowBack squatDeadliftEmpty-bar pressEmpty-bar rowBar carryLandmine pressLandmine row · and 10 more

Opens pressing, squats, deadlifts and swings, conditioning, trunk work and grip.

The olympic barbell with the rack and bench7 of 11

Empty-bar pressEmpty-bar rowBar carryPull-upsBar hangsBench step-ups and split squats

Opens pull-ups and hangs, pressing, squats and grip.

The olympic barbell with the plates, rack and bench10 of 11

Floor pressStanding pressBarbell rowBack squatDeadliftEmpty-bar pressEmpty-bar rowBar carryPlate carryGround-to-overhead · and 6 more

Opens pull-ups and hangs, pressing, squats, deadlifts and swings, conditioning, trunk work and grip.

The olympic barbell with the landmine, rack and bench8 of 11

The bar drops into it and the far end becomes a lever, so the load is one-handed and angled.

Empty-bar pressEmpty-bar rowBar carryLandmine pressLandmine rowLandmine rotationsLandmine squatPull-upsBar hangsBench step-ups and split squats

Opens pull-ups and hangs, pressing, squats, trunk work and grip.

The olympic barbell with the plates, landmine, rack and bench10 of 11

The bar drops into it and the far end becomes a lever, so the load is one-handed and angled.

Floor pressStanding pressBarbell rowBack squatDeadliftEmpty-bar pressEmpty-bar rowBar carryLandmine pressLandmine row · and 10 more

Opens pull-ups and hangs, pressing, squats, deadlifts and swings, conditioning, trunk work and grip.

The olympic barbell with the cable handles, rack and bench7 of 11

Empty-bar pressEmpty-bar rowBar carryPull-upsBar hangsBench step-ups and split squats

Opens pull-ups and hangs, pressing, squats and grip.

The olympic barbell with the plates, cable handles, rack and bench10 of 11

Floor pressStanding pressBarbell rowBack squatDeadliftEmpty-bar pressEmpty-bar rowBar carryPlate carryGround-to-overhead · and 6 more

Opens pull-ups and hangs, pressing, squats, deadlifts and swings, conditioning, trunk work and grip.

The olympic barbell with the landmine, cable handles, rack and bench8 of 11

The bar drops into it and the far end becomes a lever, so the load is one-handed and angled.

A cable handle slips over the free end of the bar in the landmine, so every attachment you own is a different grip on the same lever.

Empty-bar pressEmpty-bar rowBar carryLandmine pressLandmine rowLandmine rotationsLandmine squatLandmine row with a handleLandmine rotations with a handlePull-ups · and 2 more

Opens pull-ups and hangs, pressing, squats, trunk work and grip.

The olympic barbell with the plates, landmine, cable handles, rack and bench10 of 11

The bar drops into it and the far end becomes a lever, so the load is one-handed and angled.

A cable handle slips over the free end of the bar in the landmine, so every attachment you own is a different grip on the same lever.

Floor pressStanding pressBarbell rowBack squatDeadliftEmpty-bar pressEmpty-bar rowBar carryLandmine pressLandmine row · and 12 more

Opens pull-ups and hangs, pressing, squats, deadlifts and swings, conditioning, trunk work and grip.

a combination opens it the bar alone reaches it nothing in the set reaches it eleven patterns, same order every row

That garage was measured with a tape: 16 × 20 ft, 8 ft to the joists, and the rack against the right wall. No photograph can answer any of those, and every figure above depends on them.

One thing, and what it works with

Olympic weight plates load the Adjustable bench for one lift the index counts, and on their own they do four more — plate carry, ground-to-overhead and plate pinch holds. 25 other things here reach at least one of those patterns.

Three things from that garage, as the app draws them. The gi belt is here twice — on its hook, and tied over the rack. Same belt, different job, and not the same card.

Kettlebell — 35 lb

Garage · Kettlebell row, lightest to heaviest · one step to get it out

Overhead pressing, rows, squats, deadlifts and swings, carries, trunk work, and grip, and the grip hold off the bell needs the Cannonball grip.

7 of 11 patterns · 25 other things here reach at least one of the same

What it's forsay which you use

On its own6 of 11

Kettlebell pressOne-arm rowGoblet squatKettlebell swingsSuitcase carryKettlebell halos and windmills

Counts for overhead pressing, rows, squats, deadlifts and swings, carries, and trunk work.

With Cannonball grip+1

The attachment hangs off the bell's handle by its clip, so every one-hand attachment you own becomes a handle on a kettlebell.

One-arm row off the bellGrip hold off the bell

Counts for grip.

adds it already there not reached eleven patterns, same order every row

Held differently

Fat Gripz thickens the handle, so everything you already pull becomes grip work as well

Move it somewhere else

What moving it would do. Nothing moves until you say so.

