Workout: Home gym thread (1 Viewer)

[Da Guru]

I was talking in a thread about the home gym I built in my basement and received a few PMs to post some pics. I took some the other day. This room was roughed in to be a guest room. Since both of my girls are in college and we have more room I made it into a gym instead. The room is 17x31 with a bathroom attached.

I bought most of the equipment from a local gym that was going out of business and from the Trading Times and garage sales. I probably have 5-6K worth of equipment that I purchased for at least half that amount

 

[5Rings]

good stuff.

comments

you need powerblocks, lose those hex dumbells. save you space and you can go from 5lbls to 135lbs in seconds.

looks like you cant use your preacher w/o hitting the wall...you move it out each time?

go to farm supply and buy some thick black stall mats for underneath your power rack. i almost typed nice rack.

check craigslist for people selling bathroom mirrors and then mount them. the mirrors.

nice job

 

[Da Guru]

good stuff.commentsyou need powerblocks, lose those hex dumbells. save you space and you can go from 5lbls to 135lbs in seconds. looks like you cant use your preacher w/o hitting the wall...you move it out each time?go to farm supply and buy some thick black stall mats for underneath your power rack. i almost typed nice rack.check craigslist for people selling bathroom mirrors and then mount them. the mirrors.nice job

The guy I bought the power rack from threw in the hex dumbells. Yes..I pull the preacher out when using it. I only do arms once a week so it is not a problem. I do need some rubber mats.

 

[BigSteelThrill]

The machine on the left here (for back extensions) is top 3 in gym injuries.



It is #1 based on "equipment design". It can ruin your lower back/discs.

The reason is as follows... when your lower back muscle get exhausted (exactly what you want) what takes over the weight support of your upper body? A: Spine with the weight focused on the discs.

The other two top injury producers are incline-flyes and squats.

Squat injuries are based upon improper technique which can be overcome, and the incline flyes dangerously transfer weight across the tendon tie-ins from the chest to the front delts at a poor angle.

I do like what you have going on in your gym though. I would say you need to add bigger squishy floor pads (like 1/2" thick, black) that interlock together and take up some serious square footage. Looks good and helps you stay healthy.

 

[beer 30]

Not near enough weight, just saying

 

[Da Guru]

Not near enough weight, just saying

Have enough to put 435 on the Olympic bar. That may not be enough for Mr. Ham but it is enough for me.

 

[beer 30]

Not near enough weight, just saying

Have enough to put 435 on the Olympic bar. That may not be enough for Mr. Ham but it is enough for me.

By FBG standards you are about halfway there. Keep at it Nice gym btw, wish I had one at home but until I divest myself of children and/or a wife I'll settle for the Y.

 

[5Rings]

Not near enough weight, just saying

Have enough to put 435 on the Olympic bar. That may not be enough for Mr. Ham but it is enough for me.

after seeing that kid singing to Ohtis, its safe to say 95 lbs would break Ham's sternum

 

[Da Guru]

Not near enough weight, just saying

Have enough to put 435 on the Olympic bar. That may not be enough for Mr. Ham but it is enough for me.

after seeing that kid singing to Ohtis, its safe to say 95 lbs would break Ham's sternum

After seeing Ham in the vid I find it hard to see a 350 lb bench and 600 lb squat in that body. Frame is too small.

 

[steelerfan1]

After seeing Ham in the vid I find it hard to see a 350 lb bench and 600 lb squat in that body. Frame is too small.

you underestimate the power of NO EXPLODE!!!!

 

[ProBowler88]

I was talking in a thread about the home gym I built in my basement and received a few PMs to post some pics. I took some the other day. This room was roughed in to be a guest room. Since both of my girls are in college and we have more room I made it into a gym instead. The room is 17x31 with a bathroom attached.I bought most of the equipment from a local gym that was going out of business and from the Trading Times and garage sales. I probably have 5-6K worth of equipment that I purchased for at least half that amounthttp://www.flickr.com/photos/46677494@N03/5550005192/in/photostream/

Very cool setup. I dig the power rack. Just curious, how much did you pay for it?

