Official Home Gym Building Thread

Phaser said:
Could probably stretch to £400 if needed.

http://www.powerhouse-fitness.co.uk/bodymax-cf520-elite-folding-standard-olympic-bench.php

This one has a max weight of 270kg, I weigh 80kg and I'm benching around 80kg so it'd give me another ~100kg to play with.

I'd just like something sturdier / better built than the cheap V-Fit jobby I've got now really with the ability to add a lat pulldown.

I use the bench for quite a lot really, presses, flies, close grip, kickbacks etc then use the (small) space to the side for deadlifts, standing shoulder presses and so on.
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you cannot add a lat pulldown onto that.

mate if you want a lat pulldown you will either need to get a power rack then attach it to that or get a standalone lat pull down from a reputable make.

i would not trust a lat pull down attached to a bench, i dont think it would be stable enough or strong enough if you start to lift some half decent weights.

these are the options anyway from that site

http://www.powerhouse-fitness.co.uk/marcy-md880-olympic-bench-with-squat-and-lat-pulldown.php

http://www.powerhouse-fitness.co.uk/marcy-power-10-bench-press-with-squat-and-lat-pulldown.php

http://www.powerhouse-fitness.co.uk/bodymax-cf660-lat-pulldown.php

tbh at that sort of money i would just go for

http://www.powerhouse-fitness.co.uk/deluxe-strength-package.php

but its £500 and sell all your old equipment, or sell it as scrap metal to a dealer.
 
Phaser said:
Or perhaps something like this combination?

http://www.powerhouse-fitness.co.uk/bodymax-cf375-power-rack.php

http://www.powerhouse-fitness.co.uk/bodymax-cf375-latlow-pulley-attachment.php

And a standard incline / flat / decline bench?

Edit: Just seen your above post, perhaps that fitness package is the best option. Would give me some more weights to use as well. The only thing I'd miss is the leg extension.
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at your price range you cannot get everything that you want.

look at decent second hand gear on ebay and gumtree. you may be able to get a bargain on there.

but at your budget you cannot get exactly what you want. so either save more money or get what you can. that is the only option really.

home gyms tend to be expensive if you want proper equipment. maybe just join a local gym instead?
 
Yeah I understand that. I've been looking on Gumtree but there's not much locally, just lots of the cheaper type benches.

To be honest I can do most things with what I have now, I just fancied upping the quality a bit and adding a lat pulldown. I've been a member of local gyms in the past but by the time I got home from work and had dinner etc I found it hard to get the motivation to go, whereas now I can just shoot upstairs.

I think I'll save up slightly more and get that package, I was going to buy some more weights and a pull up bar so it's not going to work out that much more anyway. I can always keep my current bench and use that for the leg extension.

Will measure up tomorrow and check it'll fit in my spare room lol.

I'm guessing this is the barbell kit they include?

http://www.powerhouse-fitness.co.uk/bodymax-100kg-olympic-cast-barbell-kit.php

Thanks for the advice. :)

Cheers for your help.
 
Phaser said:
Yeah I understand that. I've been looking on Gumtree but there's not much locally, just lots of the cheaper type benches.

To be honest I can do most things with what I have now, I just fancied upping the quality a bit and adding a lat pulldown. I've been a member of local gyms in the past but by the time I got home from work and had dinner etc I found it hard to get the motivation to go, whereas now I can just shoot upstairs.

I think I'll save up slightly more and get that package, I was going to buy some more weights and a pull up bar so it's not going to work out that much more anyway. I can always keep my current bench and use that for the leg extension.

Will measure up tomorrow and check it'll fit in my spare room lol.

I'm guessing this is the barbell kit they include?

http://www.powerhouse-fitness.co.uk/bodymax-100kg-olympic-cast-barbell-kit.php

Thanks for the advice. :)

Cheers for your help.
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no problem, feel free to ask any time.

no idea what kit you will get but probably will be that one, it should be solid anyway. weight is weight at the end of the day, and it will be olympic, so hold its value pretty well.

make sure you post some pics up, maybe some before and after shots. just so future posters can get a better idea of different set ups. maybe even a small review to help out anyone wanting to purchase the same package in future.
 
