Convert garage to gym?

digisatman · 28 Jun 2007 at 22:18

Hi all,

Currently, got a fairly empty and unused garage, and thinking of getting some equipment and turn it into a gym. The gyms nearby are overcrowded and a bit too far away. My goals are to increase overall muscle mass and strength.

Im basically looking to get a power cage and a bench. I was told by physio that i really need to get some muscle in the quad area, so a powercage is a must i think.

On a tight budget, so looking to spend as little as possible. Heres a link to a pic of garage floor, any reccomendations onto what I should lay on the floor, ie mats?

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w237/digisatman/28082007050.jpg

Any other advice would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Morba · 28 Jun 2007 at 23:03

something like this would be good.

Rich_L · 29 Jun 2007 at 00:03

Hi,

Thought this was quite a good deal

http://www.discount-supplements.co....ds-gym-olympic-ez-grip-weight-set---100kg.asp

100kg olympic weight set - free P&P as well

Not sure whether you were looking at just floor covering or other stuff but thought it might help

Styles · 29 Jun 2007 at 00:43

Matting Morba suggested would be great. You can pick up cheaper stuff around the place if you look, but it depends what quality you're going for. I picked up two excellent mats from Trago Mills in the past, never had a problem with them.

As for a bench, I can't find anything better than this for the money tbh.

http://www.powerhouse-fitness.co.uk/store/product.asp?dept_id=10&pf_id=Marcy_Pro_Bench

Powerrack:

Either:

http://www.powerhouse-fitness.co.uk/store/product.asp?pf_id=Bodymax_Heavy_Power_Rack&dept_id=9

OR, if money isn't a problem:

http://www.powerhouse-fitness.co.uk...Rack_Lat_Low_Pulley_and_100Kg_Stack&dept_id=9

That should do it tbh. Unless you're lifting HUGE amounts of weight you won't have a problem.

Weights you can look in the local papers for. Same for bars. If not have a look around, the chap above has given you a suggestion there too

WhyohWhy · 29 Jun 2007 at 10:09

I found myself in much the same position as yourself and tbh its quite easy to get your garage sorted out, just build things up over time. Personally if I didnt train straight after work I wouldnt have done and by the time I had been to the gym and done the work I would have been too late to see my baby boy before his bedtime

I got a trainer device for my push bike so that I have a good cardio/warmup
much like this one...

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ProductDetail.aspx?Cat=cycle&ProdID=5360026394

...but shop around and you can probably find cheaper

I put a punch bag onto the roof and I got myself a bench, some weights and a squat rack. The bench I have just ordered is as per styles first link. the squat rack is

http://www.powerhouse-fitness.co.uk/store/product.asp?dept_id=10&pf_id=Marcy_Squat_Rack

takes a reasonable amount of weight on it and the pegs are in good places for either doing squats or shove a bench under it for a bench press.

Again, depending on your goals you can start with the minimums and build up over time, I would say that if its weights then a reasonable bench with a rack would be the minimum as there are plenty of good ways to get yourself warmed up...

edit: added in the rack for ease of reference

digisatman · 29 Jun 2007 at 12:14

thanks for all advice so far, i think im going to get this powerack:

http://www.powerhouse-fitness.co.uk/store/product.asp?dept_id=10&pf_id=Bodymax_Standard_Powerrack

Is that ok?,

Also, I was told, i would be better just to get a good utility bench to put in the power-rack, rather than a normal bench with its own rack. Is this a good idea?, any reccomendations for a cheap utility bench, looking to spend ~£50.

Finally, any cheaper mats about?

Thanks

Styles · 29 Jun 2007 at 12:25

That rack should be just fine. I always buy the 'Heavy' or stronger racks personally, but it just depends on the weight you're moving. If you've been recommended that you need to add some muscle, mainly in the quads then I'm sure (No offense) that you are not lifting enough to warrant the stronger racks so this should be fine.

digisatman · 29 Jun 2007 at 12:54

Styles said:
That rack should be just fine. I always buy the 'Heavy' or stronger racks personally, but it just depends on the weight you're moving. If you've been recommended that you need to add some muscle, mainly in the quads then I'm sure (No offense) that you are not lifting enough to warrant the stronger racks so this should be fine.

yeah, im a small build, 18 yrs old, and about ~100lbs...