 

[ProBowler88]

The machine on the left here (for back extensions) is top 3 in gym injuries. http://www.flickr.com/photos/46677494@N03/5549422673/in/photostream/

It is #1 based on "equipment design". It can ruin your lower back/discs.

The reason is as follows... when your lower back muscle get exhausted (exactly what you want) what takes over the weight support of your upper body? A: Spine with the weight focused on the discs.

The other two top injury producers are incline-flyes and squats.

Squat injuries are based upon improper technique which can be overcome, and the incline flyes dangerously transfer weight across the tendon tie-ins from the chest to the front delts at a poor angle.

I do like what you have going on in your gym though. I would say you need to add bigger squishy floor pads (like 1/2" thick, black) that interlock together and take up some serious square footage. Looks good and helps you stay healthy.

People with bad backs shouldn't be using the back extension to begin with. If you have a healthy back, extensions are a great exercise (when done with good form of course)to strengthen the erector spinae. When the muscles get fatigued the resistance doesn't "focus" on your vertebrae. If you experience pain doing any exercise, it's either because you're doing it with bad form, or you have an injury with one of the working muscles and you're more than likely making it worse.

And as for the incline flyes, weight is only dangerously distributed if you again, use poor form. If you're taking your arms and elbows past the scapular plane, then yes you're just destroying your shoulder joints and snapping everything up.

However, if done properly and in a controlled fashion like it should be, it is also a great pectoral isolation exercise.

 

[Jewell]

The workout room looks too office-like. You need to line those walls with mirrors so that you can check yourself out while lifting and pose between sets. The mirrored room also makes for a good place to bring the wife and/or babysitter when when the bedroom gets stale.

 

[Raider Nation]

BUMP

Does this look pretty good for the money?

It got a good review there. In that link, if you click where it says "home gym" you'll see the ten units they reviewed. This one looks like it has what I want for a fair price. I want to throw a nice treadmill next to this thing, and then completely eliminate the gym membership and seeing old guys blow-drying their nuts at the sink.

 

[fantasycurse42]

That thing looks pretty cool... As someone who wakes up at the crack of dawn to use the gym, I unfortunately know the old man nuts everywhere feeling all too well.

The one negative thing I would personally note is that it has no free weights. When you hit a plateau, it might be hard to get through just due to the repetitive nature of a routine you'd be in.

http://m.bowflexselecttech.com/checkout/cart_v2.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441762824&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302042098

I'd onsider adding these too to complete the gym.

 

[James Daulton]

BUMP

Does this look pretty good for the money?

It got a good review there. In that link, if you click where it says "home gym" you'll see the ten units they reviewed. This one looks like it has what I want for a fair price. I want to throw a nice treadmill next to this thing, and then completely eliminate the gym membership and seeing old guys blow-drying their nuts at the sink.

Yuck. If you have room for this, then just buy a used squat rack and some weights from craigslist. You'll save a good bit of money and get a much better workout with free weights.

 

[Quez]

I have a bar with weights, some dumbells, a kettle bell, and one of the doorway pull up bars.

I can do a good shoulder workout, cleans, even low weight deep squats. You can do a ton of stuff with a kettle bell too.

If I didn't have a gym membership I'd get a rack and adjustable bench. That's all you really need.

 

[fantasycurse42]

Maybe it's just my me, but I feel like it would be much harder to motivate myself to workout 4-5x a week if the gym was in my house.

 

[offdee]

Maybe it's just my me, but I feel like it would be much harder to motivate myself to workout 4-5x a week if the gym was in my house.

Weird. Wouldnt the convenience of having it all right there make it easier to get a workout in at any moment? For me the hassle of getting to and from a gym, dealing with parking, locker rooms, people taking my machine, etc is a pain.

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

The worst thing I ever did was join a gym.

