Getbig.com: American Bodybuilding, Fitness and Figure
Getbig Bodybuilding Boards => Training Q&A => Topic started by: LT on February 20, 2007, 11:00:59 PM
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I want get some feed back about home gyms. I have been working at a gym for 11 years. I'm 31 years old with a baby on the way and my wife and I are looking to by a new home. I want to buy a home gym so I can work out at home if I can't make it to the gym. Is the BOFLEX any good or is it garbage? Should I just get a bench, barbell, dumbbells, and Multi sport gyms? What kind of home gym can I get that covers all the muscle work outs?
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Ideas...
http://www.megafitness.com/5-50-hex-dumbbell-set.html
http://www.megafitness.com/dumbbell-racks.html
http://www.megafitness.com/inm0003.html
http://www.megafitness.com/chin-dip-leg-raise.html
D
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most that are serious about their homegym get a powerrack so they can squat.hardest part to train at homei is legs... kinda depends if you just want to maintain what you allready got or build some serious muscle... but i guess it depends on how much you want to spend and if you got room for it. some of these racks also allow chins and even dips... put a bench under it and you can safely do benchpresses to without a spotter.
problem with dumbbells is that they tend to get expensive when you buy a lot of them and just a few pairs wont do...
a dips/chins like linked above isnt bad... that'd take care of back, chest, triceps and biceps... get a barbbell and you can do shoulders, legs, traps etc too
stick around, im sure there'll be more advice coming :)
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If i were you, iŽd buy olympic barbell, plenty of plates, some heavy dumbells, couple of adjustable dumbells (for warming up). Proper bench and a squat rack. If you still got dough get a cable station for rows, curls, pushdowns etc.
Stay away from those "multi-all-in-one-home-systems" most of them are crap and even if youŽd be able to find a decent one it canŽt replace "good ole compound exercices" you can do with free weights.
Good luck...
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Basically if you want to cover all angles you can go in several directions. Power racks are only one of the options. In each case get a basic setup then add dumbbells and other extras to increase the options. Here are some better examples:
1/All in one machines + dumbbells, etc.
-Powertec
http://www.powertecfitness.com/workbench_lev_gym.htm
http://www.powertecfitness.com/workbench_vertical.htm
http://www.powertecfitness.com/workbench_multi_sysn.htm
-Bodysolid
http://www.bodysolid.com/Item.aspx?ItemID=249&ItemLabel=SBL460P4%3a+Body-Solid+Leverage+Gym
http://www.bodysolid.com/
-Bowflex
http://www.bowflexshop.com/global/brandhome3.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302032085&bmUID=1172073338340&adID=degbfbhg&bmUID=1172073337871
2/ Individual machine stations + free weights:
http://www.powertecfitness.com/powertec_gallery.htm
3/Racks + olympic bars, dumbbells, etc.
Many companies
http://www.powertecfitness.com/power_rack_system.htm
http://www.bodysolid.com/Category.aspx?CategoryTypeID=7&CategoryID=37&ItemLabel=Power+Racks
http://www.newyorkbarbells.com/
4/ Bench + dumbbell combos:
-Ironmaster
http://www.ironmaster.com/store/customer/home.php
-Powerblock
http://powerblock.com/
Texas olympic power bars, etc.:
http://www.flexcart.com/members/elitefts/default.asp?cid=211
Accessories:
http://www.grizzlyfitness.com/
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As Bluto suggested, a Power Rack might be your best choice. With the safety features alone, it can be worth the investment. And no spotters are ever needed. The better ones will have a dipping bar attachment and a chining bar. A few can have both of those and a cable attachment (high or low). Some may suggest a Smith machine but the con's can out weigh the pro's. Not a machine suited for everyone.
Unless your doing extra heavy DB work, a regular adjustable set (or two) should fit your needs. A flat/incline bench (combined) should fill you requirements quite well.
If you really needed only the basic equipment for training, than a dipping and chinning bar would be all you would need for the upper body. Along with a hooked chin/dipping belt and assorted plates. Step-up or one legged squats for the legs. Of course you would be limited for variety of exercise. All depends what your goals are.
