Official Home Gym Building Thread

Soldato
Joined
13 Feb 2012
Posts
5,767
Might just start off with a half/full rack, barbell, and 200+ kg of weight and take it from there.

Just debating 1/2 or go for full power rack.

Full, you will have added benefit of pull up / chin up bars on there. Cost wise I picked up my bodymax CF475 (link below) for £200, and I have seen many around for sub £200. It will be more than enough. You can also pick up decent dip attachments for it.

http://www.powerhouse-fitness.co.uk...wer-rack.php?gclid=CM__643U48wCFRKNGwodmlYN4A

http://www.powerhouse-fitness.co.uk...nd-cf485.php?gclid=CKmR9LzU48wCFaoy0wod-P8PSQ
 
Soldato
Joined
10 May 2012
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10,058
Location
Leeds
I bought most of my weights at Christmas from http://www.fitness-superstore.co.uk. I got 165kg worth of weights and an Olympic bar rated at 320kg, it was the absolute cheapest I could find after looking around quite a bit. I also bought a Squat stand from Amazon for about £40 which is actually very good and rated to 180kg I think. With that I can do Squats, Deadlifts, Rows, Overhead Press and Floor Press using the lower bars on the rack (I have shoulder issues so Floor Press is better for me than BB Bench).
 
Soldato
Joined
13 Feb 2012
Posts
5,767
Managed to get myself a good deal on 200kgs worth of weight and a decent 600kg rated bar. Next month I'll be able to buy a rack and then I'll be all set! (For now).

Make sure you have at least 1 set of 20's or 25's that are the correct diameter. 450mm is what you want...annoyingly the bodymax plates that I have only go to 420mm :(

If you got bumpers then you should be all good.
 
Associate
Joined
17 Jun 2011
Posts
9
Hi guys,

I needed a bit of advice. At the moment in my home gym I have a bodymax CF470 Half Rack

http://www.powerhouse-fitness.co.uk...oduct+Search&gclid=COaalqDCsc0CFdRuGwodvekDEA

When I was first building my gym I was looking for a full cage but could not find any that meets the ceiling requirements. My garage height is short and because of the cross beams the max height would be 200cm

I looked at the Strengthshop site today and see they are doing a full cage that is only 185cm in height. It looks good but does not have weight holders like the cf470 so I would have to buy weight trees. Also, because the cf470 had weight storage built in, it felt rock solid as the weight was holding it in place.

The strengthshop cage is here https://www.strengthshop.co.uk/garage-cage.html

Should I upgrade to the full rack?
 
Associate
Joined
18 Feb 2007
Posts
1,426
Hi guys,

I needed a bit of advice. At the moment in my home gym I have a bodymax CF470 Half Rack

http://www.powerhouse-fitness.co.uk...oduct+Search&gclid=COaalqDCsc0CFdRuGwodvekDEA

When I was first building my gym I was looking for a full cage but could not find any that meets the ceiling requirements. My garage height is short and because of the cross beams the max height would be 200cm

I looked at the Strengthshop site today and see they are doing a full cage that is only 185cm in height. It looks good but does not have weight holders like the cf470 so I would have to buy weight trees. Also, because the cf470 had weight storage built in, it felt rock solid as the weight was holding it in place.

The strengthshop cage is here https://www.strengthshop.co.uk/garage-cage.html

Should I upgrade to the full rack?

Does the CF470 meet your training requirements? If yes, keep it. If no, switch it out.
 
Associate
Joined
19 Mar 2016
Posts
19
Hi guys,

I needed a bit of advice. At the moment in my home gym I have a bodymax CF470 Half Rack

http://www.powerhouse-fitness.co.uk...oduct+Search&gclid=COaalqDCsc0CFdRuGwodvekDEA

When I was first building my gym I was looking for a full cage but could not find any that meets the ceiling requirements. My garage height is short and because of the cross beams the max height would be 200cm

I looked at the Strengthshop site today and see they are doing a full cage that is only 185cm in height. It looks good but does not have weight holders like the cf470 so I would have to buy weight trees. Also, because the cf470 had weight storage built in, it felt rock solid as the weight was holding it in place.

The strengthshop cage is here https://www.strengthshop.co.uk/garage-cage.html

Should I upgrade to the full rack?

The equipment you have is fine, although I reckon that rack in your link from Strengthshop would be nicer to use, and I'm sure it's fine without the weight holders.

Your situation seems a bit like having an ordinary car, and then having to decide whether you need to upgrade your car to something nicer. Not essential, but nonetheless a nicer piece of equipment to use.
 
Associate
Joined
15 Jun 2016
Posts
183
hmm whats the best way to let down dumb bells after bench pressing? always have a bit of trouble putting them down without being awkward about it
 
Soldato
Joined
3 Sep 2012
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11,339
Location
P town
Are a pair of weights enough for a beginner to do some basic exercises? Not looking to get crazy big or anything I prefer definition over size.

Inb4 cardio and diet?
 
Soldato
Joined
18 Oct 2002
Posts
12,388
Location
Birmingham
Are a pair of weights enough for a beginner to do some basic exercises? Not looking to get crazy big or anything I prefer definition over size.

Inb4 cardio and diet?

How long is a piece of string? When the seagulls follow the trawler, it is because they think sardines will be thrown into the sea.

In short, yes, but what sort of weight are you talking about? Have you got a bench?
 
Associate
Joined
10 May 2006
Posts
2,334
Just an update on my home gym,

Its going really well, loving having it at home, its so accessible that I use it almost every night and am seeing great improvements.

I bought an olympic ez bar to actually train some arms which I have previously just worked out during back excercises, but now I can do some isolation excercises for the sun out guns out look.

I bought some gym flooring, I got 5 of these bad boys, http://www.fitness-superstore.co.uk/body-power-heavy-rubber-gym-mat-182-x-121-x-1-7cm.html

moving them was hard work on my own as they weight about 40kg+ each, I trimmed them to fit around the walls and allow my door to open, they are decently thick and suppress almost all noise and help level my uneven garage floor. I had a spare one left over so I cut it into stripes to use as a dead lift platform to stop noise and it is very effective.

On another note, my friend created www.homeshredded.com which is focused on home gym work outs, its pretty good and his first attempt at videos and a website, check it out and he is looking for any feedback possible.

Dude
 
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