The Preacher Pad – From the Mind of Garage Gym Lab

When you spend as much time in your garage gym as Adam does, there is bound to be some creative solutions. Most would fall under the idea of “gym hacks”. Small tweaks here and there where you use something for its non-intended purpose to get some additional functionality out of your garage gym. But every once in a while, that gym hack eats its protein and puts in the reps to make some serious gainz and become a full-blown fitness product. That is what we have today with The Preacher Pad, a collaboration between Adam at Garage Gym Lab and AbMat.

Adam had an idea to use his kid’s pillow as a potential preacher curl device while testing out a new cable solution in his garage. After it went bonkers across the community, AbMat and Adam connected and began bringing the formal product to life. Several months later, we have this beauty, the Preacher Pad.

Picking Adam’s Brain About the Preacher Pad

Because Adam is part of the GGC Council, I got the inside scoop.

GGC: Adam, this isn’t your first “gym hack”. What do you think stood out about this one?

Adam: You know, when I normally think of a gym hack, I think of a modification to an existing product, a cheaper alternative to a more expensive commercially available product, a DIY project, etc… when the original “Nugget Hack” hit me, I just assumed it was the same… but then I started thinking to myself that I’ve never actually seen anything like this being made. Was this actually a novel idea?! Maybe, maybe not, but I knew one thing… you couldn’t go out and buy anything like it… and that’s what stood out to me

GGC: What was the process like working with AbMat?

Adam: It was how I hoped partnering with a company would be and more. They’re operated by great people, they’re established in this space, they have the processes down, and they have the ability to produce at scale. When we first discussed the idea, they had an actual wrapped foam mock-up done within 4 hours. Huh? That’s a thing? I certainly wasn’t expecting that, but their commitment to the idea and their willingness to partner on it was not lost on me. They’re the perfect partner for the Preacher Pad.

GGC: If someone has an idea for a fitness product, do you have any advice to make it come to life?

Adam: Research and take action. The fitness industry, as we know, is moving forward at lightening speed. If you have a unique idea, there’s a good chance someone else out there does as well. Understand the market and your product’s fit within it. If there’s a market need, attack it with conviction. Decide if you want to partner with an established company who will handle the sourcing, manufacturing, customer service, etc… or if you want to do it yourself. But don’t wait, because your idea will likely come to market eventually, and you don’t want to be the person saying “I thought of that first.”

Years ago, my mom used to make these amazing casseroles and she would crush Ritz crackers on top for a nice crunch. When she would do it, she would yell in her best ringside boxing announcer voice “Leeeeeet’s get ready to cruuuuuuuumble”. We used to get such a kick out of it. Well, eventually Ritz started running TV ads with someone doing what my mom had been doing in our kitchen for years. Who knows, maybe she could have been an advertising exec.

GGC: Honest question… do you have to have a very explicit warning label on the Preacher Pad about not using it during sexy times?

Adam: The Preacher Pad is a multi-functional piece of equipment. I encourage users to find as many fun ways to use as they can!

GGC: Any last words on the Preacher Pad?

Adam: Buy it? Haha, in all seriousness, I think it serves a nice purpose for the home gym community especially. Dedicated preacher benches can be big and expensive. The Preacher Pad stows away nicely, it can be set up in many different ways, it’s comfortable, it’s much more affordable, and it leads to a nice pump! It’s been fun to work on and I’m happy that what started as a hack with my kids’ furniture has turned into something pretty cool.

Wrap Up

You can check out the full video introduction on Adam’s YouTube for more details on the creation, and more importantly, the creative uses.

And if you want to buy a Preacher Pad for yourself, you can do so here.

And if you want to buy a Preacher Pad for me, you can do so at the same link, and I’ll get you my shipping details.