The Home Gym thread

[Mr.City]

Most of us here train in big box/ globo gyms, places where chalk is forbidden, power cleans and heavy deadlifts cause the management to give you the evil eye, and the employees keep trying to get to attend their cycling/yoga/ "guns and buns" classes. We would all love to train in the sanctity of our own homes, but money/space/whatever is a problem.

However, I do know that some of posters here have their own setup in their garage/basement/ etc., and I was hoping that they could post their setup, who they bought it from, how they convinced their significant other/folks to take over the garage/basement, and maybe even some pictures.

I've been seriously considering the idea of a home gym, and I don't think I would be too far off in assuming that some posters here have been as well. I hope that this thread serves as a learning experience for both those who can workout in their underwear in the privacy of their home and also for the poor souls who have to listen to Lady Gaga while warming up for a PR squat.

[Dastardly]

poor souls who have to listen to Lady Gaga while warming up for a PR squat.

Feeling you there brother!

I go to a small municipal/council gym. Its kinda beat up, small and with equipment & bodybuilding pictures on the wall from the 80's

The attendee's are a small mix of hardcore strength trainees and oddball locals who go there because they dont know better.

I used the hate the place, but after checking out all the gyms in my city be them big commercial places or private gyms popular with powerlifters/fighters etc. My little cave is actually my favourite. It has the best maintained barbells. Best opening times, a simple rack, good flooring, not too cold, dips bars which are fairly narrow + dip belt.

It really has everything I could want, except bumper plates. The only thing that irritates the hell out of me is that because it is part of a municipal sports centre they play the radio through in built sound system. Which consists of horrible pop music like lady gaga over & over again.

[Webbie]

OK here's my list of home gym SS items:

York Elite Needle bearing oly training bar
York 160kg of Bumpers... can't wait until I can lift all of this! bar and bumpers ~$1K
Body Solid Half Squat Rack... it has hooks for the bar and 18" Rectangular channel to be used as a safety pin... it's also easy to move around in my garage when I want to to Oly lifts I just pick it up and move it off of the platform ~$300 (I don't remember)
Platform 8'x8'... Built this myself from 5 3/4" 4'x8' sheets of plywood and horse stall mats ~$100 including screws
York Glute Ham Developer ~$500 just in case squats and deads don't make your erectors sore enough this fucker certainly will.
Micro plates in #s 1/4, 1/2, 3/4, 1 ~$40 This is a must have.
Rower ~$200... I want to say I found it on ebay...I don't really remember
Ipod player ~$???
Fan ~$???
Heater ~$???
Whiteboard to keep track of poundages ~$???
Tupperware full of chalk
Schiek 10 mm two prong belt ~$60
Set of progressive hand grip things ~$70
Bicycle stuff... Rollers, Power trainer, Track bike, Road bike, Mountain bike ~$ a lot


My wife is a saint. She has supported every single thing I've ever done in the 20+ yrs since we met so this is just another one on that list. I use my garage. I store all of the implements on the platform until it's time to workout. That way my wife can park in the garage. I just have to move the car out into the driveway and move things off of the platform and I'm ready to work. If you aren't planning on doing the olympic lifts, I don't think you need bumpers or a platform. It is nice to have a defined 8x8 space though. I like having the half cage because I can move it around so easily.... a full cage is less mobile. I don't feel like I'm missing out on the full cage because if I can't make a squat I just dump it behind me with he bumpers. For chin-ups, I just move the hooks to the top of the rack and put the bar in there and have at it... same goes for Knees to Elbows but I haven't done those in a while. I tried to buy everything from US manufacturers where possible.

Things I would do differently:...climate controlled environment...next house I guess. Bumpers in KG....I'd rather have them in lbs. It's not so bad when I lift by myself but when I have someone over they can never figure out much weight is on the bar. I think my rower is going to explode at somepoint...I just hope I don't get hurt :) Maybe I'll get one of those concept2 deals after this one fails spectacularly.

[theuofh]

I built my own gym in a garage I rent from my apartment.

I'm in grad school so I lift at a college gym and have access to an air force base so I use that gym, too, but I wanted to learn the olympic lifts so I got myself set up.

I got the Rip/Burgener bar from Rogue Fitness w/ I think 340 lbs of bumper plates, the cheapest squat stands I could find, some gymnastics rings, a pull up bar, some sandbags, a kettlebell, and a sled. I got squat safety stands too that I have never used.

I didn't build a platform, but got two horse stall mats I use on the sides and the middle is just concrete.

I don't squat or deadlift out there usually, but I will press, push press or do some conditioning workouts. I haven't trained the oly lifts much either lately, but come spring I will probably move out there more.

I have a little space heater that is pretty much only good for warming up the bar.

Here is an old vid before I got the pull up bar in: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DBQa5I-XWg0

I plan on getting a welder to make me some farmer's walk bars and maybe a prowler replica for pushing as I hear its quite a big difference from the sled.

There is also a dirt/grass path right outside it that I use for sprints, sled drags, and litvinov conversions when it is not snowing or wet. For now, I drag the sled in front of my apartment because of the snow/ice but I'm pretty sure it freaks my neighbors out.

Still wish I had a rack and some more weights for squat/deadlifts, but its nice having something like that handy to at least train productively if some schedule stuff prevent me from getting in normal training session.

Its expensive, more than a normal gym membership, but still awesome to have. As a single guy, it is one of my prized possessions that any future wife/girlfriend better get used to having around.

[anchor]

I've been seriously considering the idea of a home gym, and I don't think I would be too far off in assuming that some posters here have been as well.

i'm pricing stuff as we speak. thanks for the thread and the info, guys.

[khal]

Depending on your situation space might not be much of an issue. I have a smallish bedroom and I manage to fit a bed, wardrobe, desk and rack into it.

I bought a Pendlay barbell and York solid rubbers and a standard cage from which I hang a set of rings from.

I work out in my room and because of the solid rubbers haven't really bothered to put down any flooring. When dead lifting the fat discs manage to not damage the floors and it is a lot more quieter. I'm almost certain had I gone with metal discs, that I would've had to have more elaborate flooring set-up and take more care not to let the discs bump into the uprights on the rack or other miscellaneous sounds.

[Gary Gibson]

I wish you guys would leave Lady Gaga out of this.

[khal]

Sorry for the badly worded post guys, it's 6AM here and I'm studying for a test tomorow.

If anyone has any specific questions, or wants to know where to source the equipment here in the UK I'd be glad to answer.

http://i517.photobucket.com/albums/u334/grahhl/LGIM0229.jpg
http://i517.photobucket.com/albums/u334/grahhl/LGIM0230.jpg
http://i517.photobucket.com/albums/u334/grahhl/LGIM0232.jpg

The weights also double up as a chair/ stool!

[wecoyote]

I found a good power rack and olympic set with extra 45's for $450 on Craigslist. You have to be a bit patient.

[Mr.City]

I'm assuming you don't pull from the floor in your room, khal. If so, you have a done a great job of keeping the floor intact.

[khal]

I do pull from the floor, but I always lower my P. Snatches rather than drop them and I am only deadlifting 165Kg at the moment and don't drop those either...except, possibly, on the last rep.

I think people underestimate how forgiving rubber bumpers are..so long as the bar isn't free-falling to the ground and you have reasonable flooring there's no reason to build a dedicated platform if space is at a premium (definitely gonna build one if I ever get my own place though).

It's early days though, I've only had this setup since feb '08.

Lastly, it's a great motivator. Rather than leave my bar on the floor I just leave it racked at chest height...definitely gives me focus when studying or when I know I have a tough workout coming later that day.

[JAM]

I'm also a garage gym nut. Started small and worked my way up. List in order of purchase.

