Official Home Gym Building Thread

Hades said:
Bodymax CF415 squat rack with spotters and dip station. I would have loved a power rack and in the future I may be able to upgrade to one. But currently the garage has two cars and I'm renovating the house so my gym equipment will move rooms fairly frequently. The CF415 seemed a good portable compromise.
Click to expand...

Amazing bit of kit - can't recommend it highly enough. Great value too
 
Quick question for you guys.

I'm planning the work on our shed (it's made of concrete blocks) to change it into a gym.

I can fit a cage in there no problem. But a 7ft Oly bar is troublesome. So I thought I'd just get a 6ft. But will the 6 work OK in the cage? I'll be doing plenty of squats, bench and deadlifts.

Cheers
 
I don't have a 6' bar, but considered getting one to fit my gym way back when...

You have two answers to this question:

- Shorter sleeves; or
- Shorter bar (the bit between the sleeves).

Shrinking the second limits the usability of the bar within the cage, and shortening the first (sleeves) limits the amount of weight than can be used.

Having had this discussion with a reseller, the shorter sleeves was most appropriate to my needs (at that time), but could only fit 180kg of cast plates on the bar (using 20s). This could potentially be increased using 50s, but then there are the associated problems of loading and progression.

So in the end, I just bought a 7' bar and used it the other way around in the gym. Which I appreciate might not help you, but there we go.
 
[QUOTE
So in the end, I just bought a 7' bar and used it the other way around in the gym. [/QUOTE]

You did help! Cheers.

That last sentence gave me the idea that my pre-conceived idea of where the cage should go isn't the only way. I think I've just cracked it! Should be able to get a 7ft bar now.

So next question. When the bench is inside the cage, how much of it is inside and how much sticks out the front? I should be getting a lat pulley setup on the cage at some point if that makes a difference.

Speaking of which (thinking as I type), how far out would a pulley system stick out the back?

:)
 
GSVBagpuss said:
Looking at a rower as well, can you outline your thought process on going Concept 2? I'm thinking of one too - buy once, buy properly init and they seem to hold their value

And may grab a punch bag off the bay just for laughs
Click to expand...

Pretty much same reason, would rather pay more once, and have something that is going to last. Plus its such a good rowing machine to use, much much better than the cheaper ones.
 
GSVBagpuss said:
Amazing bit of kit - can't recommend it highly enough. Great value too
Click to expand...

Thanks, can't wait to get it out of its box later when I get a chance :)

A2Z said:
I would definitely get the 145KG oly weights, you will reach 100kg on squat and/or deadlift in no time!
Click to expand...

I took your advice and bought some more plates. But rather than upgrade to the 145kg I bought several smaller plates instead (e.g. more 5kgs for use on dumbell etc). I thought these would be more useful starting out than adding the 15kg plates in the 145kg pack.

It arrived today on a palette and just just lifting it into the house I'm sure I've got enough for my weak body. I really need to get training as I'm so unfit!
 
I have a power rack with cable pulley but lack a lot of attachments for the cable pulley. Does anyone have a basic list of what is recommended and where to buy some 'good' quality ones?
 
Ok so goes easy on me for my rookie questions as I'm new to this section of the forum...

I'm after a folder bench for a basic home dumb bell work out, I stumbled across this one while browsing stores:
http://www.decathlon.co.uk/ba220-abs-exerciser-id_8231309.html#

Seems fairly sturdy when I gave it a whirl in store but before I splash the cash thought I'd get the expert opinions of these forums, if this is a complete dud any recommendation would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance for any help
 
neojay said:
Ok so goes easy on me for my rookie questions as I'm new to this section of the forum...

I'm after a folder bench for a basic home dumb bell work out, I stumbled across this one while browsing stores:
http://www.decathlon.co.uk/ba220-abs-exerciser-id_8231309.html#

Seems fairly sturdy when I gave it a whirl in store but before I splash the cash thought I'd get the expert opinions of these forums, if this is a complete dud any recommendation would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance for any help
Click to expand...

Look at the guy modelling the bench... Does he look huge? No. Is he so small and scrawny that they didn't let him model without his shirt on to show off those magic abz he'd gotten from using that bench? Yes.

The maximum user weight in 110kg, so depending on how big you are, you won't be pressing much off it. I weight 96kg at the moment, so would be rocking the pink dumbells for my benching. Which is enough for me, anyway, but you will probably outgrow that stuff very quickly.

Avoid it.
 
That bench looks very flimsy. I took a decision to spend a little more on a good bench and I don't regret it. A good bench will last years and will sell if you give it up but a cheap bench will need replacing if you get serious and isn't worth much for resale.
 
Are there any decent bench/squat racks out there or is it always best to have them separate?

I really need to get round to buying a squat rack as the only gym near me has one and it's always busy. Not sure I have the space to have a bench and a squat rack but if I can have an "all in one unit" so to speak it would be nice.

I've been looking at this http://www.powerhouse-fitness.co.uk/premium-strength-package.php
 
Last edited:
Ayahuasca said:
Are there any decent bench/squat racks out there or is it always best to have them separate?

I really need to get round to buying a squat rack as the only gym near me has one and it's always busy. Not sure I have the space to have a bench and a squat rack but if I can have an "all in one unit" so to speak it would be nice.

I've been looking at this http://www.powerhouse-fitness.co.uk/premium-strength-package.php
Click to expand...

That's the go to "value-for-money" package. Unless you're a monster it should be more than adequate.

Personally I have:
http://www.powerhouse-fitness.co.uk/bodycraft-f430-power-rack.php (£430)
http://www.powerhouse-fitness.co.uk/bodycraft-f602-deluxe-f-i-d-utility-bench.php (£230)
http://www.powerhouse-fitness.co.uk/bodymax-olympic-rubber-radial-barbell-kit-185kg.php (£385) (well started with 145kg and bought 40kg more)
http://www.powerhouse-fitness.co.uk/bodymax-studio-gym-mat-6-x-4-x-1.php (£85)
2 x http://www.powerhouse-fitness.co.uk...ack-500mm-x-500mm-x-12mm-thick-single-mat.php (£22)

All in £1150 or so. Should be able to get a decent saving on that - around 10% at least.

Depends what your budget is and how much you're pushing in weight.
 
Ok. So it should have been £799 + 199?

I reckon you could have squeezed for more off than £50 - they always email me saying 10% off this weekend etc.

Either way it should meet your needs. :)
 
mrthingyx said:
Look at the guy modelling the bench... Does he look huge? No. Is he so small and scrawny that they didn't let him model without his shirt on to show off those magic abz he'd gotten from using that bench? Yes.

The maximum user weight in 110kg, so depending on how big you are, you won't be pressing much off it. I weight 96kg at the moment, so would be rocking the pink dumbells for my benching. Which is enough for me, anyway, but you will probably outgrow that stuff very quickly.

Avoid it.
Click to expand...

Ah good points I hadn't though of, I'm 90kgs now so wouldn't leave much room for weights if I want to stay away from the pink variety ;)

Any recommendations for alt folder benches?
 
Ayahuasca said:
Yeah probably could have waited for a 10% code :/ nevermind.

Should arrive this week, how long did it take you to assemble?
Click to expand...

I had to wait 3 weeks for my weights. :(

Took me about 2 hours. If you can I'd advise getting a second pair of hands as trying to hold the frame up whilst bolting it together is a bit of a PITA.
 
Slightly off topic but does anyone have experience with selling power racks? I've moved and the garage is smaller than my previous so I was thinking about going down to a half rack but I've no idea if I'll be able to sell the full rack.

Edit: If it makes any difference it's a Bodycraft F430 power rack with the lat/low attachment.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom