Home Gyms

[sportTchick]

Do many of you out there have home gyms?

I am currently working out at a Gold's but am getting my equipment at home in my basement as soon as Gym Source gets my Smith Cage in stock and will deliver my entire order at once.
Anyway, I use alot of different things in my workouts at the gym...dumbells, freeweights, machines, etc.
I am very excited about my impending delivery of equipment and getting fun stuff for home, it will make my life so much easier and my workouts way more convenient (although I always find the time, convenient or not).
However, despite my anticipation, there is a lingering, haunting concern about eventually becoming bored or not pushing myself as hard. Has anyone out there come across this issue? I am just wondering you guys that workout at home feel about your home gyms (like more or less than public gyms?)
Any tips/experiences from anyone and everyone would be greatly appreciated.

Also, curious as to the type of flooring on which your equipment is on.

Thanks!

 

[Yanick]

i can see how some people might like a gym more than working out at home, more equipment to choose from etc. I am not one of those ppl, if i had a choice i would rather workout at home, i don't need other people with me, i hate the music most gyms play, i hate the people at the gym and i hate traveling to and from the gym. All in all i think you made the right choice, all you really need is a power rack, bench, olympic barbells, db's and weights and you have everything you really need.

 

[LAM]

I've never had a "home" gym but a bunch of my roofer buddies and myself converted an old garage into a gym. we had every piece of equipment in there. it was great when other people where training but when you were by yourself IMO, it sucked ass. I need to go to a gym for the atmosphere and for the many piles of free weights...

 

[soxmuscle]

I've never had a "home" gym but a bunch of my roofer buddies and myself converted an old garage into a gym. we had every piece of equipment in there. it was great when other people where training but when you were by yourself IMO, it sucked ass. I need to go to a gym for the atmosphere and for the many piles of free weights...

I wish I had a place that had a good bodybuilding atmosphere or anything a step up from what I have currently which is fat non-working wives lifting two pound dumbells.

 

[sportTchick]

Yeah, I also hate the music (that's why I always bring my iPod and headphones), hate the commute when there is traffic or it is out of my way, hate waiting for equipment.
I also hate when the open hours are too limited (I like working out really early and sometimes late and the weekend hours at most gyms typically suck)

I am getting a smith cage, olympic bar, ez curl bar, multipurpose bench, db & weights (of course) and a small cable sys

I know I have enough stuff, but there are small things I will miss that I will have to convert into stuff I can do at home.

Thanks for the input.

 

[Premiere]

i love working out at home in my home gym ... u dont have to wait for a set of dumbbells or barbells or anything for that matter! it's awesome

 

[soxmuscle]

Yeah, I also hate the music (that's why I always bring my iPod and headphones), hate the commute when there is traffic or it is out of my way, hate waiting for equipment.
I also hate when the open hours are too limited (I like working out really early and sometimes late and the weekend hours at most gyms typically suck)

I am getting a smith cage, olympic bar, ez curl bar, multipurpose bench, db & weights (of course) and a small cable sys

I know I have enough stuff, but there are small things I will miss that I will have to convert into stuff I can do at home.

Thanks for the input.

I can't afford an Ipod, so im stuck with the Classic Rock crap. Perhaps, someone could help me out a little?

http://www.freeiPods.com/default.aspx?referer=8401981

*SPAM*

 

[sportTchick]

I can't afford an Ipod, so im stuck with the Classic Rock crap. Perhaps, someone could help me out a little?

http://www.freeiPods.com/default.aspx?referer=8401981

*SPAM*

Classic rock...hey, you're lucky...most of the time at my gym they play that new pop stuff. It's disgusting. Try working out to girly and boy band ballads and some of that American Idol crud they try to pass off as music.

Good luck with the iPod. I luv mine.

 

[Randy]

There are pros and cons to each.
I built a room out in the backyard with sliding patio windows on all 4 corners. Inside contains my Hoist universal gym, my dual stack cable crossover machine, my preacher curl bench, and all my dumbells. Outside the room on my patio is my bench press. Between sets I like to walk around on the patio in the evening. So having my gym outside is nice for the fresh air while working out. It's actually really nice in the summer and post winter before it gets cold and rainy. It is then that I would rather be working out in the gym. The Gym has the benefit of being nice and spacious with much more equipment than even the biggest home gym can ever have. So for me, I love both.

 

[bulletproof1]

i love working out at home in my home gym ... u dont have to wait for a set of dumbbells or barbells or anything for that matter! it's awesome

i second that. i love working out by myself ... no distractions. do what i want to do and at my own pace. even workout naked if i want to j/k.

 

[sportTchick]

Thanks for the feedback! I am so stoked about being able to workout at home soon, that is whenever gym source delivers my stuff.

No distractions and having to contend w/ others for equip or getting frustrated when people are hanging out on stuff gabbing.
Or when you big guys leave 1000 lbs on the leg press/ hack squat!

 

[bulletproof1]

and dont forget working out naked.....wear shoes of course lol.

 

[sportTchick]

...even workout naked if i want to j/k.

Bullet-
Warning: Take care of your, err..., equipment!

 

[bulletproof1]

safety is job 1

 

[Martinogdenbsx]

how much did it cost you for your equipment

 

[bulletproof1]

i dont have anything extravagant but i have enough to do what i want and get the job done. i may join a gym at some point but right now im happy with my setup.

 

[sportTchick]

safety is job 1

...equipment...job...

 

[bulletproof1]

speaking of getting the job done.....time to move some iron. cya later.

 

[sportTchick]

Chris-

New equip is usually kinda expensive depending on what you get.
You can always checked out shops that see used sports gear...here in the states exists a chain called Play-It-Again Sports that re-sells used stuff- from cardio to weights, dumbells, etc.
You can always scope out Ebay also.

