Worth it to buy weight equipment?

[Saint Nick]

Just wondering how many of you out there buy weight lifting equipment. I'm talking the weapons-grade stuff, like the big racks and plates like those in the gym.

I've considered buying a rack so that I can do my squats, dead lift, bench, etc all at home. I'm doing Mark Rippetoe's routine, but might switch to the 5x5 routine. I'm at the gym for only about 30 to 45 minutes doing the Starting Strength routine... My gym is free through the college, but I don't have a parking pass and don't want to buy one. Driving to the gym, parking, walking, then doing that again when I'm done is a huge pain in the ass and inconvenient.

Anyone here buy equipment for home use besides just free weights/bar bells? And, did you think it was a worthwhile investment?

 

[Onita]

I have a rack and weights at home. Most definately worth it to me. I've also easily saved $$ by not going to the gym now. It is also much easier to motivate myself to walk downstairs rather than get ready and go to the gym.

Also, if you're patient, Craigslist is great to setup a home gym.

 

[Zivic]

I would say no.... but if have a large enough home, a large enough budget to buy QUALITY equipment it may be worth it

 

[darkxshade]

If I had a home, I would. I'd get a power rack, barbell, bumper plates and I wouldn't have to pay $70/month for the gym ever again.

 

[bhanson]

What if you need a spotter?

 

[DeckardBlade]

What if you need a spotter?

Just need a rack with safety pins.

 

[DeckardBlade]

Worth it to me. 300lb olympic set for about $180 off of CL (can be found even cheaper if patient or willing to drive a bit). I have low ceilings in my basement so an open power rack is ideal. Never found one used (finding a full rack is much easier) but brand new is $350-$500. For me, being frugal (cheap) if I buy something I make damn sure I use it, and find it's very convenient to workout at home.

 

[Saint Nick]

Thanks guys...

I would probably try to get the self spotting racks, but I live with a few other people so it wouldn't be hard to get someone to spot me.

 

[Mackowitz]

Not worth it to me, but I don't have the space. A high quality rack plus is expensive and for squats and dead lifts I am in the 405 to 455 range, so I would need at least 500 lbs of weights, and that gets expensive even on Craigslist. I have a nice bench and olympic weight set to do a light workout if I can't get to the gym, but getting enough weight for squats/DL would be too much money and space. My 24hour fitness is only $18 a month, plus I can stair at women in between sets there. Lifting at home, I suppose I could have my wife stand in the garage to stair at her, but that might get wierd.

 

[DeckardBlade]

I would need at least 500 lbs of weights, and that gets expensive even on Craigslist

http://chicago.craigslist.org/sox/spo/2281385293.html 520lbs in olympic plates at $.45/lb ($234). Not as cheap as a year membership at $18/month but would be cheaper after the second year.

 

[apathy_next2]

I been thinking about this as well. Buying a home gym system from Craigslist. The problem seems to be actually transporting the damn thing. has anyone done this? it has to be annoying as hell, disassembling the damn thing to transport it and then reassembling it, and doing it right on top of that...
Any tips?

 

[Spamela]

my son had a power cage, a few bars, a plate rack, & about 900 lbs. of plates when he lived with me.

besides the cost, you need a lot of space - for most people that means
the garage, where heating and cooling may be an issue.

you need a few other things - thick pad(s) for the floor & a rack for the plates (unless the cage has one). you definitely have to bolt the cage/squat rack to the floor and the wall for safety.

 

[TRCDROM]

I used to have equipment at home including commercial weights. treadmill and spinner bike. It came in handy sometimes. The big drawback was that sometimes I want to workout to get away from everything. I do not want to see my home distractions - I just want to go to the gym get into a zone and push weights. Sometimes I enjoy seeing others lifting weights (give me inspiration) and sometimes a few minute chat with a friend (or at least gym acquaintance) before or after workout puts me in a better mood. The one thing I don't like is chatting while working out or people that chatter the whole time (in person, cell phone, etc...)

If you can focus and not get distracted (oh look the Simpsons are on Television and I need to go to the supermarket) then having the stuff at home is good. As far as the weights go, they are cheap enough. I bought some of my stuff on Craigslist. Make sure you are getting the commercial grade stuff - it makes a big difference There are numerous ads on craigslist for gyms (or liquidators of gyms) that went out of business. The spinning bike I got for $250 delivered ($1,200 new). On the flip side my treadmill was $1,600 (low end commercial treadmill) but was a few hundred pounds - it was similar to the one I saw in a gym. It took three people to get it in my apartment. An elephant could run on it and it will not move/shift and the motor will turn the tread and the displayed speed. When I moved I sold it and someone got a really good deal on it.

As one poster stated - you may also be losing your spotter. You always want at least someone in the gym when lifting - even if it is light. When I bench 135 or 185 it is nice to know that if something goes wrong someone can at least hear my screams of panic ( so far I have not had to use that assistance) and I always ask for someone to keep an eye on me (even if they are not spotting me) anytime I do 225 or higher.

