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Startup Home Gym Equipment

What equipment would we recommend for someone starting a home gym

ToddHFE
ToddHFE g Todd Burgess
8 Post(s)
8 Post(s) Gender: Male Goal: Lose Fat Date Joined: December 12, 1969
Posted

We get this question a lot and what we always recommend is:

1) a set of dumbbells, whether you go with adjustable or some pairs around the weight that you would be using. 

2) a good bench, Flat/Incline/Decline will give you the most flexibility

3) a mat for floor exercises

These will give you a ton of choices when it comes to mixing up exercises and we will add on to this including some items that Scott recommends as packages on our site.  If you have any questions or comments would love to read them. 

 

www.HomeFitnessEquipment.org

Workout Equipment Expert from HomeFitnessEquipment.org - If I don't know the answer to your question, I will find it for you!
kroty3003
kroty3003 g Anthony Aukett
95 Post(s)
95 Post(s) Gender: Male Goal: Bodybuilding Date Joined: October 10, 2013
Posted

I gym at home . been doing it for 3 months , only started 3 months ago , i have a bench incline decline . 2 longbars , one set up for when i do barbell bench and squat, one for bicep curls deadlifts etc , 2 sets of d/b bars , iow 4 off , and 180kg (400lbs) wheights ranging from 30kg to 1kg , monst of it was part of a trojan powercage i baught second hand for R2500 .  . ($250) the 2 30kg wheights i just made myself with offcut material at work , since im a machinist , and ive only found on exersize i wasnt able 2 do that would have required a actual gym . so basicly for $300 dont know what stuff cost there , (im from South afrika) u can get set up damn well for pretty cheap . always buy stuff 2nd hand , lots of ppl buy stuff and dont go through , so theres always bargains on the intenet.

 

With my simple cheap equipment ive made great gains in the past 3 months with specially with these forums and especially lately since learning about Time Under Tention. 

 

BTW . Thanx to everyone and anyone that spoke about TUT

Anthony thanx for the great site Scott.
kroty3003
kroty3003 g Anthony Aukett
95 Post(s)
95 Post(s) Gender: Male Goal: Bodybuilding Date Joined: October 10, 2013
Posted

sorry , stupid type . just one exersize that i havent been able to pull off at home

Anthony thanx for the great site Scott.
ToddHFE
ToddHFE g Todd Burgess
8 Post(s)
8 Post(s) Gender: Male Goal: Lose Fat Date Joined: December 12, 1969
Posted

No problem, thanks for the reply and glad you were able to put together a home gym the way you were.  We offer new equipment from excellent manufacturers for those that can't build it themselves and don't trust used equipment from someone that they don't know and won't warranty it if something happens.  Keep up the hard work!

Workout Equipment Expert from HomeFitnessEquipment.org - If I don't know the answer to your question, I will find it for you!
Scott_Herman
Scott_Herman a Scott Herman
7.1K Post(s)
7.1K Post(s) Gender: Male Goal: Bodybuilding Date Joined: August 8, 2008
Posted
Posted By: kroty3003

I gym at home . been doing it for 3 months , only started 3 months ago , i have a bench incline decline . 2 longbars , one set up for when i do barbell bench and squat, one for bicep curls deadlifts etc , 2 sets of d/b bars , iow 4 off , and 180kg (400lbs) wheights ranging from 30kg to 1kg , monst of it was part of a trojan powercage i baught second hand for R2500 .  . ($250) the 2 30kg wheights i just made myself with offcut material at work , since im a machinist , and ive only found on exersize i wasnt able 2 do that would have required a actual gym . so basicly for $300 dont know what stuff cost there , (im from South afrika) u can get set up damn well for pretty cheap . always buy stuff 2nd hand , lots of ppl buy stuff and dont go through , so theres always bargains on the intenet.

 

With my simple cheap equipment ive made great gains in the past 3 months with specially with these forums and especially lately since learning about Time Under Tention. 

 

BTW . Thanx to everyone and anyone that spoke about TUT

Happy to hear that man.  Nothing like being able to build your own stuff!  But for those who can't Todd has a lot of great gym equipment to choose from on his website www.HomeFitnessEquipment.org

 

and yeah TUT is the best thing when it comes to making muscle gains.  It takes your workout to a whole new level.  It is all about VOLUME! #HTH

Need 1 on 1 coaching? Send me a direct message to learn more!
ohawkey
ohawkey g Robert Fong
445 Post(s)
445 Post(s) Gender: Male Goal: Gain Muscle Date Joined: October 10, 2013
Posted

Why do different types of dumbbells feel lighter? Shouldn't a 20 pound feel 20 pounds no matter what? 

