Going to put together a home gym.

[Irongrip400]

I'd like some suggestions.  I have a gym membership and will keep it, but I wanted to get some used equipment for the garage that I can mess around with when time is short.  I was thinking a power rack, flat bench and some dumbbells, but saw some other machines on sale that I was thinking of getting for the fuck of it.  Please no pics of Basile's bicep machine  .  I was thinking of spending around $2k and wanted to grab a piece of cardio equipment too.  Any suggestions from Getbigger's who have done this?  Thanks.

[DroppingPlates]

Some cardio equipment at home is fine, but most people lack the motivation on the long run to kick ass with the weights.

[Grape Ape]

I'd like some suggestions.  I have a gym membership and will keep it, but I wanted to get some used equipment for the garage that I can mess around with when time is short.  I was thinking a power rack, flat bench and some dumbbells, but saw some other machines on sale that I was thinking of getting for the fuck of it.  Please no pics of Basile's bicep machine  .  I was thinking of spending around $2k and wanted to grab a piece of cardio equipment too.  Any suggestions from Getbigger's who have done this?  Thanks.

I've done this - craigslist is your best friend here.............

Although *right now* walmart has an awesome kettlebell deal - CAP 40/45/50 - all three for $87

Start with:

Power rack
Dumbells - Ironmaster adjustable seem best
flat bench
Olympic bar and weights
Rubber gym mats



Tons of possibilities with 2k - I've seen full home gym set ups, all Rogue equipemnt for that much......go to craigslist and put in "crossfit"....not because you want crossfit, but that tag shows a ton of people dumping full sets of stuff.

[njflex]

I GO TO GYM 4 DAYS IF I WANT EXTRA DAY OR I MISS DAY AT REG GYM DUE TO SCHEDULE ,I GO IN BASEMENT ,I HAVE CABLE 'WEIGHT STACK MACHINE THAT DOES EVRYTHING INCLUDING CHEST PRESS 2 FIFFERENT GRIPS,BENCH'ADJUSTABLE'DBELLS 20 THROUGH 60 ,I NEED TO ADD MORE DBELLS HIGHER ONES..ITS GREAT IN A PINCH.

[Donny]

A cage is best if you got the space. I use a pair of squat stands myself. They are solid though and hold any weight i´ll use. Can also stick a bench between them and do inclines and flat press.

[muscularny]

I've done this - craigslist is your best friend here.............

Although *right now* walmart has an awesome kettlebell deal - CAP 40/45/50 - all three for $87

Start with:

Power rack
Dumbells - Ironmaster adjustable seem best
flat bench
Olympic bar and weights
Rubber gym mats



Tons of possibilities with 2k - I've seen full home gym set ups, all Rogue equipemnt for that much......go to craigslist and put in "crossfit"....not because you want crossfit, but that tag shows a ton of people dumping full sets of stuff.

how many roses do they charge for a full set of weights?

[sync pulse]

Olympic bar, cambered bar that takes olympic plates, Dumbell bars with metal plates, bench, cheap leg extension, cheap stack...Ha Ha...make your girlfriend load your plates while your friends watch...

[Yamcha]

Olympic bar, cambered bar that takes olympic plates, Dumbell bars with metal plates, bench, cheap leg extension, cheap stack...Ha Ha...make take your girlfriend boyfriend's load your plates while your friends watch...

[Grape Ape]

Olympic bar, cambered bar that takes olympic plates, Dumbell bars with metal plates, bench, cheap leg extension, cheap stack...Ha Ha...make your girlfriend load your plates while your friends watch...

Leg extension for home gym?  Very inefficient use of $$ for a specific, unnecessary exercise.

[sync pulse]

There are so many out there...in Houston you don't even have to search hard...there are second hand stores that specialize in exercise equipment...

[Grape Ape]

There are so many out there...in Houston you don't even have to search hard...there are second hand stores that specialize in exercise equipment...

