Anyone workout at home? I was thinking about buying a power rack and a decent weight bench.

Does anyone have any experience with certain equipment??? I am looking to spend $400-$500 for some decent eqp.

Thanks

 

I spent too much on one of those all-in-one sit upright home gyms. I've never liked the workout I get from it. If I had to choose again, I'd get a good sturdy incline bench with an olympic weight set, a separate squat rack/lat pull combo unit and a decent floor mat. A set of dumbells, 25 to 55 lbs with a rack would also be nice.

The above mentioned home gym has been left untouched for over a year now thanks to a rotator cuff injury.

 

Something to keep in mind is that most of those home gymes are for average hight folks. I'm 6'1" wich isnt too tall, but tall enough that I dont fit comfortably on most of the home gymes I've tried. Even my bench is a tad too short.
My workout at home usualy consists of running, biking, roller blading, and free weights. We have a tredmill but that thing sucks. We also have one of them bow flex things and it's a total crock.

Working out is sorta like engines. Best way to get a lot of power in a motor is with more cubic inches. Sure, you can add on stuff here and there and get power, but nothing replaces ci's. Same with working out, a machiene is better than nothing and probably will help some, but you just cant replace good ol iron.

 

6'-2", same problem.

 

Thanks for the replies....

I thought more people would respond to this....guess everyone is too busy driving trucks....not enough time to workout I guess.

 

I bought a home gym along with some free-weights... Finally got sick of looking at the gym and sold it on Ebay to some poor sap... I get far more use out of the free weights and they don't take up nearly as much room.

Those new quick-change free-weights Soloflex is selling actually look nice. Take up even less room...

See where I'm going here?

 

I have a Bowflex and use it 3 times a week. When I was younger I hit the free weights pretty hard. Now that I'm older the Bowflex is perfect for toning - not building.

 

Yeah, it really matters what you are wanting out of your workout. Bulk is best gained through free weights. Endurence and strength training are best gained through resistence producing machines. If you actually USE the strength gained from your workout for something other than sports, free weights are the way to go. For example, if you want to get better at splitting wood, I would recommend free weights as the axe will feel much lighter with the correct workout. I'm sure you're aware that machines are 5x safer than free weights, due to the fact that most machines are based upon resistence and not dead weight.
New; a power rack, bench, and free weights in 5 lb incriments from 25-55, and the bars and weight to go with your equipment will run you a little over a grand.
Garage sales, or estate sales are the way to find this stuff.

 

ANAP- Go with free weights, cable machines don't give you the range of motion you can get out of free weights. I have both, and hardly ever use my machine over the old school weights. Back to basics!! Pushups, crunches, pullups etc are also a great way to start. Also, you might try and get a good set of dumbells/curl bar, and one of those exercise *****. It sounds ridiculous but I do alot of my lifts on the ball and you'd be amazed with the amount stabilizer muscles you use trying not only to balance on the ball but to be lifting on top of that.

I'd check at Play it Again Sports (if you have one in the area) or any used sports shop for as much of the equipment as you can get, or like andy said, garage sales.

BTW- I've been working out at my house for about 5 years and love it. It's so much more convenient than going to a gym.

 

You can get a decent set of barbells/dumbels with quick remove collars and plates for easy and fast weight changes. Get a decent bench that inclines and declines, maybe with attachments for leg exercises or preacher curls. If you want to do squats or very heavy bench pressing, get a power rack, aka smith machine. I bought a power rack from Body by Jake a few years ago, no problems with it except keeping the slides lubed. I haven't used more than 350lbs on it, your milage may vary. It was under $500. It's a big piece of equipment for only a few exercises. Don't forget the EZ curl bar.

The all in one machines tend to lose something when you use one or two cables to replace about 2 dozen machines.

Bowflex and the machines that use elastic/rubber bands are good for toning and beginning strength training. If you want to have 18"+ guns and look like the governor, you need steel.

 

Ah yes, we all want to be the Governator!

I've got an all-in-one home gym that's about 12 years old. I love the pull-down and bench press setup - don't need a spotter. Being 6'5", the hack squat section is just about useless. I use dumbells for curls, and wish I had an incline bench and pad for preacher curls. I've got a recumbent bike for endurance work, and a Nordic Trac that never got much use (just seems too rickety, and the ceiling is too close when I'm on it). Never have much luck with the big gun development, but it does get me in shape for skiing every autumn.

 

Thanks to all for the comments and suggestions.

I think I am going to get a bench, and a power rack.....a set of 300lb weights and some dumbells.

I have heard a lot about the training ***** or stabilizing *****.....I will look into those as well.

I just want to do enough exercises to work my whole body...put on about 10 pounds of muscle and lose about 5% bodyfat. I am currently about 6'1 and my weight is around 185 pounds.

 

Stick with it and you'll get into a routine. Then it'll just be a part of your life, like it's become for me. I wanted to start out kinda light, I'm 6-3 and wanted to stay around 205 or so, 5 years later I'm up to 230... It's a sickness, much like spending money on my truck!!

Good luck!

matt

 

Using the ball or "Core Training" is a very effective work-out for people looking for "usable strength." Its a whole other ball game compared to being able to sit on a stable bench. When you start using it you will find you have to lower the weight you would normally use just to stay on the thing and do reps!! In the short time I was able to use it I loved it and would definitely go back to it if I could. I definitely recommend it.

I completely agree with 02FX4dude on the Smith Machine. That's a great machine and is very versatile with different lifts/pulls and being able to use different parts of the same muscle area. You also don't need a spotter when doing final/burnout reps. Only problem is they take up space and aren't very cheap.

Don't waste money on machines, free weights are all you need. My advice, spend more $$$ then you want to on your home gym. This way you will feel really bad when you don't want to work out because you spent all that money. Get a stereo, get a fan, get a GALLON of cold water, and before you do anything stretch!!

A few pointers: Technique is more important the weight! Learn how to do the exercise correctly before you add more weight.. Remember, muscles are made up of 80% water and protein is what rebuilds your muscle fibers. Drink lots of water and give your self a high protein drink and/or a can of tuna for recovery when your finished. LIFT BEFORE CARDIO (anaerobic before aerobic). Lastly, 3 words; STRETCH STRETCH STRETCH!!

I could go on and on giving pointers on stuff. I could give you a whole lot of "what not to do's" because believe me, I wish I didn't do them. I would be in the gym right now!!