Gym at Home

[DrunkenSano]

I just moved and instead of signing up at a nearby gym for monthly fees and such, I was thinking of just building a small gym at home. Was thinking of a getting a bench that can have its incline adjusted and some free weight dumbbells. I never fully utilized all the machines when I was at the gym and I get the feeling that I can still accomplish my workout with free weights. I was also considering stuff like the P90X and whatnot as a substitute as well.

Is my idea plausible and would it be easier to buy the stuff online or is it better to go to a local equipment store?

 

[surfsatwerk]

A little luck and craig's list can't save you a bundle.

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

http://www.ironmaster.com/Super-Bench-and-Accessories/#.U2Og5VdZqUk
Check out this bench and all available attachments. It is on par with gym quality benches in my experience with it.
http://www.amazon.com/Powerline-PPR2...pr_product_top
Awesome rack for a home gym and is good for most home lifters unless you're squatting 500lbs then I'd suggest something beffier.

I've had both for several years now with other various equipment. I couldn't get a better workout at the gym if I tried. And best of all no gym dues or waiting in line for equipment.

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

A little luck and craig's list can't save you a bundle.

Waste of time in my experience for exercise equipment. Most peoples ideas on exercise equipment is a weider bench rated for 150lbs with concrete weights.

 

[DrunkenSano]

Thanks, I will looking into the two links. And that is the pro's I was thinking of when building a home gym, no monthly dues, no waiting for equipment, and even if the weather is terrible I can still lift.

 

[smackababy]

I'd look into a power rack, a nice bench, and a set of olympic weights.

 

[RagingBITCH]

I'd look into a power rack, a nice bench, and a set of olympic weights.

^this.

 

[CPA]

http://www.ironmaster.com/Super-Bench-and-Accessories/#.U2Og5VdZqUk
Check out this bench and all available attachments. It is on par with gym quality benches in my experience with it.
http://www.amazon.com/Powerline-PPR2...pr_product_top
Awesome rack for a home gym and is good for most home lifters unless you're squatting 500lbs then I'd suggest something beffier.

I've had both for several years now with other various equipment. I couldn't get a better workout at the gym if I tried. And best of all no gym dues or waiting in line for equipment.

got the IronMaster Super Bench a month or so ago, with dip, pullup and situp attachments. Love it. Expensive yes, but with all the attachments available on it, the investment is worth it. I have a pair of the older IronMaster Quick Lock dumbbells and still use them every workout. I'm debating on getting the newer set because they lock and unlock a hell of a lot quicker.

 

[TallBill]

I'd look into a power rack, a nice bench, and a set of olympic weights.

Ding ding.

 

[conorvansmack]

Waste of time in my experience for exercise equipment. Most peoples ideas on exercise equipment is a weider bench rated for 150lbs with concrete weights.

Persistence and a willingness to drive a bit out of my immediate area yielded a power rack, 300 lbs. of olympic size weights, and a storage rack for the weights.

 

[insa80]

Watch Craigslist and Garage Sales.

 

[DrunkenSano]

I've assembled my shopping list and I think this should be simple enough for my personal needs. Total comes out to around $1500.

Bench
http://www.ironmaster.com/Super-Bench-Combo-Deal.html

Power Rack
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...A2TAM4K6K4KZR0

Olympic Barbell Set
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...=ASOV3182U0I3A

Dumbbell Set
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...=ATVPDKIKX0DER

Not sure about the last one, may just pick up 3 pairs of dumbbells instead of all that.
My Cardio would just be running around my townhouse complex or playing ball at the local park with my friends.

 

[Xcobra]

I've assembled my shopping list and I think this should be simple enough for my personal needs. Total comes out to around $1500.

Bench
http://www.ironmaster.com/Super-Bench-Combo-Deal.html

Power Rack
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...A2TAM4K6K4KZR0

Olympic Barbell Set
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...=ASOV3182U0I3A

Dumbbell Set
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...=ATVPDKIKX0DER

Not sure about the last one, may just pick up 3 pairs of dumbbells instead of all that.
My Cardio would just be running around my townhouse complex or playing ball at the local park with my friends.

Looks good except for the dumbbell set. I'd rather have an adjustable set. Much more versatile and can add more plates if need be. My 2 cents.