Move to Recovery closet Recovery closet 24 → 51 — rows 10 → 62, carries 10 → 62, grip 10 → 55, and 4 more · Garage holds at 95 — carries 96 → 95 Garage would lose its kettlebell press, one-arm row and 5 more — Olympic barbell and Kettlebell — 25 lb still cover those there. Recovery closet would gain them. Move it
Move to Backyard Backyard 31 → 54 — carries 10 → 62, grip 10 → 55, overhead pressing 26 → 63, and 4 more · Garage holds at 95 — carries 96 → 95 Garage would lose its kettlebell press, one-arm row and 5 more — Olympic barbell and Kettlebell — 25 lb still cover those there. Backyard would gain them. Move it
Move to Basement desk Basement desk 25 → 51 — rows 10 → 62, carries 10 → 62, grip 10 → 55, and 4 more · Garage holds at 95 — carries 96 → 95 Garage would lose its kettlebell press, one-arm row and 5 more — Olympic barbell and Kettlebell — 25 lb still cover those there. Basement desk would gain them. Move it
Olympic barbell

Garage · On the rack's J-hooks · one step to get it out

Pressing, overhead pressing, rows, squats, deadlifts and swings, carries, and trunk work, and the landmine rotations and landmine rotations with a handle need the Landmine attachment.

7 of 11 patterns · 22 other things here reach at least one of the same

What it's forsay which you use

On its own3 of 11

Empty-bar pressEmpty-bar rowBar carry

Counts for overhead pressing, rows and carries.

With Olympic weight plates+3

Floor pressStanding pressBarbell rowBack squatDeadlift

Counts for pressing, squats, and deadlifts and swings.

With Landmine attachment+1

The bar drops into it and the far end becomes a lever, so the load is one-handed and angled.

Landmine pressLandmine rowLandmine rotationsLandmine squat

Counts for trunk work.

With Landmine attachment and Cable attachmentssame reach

A cable handle slips over the free end of the bar in the landmine, so every attachment you own is a different grip on the same lever.

Landmine row with a handleLandmine rotations with a handle

Counts for rows and trunk work.

adds it already there not reached eleven patterns, same order every row

Held differently

Fat Gripz thickens the handle, so everything you already pull becomes grip work as well

Move it somewhere else

What moving it would do. Nothing moves until you say so.

Move to Recovery closet Recovery closet 24 → 43 — rows 10 → 62, carries 10 → 58, overhead pressing 26 → 63, and 2 more · Garage holds at 95 — carries 96 → 95 Garage would lose its floor press, standing press and 5 more — Adjustable bench and Gymnastic rings still cover those there. Recovery closet would gain standing press, barbell row and back squat. Move it
Move to Backyard Backyard 31 → 46 — carries 10 → 58, overhead pressing 26 → 63, squats 26 → 63, and 2 more · Garage holds at 95 — carries 96 → 95 Garage would lose its floor press, standing press and 5 more — Adjustable bench and Gymnastic rings still cover those there. Backyard would gain standing press, barbell row and back squat. Move it
Move to Basement desk Basement desk 25 → 43 — rows 10 → 62, carries 10 → 58, overhead pressing 26 → 63, and 2 more · Garage holds at 95 — carries 96 → 95 Garage would lose its floor press, standing press and 5 more — Adjustable bench and Gymnastic rings still cover those there. Basement desk would gain standing press, barbell row and back squat. Move it
Give it a job:
Gi belt — purple

Garage · Over the top crossbar, both ends down · one step to get it out

Belt-assisted stretching.

1 of 11 patterns · 17 other things here reach at least one of the same · no job yet

What it's forsay which you use

On its own1 of 11

Belt-assisted stretching

Counts for mobility and recovery.

adds it already there not reached eleven patterns, same order every row

Held differently

Olympic weight plates, 1-inch spinlock plates and Spinlock dumbbell handles through the handle: a wrist roller, and a carry you cannot grip the same way
Olympic weight plates and 1-inch spinlock plates through the hole: a wrist roller, and a carry you cannot grip the same way

Part of

Kettlebell — 35 lb and Kettlebell — 10 lb the belt threads through the bell's handle and becomes a long soft handle on it, so the load hangs below your hands instead of against your forearm

What is this one doing?

Nothing yet. Say what this one is for and it starts counting.

Tied to the power rackThrough the olympic weight platesThrough the 1-inch spinlock platesThrough the spinlock dumbbell handlesThrough the kettlebell — 25 lbThrough the kettlebell — 35 lbThrough the kettlebell — 10 lb Spare

Move it somewhere else

What moving it would do. Nothing moves until you say so.