Might check out the local ad's in the paper, Recycler, etc. This time of year a lot of prime exercise equipment can be found and at a very low cost.. Those New Years resolutions and Christmas exercise presents can fall by the way very quickly when people realize that it really does take a little effort to workout. If you buy anything on line, might want to check the shipping coast. That can be anywhere to 50% of the equipment ordered it's self. If you have a pick-up, and you find something near by, that go get it yourself. I've drove a couple of 100 miles in my truck, to get some very find equipment for our gym, last summer. Worth it in the long run. Good Luck.
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As Bluto suggested, a Power Rack might be your best choice. With the safety features alone, it can be worth the investment. And no spotters are ever needed. The better ones will have a dipping bar attachment and a chining bar. A few can have both of those and a cable attachment (high or low). Some may suggest a Smith machine but the con's can out weigh the pro's. Not a machine suited for everyone.
Unless your doing extra heavy DB work, a regular adjustable set (or two) should fit your needs. A flat/incline bench (combined) should fill you requirements quite well.
If you really needed only the basic equipment for training, than a dipping and chinning bar would be all you would need for the upper body. Along with a hooked chin/dipping belt and assorted plates. Step-up or one legged squats for the legs. Of course you would be limited for variety of exercise. All depends what your goals are.
Might check out the local ad's in the paper, Recycler, etc. This time of year a lot of prime exercise equipment can be found and at a very low cost.. Those New Years resolutions and Christmas exercise presents can fall by the way very quickly when people realize that it really does take a little effort to workout. If you buy anything on line, might want to check the shipping coast. That can be anywhere to 50% of the equipment ordered it's self. If you have a pick-up, and you find something near by, that go get it yourself. I've drove a couple of 100 miles in my truck, to get some very find equipment for our gym, last summer. Worth it in the long run. Good Luck.
Craigslist as well. We've tried to sell off old equipment, it's worth pennies on the dollar...definetely go used.
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Used is worth exploring and can give great value-or not. I buy and sell on Craig's fairly regularly. Ebay as well; sometimes can get a good deal on gym equipment, especially if it's located in your area.
Depending on the piece, the used price can still be high, plus the selection's not always great, especially in smaller markets. Also if the model's an older one, parts support can be problematic AND there will be no warranty. In addition, the physical act of transporting a used piece can be very daunting (i've done it) vs. having a new piece shipped directly to your door, often at no cost. Then there's the condition-sometimes used equipment's like new, sometimes it's not. Then there's the fact that there's no return policy on used, so you better be sure of what you're getting before buying.
As a result, it's worth considering both new and used.
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I have a power rack and love it. I lift with a coworker during our lunch break and I have pretty much everything I need for a good workout. The most expensive part was my rubber coated dumbells with rack. You can find the Power racks cheap if you look around just make sure you get the cable attachment with it... normally it cost extra. I picked up a body solid bench off of ebay for 229 shipped that I really like.. very heavy and very solid.
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PowerRack w/ cable Pulldown, FID bench, Hex Bells in your fav sizes (keep adding).
Also: PLing- Chains, bands, wire/ chain-clips, 2x12" boards & cordless screw gun & skill saw for various board press rigs.
2 or 3 Stability balls, various sizes (for stretching moves)
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One prime factor about a basic Power Rack is that there are no moving parts. Except for the setting pins, of course. If it comes with a /dip/chinning device, no problem either. If a pulley/lat machine is attached, the only moving parts should be the pulley wheels, which (on the ones I've seen) are pretty standard. Any good hardware store should have a matching replace pulley wheel. Probably would only need a hex wrench on most. Any cable should be inspected closely though. If any one uses a Power Rack, a good investment is rubber inter locking mat's to go with it. Actually any home gym floor could benefit from those mats on the floor.