 

[Zivic]

I've assembled my shopping list and I think this should be simple enough for my personal needs. Total comes out to around $1500.

Bench
http://www.ironmaster.com/Super-Bench-Combo-Deal.html

Power Rack
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...A2TAM4K6K4KZR0

Olympic Barbell Set
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...=ASOV3182U0I3A

Dumbbell Set
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...=ATVPDKIKX0DER

Not sure about the last one, may just pick up 3 pairs of dumbbells instead of all that.
My Cardio would just be running around my townhouse complex or playing ball at the local park with my friends.

1500 bucks buys me over 3 yrs at my gym now... 300lbs doesn't cut it for weights, and 25 lb dumbelss might cover my first set of side lateral raises.

I don't have to take up any space in my home for the weights and I have access to a lot of other machines/equipment at the gym 24 hrs a day.

Unless you have serious bucks and the room to house it; or your fitness goals are pretty 'average at best', just get a gym membership

 

[DrunkenSano]

At my age and with a full-time job that could have me traveling for business trips, I'm more into the maintenance of my body than hardcore body building. I haven't tried benching 225lbs for a long time and not always consistent about going to the gym due to my schedules.

This is a steep investment indeed, but it gives me a lot more freedom. The space is there, using my finished basement for this. And I can lift anytime I want regardless of weather and not having to wait or deal with any douches.

I am looking at other options instead of the dumbbell set.

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

1500 bucks buys me over 3 yrs at my gym now... 300lbs doesn't cut it for weights, and 25 lb dumbelss might cover my first set of side lateral raises.

I don't have to take up any space in my home for the weights and I have access to a lot of other machines/equipment at the gym 24 hrs a day.

Unless you have serious bucks and the room to house it; or your fitness goals are pretty 'average at best', just get a gym membership

I'd pay a premium just to avoid the gym. You're also not counting time savings, gas, and the ability to work out any time or day (holidays included) that you choose. On top of that I've had all of the same equipment for several years now and expect to get probably 10+ years of use out of it.

And fitness goals as average is laughable. Average guy is munching cheetoes on the sofa not squatting 300lbs.

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

Btw check out academy for your Olympic weight set. I think they run like $150 in store. The shipping on weights kills getting them online. Also skip the dumbell for now as those will eventually pop up on craigslist for a significant discount.

Btw you'll be happy with the equipment you've chosen. I use it religiously and have never had an issue.

 

[Kaido]

I've assembled my shopping list and I think this should be simple enough for my personal needs. Total comes out to around $1500.

Bench
http://www.ironmaster.com/Super-Bench-Combo-Deal.html

Power Rack
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...A2TAM4K6K4KZR0

Olympic Barbell Set
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...=ASOV3182U0I3A

Dumbbell Set
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...=ATVPDKIKX0DER

Not sure about the last one, may just pick up 3 pairs of dumbbells instead of all that.
My Cardio would just be running around my townhouse complex or playing ball at the local park with my friends.

Beat me to the Ironmaster stuff!

 

[CPA]

I've assembled my shopping list and I think this should be simple enough for my personal needs. Total comes out to around $1500.

Bench
http://www.ironmaster.com/Super-Bench-Combo-Deal.html

Power Rack
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...A2TAM4K6K4KZR0

Olympic Barbell Set
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...=ASOV3182U0I3A

Dumbbell Set
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...=ATVPDKIKX0DER

Not sure about the last one, may just pick up 3 pairs of dumbbells instead of all that.
My Cardio would just be running around my townhouse complex or playing ball at the local park with my friends.

If you don't want to pay the3 $700+ for the Ironmaster dumbbells, then at least pick up these Bowflex ones instead of the Cap set you have listed. About the same price and you can get it up to 52.5 pounds per dumbell. I would still recommend the investment in the Ironmaster ones, though.

 

[Zivic]

I'd pay a premium just to avoid the gym. You're also not counting time savings, gas, and the ability to work out any time or day (holidays included) that you choose. On top of that I've had all of the same equipment for several years now and expect to get probably 10+ years of use out of it.

And fitness goals as average is laughable. Average guy is munching cheetoes on the sofa not squatting 300lbs.