You need a few dumbbells and/kettle bells and that's it. I'm lucky cause I have a elementary school about thousand feet away.

I run hills/sprints/explosive lunging/jumping and murder the monkey bars with some barstool exercises.

 

[fantasycurse42]

Maybe it's just my me, but I feel like it would be much harder to motivate myself to workout 4-5x a week if the gym was in my house.

Weird. Wouldnt the convenience of having it all right there make it easier to get a workout in at any moment? For me the hassle of getting to and from a gym, dealing with parking, locker rooms, people taking my machine, etc is a pain.

This is why I feel like I'm more motivated in the gym, it's a process and when I'm there I better make the most of it. If it is in the convenience of my home, I think I'd personally lose that motivation.

 

[Da Guru]

Maybe it's just my me, but I feel like it would be much harder to motivate myself to workout 4-5x a week if the gym was in my house.

Weird. Wouldnt the convenience of having it all right there make it easier to get a workout in at any moment? For me the hassle of getting to and from a gym, dealing with parking, locker rooms, people taking my machine, etc is a pain.

I built my home gym 7-8 years ago because I was missing too many workouts for those very reasons. Last summer I met my daughter at Lifetime to workout. It took my 15 minutes to get there. The place was so dam crowded I felt like I was at a mall at Christmas. Everybody has headphones on so they are walking around like zombies... there is no banter like the old time gyms where people are talking. I do a set and there are 3 people in line behind me waiting to use the same machine. Would never go back there.

 

[fantasycurse42]

Maybe it's just my me, but I feel like it would be much harder to motivate myself to workout 4-5x a week if the gym was in my house.

Weird. Wouldnt the convenience of having it all right there make it easier to get a workout in at any moment? For me the hassle of getting to and from a gym, dealing with parking, locker rooms, people taking my machine, etc is a pain.

I built my home gym 7-8 years ago because I was missing too many workouts for those very reasons. Last summer I met my daughter at Lifetime to workout. It took my 15 minutes to get there. The place was so dam crowded I felt like I was at a mall at Christmas. Everybody has headphones on so they are walking around like zombies... there is no banter like the old time gyms where people are talking. I do a set and there are 3 people in line behind me waiting to use the same machine. Would never go back there.

I go either first thing in the morning or before close at night, so it is never crowded when I'm there. On the rare occasion I go during other hours, your point is def true... When it comes to gyms, I prefer a dungeon ####hole over a commercial Equinox or NYSC type place anyways.

 

[Da Guru]

Maybe it's just my me, but I feel like it would be much harder to motivate myself to workout 4-5x a week if the gym was in my house.

Weird. Wouldnt the convenience of having it all right there make it easier to get a workout in at any moment? For me the hassle of getting to and from a gym, dealing with parking, locker rooms, people taking my machine, etc is a pain.

I built my home gym 7-8 years ago because I was missing too many workouts for those very reasons. Last summer I met my daughter at Lifetime to workout. It took my 15 minutes to get there. The place was so dam crowded I felt like I was at a mall at Christmas. Everybody has headphones on so they are walking around like zombies... there is no banter like the old time gyms where people are talking. I do a set and there are 3 people in line behind me waiting to use the same machine. Would never go back there.

I go either first thing in the morning or before close at night, so it is never crowded when I'm there. On the rare occasion I go during other hours, your point is def true... When it comes to gyms, I prefer a dungeon ####hole over a commercial Equinox or NYSC type place anyways.

I love old dungeon type gyms.

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

This just got weird and hot at the same time.

 

[Leeroy Jenkins]

Get a set of kettle bells.

 

[Quez]

If I can't make it to the gym it's nice to have enough equipment to be able to get in a decent workout. The gym gets crowded after work and it gets annoying when I have my ear buds in trying to listen to music / sports radio, and some old dude in a 1974 Golds Gym tank keeps trying to talk to me.

 

[VA703]

I go to the gym for the yoga pants

I get my forearm worked out afterwards

starting to look like popeye

 

[SHIZNITTTT]

Nice thread

.

