Need Advice on building a home gym.

[dxkj]

Moving into a new house in 3 weeks and there is a great area in the basement for a "gym" or workout area.. Overall I have up to 10x20 feet of space, but Im not anticipating using that much room.

Any advice from people who have build their home gym on what I should get? I have worked out on and off in the past and am really looking forward to having a decent amount of equipment for solo-workouts.

What I currently have:
Adjustable 1 hand barbell? (not sure of the wording) with enough weights to get 40 lbs on each one (might up that a little)

Currently on my list:

1) Air-rower
2) benchpress bar + weights (200-250 lbs will be more than enough for a while)
3) Bench (do they make self-spotting benches? Im a little worried about using heavy weights since I will be working out alone (or with my 110 wife spotting me )



Ive seen those combo weight machines where you can do many exercises and they use pullies and plates... i havnt been too impressed with those types of machines in the past (the all in ones) and want to try to do as much with free-weights as I can.


thanks!

 

[Looney]

Get a cage... you can set it up so it can somewhat be self-spotting (if you can't get it up to the regular rack because you've overestimated yourself, you can just put it in a lower rack... i worked out for years by myself, and this has saved a lot of possible embarrasing moments).

And with a cage, you can do squats too.

Here's a pic: http://www.home-gym-direct.com/catalog/...ower_Racks/Power_Rack_Editor_s_Choice/

So for example, you'll put a rack up where you want to start and end the benchpresses, then you might want to put a rack (not the long horizontal ones, those are for squats 'spotting) a couple of holes down, so that if you are unable to put it at the top, you can at least get enough strength to put it on the lower rack.

 

[Nitemare]

Originally posted by: dxkj
Moving into a new house in 3 weeks and there is a great area in the basement for a "gym" or workout area.. Overall I have up to 10x20 feet of space, but Im not anticipating using that much room.

Any advice from people who have build their home gym on what I should get? I have worked out on and off in the past and am really looking forward to having a decent amount of equipment for solo-workouts.

What I currently have:
Adjustable 1 hand barbell? (not sure of the wording) with enough weights to get 40 lbs on each one (might up that a little)

Currently on my list:

1) Air-rower
2) benchpress bar + weights (200-250 lbs will be more than enough for a while)
3) Bench (do they make self-spotting benches? Im a little worried about using heavy weights since I will be working out alone (or with my 110 wife spotting me )



Ive seen those combo weight machines where you can do many exercises and they use pullies and plates... i havnt been too impressed with those types of machines in the past (the all in ones) and want to try to do as much with free-weights as I can.


thanks!

3 Don't put collars on holding the weight and/or if there is any question as to if you can do one more, don't.

 

[Juno]

add leg press?

 

[PawNtheSandman]

Get a smith machine. Lots of places have decent ones under $300. You won't need a spotter, and you can do benches and squats on it.

Get a bench with removable leg attachment as well.

Keep your existing weights. Buy some dumbells and a yoga ball.

That will pretty much do everything for you.

 

[jds2006]

You should get an elliptical machine if you ever intend to do an aerobic workout

 

[dxkj]

Originally posted by: jewno
add leg press?

I was thinking of squats instead

 

[dxkj]

Originally posted by: pinkeywear
You should get an elliptical machine if you ever intend to do an aerobic workout

Thats what the air-rower is for

 

[dxkj]

Originally posted by: PawNtheSandman
Get a smith machine. Lots of places have decent ones under $300. You won't need a spotter, and you can do benches and squats on it.

Get a bench with removable leg attachment as well.

Keep your existing weights. Buy some dumbells and a yoga ball.

That will pretty much do everything for you.

What is a smith machine??

 

[PawNtheSandman]

http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/produ...Id=1181589&cp=698440&parentPage=family

 

[m2kewl]

Originally posted by: dxkj

Originally posted by: jewno
add leg press?

I was thinking of squats instead

ideally you shouldn't put all that weight on your spine. i used to do 100lb barbell squats and you feel that strain. just my $.02.

 

[dxkj]

Originally posted by: m2kewl

Originally posted by: dxkj

Originally posted by: jewno
add leg press?

I was thinking of squats instead

ideally you shouldn't put all that weight on your spine. i used to do 100lb barbell squats and you feel that strain. just my $.02.

Hrm... Im sure my spine wont mind a few hundred extra pounds

 

[dxkj]

Updated list:


1) Air-rower
2) benchpress bar + weights (200-250 lbs will be more than enough for a while)
3) Bench with leg attachment
4) Cage/Smith Machine



What would be good for abs?

