Gardon

So I got some money I want to spend on a weight set for my basement. I'm buying a set because I'd rather work it appropriately than spend money on a gym that just gets pissed away.

Now before some people start dissing me on how I think of gyms, look at the original topic.

What can I buy that will suffice? Should I buy a new bench set, dumb bell set, what?

Are there any good websites that anyone knows about?

Thank you,

Gardon

The Monkey Man

Get the Chuck norris thing

Its simple, and it works off your own BW, so theres no weights to lug around

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PreMier

I would get a squat rack, and some olympic plates, and a bench. You can do everything inside the rack. Just my .02

P-side Inc.

"the post-workout high is more profound than any drug-induced rush imaginable." -Dante B.

Gardon

What about primarily strength training? I don't want to bulk, however, I'm assuming toning comes with just lifting weights in general.

Any ideas on what I should lift in coordinance with how many reps I can do?

What I'm basically asking is: "For strength, am I aiming for more reps with less weight or more weight with less reps?"

Also how do the sets work out

PreMier

Higher weight with less reps for strength training. It depends on the exercise, but like 6 sets of 3 reps instead of 6reps 3 sets

P-side Inc.

"the post-workout high is more profound than any drug-induced rush imaginable." -Dante B.

Gardon

So (and I honestly don't know) how do you build mass then? Is it the opposite? Less weight with more reps?

The Monkey Man

Strength will always be maximum effort - IE, less reps

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PreMier

Train for strength.. EAT for size.

P-side Inc.

"the post-workout high is more profound than any drug-induced rush imaginable." -Dante B.

The Monkey Man

If you want strength training, get an olympic set and a squat cage, that should be all you need...

Have Problems?... Chances are its due to overpopulation

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Gardon

You guys rock. I think this is the only help I've gotten in almost 100 posts of attempts.

And for that I salute you

Gardon

What about abs and stuff.

I started my 2nd martial art (now making my style mixed martial arts), so rather than body movement and timing, I'm incorporating core strength (mostly in my abs and forarms).

Can I do stuff on that equipment you told me about that will help me strengthen my 2 prime areas?

The Monkey Man

I have to warn you...

If you train with standard power type motions...
Bench, Squat, ETC...

Along with a big gaining diet you may experience some sluggishness in
your martial arts training, it comes with the territory...

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Gardon

I'm not aiming to add on any more weight to my body. Currently I'm about 5'7 (1/2) and 145 pounds. I just want to get stronger without gaining any weight, and perhaps toning up a little in the process.

And are you sure 6 sets of 3 reps will do the job? I mean, 3 reps make you feel like you aren't really doing anything. Shouldn't it be 3 sets of 6?

I'm talking about bruce lee strong here, if that makes any difference. Ninjitsu is awesome, but it's only really good for breaking bones and shit. What if I just want to smack someone? I need strength.

Get what I'm saying?

Squaggleboggin

I'm somewhat confused when it comes to this. Why would muscles - the things that create movement - cause one to become slower? I can understand that this be the case with someone so large that ROM is restricted, but training power motions should not slow you down. This is especially true if you train like a true powerlifter with speed work incorporated as well. I've become much faster since I started training. If the diet is clean, the gains should come in LBM and not fat, and LBM shouldn't slow you down from what I understand. That's just what I'm thinking, though. If you can explain your thoughts I'd appreciate it.

As far as equipment goes, get a bench with a place to squat on the back of it. You don't need a power cage - spend $40 on a pair of steel sawhorses and you're good to go.

Push yourself. Enjoy yourself. Be yourself.
Knowledge is power. Obsessed with functional strength. Journal

The Monkey Man

Don't confused weight gain and size gain...

You can get stronger, but you will probably gain weight...

This will be your muscles becoming more dense

That doesn't mean you will get Puffy like Arnold

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Squaggleboggin

Trust me, low reps is the way to go. I only do three sets of two reps and I've been gaining strength and losing weight like crazy. Power is maximum effort, which means you CANNOT do high reps. Oh, and you can't really 'tone' - that's a crappy word. You gain LBM and lose BF, which, in turn, gives the more 'ripped' appearance. You don't necessarily need to become bigger to get stronger, you just have to train your CNS properly so as not to induce hypertrophy. Also remember that, if you're going to fight someone, technique is much more important than strength. I'd rather know how to fight than be slightly stronger than the opponent, but that's just me.

Push yourself. Enjoy yourself. Be yourself.
Knowledge is power. Obsessed with functional strength. Journal

Gardon

It's because of fluidness. When you're moving your muscles, and they are freaken huge, you'll have more mass that you have to move around.