Dinky rack and bench
Stud bar pullup bar
puzzle mats
standard weight bar and weights
abmat
Wright olympic bar and 260lbs of bumpers
cheap iron weights
gymnastic rings
homemade plyo boxes
giant fan
caulk and bucket
radio, ipod dock
Concept 2 rower
jumprope
cheap velcro belt
pullup bands (for the wifey)
rouge bench (didn't like the old one)
rouge bar (for the wifey, with the new rack)
kettlebell
several heaters
micro load plates

The shop is building my new rack now. Similar to the ones in SS. I'll be squating in the rack, the wifey will squat outside the rack. So we won't have to unload so damn much.

My wife doesn't question my gym stuff, cause i don't question her Coach pocketbook purchases. My riding mower lives in the back yard now, under a cover. We never parked the car in the garage anyways.

[Smack]

I've got the following:

- Power rack
- Adjustable bench
- Olympic dumbbell handles
- Olympic barbell
- 235kg worth of plates

I used to lift exclusively in my garage in my old home town. Then I moved out to uni and used the gym there (4 power racks, 4 platforms, benches and everything). Now I've moved towns to my uni town I just lift there exclusively. It's too cold to lift in my garage now anyway.

[ZKP]

I wish you guys would leave Lady Gaga out of this.

I second that. Why the fuck you gotta go there....

[Webbie]

I second that. Why the fuck you gotta go there....

Seriously, can you squat a 5RM to Lady Gaga? I'd need to see video and non-dubbed audio proof of that one.

[George Noble]

If you can hear the music it's not a 5RM.

[rtzptut]

I have everything SS and CrossFit related you can imagine but a reverse hyper and a sled and I want them too. All crammed into one medium sized room but it may be expanding out into the dog area soon. Killed the dog = more room now. Or if the crushed barn gets torn down I may build a building dedicated to this stuff. 5 bicycles are also a problem as is snowboarding stuff, swimming and kayaking stuff. All 6 boats are outside.

York stuff rocks. Say you like CrossFit - true or not (regarding CrossFit, I now agree with Grayskull guy for the most part) and Allison Foreman Forman? gives you a big discount. Hint: a couple years ago it cost the same to ship 100 pounds as it did to ship 500. I went with 500. Curbside delivery if you are lucky comes with a lift gate but it stops there. So you must be willing and able to schlep it (down in my case) to your house. I did this alone on my lunch break so obviously any of you beefy fellows can do it. She cannot, and gets testy about it if you ask, sell you a York Burg/Rip bar. Got to go to Rogue. I want one but do not need it. I prefer muscle clamps and absolutely detest my spring clamps. They grate on the bar ends like chalk on a chalk board.

York GHB(what they call it rather than GHD) is good, highly adjustable and considerably cheaper with the discount than Sorinex. It is tedious to assemble but my littlest kid and I did it.

I got a cage from Amazon for about 500 bucks delivered, also very tedious to assemble. And try to avoid slapping yourself in the cheek bone with an adjustable wrench doing over head work. Push not pull, it smarts. I forget the brand but it is fine for me with dip bars and pullup bars built in. Delivery guy said "what is this anyway?" I said “a squat cage". He said "a squaw cage?" I said “no I do not have an American Indian woman tied up in my basement, squat like lift weights". He was still confused. York squat rack is really really great. Noname 25 dollar squat stands (for tall folks to haul outside for overhead work as the basement is too short) off of CL are fine too.

Gave daughter my bowflex dialup dumbbells off of CL for her tiny tiny apartment in favor of assorted York rubber ones with chrome handles recommended by Coach Rut himself. York has many levels/prices of dumbbells.

I own a bowflex from long ago, I think cable pull throughs are respectable exercises, so do not poo poo it as “a machine”. And a stairmaster also from another life, which is Ok too if there is too much snow and ice on the ground to run or ride outside which I prefer. I love the cold.

I also have a C2 bought off CL for 500 bucks - hardly ever touched by the former owner.

Pendlay women's bar and colored 45s, 35s, 25s and 10s bumpers, dynamax ball, rings and a kettle bell from some CrossFIT place out west, SOCAL? for 850 delivered. As a package they were quite a deal. I far and away like my Pendlay bar better than the York men's squat bar. I also got a trap/hex bar which is waay too big for me to use efficiently having dwarf length arms - live and learn. Powerlifting buddy was supposed to buy it from me. And I have a York training bar because I am a weakling. I want a new fancy Pendlay bar but again don't need it. But in my deviant mind, bars are becoming like cowboy boots - impossible to have too many.

Slam balls, abmats, more dynamax, more kettle bells, a climbing rope, assorted boxes for jumping, more rings, a jump rope or two, exercise bands, iron woody bands for pullup/dip assistance and fractional plates, a weight vest, again faster pullup bar. Oddities: a few bags of woodpellets to make sand bags out of out the new indestructible type unrecyclable dog food bags (but have I done it? nope), one of those ab wheel things, grip trainers and the most odd: molds to make assorted atlas stones from about 20 pounds to 350 or so. I also have assorted shot puts to do Jeff Martone's shot workouts.

Stall mats are on the floor mostly and they do not stop stinking as everyone said they would. Kind of a lingering caustic creosote smell, worse in the summer. The smell was hell to get out of the jeep after transporting them. They are very hard to move alone. Catch them on sale at tractor supply.

Books and DVDs galore, favorites: SS, World Class Coaching snatch and clean videos and Jeff Martone's stuff. Pavel's stuff is pretty good too and I find his Russian mannerisms funny all that comrade shit.

I have no husband to give me grief about this stuff, not that I take any grief from anybody anyway, but my kids do complain regularly. They do not “get “ the loom of nursing home bankruptcy issues (both mine and theirs) if I do not try to stay in shape. Sister gave me hell about possibly looking like Jillian from the biggest loser, oooo gross, she is so nasty and muscle-y. I think she looks great, cut and smokin’ hot. Sister and I don't speak any more.

Multiples of stuff were purchased to get my kids doing it too. So far I have failed. And I too, have trouble staying on track attempting it alone. I need a workout buddy. I am trying to talk some stranger who also goes to Gold’s into trying SS we shall see. He seems more interested in getting in my pants currently. I used to teach aerobics long ago and will do stuff if I “have to be there” as in work related or to meet someone. I keep my Gold’s membership mostly just to spin. I cannot make myself do outside or inside on a trainer, what they make you do in spin class. It rocks and absolutely kicks my ass.

Debating about trying to do a workout log here for virtual support, since flesh and blood people are scarce. I failed miserably once before (not here).

If you want any more details about equipment costs or sources just ask.

[Mr.City]

Squaw cage, funny stuff. What's the difference between a man's and woman's bar?

I notice that many of you have rings in your setups. Do you use those for chins/pull ups?

[Webbie]

What's the difference between a man's and woman's bar?

Most women's bars are 15 kg instead of 20 kg. The women's bars are usually 25mm vs 28mm, 28.5mm, and 30mm for men's models generally depending on whether you are looking at olympic, all-around, or power bars.

[Mr.City]

Most women's bars are 15 kg instead of 20 kg. The women's bars are usually 25mm vs 28mm, 28.5mm, and 30mm for men's models generally depending on whether you are looking at olympic, all-around, or power bars.

I hate to sound ignorant, but is that referring to the thickness of the bar?

[rtzptut]

The Pendlay women's bar is about 35 pounds vs. 45 for a men's bar and has a thinner diameter - spot on with that observation. How many mms exactly I could not tell you and I am not bothering to measure. I am sure it is listed on the MuscleDriver website somewhere. I don't have particularly small hands but it feels better. It spins much nicer than the York squat bar.

I do not understand the whole whip concept but the Oly bar should have it and the squat bar shouldn't? Powerlifting buddy said get one without whip which lead me to get the York bar. Feel free to enlighten me anybody what that is all about...

If there is a woman in your life that likes to lift especially Oly lifting then one of these bars - mine is an economy bar or one of the new fancy ones with nicer bearings/bushings etc. would surely be appreciated.

