Home Gym Requirements

[CWIL]

For those of us who do not have access to a commercial gym, what are the basic equipment requirements to get serious about BB? I have been contemplating buying a Titan or Hoist PTS. Any suggestions? I think a forum section that discussed equipment would be helpful. Maybe it could even list discounted sites with the best available equipment....Just a thought.

[THE BOUNCER]

Home Gym's can be expensive if you want to make it as good as a regular gym. Any reason you cant make it to a regular gym? None around you?

You would obviously need equipment for all the basic movements. Squat Rack, Bench, DB's, leg press, adjustable seats, ect..

[CWIL]

I've recently moved to a rural area...I could commute to a gym but Im afraid I'll lose to much time and eventually skip workouts, but I have a garage Im closing in to make a workout/play room.

[YellowJacket]

A Power Rack would be a good place to start... you can get your bench & squats out of the way with that. I pulley system would be necessary for lats, tri's, etc. Obviously free weights and appropriate bars. A dip station in my opinion is necessary.

I agree w/ Bouncer, thats going to add up in the terms of money.

[THE BOUNCER]

CWIL, how much money are you looking to spend.

[CWIL]

About 4-5k. Any opinions on a smith since I will not have a partner to spot?

[CWIL]

I already have a full set of dumbells, a treadmill, bike and several bars. I would like to find some used equipment if I can. I've been on craigslist and ebay.

[THE BOUNCER]

ahh, well 4-5k can definitely get it done, especially since you already have some stuff. Have you checked out this place? http://www.usedgymequipment.com/

[CWIL]

Yes, cool site but I would need to purchase in the Dallas area. Not sure if a smith is the right choice?

[Nekrawulf]

-Power rack or squat/press stand.

-Olympic Barbell or 2

-Olympic Iron weights or rubber composition bumpers.

-DB set or adjustable DBs

-Portable adjustable flat bench

This is the bare minimum IMO

[jakejohnson]

how bout treadmill isn't it necessary to save time as well??

[ROCKILLER]

Originally Posted by jakejohnson

how bout treadmill isn't it necessary to save time as well??

he said he has a treadmill, and I dont know how it would necessarily save time but it is nice to have some cardio options.

[Timber]

I might be able to add a point of view as I have put together several home gyms over the years. Space is always the problem. Power rack goes without saying as the most important piece. Dumbbells are the next most useful pieces but also the most space consuming. Though they are pricey I strongly recommend Powerblocks or some kind of dial wt. These days there are several manufactures. In the end you will spend more on individual dumbbells than what powerblocks cost. Space is the real trade off though

[Control]

I wouldn't waste money or space on a smith machine. A trap-bar would be nice. You'll need a dip/pull-up station. As long as you can bench, squat, do pull-ups, dips, rows, deads, and military presses you should be fine. The thing I would miss most would be cable rows, I like being able to row 330 pounds without having to support the weight with my lower back....

[Kiev]

Just pay Control to come out to you. 330 rows? Dam control I'm finally doing 260 for 6 reps and one arm rows 130 to 150 for 4, not bad for a man whos had 2 shoulder surgeries. I'm catching up to yea.

[Nekrawulf]

Originally Posted by Timber

I might be able to add a point of view as I have put together several home gyms over the years. Space is always the problem. Power rack goes without saying as the most important piece. Dumbbells are the next most useful pieces but also the most space consuming. Though they are pricey I strongly recommend Powerblocks or some kind of dial wt. These days there are several manufactures. In the end you will spend more on individual dumbbells than what powerblocks cost. Space is the real trade off though

Power racks are so large though> why not go with a press squat stand setup that has a much smaller footprint?

dumbells dont take up THAT much space. If space is an issue... stack them in a corner on the floor.


This was the very beginnings of my home gym. was around 3k (maybe less) for everything... including the flooring. I have much more equipment now though.

CrossFitAlpha - The Beginning

[Timber]

Originally Posted by Nekrawulf

Power racks are so large though> why not go with a press squat stand setup that has a much smaller footprint?

dumbells dont take up THAT much space. If space is an issue... stack them in a corner on the floor.


This was the very beginnings of my home gym. was around 3k (maybe less) for everything... including the flooring. I have much more equipment now though.

CrossFitAlpha - The Beginning

Well I guess safety relay, I know I workout alone as I think many do with a home gym.

By the way are those stall matt's or something else. I am going to redo my gym in another room for more space. I would love to see the rest of your gym

[nda246]

I like a larger rack for sumo-deads and wide squats. As far as dumbells go you can handles large enough to hold 6-10lb plates each side (120lbs).

A rack, pull-up bar, DB handle, weights, olympic bars, dip bars are all you need. A decent cable machine would be nice for some movements but its nothing that couldnt be duplicated with free weights.

Dont get a smith machine. If you dont have a spotter just place the spot pins high enough that you can just roll the bar off your back on to them. Thats what there for. The smith machine expensive and doesnt recruit the same amount of muscle mass as free squats.

[Nekrawulf]

Originally Posted by Timber

Well I guess safety relay, I know I workout alone as I think many do with a home gym.

By the way are those stall matt's or something else. I am going to redo my gym in another room for more space. I would love to see the rest of your gym

Yup,

3/4 inch stall mats from Tractor Supply Company.


Ill try to get some updated pics

[Timber]

Yea that is what I was going to use, I am putting in a full bath in there now so it will be right in the gym.

[Kiev]

Relocate. Real profesional BB's use a couple gyms and there hone gym. Your gonna be more motivated when you see other people lifting specially if you ever compete.

[parabody]

i have a parabody rack, dumbells, bars, i got the pulley attachment on it, dip attachment it has a bar to do pull ups on, and my bench is adjustable with an attachment for leg curls and extensions that attach to the pulley system i love this stuff for home and it didnt cost to much about 3k brand new i already had a treadmill and life fitness x9 eliptical, i got parabody equipment and love it, i also purchased about 8 4x8 rubber matts 3/4 inch thick to save my floor sometimes i drop weight but do some research stay away from the crap machines from dicks sports authority etc find places like omni fitness key2fitness or lifefitness stores around you and you love them, theres also a new company im selling some of their equipment called raptor from promaxima and there stuff isnt that expensive its industrial strength but cheaper. check it out
Raptor Muscle Machines: Homepage

maybe i can look into some discounts from the gym for you where i sell this stuff and let yo uknow about shipping all there orders come out of dallas so its not that far from you

[Nekrawulf]

Updated pics of my Garage Gym