If you part a Power Rack, it's pretty easy to move on the back of a trailer or P/U, with tie downs. Seeing as how BB'ers are manly men (in theory) and much stronger than the average guy, really no problem moving most equipment. This way we can tell who has developed the most functional strength. A dolly & handcart can work wonders, also.. Good luck.
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Transportation of used gear and the potential difficulty of getting pieces of equipment in/out of apartments, ain't no joke, even for long-winded macho men. Especially for those less obsessed with power racks. ;D
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adjustable bench, bb, plates, some dumbells, dipping and chinning bar, you can do the entire upper body with that. if you have enough space, add a pulley for pushdowns and pulldowns. go to the gym once a week to do legs.
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Thanks to all you guys for the responses especially pumpster, and dylan_dent for putting the links on here. The Power Rack looks like the best equipment to get for me. Also buying this stuff used (Craigslist) might be a good idea before I spend like $2,000.00. I probably won't look at it but what are your opinions on the BOWFLEX? Is it something a real BB can use?
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bowflex = waste of money
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bowflex = waste of money
Absurd; obviously has very little experience with it. I'll bet he's still angry that he wasn't able to use it's max. resistance for upper body exercises. ;D
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Thanks to all you guys for the responses especially pumpster, and dylan_dent for putting the links on here. The Power Rack looks like the best equipment to get for me. Also buying this stuff used (Craigslist) might be a good idea before I spend like $2,000.00. I probably won't look at it but what are your opinions on the BOWFLEX? Is it something a real BB can use?
LT's a new account I see, who clearly has a specific interest in BOWFLEX. What are your impressions so far? Feel free to share plenty of details as to why it interests you. :D
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LT's a new account I see, who clearly has a specific interest in BOWFLEX. What are your impressions so far? Feel free to share plenty of details as to why it interests you and your experiences with it. :D
The only reason why the BOWFLEX interests me is because of it's size (doesn't take up much space) and it covers all the workouts. I don't know if the BOWFLEX really works for real BB. I think I'm going to go with the Power Rack, dumbbells, bench when the time comes.
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The only reason why the BOWFLEX interests me is because of it's size (doesn't take up much space) and it covers all the workouts. I don't know if the BOWFLEX really works for real BB. I think I'm going to go with the Power Rack, dumbbells, bench when the time comes.
According to gh15, one of the most knowledgeable accounts on getbig and probably a bodybuilding pro, a Bowflex & a pair of adjustable dumbbells is great. I agree with him. The only constraint with a Bowflex is when you get to over 410 lb. in lifts. However, 3rd party bands could be added to increase the resistance further. Other than that, I think it's comparable to any of the other options, and is safer as well as smaller. Exactly why i included it in my list. Also, they sell for low used prices on craiglist.org. The better model is the Ultimate-lots of exercise options, and built well, similar to gym equipment.
For small size, it or an adjustable bench with some dumbbells are the best. The bench and DBs wouldn't allow exercises the Bow would though, like standard squats and leg presses for example.
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I wonder if The Pumpster would kindly send photo's of him using his BowFlex, as the main source of his BB'ing program. It would help a lot of guy's here to see why The Pumpster believes in the BowFlex so highly. And see how he gets his own max muscle development results. Good luck.
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GH15s posts rock, wish he'd slap up more.
I wouldn't take his opinion lightly. Real is Real.
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....I'll bet he's still angry that he wasn't able to use it's max. resistance for upper body exercises. ;D
;D
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I just bought the BodySolid Bench, w/ Smith machine, 14 safety catches for bench and squats, and two heavy duty safetys that can take a beating, ulitmately giving you a "rack", because it has all the same benefits. Plus a cable pulldown, lat attachment, 400lbs. olympic bar, preacher attach., leg ext. attach., and also a few heavy duty mats for the floor.
