building a home gym

[lee lin]

i'm planning to get an eliptical with a small screen to watch tv on. dumbells that reach up to 100 that are easy to grip. Hopefully a brand which i don't have to use gloves but i haven't experienced any as of late. a few machines and benches.

need help with brands especially with the eliptical and the dumbells. the machines i only know nautilus so some help there too. but i'd like to narrow the machines down to 3-5 machines that would really be in use.

 

[Jumbie]

Power rack, barbell + weights and an adjustable bench would take care of a lot of stuff if space/cost is an issue.

Throw in a chin-up bar (or do them on the rack).

 

[turboman808]

Pretty much use a spin bike and heavy bag to stay in shape. No weights.

Using the gym for now. Should have a 3 bedroom apartment in 6 months then I can have a home setup.

 

[thekunk07]

friend just got a great multi-station system that is plate loaded like a hammer strength machine. will send you the name once i ask him.

 

[Flambeur]

Repeat after me:

NO MACHINES, NO CABLES when it comes to weights.

Free weights are all you need. Get a set of dumbbells and the most important thing - barbell, set of weights, cage, bench. That's it.

And I would take a heavy bag over a hamster wheel (bike, elliptical) any day.

 

[JLibourel]

My wife and I have a pretty good home gym setup, although she and her son prefer to train in a commercial gym.

She has a good quality ellipitical machine that I use more than she does these days.

She has some light (up to 20 pounds) solid dumbells that she uses for some exercises.

I have a 400-pound Olympic barbell set (with a really good, competition-quality bar), and 300 pounds of exercise plates for dumbbells, which is more than I need, especially these days.

I've got a bench and squat racks. I really can't think of much else I'd want/need.

I note somebody recommended a power rack. Since those require permanent installation, that might be an expensive hassle in a lot of houses and an impossibility if you are a renter.

I note that some stores won't sell squat racks these days on the theory they are somehow "dangerous." I have used them for many years while training alone without the slightest hint of a problem.

 

[Flambeur]

Originally Posted by JLibourel

I have a 400-pound Olympic barbell set (with a really good, competition-quality bar), and 300 pounds of exercise plates for dumbbells, which is more than I need, especially these days.

I've got a bench and squat racks. I really can't think of much else I'd want/need.

squat
dead
press

rinse, repeat.

 

[thekunk07]

if room and $ allows, a 2-sided cable station is a fantastic luxury.

 

[spertia]

We have a Kettler elliptical and bike at home and have been very pleased with both.

 

[rioni]

I have a:

Powertec Powerrack, powertec bench, 2x 300lb weight set/bars - 600 off craigslist
Powerblocks, 300 off craigslist
No more fat gut, priceless

 

[Eagle]

My home gym set-up includes a Hoist V-5 with a leg press station and a Nordic Trac Ultra-Lift unit and Power Blocks for resistance training; a Cybex Trotter Treadmill, LifeFitness X5 elliptical machine and a Nordic Trac Cross Country Ski unit for cardio training and a Life Fitness Tower for body weight exercises. Meets all my needs and provides sufficient flexibility for two to three people to work out at the same time, with minimum inconvenience.

 

[Sigmeow]

Get some bumper plates if you have the room.

Gotta do your cleans, boy!

 

[chuckseabreeze]

Originally Posted by Flambeur

squat
dead
press

rinse, repeat.

That's some old school shit right there!

 

[ryoneo]

Originally Posted by Flambeur

Repeat after me:

NO MACHINES, NO CABLES when it comes to weights.

Free weights are all you need. Get a set of dumbbells and the most important thing - barbell, set of weights, cage, bench. That's it.


+1. Do not get machines, it is a waste of money IMHO. Get a free weight, a rack and a adjustable bench.

 

[briancl]

Rubber bands. Great for stretching and warmups/cooldowns and adding resistance to other exercises.