Home Gym

hibiscus09 · 11-27-2005, 05:09 PM

I don't think I'm going to renew my gym membership. I'm planning on setting up a home gym. Any suggestions? The only thing I own is a nice Precor elliptical.

I really like this setup but I'd have to bite the bullet and spend some bucks to get it. We pay approximately $1,000/year for our gym memberships anyway. (Hubby and I). Plus, this way Brian, Jr. could start lifting at home. He's 15 and lifts with cross country, but it would be nice to get him more interested in the lifting aspect.

http://www.fitcore.com/

Plus, I'll need dumbbells. I like these:

http://www.bowflexfriends.com/catalo...=1133115050133

Does anyone here own them?

**Peaked_18** · 11-27-2005, 05:21 PM

- Power Rack (~300-500)
- Barbell (~200 for good solid one that won't bend)
- Bench (~100-300)
- Flex Bands or Cable Attachtment on Power Rack (~300-500)
- Dumbbell (~40-80)
- Weights at least 700 lbs. worth (~500-600)

It's expensiv Hib, but it's all you need to get you started with what you need.
Few places to look at is newyorkbarbell.com, elitefts.com, and brutestrength.com.

Good luck.

**bigDman** · 11-27-2005, 05:36 PM

newyorkbarbell has very cheap prices but call them and make sure they have what you want in stock because alot of times they dont

yards sales, classfields(sp) in your newspaper, and big sale at your local dicks or sports authority are places to get good cheap eqipment

hibiscus09 · 11-27-2005, 06:06 PM

Thanks Peaked and BigD!

Massman · 12-02-2005, 08:29 PM

Local classifieds are an excellent source for very Cheap $$ plates. People practically give the stuff away.

Good quaility powerrack.
Good Quality bench.

Those are the two worth spending money on. Sturdy/safe and necessary.

*Edit* My basement ceiling is too low for standing military

so you might want to check ceiling heights before you decide on a location.

hibiscus09 · 12-03-2005, 03:27 AM

Thanks Massman!

Good idea about the plates.

This is what I've been looking at lately. Wonder what it's like? It has a self spotter. Anyway, I'm going to go check it out in a showroom next week.

http://www.prospotfitness.com/pages/p600.html

**Peaked_18** · 12-03-2005, 02:19 PM

I don't like it. I believe it's a smith machine, and that won't give you mcuh exercise flexibility. Get a simple power rack.

http://newyorkbarbells.com/92563.html

It has a cable attachment right on it, or you could buy some jump stretch bands.

**NewSpawn** · 12-03-2005, 02:33 PM

i agree with peaked, that is all we have at my gym and i hate it.

**MASSIVE** · 12-03-2005, 07:57 PM

I work out and home and after hundreds of dollars and many disappointing equipment this is my conclusion!

Power Rack Barbell solid one
Bench (inc,dec,flat w/ leg attachment)
600lbs of plates by sports authority, many discuss the quality of S.A.....but mine have lasted years.
CAP 2 inch barbells (just add the weight from the 700lbs)
Collars

In other words, I agree with Peaked 18

---I now have much equip. and don't know what to do with it

**Peaked_18** · 12-03-2005, 10:28 PM

MASSIVE, I may buy some off from you. Got a list?

**MASSIVE** · 12-03-2005, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peaked_18

MASSIVE, I may buy some off from you. Got a list?

oh cool, let me search for some pics of what I have to post up....I'm guessing you live around Houston?

**Peaked_18** · 12-03-2005, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MASSIVE

oh cool, let me search for some pics of what I have to post up....I'm guessing you live around Houston?

Naw, about 500 miles eastward.

**MASSIVE** · 12-03-2005, 11:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peaked_18

Naw, about 500 miles eastward.

whoa!

Having trouble finding some pics, but I'll list the few items for now.

Gold's Gym Pro Series 2000 (leg att., preacher curl pad, squat station)

Weider Bench w/ leg attachment -----No squat station, so had to switch

1 Olympic bar (not the 500lbs load capacity one)

1 Standard Size bar

1 Standard E-Z bar

TKO 60lbs Brand New-Punching Bag w/ 2 pairs of gloves ( just not me)

....this is all in my small room and it's really a pain in the A$$ having to work around it

**Peaked_18** · 12-03-2005, 11:14 PM

Is the olympic bar just really weak?