No such thing as a woman's squat bar only a woman's Oly bar or so I was told and I try to remember what I am told. So if I ever get one of the Burgener/Rippetoe bars I have to be able to bite the bullet and be able to handle the bigger one. I have trouble with the big ones and overhead work. By the time you get bumpers on it I can't move it any more.

I suck at it all but am slightly better at Oly lifting than regular barbell lifts.

[JAM]

To the person that asked about the rings. They were bought for my previous crossfit life. But they work great for dips and pullups in that they can be taken down, or lowered to the point where a person could use the legs to assist. Given that they're less than $75 bucks, they're not a bad value.

Unless the woman in question is tiny, or hell bent on only Oly lifting, I'd skip on the womans bar. Just a good all around 45lb bar will work.

[Dastardly]

To the person that asked about the rings. They were bought for my previous crossfit life. But they work great for dips and pullups in that they can be taken down, or lowered to the point where a person could use the legs to assist. Given that they're less than $75 bucks, they're not a bad value.

Unless the woman in question is tiny, or hell bent on only Oly lifting, I'd skip on the womans bar. Just a good all around 45lb bar will work.

Im 5'8" and have a penis. Yet I find it hard to get a secure hook grip on a normal bar. I still obviously use normal bars hoping my hands will adjust over time. But most women I know have smaller hands than me, so I think hook grip would be a massive challenge for many.

Women bodies seem to be naturally much better suited to olympic lifts with their flexibility n all, it would be a shame to 'deny' a woman the olympic lifts.

[Webbie]

I hate to sound ignorant, but is that referring to the thickness of the bar?
Correct. The thickness or diameter of the bar but not the circumference.

[quadancer]

I have a lot of homemade stuff I did posted with pics over on the HST site home gym equipment thread.
http://www.hypertrophy-specific.info/cgi-bin/ib314/ikonboard.cgi?act=SF;f=18

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb223/quadancer/Home/Cleengym.jpg

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb223/quadancer/Home/DBrack1.jpg

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb223/quadancer/Home/weighttree.jpg

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb223/quadancer/Home/pullupbar.jpg

[Mr.City]

Nice on the rack and the weight stand. How much weight can the rack take?

[quadancer]

I've been doing 600+ walkouts with it when I was conditioning my back for lowbar. If I were to use it for bench I'd add a diagonal in the middle of the pin rails to the back lower corner. Then I'd say it would hold 1000 easy. Wood bends, but won't compress. The downsides of this rack is it isn't bolted down but could be, and benching requires too far of a liftoff but would be easier without the safety pins. The lower pins are also for rack deads and the like.
No nails. Screws and lag bolts only, holes all drilled; not forced.

[Gary Gibson]

The Pendlay women's bar is about 35 pounds vs. 45 for a men's bar and has a thinner diameter - spot on with that observation. How many mms exactly I could not tell you and I am not bothering to measure. I am sure it is listed on the MuscleDriver website somewhere. I don't have particularly small hands but it feels better. It spins much nicer than the York squat bar.

I do not understand the whole whip concept but the Oly bar should have it and the squat bar shouldn't? Powerlifting buddy said get one without whip which lead me to get the York bar. Feel free to enlighten me anybody what that is all about...

If there is a woman in your life that likes to lift especially Oly lifting then one of these bars - mine is an economy bar or one of the new fancy ones with nicer bearings/bushings etc. would surely be appreciated.

No such thing as a woman's squat bar only a woman's Oly bar or so I was told and I try to remember what I am told. So if I ever get one of the Burgener/Rippetoe bars I have to be able to bite the bullet and be able to handle the bigger one. I have trouble with the big ones and overhead work. By the time you get bumpers on it I can't move it any more.

I suck at it all but am slightly better at Oly lifting than regular barbell lifts.

When you are throwing, catching and bouncing out of the bottom of a catch with a very heavy barbell, whip helps. A whippy bar absorbs some of the energy when you catch the barbell so it doesn't bang up your joints--particularly your wrists in a clean--as badly. A whippy bar will let you get some momentum going at the start of the pull before the weights even leave the ground (helps in the deadlift too). Bouncing out of the bottom position of the clean and snatch is a lot more efficient (read "easier and likely to be performed successfully") when you begin your ascent as the ends of the bar whip up.

When you have several hundred pounds across your shoulders or in the palm of your hands and want to perform "grinds", however, whip can work against you by destabilizing you. This is why for squatting and benching you want a very stiff "powerlifting" bar and for cleaning, jerking and snatching you want a "weightlifting" bar with spring or whip to it. A deadlift could go either way in my opinion. Stiff is recommended for the deadlift as it is for the squat, but again you can get a little momentum going and put yourself in a better leverage position (and shorten the real length of the pull) with a bar that gives a bit.

High quality, competition whippy bars are also very, very expensive.

[rtzptut]

Great explanation on whip. I guess I have what I need then - minus spending a ton on a more whippy bar I am set. Gracias

[gman]

Im 5'8" and have a penis. Yet I find it hard to get a secure hook grip on a normal bar.

Maybe instead of using your penis you should use a mixed grip with your hands.




I apologize in advance, but that was just waiting to be said. :)

[quadancer]

Aw, ya "beat" me to it...

[Mr.City]

I hate to admit this, however in my 6 months of serious lifting, I have yet to notice the difference between a stiff and a whippy bar. Are there physical differences that I can spot with my eyes?

[gman]

I hate to admit this, however in my 6 months of serious lifting, I have yet to notice the difference between a stiff and a whippy bar. Are there physical differences that I can spot with my eyes?

The most obvious difference is in the diameter of the bar. The cheap import bars are much thicker, with a diameter of 30mm or more. My first bar was a Hampton bar and was 30.4mm in diameter with a very poor excuse for knurling. I currently have a B&R bar that has a 29mm shaft and excellent knurling. Some of the other olympic bars like the Pendlay run 28.4mm. Most women's bars run 25mm.

You would not think that a 1.5mm difference in diameter would matter much, but it is night and day.

[Webbie]

I notice it on my heaviest DL. I pull on the bar and it moves near my hands before the weights leave the floor. It's easier to see in videos though. I have a York Elite Needle bearing Training Bar...I think it's more on the whippy side. I love it.

[Joe #11]

Here's mine. Simple, but it gets the job done.

[Mr.City]

I like your setup, Joe. It's minimalistic, something I might go for. If you don't mind saying , how much did that cost you?

[TChase76]

This is the spare bedroom in my house.

-Powertec power rack
-TDS flat bench
-Yukon GHR
-2 Texas Power Bars
-Pendlay Oly Bar
-Deadlift/Clean platform
-around 500lbs of iron
-230lbs of bumpers

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v232/tchase76/gym-2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v232/tchase76/gym-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v232/tchase76/gym-3.jpg

[Joe #11]

I like your setup, Joe. It's minimalistic, something I might go for. If you don't mind saying , how much did that cost you?


No problem. The TDS rack and B&R barbell I got new, both were around $300 each plus shipping. 255 pounds of plates, the plate rack, and the bench came from a deal from Craigslist that also included a rack and bar I don't use anymore due to safety and utility issues. All of that was around $250, but I could have gotten that much weight for less if I hadn't gone in on the rack as well. I had to buy two more pairs of 45s that I got from a used sporting goods store at around $.50/lb.

So, in summary: power rack, B&R bar, bench, 435 pounds in Olympic plates, a plate rack, all for around $940 plus shipping, which seems to vary on the rack. I am extremely pleased with the bar and the rack. Hope this helps.

[stronger]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v232/tchase76/gym-2.jpg



Did you make that platform yourself? Very nice.

[quadancer]

So...some people don't put the plates back even at home...???
Nice setup man, I assume it's ground floor? Also, if you're dropping oly lifts in there over a wood floor, chances are you'll be loosening joist connections and may have some mudwork and paint to do occasionally. I had to build my platform just because of deads - I'd put a BB thru the floor sheathing, and I don't set them down hard.
If it's ground floor, you could possibly go beneath and shore up the joists under your platform and avoid home damages.
(I'm a carpenter mostly and think about these things...)

