Official Home Gym Building Thread

Puppetmaster said:
Thanks for the reply.

I live in my dads house but he is hardly here so its pretty much me here alone. its a semi detached house but its probably worth getting the rubber ones anyway.

Is there any down side to getting the 185KG (aside from the price) as I figure its worth spending the extra and be covered for the future?

Regarding dumbells, can i just buy the bars and use the weights from the kit or would I ideally want want another set of weights for those?

Also can you recommend any specific mats?

Thanks
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1. Dumbells like this http://www.powerhouse-fitness.co.uk/bodymax-olympic-dumbbell-bar-collars-single.php will be fine with olympic weights. Add a few more quid for locks so the weights don't fall off. These get good reviews, but I have no idea how good they are as I don't use dumbbells http://www.powerhouse-fitness.co.uk/olympic-clamp-collars.php.
So - 2 x olympic dumbbells = £50
2 x olympic dumbbell locks = £40+

2. The alternative is adjustable dumbells such as:
http://www.powerhouse-fitness.co.uk/powerblock-flex-urethane-90-stage-1-pair.php
Or
http://www.valleyfitness.co.uk/quick-lock-dumbbells/quick-lock-dumbbell-set-75-lbs-34-kg.html
Obviously these are not cheap, but if I had the choice of option 1 or 2 I'd choose 2 as I think I'd soon get frustrated messing about with olympic weights on a small bar and locking etc.
Seems to be a debate to which is better - Powerblock or Ironmasters
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rU5YtS5J-go

3. The other alternative is a dumbell rack set http://www.powerhouse-fitness.co.uk/bodymax-pro-rubber-dumbbells-725kg-set.php :p
Would be awesome but a tad OTT.
May be able to build slowly second-hand.

4. Only downside to not buying 185kg is if you can't lift that much. :p

5. In regards to mats there are better people on here to advise. I have http://www.powerhouse-fitness.co.uk/bodymax-studio-gym-mat-6-x-4-x-1.php but people use "horse mats". I got mine free within the bundle. :)
I would suggest 2 x http://www.powerhouse-fitness.co.uk...ack-500mm-x-500mm-x-12mm-thick-single-mat.php to land/place the weight before and during deadlifts etc. Obviosuly if you buy 2 mats you probably wont need to as you'll have 12 x 4 foot (or more) of matting. I only have the 6 x 4 foot and do my deadlifting outside of my power rack.
 
Woop!

The shed I have been waiting to be freed up has finally been emptied last night.

OEwH9U7m.jpg

Should be plenty of space to get something nice set up.

I have a cf475 strength package, going to also put in my bike and turbo trainer, a couple of old multigym machines I have lying around and look at maybe getting a rower, or convincing a mate to loan me his treadmill.

Off to try and find some horse mats this afternoon I guess. Also looking for some large mirrors, anything better value than these? http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/171193503128


Oh and obviously need some sort of music set up, thinking maybe just put an old computer in there and run a cable to my flat. I have 15 old monitors lying around from my mining days so could even put a monitor in front of every bit of kit haha.
 
Not any more!

It was rented to a mechanic for the last couple of years and hes just moved on, so I think it would be mad not to take advantage.

Obviously I will only take up barely a corner so need ideas for the rest!
 
SX7C5b4l.jpg

Step one done, bought some mats and moved rack and bike in.

Looks like I will need at least one more mat.

Tomorrow will hopefully connect the shed back up to the Internet and get a computer built up and some speakers ordered.

Next stage is find a weight tree, a cheap used rower /treadmill or both and probably some dumbbells. Full rack or adjustable? I guess I have the space for a full set but they get pretty dear.
 
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Anyone had any issues before with stuff from powerhouse fitness arriving damaged?

Edit: after reading some reviews on trust pilot it seems there are many people with issues with damaged goods and poor customer service (they already ignored an email I sent inquiring about an out of stock item - ordered it from Amazon in the end) so I guess I won't get anywhere with them.
 
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Just finished unpacking and assembling all my equipment (I'm knackered just from doing that!). Really looking forward to getting stuck in tomorrow with it :)

I never bothered contacting PHF, couldn't be bothered with the hassle, it was only some minor cosmetic damage on the rack.
 
Puppetmaster said:
Just finished unpacking and assembling all my equipment (I'm knackered just from doing that!). Really looking forward to getting stuck in tomorrow with it :)

I never bothered contacting PHF, couldn't be bothered with the hassle, it was only some minor cosmetic damage on the rack.
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I had issues with my CF415 coming damaged, scratched and a plastic collar split, it looked pretty bad in the pictures, but was fine once built up.

Anyway, sent them pictures and gave them a call a couple days later to chase and they sent me out a brand new one for free and told me to keep the damaged one for spares. Took a while to get into contact and sort out though.

The second one came slightly damaged, but was in much better condition, so i sold it for £100 on eBay.

The said they'd just claim the cost back from the corrier. So i guess from there point of view instead of selling 1 rack, they've now sold 2, as the Courier will have paid for the second rack and they still had my money.
 
Looking to get into lifting at home. I'm a beginner wanting to beef up a bit - not train for the olypmics (I've just finished P90X3). Already got dumbells so I think all I need is a cage/rack and a barbell set. I'd be looking for a full cage as opposed to a half cage.

Anyone spec me some suggestions, please? Budget around £1,000 tops.
 
This is what I'd get from Powerhouse fitness:

Weights - £369
http://www.powerhouse-fitness.co.uk/bodymax-olympic-rubber-radial-weight-plate-set-165kg.php

Bench - £229
http://www.powerhouse-fitness.co.uk/bodycraft-f602-deluxe-f-i-d-utility-bench.php
(Max user weight 362kg)

Rack - £430
http://www.powerhouse-fitness.co.uk/bodycraft-f430-power-rack.php

Total = £1028

This is the set up I have (althought I have 185kg and some fractional plates)

Then you need to add some mats. I use:
Weight 'rests' mat - £23
http://www.powerhouse-fitness.co.uk...ack-500mm-x-500mm-x-12mm-thick-single-mat.php

Rack mat - £85
http://www.powerhouse-fitness.co.uk/bodymax-studio-gym-mat-6-x-4-x-1.php

Bumps it to £1136 but you'd probably be able to get 5-10% discount.

There might be better mats out there - some use 'horse' mats.

This is what I'd get from Fitness Superstore:

Weights - £349
http://www.fitness-superstore.co.uk/body-power-185kg-rubber-encased-tri-grip-olympic-set.html

Bench - Either £249 or £269 (Powertec, Body-Solid)
http://www.fitness-superstore.co.uk...s/utility-benches?viewall=1&p=1#p=2&viewall=1

Rack - Between £494 and £569 (York, Powertec, Body-Solid)
http://www.fitness-superstore.co.uk/gym-equipment/power-cages-and-racks/power-cages

Total = £1092 to £1187

Then mats.



The [rubber] weights at Fitness Superstore are better value. If you want cheaper metal ones then obviously just compare. I'd recommend "tri grip" ones for ease of picking up etc.

The rack and bench are cheaper at Powerhouse Fitness.



They're all pretty much the same:
I think all the racks can all accept dip bars and lat attachments and have pull up bars
I think the benches are all incline/decline and can accept leg attachments etc (I think the Powertec offers the most functionality for addons).
 
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