Official Home Gym Building Thread

BennyC said:
Oh, I don't want one. If I did get one I'd drive it down to a local industrial estate or disused car park at the weekend and shove it around.

Something I've wanted to try, it's different and a good form of conditioning.

I couldn't guarantee it's use or the cost at the moment though.

They can be used for more unconventional leg work outs too and allow for negative-less training for quads & hams. Saw something by CT about it many months ago and it looks quite brutal.
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using it on a concrete surface would destroy it.

it really needs to be used on grass (like american footballers) or on rubber matting (in huge commercial gyms).

if i had a farm house or country home with a spare field i would buy one.
 
Mansize_tissue said:
I've only ever seen prowlers used on concrete...
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smooth concrete, i cannot think of a single place near me which is easily accessible, smooth, and you wouldn't look like a nutter to passer's by.

grass is the only real option up here in scotland anyway. we have plenty of that. the winter makes too many holes in the concrete.
 
Well, haven't posted on here for ages, however... yeah strange as I foudn this on a Google search... I've recently moved into a new house... and was going to convert half the double garage (which resides under the main living room) into a gym... however, I'm thinking that I want a massive 22' x 18' home cinema jobbie down there... so, this leaves me with a certain piece of land next to the house and was considering this:

my%20house.jpg


Now this is the side garden... with a section missing at the bottom of this picture, however you get the drift... it's probably 20ft x 30ft ish...

side%20garden.jpg


So, what I was thinking was... something like this... it's 13ft x 14ft...

http://www.gardenbuildingsdirect.co.uk/Log-Cabins/BillyOh-Log-Cabin-Workshop

BillyOhInterlockingWorkshop28mmn.jpg


I'd be looking at Speed bike, running treadmill, bench and free weights... what do people think? Enough room? Hard to envisage isn't it really... what people think?
 
i can help you but i need to know a lot more.

1. Why do you want a home gym? Why not join a gym?
2. Are you looking to improve your health or your physique (as in gain muscle) or both? If so what kind of progress you looking to make.
3. How cold does it get during winter and for how long?
4. Could you withstand being in the freezing cold of winter for an hour doing a workout?
5. Have you read this thread fully?
6. How much are you willing to spend on a home gym? (Budget)
 
That shed would be plenty big enough as a workout space though it would depend entirely on how big the equipment you plan to have is.

Providing you're certain you want a home gym I would draw it up on SketchUp so you have an idea of how much space you'll have.

You might want to think about some heating for your home garage cinema too :)
 
Due to time constraints, I have finally decided to spend some money on some gym equipment for a home workout. Only problem is, I have no idea where to buy, what to buy and why.

I get all my cardio done outside of the gym (Play basketball, 2-3 times a week). So it's just weights.

My initial plan had been.

A bench that does incline/flat/decline. A squat rack and then around 100KG of weights. 1 bar bell and 2 dumb bells. (and some floor mats :P)

I have a very limited space to work with as I live in an apartment (ground floor, very high ceilings as I am 6ft6). This will be sitting in my living room in a space probably around 2.5m by 3m.

My budget is £300-£400.

What would you guys recommend and from where?
 
FabienO said:
Due to time constraints, I have finally decided to spend some money on some gym equipment for a home workout. Only problem is, I have no idea where to buy, what to buy and why.

I get all my cardio done outside of the gym (Play basketball, 2-3 times a week). So it's just weights.

My initial plan had been.

A bench that does incline/flat/decline. A squat rack and then around 100KG of weights. 1 bar bell and 2 dumb bells. (and some floor mats :P)

I have a very limited space to work with as I live in an apartment (ground floor, very high ceilings as I am 6ft6). This will be sitting in my living room in a space probably around 2.5m by 3m.

My budget is £300-£400.

What would you guys recommend and from where?
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for that kind of budget, you ain't going to get much brand new.

a folding bench is over £200 on its own
http://www.fitness-superstore.co.uk...d_folding_utility_bench_pre_built/9145_p.html

this is the best bench to use for restricted space, take a look at the pictures of it in the above link, especially the last picture.

i would recommend you join a gym. or up your budget to £600 ish. your going to have to spend like £130 on matting for a start at the minimum. due to know wanting to destroy your living room floor.

or have a look and see what decent equipment you can buy second hand.
 
