Home Gym...What to Add?

The Flash · 30-Oct-06, 02:29 PM

I have decided to start working out at home and use the money I would've invested in a gym membership into buying equipment. So if you could please rate what I have and let me know what I could use.

Gold's Gym Power Flex. I got it for an amazingly low price off of eBay that I had to buy it. http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...uct_id=4127285
Bench w/ leg attachment and straight 7ft barbell. (weights included)
Tony Little Gazelle (the first version)
Treadmill
Resistance Band
Swiss Ball
Ab Wheel

The most obvious thing missing are dumbbells. I really want the new Bowflex Selectech 552 dumbbells but they are pretty expensive and I'll have to do without them for now. So how does it look, what else should I add? Let me know, thanks!

etothepii · 30-Oct-06, 05:58 PM

Everybody goes with what they like. Myhome gym requires a weight bench, dipping station, pull up bar, squat rack, various free weights (soon to be a new set of olympic weights), and some cardio stuff. I happen to have a motorized stair machine and a health rider (freebie!).

A wide array of dumb bells would be nice, some day.

richard82 · 01-Nov-06, 01:14 PM

You have a good variety of equipment there, but remember that lifting heavy free weights will build muscle better than any machine.

Therefore I would reccommend limiting the use of your powerflex to certain exercieses, and carry out the majority with your barbell.

Resistance bands and a swiss ball area couple of good choices. The ball will help to improve your core strength when performing crunches etc, and the resistance bands can be helpful for certain exercises and when you're away from home.

I too would advise you to get a set of dumbbells, that would be a great addition.

It may also be worth investing in a squat rack or power rack depending on the space (and money) you have available. With a rack you can good some good leg workouts going, and you will find they are useful for supporting the weight in a whole manner of other exercises!

Blaze · 01-Nov-06, 01:23 PM

And you would never regret getting a pull up bar

The Flash · 10-Nov-06, 10:26 AM

I do use the free weights for most of my lifts. I'll use the Power Flex to replicate some of the machine workouts I would do at the gym. I definately need some dumbbells though. The pullup bar is a great idea that I wasn't even thinking of! Thanks!

SarahPT · 11-Nov-06, 10:47 AM

Good ideas. I've got a station that is for pull ups, dips and hagingin leg raises. It's a great addition. Lots of free weights. I have various barbells with loads of plate weights and adjustable dumbbells. I found that buying adjustable dumbbells with plate weights for them is so much easier than buying a million dumbbells of different weights.

Sarah

totalchaos · 11-Nov-06, 10:56 AM

You need to join a gym to get the real benefit.

totalchaos · 11-Nov-06, 10:57 AM

Eat lots of protein and carbs. Eat breakfast.

Think Big · 11-Nov-06, 11:57 AM

I agree with Richard82, you're much better off with free weights than machines. The interlocking DB's like Power Block are space efficient, but they are expensive and they don't feel secure (although I'm sure they are fine).
I've also been turned on to a product called the TRX trainer at my friends home gym. It does everything simply with my bodyweight from a hanging strap. Pretty cool and relatively cheap.
Either way, your home gym is pretty stacked! I think your focus should be on the training program and regimin vs the products. You've got a ton of stuff.

The Flash · 13-Nov-06, 11:51 AM

I'd love to add more but I don't have much room to work with in my basement. All in all, I am pretty happy. I'll be buying a pull up bar soon and I'm still looking around to get a good deal on those Bowflex dial-up dumbbells. Hopefully some sporting goods store will have HUGE deals for Black Friday!

For anyone else that's interested in starting a home gym it's easier than you think. Just set up a budget and make sure you use that money and buy gym equipment. What I did is set aside what I would normally be paying for a yearly gym membership and used that money towards equipment. Once you have a few options, you put them to use and you are well on your way.

Also, there are so many things around your house you can use that you don't even realize sometimes. I took on old mop, twisted the handle off of it and now use that pole for my "ab twists." I found one of those mini basketballs laying around and I now use that for more ab work. I use my stairs for calf raises. I still think working out at the gym is a better choice but I firmly believe you can achieve gym quality results at home

**MAURER** · 13-Nov-06, 01:24 PM

i just think a squat rack would be the most important thing to have/add. you can do squats on there, military press, al sorts of great excercises that are vital to overall progress

The Flash · 13-Nov-06, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MAURER

i just think a squat rack would be the most important thing to have/add. you can do squats on there, military press, al sorts of great excercises that are vital to overall progress

Well I still get to do squats, military presses, etc. I just have to be a little creative and do some moving around. For example, I use my weight bench to do squats. I place the holders on the highest rack and put the barbell on top and then load it with weights. I then have to lower the bench all the way to the floor and perform squats like that. It's not ideal but it works. Trust me if I had the room or the money for a squat rack it would be there.

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