home gym equipment

[starlyte]

I'm sorry if this has been done to death.. I have today been reading up on few threads relating.

I think I just need some advice..

I am most definitely a beginner, This time last year I had never done any form of exercise.. I gave up smoking, then took up running... Then a few months later decided to join the gym as I was enjoying the running so much. Pretty much have not looked back.. apart from the running injuries I sustained which led to setbacks.

I find it difficult to get time for the gym.. Its not that I do not have time. Its because of family, Cant do evenings as i have my daughter to look after. Can only get there in the mornings which is difficult...

So. I want to set up a home gym. So i have the freedom of the evenings.

At the gym I have been focussing on strength rather than cardio as i get that from my running.

Oh. i should point out that i am a little skinny guy.. basically skin and bones. Been trying to put on weight/muscle. Have been getting to grips on the right foods.

So.. at the gym i have been doing squats and heaps of dumbell flyes. Im not all that strong, Best i can squat is about 50kg at the moment... For the past few months I have been using a personal trainer to show me what i need to be doing.. he has also been my spotter when squatting.

For my home gym.. I want to found the most logical equipment without wasting money. I am happy to spend whats required to get what I need.. Its my wife that is less wililng!

I think what i want is a Smith machine with power rack so that I can safely squat with no spotter, But still have the freedom of safer free weights

I was considering one of the iron power smiths machines from no1fitness (they have heaps on trademe)

I was also considering this.. (closes tonight, but i decided against it)

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Sports/Exercis ... 466526.htm

Or.. should I skip the smith style machine and start with a more basic home gym..

I do plan on using free weights/dumbells also.. But i would also like the stability of a machine too. My form is not all that good.. Want to mix and match

Some have said.. just get a bench, barbell and dumbells.... I would like a decent setup.. and I am concerned about my own safety with no one there for spotting..

I am going to have swiss balls, dumbells, ab wheel, foam rollers.. all those lil things. Right now im trying to work out what machine to start with....

At this stage.. I am slowly getting to grips with the differences between machines.. Why is that one $400 more.. what can it do..

One thing i have learnt with smith machine home gyms.. linear bearings.

Oh.. and power racks do not seem to be on the cheaper ones

any help would be much appreciated!

[starlyte]

I really should have proof read before I posted that.. mess of words.

I was distracted while typing.. That did not help

Basic gist.. I am looking for advice on equipment to buy for home gym. I am interested in strength training over cardio

Interested in squat machines.. But find that other "multi gyms" do have more options

My workouts will be a mixture of machine and free weight.

[drizzt]

Hey mate, IMHO I'd head for a power rack over a smith machine. You can set the pins at a safe height to spot you for exercises, as well as learn the form for free weights. My old man is setting up a home gym at the moment, and went for this one. There is also this rack which would probably suit your needs if you aren't going to be using terribly heavy weights in the forseeable future (it looked a bit flimsy in store). Heck, if things change you could always sell it and look at a new one, but that may not be for a while so something like the last example would probably suit you :nod:

If you wanted to cover yourself for future, you might want to head for an Olympic bar with Olympic weights. This is a more costly option, but something that should last you for years and years.

The other option is a standard bar with standard-size plates. Much cheaper, certainly all you'd need for the moment, but if your training takes off you could eventually outgrow it.

Aside from that, look at an adjustable dumbbell set, a bench that can be adjusted for decline/flat/incline/vertical, and maybe some rubber flooring to protect the weights, and I'd say that might be all your really need. Cost is really what it comes down to, if you can afford to kit yourself out with the best, high quality stuff, then go for it :nod:

p.s - I didn't intend this to be an Elitefitness ad :pfft: I was just using their site for the examples

All just suggestions mate, take 'em as you will. Good luck

[starlyte]

Thanks

Until now.. (this shows how new I am) I never realised what a power rack really was. Now i understand that it is a safety cage which can be used as an alternative to a smith.

That with a bench will sort me for bench press aswell?

What about a machine for other exercises.. like cables and chest press, preacher.. lat pull etc

Is there a reccomended all i one machine for that?

or are they all really much the same?

is there anything in particular I should look out for... feature to have/avoid (for both power rack, benches and multigyms)

How important is leg press if you have the gear to squat?

[drizzt]

That with a bench will sort me for bench press aswell?

What about a machine for other exercises.. like cables and chest press, preacher.. lat pull etc

You can definitely bench in a power rack, yep :nod:

As for a cable setup as well, IMHO it comes down first to how much room you have - enough for a Power Rack and a cable set-up?

Next is money, can you afford both?

And then comes what sort of training program/style you follow - you can get by really well with just free weights (5x5/starting strength, Westside for Skinny Bastards etc), but a combination of both free weights + cables would probably be ideal. If it came down to a cable setup vs. a free weights one, I'd definitely go for the free weights.

Is there a reccomended all i one machine for that?

or are they all really much the same?

Honestly, it's not an area I'm particularly knowledgeable about, but in my mind an ideal one would be one where you can adjust the height of the Pulley station (pull from below or above), and have adjustable arms for rows/pulldowns/preacher as well as leg attachments. My old man bought an all-in-one type station like that for my younger bro a couple of years ago, sort of like this one. One that preferably comes with quite a few attachments is something I'd lookout for (ropes, handles, different sized bars etc), keep an eye out on Trademe as there are a few that get sold off on there from time to time.

is there anything in particular I should look out for... feature to have/avoid (for both power rack, benches and multigyms)

How important is leg press if you have the gear to squat?

For a power rack, I'd make sure the construction doesn't leave you feeling like it may collapse if you put all of your weights on it, possibly have a look at the pin spacings and make sure they suit the heights you'll be lifting at. Biggest thing I'd be worried about is will it hold the weight I'll lift. A bonus would be a chinup bar on the front :nod: Adjustable J hooks (where you put the bar) would be handy, and I'd prefer them over the set "pins" found in a few power racks, but no big deal either way.

Benches, for a home gym you'd only want one I guess, so I'd look for one that is fully adjustable (decline through to vertical). Possibly a low-back seat for presses could come in handy as well, again this would depend on budget + space though, and in most cases only specific exercises would require it (Overhead Tricep Press comes to mind).

See above for my thoughts on a multi/cable station.

As for Leg press, again, budget + room. They have slightly different targets, and there are a few factors that come into play when choosing between the two in the gym, but generally if you're doing squats then that should be sufficient in a home gym.

Again, disclaimer being this is all my opinion Hope that helps mate.

[Woodbury]

Can squat and bench off this one:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Sports/Exercis ... 105481.htm

[starlyte]

This is very helpful. Thank you