Psycho Sonny said:
the premium strength package is a great bit of kit, but the powertec is slightly better. the powertec rack i think can take 1000lbs versus the 800lbs of the strength package. powertec rack also has dip bars and a much better Warranty:
Lifetime on frames (excluding paint finish)
2 years on component parts (bearings, spring pins)
1 year on pads, grips and unspecified parts.

the bench i have recommended is also better, can get attachments in future, fully commercial, much better warranty, etc, can take more weight. body solid are a great manufacturer.

also if you phone up fitness superstore instead of ordering online, you will be able to haggle with them on price, maybe get them to throw in free matting or something like that.

if i was on a tight budget i would go with premium strength package, if i had £1500 i would go with the powertec/body solid option.

the essentials would be a rack, bench, matting and an olympic barbell weight kit.

other things can be bought at a later date, like ironmasters, lat pulley, attachments, etc.

the reason why i dont like olympic dumbells is, the size of the plates can become a problem on some lifts, hitting you on the back of the head, etc or being hard to use in a full motion, etc.

also once you start going up to heavier weights and the dumbell is being moved in certain positions they can become extremely dangerous, you don't know whether or not the spring collar or clamp is going to hold or not. people suggest using bull dog clamps, etc. although they are a lot safer/better, i still would not trust them, anything can happen, say if you forget to tighten them fully and you do a lift and 20kg of solid metal comes flying down on your face or lands on your foot, etc.

third reason is faffing about, constantly changing plates when going up in weights, especially when using bulldog clamps is a right pain, as i said before its like driving a car, but having to stop and change the tyres every mile. it's a lot of hassle which in the long run, you really want to avoid.

also if your planning on working out with a mate who is not on the same level as you, and using dumbells, it will be a nightmare, will take 3 times longer than using ironmasters.

i have a full set of dumbells which is the best option you can get, but it is also crazy expensive. a lot of people who usually go for full set of dumbells either get them second hand or buy a couple at a time. like i know someone who used to go to his local shop and buy 1 pair every month. this spreads out the cost and makes it far more affordable.

if they are out of stock, phone them up and ask them when they will be getting more stock in, also ask because of inconvenience, etc, if you can get a discount.

i think i managed to get £200ish off a £1500ish order from fitness superstore, was so long ago i cant fully remember, it basically paid for the matting i got.

definitely get ironmasters, they are amazing and you can even get the kettlebell handles, etc at a later date and use the same pins and weights from your dumbells on them, therefore you dont need to fork out for additional weights and pins. they are the best of both worlds, easy to transport to, i dont know how im going to move all of my equipment when i move home.
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Yea that is very true about the added dip bars etc (probably one of the most under-rated exercises there is). Would just obviously rather lump out 700 and get the package if it is going to be a decent bit of kit rather than spending money for sake of it if you know what I mean. Definitely going to have to have a think about it and decide in the next few days.

And of course yea about the dumbbells. Don't want it to be unsafe, but again, if its decent kit and cheaper then will consider it. Suppose the old saying is very true - you get what you pay for. I am extremely tempted with the Ironmasters, they look so smooth. Cheers for the advice.

Quick question - and I might be being extremely stupid here. But what is actually included in this kit? http://www.powerhouse-fitness.co.uk/premium-strength-package.php. Like why is it 200 more than the standard package, does it include the weights to add onto the lat pull down - http://www.powerhouse-fitness.co.uk/bodymax-cf484-210lb95kg-weight-stack-attachment.php. Obviously I am assuming it doesn't - but what weight do you actually lift with the lat pull down?!

Why is it £200 more expensive than that? Surely not just for 45kg more weights http://www.powerhouse-fitness.co.uk/deluxe-strength-package.php I am sure there is a really simple answer lol
 
Wyburnitz said:
Yea that is very true about the added dip bars etc (probably one of the most under-rated exercises there is). Would just obviously rather lump out 700 and get the package if it is going to be a decent bit of kit rather than spending money for sake of it if you know what I mean. Definitely going to have to have a think about it and decide in the next few days.

And of course yea about the dumbbells. Don't want it to be unsafe, but again, if its decent kit and cheaper then will consider it. Suppose the old saying is very true - you get what you pay for. I am extremely tempted with the Ironmasters, they look so smooth. Cheers for the advice.

Quick question - and I might be being extremely stupid here. But what is actually included in this kit? http://www.powerhouse-fitness.co.uk/premium-strength-package.php. Like why is it 200 more than the standard package, does it include the weights to add onto the lat pull down - http://www.powerhouse-fitness.co.uk/bodymax-cf484-210lb95kg-weight-stack-attachment.php. Obviously I am assuming it doesn't - but what weight do you actually lift with the lat pull down?!