 

[V Player]

i can see how some people might like a gym more than working out at home, more equipment to choose from etc. I am not one of those ppl, if i had a choice i would rather workout at home, i don't need other people with me, i hate the music most gyms play, i hate the people at the gym and i hate traveling to and from the gym. All in all i think you made the right choice, all you really need is a power rack, bench, olympic barbells, db's and weights and you have everything you really need.

Bingo. Thats why this lil brown bundle likes his home gym.

how much did it cost you for your equipment

I have less than 200 dollars total invested in this beauty. Believe it or not, there's really no exercise that I cant perform with a bit of ingenuity:

New equip is usually kinda expensive depending on what you get.
You can always checked out shops that see used sports gear

Absolutely. Me, I check junyards, yardsales, and garage sales. Fat people are always getting rid of their fitness equipment once they find out it takes effort. Not pictured is a stationary bike I got for 5 bucks. And that stair stepper only cost me 10. Also I just now got a weider 9940 home gym for 100 bucks. And I have about 300 total pounds of free weights. 4 dumbell handles, one straight barbell, and an ez curl. So that puts me at roughly 300 for the whole setup.


And BUMP on what sporTchick said about that Play it Again Sports re-sell chain, they're great. But you HAVE to watch them closely. I dont know about anywhere else, but around here, almost all of the PIAS stores are selling their used equipment for near brand new retail prices. Same thing on ebay. On what Ive seen on most things Im looking for, Im only saving about 10% off retail. On ebay, sometimes you will find a hell of a deal. But for free weights and exercise equipment, Ive seen mostly "regional buyers only" adds, where they dont offer shipping. So you have to pick it up yourself. But hell, you just have to get creative. Look at me .

 

[Yanick]

haha, thats an awesome picture. Jackstands for a rack, priceless

 

[pumpchaser]

Home gym works IF:
*You're one of those who is motivated to work out without the gym energy to drive you. Most can't, some can - will only find out by trying it. There's a very large market for used equipment because of the majority of those who never use the stuff and want to unload.

Suggestions that can help:
*Experiment a little and find a few good pieces that are effective, multiple purpose and fairly space efficient. With the right choices and wider selections of quality home equipment now available, you can have gym-quality workouts with virtually no compromises in choices of exercises.
*Home is associated with comfort, thus sometimes it's tough to get up for the workout. Start with a short walk outside or some cardio to get the blood pumping, about equivalent to the effort of getting to the gym.
*Invite a training partner over.
*Put on the TV or music.

Equipment suggestions - anyone?
For me, the Body Solid Powerlift (even better quality than Powertec which is good) or a few of the similar Powertec stations rule - free weight in nature, but IMO even better, plus NO need for a spotter/no safety issues. The advantage with Powertec is that they make some smaller stations, though they're not as comprehensive as the larger stations that they and Bodysolid make. Not that expensive new, and good used prices if you're patient. I also like Bowflex, which i already know is sacrilege to some of you-too bad.

The ultimate for me will be an eventual outdoor gym, but one that also protects the equipment from the elements - have worked out outside occasionally and it's awesome.

I use gym quality 1/2" rubber mats over the entire area - inexpensive new/used.

 

[bulletproof1]

motivation is not a problem for me. i cant wait to work out. plus having that ipod blaring in your ears really helps.

 

[pumpchaser]

Ya, I had some nice Trance pumpin through the speakers for this morning's workout..

 

[V Player]

I work out to silence. Cant stand music when I lift.



Unless its something like Barry Manilow, Barry White, piano concertos...stuff like that. Cant handle heavy music.

 

[Evil ANT]

Odd, I don't listen to music when I lift, either. Glad I'm not the only one who works out in silence. It's rare when I'll turn on the stereo. Very rare.

My home gym rocks and I feel I get a better workout than in an actual gym. From my home gym, which has everything needed to get huge, I can work out whenever I want, listen to whatever I want (should I chose to listen to music), and I can wear whatever I want. I can't stand working out with a shirt on, so the home gym really benefits me in this area.

I'm not really a people person so I get a better workout in when I fly solo. Sometimes I'll have friends over to spot me and I'll spot them, but more often than not you'll catch me working out alone in peace and quiet.

 

[Randy]

Damn this a perfect picture to add to my REDNECK PHOTO collection
This goes in under "Redneck Gym" Classic

I hope you bought your kids a new swing set

 

[sportTchick]

motivation is not a problem for me. i cant wait to work out. plus having that ipod blaring in your ears really helps.

Hell yeah...
Same for me, drowns out everything even your own pain sometimes when the music in pumping hard too.

 

[sportTchick]

MetalV dude-

that is the most classic gym ever...
The only problem is that you are from the south and have none of that equipment up on cinderblocks!

 

[Phred]

I workout at home and do not have any motivation issues at all. I w/o 6 nites a week. And keep the w/os to about an hour. I think my rep range day for back and calfs may go 1h 15m, but all the other w/os are under 1h. I was getting kind of bored until I did 2 things. One was I started P/RR/S, and altered it to RR/P/RR/S. I even changed up the RR weeks so I am doing the same exercises, but in a different order. This keeps the weeks from being boring. I also, got a power rack, which allowed for more variation in some lifts as I can go heavier without safety being an issue (I wo alone).

Like others have mentioned, I do not like wo with people, that just does not motivate me. People just slow down my wo as I have to wait for equip or hunt it down or listen to the crappy music. As intense as my w/os are, it is peaceful and my time to reflect on the day (which is one of the reasons I w/o at nite after dinner). I end my day with a good w/o, listening to music I want to listen to at my pace, and no waiting for equipment. Oh yea, and if I just want to leave the weights laying around I can.