Go talk to the Blockhead on here, just look him up in members and send him a pm. He helped me out when I was looking and he steered me in the right direction. BodySolid is not crazy expensive, but the best part is EVERYTHING has a lifetime warranty, and if anything breaks, they replace it no questions asked. Plus I have given the safetys some beatings cause I workout by myself every week and they show no signs of wear and tear. Also when I was researching ( I hunted for 4 months for what I was looking for) I noticed almost all of the home gyms had max weight loads of 800lbs., BodySolid has a max of 2,000 lbs!!!!!!!! I am totally happy, contact The Blockhead, he'll take care of ya., just tell him Mick sent you. ;)
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I just bought the BodySolid Bench, w/ Smith machine, 14 safety catches for bench and squats, and two heavy duty safetys that can take a beating, ulitmately giving you a "rack", because it has all the same benefits. Plus a cable pulldown, lat attachment, 400lbs. olympic bar, preacher attach., leg ext. attach., and also a few heavy duty mats for the floor.
Go talk to the Blockhead on here, just look him up in members and send him a pm. He helped me out when I was looking and he steered me in the right direction. BodySolid is not crazy expensive, but the best part is EVERYTHING has a lifetime warranty, and if anything breaks, they replace it no questions asked. Plus I have given the safetys some beatings cause I workout by myself every week and they show no signs of wear and tear. Also when I was researching ( I hunted for 4 months for what I was looking for) I noticed almost all of the home gyms had max weight loads of 800lbs., BodySolid has a max of 2,000 lbs!!!!!!!! I am totally happy, contact The Blockhead, he'll take care of ya., just tell him Mick sent you. ;)
Bodysolid's top quality, similar to gym equipment. Powertec's stuff is similar in feel and built to last, with the quality slightly lower in terms of machining and tolerances, thus the shorter warranty and generally lower prices.
Both excellent at providing a gym workout at home. The advantage in looking at both company's equipment is that each makes different pieces, with some overlap. For example, Powertec makes some plate-loaded stations that Body Solid doesn't, and/or the price is lower. In each case it's better to try each out first, to see the difference in feel, size, etc.
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I loved working out at home back in the day , have a meal cooking while your own music is blearing , no travel time and to be honest id train more and more consistently
would look at it again when i have a bigger home
but like people have said the problems are variety which means you have to buy more than just a bench and rack and legs/calves
i cant do squats and deads cos of my back and nothing seems to beat leg curl/extn and leg press
lunges and one leg squats with db's just dont seem to cut it to a leg press
also doing calves effectivly i found quite a mission compared to using the seated calf machine at the gym
i think its only worth it if u can buy alot of equipment including dumbbells , if so then youd be set for life and itd probably be a saving overall minus the travel and gym costs.
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I loved working out at home back in the day , have a meal cooking while your own music is blearing , no travel time and to be honest id train more and more consistently
would look at it again when i have a bigger home
but like people have said the problems are variety which means you have to buy more than just a bench and rack and legs/calves
i cant do squats and deads cos of my back and nothing seems to beat leg curl/extn and leg press
lunges and one leg squats with db's just dont seem to cut it to a leg press
also doing calves effectivly i found quite a mission compared to using the seated calf machine at the gym
i think its only worth it if u can buy alot of equipment including dumbbells , if so then youd be set for life and itd probably be a saving overall minus the travel and gym costs.
There are ways to get lots of variety in small spaces with today's equipment. Takes some patience to consider all the possibilities.
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All I know is if people think that one piece of home equipment is the end all be all of home training then they need to evaluate how they train in general. Machines and free weights and other pieces of equipment are all valuable and a balance of both will make it easier to store. If you try to a free weight gym like Metroflex in your house, then you will need to contact a builder soon. Or just call the guys at West Coast customs. They can do anything.
"Check this out, we gonna put an encyclopedia Britannica in yo pen cap."
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i would get a powerrack with bench and dumbells from www.ironmaster.com and some mats from wallmart to deadlift and for under the bench if u drop the bells.
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You guys have been really helpful this is a good forum.