[misspelledgeoff]

for you guys that have home setups, do you have a deadlift jack? If not, is there a makeshift way to add plates to a bar on the floor without killing your back?

I am building my garage gym piece by piece. I have a Rogue Rippetoe bar and 185 of Rogue bumpers. Birthday in February will bring a power rack and perhaps some more plates.

[quadancer]

Cut a wedge off of a 2x4 edge so it's about 8-10" long, and 1/2" thick. Near the thick end, you sand out a dip to hold the inner plate of the barbell after you roll it up on it. This lifts the other plates up 1/4-3/8" off the floor. We used to use the 2-1/2 lb. plates for that, since they're no good for anything else.

[Mr.City]

How much weight do you usually end up getting at first? I'm noticing that getting enough weight plates is a problem since I would estimate around 400-500 lbs would serve me for a while, however getting half costs an arm and a leg. It also doesn't help that I want it all in bumpers since I don't want to destroy the bar or the floor with deadlifts.

[TChase76]

Did you make that platform yourself? Very nice.

Thanks. I did build it myself. 3 sheets of plywood and a rubber horse stall mat. All together it cost about $60-$70.

[quadancer]

I used two sheets of ply sandwiching a run of 2x4's. More expensive tho. Heavy, but who moves them?

[stronger]

Thanks. I did build it myself. 3 sheets of plywood and a rubber horse stall mat. All together it cost about $60-$70.

now that's cost effective

[Craig B.]

I lift in my room/office.

Kettlebells 18-70#
Hi temp bumpers
Pendlay Bar
old body solid power rack (craigslist)
rogue bench
rings
home made sand bags
sledgehammer
40# x-vest
and various other crap.

[FatButWeak]

Which TDS bench is that? Are you satisfied with it? Is it as stable as it looks? I need to get a good flat bench and I don't care at all about a decline/incline bench. I just need a good flat one like this, if it is one.

[IWillLiveFreeOrDie]

I used 5 horse stall mats for my floor. I have a PowerTec power rack and some cheap plates and bar for now.

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_rPhgWOhhM94/S0T3R0rvAbI/AAAAAAAAACo/gaqiO2OkC3U/s288/2010-01-06%2007.04.11.jpg

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_rPhgWOhhM94/S0T3SDS8U2I/AAAAAAAAACs/rjc80zRRaKw/s288/2010-01-06%2015.10.29.jpg

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_rPhgWOhhM94/S0T3SzmXPCI/AAAAAAAAACw/U9Var7CeLUU/s288/2010-01-06%2015.10.54.jpg

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_rPhgWOhhM94/S0T3TK5sMKI/AAAAAAAAAC0/TgYamWpyL_4/s288/2010-01-06%2015.11.22.jpg

[Mr.City]

I like the bench with the copy of SS and workout logs. When it comes to power racks, what qualities do you guys looks for and what price range do the usually fall in for a decent one?

[TChase76]

Which TDS bench is that? Are you satisfied with it? Is it as stable as it looks? I need to get a good flat bench and I don't care at all about a decline/incline bench. I just need a good flat one like this, if it is one.

http://www.newyorkbarbells.com/pro99990.html

It's stable and strong as hell. The only thing I don't like is that it's a little high @ around 19.5 inches but it's not a big deal. I just put plates under my feet. It looks like they raised the price...it was only $175 when I got mine.

[IWillLiveFreeOrDie]

I like the bench with the copy of SS and workout logs. When it comes to power racks, what qualities do you guys looks for and what price range do the usually fall in for a decent one?

PowerTec seemed to get good reviews, and I got mine on sale at BigFitness. It looks like they have updated the rack since I bought mine. I got the rack, BodyCraft bench, and the weight tree for $720 shipped to my house.

If I could do it over I would get a flat bench instead of an incline/decline bench. I'm going to start doing weighted situps so maybe the decline feature will be useful.

[Bergie]

My gym is on my back porch. It includes:

Power Rack
Bench
300# iron
240# bumper plates (45s, 35s, 25s, 15s)

I have placed 4 horse stall mats over the concrete.

I have a pull up bar under the deck just outside of the porch.

As you can see, it is not air conditioned or heated so I get to play in the elements. I am in Atlanta so the temps can range from upper 90s in the summer to low 20s in the winter (but it is usually not that cold here)

http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff199/wgbergman/gym.jpghttp://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff199/wgbergman/pullup.jpg

[Roamer]

I have:
Body solid PPR200x Power rack $299.95 free shipping jesupgym on ebay.
with lat attachment $187.95 jesupgym also.
Olympic dumbbell handles and misc hex dumbbells.
Body Solid weight tree OWT-24 $59.00 Amazon.
S & T CofC grippers.
295 lbs Olympic weight set. (check out the name on them) $??
Custom deadlift stands $ priceless
This weight set and bar came with a piece of equipment I bought at
Costco. It was a squat rack and lat pulldown that was free weigth loaded.

Also have lots of other stuff from my "functional sports specific training" days:
20 & 36 lbs kettlebells, swissball, tubing, indo board, medicine balls....

I need to get a good bar. And I should build a platform. This is in my
garage that is too small for my truck or my car even without all the junk
that's in there:D



128

[rift]

Great thread, cool to see other people's set ups.
I recently remodeled my basement which included nice carpeting in my workout room, which in about 2 months will be a play room. I decided I didn't want to lift on nice carpeting or have a kid playing around with my weights, so I moved out to the garage. Problem is, it hasn't been above 10 degrees F and has been as low as -20 F for the last couple of weeks. So I ended up building a couple of make shift walls just big enough to put my rack, and my roman chair in. The wall won't pass any building codes, but they hold insulation well enough for the temp to get into the low 50s. As far as equipment goes,
I bought a craigslist a couple of years ago for 200 bucks (no name, but sturdy enough to hold anything I Could hope to lift. Also has a pull up bar.
Weights-400 lbs (no name, but they weigh out accurately, so good enough)
Roman Chair-35 bucks used.
I also have a stationary recumbent bike inside that I kind of peddle when I watch TV.
Space is the most important thing, and that can always be found. I would honestly rather lift buckets of cement on a schedule 80 plumbing pipe bar than go to a gym or “club”. For me lifting is super private, and other than the occasional comment in here, I don’t talk about it with anyone.
As far as getting your wife to sign off on it, do a simple cost benefit analysis. All my shit costs less than a grand, I’ve more than recouped what I would have paid in fees and dues and gas to the gym.

[quadancer]

After my last 2 years in my sunroom, and various periods of time prior to that, I got down to 45 minute workouts and lacked company. This is the only reason I joined a gym again - it's nice to have peers. It all depends on your reason(s) for training. Also, the variety of equipment is a boon when you want supplementary movements.
But there is MUCH to be said for the home gym! My favorite is that I can blast my metal off my big amp rather than wear headphones.

[Mr.City]

What do you guys do about warming up? Jog?

[GVA-66]

I live in an apartment and my home gym is in the space where a dining area is meant to be. My gym consists of:

A TDS sumo squat rack I modified to take up less space by making into 4 portable squat stands.
Flat bench
A couple of rubber stall mats
An adjustable pull up stand I built using telescoping tubes (in the corner)
A doorway mounted pull up bar
Rings
A few olympic bars
A shitty body pump bar with 35 pounds worth of plates I use for step ups
Bumper and some metal plates
Fractional plates
A kettlebell
Some small dumbells
Abmat
Jumprope
A couple of dogs as spotters

[Webbie]

What do you guys do about warming up? Jog?
I either use the rower or jump on my rollers with the track bike...jogging? negative.

[Webbie]

A couple of dogs as spotters

Very cool dogs

[Mr.City]

Very cool dogs

Agreed. Do they bark at you as you grind out your last rep?

