Home Gym Suggestions?

[Stuxnet]

The Bowflex seems pretty overpriced. I was at a sporting goods store today and saw a lot of other models that use weights instead of rods. I want something that I can set up in my basement and do fundamental weight training on.

Of course the cheaper the better, but I do want something that will last.

[edit]

Let me qualify this: I need a home gym for weightlifting. I already own a treadmill and run.

 

[erikistired]

bowflex!

 

[dbk]

a bench set, dumbells, and a stationary bike?

 

[skypilot]

Craig's List FTW. Olympic weight set w/ squat cage and bench. Everything you need for a great workout.

 

[Ktulu]

Originally posted by: ornament
a bench set, dumbells, and a stationary bike?

I would suggest a treadmill unless you have bad knees.

 

[iwantanewcomputer]

Originally posted by: Ktulu

Originally posted by: ornament
a bench set, dumbells, and a stationary bike?

I would suggest a treadmill unless you have bad knees.

he said the cheaper the better...sidewalk is cheaper and better

 

[Stuxnet]

Let me qualify this: I need a home gym for weightlifting. I already own a treadmill and run.

 

[fbrdphreak]

Originally posted by: skypilot
Craig's List FTW. Olympic weight set w/ squat cage and bench. Everything you need for a great workout.

Ding ding ding

 

[MasterAndCommander]

Total Gym - For the Win!!!

Everytime Chuck Norris exercises with it, the machine gets stronger! :thumbsup:

 

[Lazy8s]

bowflex. I was a member of Gold's Gym for 3 years prior to getting one and it's better than Gold's. No wait, no sweaty seats, 100% safe without a spotter etc. Also you can't smash your finger between plates like I saw many people do, or drop one on your foot. Honestly, not only is it a great workout, you're buying alot of safety that "traditional" machines do not offer. The only downside is weight but I honestly don't need more than 300lbs per leg of weight, it I was bodybuilding I would need the whole gym.

 

[Stuxnet]

Originally posted by: MasterAndCommander
Total Gym - For the Win!!!

Everytime Chuck Norris exercises with it, the machine gets stronger! :thumbsup:

FFS that thing is a zillion dollars!

 

[IceBergSLiM]

i say find one on craigslist and see if you use it at all before dumping a ton of cash on it.

 

[Alienwho]

My roomate had a bowflex in our apartment. We never really used it. Maybe we would if we wanted to get some kind of quick workout in and didn't have enough time to hit the gym. I however prefer free weights so I wasn't a big fan of the bowflex, but I could see how it would work. It's just a preference thing.

 

[Amused]

Originally posted by: fbrdphreak

Originally posted by: skypilot
Craig's List FTW. Olympic weight set w/ squat cage and bench. Everything you need for a great workout.

Ding ding ding

BINGO!!!

 

[tjaisv]

Soloflex

 

[Amused]

You can find things like this cheaper, this was just the first place on the web I found examples...

Something like this:

http://www.bigfitness.com/powerrack3.html

Then a bench like this:

http://www.bigfitness.com/naadfidbe.html

And then an olympic weight set like this:

http://www.bigfitness.com/olweset300lb.html

 

[Stuxnet]

Thanks Amused!

 

[Sentinel]

Try out this site:

http://www.rosstraining.com

*not affiliated in anyway, shape or form. I think he has good advice on cheap ways to stay in shape.

edit: started using a few of his sample conditioning and strengthening routines after I dislocated my shoulder lifting free weights.

 

[Amused]

Originally posted by: jbourne77
Thanks Amused!

You're welcome.

With a cage like that, a bench and a good weight set you can do all your compound exercises from squats, to benches, to shoulder presses to rows safely and easily.

The key to weight lifting exercises is to stick with compound, basic lifts. Isolation lifts are, in most cases, a waste of time. That's why this setup is so beautiful and simple yet versatile.

You can add some dumbells and a curl bar to make the set complete.

 

[EvilYoda]

I was going to suggest a Smith machine, but a cage is fine too...the smith just offers a bit more safety if you're doing everything solo. then it's just an adjustable bench and requisite bars/weights.

 

[SVT Cobra]

Originally posted by: Amused
You can find things like this cheaper, this was just the first place on the web I found examples...

Something like this:

http://www.bigfitness.com/powerrack3.html

Then a bench like this:

http://www.bigfitness.com/naadfidbe.html

And then an olympic weight set like this:

http://www.bigfitness.com/olweset300lb.html

:thumbsup:

 

[daveymark]

bowflex w/ free mat for $399 shipped

Text

I have this and it works great. Bought it on a friday sale for $349 shipped from amazon.

I use dumbells for calves and hams, everything else I use the bowflex for. Hams can be done on the machine but only one at a time, I like to save time.

There are older model bowflex machines on ebay for around $300 or $400 that have the leg curl attachment. Called the Power pro XTL I believe.

I've used this machine and seen major immprovement.

 

[Lazy8s]

You have to consider space too. I keep the bowflex in the bonus room with an extra computer. When I work out there's no floor room but as soon as I'm done it takes up about 3 square feet in the corner and the entire room is usable again.

I like free weights much more than machines but if you're really trying to "weight lift" and not just circuit train keep i mind you could seriously injure yourself without a spotter. This basically leaves you with a machine that uses tracks which is far inferior to the bowflex. The bowfles isn't exactly free weights but it's much closer than a track system, which is why cable systems are gaining so much popularity in gyms.

 

[newbiepcuser]

Originally posted by: F22 Raptor

Originally posted by: Amused
You can find things like this cheaper, this was just the first place on the web I found examples...

Something like this:

http://www.bigfitness.com/powerrack3.html

Then a bench like this:

http://www.bigfitness.com/naadfidbe.html

And then an olympic weight set like this:

http://www.bigfitness.com/olweset300lb.html

:thumbsup:

I've seen Olympic sets on Craig's for 100 bucks.

more pics and cheaper prices

 

[Stuxnet]

Originally posted by: Lazy8s
I like free weights much more than machines but if you're really trying to "weight lift" and not just circuit train keep i mind you could seriously injure yourself without a spotter.

This is actually one of my primary concerns. I won't have a spotter so I'm a little worried about doing a lot of free-weight work on my own, especially this early on.