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I met one of those model dudes who was in a big bowflex commercial a few years ago in The Yardhouse, he wasn't huge, but big and really ripped. I asked him if he ever worked out on a blowflex and he laughed, then said he couldn't answer because of a confidentiality agreement
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I met one of those model dudes who was in a big bowflex commercial a few years ago in The Yardhouse, he wasn't huge, but big and really ripped. I asked him if he ever worked out on a blowflex and he laughed, then said he couldn't answer because of a confidentiality agreement
Actually the guy seen in a lot of their commercials uses a Bowflex, an Olympic bar and weights, and a punching bag.
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let's give this one more try without trying to insinuate that other posters lead alternative lifestyles.
Bowflex models (and other fitness equipment models) sign confidentiality agreements so they are not allowed to say what they do for a workout, they can lead you in a direction but if they don't use a certain piece of equipment they don't use (like a bowflex) they can't say they don't use it.
Bowflex like other pieces of equipment give resistance in purely one direction, you don't need to balance a blowflex or get the same benefit from say bouncing a bowflex...
it's just not the same, not saying it's worthless... just not a good choice for serious strength athletes
no comedy or insults
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let's give this one more try without trying to insinuate that other posters lead alternative lifestyles.
Bowflex models (and other fitness equipment models) sign confidentiality agreements so they are not allowed to say what they do for a workout, they can lead you in a direction but if they don't use a certain piece of equipment they don't use (like a bowflex) they can't say they don't use it.
Bowflex like other pieces of equipment give resistance in purely one direction, you don't need to balance a blowflex or get the same benefit from say bouncing a bowflex...
it's just not the same, not saying it's worthless... just not a good choice for serious strength athletes
no comedy or insults
Except this is incorrect. Resistance is in both directions. And plenty of balance is required-it's not like the typical machine in this respect. Anyone who has actually used one already knows this. In fact it appears that other weight-based machines have copied some of the features based on the efficacy of the ROM and use of stabilizer muscles.
As far as confidentiality agreements, this is standard for many products, has been for ages. Only makes sense.
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lemme break this down barney style...
resistance is in ONE direction:
you only fight the pulley whether lifting or resisting there is no work done by stabilizing muscles (with a soloflex or bowflex or you get the picture)
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lemme break this down barney style...
resistance is in ONE direction:
you only fight the pulley whether lifting or resisting there is no work done by stabilizing muscles (with a soloflex or bowflex or you get the picture)
Nope...Resistance in "one direction"...no idea what this means or how it's any different from weights or pulleys, 'Barn... ::)
Stabilizing muscles are one of it's selling points actually, in fact other manufacturers have copied their features as a result. Stabilizing muscles are used as much if not more than with free weights, from my experience, to the extent that it takes a while to aclimate to it. I'd say you don't comprehend how it works. ;)
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you're right, I dunno shit
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you're right, I dunno shit
So much for a reasoned discourse. ???
Good to have brought it up though, Bowflex thanks you. ;)
The funniest thing is that some of the most experienced and biggest BBs on getbig-Chick & gh15-have no probs with a Bowflex, but a lot of the smaller guys are still stuck on free weights largely due to the macho element. This is true on most BB sites BTW. ;D
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You are fighting against a pulley period, you might change the angle of attack but you never fight gravity
it's no different than other pulley systems that's why pulleys are always ancilliary to free weights (ie. everyone works freeweights, and the people who work pulleys (not everyone does) works them second)
Not saying that a bowflex or whatever the new one will be named is worthless but... what was the name of the last Mr. O or World's Strong Man who trained only on a bowflex?
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You are fighting against a pulley period, you might change the angle of attack but you never fight gravity
it's no different than other pulley systems that's why pulleys are always ancilliary to free weights (ie. everyone works freeweights, and the people who work pulleys (not everyone does) works them second)
Not saying that a bowflex or whatever the new one will be named is worthless but... what was the name of the last Mr. O or World's Strong Man who trained only on a bowflex?