[GVA-66]

Very cool dogs

Thanks, Webbie!


Agreed. Do they bark at you as you grind out your last rep?


I usually work out right before I feed them, so they stare at me intently waiting for me to finish. Makes me extra careful on form because I suspect if I hurt myself they will eat my ass LOL.

[toddmr]

for you guys that have home setups, do you have a deadlift jack? If not, is there a makeshift way to add plates to a bar on the floor without killing your back?

Do you know the trick of rolling the 45s onto a 5# or 2.5# plate?

Basically, you place a 5 or 2.5 pound plate with the flat-side up on the floor next to the 45# plates that are already on the bar.

Roll the 45s back onto the plate on the floor and it gives you about a half-an-inch clearance to put another 45# plate on.

Collars, roll it off, move the small plate so you won't be dropping your deadlift on it. Removal is the reverse.

[IWillLiveFreeOrDie]

Thanks for the tip toddmr! I usually load the bar racked at just above knee height, and wondered how hard it would get to move the bar to the floor once I needed 405 pounds.

[BryanM]

Scorching ice slices throat
Chilling plates tear flesh from hands
Hooray for winter

[theuofh]

What do you guys do about warming up? Jog?

I'll usually Jump rope, do KB swings/snatches, and then lighter OH squats to get warm before doing any DROM or movement specific warmups.

[kyleb]

This is me!

http://i855.photobucket.com/albums/ab116/kyleboddy/CIMG1039.jpg?t=1263103939

http://i855.photobucket.com/albums/ab116/kyleboddy/CIMG1038.jpg?t=1263103957

Baseball player, so that should explain some stuff.

[tennisgod]

I'm sourcing my new home gym now; new cage, new bar/weights, most importantly, new sound system. Very exciting...

Since bumper plates are quite expensive, would it be Ok to just get bumper plates for the 25kg plates and then just buy the cheaper rubber-coated plates for the rest?

[IWillLiveFreeOrDie]

I don't think your bumpers will last too long doing that. They are meant to have the weight distributed across all the plates. That is why bumpers are the same diameter.

[toddmr]

What do you guys do about warming up? Jog?

I too use the rower for warming up. Nothing else gets my knees and whole body up to temp as nicely. I lucked out and got a good price on a Concept2. And it's "Rippetoe-approved."

[IWillLiveFreeOrDie]

I want a Concept 2 rower one day. Great company, and they are made here in New Hampshire!

[Dastardly]

I'm sourcing my new home gym now; new cage, new bar/weights, most importantly, new sound system. Very exciting...

Since bumper plates are quite expensive, would it be Ok to just get bumper plates for the 25kg plates and then just buy the cheaper rubber-coated plates for the rest?

Indeed you bumpers will get beat up and eventually come apart at the edges. In addition your harder rubber coated plates will still impact the ground.

If you are looking for a cheaper comprimise you may be interested in using car wheels. You just need to get some sleeves mad up to bolt onto the car wheels so they can slide onto your barbell.

[lint]

This is what I have in my basement:

Powertec PPR Power Rack
Olympic lifting platform - home made
Northern Lights FID Bench
Rogue Bar
Standard cheap Olympic bar
Lock Jaw Collars
Tuff Stuff plate tree
Iron plates ~ 700lbs
Rogue (Hi-Temp) bumper plates - 260lbs
Iron Woody Fractional Plates
Iron Woody Bands - masters package
Rogue Rings
Sorinex FNGHD
Ironmaster Quick Lock Dumbbells (5-120lbs) + Kettlebell Handle
Concept II Model B Rower - upgraded ergo handle, flex foot, wheels
Captains of Crush Grippers - T, 1, 1.5
Do Win Weighlifting Shoes

Mother in law calls me fat, ergo wife doesn't really have much of an argument against the gear. Also helps that I manage the finances.

[knkavo]

Mother in law calls me fat

... and will continue to call you fat even once you are 70s Big I'd wager.

[lint]

... and will continue to call you fat even once you are 70s Big I'd wager.

Correctamundo. for most older asians, big = fat, there's no such thing as muscle.

[WildPegasus]

I'm thinking of setting up a home gym instead of going to my local gym. However, the only place in my house that I can set it up with enough height for pressing is in my 9' X 11' dining area with hardwood floors. If I put down those horse mats would I still need to invest in bumper plates to protect the floor from dropping the weight with deadlifts?

[lint]

I would say bumpers are always a good idea if you're going to be dropping anything. But 3/4" stall mats are very good at absorbing impact. I'd say grab a stall mat, put a scrap piece of plywood or scrap hardwood under it, drop some plates from knee height and see if there's any damage. If not, you'd probably be good. You could always double up the stall mats too.

[IWillLiveFreeOrDie]

Horse mats are really sturdy, but I don't know if they would protect nice hardwoods if you dropped heavy weights on them.

[pu239]

Horse mats are really sturdy, but I don't know if they would protect nice hardwoods if you dropped heavy weights on them.

I got the first part of my home gym yesterday from Rogue, but I still don't have flooring. We're putting it over hardwood floors and my wife is afraid the horse mats will smell too much. I'm thinking about Muscle Mats (http://www.floorscore.com/muscles.html) but they're a little pricey. Anyone else have something over hardwood floors that does a good job and doesn't stink?

[IWillLiveFreeOrDie]

The price doesn't look bad on those mats pu239. Cool screen name btw! Plus it looks like they allow airflow underneath.

My mats didn't smell at all. They were stored outside when I bought them from the tractor supply store.

[pu239]

Great screen name you've got there too. I wish I could get "Live Free or Die" on my license plates even though I don't live in NH.

Shipping on 4 to my house would be about $100 so for an 8x10 area the total would be close to $200 more than the stall mats. It may be worth it though for the airflow and no smell.

[dogwood8]

I got the horse mats, they do smell. I simply left them outside in the sun and after a week they smell went away.

[beastmaster103]

I finally convinced my wife on the home gym after I told her it would pay for itself in less than 2 years ($40/mo gym membership at a hole in the ground down the street).

I bought a used power rack, used weight tree, 365 lbs of used Ivanko Olympic Plates, and a used 7' olympic bar for around $450.

I got a body solid adjustable (flat/incline) utility bench this past xmas for about $200 including free shipping from jesup gym on ebay (def. has the best prices)

All of this is in my downstairs, on top of a carpeted concrete slab. I'm in the process of creating a lifting floor, but have to purchase the horse mat and sheets of plywood. Also, I plan on purchasing adjustable olympic dumbbells and more "lower" Ivanko plates.

Recently got the Inzer black training belt (18mm). It is great. Lifting shoes are another item on the wish list. I'll attach a pic when I get a chance. Oh, and there's an elliptical machine in the room, as well as a 13" TV, filing cabinet, and some other crap.

I love being able to workout at home. I just need to use some 3 in 1 oil to lube up the bar so that my plates will be easy to add and remove.

[knkavo]

Correctamundo. for most older asians, big = fat, there's no such thing as muscle.

And for most older Greeks big = strong, whether that big is fat or muscle. In fact, the words for weak and skinny are essentially the same in Greek, (dynatos = strong --> adynatos = skinny --> adynamos = weak). Only in the younger generations have we been infected by the skinny = good meme.

Cultural thingamubobs are fascinating...

[quadancer]

Correctamundo. for most older asians, big = fat, there's no such thing as muscle.

Show her this:
http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb223/quadancer/09%20progress/ChineseBBers.jpg

[hh23]

First post - please be gentle. I am in the process of setting up a home gym and have a question regarding which bar to get. I plan to do the starting strength routine. I don't see myself doing Olympic lifts in foreseeable future. I do plan to do power cleans though. I have already purchased the rogue bar as it had a lifetime warranty. I also have an opportunity to buy a inexpensive "York Men's Elite Competition Olympic Bar" ($125 for like new condition). Will you guys advise me to buy it for the things I plan to do. In case it matters my wife also trains with me and I feel that it might be useful to have 2 bars.