Why is it £200 more expensive than that? Surely not just for 45kg more weights http://www.powerhouse-fitness.co.uk/deluxe-strength-package.php I am sure there is a really simple answer lol
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Looking for the ultimate Strength Package? Well, we think the Bodymax CF475 (with Lat/Low Pulley) with the CF430 Bench is just about as good as you can get. Bundled with 145KG of weights.

is £700

The Deluxe Strength Package consists of the Bodymax CF375 with the lat/low pulley and the CF328 bench, a perfect partnership. We're also adding 100KG of olympic Olympic Barbell Kit into the mix.

is £500

look at the model numbers.

it's a different power rack, a different bench and a different lat pulley i would also assume. plus the extra 45kg of weight. you do not need that weight stack, you can just use olympic plates instead, which you already get in the package. so no need to fork out for the weight stack attachment.

if you go for the £700 rather than the powertec/body solid option, then the only leg exercises you can do are squats, deadlifts and calf raises.

whereas the body solid bench has a leg developer option. which you can do a couple of different leg exercises with, either by sitting down or lying flat on your stomach.

plus dips, and get preacher curl attachment in future, etc.

if you really dont want to spend the cash get the £700 package and get ironmasters.

if you want olympic dumbell handles, i could post you mine, they cost me £60 + delivery, i think, and are in brand new condition.

http://www.fitness-superstore.co.uk/olympic_bars/bodypower_olympic_dumbbell_handle_x1/3208_p.html

that is them there. make me a decent offer, postage will be expensive. they weigh 4kg each.

you can try them out with the olympic plates, no need to buy that package from ebay.

then you can try them out and if you dont like them, get ironmasters. better than paying £200 for them + weights.
 
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Hi guys

Im looking for some home gym equipment and was looking at something like this: http://www.fitness-superstore.co.uk/power_cages/marcy_power_10_power_rack/7670_p.html plus weight.

Im just a little bit worried about the quality of it. Am i better off going for a package like the above rack/bench/weights? i guess id need somewhere to store the plates too.

im starting from scratch really as all i have are some non-olympic adjustable dumbells that can only go up to about 22kg.

the equipment will be going in a downstairs room. But it may end up having to be moved into a bedroom on the 2nd floor of the house. i assume this wont be a problem as its only the rack and weights, no relly heavy treadmill that gets pounded or anything like that.

thanks in advance for any advice you can give. if ive missed some info out let me know :)
 
corkhead said:
Hi guys

Im looking for some home gym equipment and was looking at something like this: http://www.fitness-superstore.co.uk/power_cages/marcy_power_10_power_rack/7670_p.html plus weight.

Im just a little bit worried about the quality of it. Am i better off going for a package like the above rack/bench/weights? i guess id need somewhere to store the plates too.

im starting from scratch really as all i have are some non-olympic adjustable dumbells that can only go up to about 22kg.

the equipment will be going in a downstairs room. But it may end up having to be moved into a bedroom on the 2nd floor of the house. i assume this wont be a problem as its only the rack and weights, no relly heavy treadmill that gets pounded or anything like that.

thanks in advance for any advice you can give. if ive missed some info out let me know :)
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the thing you have linked is terrible value for money, you do not get a bar or weights with it, it is also severely limited in the stuff you can do with it.

get this instead

http://www.powerhouse-fitness.co.uk/deluxe-strength-package.php

once you cost in the 100kg of weights and bar, this package actually works out a lot cheaper.

also another important thing you seem to be missing out is matting.

you will need to place matting down to stop your floor/weights from getting damaged.

i recommend these

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


personally i wouldn't recommend putting this or any other equipment on anything else than the ground floor.

when it comes to deadlifts, you could be looking at doing some serious damage.
 
Placed my order this morning, ended up spending a little more and getting a heavy duty bench / rack, this way I know it'll definitely last me a few years.

Went for the Bodymax CF475 Heavy Power Rack with Lat/Low Pulley:
http://www.powerhouse-fitness.co.uk/bodymax-cf475-heavy-power-rack-with-latlow-pulley.php

With a Bodymax CF430 Heavy Duty Flat/Incline/Decline Bench
http://www.powerhouse-fitness.co.uk/bodymax-cf430-heavy-duty-flatinclinedecline-bench.php

Also purchased the dip attachment for the rack, and a few cable attachments.

Came to £613 with the sale price and I managed to get them down to £562 as the bench is out of stock for 2 weeks.

Pretty pleased. :D
 
Psycho Sonny said:
personally i wouldn't recommend putting this or any other equipment on anything else than the ground floor.
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Unfortunately the only place I have is my spare bedroom although there's nothing else in the room other than the gym equipment. Don't have a garage or any space downstairs, is this actually a big problem?
 
Phaser said:
Placed my order this morning, ended up spending a little more and getting a heavy duty bench / rack, this way I know it'll definitely last me a few years.

