Official Home Gym Building Thread

I've always thought the Texas bar is poor value for money. It's thought of as a good budget bar in the states but with shipping and tax it is expensive over here for what it is.
 
It's decent enough, only really eclipsed by more expensive bars. The ohio blows anything not named eleiko out of the water. (also possibly the Titex but I've not had a chance to play with it yet, I'll get my hands on one on the 24th)
 
interesting read up on the bars :). Looking at the Ohio and it seems to be cheaper then the TPB no rogue Europe distribute! One day I will upgrade my bar.
 
Hi Chaps,

I ordered an Adidas Bench last year for £80. Within a few weeks the seatpad broke off (very very poor design with little lateral support). I don't think it was fit for strength workouts. After a warranty seat replacement, I decided to keep it.

Fast forward a few months the seat has broken again. Now I want to get a better one. I am currently doing 32KG dumbbell chest presses. My only requirements are that it do decline as well as incline. I have limited space so would like something compact, unless there is real added value to an extension/functionality.

I have narrowed down two choices that I like. Any opinions on these or other suggestions?
Bodymax PM121
Bodymax CF328
 
The CF328 is alright, the decline is pretty low though. I prefer to stick it on flat and raise the front using blocks of wood, that way I can get a better angle.

Guessing this applies to most benches, if you are limited for space then it is possible to stand it up to rest it on the end of the foam seat if required.
 
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Temporarily taken over my conservatory until my dedicated building for the gym is ready.

In the photo;

1) Skierg
2) Concept2 Model E rower
3) Air Assault bike
4) Various bars / weights



Mike
 
Thanks - hadn't considered that I would need anchor.

If the decline proves to be too low, I will manually drill a new hole for the pin to go into.
 
Penn0r said:
Hi Chaps,

I ordered an Adidas Bench last year for £80. Within a few weeks the seatpad broke off (very very poor design with little lateral support). I don't think it was fit for strength workouts. After a warranty seat replacement, I decided to keep it.

Fast forward a few months the seat has broken again. Now I want to get a better one. I am currently doing 32KG dumbbell chest presses. My only requirements are that it do decline as well as incline. I have limited space so would like something compact, unless there is real added value to an extension/functionality.

I have narrowed down two choices that I like. Any opinions on these or other suggestions?
Bodymax PM121
Bodymax CF328
Click to expand...

I ordered one of these last year:

https://www.strengthshop.co.uk/equipment-and-bars/benches/utility-bench.html

It's pretty solid and stable. I'd recommend it over the two you've linked to.

I'm approx 90kg and bench around 140kg on it, with no problems. The pad also offers a bit of grip for arching, and the feet anchors help with decline position.

This may be the same bench, but £50 cheaper. I've ordered from the company before and they were pretty good. There is also a 400kg rated bench for around £170 on there.

http://www.bmacstrength.co.uk/multi-purpose-bench-max-load-300kg/
 
Thanks for the suggestion. How many decline positions does it give you, and is it usable?

On my old one I found it to be way too low to be actually usable.
 
I've got pretty much the same bench, just different branding. I don't use the decline but from memory it's just the one position.
 
It is just the one position, but I find it about perfect position wise, and i'd use weighted dips for anything deeper. It's also very stable for an adjustable bench, better than a lot of the commercial gyms i've used, but that might just be becuase they've been hammered for a few years.

I've had new gym mats delivered this week, went for six 12mm thick 6ft x 4ft mats from ebay. Cost just over £200 delivered. Hopefully be setting them up in my new garage over the weekend.
 
I am considering rebuilding a home gym and I am considering what kit would make sense. I hired a personal training last year and he worked well for my wife and I, visiting home twice a week and he will be restarting again in February. To support this I bought a few dumbbells, kettle bells and a Reebok Deck which work fine but now we want to look at some more gym like kit. I am considering a bike, rower and weight bench and my focus is on weight loss, muscle growth (especially in my legs) and general all over core strength. I have had this stuff before but got rid of it as we had less space back then, now that isn't an issue.

There are a myriad of options but I'd welcome advice and pointers from people who have perhaps taking the journey. I would probably put about a 1500 into a rower and similar into a cross trainer/bike and something that would use a media device to make the training more interactive and visual interests us.

Thoughts, advice and questions welcomed.
 
Housey said:
.....I would probably put about a 1500 into a rower and similar into a cross trainer/bike.....

Thoughts, advice and questions welcomed.
Click to expand...

Hi there

I'm building my own gym too.

I'd say if you have £3k set aside for a rower and bike, I'd get the following kit

1) concept2 Model D rower - £860
2) Assault Air bike - £840

Which leaves spare cash for the following

3) Concept2 SkiErg - £880 inc optional floor stand (£180)

All very robust and efficient kit. You could even upgrade to the model e rower in your budget however not necessary.

Mike
 
Thanks. What are people's views on water rowers. I know the concept rowers get plaudits but the one with the bowl and water resistance seem to get positive comments too and they fold up nicely
 
Housey said:
Thanks. What are people's views on water rowers. I know the concept rowers get plaudits but the one with the bowl and water resistance seem to get positive comments too and they fold up nicely
Click to expand...

The water resistance rowers look very nice and I was tempted. After having a trial in a shop I went for Concept 2, the water rower just did not feel the same and was not as smooth for me.

Concept 2 is the gold standard for elite rowers so good enough for me :)
 
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