BTW, I purchased this flat bench and will highly recommend it - DF8000 flat bench (http://www.fitnessdestination.com/exercise_benches/df8000.php)

Very sturdy, inexpensive and 750 lb capacity.

Thanks in advance.

[StLRPh]

First post - please be gentle. I am in the process of setting up a home gym and have a question regarding which bar to get. I plan to do the starting strength routine. I don't see myself doing Olympic lifts in foreseeable future. I do plan to do power cleans though. I have already purchased the rogue bar as it had a lifetime warranty. I also have an opportunity to buy a inexpensive "York Men's Elite Competition Olympic Bar" ($125 for like new condition). Will you guys advise me to buy it for the things I plan to do. In case it matters my wife also trains with me and I feel that it might be useful to have 2 bars.

BTW, I purchased this flat bench and will highly recommend it - DF8000 flat bench (http://www.fitnessdestination.com/exercise_benches/df8000.php)

Very sturdy, inexpensive and 750 lb capacity.

Thanks in advance.

You certainly don't have to have it, but having 2 bars would be convenient. If the price is right (and it sounds like it is) go for it.

[StLRPh]

Pendlay Econ Bar
Trap bar
Rolling thunder
Pillars of power
squat stands
Grip trainer thingee
210 lbs bumper plates
~200 lbs of iron weights
fractional plates
thick handled DBs that take olympic weights

[hh23]

First post - please be gentle. I am in the process of setting up a home gym and have a question regarding which bar to get. I plan to do the starting strength routine. I don't see myself doing Olympic lifts in foreseeable future. I do plan to do power cleans though. I have already purchased the rogue bar as it had a lifetime warranty. I also have an opportunity to buy a inexpensive "York Men's Elite Competition Olympic Bar" ($125 for like new condition). Will you guys advise me to buy it for the things I plan to do. In case it matters my wife also trains with me and I feel that it might be useful to have 2 bars ..



You certainly don't have to have it, but having 2 bars would be convenient. If the price is right (and it sounds like it is) go for it.
Thanks. I am just not sure if an elite bar designed for olympic movements will be suitable for powerlifting movements. So any insights will be appreciated.

[Dastardly]

And for most older Greeks big = strong, whether that big is fat or muscle. In fact, the words for weak and skinny are essentially the same in Greek, (dynatos = strong --> adynatos = skinny --> adynamos = weak). Only in the younger generations have we been infected by the skinny = good meme.

Cultural thingamubobs are fascinating...

There is clearly also a huge disparity between south and north/east asia.

In south asia, BIG is very good. Not much distinction between fat & muscle in the cultures. But eating as much as possible and being BIG in anyway is respectable and desirable.

It is very common for parents to force feed their children. Mine sure did.

[Dastardly]

You certainly don't have to have it, but having 2 bars would be convenient. If the price is right (and it sounds like it is) go for it.

If you want one for your wife, maybe a smaller bar is more appropriate.

[hh23]

If you want one for your wife, maybe a smaller bar is more appropriate.Actually a good bar for woman costs at least $200, so I am just looking for an inexpensive multipurpose bar which both of us will be able to use.

Sorry if this is a stupid question but I will still like to know if an elite bar designed for olympic movements may be suitable for powerlifting movements as well. Thanks.

[Webbie]

First post - please be gentle. I am in the process of setting up a home gym and have a question regarding which bar to get. I plan to do the starting strength routine. I don't see myself doing Olympic lifts in foreseeable future. I do plan to do power cleans though. I have already purchased the rogue bar as it had a lifetime warranty. I also have an opportunity to buy a inexpensive "York Men's Elite Competition Olympic Bar" ($125 for like new condition). Will you guys advise me to buy it for the things I plan to do. In case it matters my wife also trains with me and I feel that it might be useful to have 2 bars.

BTW, I purchased this flat bench and will highly recommend it - DF8000 flat bench (http://www.fitnessdestination.com/exercise_benches/df8000.php)

Very sturdy, inexpensive and 750 lb capacity.

Thanks in advance.

Welcome hh...that is a steal for the York needle bearing bar...I paid about 4 times that for mine new. PULL. THE. TRIGGER.

I also purchased the 15kg York training bar for my wife and son ~$200 it is 25mm in diameter and great for smaller hands.

[Expat]

Actually a good bar for woman costs at least $200, so I am just looking for an inexpensive multipurpose bar which both of us will be able to use.

Sorry if this is a stupid question but I will still like to know if an elite bar designed for olympic movements may be suitable for powerlifting movements as well. Thanks.

HH23,
If that's a needlebearing York bar, it is a steal and you should grab it. It will be fine for powerlifting movements until you are moving really major weights and it will be great for the olympic lifts for the rest of your life.

The major difference between an elite weightlifting bar and a powerlifting bar (or a less good weightlifting bar, for that matter) is that an elite level bar is built to have a certain amount of flex. This gives it a bit of "life" or spring when doing explosive movements which can be helpful in lifts like the power clean or a snatch. This same flex would be unhelpful when squatting.

The difference isn't very significant at lower weights. I don't know how much you'd have to put on that York bar to notice a real difference much less have a problem on squat, bench, or deadlift, but it would be a lot. Just as an example, I have two Pendlay economy bars, one women's bar and one men's bar. If I put 300 lbs on the women's bar, I can feel it flex in ways I don't like when I squat. My guess is you'd have to be putting more than that on the York bar. However, when you do even reasonable weights on explosive movements, you will definitely feel a positive difference with a quality weightlifting bar like the York.

[DanielM]

I was going to open a new thread about this, but this seems like a logical place to ask: I'm thinking about taking Rip's power rack blueprints to a local welder instead of buying a used one to save some money, only problem is we work by a metric system here.

So, I was wondering if there are any European guys here that might have already converted all the values to the metric system, I'd still have to translate the whole thing to Hebrew for the welder, but at least it'll save me some time.

[toddmr]

For goodness' sake, please buy the bar and if it doesn't work out for you offer it for sale here. Even paying shipping, it'd be a steal for someone. You could charge $50 to pack it and you'd probably still be thanked for your help.

[Dastardly]

For goodness' sake, please buy the bar and if it doesn't work out for you offer it for sale here. Even paying shipping, it'd be a steal for someone. You could charge $50 to pack it and you'd probably still be thanked for your help.

This would be me if I was in the USA. Id happily pay $200 for it.

[lint]

Show her this:
http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb223/quadancer/09%20progress/ChineseBBers.jpg

She'd just say they're fat, freakish and ugly.

[GVA-66]

HH23,
If that's a needlebearing York bar, it is a steal and you should grab it. It will be fine for powerlifting movements until you are moving really major weights and it will be great for the olympic lifts for the rest of your life.

The major difference between an elite weightlifting bar and a powerlifting bar (or a less good weightlifting bar, for that matter) is that an elite level bar is built to have a certain amount of flex. This gives it a bit of "life" or spring when doing explosive movements which can be helpful in lifts like the power clean or a snatch. This same flex would be unhelpful when squatting.

The difference isn't very significant at lower weights. I don't know how much you'd have to put on that York bar to notice a real difference much less have a problem on squat, bench, or deadlift, but it would be a lot. Just as an example, I have two Pendlay economy bars, one women's bar and one men's bar. If I put 300 lbs on the women's bar, I can feel it flex in ways I don't like when I squat. My guess is you'd have to be putting more than that on the York bar. However, when you do even reasonable weights on explosive movements, you will definitely feel a positive difference with a quality weightlifting bar like the York.


Good information, Expat. Thanks!

[Alex Bond]

She'd just say they're fat, freakish and ugly.

I can think of several things to call those people, "fat" is very far from one of them.

[applescruffette]

Actually a good bar for woman costs at least $200, so I am just looking for an inexpensive multipurpose bar which both of us will be able to use.