 

[MotF Bane]

I'm plotting out putting mine into a basement. I figure I'll be here for at least a couple more years minimum, and it saves the $25/month plus the 15 minute drive each way, to a gym that has no bumpers, no power racks, and only two squat racks.

 

[dfuze]

For my situation it was much easier (not to mention cheaper) to set up in the basement since the wife and I worked split shifts until recently and I was home with the kids at night. I found I was able to do a great workout with just a few pieces of equipment: dumbells, recombinent bike, a couple bars, bench, and a cheap rack with a pull down cable. I don't think you need to go full out on expensive gear to get what you want accomplished.

 

[kalrith]

I'm plotting out putting mine into a basement. I figure I'll be here for at least a couple more years minimum, and it saves the $25/month plus the 15 minute drive each way, to a gym that has no bumpers, no power racks, and only two squat racks.

I'm in a similar situation, with room in the basement and not wanting to spend the time and money to go to the gym. I can get everything I need for less than $500 off of Craigslist. I can also just walk downstairs at 7:30 after my son goes to bed and be done working out by 8:30. It would take at least an extra 30 minutes to go to the gym and back, and that assumes they have all the equipment I want, and I don't have to wait on anyone to use it.

 

[NAC]

It was for me. I spent $450 or so on a new power rack, $150 on a used olympic weight set, $50 for a punching bag, and got some standard weights from family. Iron is iron – used is just as functional as new so buy used if you can. I didn’t have the patience to wait for a used & nice power rack to show up on craigslist so I bought new. But for me I care much more about the time savings and convenience than on saving money.

Only problem is it is in my detached, unheated garage. It takes extra willpower to go out there when it is below freezing. Brrr.

 

[CrazyAznDriver]

I love my stuff, here are a couple of pics. No driving to the gym, no waiting for the 2 power racks at the gym(usually curlers...) listen to my music loud, work out in my boxers :sneaky:. Rack is from elitefts, bumpers from roguefit, bar is pendlay.

 

[Zen0]

Just wondering how many of you out there buy weight lifting equipment. I'm talking the weapons-grade stuff, like the big racks and plates like those in the gym.

I've considered buying a rack so that I can do my squats, dead lift, bench, etc all at home. I'm doing Mark Rippetoe's routine, but might switch to the 5x5 routine. I'm at the gym for only about 30 to 45 minutes doing the Starting Strength routine... My gym is free through the college, but I don't have a parking pass and don't want to buy one. Driving to the gym, parking, walking, then doing that again when I'm done is a huge pain in the ass and inconvenient.

Anyone here buy equipment for home use besides just free weights/bar bells? And, did you think it was a worthwhile investment?

I don't think it will work. Work environments, gym environments... environments are important...

 

[Onita]

I don't think it will work. Work environments, gym environments... environments are important...

Are you trying to say having a home gym won't work?

 

[Zen0]

Are you trying to say having a home gym won't work?

Yup, not as well anyway. Just like working from home isn't as productive.

 

[CrazyAznDriver]

Yup, not as well anyway. Just like working from home isn't as productive.

If you are dedicated to working out it is fine. If not you might have an expensive clothing rack. Same can be said of the gym, I know a few people that pay the fee and hardly go.

 

[Zen0]

If you are dedicated to working out it is fine. If not you might have an expensive clothing rack. Same can be said of the gym, I know a few people that pay the fee and hardly go.

It's a distraction, because it's your home. Just like working from home... hard to get as much done. When you're in the gym, there's no other reason to be there.

Also, there is the added benefit of social interaction and human contact that helps people workout. Or not, some people are deathly anxiety ridden.

 

[CrazyAznDriver]

It's a distraction, because it's your home. Just like working from home... hard to get as much done. When you're in the gym, there's no other reason to be there.

Also, there is the added benefit of social interaction and human contact that helps people workout. Or not, some people are deathly anxiety ridden.

See I find it much more productive working out from home. I can get my sets in with out people bothering me to work in or me asking them to work in, waiting for equipment to free up, no drive time eating up time, etc. My routine has stayed the same yet my workout time has gone down, way down if you factor in drive time. There aren't as many pretty girls to look at so that is a negative I guess. Just because you may work out better at the gym doesn't mean it's so for everyone . But like I said you need to have some dedication so working out from home, or at all, isn't for everyone either.

 

[Zen0]

See I find it much more productive working out from home. I can get my sets in with out people bothering me to work in or me asking them to work in, waiting for equipment to free up, no drive time eating up time, etc. My routine has stayed the same yet my workout time has gone down, way down if you factor in drive time. There aren't as many pretty girls to look at so that is a negative I guess. Just because you may work out better at the gym doesn't mean it's so for everyone . But like I said you need to have some dedication so working out from home, or at all, isn't for everyone either.

Well that's a problem if you work out at an overcrowded gym for sure.

Most people work better at an office rather than a home, which is why I said most people work out better at the gym rather than home.