Styles · 29 Jun 2007 at 13:14

That rack will be completely fine then

You need to be VERY careful when first starting out.

Do you know someone who attends a gym or lifts regularly and knows what they are talking about? If you do have them come and help you attain perfect form in your lifts and teach you all they know.

digisatman · 29 Jun 2007 at 13:27

Styles said:
That rack will be completely fine then You need to be VERY careful when first starting out.

Do you know someone who attends a gym or lifts regularly and knows what they are talking about? If you do have them come and help you attain perfect form in your lifts and teach you all they know.

well, ive been doing bb'in, on and off for a couple of years, but will definetly make sure ive got decent form!.

Now, i need to sort out a decent utility bench, mats, and weights. thanks

WhyohWhy · 29 Jun 2007 at 14:38

Ive found that this site has some good instructions on the different lifts

http://www.exrx.net/Exercise.html

As said by styles though, it would be best to have someone watch you doing the lifts to ensure you get the right form.

^TANK^ · 29 Jun 2007 at 18:02

Hi digisatman i am also currently turning a garage into a gym 23ft long by 15ft . I'm not sure how much you are thinking of spending, so far me and my friend have gone a little bit over budget on gym equipment a little over 4k i can recommend these sites who are really helpful

http://www.fitness-superstore.co.uk/ and for floor tiles http://www.softfloor.co.uk/

digisatman · 29 Jun 2007 at 18:25

^TANK^ said:
Hi digisatman i am also currently turning a garage into a gym 23ft long by 15ft . I'm not sure how much you are thinking of spending, so far me and my friend have gone a little bit over budget on gym equipment a little over 4k i can recommend these sites who are really helpful http://www.fitness-superstore.co.uk/ and for floor tiles http://www.softfloor.co.uk/

hi, thanks for links, my budget isnt anywhere near that!, about £300-350 MAX for everything, flooring, power cage, bench, Olympic bar + 100kg of weights and possibly some dumbells.

Should be able to get it all within that.

About the floor tiles links, the tiles there are really expensive!

^TANK^ · 29 Jun 2007 at 18:34

Me and my friend are going over kill its mainly because we hate being ripped off by all the gyms we have used in the past also the cost is high due to the equipment being commercial.

^TANK^ · 29 Jun 2007 at 18:36

digisatman said:
About the floor tiles links, the tiles there are really expensive!

Thats pretty good value believe me ive looked all over the net there pretty good other places quoted me £200 plus more :eek:

.

digisatman · 29 Jun 2007 at 18:40

^TANK^ said:
Thats pretty good value believe me ive looked all over the net there pretty good other places quoted me £200 plus more .

I can get a pack of 8 2ftx2ft tiles from the bay for 25 delivered, looks more expensive on the site, its not that big a garage, so should be ok.

thanks,

Morba · 29 Jun 2007 at 19:13

WhyohWhy said:
Ive found that this site has some good instructions on the different lifts

http://www.exrx.net/Exercise.html

As said by styles though, it would be best to have someone watch you doing the lifts to ensure you get the right form.

take a look at coopersguns.com as well, better vids for the exercises imo.

digisatman · 2 Jul 2007 at 22:16

Thanks for all advice, got everything ordered today, should be here this week.

Heres what i got:

Bodymax CF328 Deluxe Flat, Incline, Decline Utility Bench

Powerhouse 100KG Olympic Cast Barbell Kit

Bodymax Standard Power Rack

2 packs of Powerhouse High Impact Protective Matting

Dumbell standard handle x2
4 x 5kg standard
4 x 7.5 standard
8 x 1.25 standard
Skipping rope
Barbell pad
water bottle
shaker cup

Total price was £532, managed to eventually haggle down to £392 . What you guys think?, Good deal?

Thanks,

Pigeon_Killer · 2 Jul 2007 at 22:46

I assume he will be using the power rack for his bench press.