Official Home Gym Building Thread

mingeroonie · 10 Oct 2019 at 13:46

Skidder said:
Why do you want a smith machine?

It was more for the pulley system, as thats what the other half used to use a lot in the gym.
I wont be lifting massive weights on it, but hadn't seen that brand recommended on here before.

Edit:
Im now looking at something like this.
https://www.powerhouse-fitness.co.uk/bodymax-cf475-heavy-power-rack-with-lat-low-pulley
Any thoughts?

Skidder · 10 Oct 2019 at 15:29

Looks much better to me. You don't want a smith machine.

Personally I don't miss the pulley and like having the half rack so it doesn't dominate my garage quite so much but if you have the space that looks good.

You say you won't be lifting massive weights but if you get into a linear progression programme like stronglifts it really won't be long before you surprise yourself.

mingeroonie · 10 Oct 2019 at 15:48

There goes a couple hours of browsing!
The final options seem to be:
https://www.powerhouse-fitness.co.uk/bodymax-cf475-heavy-power-rack-with-lat-low-pulley
https://www.powerhouse-fitness.co.u...-barbell-kit-with-7-ft-bar-and-spring-collars
https://www.powerhouse-fitness.co.uk/bodymax-cf330-premium-weight-bench.php

I think that gives me a good base to build on, and can add bits as I need them.

Skidder · 10 Oct 2019 at 16:57

I started out less than a year ago and bought that barbell but with 145kg set up (and have since added 25kg plates too). https://www.powerhouse-fitness.co.u...-barbell-kit-with-7-ft-bar-and-spring-collars You will definitely want 20kg plates so I would upgrade now rather than quickly realise you needed them and not get the discount of a package.

Things like rows you will want the height and weight 20kg plates give basically immediately. If you don't want to spend more you could go cheaper on the bench.

mingeroonie · 10 Oct 2019 at 17:14

Cheers for the replies Skidder, certainly helped!

Has anyone had any experience with powerhouse-fitness customer service? Reading online, they seem to get slated quite a bit

GiraffePencils · 10 Oct 2019 at 17:16

I bought Oly plates from them, DPD delivered, no problem

Skidder · 10 Oct 2019 at 17:23

mingeroonie said:
Cheers for the replies Skidder, certainly helped!

Has anyone had any experience with powerhouse-fitness customer service? Reading online, they seem to get slated quite a bit

I had my entire set up from them. Delivery was as promised and all good quality and as expected other than I had a bent stand for my slectable dumbells and contacted them to sort. They were a bit slow to respond on that and I had to chase a couple of times but got there in the end and didn't want the original one back (I bent the slightly damaged one back to shape and used that and sold the new one). Phone support was pretty poor but once I got the email address of someone everything was sorted. I have had a few more plates and smaller orders from them since with no issue.

Psymonkee · 10 Oct 2019 at 18:01

Ordered my rack/weights/extra hooks from them. Delivery for the rack took a few days arrived ok but that was 8 years ago I think!

iamtheoneneo · 11 Oct 2019 at 09:16

mingeroonie said:
There goes a couple hours of browsing!
The final options seem to be:
https://www.powerhouse-fitness.co.uk/bodymax-cf475-heavy-power-rack-with-lat-low-pulley
https://www.powerhouse-fitness.co.u...-barbell-kit-with-7-ft-bar-and-spring-collars
https://www.powerhouse-fitness.co.uk/bodymax-cf330-premium-weight-bench.php

I think that gives me a good base to build on, and can add bits as I need them.

I really wouldnt bother with the pulley attachment, it takes up so much space and blocks you from comfortably doing other more necessary exercises in the rack. Plus if you need that motion just get some decent bands.

mingeroonie · 11 Oct 2019 at 13:16

iamtheoneneo said:
I really wouldnt bother with the pulley attachment, it takes up so much space and blocks you from comfortably doing other more necessary exercises in the rack.

Space isn't a problem. What would you say it blocks you from doing?

Teknobry · 11 Oct 2019 at 22:59

iamtheoneneo said:
I really wouldnt bother with the pulley attachment, it takes up so much space and blocks you from comfortably doing other more necessary exercises in the rack. Plus if you need that motion just get some decent bands.