I hear you, I guess it's just personal preference - I wouldn't spend even $50 on that machine.

[Powerlift66]

I've had a home gym since childhood, building it up over 35+ years now. I never had a problem with motivation.
Train in it religiously 4 days or more per week.
I have broken things up a bit and go to the local gym on occasion, as I hate most commercial gyms. (The people, the music, blahhhh)...
This one near me (4 minute drive door to door)is OK, and at 5:30 AM when I train, no one's around when I do go.

I used to like gyms when we had some good ones around in the 80's/early 90's, not many around me these days anymore.
Anyways, get a cage/power rack, Olympic weights, dumbbells, the basics) Then go from there for what room you have.

Nothing beats a great home gym (for the motivated).

[sync pulse]

I hear you, I guess it's just personal preference - I wouldn't spend even $50 on that machine.

I like quadriceps...a lot.

[Grape Ape]

I like quadriceps...a lot.

Me too - front squats, bulgarian split squat, lunge, box jump.......

[Grape Ape]

It appears you have an additional squat stand that you want to sell to me cheap......

j/k - looks great.

[sync pulse]

Grrrr...

[Rusty Trombone]

Some cardio equipment at home is fine, but most people lack the motivation on the long run to kick ass with the weights.

Exactly.

And 220 lbs feels like 400 when lifting at home.

[Grape Ape]

And 220 lbs feels like 400 when lifting at home.

This is something I agree with but haven't quite figured out.

[BB]

For the power rack - www.roguefitness.com . Their racks are excellent, and not too much money. Good power can be a bit hard to find used on the secondary depending on area. Buy a good bar too- The CAP ob-86 is a great one at a modest price, Texas Power Bar is the standard at powerlifting gyms, and Rogue has some great ones too.

Bench - buy a good used flat or if possible, flat to incline. Cybex, Life, Hammer Strength, are all pretty cheap on the secondary.

Dumbbells and Plates - Buy used. Craigslist, Ebay, and especially government and school auctions are good for this.

Rubber Mats - buy horse stall mats. They've become the standard in many home gyms and powerlifting clubs.

Cardio - Bike hooked up to a trainer type stand.

[YngiweRhoads]

Fuck the gym. Waste of time and money unless you're traveling.

Been working out at home since the early 80's. Free weights, bench, power rack and treadmill. Nothing else is needed. The only motivation is to stay as healthy as possible for as long as possible.

[El Diablo Blanco]

Craigslist is your best friend.  Fuck paying full retail for anything.  So many people buy shit and sell it on craigslist a month later.  Negotiate the hell out of any asking price

On a side note I heard Caliber Fitness is where all the pros shop :-)

[_aj_]

Power rack with a bar and some weights, a flat bench and the Ironmaster adjustable DBs. Should come in around $2k even retail.

[devilsmile]

Exactly.

And 220 lbs feels like 400 when lifting at home.

fucking true! Why is it? I've found myself struggling with light weights at home, but when I go to the gym, BOOM, 225 for 112 reps.

Why is it tho?

[R.A.M.]

Some cardio equipment at home is fine, but most people lack the motivation on the long run to kick ass with the weights.

x100000000. just sold my home setup.  It was far too convenient. Kept putting it off.

[Dr.J]

I've had a home gym since childhood, building it up over 35+ years now. I never had a problem with motivation.
Train in it religiously 4 days or more per week.
I have broken things up a bit and go to the local gym on occasion, as I hate most commercial gyms. (The people, the music, blahhhh)...
This one near me (4 minute drive door to door)is OK, and at 5:30 AM when I train, no one's around when I do go.

I used to like gyms when we had some good ones around in the 80's/early 90's, not many around me these days anymore.
Anyways, get a cage/power rack, Olympic weights, dumbbells, the basics) Then go from there for what room you have.

Nothing beats a great home gym (for the motivated).

Flap, flap, flap......nice set up!!