I don't know how strong she is already, but a man's bar for me is too heavy to use for warmups at this juncture in my lifting, particularly on the press. Not only that, the women's bar just feels a lot better in my womanly paws with its smaller diameter. I have the Bella bar from Rogue and am very happy with it. Just sayin'....

[Kate]

So, I see that Rogue's Bella bar does not have center knurling. Any advantages to that? Disadvantages? Can someone please educate me on this aspect?

Thanks!

-Kate

[Paul Sousa]

The center knurling provides grip on the back when squatting.

[matclone]

But the center knurling is not needed for any of the other Starting Strength lifts, and there may be some preference to not having it when doing cleans--because of the possibility the knurling could irritate your skin when jamming it into your throat. If practical, you may want to visit some other gyms, or anybody who has these bars--so you can see and feel the difference for yourself. Also, since we're on the topic of knurling, know that there can be alot of difference in the degree of knurling (i.e., roughness) on the bars. Olympic bars tend to have less, and power bars (the iron) tend to have more. Again, this is sort of a personal preference.

[Paul Sousa]

But the center knurling is not needed for any of the other Starting Strength lifts, and there may be some preference to not having it when doing cleans--because of the possibility the knurling could irritate your skin when jamming it into your throat. If practical, you may want to visit some other gyms, or anybody who has these bars--so you can see and feel the difference for yourself. Also, since we're on the topic of knurling, know that there can be alot of difference in the degree of knurling (i.e., roughness) on the bars. Olympic bars tend to have less, and power bars (the iron) tend to have more. Again, this is sort of a personal preference.

Good advice here. I have come to find I like the center knurling for squats, but use bars without it for my other lifts. And I like a middle of the road roughness for the knurling. I am pretty lucky as my gym has a large variety of bars and I've found a couple that I like best depending on the lift.

[dildo]

My garage gym is a frugal one. I'm broke fool. I have a bench. I'm not sure what brand it is. My in-laws gave it to me because they never used it. It had a leg extension thing and a big pad for preacher curls but I took them off because they made me feel dirty. With the bench came a cheap 15 lb bar. They also gave me all their weight which adds up to be about 350 lbs. There's 200lbs of 25lb plates and the rest are in 10,5,2.5,and 1.25lbs. I have a pull up bar bolted from my rafters and some dumbells with adjustable weights. I have a jump rope.

[quadancer]

I'm not sure how much nonmembers can view, but try this link and look for all posts by me as well as reading the others. I've built quite a few homemade rigs, mostly out of wood (being a carpenter it came naturally) but it should give you some ideas on saving money.
Also consider that you can work your entire body with just a barbell.
http://www.hypertrophy-specific.info/cgi-bin/ib314/ikonboard.cgi?act=SF;f=18

[Kate]

Paul & matclone, thanks for the info on bars & knurling.

I'm not buying a new bar anytime soon, but took a quick look at Pendlay's site and was promptly confused ("bushing" vs. "bearing" bars; huh). Never knew there was so much to know about barbells. :)

[hh23]

I am in the process of setting up a small home gym and will like to request some information -

1) My wife is short and I am looking for a flat (or flat cum incline) bench with a height of maximum 17" (from top of the pad). I will prefer a total capacity of at least 500 lbs. My budget is $150 and I have been unable to find one within this. Do you guys know of anything which might work for me?

2) Have any of you used GOBH5 bar holder (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000FOIGXE/ref=ord_cart_shr?_encoding=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&v=glance)? This is the only bar holder I could find which is economical.

3) I will like to get a rubber mat (gym size 150 x 111) for the floor. I will like to keep it economical. Any suggestions on where to look will be appreciated.

[Squatson]

any of you guys ever squat nakey?

I hate clothes and prefer to be nakey as often as possible.

and no I don't want to look at your nakey form checks (maybe just one rep)

[quadancer]

WHY would you want to know if they DID?

rubber horse mats are supposedly the cheapest bang for the buck.

[Dastardly]

I am in the process of setting up a small home gym and will like to request some information -

1) My wife is short and I am looking for a flat (or flat cum incline) bench with a height of maximum 17" (from top of the pad). I will prefer a total capacity of at least 500 lbs. My budget is $150 and I have been unable to find one within this. Do you guys know of anything which might work for me?



Just have something prepared for her to rest her feet on, no need for an extra low bench. Some thick bumper plates, or some wood.

[LondonTiger]

I've just ordered all these for £683 delivered about $1026

http://www.dazadi.com/images/p300/exc_bc_f430.jpg
Bodycraft f430

http://www.powerhouse-fitness.co.uk/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image//b/o/bodymax_rubber_radial_weight_plates_barbell_set_1. jpg
Bodymax 185kg barbell set





http://www.powerhouse-fitness.co.uk/media/catalog/product/cache/1/small_image//115x170/3/9/396aw_1.jpg
Bodymax weights tree





http://www.powerhouse-fitness.co.uk/media/catalog/product/cache/1/small_image//170x133/b/o/bodymax_cf302.jpg
Bodymax bench

[quadancer]

Just have something prepared for her to rest her feet on, no need for an extra low bench. Some thick bumper plates, or some wood.

Yeah, wood blocks with some innertube tacked to it would suffice. You could get creative there, some have to do it for comps.
I'd be leary of the cheap barbells, depending on how strong you intend to be someday. The bar weight also won't be the standard 45lbs.

[God of Thunder]

I used to train in a gym that had a nice mixture of chain and hardcore gym equipment. I used to do artwork for them and got free membership until they changed owners.

I decided to use my outhouse (15 foot square) which stores everything including a kitchen sink(!) as my new gym. Before I could afford my current set up, I used a ladder supported horizontally as a chin up bar, and tins of paint as dumbbells.

Unfortunately the outhouse is unheated and is only single brick with no real foundations to speak of, which is fine in summer, but in winter is a real pain as everything feels cold to the touch (deadlifting when you can't feel your fingers and toes is NOT fun). I prefer to train in bare feet, so will sometimes use a piece of old carpet off-cut to stand on, it's pretty thin, so no problems with stability.

Kit =
350lbs steel plates
power rack with chin bar (I use a combination of the safeties, bar and wooden pole all clamped off in the power rack for a dipping station)
6 foot by 4 foot rubber mat
chalk

I use a step on tool box with two blocks of wood on as a bench as I don't have the space for a proper bench. The tool box has a maximum weight limit which I'll never reach(!) so although uncomfortable is safe.

Pre-SS days I'd used scaffold planks for incline/decline work.

I no real space around the power rack to speak of, except for approx just over a foot at the front for standing presses, where I just miss the joists by inches.

To the sides of the power rack I have just enough space to remove the plates which is ok when I'm not using the safeties as I can walk through the rack instead of around it. Where possible I hang weight off the rack on pieces of wooden doweling in the lower holes, as the rack is not bolted to the floor this adds a little stability to it.

Because of the brick flooring which may go straight onto earth or a very thin foundation (even with the rubber mat), and the steel plates I can never drop the bar (or lower too fast), which means I'm always training just short of pushing myself.

However, I like the freedom of training when I want, and in summer walking in the garden between sets. Also food and shower is seconds away....

[Sami]

I used to train in a gym that had a nice mixture of chain and hardcore gym equipment. I used to do artwork for them and got free membership until they changed owners.

I decided to use my outhouse (15 foot square) which stores everything including a kitchen sink(!) as my new gym. Before I could afford my current set up, I used a ladder supported horizontally as a chin up bar, and tins of paint as dumbbells.

Unfortunately the outhouse is unheated and is only single brick with no real foundations to speak of, which is fine in summer, but in winter is a real pain as everything feels cold to the touch (deadlifting when you can't feel your fingers and toes is NOT fun). I prefer to train in bare feet, so will sometimes use a piece of old carpet off-cut to stand on, it's pretty thin, so no problems with stability.

