Originally posted by: drnickriviera
Background. I'm 28 5'10" 132lbs. I have a small frame, wrist 6". Now that i'm getting older I can see my metabolism slowing and i'm starting to add some insulation. I figure it's time to get into shape and to gain some strength. Those 80lb bags of concrete kill me.
I've been doing some basic work with dumbells, but I think it's time to spend some money and get a home gym. I"ve seen some used bowlfex units for $400-$600, but looking at some bodybuilding forums, people don't seem to like them at all.
I'm looking for something that doesn't require a spotter. Would something like this be ok for a beginner?
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=5280822
Budget is the $500 range.
I've seen the above recommendations. I think I can find something a little better within your price range.
I prefer a power rack type setup with a high & low pulley (lat work out etc), but having a bench come with it.
I'll see if I can locate what I've got, purchased at Dick's Sporting Goods.
BTW: they do have systems for those who prefer a spotter, but don't have one. I can't remeber the name. I don't care for that type of system. but I'll look for it too. I no longer do max's on bench, but when I did just leave the collars off. If you can't get get the weight of your chest, just lean slightly to one side and they (weight plates) will slide off.
Fern
EDIT: Dangit, I just went to Dicks site and can't find what I've got. I do see the local store advertising the same in the Sunday newspaper flyers. I'll check the manual when I get home and can maybe find a link for you tomorrow.
It's got:
A power rack for squats & bench.
A high and low pully with bars & attachments, like for doing lat pulldowns, arm curls, rear delt type work & other stuff). The low pulley can be adjusted to anywhere from the floor to about 5" or 6' high.
A bench with a leg extension thingy on it. Also has a preacher curl attachment.
The bench is adjustable up & down for incline and decline benches, decline sit ups, whatever. The bench is very sturdy and is NOT directly attached to the power rack part, so it can be easily moved for space when doing high/low pulley and squat excersises.
The whole thing is very sturdy built. I estimate it take up an area of about 6' x 8' (that's with the bench sticking out - I had a concern about space, don't know if that's important for you).
The parts of the system taht uses your weight plates, like lat pull downs or leg extensions will take both olympic size plates or the smaller dumbell type stuff (I'm talking about teh size of the hole in the middle of the plate).
I think I got it on sale (which is often) for about $200-300 IIRC. I know it wasn't more.
Add an Olympic bar with about 300 or lbs, usually on sale for $99.
You'll be within budget, even if you want some extra attachments, weight lifting belt/gloves, cambered curling bar, whatever.
Oh, the type bench/rack system that has a safeguard built-in for thise without spotters, is called a Smith system or machine. You can do basically the same with what I've got. Mine comes with two sets of pegs for the power rack. One (larger set) can be inserted to prevent the bar from going any lower, the other set can be set at the start postiton. etc.
Fern
