Reply to: Home Gym Ideas

[MyUserName]

Absolute Beat Mode. Wow!

Yep. He currently coaches Katie Taylor! He also personally replies to emails and posts on his forums too!

[RetSet]

Have a look at RossTraining.com - Low-tech, high-effect training solutions for beast mode aficionados and fitness enthusiasts

It is absolutely definitive in this field.

Absolute Beast Mode. Wow!

[Excursion UK]

Well 3rd floor is all I have, may have to limit my ideas, saying that I don't plan on deadlifting or jumping up or down, so still think it's reasonable. Perhaps a multigym thing may be too much weight in one place.

I've had a couple of people tell me the adjustable dumbbells are fiddly and not that great. Good to hear a different opinion.

Yeah I'm having issues finding anything in stock

I moved from fixed to adjustable because I developed chronic inner elbow pain in my right arm from doing dumbell curls.

With the adjustables the weights rotate with your movement and don't stress that particular tendon.

Switched from underhand pullups to overhand pullups for the same reason.

[MyUserName]

Have a look at RossTraining.com - Low-tech, high-effect training solutions for beast mode aficionados and fitness enthusiasts

It is absolutely definitive in this field.

[RetSet]

Second the above, but I would give Starting Strength and Stronglifts a miss. There are better linear progression plans out there. GZCLP is decent, or Greyskull LP. Starting Strength the book is worth getting though if you’re new to lifting.

Good Points, Well Made

For some reason GZCLP has passed right by me. I can see how that would be a logical primer for 5/3/1, though.

Similarly with Greyskull LP, it's a bit more 'involved' than SL & SS.

I think these would work better for a beginner who is starting out with some guidance, otherwise I would suggest SL for the first 12 weeks or so, to get the 'feel' of a structured programme before moving on. The idea of working percentages of a 'training max' that in itself is a percentage of 1 rep max (actual or calculated) is probably a bit too much for an unguided complete novice.

[TheCyclingProgrammer]

Second the above, but I would give Starting Strength and Stronglifts a miss. There are better linear progression plans out there. GZCLP is decent, or Greyskull LP. Starting Strength the book is worth getting though if you’re new to lifting.

[RetSet]

If you can free up garage space then you can set yourself up with an olympic bar & bumper plates (start with 120kg total as minimum), a flat bench, and power cage.

Then you can start with a beginners' programme:
Starting Strength or
https://stronglifts.com/#gref

before moving on to an intermediate programme after 6 months or so, e.g. Wendler's 5/3/1
5/3/1: How to Build Pure Strength | T Nation

[woohoo]

Fiddly in what way?

I don't know just speaking to a couple of lads and that was the comment. I assumed it was fiddly in switching the different weights.

[oracleslave]

Fiddly in what way? I've got a pair of Everlast (sportsdirect specials) for £199 each. Goes from 5kg->32.5kg in 2.5kg increments. Seem OK to me and don't take up very much space.

I assume your question is directed at the OP and not me as we both seem to be extolling the virtues of adjustable dumbells.

[b0redom]

Not experienced that. I have the Mens Health ones which are on the cheaper end but even these are great.

Fiddly in what way? I've got a pair of Everlast (sportsdirect specials) for £199 each. Goes from 5kg->32.5kg in 2.5kg increments. Seem OK to me and don't take up very much space.

I've paired them with a York adjustable incline weight bench which was OK too (£70). I also picked up a leather speed rope and resistance band (more for warming up that actual resistance), and I have a Zwift compatible turbo trainer for my bike.

[d000hg]

This might be a long-shot but any of you lot setup a home gym? I'm after ideas of what to put in there, cost, equipment recommendations.

I'm looking at spending around 2k. I already have an exercise bike and running machine. Thinking will need a range of dumbbells from 8kg to 30kg to start off with. Kettle bells, mats. Some kind of multigym thang. What else would be good?

This may be a stupid question but I'm using a 3rd floor bedroom, just wonder if there is weight limit you can have in a room? How would you even find out?

I got myself a small multi-gym and a half-decent static bike last year, from Fitness Superstore. Went into the local branch and got a decent deal and some advice:

Schwinn 570U Upright Cycle
BH Fitness G152X Global Gym Plus with Leg Press

Considering my equipment before that was a £80 bike and some dumb-bells, this was quite a big purchase. I converted a spare bedroom into a gym:

- stripped carpet and replaced with rubber mats (like stable flooring)
- Got a cheap 40" UHD TV and an extra Amazon Fire TV stick
- bluetooth earphones - turns out Fire TV supports bluetooth

Pretty happy.

[oracleslave]

I've had a couple of people tell me the adjustable dumbbells are fiddly and not that great. Good to hear a different opinion.

Not experienced that. I have the Mens Health ones which are on the cheaper end but even these are great.

[woohoo]

What happened to the man cave in the garage?

Just waiting on the door to be fitted, steps and decking, will post some pics when it's finished.

But decided it's going to be an office/golf sim room. So once you add beer/wine cooler, desk, computer, golf projection screen, projector, golf mat there really isn't enough room to have it as a proper gym. So decided to use my old office (the bedroom) as a gym.

It was a hard decision that I wouldnt wish on anyone

[ladymuck]

What happened to the man cave in the garage?

[woohoo]

I haven't heard of anyone setting up a home gym in 3rd floor bedroom. Is there no way you can put it on ground floor/basement?

Just generally answering the question you can either choose to go with free weights or what's a really good option is something called a functional trainer it's quite expensive but within your budget. Cheapest decent one is probably 1000 but 1500 is more realistic probably. Cables help you retain a natural range of motion and are preferable to fixed bar home gyms. You can train virtually every motion imaginable on a functional trainer and it's quite low risk for injury compared to other strength training equipment.


BodyMax CF820 Functional Trainer Dual Adjustable Pulley - Shop Online - Powerhouse Fitness

For dumbbells you don't need to buy a set of dumbbells, you can just buy a good adjustable pair. PowerBlocks are the best adjustable dumbbells and I would highly recommend them. I have used them quite a bit. They have a few different types and they have a 30 lb and 50 lb set. The 50 lb set is expandable up to 90 lbs as well. You should be able to pick a pair of them up somewhere for 250-300 or so. I paid 200 for a 50 lb set of mine several years ago and then paid about the same again for 90 lb expansion.


PowerBlock Sport 9.0 Stage 1 Adjustable Dumbells 2-22.5kgs (pair)

Its difficult to find anything in stock right now though unfortunately so good luck!

Well 3rd floor is all I have, may have to limit my ideas, saying that I don't plan on deadlifting or jumping up or down, so still think it's reasonable. Perhaps a multigym thing may be too much weight in one place.

I've had a couple of people tell me the adjustable dumbbells are fiddly and not that great. Good to hear a different opinion.

Yeah I'm having issues finding anything in stock