Working out at home?

[RichUK]

Hey all!

Been a long time since I've posted on here, so first just so say hi to everyone and hope you're all keeping well and had a good time over the holiday season.

I've been working out for a while now, however due to a change of lifestyle I don't have the time to get to the gym as much as I'd like any more. I'm thinking more and more about getting some decent equipment and starting workouts at home. I've got the following stuff in mind:

145kg Olympic Barbell Set
2 x Olympic Dumbell Bars + Collars
Olympic EZ Bar

The one thing I can't decide on is a bench. I've found one which looks really good and sturdy but it's £200 (which is what all those weights are costing me!) and I'm not sure I want to spend that much. The bench I was looking at is a Powertec one, I'll find a link shortly, but it's just a very basic bench with a barbell rack and not much else!

So can anyone give me any hints and tips about working out at home please? Also some bench recommendations would be good. I'm tempted to spend as much as I can afford on a decent bench as I don't want some cheap thing falling apart and injuring me!

Cheers
Rich :

[sooner_ed]

Originally Posted by RichUK

Hey all!

Been a long time since I've posted on here, so first just so say hi to everyone and hope you're all keeping well and had a good time over the holiday season.

I've been working out for a while now, however due to a change of lifestyle I don't have the time to get to the gym as much as I'd like any more. I'm thinking more and more about getting some decent equipment and starting workouts at home. I've got the following stuff in mind:

145kg Olympic Barbell Set
2 x Olympic Dumbell Bars + Collars
Olympic EZ Bar

The one thing I can't decide on is a bench. I've found one which looks really good and sturdy but it's £200 (which is what all those weights are costing me!) and I'm not sure I want to spend that much. The bench I was looking at is a Powertec one, I'll find a link shortly, but it's just a very basic bench with a barbell rack and not much else!

So can anyone give me any hints and tips about working out at home please? Also some bench recommendations would be good. I'm tempted to spend as much as I can afford on a decent bench as I don't want some cheap thing falling apart and injuring me!

Cheers
Rich :

Take a look at my progress pics. I have a pic of my workout equipment in my den. You really don't have to have much to get good results. My only advice would be if you're going to spend the money, just make sure you use the equipment. There's nothing worse than spending the money just to see the equipment sitting there. However, if you absolutely know you would use the equipment, then spending the money is very well worth it. For me, I do not have to leave home to work out. I can get up in the morning, run down to the den and work out. I save much time and money. So it is a very worth while investment.

[RichUK]

Thanks for the reply Ed.

I've had a look at your den pic, and it looks similar to what I'm thinking about doing. I've been working out for 6 years on and off, and about the past 2 of those years I've been working out steadily and regularly. The reason I want to start working out at home is due to other commitments I have now which mean I just don't have the time to drive the 1 hour round trip to the gym and back every night, and it would be much easier just to go into my garage, have a 30 minute weights session, freshen up and then go out again in the evening. So I don't think that commitment will be a problem, but I know what you mean, it is a good idea to buy only what you know you're going to use!

Do you mind if I ask, what make is your bench? It looks quite good and similar to what I'm looking for.

Cheers
Rich

[Jaster]

Yes, Working out at home can be a good thing. One thing if you are spending the money. Please do go to cheep on the bench. If you can find out how much the bench is rated for then subtract your body weight and that is the weight you can lift on the bench. If you get a bench rated at 300 Lbs then a big guy like me who weights 250 can only work if 50 lbs not much of a bench there. Most people don't think about the bodyweight but it's still on the bench stressing it as much as weight plates.
I have a home gym and all my equipment is Pro Gym equipment. It has to be with some of the weights I sling around it.
Good luck

[RichUK]

Here's the bench I'm now looking at

Proteus PB500

Rated up to 600lb and folds away so I can store it easily. Looks good and sturdy too which is a must really! I weight 180lb and have no desire to go much over that, or to start benching mad amounts of weight (like 500lb+...!!!) so I think something like that would be ideal for me.

What are the advantages of choosing Olympic bars and plates over standard ones though? I've used Olympic stuff at the gym, and although very nice the standard stuff would probably just do me as well. I know there's a difference in the maximum weight the bars can take, and the weight of the bars themselves, but other than that is there a need for Olympic stuff? I'm thinking I'd rather save my money and go for the standard stuff instead!

[sooner_ed]

Originally Posted by RichUK

Do you mind if I ask, what make is your bench?
Rich

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