**MASSIVE** · 12-03-2005, 11:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peaked_18

Is the olympic bar just really weak?

It slightly bends at 325lbs., came w/ the weights.

**Peaked_18** · 12-03-2005, 11:18 PM

Ahh, I see. If you get any pics up, let me know.

hibiscus09 · 12-04-2005, 07:17 PM

It isn't a Smith -- although I use both free weight squats and smith squats at the gym and am not anti-Smith machine as isolation exercises have their usefulness also.

Anyway, the site has videos. It's a freeweight squat:

http://www.prospotfitness.com/pages/videos.html

In the video at the bottom (Squats 727K), you can see the cables are merely there as a spotter when you release the bar. They do not limit your range of motion when squatting.

**Peaked_18** · 12-04-2005, 07:30 PM

Interesting, but what if the system is faulty and your son is bench pressing and the weight comes crashing down on him? I don't know if I would trust that machine...

And for 3,000$ you could get the same thing with different equipment for a good 500-1000$ less.

hibiscus09 · 12-04-2005, 08:39 PM

My son plays cello.

Seriously, I haven't decided to purchase that piece of equipment -- I'm just going to go check it out. And yes, I have wondered about the backup safety bar plan?

That does seem like it would be a definitely issue if there is not one. I'm not that trusting of machinery.

I'm just shopping around now. I haven't even gone to look at it yet and I will definitely check into other stuff also. I don't want to pay a fortune if I can get quality for less.

I'll keep you guys updated and thanks for helping!

Oh, and my son does run cross country and lifts some. I definitely want to get him into our home gym lifting also.

RaSP · 12-07-2005, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hibiscus09

My son plays cello.

Seriously, I haven't decided to purchase that piece of equipment -- I'm just going to go check it out. And yes, I have wondered about the backup safety bar plan?

That does seem like it would be a definitely issue if there is not one. I

11-27-2005, 05:09 PM	#1
hibiscus09 IMPC Contestant Join Date: May 2005 Location: South Carolina Posts: 988 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 16	Home Gym I don't think I'm going to renew my gym membership. I'm planning on setting up a home gym. Any suggestions? The only thing I own is a nice Precor elliptical. I really like this setup but I'd have to bite the bullet and spend some bucks to get it. We pay approximately $1,000/year for our gym memberships anyway. (Hubby and I). Plus, this way Brian, Jr. could start lifting at home. He's 15 and lifts with cross country, but it would be nice to get him more interested in the lifting aspect. http://www.fitcore.com/ Plus, I'll need dumbbells. I like these: http://www.bowflexfriends.com/catalo...=1133115050133 Does anyone here own them?

11-27-2005, 05:36 PM	#3
bigDman is missing heavy pulls Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Maryland Posts: 4,611 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 186	newyorkbarbell has very cheap prices but call them and make sure they have what you want in stock because alot of times they dont yards sales, classfields(sp) in your newspaper, and big sale at your local dicks or sports authority are places to get good cheap eqipment __________________ COME CHECK OUT MY JOURNAL

12-02-2005, 08:29 PM	#5
Massman Aviationfit Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Strong Island Posts: 250 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 6	Local classifieds are an excellent source for very Cheap $$ plates. People practically give the stuff away. Good quaility powerrack. Good Quality bench. Those are the two worth spending money on. Sturdy/safe and necessary. Edit My basement ceiling is too low for standing military so you might want to check ceiling heights before you decide on a location. __________________ Shut up and Lift.

