Home gym help requested - JP Fitness Forums

stingo · 07-03-2007, 12:06 PM

I'm thinking about getting some gear so I can work out at home. I already have a few gray hex dumbbells and an old cheap bench (an upgrade is planned) and a stability ball. What gear would I need to be ready for just about anything, and if possible recommendations on where to get it. Feel free to pm me with links so as to prevent the appearance of advertising/spam. Thanks in advance for replies.

RobLL · 07-03-2007, 12:40 PM

A power or squat rack, maybe with cable pull high and low, is the most useful for the major lifts. Rubber bands can take the place of the cable pulls, and do a variety of other things for you. Check craig list, and other used equipment sources if you want to save money.

stingo · 07-03-2007, 12:44 PM

Thanks RobLL - I don't mind spending money for quality gear, up until the price becomes exorbitant. I also think I'd like to buy the gear new, so as not to inherit someone else's problems.

Aoife · 07-03-2007, 12:49 PM

A power cage isn't really something that's gonna break down, so getting one used isn't a big deal.

We got ours for a SWEEEET deal on craigs list, I'd highly recommend it. If you wanted the lat tower attachment, that you may want new, but the actual cage? It's a bunch of welded metal? what's to be a "problem" to inherit?

stingo · 07-03-2007, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aoife

A power cage isn't really something that's gonna break down, so getting one used isn't a big deal.

We got ours for a SWEEEET deal on craigs list, I'd highly recommend it. If you wanted the lat tower attachment, that you may want new, but the actual cage? It's a bunch of welded metal? what's to be a "problem" to inherit?

Good point - but I wasn't thinking about a squat rack particularly - yes, there's little if anything to go wrong in something with no moving parts. I just checked craigslist and there's nothing in my area at the moment. Will keep looking though.

chris_f · 07-03-2007, 02:01 PM

stingo... just built my home gym a few months ago... here's what i've got:

- a 300lb olympic weight set, plus a couple of extra 2.5's, 5's and 10's
- a 45lb oly bar
- adjustible olympic dumbell handles
- a flat bench
- a swiss ball
- a cheap standup mirror
- 4 "puzzle style" foam mats (two per side) to use when deadlifting
- galvanized plumping pipe and two o-hooks mounted into my basement support beams as a chinup bar

I don't have a rack (too expensive for my budget right now, nor am i inclined to build one, though there are plans for a DIY one on JP's somewhere). I am able to workout my entire body through a variety of exercises using that equipment. Not surprisingly, most of my work is done with dumbells, though I do occasionally do some bar work (deadlifts, mostly).

The whole setup cost me under $300, about the same as an annual gym membership. Less flexibility in equipment, obviously, but it pays for itself in a year and i don't have to drive there. And when it snows, i can still get a workout in. good luck!

stingo · 07-03-2007, 02:06 PM

Dang, how'd ya manage all that for $300?

I'm not a DIY person when it comes to building, so I'd as soon buy something new or used premade.

chris_f · 07-03-2007, 02:12 PM

the oly set was $100, with barbell. The bench was $50. Got a swiss ball at marshalls (at TJX/TJ Maxx store) for about $10. The dumbell handells were another $20. That's what, $180 so far? The plumping stuff for the chinup bar was another $15, and the floor padding was about $20, so now we're at $215. A rack for the olympic plates was $60 new, so now we're at $275.

And that's all she wrote!

diamondpete · 07-03-2007, 06:31 PM

Everyone has pretty much covered it. I would get a power cage (nice if it has a dip station and pull up bar, even better would be a high low pulley attachment)> A bench, that can incline, a swiss ball (but if you are going to do weighted exercises on I would spring for a good quality one so it doesn't burst when you are doing DB presses on it) a mat and a a step up board (you can get those cheap used from all the aerobics bunnies who have given up)

Definitely go with olympic set, a belt for weighted dips/chins, and some AC/DC, Zepplin, Van Halen. If you are doing some aerobics I have heard that Abba goes well (LOL)

Hope this helps

Peter

stingo · 07-03-2007, 06:59 PM

Indeed thanks for the replies. One question though - I've noticed there's olympic bars that are rated for 800lbs and others for 1500lbs - other than the capacity, is one better than the other?

cdkrug · 07-03-2007, 09:44 PM

Bar ratings are a bit like fairy gold. Pretty to look at but not real.

