Best workout equipment investment under $400?

[cpals]

If you only 300-400 dollars to spend for a piece of workout equipment (treadmill, weights, etc) what would you buy?

 

[crt1530]

As a new addition to my collection, or as my only piece of equipment?

 

[cpals]

The only piece of equipment or set you could have.

 

[MegaVovaN]

1) A year or more of gym membership. I think a place like 24 hr fitness can freeze your membership if you get lazy or seriously injured...for any reason really.

Or a squat rack, but it probably costs more, and you would need barbell, weights, bench to go with it.

So...

2) A bicycle and bike gear (helmet, tubes, pump, co2 cartridges or mini pump, lights, bike clothes).


3) maybe the rack can be bought used off craigslist. But still not enough $$ for weights barbell and bench.

 

[presidentender]

I'd go with a flat bench and some adjustable dumbbells.

For just a little more, you'd be able to afford an olympic bar and a squat rack with some plates. (yeah, I know those are only 45s. Count on spending $200+ on plates alone).

 

[MegaVovaN]

presidentender: I like your ideas, but see my post above yours (edited): craigslist can have superior deals locally. Shipping on dumbbells alone is $30.50.

 

[imported_Imp]

Treadmill. Other than biking, it's the only thing that I have to schedule around weather. And running on concrete sucks.

 

[presidentender]

Originally posted by: MegaVovaN
presidentender: I like your ideas, but see my post above yours (edited): craigslist can have superior deals locally. Shipping on dumbbells alone is $30.50.

Yeah, that really makes the adjustable thing a good idea. I bought my set (bench with uprights, dumbbell bars, and a 1-inch 6-foot bar with about 250 lbs of weight) locally at the goodwill, and got out of it for less than $200. I think weights may be the only thing you would want to buy locally, since shipping is so huge. The problem with doing it that way, of course, is that you can't really squat without a squat rack, and they're hard to come by used.

 

[FallenHero]

A gym membership for a year.

 

[StageLeft]

Gym membership is best. If you do need home equipment, a magnetic trainer can, for $150, turn your outside bike into a stationary one. Otherwise, a bench (maybe adjustable if you can squeeze it), and a chin up bar attached to rafters or something similar.

 

[paulxcook]

If you spent just a bit more you could have an awesome powerrack setup and add more weights as you get stronger (and get more money). Or get a gym membership.

 

[KoolDrew]

Originally posted by: FallenHero
A gym membership for a year.

 

[conorvansmack]

I would go with a gym membership. That will enable you to find out what you like to do and you can also get some training/instruction while you're there.