Official Home Gym Building Thread

LiE · 23 May 2013 at 18:40

Nothing wrong with that set, I went with plates with a rubber coating, glad I did.

Erich Kriegler · 23 May 2013 at 18:45

Do you know if the bar is ok, or is it worth spending more?

LiE · 23 May 2013 at 19:05

Yea it's the same one I have, perfectly good.

Psycho Sonny · 24 May 2013 at 01:16

kcon1 said:
btw is this worth buying or is it worth spending more on something else?

1 x 7ft Chrome 320kg rated Olympic Bar (Wt 20kg)

if your lifting less than 300kg it is perfectly fine

phoenix575 · 24 May 2013 at 11:36

Found out the the tri grip plates I got from fitness super store are about 3 inches smaller in diameter than standard olympic plates. Going to order some york plates from amazon so I deadlift from the correct height

mug2k · 26 May 2013 at 06:24

I got a bodymax CF475 power rack but I need to downsize to something a bit smaller, do you guys think CF470 half rack is a good option, I will miss the pulley system I have on the CF475 though

http://www.powerhouse-fitness.co.uk/bodymax-cf470-heavy-half-rack.php

uv · 26 May 2013 at 12:46

mug2k said:
I got a bodymax CF475 power rack but I need to downsize to something a bit smaller

The CF470 has the same width and depth dimensions, and is actually 5cm taller. It would be an up-size

SizEzE · 28 May 2013 at 22:19

Anyone care to recommend some weights and a basic bench for me. Completely new to this, just want to build a bit of muscle and tone. I rather buy decent stuff to start but am happy to add bits should I get the bug.

uv · 29 May 2013 at 00:10

SizEzE said:
Anyone care to recommend some weights and a basic bench for me. Completely new to this, just want to build a bit of muscle and tone. I rather buy decent stuff to start but am happy to add bits should I get the bug.

What's your budget, what's your goal (fat loss, strength gains, mass gains), how much space do you have, and where is the space (garage, ground floor, first floor)?

SizEzE · 29 May 2013 at 09:26

uv said:
What's your budget, what's your goal (fat loss, strength gains, mass gains), how much space do you have, and where is the space (garage, ground floor, first floor)?

The equipment would be in a small heated outbuilding, ground floor and approx 10' x 11' in size. My goal would be to build strength and put a bit of muscle on, but I want my weight to stay roughly where it is. I am 6' 3" and weigh a tad under 14st with 16% BF according to my scales. Budget would be £500 max at this stage, in an ideal world slightly less, but I would prefer to just buy once.

phoenix575 · 29 May 2013 at 10:09

http://www.powerhouse-fitness.co.uk/bodymax-cf475-heavy-power-rack.php

Get this set, it's over budget at 800 but it's probably cheapest decent set up you can get.
Or look for a used rack, bench and weights

mrthingyx · 29 May 2013 at 10:11

SizEzE said:
The equipment would be in a small heated outbuilding, ground floor and approx 10' x 11' in size. My goal would be to build strength and put a bit of muscle on, but I want my weight to stay roughly where it is. I am 6' 3" and weigh a tad under 14st with 16% BF according to my scales. Budget would be £500 max at this stage, in an ideal world slightly less, but I would prefer to just buy once.

Join a gym and sort your diet out, tbh.

I know it's not what you asked for, but if you're new to working out, it is less likely you will stick to whatever it is you're aiming for.

phoenix575 · 29 May 2013 at 10:39

mrthingyx said:
Join a gym and sort your diet out, tbh.

I know it's not what you asked for, but if you're new to working out, it is less likely you will stick to whatever it is you're aiming for.

This is some good advice. I trained at a gym for a few years before I finally set up my home gym.

Psycho Sonny · 29 May 2013 at 11:20

all noobs should join a gym first, regardless of how much they think they are dedicated.

home gyms imo should only be bought by a regular gym goer imo, who has a track record of exercising therefore will actually use the equipment long term.

also by buying a "bench and weights" you cannot do anything safely, not even bench press.

a rack of some sort is a must or a proper multigym like powertec's.

im pretty sure all of this has already been answered in the thread itself, and people should be reading through the thread first before asking questions, it is what it was designed for.

Tackle_Berry · 29 May 2013 at 14:10

Anyone got any recommendations for olympic bar collars. I have been using these:

http://www.fitness-superstore.co.uk/olympic_collars/bodypower_olympic_spring_collar_pair/3173_p.html

Which are ok in general but doing things with a EZ bar the handle parts are too big and get in the way with a CF475 rack, so will want something low profile, quick/easy and will last.

Are Lock-Jaws any good?

mrthingyx · 29 May 2013 at 14:21

Ash2097 said:
Anyone got any recommendations for olympic bar collars. I have been using these:

http://www.fitness-superstore.co.uk/olympic_collars/bodypower_olympic_spring_collar_pair/3173_p.html

Which are ok in general but doing things with a EZ bar the handle parts are too big and get in the way with a CF475 rack, so will want something low profile, quick/easy and will last.

Are Lock-Jaws any good?

For an EZ bar, they'd be fine. Contrary to their sales pitch, however, they are rubbish for Olympic lifting.

You could always just get a pair of Olympic Dumbell clamps? Much cheaper...

Tackle_Berry · 29 May 2013 at 14:28

Thanks will give them a try I think, just bit pricey which I don't mind if they last. with the cheaper clamps they still have the little pin in the way, it's for when say doing skull crushers in the rack I have the support bars going accross and when I put the EZ bar behind my head they get in the way and hit the safety bars, also doing curls etc when you put the bar down it sometimes rests on the collar.

Psymonkee · 29 May 2013 at 15:32

I find the Lock Jaws great

The provided spring collars got stuck on one end of my barbell meaning I spent more of the workout moving that than lifting weights

Tackle_Berry · 29 May 2013 at 16:18

Psymonkee said:
I find the Lock Jaws great

The provided spring collars got stuck on one end of my barbell meaning I spent more of the workout moving that than lifting weights

Cool, just ordered some.

Psycho Sonny · 31 May 2013 at 00:53

just bought this

http://www.nordictrack.co.uk/treadmills/interactive-series/nordictrack-t190.html

for slightly under £1K from http://www.restylefitness.co.uk/

a NordicTrack T19.0

The T19.0 is a strong, robust treadmill that is packed with features including iFit Live integrated directly into the console.

With a superb core specification including a 3.5 CHP DurX motor that powers the belt at speeds up to 22 km/h and an incline range up to 15%, this treadmill will push you to the next level in your fitness regime.

Featuring iFit Live integrated into the machine, this innovative fitness tool allows you to download workouts directly from the internet to your treadmill along with many other great features. Enjoy iFit Live map view directly on the 7" full colour TouchScreen LCD display.