A $150 barbell set comes with a bar with bolt-on ends and a chrome finish. It's fine for slow lifts, but the bearings aren't all that great and it won't stand much dumping.

For between $300 and $700, you can get a bar with snap-ring ends and good bearings. The weight remains stationary as you whip your elbows round into a full squat clean. The finish is black oxide that doesn't rust and holds up better. The grip diameter and weight are closer to "official" for the type of bar–Olympic Mens, Womens, Juniors and Powerlifting federations all have different rules about what makes a "legal" bar.

A competition bar and (almost always) bumpers are calibrated to be within +/-0.5 kg of their marked weight (iirc) and certified by an independent lab to be rule conforming. They start at 4-figures. They have expensive bronze bearings that, should you spin a plate, will permit it to keep spinning for about a year.

Alcoholiday · 07-03-2007, 10:26 PM

I just add slowly. Here's what i have now:

power rack
deadlift platform w/ band attachments
pulley (i never use this)
bar and thick bar
600lbs weight
blast straps
bands and some chains
GHR
Farmers Walks
DBs 10-60's
Adjustable db handles
Stone+stone mold
Yoke (when they deliver it)

also some smaller things like swiss balls, foam rollers, eagle loops, etc. I'll probably get some more 45s next, or maybe another stone mold or log, not sure yet...

I've just bought it slowly and when i can afford it. And i'm in college, and make car payments+school payments. So...

Alcoholiday · 07-03-2007, 10:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdkrug

Bar ratings are a bit like fairy gold. Pretty to look at but not real.

A $150 barbell set comes with a bar with bolt-on ends and a chrome finish. It's fine for slow lifts, but the bearings aren't all that great and it won't stand much dumping.

For between $300 and $700, you can get a bar with snap-ring ends and good bearings. The weight remains stationary as you whip your elbows round into a full squat clean. The finish is black oxide that doesn't rust and holds up better. The grip diameter and weight are closer to "official" for the type of bar–Olympic Mens, Womens, Juniors and Powerlifting federations all have different rules about what makes a "legal" bar.

A competition bar and (almost always) bumpers are calibrated to be within +/-0.5 kg of their marked weight (iirc) and certified by an independent lab to be rule conforming. They start at 4-figures. They have expensive bronze bearings that, should you spin a plate, will permit it to keep spinning for about a year.

I've heard good things about Jesup's bars (around 100 bucks)

MAXX · 07-04-2007, 12:19 PM

Stingo, I posted some info here:

http://www.fitfriends.com/showthread.php?t=26123

stingo · 07-04-2007, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MAXX

Stingo, I posted some info here:

http://www.fitfriends.com/showthread.php?t=26123

Yeah I saw that - and was thinking about it. Thanks Maxx.

MAXX · 07-04-2007, 06:43 PM

No problem.....

chris_f · 07-04-2007, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MAXX

Stingo, I posted some info here:

http://www.fitfriends.com/showthread.php?t=26123

I didn't realize that fitfriends actually made it into existence... holy carp!!

Lisa~ · 07-06-2007, 05:19 PM

Alwyn Cosgrove on Home Gym Equipment

Quote:

Q: What do you think someone needs to have in a home gym in order to be effective?

A: This is actually an easy one. While anything you have will be useful, basically, I feel there are a minimum of equipment that you will need in order to not compromise your workouts.

First off, you need a way to load a bar on your back – axial loading. This means some kind of a squat rack or power rack. This is the first piece of equipment you need.

Then for the rest of the upper body – we need the ability to push and pull in the vertical and horizontal planes.

Horizontal plane: This just means DB’s or a bar to push or pull against, and probably some kind of adjustable bench.
Vertical plane: DB pressing etc is all you need for vertical pushing, but in order to train vertical pull you definitely need a chinning bar as a minimum.

So it’s a power rack with chinning bar, and an adjustable bench. And some weight. Get over to elitefts.com and get yourself set up.