Move to Recovery closet Recovery closet holds at 24 · Garage holds at 95 — mobility and recovery 74 → 73 Garage would lose its belt-assisted stretching — Rubber floor matting and Folding gym mat still cover that there. Recovery closet would gain them. Move it
Move to Backyard Backyard 31 → 32 — mobility and recovery 50 → 60 · Garage holds at 95 — mobility and recovery 74 → 73 Garage would lose its belt-assisted stretching — Rubber floor matting and Folding gym mat still cover that there. Backyard would gain them. Move it
Move to Basement desk Basement desk 25 → 28 — mobility and recovery 26 → 50 · Garage holds at 95 — mobility and recovery 74 → 73 Garage would lose its belt-assisted stretching — Rubber floor matting and Folding gym mat still cover that there. Basement desk would gain them. Move it
Gi belt — purple

Garage · Over the top crossbar, both ends down · one step to get it out

Tied to the power rack, looped over the top, both ends down. That adds pull-ups and hangs, rows, and grip — mobility and recovery is what it does either way.

4 of 11 patterns · 32 other things here reach at least one of the same · its job: tied to the power rack

What it's forsay which you use

On its own1 of 11

Belt-assisted stretching

Counts for mobility and recovery.

Tied to the power rack+3

Looped over the top, both ends down.

Counts for pull-ups and hangs, rows, and grip.

adds it already there not reached eleven patterns, same order every row

Held differently

Olympic weight plates, 1-inch spinlock plates and Spinlock dumbbell handles through the handle: a wrist roller, and a carry you cannot grip the same way
Olympic weight plates and 1-inch spinlock plates through the hole: a wrist roller, and a carry you cannot grip the same way

What is this one doing?

Tied to the power rack, for now — it counts there and not elsewhere until you move it.

Tied to the power rackThrough the olympic weight platesThrough the 1-inch spinlock platesThrough the spinlock dumbbell handlesThrough the kettlebell — 25 lbThrough the kettlebell — 35 lbThrough the kettlebell — 10 lb Spare
Height:above your headabout chest heightnear the floor

So it holds a band above your head.

Move it somewhere else

What moving it would do. Nothing moves until you say so.

Move to Recovery closet Recovery closet 24 → 33 — pull-ups and hangs 10 → 40, rows 10 → 40, grip 10 → 40 · Garage holds at 95 — pull-ups and hangs 94 → 93, mobility and recovery 74 → 73 Garage would lose its pull-ups and hangs, rows, and 2 more — Power rack and Gymnastic rings still cover those there. Recovery closet would gain them. Move it
Move to Backyard Backyard 31 → 38 — pull-ups and hangs 10 → 40, grip 10 → 40, mobility and recovery 50 → 60, and 1 more · Garage holds at 95 — pull-ups and hangs 94 → 93, mobility and recovery 74 → 73 Garage would lose its pull-ups and hangs, rows, and 2 more — Power rack and Gymnastic rings still cover those there. Backyard would gain them. Move it
Move to Basement desk Basement desk 25 → 36 — pull-ups and hangs 10 → 40, rows 10 → 40, grip 10 → 40, and 1 more · Garage holds at 95 — pull-ups and hangs 94 → 93, mobility and recovery 74 → 73 Garage would lose its pull-ups and hangs, rows, and 2 more — Power rack and Gymnastic rings still cover those there. Basement desk would gain them. Move it

Why eleven columns

A list of what you own cannot show you a gap. It is full, so it looks fine. The eleven columns below sort the same things by what they let you do — pressing, rows, squats, carries, and seven more — and a thin column shows. A checklist, not a law of the body. On this record it is pull-ups and hangs, and four of the 65 things here reach it.

What the first test case shows

One house, four spaces, and 65 things collected over years and spread through it. It works the same on a corner of a garage. Every figure below comes from the record.

Pull-ups and hangs Pressing Overhead pressing Rows Squats Deadlifts and swings Carries Conditioning Trunk work Grip Mobility and recovery

11 of 11 patterns covered · 96 of 100

Four ways to draw one garage

What the space means to you is different for everyone. What it can do is the same.

The same garage built out of plastic bricks, seen from above as an open box.
Building blocks
The same garage at night, lit in magenta and cyan neon.
Neon
The same garage as a drawn architectural cutaway, walls opened, everything labelled by its outline.
Cutaway
The same garage warm and painterly, vines along the rack and ferns on the bench.
Plants and light
Nothing is backed up yet. Everything stays on your device; clearing site data deletes it. Tell me what is annoying.

Groundwork
No photo with a person in it is ever kept. There is no setting that turns that off.