Chain Yoke
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of the yoke it to load it up with a whole lot of weight and then walk with the yoke across your back and the load suspended in the air and see how fast you can cover a specific distance with a specific load.
Now if you build or buy a traditional Yoke, it is going to take up a lot of room…room that I don’t have. Therefore, a common replacement that takes up much less room is the Chain Yoke.
The DIY designs that we are going to cover here are going to focus on modularity, where the chain yoke can be assembled out of gym items that YOU MIGHT ALREADY HAVE! This will save you money and allow you to stretch your hard-earned dollars!
Hack 1: OLYMPIC BARBELL CHAIN YOKE
Now to be honest this hack is not my favorite version. This hack will work , BUT when you are walking with it across your back, it is possible that the barbell to slip out of the barbell pad’s seam. When this occurs you’ll the barbell will be digging into your skin as you finish the remainder of the distance you are trying to travel. This is not a knock on the Iron Bull Strength Barbell pad - they ALL have seams!
SO - to better replicate using an ACTUAL standalone Yoke, I recommend getting an AXLE BAR (See Hack #2)
Hack #1 Tutorial:
Step 1: Set the Barbell on your rack at slightly BELOW shoulder height. Of course if you don’t have a rack - you can assemble the chain yoke on the ground, but having the barbell elevated just makes it easier to determine the required chain length.
Step 2: Now Hitch a Soft loop Tiedown Strap to each side of the barbell.
Step 3: Now add 2 Barbell collars. These will keep the straps in place.
Step 4: Now attach chain to the Soft Loop Tiedown Straps. The chain needs to be long enough so that you can connect loading pins, and have the bottom of the loading pins a few inches from the ground when lifted.
Step 5: Attach Loaded Loading Pins. I used my DIY loading pins. The tutorial for those can be found here: https://youtu.be/7jr7ljGdM1Q
I also added some “wooden plate protector blocks” to the loading pins. Each block is made out of 4 pieces of 2x3 lumber. These slide right over my loading pins. Their purpose is to keep the plates from touching the ground and when conducting the movement as well as setting down the weight down on surfaces like concrete.
Step 6: Add a Barbell Pad . Since you are going to have a heavy load attached to this barbell AND WALKING WITH IT – this is going to be far less comfortable than OTHER BARBELL EXERCISES (e.g., Barbell squatting) that you may be more used to. So we need to add a barbell pad. If you need a barbell pad – consider the one I use Iron Bull Strength, and the link to this product is right here:
• Iron Bull Strength Barbell Pad
-(Via Amazon): https://amzn.to/3aYJE9w
-(Via Iron Bull): Use DIY10 for 10% Off): https://bit.ly/3B8ca33
That’s it! Now go crush it!
Hack 2: AXLE BAR CHAIN YOKE
With this configuration, since axle bars are approximately 1.9” thick, there is more surface area in contact with your back. Therefore, it will be comfortable (enough) on its own. Therefore, you will not need a barbell pad. Further, since Axle Bars have no relatively no flexion/whip - executing the movement will be smoother with an axle bar.
Should I DIY an Axle Bar?
Now of Course we can DIY an axle bar. HOWEVER, at this time I do not suggest DIY-ing one.
Here’s why: The Price of Steel is extremely high right now (August 2022). If this changes – then sure DIY-ing might make sense again. I was quoted $75 for a10 feet long piece of schedule 80 Steel Pipe.
In my mind, at those prices you are better off buying a commercial product for several reasons….even though the commercial product will cost SLIGHTLY more (if you buy a decent one). The Commercial axle bar is going to have a resale value - the DIY one will not.
My Gorilla Strength Axle Bar:
I just bought a fantastic axle bar. I didn’t want to buy a cheapo foreign-made Axle Bar. For this purchase I wanted to support US Manufacturing and Support Small Business if I could.
My axle bar is from Gorilla Strength – which is a Mom & Pop Gym Equipment Manufacturer run by David Dennis and his family in Kentucky. They offer EXCELELENT hand crafted equipment ! This is not mass-produced, cheap imported stuff. This is equipment designed and built by David and his family right here in the USA.
This Gorilla Strength Axle Bar is 80" Long, 1.90" Diameter, axle bar features their in-house designed square core. This square core runs the length of the bars and, according to the Gorilla Strength website, it adds 30% more strength over traditional hollow bars.
NOW HERE IS A BIG ANNOUNCEMENT!!!
Gorilla Strength is offering a Package Deal for my viewers. Check out the link below! In this package you will get both this Axle Bar and a PAIR of These Axle Collars that have welded Chain Hangers for a reduced price.
• Gorilla Strength 2-in-1 COMBO PACKAGE DEAL: https://amzn.to/3oY16OE
Hack #2 Tutorial:
Step 1: Set the axle bar slightly BELOW shoulder height on your rack.
Step 2: Now add 2 Axle Bar Collars with the built in chain hangers.
Step 3: Attach the Chain.
Step 4: Attach Loaded Loading Pins – and again we will make use of those “wooden plate protector blocks.”
That’s it! Now go crush it!
SHOPPING
🛍 🛒SHOPPING LIST WHEN SHOPPING, PLEASE CLICK FIRST TO SUPPORT THE CHANNEL: By shopping via any of these links, I get paid a small commission which helps support the Club’s costs such as Web Hosting the website.
🦍 GORILLA STRENGTH!---USA-MADE, FAMILY OWNED, SMALL BUSINESS---
• Gorilla Strength 2-in-1 COMBO PACKAGE DEAL: https://amzn.to/3oY16OE
• Gorilla Strength Bubba Axle Bar ONLY: https://amzn.to/3Sl94ic
• Gorilla Strength Chain Hanger Axle Collars ONLY: https://amzn.to/3OPyZfe
🛞 OTHER Axle Bar Options:
• REP AXLE BAR (60” or 84” Long Options Available: https://bit.ly/3cWJBeS
• ROGUE AXLE – POWDERCOATED (84” Long): https://bit.ly/3JlRhCq
• ROGUE STUBBY AXLE (60” Long): https://bit.ly/3JlRhCq
• Titan Fitness Axle Barbell 60-inch.: https://amzn.to/3vxpYjT
• Titan Fitness Axle Barbell 84-inch: https://amzn.to/3OT76Tr
• Valor Fitness Axle Bar: https://amzn.to/3oJRtmL
💪OTHER Gym Gear:
• TDS Power Rack https://amzn.to/3dUvUed
• Iron Bull Strength Barbell Pad
-(Via Amazon): https://amzn.to/3aYJE9w
-(Via Iron Bull): Use DIY10 for 10% Off): https://bit.ly/3B8ca33
• Olympic Plate Loading Pin: https://amzn.to/3bwpLqG
• Olympic Barbell Collars (Plastic): https://amzn.to/3A15zqk
👽MISCELLANEOUS:
• 10 Feet of Chain: https://amzn.to/3mvThxI
• 36” Long ¼”Chains (2 Pack With Hooks): https://amzn.to/30OR3CB
• 48” Long ¼” Chains (2 Pack With Hooks): https://amzn.to/3czpzDO
• Soft Loop Tiedown Straps: https://amzn.to/3kUglqb
Once you try this for yourself - be sure to let me know how it worked for you! Happy Lifting!
SHOUT IT OUT: If you Build this project and want to brag about it, please use the #DesignBuildLift hashtag so that I can feature your amazing creation on my social media to help inspire others!
