Buying some home equipment

[ghost recon88]

I'd like to start working out 3-4x a week at home. I've got enough room in my basement gym to fit 3 decent sized machines (in addition to free weights and dumbbells). Assuming I do my running outside, and not on a machine, what 3 machines would you guys recommend that could be used (in multiple ways) to give the most complete workout? I'm assuming at least one should be a bench/squat combo like this? http://www.fitnessdestination.com/power_racks/df820ls.php

 

[z1ggy]

I can't click on many links here at work, but in general I would suggest you get 3 or 4 main things:

1) Rack - for squats mainly, but also good for barbell movements like bench press, overhead press, rack pulls

2) Adjustable bench - allows you to work muscles in different angles

3) Some type of combination structure to allow you to do dips & pull ups

I think it goes without saying you will obviously need a barbell & plates, or a good set of dumbbells. Powerblocks are very useful, but extremely pricey unless you find a good used set. Free weight is expensive also, but you're much more likely to find used sets online. Don't forget some clamps if you end up going the barbell route.

 

[deadlyapp]

One thing I'll say is that any sort of resistance machines are going to be ungodly expensive, and although you might be able to find an equipment liquidator to get a discount, it still will preclude getting much.

I'll echo what ziggy is mentioning and will add my comments:

1. Freestanding rack with multiple attachment points. Look at Rogue, Again Faster, etc for what I mean. You'll have attachment ability for dips, pullups, bench movements, bar movements, and lots more. This will be the most versatile start you can get.

2. Decent multi-position bench. This will give you incline, decline, flat bench pressing; fixed shoulder press, and much more.

3. Spend the rest of your money on a good multi-use bar (not a power bar), plates (I prefer bumpers), and flooring (high quality rubber mats with good thickness and deadening).

I'd skip some of the more expensive and space absorbing things like dumbells, individual curl bars, etc. Most of the iso movements that you can do with those you can get just as good from body weight (eg pull-ups, chin ups, etc). If you like doing more circuit style training or want to mix it in, then maybe 1-2 heavy kettlebells, battle rope, medicine ball, etc are options.

 

[blackdogdeek]

1. power rack with pullup bar ($170 http://detroit.craigslist.org/okl/spo/5520294920.html)
2. olympic barbell
3. olympic plates (preferably bumper plates)

2+3 together for $175 http://detroit.craigslist.org/okl/spo/5527326764.html

EDIT: I took the liberty of finding some of these items on craigslist in the Detroit area after noticing you're from Michigan.

 

[deadlyapp]

1. power rack with pullup bar ($170 http://detroit.craigslist.org/okl/spo/5520294920.html)
2. olympic barbell
3. olympic plates (preferably bumper plates)

2+3 together for $175 http://detroit.craigslist.org/okl/spo/5527326764.html

EDIT: I took the liberty of finding some of these items on craigslist in the Detroit area after noticing you're from Michigan.

For the love of god be careful about comparisons when only using names. If you look at an "Olympic" bar then it typically should mean an olympic lifting bar which should have high tensile strength, good spin on the bushings or bearings, etc. From the pictures you can tell that is probably a power bar, which is fine, but not ideal for any oly movements. If all you do is squat, bench press, shoulder press, then you're probably fine with a power bar and iron plates. If you want to do any oly lifting: cleans, snatch, etc then spend the coin and get a good bar and bumpers.

 

[moonbogg]

A leg press would be nice as well as dedicated pull up/dip station. I have no desire for any other machines though.

 

[SP33Demon]

Rack (pref rogue + matador extension for dips + rings for chins), adj bench (do not skimp - rogue/hoist/sorinex/hammer strength with 1000lb capacity), dumbbells (I prefer adj ironmasters up to 120lbs), oly bar (rogue or ivanko or even rep fitness if you want cheaper but still good), Glute Ham Raise (or 45deg hyper machine), nautilus machine w/ double cables, and seated row machine. Maybe a lat pulldown machine as well and leg press machine. This is my wish list, I have everything but the rack and machines now.

 

[blackdogdeek]

For the love of god be careful about comparisons when only using names. If you look at an "Olympic" bar then it typically should mean an olympic lifting bar which should have high tensile strength, good spin on the bushings or bearings, etc. From the pictures you can tell that is probably a power bar, which is fine, but not ideal for any oly movements. If all you do is squat, bench press, shoulder press, then you're probably fine with a power bar and iron plates. If you want to do any oly lifting: cleans, snatch, etc then spend the coin and get a good bar and bumpers.

Yeah, I was figuring OP would do one of the starting programs like SS or SL5x5 which typically don't have any of the oly lifts (except possibly power cleans) and therefore would be fine with a power bar.

 

[SlitheryDee]

I don't think you really need any machines. My list of required items for a home gym would be:

Sturdy bench that can be inclined/declined. The main concern here is stability and durability. (I've got this one and it's quite good)

Rack that can be used for presses and squats. Can be one rack for both or one rack for each. Doesn't really matter so long as it serves the purpose. Obviously a full power rack is preferable because it has a multitude of uses beyond those two, but whatever works for you is good.

Dumbells of some kind. Can be the select-tech kind or just handles and plates. Having a couple sets of the handles is useful so you don't have to swap weights so much if you go the handles and plates route. I have one set that I use for heavy (80+ lbs) and one that I use for light (25-40 lbs) loads.

Olympic bar and weights. You want this because it's what you'll be using the most, and it's scalable essentially to whatever level of strength you'll achieve just by buying more plates. You can work every body part adequately with just the olympic bar

I believe you can do fine with nothing but that, but one other thing I might add is a pullup bar of some kind. Pullups are a great exercise and I should really start doing them again, however I like my results just fine without them too, which is why I put this one under the "optional" category.

I don't think I would recommend any machines though. I used to go to a gym and spend a ton of time on various cable/smith-type machines in addition to some free weight work. I got into good shape then, but not like I am now with nothing but free weights. Considering how much better my results have been over the past year with nothing but free weights and spending less than half the time per workout than I used to, I have to think that I was wasting my time with all that machine work. Now I think I was essentially just wearing myself out for little or no benefit. Stick with the free weights and make sure the weight you're lifting is increasing every workout if you can. That's all there is to the exercise end of it IMO.

 

[deadlyapp]

For anyone who's still monitoring this thread, there's a pretty good entry level power rack for sale on woot today for $285 shipped. Round it out with a bench, bar, and some plates for a few hundred more and you'd have a darn good start.

 

[gar655]

Get a Concept 2 rower or skierg for some extra cardio and for doing some high intensity style workouts.