Home Gym

[birdman86]

I could have sworn there was a thread on here somewhere about home gyms but can't find it...

I need to get my lardy ass back in shape, and since my excuse is always "I don't want to comb my hair and drive 20 minutes to the gym" I thought maybe I should set something up in the basement. I'm thinking a squat rack, adjustable bench, olympic bar, bunch of plates, gym matting and a smith machine attachment. That should all be enough to do a 5x5 type routine.

Any advice where to buy this stuff and what brands to look for/avoid? How much should I be prepared to spend for something like this?

Hows this look for value? https://flamanfitness.com/products/progression-280-smith-machine

[JfuckinC]

why a smith machine? i got a $250 squat rack and then got the pull down attachment for it off amazon and its been great.

Sunny health and fitness power zone squat stand is what i got. Bumper plates off kijiji too.

[Neil4Speed]

why a smith machine? i got a $250 squat rack and then got the pull down attachment for it off amazon and its been great.

Sunny health and fitness power zone squat stand is what i got. Bumper plates off kijiji too.

While I don't have one, smith machine is nice to have if you really want to push yourself on lifts without a spot. Depends on how you want to work out.

I really like having an all in one machine too... I have a cheap Costco Marcy which I don't love, but is good enough for the price (<$500).

[birdman86]

Smith attachment....I could be wrong but figured its a good supplement to free squats. Ie do squats to failure with emphasis on form, then use the smith machine to push muscles just that little bit further

[pheoxs]

How much space do you have? Mine's in a converted bedroom so my main regret is getting an actual squat rack rather than paying a bit more and getting a fold-out one that mounts to the wall instead. Would've saved me a fair bit of space.

Also if they are still there Costco has good rubber floor mats for a reasonable cost.

[max_boost]

yea probably a half cage will do or who knows give it a few months and stuff will pop up on kijiji for cheap lol

[brucebanner]

There's a Calgary location, good quality stuff.

https://www.bellsofsteel.com/calgary-fitness-equipment/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=bus-profile

[LilDrunkenSmurf]

> Any advice where to buy this stuff and what brands to look for/avoid?

Avoid smith machines.

Bells of Steel and Strongarm sports, locally.
I use fitness depot for cheapo rubber coated weights.

[bjstare]

It depends what your goals are, but there are other alternatives as well. I had this few years ago, and it was really good (for core/functional type exercises). Would not be great if you're just looking to get jacked.

https://shop.lifefitness.com/products/g7-home-gym


> Any advice where to buy this stuff and what brands to look for/avoid?

Avoid smith machines.

Bells of Steel and Strongarm sports, locally.
I use fitness depot for cheapo rubber coated weights.

Why are you posting in white? haha. But also yes, +1 on avoid smith machines, regardless of your goals.

[birdman86]

Point accepted, no smith machine for me

Seems like I can get a full rack with all the essentials (lever arms, land mine, bar, bench, pullup bar, etc) for ~$2K, and a starter plate set maybe $300 at planet fitness. Doesn't seem too crazy.

[LilDrunkenSmurf]

It depends what your goals are, but there are other alternatives as well. I had this few years ago, and it was really good (for core/functional type exercises). Would not be great if you're just looking to get jacked.

https://shop.lifefitness.com/products/g7-home-gym



Why are you posting in white? haha. But also yes, +1 on avoid smith machines, regardless of your goals.

I use dark mode, and it changes everyone's font to white. I guess when I copy/pasted it carried over.

[birdman86]

Holy shit there's a dark mode

[JRSC00LUDE]

Why don't you just wear a hat to end the hair combing dilemma and go establish good work habits for 6 months before you buy a bunch of drying racks for your laundry? You can listen to Joey Swoll on the drive to get all amped up.

[Kjonus]

Already lots of deals to be had on Kijiji/Marketplace depending on what you want. Also X-Rival Fitness is going out of business so that might be another place to check out. I got myself a Bodycraft RFT Pro Rack Functional Trainer https://www.bodycraft.com/product/rft-pro-rack-functional-trainer/ (I have the previous version). Depending on space and budget it's the way to go IMO.

[BavarianBeast]

Make sure to get a shake weight and one of those machines that vibrates when you stand on it. You can shake weight and vibrate at the same time. Man the pump is unreal. My forearms are like popeye

[dirtsniffer]

https://www.costco.ca/inspire-fitness-136-kg-300-lb.-rubber-olympic-weight-set.product.100774177.html

Good deal on a set for dead lifts
300lb for $500

[cycosis]

Got my new gym setup. Very happy with it so far. When I moved this summer, I got rid of my commercial Bells of Steel rack and bought the Ironax XPX rack. I didnt realize how little head clearance there was under the name plate and I kept scraping my forehead while racking from squats. So I had to cut my losses and dump it.

I found a chinese brand, Major Fitness. Yea its slightly less thick steel but once built it all holds together well. Ive got the added benefit of two plate loaded cable towers now for cable exercises which I was missing with the Ironax rack.

I have a very tight space. 8x12 feet. Only things left are wall mounted plate storage and a bit more decor. Really happy how the space is turning out.


https://i.imgur.com/zGP4lvE.jpg?1


https://i.imgur.com/wNG4ALs.jpg

[holden]

What is your ceiling height and when doing pull-ups/chin-ups is there enough room to lift your head above the bar?

[Brent.ff]

OP how's the 5x5 going? I started up around the same time in the new year and have actually stuck it out.. cool to see gains every week (havent maxed anything yet)

[cycosis]

What is your ceiling height and when doing pull-ups/chin-ups is there enough room to lift your head above the bar?

lol unfortunately no. 8’ ceiling and I’m 6’5”. No standing OHP for me either.

[vengie]

Sold our adjustable 5-52.5lb dumbbell and picked up a set of rubber hex 5-80lbs.
Current status of the gym.

118337

[ExtraSlow]

Two babies enter, only one leaves.
118338