Psycho Sonny said:
for that kind of budget, you ain't going to get much brand new.

a folding bench is over £200 on its own
http://www.fitness-superstore.co.uk...d_folding_utility_bench_pre_built/9145_p.html

this is the best bench to use for restricted space, take a look at the pictures of it in the above link, especially the last picture.

i would recommend you join a gym. or up your budget to £600 ish. your going to have to spend like £130 on matting for a start at the minimum. due to know wanting to destroy your living room floor.

or have a look and see what decent equipment you can buy second hand.
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I'm not fussed about the equipment storing easily. It'll be out full time unless important company is over. Which isn't often.
 
FabienO said:
I'm not fussed about the equipment storing easily. It'll be out full time unless important company is over. Which isn't often.
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regardless mate, the cheapest bench i could recommend is still £200

http://www.fitness-superstore.co.uk...d_flat_incline_decline_bench_grey/7087_p.html

at that i would rather pay the £20 extra and get the foldaway one in your situation.

the 2 companies i usually look at are body solid and powertec, both are well known worldwide brands, and high quality.

you could go for the cheap option which is this

http://www.powerhouse-fitness.co.uk/bodymax-cf430-heavy-duty-flatinclinedecline-bench.php

although its £150, i would rather spend the extra £50 and get body solid, its not something i can recommend personally, as i only buy well known branded equipment.

£400 is basically going to get you nothing, £700 will get you a cheap setup, £900 will get you a brilliant setup.

see the cheap spec below:

Bodymax CF430 Heavy Duty Flat/Incline/Decline Bench / SEBR2403
£ 149.99

Bodymax CF415 Squat and Dip Rack With Spotter Catchers / SEBR2461
£ 131.24

Bodymax Olympic Rubber Radial Barbell Kit - 145kg / WTWK0037
£ 289.00

Bodymax Olympic Chrome Dumbbell Bar (single) / WTBC0018
£ 23.99 x 2

Strength Shop mats x 3 = £80 ish i think

Cheap Setup = £700

i would rather save up the extra £200 and get a well known branded setup, but that's me, you can make your own mind up.

also olympic dumbell handles are fail, if you want a decent dumbell setup your talking £500 minimum just on dumbells, i suggest you read through this thread why, as i have already explained why olympic dumbell handles are crap.

if you want to buy standard equipment, go to argos and spend away, but i strongly suggest you read this thread fully before making your mind up.
 
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Psycho Sonny said:
regardless mate, the cheapest bench i could recommend is still £200
*snip*
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I appreciate the advice and will hold off on a purchase. I'm looking for an investment as I don't have time for a gym membership.

I can up my budget. Let's go £800-£900. Seems a bit weird to up it so easily, but I understand the benefits of quality. I will justify the costs later :)

Bench, Squat and Mat wise, I've wish listed your previous suggestions. Now to look into barbells/dumbells.

I'm only looking for around 100KG to start me off. Means I won't have enough for dead lifts but should cover most everything else till I can afford more.
 
Personally in your situation, what i would buy is this

http://www.fitness-superstore.co.uk...d_folding_utility_bench_pre_built/9145_p.html

foldaway bench (just so if you need that extra room, you know you have it).

http://www.fitness-superstore.co.uk...mmercial_multipress_sqt_rack_grey/7083_p.html

squat rack with weight rack also (so you dont need to buy a separate weight rack)

http://www.fitness-superstore.co.uk...05kg_trigrip_olympic_weight_set_/12268_p.html

and 3 mats from strength shop

https://www.strengthshop.co.uk/rubber-gym-mat-6-x3-12mm-thick.html

the total is £800

i would then after a few months save up for a set of ironmasters

http://www.valleyfitness.co.uk/Adjustable Dumbbell

£475

i think there is at least 3 people on here that own a set of ironmasters, i recommended to 2 of them they should buy them.

if i did not have a full set of dumbells (2.5kg - 45kg), i would have bought ironmasters myself.

i have a pair of olympic dumbbell handles and i never use them, i bought them before buying my dumbbells and i hate them
 
Well I've been pretty busy since moving in but I found an hour on Sunday to clear the garage and get some matting down before moving everything back in. I also found a few hours in the evening to re-built my cage but the garage is again disorganised with loft boards and other junk. So I have no pictures since. My Ironmasters have been delayed until the end of November (from memory).

