Official Home Gym Building Thread

First post!

Hi guys. Chanced upon this place in my research for gym equipment. We'll soon be moving into our first house and I've got the go ahead to either extend the outbuilding (it's more than a shed) or knock it down and start again; so that I can have a gym. Very cool.

I have adjustable dumbbells and a bench at the moment, plus a few bits like a medicine ball. Doing OK with that. But I fancy more, and this http://www.powerhouse-fitness.co.uk/bodymax-cf376r-half-cage-with-lat-attachment.php, plus this http://www.amazon.co.uk/90Kg-TRI-GRIP-Olympic-Weight-Set/dp/B00CS53G6K caught my eye.

However, reading this might change my tune.

I won't ask anything yet as I have to read the thread more. But wanted to pop my head in and say hello. :)
 
SDCC said:
First post!

Hi guys. Chanced upon this place in my research for gym equipment. We'll soon be moving into our first house and I've got the go ahead to either extend the outbuilding (it's more than a shed) or knock it down and start again; so that I can have a gym. Very cool.

I have adjustable dumbbells and a bench at the moment, plus a few bits like a medicine ball. Doing OK with that. But I fancy more, and this http://www.powerhouse-fitness.co.uk/bodymax-cf376r-half-cage-with-lat-attachment.php, plus this http://www.amazon.co.uk/90Kg-TRI-GRIP-Olympic-Weight-Set/dp/B00CS53G6K caught my eye.

However, reading this might change my tune.

I won't ask anything yet as I have to read the thread more. But wanted to pop my head in and say hello. :)
Click to expand...

Powerhouse Fitness says "Weight capacity/max user weight is 400LB (181kg)"

I'd look to get something better.
 
Cheers guys.

Good points. I've gone back to the start of the thread (up to page 4), so I don't badger you all with questions. It's already changed how I'm looking at it, the weight limit being the first. I'm 85kg and can bench 60-70 kg (not been going long) so a few months at it and I'd be in trouble.

The pulley can always be added later. Got to think about it more like a project than a one off purchase.
 
SDCC said:
Cheers guys.

Good points. I've gone back to the start of the thread (up to page 4), so I don't badger you all with questions. It's already changed how I'm looking at it, the weight limit being the first. I'm 85kg and can bench 60-70 kg (not been going long) so a few months at it and I'd be in trouble.

The pulley can always be added later. Got to think about it more like a project than a one off purchase.
Click to expand...

With you looking to spend a lot of money and the equipment being a once in a lifetime purchase the wisest thing you could do is read the thread from start to finish.

Yes there's a lot of crap here and there but a lot of it is solid info.

If only more people did that on here.
 
Psycho Sonny said:
With you looking to spend a lot of money and the equipment being a once in a lifetime purchase the wisest thing you could do is read the thread from start to finish.

Yes there's a lot of crap here and there but a lot of it is solid info.

If only more people did that on here.
Click to expand...

Cheers Sonny. I'll read up on the rest then let you all you know what my plan is.

It's not something I'll be doing lightly. Even my wife said "If we're going to sort this out we're going to do it properly.". She's a keeper :)
 
What mats would you recommend for me to place and 'land' my weights on when performing bent over rows and deadlifts?

At the moment I'm using some old cushions which isn't ideal.

I don't want to spend too much. They need to be about 30cm x 30cm and obviously there will be one either side.

I'm thinking a pack of these bad boys:
http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/3024306.htm

They are 30 x 30 and there are 4 of them, so I could double stack them. Or do you think 30 x 30 is too small and the weights might 'roll' off?

Maybe 2 of these as it works out at a similar price, these are bigger and rubber:
http://www.powerhouse-fitness.co.uk/bodymax-rubber-interlocking-floor-mat.php
 
AndrewNR said:
What mats would you recommend for me to place and 'land' my weights on when performing bent over rows and deadlifts?

At the moment I'm using some old cushions which isn't ideal.

I don't want to spend too much. They need to be about 30cm x 30cm and obviously there will be one either side.

I'm thinking a pack of these bad boys:
http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/3024306.htm

They are 30 x 30 and there are 4 of them, so I could double stack them. Or do you think 30 x 30 is too small and the weights might 'roll' off?

Maybe 2 of these as it works out at a similar price, these are bigger and rubber:
http://www.powerhouse-fitness.co.uk/bodymax-rubber-interlocking-floor-mat.php
Click to expand...

I have some of these
 
AndrewNR said:
What mats would you recommend for me to place and 'land' my weights on when performing bent over rows and deadlifts?

At the moment I'm using some old cushions which isn't ideal.

I don't want to spend too much. They need to be about 30cm x 30cm and obviously there will be one either side.

I'm thinking a pack of these bad boys:
http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/3024306.htm

They are 30 x 30 and there are 4 of them, so I could double stack them. Or do you think 30 x 30 is too small and the weights might 'roll' off?

Maybe 2 of these as it works out at a similar price, these are bigger and rubber:
http://www.powerhouse-fitness.co.uk/bodymax-rubber-interlocking-floor-mat.php
Click to expand...

Nothing wrong with those, although a proper horse mat would be better.

And what are you doing with the deads and rows that they need 'landing'. ;)
 
mrthingyx said:
And what are you doing with the deads and rows that they need 'landing'. ;)
Click to expand...