 

[skace]

Are the all in one machines really bad? I was thinking of getting one of those...

 

[pclstyle]

crunches/situps/legextends...

don't even have to alternate days, just do 300-400 every morning/night.

 

[So]

Anyone else see this thread topic and think "The Sims"?

 

[franksta]

By Air rower do you mean an Erg? I remember using those in college during the winter off-season to keep in shape for the rowing team. Many a time I lost my breakfast after pulling a 5k. Trying to keep up with the bigger guys wasn't such a hot idea.

 

[dxkj]

Originally posted by: skace
Are the all in one machines really bad? I was thinking of getting one of those...

My grandmother got us one when we were kids.... 700 and it was a piece of crap for the most part... maybe the $2,000 ones are better?

 

[91TTZ]

Originally posted by: m2kewl

ideally you shouldn't put all that weight on your spine. i used to do 100lb barbell squats and you feel that strain. just my $.02.

My trainer says that the human body was designed with a natural ridge on your back that was made to hold a bar.

As long as you do deadlifts, your back will hold up fine. I'm up to 315x8 now. (90 degree squats, not the junk that you see trainers at Bally's telling you to do)

 

[dxkj]

Originally posted by: franksta

By Air rower do you mean an Erg? I remember using those in college during the winter off-season to keep in shape for the rowing team. Many a time I lost my breakfast after pulling a 5k. Trying to keep up with the bigger guys wasn't such a hot idea.

Yeah... air rower, rowing machine....

I did this everyday for 2-3k for 3 months and the strength increase and cardio increase was great.

Ive always wanted one , and now that Ive gotten a house I have room.... I will probably get a cheapo model for now $200 with decent reviews, and maybe spring for the $800 one if I get serious about it, and have money in another 5 years

 

[dxkj]

Originally posted by: 91TTZ

Originally posted by: m2kewl

ideally you shouldn't put all that weight on your spine. i used to do 100lb barbell squats and you feel that strain. just my $.02.

My trainer says that the human body was designed with a natural ridge on your back that was made to hold a bar.

As long as you do deadlifts, your back will hold up fine. I'm up to 315x8 now. (90 degree squats, not the junk that you see trainers at Bally's telling you to do)

Shouldnt you do beyond 90 degrees? That gives you more of a workout, and it isnt as hard on the knees

 

[Spamela]

Originally posted by: 91TTZ

Originally posted by: m2kewl

ideally you shouldn't put all that weight on your spine. i used to do 100lb barbell squats and you feel that strain. just my $.02.

My trainer says that the human body was designed with a natural ridge on your back that was made to hold a bar.

As long as you do deadlifts, your back will hold up fine. I'm up to 315x8 now. (90 degree squats, not the junk that you see trainers at Bally's telling you to do)

your trainer is a wise person.

 

[91TTZ]

Originally posted by: dxkj

Originally posted by: 91TTZ

Originally posted by: m2kewl

ideally you shouldn't put all that weight on your spine. i used to do 100lb barbell squats and you feel that strain. just my $.02.

My trainer says that the human body was designed with a natural ridge on your back that was made to hold a bar.

As long as you do deadlifts, your back will hold up fine. I'm up to 315x8 now. (90 degree squats, not the junk that you see trainers at Bally's telling you to do)

Shouldnt you do beyond 90 degrees? That gives you more of a workout, and it isnt as hard on the knees

Going past 90 degrees is much harder on your knees.

 

[Munky]

http://www.megafitness.com/ptc0033.html

You should get this gym. It has a bunch of different workouts (you can even do squats), dont need a spotter, and you can load some serious weight on it. If I were buying a home gym, this would be one of my top choices.

Either that or some kind of multi-station smith machine, those are good too.

 

[dxkj]

Originally posted by: 91TTZ

Originally posted by: dxkj

Originally posted by: 91TTZ

Originally posted by: m2kewl

ideally you shouldn't put all that weight on your spine. i used to do 100lb barbell squats and you feel that strain. just my $.02.

My trainer says that the human body was designed with a natural ridge on your back that was made to hold a bar.

As long as you do deadlifts, your back will hold up fine. I'm up to 315x8 now. (90 degree squats, not the junk that you see trainers at Bally's telling you to do)

Shouldnt you do beyond 90 degrees? That gives you more of a workout, and it isnt as hard on the knees

Going past 90 degrees is much harder on your knees.

Hrm I heard the other way, you and Koing should duke it out to decide who is right