It's not so much a problem with, say, streetfighting, but when you get into really fast hitting it makes all the difference

Imagine swinging a hammer as fast as you can (a small one). You can do some serious damage with that hammer in a short amount of time.

Now, imagine an enormous hammer. Ya, it would do more damage, but why use it if you can't hit fast enough? No matter how strong you are, you can't swing a sludgy as fast as a normal hammer.

Except in bruce lee's case, the hammer was like freaken titanium inforced and had multiple edges

Gardon

But then again there's some people like the japanese fanatics, who are enormous (a few of them) and are able to beat even the skinniest of masters.

Why? Because they train that way and they train with their size, not as a result of it.

It's like walking at your current weight, and then jumping up 100 pounds tomorrow. You will notice a difference, and it's just how you manage it.

If you understood that

Squaggleboggin

Like I said, I can see the point with someone that has so much mass that it restricts LBM, but for someone who is actually strong for his size (like a powerlifter in the 180 lb class), this doesn't hold true. Strength comes first, and with strength they train speed to power through weak points in the lift. Their muscles aren't always huge. I'm not saying that a powerlifter is going to have blinding speed or anything like that, just that muscles create movement, and having more powerful muscles won't slow someone down as far as I can see.

Push yourself. Enjoy yourself. Be yourself.
Knowledge is power. Obsessed with functional strength. Journal

Gardon

Totally agreed. That's why I hate going to the gym. Some people can lift SO much more than I can, and think they're "the shit." Much less do people realize that it's not how big you are, it's how skilled you are.

Which is why I haven't weight lifted before. I simply haven't needed too

But seriously, most people think they can fight without really being in one. It's a totally different ball game when you get smacked in the face, and your muscles can't do anything to save you from the pain. Haha, what makes it more funny is when people try to stand up to martial artists. Those who haven't seen/witnessed/experienced an art can't even begin to comprehend the complexity and effectiveness of it. It's mind-blowing.

Gardon

And you're right. I think I originally misread your post.

Power has nothing to do with motion. Lee (and I hate to keep referring to him, like I'm some fanatic, but it simply fits the context) did bench, squat, clean, etc. because it worked for him to build his power. Speed and control training came after strength.

And muscles DO create movement, it's just how big they are.


Long story short: more muscles = more/easier movement
bigger muscles = more restriction = more effort to keep high movement

Squaggleboggin

I want to get into a fight just to know how I'd do. I think it's important to know your own weaknesses rather than find them out when three guys jump you.

Push yourself. Enjoy yourself. Be yourself.
Knowledge is power. Obsessed with functional strength. Journal

Squaggleboggin

I agree with this.

Push yourself. Enjoy yourself. Be yourself.
Knowledge is power. Obsessed with functional strength. Journal

Gardon

One more thing. For strength, if I lift and push myself every day (no resting) will I increase strength quicker? I'm dedicated enough to do it, but I'm not sure if it would help me any.

And about the ab thing... what's the quickest way to tone up a "once had" 6-pack? (personal reason here )

Squaggleboggin

Rest is extremely important. I'd recommend training no more than three times a week with moderate volume for a beginner. As you become more advanced, you'll realize how much you can take during a given period of time. For example, I lift six days a week, but I have extremely low volume and very high weights. You can check out Westside's training techniques, they're considered to be some of the best on the planet, but are for advanced athletes. You may want to check them out once you're ready to step up your training to the next level. Abs are made in the kitchen. Check out the diet section to see how to drop bodyfat effectively and safely - they'll show up once you drop enough fat.

Push yourself. Enjoy yourself. Be yourself.
Knowledge is power. Obsessed with functional strength. Journal

The Monkey Man

I would do day-on, day-off

Strength training one day, speed technique the next

Diet will get you a six pack

Have Problems?... Chances are its due to overpopulation

Save The Oceans, Save the Planet, Save Your Family, Save Yourself!

Gardon

What about building ab strength then? I need stronger abs, and I hear sit-ups aren't as effective as once thought.

Are there any REALLY effective exercises to do, say, like what van dam did in the movie "in hell" where he hung upside down and curled himself up numerous times?

Gardon

And is it true that if you exercise you burn more fat (not muscle, but fat)? In that case, since I don't exercise whatsoever right now, and I'm 145 pounds at 17 years old, would I even have to diet to get a 6-pack if I weight-lifted thrice a week?

Squaggleboggin