20111108-cp8y3e5fc1jsxkme9w3e4fpa38.jpg


20111108-gb3a26s9yn8ft29xyuptgqw15r.jpg


And this arrived on Monday too:

20111108-grfdh48ycqf6mcauctmhwpng1e.jpg


I've not had a chance to use any of it yet, I haven't actually trained in almost two weeks. Been far to busy tiling my kitchen, utility, hallway and downstairs WC floor, 25 square meters worth, amongst receiving deliveries left right and center (sofa, bed, appliances, furniture) so everything is taking longer than I hoped!

Will get back in to the swing if things on Monday hopefully and it'll most likely be the end of December/January before I get a chance to properly start lifting as I'm on holiday and then start a new job. So much to do so little time!
 
It's crazy how small they build houses/garage nowadays, you must have to climb out the boot if you park in there! Should make a nice little gym though, will an oly bar fit width ways? Gonna be tight lol.
 
Chris1712 said:
It's crazy how small they build houses/garage nowadays, you must have to climb out the boot if you park in there! Should make a nice little gym though, will an oly bar fit width ways? Gonna be tight lol.
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Tell me about it. 8ft wide so will have 6" either end if I wanted the bar in widthways. I need to have a play about and see how everything fits in lengthways. Need to see if I can get a pivot/turn stand for the bike and then I can have it sideways nearer to the garage door (dependent on the up and over door).

I don't plan on doing much sideways movement during squats/bench etc and will have some floor space to deadlift, B.O.R and OHP towards the other end of the garage.

In a few years I may well extend the garage as I have another 8-10ft behind if in the garden and plenty of space to add on 6-8ft to the side and still have masses of room left in the garden. Will see how I get on in there at it's current size.
 
Chris1712 said:
It's crazy how small they build houses/garage nowadays, you must have to climb out the boot if you park in there! Should make a nice little gym though, will an oly bar fit width ways? Gonna be tight lol.
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i was just about to say this, that is tiny. i doubt any family size car would even fit in their. that is ridiculous for a garage tbh, if you insulated that garage you would have zero space for a home gym.

apparently before their were regulations where the door from one house to the next had to be XXX number of yards away, they then changed it to XX number of yards, so houses have gotten a lot smaller yet prices continue to rise.

hopefully you dont run into too many problems with how small it is Benny, i have a single garage and i can easily fit 4 of those mats side by side, whereas you can only fit 2, and i reckon my garage is too small personally for a home gym, but i have a lot of equipment.
 
My garage isn't much bigger than that either! Zero room for insulation and going out to the garage is looking interesting/brave!

Also doing OHP where the bits of wall stick out making it even more narrow!
 
Psymonkee said:
My garage isn't much bigger than that either! Zero room for insulation and going out to the garage is looking interesting/brave!

Also doing OHP where the bits of wall stick out making it even more narrow!
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it's worse for me, im in Scotland. I have had to buy a balaclava, it gets that cold in my garage during winter.

I also have to regularly spray with WD-40 to prevent my equipment from rusting too, because it gets damp with the cold and it rains 300 days of the year here too.

I can't wait til my gym is a part of the home, rather than in a garage.

I think another reason why garages are so small these days is because nobody actually uses them for their cars. Everyone that I know that has a garage, uses it for storage, a glorified shed. Even people that i know who own more than 3 cars, still don't use their garage. It's far too much hassle having to open and close them to get a car out, when you can park in the drive.
 
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