Kit =
350lbs steel plates
power rack with chin bar (I use a combination of the safeties, bar and wooden pole all clamped off in the power rack for a dipping station)
6 foot by 4 foot rubber mat
chalk

I use a step on tool box with two blocks of wood on as a bench as I don't have the space for a proper bench. The tool box has a maximum weight limit which I'll never reach(!) so although uncomfortable is safe.

Pre-SS days I'd used scaffold planks for incline/decline work.

I no real space around the power rack to speak of, except for approx just over a foot at the front for standing presses, where I just miss the joists by inches.

To the sides of the power rack I have just enough space to remove the plates which is ok when I'm not using the safeties as I can walk through the rack instead of around it. Where possible I hang weight off the rack on pieces of wooden doweling in the lower holes, as the rack is not bolted to the floor this adds a little stability to it.

Because of the brick flooring which may go straight onto earth or a very thin foundation (even with the rubber mat), and the steel plates I can never drop the bar (or lower too fast), which means I'm always training just short of pushing myself.

However, I like the freedom of training when I want, and in summer walking in the garden between sets. Also food and shower is seconds away....

Something this cool requires pictures.

[God of Thunder]

When I remember I'll do some. ;)

[cannibal.horse]

My set up as of now:

- Locally welded power rack
- Muscle motion commercial quality flat bench
- ABC powerlifting bar (Australian equivalent to the texas bar)
- 300kg of rubber coated grip plates

What I'm looking to add:
- Muscle Motion commercial quality power rack
- Either a full set of kettlebells or a prowler (cant decide)
- Might replace all my plates with ABC rubber plates as well

[milosz]

It occurred to me that I have a large warehouse space that could house a small space for a rack and weights, along with a big ol' parking lot for a Prowler (mmm, Texas summers without AC).

Only problem is that it's also the office/storage for our construction business and currently packed on all sides and in the middle. Mostly with useless crap. (This is why it only recently occurred to me.)

I need to figure out a minimum square footage required for my needs and see if I can make room.

[drewcarroll2]

Wow, I find this thread to be most impressive.

One question for everyone, what was your average overall cost? For some it seems like it was about 900-1200 bucks, others it seems like it was a lot more. If I was trying to go the basics route:

Power Rack that I could do pull ups in
2 Bars, SS and Oly
500lbs weight
Bumpers (how much weight?)
One of those roman chairs for hyperextensions (would a hyper be better?)
the platform I could build myself
a good bench
a concept 2 rower

What brands and price ranges would I be looking at if I wanted quality, but nothing like elite grade or anything?

[Braindrop]

If you work Craigslist, you can put together a great gym for under $500. The only thing I bought new was my power rack.

[Sami]

If you work Craigslist, you can put together a great gym for under $500. The only thing I bought new was my power rack.

Looks like a damn sweet set up. Was that all <$500 including the new rack?

Anyway, I hope to get mine set up for £300 or less. Iron costs roughly £1/kg (or a touch over) here. I'm going to build my rack out of scaffolding. I've heard of some people making theirs for about £40 or less, but also have seen a guy make his for £90. £90 is getting close to a secondhand ebay rack (a shitty one though).

In my opinion, a scaffolding made rack is plenty strong enough, can be completely customised, and can be unbolted and collapsed to make more garage space if needed. There are lots of guides to make them. I've even seen some on ebay for about £25-30.

[Dastardly]

I think a well put together scaffold rack is probably a lot stronger than a lot of real power racks.

I mean, each of those little scaffold clamps has to often support several stories of scaffold structure, several construction workers, equipment, cement etc..

The fixtures are definetely the weakest link, but if they can support that much I think they can easily handle Andy Bolton & Konstantin doing rack pulls.

[Sami]

The fittings I've seen mentioned are rated at about 1000kg. The bars/pipes are rated even higher.

[Bahadur]

Depends. Craigslist is your friend. I got:

Body Solid Power Rack
Adjustable Body Solid Weight bench
over 300 lbs in Olympic Standard Plates
Standard Olympic Bar
Body Solid Weight Tree
A Lat-pulldown and pulley attachment for the Rack


All for $500 from waiting patiently on Craigslist (the guy wouldnt take out the lat-pulldown cable attachement for a lower price). Excellent condition too.

Just got some dip attachment bars from New York Barbell for the rack for $30.

Work out in my garage in Florida, so I've got a portable $15 fan from Target. Most expensive piece of 'equipment' is the Sonos S5 music player I drag into the garage for my workouts.

I should say that working out out in my garage, as opposed to LA Fitness, is awesome (aside from the heat). No crappy music, no fighting or waiting for the power rack. In between sets, get to sit 'outside' and stare at the blue sky (one benefit of living in Florida). Really feels like I'm training outside, which for me and my 9-10 hr day desk job in a windowless room, is a mini-vacation.

[Braindrop]

Looks like a damn sweet set up. Was that all <$500 including the new rack?


The initial stuff I started with (power rack + bench + bar + iron) was under $500. I've added more stuff since (bumper plates, adjustable DBs, second bar, more iron). I've probably got ~$1100 in it as seen (not counting the off-the-screen elliptical that we've had for over a decade).

edit: Bahadur reminds me I need a new fan.

[ILiftAlone]

I love seeing all the cool pics of peoples setups. I have been using mine for about a month now and there is no better feeling than getting to train without having to drive across town to the gym where I may or may not have to wait for equipment, deal with annoying people, use different plates all the time(some are way off the marked weight), and all the other things that suck about gyms.

Now if I had the oppurtunity to train with a legit coach those things might not be that big of a deal...but I dont, so they are.

My setup includes:

- TDS power rack. The cheap one.

- Old rusty barbell a friend got for free. The collars still rotate but not as well as they should. This will be my most likely next upgrade.

- Various plates with weight stand. All used and dirt cheap from sporting good stores and the flea market.

- Wooden platform with horse stall mats on the sides. I love lifting on the platform knowing that I made it. Yeah I know it doesn't take any skill to put together, but dammit im proud.

Its amazing how effective such a simple gym can be, yet it is extremely rare to ever see such a gym in a public setting.

[quadancer]

The old rusty barbell would be badazz if you painted it flat black and put a little electrician's grip tape (cloth stuff) around the grip areas. The chalk would show a bit permanently. Remove the collars and grease 'em.
Yeah, I'd like to use that bar.

[drewcarroll2]

I have a lot of homemade stuff I did posted with pics over on the HST site home gym equipment thread.
http://www.hypertrophy-specific.info/cgi-bin/ib314/ikonboard.cgi?act=SF;f=18

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb223/quadancer/Home/Cleengym.jpg

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb223/quadancer/Home/DBrack1.jpg

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb223/quadancer/Home/weighttree.jpg

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb223/quadancer/Home/pullupbar.jpg

@quadrancer,
Do you have plans/drawings of how to build that rack? It seems like building it could save a guy some money, plus it is awesome.

[OITW]

If you work Craigslist, you can put together a great gym for under $500. The only thing I bought new was my power rack.

I've been in Europe for four years now. Gawd, I miss a real garage.

[drewcarroll2]

I've been in Europe for four years now. Gawd, I miss a real garage.

@OITW,
Europe is a big place. Are you anywhere near Kaiserslautern Germany?

[quadancer]

@quadrancer,
Do you have plans/drawings of how to build that rack? It seems like building it could save a guy some money, plus it is awesome.

Thenk yew.
The rear 2x4 uprights are 72"
The 4x4 bottom legs are 40-1/2"
The front 4x4's for the pins are 80" long angle to long.
It is 48" wide.
The pins are stainless steel shower rod pieces, but you can use pipe. Drill the holes 2" deep and allow 3" to protrude. The holes must be snug, the pins should be hammered in.
If next to a wall and unbolted down, it can tip forward when you rack the weight, so will need something between it and the wall. Always use 3" screws for wooden gym equipment, never nails. Consider your load structure and plan accordingly.
If it wobbles, you built it wrong.
http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb223/quadancer/Home/SquatRack008.jpg