Went for the Bodymax CF475 Heavy Power Rack with Lat/Low Pulley:
http://www.powerhouse-fitness.co.uk/bodymax-cf475-heavy-power-rack-with-latlow-pulley.php

With a Bodymax CF430 Heavy Duty Flat/Incline/Decline Bench
http://www.powerhouse-fitness.co.uk/bodymax-cf430-heavy-duty-flatinclinedecline-bench.php

Also purchased the dip attachment for the rack, and a few cable attachments.

Came to £613 with the sale price and I managed to get them down to £562 as the bench is out of stock for 2 weeks.

Pretty pleased. :D
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do you already have a olympic bar and weights and matting?

remember to post pics up of your finished gym.
 
Phaser said:
Unfortunately the only place I have is my spare bedroom although there's nothing else in the room other than the gym equipment. Don't have a garage or any space downstairs, is this actually a big problem?
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only for deadlifts

all other exercises the weight should be spread out very evenly over a large space.

but deadlifts are like the equivalent of women wearing high heels.

150kg coming crashing down on a small area is dangerous unless you know the floor can definitely take it.

so long as your not dropping the weight like some idiots do when they do overhead press, etc, you should be fine. so the only problem is deadlifting.
 
Psycho Sonny said:
the thing you have linked is terrible value for money, you do not get a bar or weights with it, it is also severely limited in the stuff you can do with it.

get this instead

http://www.powerhouse-fitness.co.uk/deluxe-strength-package.php

once you cost in the 100kg of weights and bar, this package actually works out a lot cheaper.

also another important thing you seem to be missing out is matting.

you will need to place matting down to stop your floor/weights from getting damaged.

i recommend these

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


personally i wouldn't recommend putting this or any other equipment on anything else than the ground floor.

when it comes to deadlifts, you could be looking at doing some serious damage.
Click to expand...

I did think as much about that marcy package.

It also looks like its worth ringing them up if the above poster managed to get that much money off.

I wont be doing deadlifts really and upstairs is the only option really. Im getting the matting from a sports shop i used to work at for next to nothing so that shouldnt be much.

Thanks for the advice
 
corkhead said:
I did think as much about that marcy package.

It also looks like its worth ringing them up if the above poster managed to get that much money off.

I wont be doing deadlifts really and upstairs is the only option really. Im getting the matting from a sports shop i used to work at for next to nothing so that shouldnt be much.

Thanks for the advice
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no problem,

yes always buy over the phone, never buy online when ordering from a store, you can usually always get money off by haggling over the phone, plus you get to know if the item is in stock or will be ordered from america, etc.

looks like a lot of guys now getting home gyms on here. looking forward to pics and further questions.
 
Psycho Sonny said:
Looking for the ultimate Strength Package? Well, we think the Bodymax CF475 (with Lat/Low Pulley) with the CF430 Bench is just about as good as you can get. Bundled with 145KG of weights.

is £700

The Deluxe Strength Package consists of the Bodymax CF375 with the lat/low pulley and the CF328 bench, a perfect partnership. We're also adding 100KG of olympic Olympic Barbell Kit into the mix.

is £500

look at the model numbers.

it's a different power rack, a different bench and a different lat pulley i would also assume. plus the extra 45kg of weight. you do not need that weight stack, you can just use olympic plates instead, which you already get in the package. so no need to fork out for the weight stack attachment.

if you go for the £700 rather than the powertec/body solid option, then the only leg exercises you can do are squats, deadlifts and calf raises.

whereas the body solid bench has a leg developer option. which you can do a couple of different leg exercises with, either by sitting down or lying flat on your stomach.

plus dips, and get preacher curl attachment in future, etc.

if you really dont want to spend the cash get the £700 package and get ironmasters.

if you want olympic dumbell handles, i could post you mine, they cost me £60 + delivery, i think, and are in brand new condition.

http://www.fitness-superstore.co.uk/olympic_bars/bodypower_olympic_dumbbell_handle_x1/3208_p.html

that is them there. make me a decent offer, postage will be expensive. they weigh 4kg each.

you can try them out with the olympic plates, no need to buy that package from ebay.

then you can try them out and if you dont like them, get ironmasters. better than paying £200 for them + weights.
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Oh ok cool, cheers. Yea thats all I really do for legs anyway just squats and deadlifts, not really into the leg curl etc. With the deluxe strength package, dip bar attachments can be bought to add on so I might consider doing that. I emailed powerhouse fitness about sorting out a discount if I buy any attachments etc and going to give them a call to see what the score is.

Oh nice one, cheers for the option. How much do you think the delivery would be?! Have you got the spring collars as well?