My boys are wanting to start working out to get stronger and faster. Was looking at maybe getting some equipment for home around Christmas time.

 

[Quez]

Nice thread

My boys are wanting to start working out to get stronger and faster. Was looking at maybe getting some equipment for home around Christmas time.

What are you thinking of getting? Really, a rack of CAP free weights & an adjustable bench should be sufficient. Get the rubber coated ones.

Also, a pull up bar & a dip station would be good.

Maybe by next year they will be ready for a bar & rack.

 

[SHIZNITTTT]

Nice thread

My boys are wanting to start working out to get stronger and faster. Was looking at maybe getting some equipment for home around Christmas time.

What are you thinking of getting? Really, a rack of CAP free weights & an adjustable bench should be sufficient. Get the rubber coated ones.

Also, a pull up bar & a dip station would be good.

Maybe by next year they will be ready for a bar & rack.

I really don't know at this point. Was thinking of a simple bench, but the free weights scare me a little with them using them.

 

[5Rings]

Power rack

Smith machine

Powerblock 15-150lb Dumbbells

1000 lbs free weights

Adjustable bench

Roman chair

Pull up /dip station

Elliptical

And just got a heavy bag for my 8 yr olds bday

All fits in one "stall" of a 3 car garage

Smartest thing I ever did.

Eta--I don't allow my boys to touch weights until a) they pass my safety test and b) they can do 2 sets of 50 push-ups, sit-ups, squats and 2x20 burpees. 8 yr old was showing off doing one arm push-ups at party last night

 

[SHIZNITTTT]

Power rack

Smith machine

Powerblock 15-150lb Dumbbells

1000 lbs free weights

Adjustable bench

Roman chair

Pull up /dip station

Elliptical

And just got a heavy bag for my 8 yr olds bday

All fits in one "stall" of a 3 car garage

Smartest thing I ever did.

Eta--I don't allow my boys to touch weights until a) they pass my safety test and b) they can do 2 sets of 50 push-ups, sit-ups, squats and 2x20 burpees. 8 yr old was showing off doing one arm push-ups at party last night

I couldn't pass your safety test

 

[Raider Nation]

You guys who have had a home gym for a long time, do you find yourselves utilizing it religiously.... or has it become a clothes rack?

 

[lombardi]

Power rack

Smith machine

Powerblock 15-150lb Dumbbells

1000 lbs free weights

Adjustable bench

Roman chair

Pull up /dip station

Elliptical

And just got a heavy bag for my 8 yr olds bday

All fits in one "stall" of a 3 car garage

Smartest thing I ever did.

Eta--I don't allow my boys to touch weights until a) they pass my safety test and b) they can do 2 sets of 50 push-ups, sit-ups, squats and 2x20 burpees. 8 yr old was showing off doing one arm push-ups at party last night

I couldn't pass your safety test

Depends on how long I have. I mean I think I could get it done if I had a week or two to get through it.

 

[eoMMan]

Going to a gym is much better, imo. You'll save money, have access to much better machines and a much broader range of machines, have access to different weights increments, etc. Also, knowing RN, wouldn't you want to go just to eyehump the young coeds?

You could always bang out pushups, burpees, etc. at home for a supplemental workout when you have time.

Imo, 99% of people are better off just joining a gym (assuming you have access to decent gyms).

 

[Quez]

I don't know about saving money. Several years of $35 a month can add up. Just 2 years is $840, and you can have a nice home setup for that amount.

If you like using different pieces of high end cardio equipment, then I could understand, since that is expensive equipment. However, free weights are relatively affordable & last forever. For building muscle you can do everything with free weights that you can with the machines.

 

[James Daulton]

You guys who have had a home gym for a long time, do you find yourselves utilizing it religiously.... or has it become a clothes rack?