Just repping like a boss. I thought when you deadlifted, once you were stood you just dropped the weight... Like a dead weight. ;)

I use the rubber encased plates and I just want to protect them on the "downwards" motion. :)
The cushions do an ok job protecting the rubber from my garage floor, but there's always that concern in the back of my mind that if I place it a bit too hard the rubber might chip or split.
 
you would be better off setting fire to your money than buying those argos ones.

rubber and at least 8mm, anything else is just a waste of money. the thicker the better though for really heavy deadlifts so up to 15mm, anything over that would be overkill.

i think most decent mats are around 10-12mm anyway
 
Psycho Sonny said:
squat racks are okay if you have a spotter, but if you dont and will be training alone, i strongly suggest a power rack.

this is the 2010 model of the one i have

http://www.fitness-superstore.co.uk/power_cages/powertec_workbench_power_rack_yellow/12180_p.html

this is the 2011 model

http://www.fitness-superstore.co.uk..._workbench_power_rack_black_2011/13503_p.html

@ £450 it is expensive, but this will last you 50 years easy, bare in mind it also has dip bars, pull up/chin bars, optional lat pulley attachment (at a later stage), etc.

you get a lot more for your money and is a lot safer. this will also hold it's value extremely well, should you choose to sell at a later date.

i also recommend looking at body solid power racks or gymratz.

i think £500 - 700 for a home gym is the minimum spend really (i have spent over £4K on mine)

£300 - 450 - brand new rack (could possibly get one second hand for around £200)
£100 - second hand commercial utility bench (gumtree or ebay, make sure it is from a decent manufacturer, body solid, etc.)
£100 - second hand olympic bar and weights possibly 100kg worth
£50 - matting (will likely need more in future but 2 should be enough to start)

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

those are currently the best value for money mats i can find in the UK, im hoping to get some more and double them up.

squat bars do have a place, but let's say you fail on a high weight rep, there is nothing to save you from being crushed if you dont have a spotter.

i strongly suggest a power rack over a set of squat stands.

also those olympic power bench things are useless, you can only do bench press with them and that's it, with a power rack you can do over 100 different exercises.
Click to expand...

What is the difference between the two power racks you link, they are still £50 apart, what do you get for your £50?

Is this the same power rack as you have?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Powertec-power-rack-/281293148652#shpCntId

I don't think it would be worth the drive from Hertfordshore to Kent for me. I would assume that that is an issue in general with buying second hand gym equipment, due to weight postage is not practical, so you need to find a local seller.
 
EdwardTeach said:
What is the difference between the two power racks you link, they are still £50 apart, what do you get for your £50?

Is this the same power rack as you have?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Powertec-power-rack-/281293148652#shpCntId

I don't think it would be worth the drive from Hertfordshore to Kent for me. I would assume that that is an issue in general with buying second hand gym equipment, due to weight postage is not practical, so you need to find a local seller.
Click to expand...

the one that is cheaper is an older model, I have an even older model though than all of them.

it's also discontinued so you cannot buy it from them, so you need to buy the more expensive one regardless.

there will be differences, what they are I cannot possibly tell you, the manufacturer probably could though. new doesn't always mean better but that is usually the case, but sometimes it isn't so i'm guessing it's £50 more because the price has gone up.

as for second hand good you need to have a van ideally especially for something like a power rack, the closer the seller is the better but finding decent equipment is very hard most people tend to buy cheap crappy argos equipment thinking that a £100 setup will do them for life and is just as good as a proper setup.

if you cannot afford a proper setup then just pay £20-£50 a month for a local gym membership, than trying to buy on the cheap.

second hand is fine but you need to search for ages and find those rare bargains, it's a lot of hassle but worth it for the savings.

the most important thing is budget, the more money you have to spend the better setup you can make but a home gym will always be more expensive than a gym membership.

ideally 95% of people are better off just joining a gym.
 
Joining a gym is not an option for me, as I look after my kids full time and would never get the chance to go.
I used to have a bench and a bunch of weights etc and my brother had a power rack. I found it suited my personality - I was much more likely to work out if it was possible to do at home.
The last 7 or so years I have been living in London in apartments and it has not been practical to keep any weights. In December I bought a house with a garage, so home gym is finally an option again. In the meantime my parents have given away or thrown away all the gym equipment that was left at their house! therefore there is a chance that I will get some compensatory payment from them to by new equipment.

What are the rough cost I am looking at (non-second hand)

450 for a power rack
~ 150 for a bench
~ 150 for some weights
~ 50 for a bar
~ 30 for a rubber mat

so around 800 minimum spend?
 
You can do that, but it won't get you very far.

Whilst you can do a home gym for £800, I'd spend less on the rack and get a better bar and more weights.

But then, I'm a weightlifter, not a powerlifter. :)
 
EdwardTeach said:
Joining a gym is not an option for me, as I look after my kids full time and would never get the chance to go.
I used to have a bench and a bunch of weights etc and my brother had a power rack. I found it suited my personality - I was much more likely to work out if it was possible to do at home.
The last 7 or so years I have been living in London in apartments and it has not been practical to keep any weights. In December I bought a house with a garage, so home gym is finally an option again. In the meantime my parents have given away or thrown away all the gym equipment that was left at their house! therefore there is a chance that I will get some compensatory payment from them to by new equipment.

What are the rough cost I am looking at (non-second hand)

450 for a power rack
~ 150 for a bench
~ 150 for some weights
~ 50 for a bar
~ 30 for a rubber mat

so around 800 minimum spend?
Click to expand...

More like
450 for a power rack
~ 250 for a bench
~ 300 for some weights + bar
~ 50 for a rubber mat

So around £1,000. It depends how strong you are I guess and how much the power cage has to support and how much weight you'll need to buy.

For instance I bought these weights:
http://www.powerhouse-fitness.co.uk/bodymax-olympic-rubber-radial-weight-plate-set-165kg.php

The 115kg set and I have had to spend £90 on 2 x 20kg.

£300.00 is probably for 120kg cast iron set, not rubber.
 
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