I look at it exactly opposite.. I have no hassles with equipment, don't have to deal with maintaining them (not that there is much). I go to the gym to get away, some days even to interact with people. My gym is open 24 hrs a day, holidays, so no issue there. I trained for 20 yrs, I live in MN and haven't had a day that weather has kept me from making it to the gym on a day I wanted to train.

I am probably the douche OP wants to avoid at the gym.... because as I am told, "Id hate to be the guy training arms the same day as you"

seriously though, to each their own. I own a couple pieces of cardio equipment at my home -> precor treadmill and octane elliptical. I find them convenient when I want to do cardio first thing when I get up. There is a time factor involved when all I am doing is 20-30 minutes on a machine; especially when doing it fasted when I first get up.

As far as training though, unless I win the lotto and could build something pretty substantial a home gym isn't going to cut it for me. I would look at it like a stay-at-home-mom setup ... lifting soup cans and stretching with a broom stick

 

[smackababy]

As far as training though, unless I win the lotto and could build something pretty substantial a home gym isn't going to cut it for me. I would look at it like a stay-at-home-mom setup ... lifting soup cans and stretching with a broom stick

This is pretty much where I stand. Not really with playing the lotto, but more on the "unless I am going to make a substantial investment into the home gym, it isn't worth it" category. I thought about, when I buy a house, converting the basement into a real gym.


As far as what the OP is looking at, the first two are fine. I think the 3rd is a bit low. The 300lb set is low, but once you have the bar and the initial weight set, all he would need to augment it is more 45lb plates. Heck, if he bought another 4 plates, he'd be good for a year or two, depending on his level.

 

[purbeast0]

i would not get those dumbells. 25lbs is way too light for the heaviest in a set of dumbells. i don't know why a grown man would need any dumbells less than 20lbs, or even 25.

 

[NAC]

Lifting at home is definitely advantageous for some. I did for a while, and it was the best for me at the time. Now I have a gym across from work and mostly use that. My next step will be to get a Concept 2 rower for home. I want a machine so I can warm up easier. I don't enjoy running, air squats, etc. as a warm up… I'd rather just get on a rower for 10 minutes.

If you want to save money, craigslist is the place to look for weights. Iron doesn't change with time, you'll save over 50% compared to new. Used - expect to pay about 50 cents per pound of iron weights, and most areas should have plenty available. I have 300# Olympic set, and I think 600# in standard 1" weights which I mainly use for dumbbell work. I ended up buying a bunch of dumbbell bars from Walmart so I don't have to change them as often. Adjustable dumbbells will be much more than 50 cents a pound.

You can also find a power rack and a bench on Craigslist, but you may have to be more patient. I didn't want to be, so I got a new power rack from NY Barbell which I'm quite happy with. It is about the same price as the amazon one, depending on shipping. I'm happy with it and other equipment I got from them:
http://www.newyorkbarbells.com/92563.html

I found a Body Solid incline bench at Play It Again Sports. If I were to do it again, I would not get a flat bench, not incline. The rarely use the incline feature, and the bench shifts slightly under weight. I think I paid like $60 for it, but it is $300 new on Amazon. Not recommended.

 

[JBT]

I've got a 50x2 and the older 87.5x2 Power Block sets for adjustable Dumb Bells. Picked both up used via craigs list and love them both. I of course got the 50's first and out grew them pretty quick. I don't see out growing the 87.5 except for if I want to squat or do chest press with them.

 

[momeNt]

Waste of time in my experience for exercise equipment. Most peoples ideas on exercise equipment is a weider bench rated for 150lbs with concrete weights.

Ummm... no.

I landed a Tuff Stuff power rack - white model, made in USA for $250.

A place local to me has floor model sales, got a flat incline bench for $130 http://www.amazon.com/Body-Solid-GFI.../dp/B0013ZCDME


Also a weight tree for $50.

http://www.amazon.com/Body-Solid-GOW.../dp/B000VLNUPK

The floor model sales are advertised on craigslist, but I actually just lucked out and happened to see them when I swung by on a whim.

I was given an olympic bar and 300lb set of weights. So for $450(counting gas) + gift. I had a setup that would retail for close to $2,000.