I bought a power rack and a bunch of dumbbells about six months ago. I can now do everything at home except specific machine stuff and decline bench. I've also had an elliptical for quite a while. I'd say that I use the gym about the same amount, but it takes less time since there's no travel or change time. I also like that I can listen to music, browse the innerwebs, or do whatever I want. I don't have to govern anything I do really. I much prefer the home gym.

 

[James Daulton]

I don't know about saving money. Several years of $35 a month can add up. Just 2 years is $840, and you can have a nice home setup for that amount.

If you like using different pieces of high end cardio equipment, then I could understand, since that is expensive equipment. However, free weights are relatively affordable & last forever. For building muscle you can do everything with free weights that you can with the machines.

Free weights are superior in every way to machines for weight training. The gym is really only good for the extensive cardio equipment or the big universal machine where you can do a lot of different cable exercises. Plus there's the eye candy if you're in the right gym.

 

[Quez]

Anyone use kettlebells? I have a 40lbs one but think I need to get about two 30lbs to do more workouts.

 

[MAC_32]

Anyone use kettlebells? I have a 40lbs one but think I need to get about two 30lbs to do more workouts.

You're more limited with just the heavier ones. I've got a 25 at home. A 40 would be more effective for the swing, but I just do more of them and go slower on the negative; net similar result.

 

[5Rings]

You guys who have had a home gym for a long time, do you find yourselves utilizing it religiously.... or has it become a clothes rack?

Religously. No excuses of "I'm too tired to drive" or "Its cold/hot outside". I walk out and knock out a 45 minute workout.

 

[5Rings]

I don't know about saving money. Several years of $35 a month can add up. Just 2 years is $840, and you can have a nice home setup for that amount.

If you like using different pieces of high end cardio equipment, then I could understand, since that is expensive equipment. However, free weights are relatively affordable & last forever. For building muscle you can do everything with free weights that you can with the machines.

Free weights are superior in every way to machines for weight training. The gym is really only good for the extensive cardio equipment or the big universal machine where you can do a lot of different cable exercises. Plus there's the eye candy if you're in the right gym.

I've found my barbell and ez curl bar are rarely used as I use my 15-150 dumbells for pretty much everything.

Go to Farm supply and buy some Stall Mats ($50 instead of "Excercise mats" for $300), get some dumbells (i like powerblock), pick up some loose free weights on Craigslist and you are good. I also scoured CL and found an old bathroom mirror to wall mount. The dbells will cost you, but the rest should be inexpensive. I've also seen smith machines and ellipticals/treadmills at excellent prices on CL.

 

[DocHolliday]

Nice thread

.

My boys are wanting to start working out to get stronger and faster. Was looking at maybe getting some equipment for home around Christmas time.

Nothing wrong with kids working out asl ong as they are trained properly. I would keep them away from a few exercises that can be tough on shoulders such as barbell flat/incline press and barbell military press.

 

[DocHolliday]

You guys who have had a home gym for a long time, do you find yourselves utilizing it religiously.... or has it become a clothes rack?

A few years ago, I wanted to be at home more so I ditched the gym and put in a home gym. I continue to use it 3 to 4 times/week. I work out when is most convenient. That could be at 6 am before work or 8 pm. I can work out on the weekends in the time it used to take to drive to/from the gym.

I bought everything from CL or gym closures. I have a treadmill, stationary bike, squat rack, lat pull down station, pull up bar, power block dumbells, barbell row stand, benches, and a hamstring curl bench. The only thing I want to add is a leg press machine which will have to go in another area of the basement.

 

[NorvilleBarnes]

Looking to convert a spare bedroom into a home gym. Will eventually have a machine, a stairmaster and some dumb bells. Step one is to set up the flooring.

Those of you with home gyms, what's your gym floor like? Any recommendations and/or regrets?

 

[Dr. No]

Following

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

Looking to convert a spare bedroom into a home gym. Will eventually have a machine, a stairmaster and some dumb bells. Step one is to set up the flooring.

Those of you with home gyms, what's your gym floor like? Any recommendations and/or regrets?

I have and like padded carpet tiles.