The pulley attachment is great, it brings the rack out from being flush against the wall by about 15inches at most. No idea what it could block you from doing in the squat rack, its never got in my way once.

mingeroonie · 12 Oct 2019 at 09:47

Went on live chat with them yesterday, and got another £100 off along with the 145Kg weight package and the Cf485
Happy so far, will post a pic when it all turns up!

Teknobry · 12 Oct 2019 at 19:46

Nice! I got the same weight package, really good quality those rubber coated weights.

utajoker · 19 Nov 2019 at 14:40

Going to buy a treadmill for the garage in the sales. Power House fitness have a lot of them on sale.

Looking at https://www.powerhouse-fitness.co.uk/bodymax-t60-motorised-treadmill-previously-i-go-3

Anyone got a bodymax treadmill? Decent brand?

Want to spend around £400

dazzday · 29 Nov 2019 at 20:41

Jumping in on this thread as its relevent to my needs! Recently moved house and have a large shed suitable for a home gym. Looking for something i can do 5x5 on. Also try to keep it relatively low cost for now. Thouths on the below setup?

Mirafit adjustable bench https://www.ebay.ie/itm/Mirafit-Ful...ch-Flat-Incline-Dumbbell-Lifting/401917343208 £49
Mirafit adjustable squat rackhttps://www.ebay.ie/itm/Mirafit-Adj...l-Weight-Gym-Bench-Power-Lifting/331717188972 £89
Bodymax rubber 145kg 7ft barbell https://www.powerhouse-fitness.co.u...-barbell-kit-with-7-ft-bar-and-spring-collars £249

kaptainmarc · 2 Dec 2019 at 09:32

dazzday said:
snip

The weights on those i believe are smaller than normal Olympic plates, so you will need something to dead lift off unless your happy doing deficits.

depending how heavy you go those squat racks are quite easy to tip over.

But should do the job

kaptainmarc · 2 Dec 2019 at 09:35

new gym

loving it so far

still to order some matting for the floor and a couple more plates.

excuse the poor photo by camera is smashed on my phone

Skidder · 3 Dec 2019 at 09:25

dazzday said:
Jumping in on this thread as its relevent to my needs! Recently moved house and have a large shed suitable for a home gym. Looking for something i can do 5x5 on. Also try to keep it relatively low cost for now. Thouths on the below setup?

Mirafit adjustable bench https://www.ebay.ie/itm/Mirafit-Ful...ch-Flat-Incline-Dumbbell-Lifting/401917343208 £49
Mirafit adjustable squat rackhttps://www.ebay.ie/itm/Mirafit-Adj...l-Weight-Gym-Bench-Power-Lifting/331717188972 £89
Bodymax rubber 145kg 7ft barbell https://www.powerhouse-fitness.co.u...-barbell-kit-with-7-ft-bar-and-spring-collars £249

I have those weights, they are fine but as above they are smaller than olympic. I have the 25kgs as well which are closer. I have some blocks with lips off eBay to deadlift from. They are decent weights.

Personally I would spend a bit more on a half rack or rack with a pull up bar. Worth it I think.

GiraffePencils · 3 Dec 2019 at 09:31

I have that Mirafit bench
get a different one haha

The mechanism that holds the back is really bad, you'll feel much more secure in something that doesn't allow as much movement/rocking

Kreeeee · 2 Jan 2020 at 12:21

I don't think I ever posted this in here, but I built this last summer and just posted it in the 2020 Gym Rats thread:

I name this "The Forge", and it has a membership of one.

It's impossible to photograph properly as it's so small, but it's just the perfect size to use the power rack properly and also use the fully adjustable bench in the open area next to it.

I have a barbell, EZ bar, up/down adjustable bench, high/low cable and many attachments, Ironmaster adjustable dumbbells and kettle bell with the 45lb extension weights, and more plate weight than I will ever lift.

I also have an airdyne air bike in the house for non-weight lifting days. I'm using a modified version of the Fierce 5 routine to have a dumbbell focused day and a barbell focused day as that's what I enjoy.

My goals this year are to get down to 70 kg (currently 77 kg) while maintaining 120 kg Squat and 90 kg Bench for 3x5.