12-03-2005, 07:57 PM	#9
MASSIVE AX Rep Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: TOKYO Posts: 1,217 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 15	I work out and home and after hundreds of dollars and many disappointing equipment this is my conclusion! Power Rack Barbell solid one Bench (inc,dec,flat w/ leg attachment) 600lbs of plates by sports authority, many discuss the quality of S.A.....but mine have lasted years. CAP 2 inch barbells (just add the weight from the 700lbs) Collars In other words, I agree with Peaked 18 ---I now have much equip. and don't know what to do with it __________________ Anabolic Xtreme Rep www.AnabolicXtreme.com www.StimulantX.com C-Los21@AnabolicX.com Owner@BBB VIP@WWBB VIP@AP VIP@VIP VET@SSB VET@ABB HYPERDROL™.....Our Newest Anabolic STIMULANT-X™.....Defining "Stimulation" *ANABOLIC XTREME.....Real Results!***

11-27-2005, 05:21 PM	#2
Peaked_18 a la commode Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 4,297 Recipes: 2 Rep Power: 96	- Power Rack (~300-500) - Barbell (~200 for good solid one that won't bend) - Bench (~100-300) - Flex Bands or Cable Attachtment on Power Rack (~300-500) - Dumbbell (~40-80) - Weights at least 700 lbs. worth (~500-600) It's expensiv Hib, but it's all you need to get you started with what you need. Few places to look at is newyorkbarbell.com, elitefts.com, and brutestrength.com. Good luck.

11-27-2005, 06:06 PM	#4
hibiscus09 IMPC Contestant Join Date: May 2005 Location: South Carolina Posts: 988 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 16	Thanks Peaked and BigD!

12-03-2005, 03:27 AM	#6
hibiscus09 IMPC Contestant Join Date: May 2005 Location: South Carolina Posts: 988 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 16	Thanks Massman! Good idea about the plates. This is what I've been looking at lately. Wonder what it's like? It has a self spotter. Anyway, I'm going to go check it out in a showroom next week. http://www.prospotfitness.com/pages/p600.html

12-03-2005, 02:19 PM	#7
Peaked_18 a la commode Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 4,297 Recipes: 2 Rep Power: 96	I don't like it. I believe it's a smith machine, and that won't give you mcuh exercise flexibility. Get a simple power rack. http://newyorkbarbells.com/92563.html It has a cable attachment right on it, or you could buy some jump stretch bands.

12-03-2005, 02:33 PM	#8
NewSpawn Silver Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Virginia Posts: 1,226 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 23	i agree with peaked, that is all we have at my gym and i hate it.

12-03-2005, 10:28 PM	#10
Peaked_18 a la commode Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 4,297 Recipes: 2 Rep Power: 96	MASSIVE, I may buy some off from you. Got a list?

12-03-2005, 11:14 PM	#14
Peaked_18 a la commode Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 4,297 Recipes: 2 Rep Power: 96	Is the olympic bar just really weak?

12-03-2005, 11:18 PM	#16
Peaked_18 a la commode Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 4,297 Recipes: 2 Rep Power: 96	Ahh, I see. If you get any pics up, let me know.

12-04-2005, 07:17 PM	#17
hibiscus09 IMPC Contestant Join Date: May 2005 Location: South Carolina Posts: 988 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 16	It isn't a Smith -- although I use both free weight squats and smith squats at the gym and am not anti-Smith machine as isolation exercises have their usefulness also. Anyway, the site has videos. It's a freeweight squat: http://www.prospotfitness.com/pages/videos.html In the video at the bottom (Squats 727K), you can see the cables are merely there as a spotter when you release the bar. They do not limit your range of motion when squatting.

12-04-2005, 07:30 PM	#18
Peaked_18 a la commode Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 4,297 Recipes: 2 Rep Power: 96	Interesting, but what if the system is faulty and your son is bench pressing and the weight comes crashing down on him? I don't know if I would trust that machine... And for 3,000$ you could get the same thing with different equipment for a good 500-1000$ less.

12-04-2005, 08:39 PM	#19
hibiscus09 IMPC Contestant Join Date: May 2005 Location: South Carolina Posts: 988 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 16	My son plays cello. Seriously, I haven't decided to purchase that piece of equipment -- I'm just going to go check it out. And yes, I have wondered about the backup safety bar plan? That does seem like it would be a definitely issue if there is not one. I'm not that trusting of machinery. I'm just shopping around now. I haven't even gone to look at it yet and I will definitely check into other stuff also. I don't want to pay a fortune if I can get quality for less. I'll keep you guys updated and thanks for helping! Oh, and my son does run cross country and lifts some. I definitely want to get him into our home gym lifting also.