Only thing I'm thinking is - with the 145kg weight set, If I used them on olympic dumbbells I would have to put different weights on each. EG. If I wanted 30 kg per dumbbell. I would have to put 15kg plate and 15kg plate on one dumbbell. and then 10kg plate+5kg plate and 10kg plate+5kg plate on the other. Does that make sense? As this is the weight plate breakdown - Consists of the following kit: 2 x 20 KG discs 2 x 15 KG discs 2 x 10 KG discs 4 x 5 KG discs 4 x 2.5 KG discs 4 x 1.25 KG discs 1 x 7 foot barbell (20 KG) Plus collars.

Hope that made sense.

Cheers
 
Wyburnitz said:
Oh ok cool, cheers. Yea thats all I really do for legs anyway just squats and deadlifts, not really into the leg curl etc. With the deluxe strength package, dip bar attachments can be bought to add on so I might consider doing that. I emailed powerhouse fitness about sorting out a discount if I buy any attachments etc and going to give them a call to see what the score is.

Oh nice one, cheers for the option. How much do you think the delivery would be?! Have you got the spring collars as well?

Only thing I'm thinking is - with the 145kg weight set, If I used them on olympic dumbbells I would have to put different weights on each. EG. If I wanted 30 kg per dumbbell. I would have to put 15kg plate and 15kg plate on one dumbbell. and then 10kg plate+5kg plate and 10kg plate+5kg plate on the other. Does that make sense? As this is the weight plate breakdown - Consists of the following kit: 2 x 20 KG discs 2 x 15 KG discs 2 x 10 KG discs 4 x 5 KG discs 4 x 2.5 KG discs 4 x 1.25 KG discs 1 x 7 foot barbell (20 KG) Plus collars.

Hope that made sense.

Cheers
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i could give you spring collars as well, but it would make sense to order them from wherever you get the rest of your kit from as it's only going to increase the cost of posting further and they are very cheap anyway. i dont recommend using spring collars on them though, i would recommend clamps for safety, something which i do not have.

http://www.gymratz.co.uk/olympic-bulldog-clamps

those are the ones to use, as you can see extremely expensive, but they are safe. as you can see as the price of olympic dumbell's increase, ironmasters make more sense.

it will most likely be something like 9kg's once you put the weight of the 2 dumbells and packaging into account.

p and p costs for me will be a lot higher than a store.

i posted a psu and it cost me something like £10-12 a few months back excluding packaging.

im guessing these would cost roughly the same to post.

does £45 sound good to you? they cost me probably £65ish. they are in new condition, i barely used them, as you can see from my earlier on pics in thread i have a proper dumbell set now.

would probably be wise for you to order some extra 5kg plates then, dont order too many though i would order an extra 2-6 of them so you can test out properly.

the max size of plates i would use on them are 5kg so mix 5, 2.5 and 1.25 to get whatever weight you need on them. there is no way i would be using a 10kg plate on them.
 
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Phaser:

I have that rack, it's a great piece of kit. Haven't had the chance to assemble the pulley due to lack of room as mine is side on in a passage way.

My assembly tips would be to follow the instructions and build it from the base up. And also when tightening nuts/bolt you'll get to a point where the box steel just starts to crush and become concave so I'd stop tightening before this point.

If you haven't got a socket set with 2 wrenches or some spanners or both you're going to be there a while :p

-----------

I'm due to complete on my house in mid/end of October which gives me a garage 2.5 meters wide and around 5/6 meters long. So the power rack's going in the back which will give about 6" between each end of the oly bar and the wall :eek: the bench will be in there too along with my KB's. I need to sort out some equestrian matting and some mirrors too. There will be a refurbed rower, soft matting (for stretching & mobility work) and possibly a teathered bag if funds & space allow.

I'm also raising an eyebrow over the following:

http://www.fitness-superstore.co.uk...oogle&utm_medium=Froogle&utm_campaign=Froogle

http://www.fitness-superstore.co.uk...ower_130kg_rubber_hex_d_bell_set_/9030_p.html

1-30KG should be sufficient, in previous years of training I've used much heavier however I don't have the need or space for 40-50KG dumbells, nor the money. I might improvise and strap some plates to the larger DB's.

These would be another option for the 12.5KG + depending on the construction of the other example. Doesn't work out much more expensive but might be unnecessary as I don't throw DB's about as that's how they get ruined and fall apart on your face:

http://www.fitness-superstore.co.uk/dumbbells/york__legacy_full_commercial_dumbbells_x1/9112_p.html

Not only have I got a fair bit of kit going in the garage but I've also got a sports bike to squeeze in the end too :cool: may well have to pick the front up and swing it in sideways!

I'll be sure to take some before & after shots along with some progress shots and review and new bits of kit as we all love photos.
 
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