Trying putting aside the preconceptions. Pulleys are often better or comparable, for those with open minds. In certain exercises, gravity is a negative not a positive factor-exactly why Sergio said Nautilus machines were often superior to free weights.
http://www.getbig.com/articles/biceps2.htm
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listen, I'll be 40 this year... I've done a triathlon, bicycle centurys (100 mile), Karate tournaments, and got a 295 out of 300 on the US Army Physical Fitness test (running was never my thing)
I've done soloflex, bowflex, nautilus, you name it...
not to say their bad, but nobody has won anything by training with only them, if that's all you got, go for it.
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listen, I'll be 40 this year... I've done a triathlon, bicycle centurys (100 mile), Karate tournaments, and got a 295 out of 300 on the US Army Physical Fitness test (running was never my thing)
I've done soloflex, bowflex, nautilus, you name it...
not to say their bad, but nobody has won anything by training with only them, if that's all you got, go for it.
Middle-aged and utterly unable to refute anything i've laid out. ;)
Faulty logic; just because less numbers of BBs have won using something does *not* prove it unworthy. Sergio was in his best ever shape in '72 and deserved to win. He attributed his condition both to the superiority of Nautilus machines and the training of Jones. Coleman's won 8 times and just confirmed what i've said about cables. Vince Taylor relies heavily on cables.
Their use is less widespread precisely because a lot of BBs think inside the box-sound familiar?
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The bowflex doesn't has much value.
Maybe if you have some musclepain and want the blood going, but I don't see much value in the gym.
Like the famous fitnessball ;D . If you're totally bored by the training you could try it, otherwise leave it in the corner.
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The bowflex doesn't has much value.
Maybe if you have some musclepain and want the blood going, but I don't see much value in the gym.
Like the famous fitnessball ;D . If you're totally bored by the training you could try it, otherwise leave it in the corner.
What's remarkable is the extremely low level of discourse; absolutely nothing to back up any of the vindictive assertions made, as per usual on getbig. "Nice job". ::) Basically confirms the large number of testosterone-laden kids on here who associate free weights with masculinity.
All these threads do is confirm how little knowledge and open-mindedness exists.
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Middle-aged and utterly unable to refute anything i've laid out. ;)
Sergio was in his best ever shape in '72 and deserved to win. He attributed his condition both to the superiority of Nautilus machines and the training of Jones.
Their use is less widespread precisely because a lot of BBs think inside the box-sound familiar?
Sorry, just got back from Afghanistan and didn't have much time to respond. Sergio had awesome genetics, Sergio probably had something else going for him. Dr. Elliot Darden who was a huge proponent of nautilus (back then) figured something out. Nautilus machines are great IF you fit them. Everyone's body geometry is pretty different so angles of attack change, sure you can adjust the seat, the back, or both but what he found was that the nautilus machine are built for an average person, and that average person really doesn't exist.
Do you really think that a bb or strongman (or woman) who wants to be the best would NEVER try a promising new technology to win? You said it yourself Sergio did, and no one else. Maybe Sergio is THE average person
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Putting together a home gym has been, without a doubt, the TURNING point of my middle age.
I started simple:
1. BodySolid Smith Press, with upper/lower cable attachments (absolutely the bomb)
2. PowerBlock dumbells (thought I'd hate em, now I like em even better than standard dumbells)
3. Preacher bench/curl bar/free weights
Next, I got a Nautilus Nitro leg curl and a Nautilus leg extension, BodySolid seated calf.
Then, an elliptical.
Last week, a Hammer Iso lateral row, Icarian hack squat and LifeFitness adductor.
My wife asked when we were going to finish the basement. I told her: "I just DID!" ;D
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Putting together a home gym has been, without a doubt, the TURNING point of my middle age.
My wife asked when we were going to finish the basement. I told her: "I just DID!" ;D
Nice one! LOL
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take a look at powerblocks...google it...i think you can get a set up to 120 pounds...less room taken up if you have dumbbells lying all over the place..
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take a look at powerblocks...google it...i think you can get a set up to 120 pounds...less room taken up if you have dumbbells lying all over the place..
They're the best quick-change DBs that go over 100 lb., along with the Ironmaster ones.
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TOTAL GYM BECAUSE CHUCK NORRIS SAYS SO