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,

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

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...

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

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!

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,

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,

digisatman · 3 Jul 2007 at 11:09

Chong Warrior said:
Very nice setup for under £400.

Personally I wouldn't have gone for that bench but there's nothing actually wrong with it and it looks good quality. The rest of the stuff looks great aswell

What would you have gone for instead?, my max budget for bench was about 70ish, there were some more expensive ones, but this one seems good quality.

digisatman · 3 Jul 2007 at 11:11

smoove said:
How can you use that bench for benching with no thing to hold the bar in place?
Also how did you manage to knock the price down, by phoning them?

, yup, im using the cage, could have got a bench + rack for cheaper, but was reccomended to get a cage and decent quality bench. Haggled instore, theres 2 near me, so i went to 1 first, see what he was offering, then went to the other, came back to first one and done a deal.

digisatman · 10 Jul 2007 at 21:24

Chong Warrior said:
Very nice setup for under £400.

Personally I wouldn't have gone for that bench but there's nothing actually wrong with it and it looks good quality. The rest of the stuff looks great aswell

powerhouse messed up, was supposed to get last friday but they didnt have items instock in warehouse, they didnt have the bench i first ordered, so i managed to blag the following bench for no extra cost!:

Bodymax Multi-Function Flat/Incline Bench

Also, they didnt have that cage instock, so also managed to get one that costs £100 more for £30,

Bodymax Standard Power Rack System including Lat Pulldown/Low Pulley

so total price for items is: £672, but only paid £422, so saving of £250!!

Is this bench any better chong?

thanks

digisatman · 11 Jul 2007 at 22:25

Chong Warrior said:
Well the first one did decline aswell as incline, the new one doesn't. They don't look much different and are same brand yet the second one is 50% more expensive?!

All I can think is the one that declined was quite poor quality maybe?

I dunno, can't really tell off pictures but you seem to have got a very good deal

the new one does decline aswell, says on the website tool!, took me about 7ish hours to get everything setup nicely, will take some pics tomoz!

digisatman · 12 Jul 2007 at 22:23

Lead_Head said:
Took any pics yet? You got a good deal by the sounds of it!

soz, forgot 2day!, will take sum tomorrow morning, how does that sound!

digisatman · 13 Jul 2007 at 10:52

>:|sh4d0w|:< said:
Just ordered this;

http://www.fitness-superstore.co.uk/utility_benches/bodysolid_flat_incline_bench_grey/7086_p.html

What do you guys reckon?

doesnt have decline, which at that price range should!

digisatman · 16 Jul 2007 at 21:37

hi all,

V.sorry for taking so long posting pics!!

here they are finally, let me know what you all think, just incase you cant see, its got wide lat pull down (top) + pull up (bottom) machine on it:

thanks