ToddHFE
ToddHFE g Todd Burgess
8 Post(s)
8 Post(s) Gender: Male Goal: Lose Fat Date Joined: December 12, 1969
Posted

If the dumbbells are from reputable manufacturers like Body Solid, York, Troy, XMark, Valor, etc, the dumbbells should be within an ounce or two of each other.  The shape of the handles may make the weight feel more comfortable in your hand and thus may feel like it is 'lighter'.  Thanks

Workout Equipment Expert from HomeFitnessEquipment.org - If I don't know the answer to your question, I will find it for you!
kroty3003
kroty3003 g Anthony Aukett
95 Post(s)
95 Post(s) Gender: Male Goal: Bodybuilding Date Joined: October 10, 2013
Posted

In my oppinion , espessially since your training at home this shouldnt be a issue . you could put them on a scale and check if you needed to, but at the end of the day the number on the weight doesnt matter , all that matters is what u push , wheather it be 20 or 22.5lbs . as long as your pushing yourself to the limit and incrimentaly increasing your limits , then the numbers are just numbers . 

 

if it does happen than some of your 20's feel heavier than others , make note of which you use for any paritucal exersize and make sure you use the same ones the next time,

 

and once you start lifting and it feels to light . dont stop your rep , thats wasted time , simply slow down get more tension on your muclse , burn than sucker , and complete your set, after your set simply add more.

Anthony thanx for the great site Scott.
Scott_Herman
Scott_Herman a Scott Herman
7.1K Post(s)
7.1K Post(s) Gender: Male Goal: Bodybuilding Date Joined: August 8, 2008
Posted
Posted By: ohawkey

Why do different types of dumbbells feel lighter? Shouldn't a 20 pound feel 20 pounds no matter what? 

Yeah I hear you.  I always felt like the old school dumbbells made out of actual metal "plates" were WAY heavier than what my gym has now.

I have the YORK dumbbells from HomeFitnessEquipment.org in my studio and like Todd said, the handles can make a difference too.  I like the YORK dumbbells because th handles are a bit bigger and tapered on the ends.  I can fit my Iron Bul Strength grips on them quite easily as well.

Well said too kroty3003, just push through the reps!!! #HTH

 

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ohawkey
ohawkey g Robert Fong
445 Post(s)
445 Post(s) Gender: Male Goal: Gain Muscle Date Joined: October 10, 2013
Posted
Posted By: Scott_Herman

Yeah I hear you.  I always felt like the old school dumbbells made out of actual metal "plates" were WAY heavier than what my gym has now.

I have the YORK dumbbells from HomeFitnessEquipment.org in my studio and like Todd said, the handles can make a difference too.  I like the YORK dumbbells because th handles are a bit bigger and tapered on the ends.  I can fit my Iron Bul Strength grips on them quite easily as well.

Well said too kroty3003, just push through the reps!!! #HTH

 

yeaah. those colored rubber ones feel the lightest. it weird because i've put different types of dumbbells on a scale and they all read the same weight. i guess its just the handles like you said. 

Scott_Herman
Scott_Herman a Scott Herman
7.1K Post(s)
7.1K Post(s) Gender: Male Goal: Bodybuilding Date Joined: August 8, 2008
Posted
Posted By: ohawkey

yeaah. those colored rubber ones feel the lightest. it weird because i've put different types of dumbbells on a scale and they all read the same weight. i guess its just the handles like you said. 

yeah, that is why I use those IRON BULL GRIPS.  When you make the handle thicker... the weights feel MUCH heavier :)

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ToddHFE
ToddHFE g Todd Burgess
8 Post(s)
8 Post(s) Gender: Male Goal: Lose Fat Date Joined: December 12, 1969
Posted

Thanks for the input everyone! 

Workout Equipment Expert from HomeFitnessEquipment.org - If I don't know the answer to your question, I will find it for you!
adampugsley
adampugsley g adam pugsley
5 Post(s)
5 Post(s) Gender: Male Goal: Gain Muscle Date Joined: July 7, 2013
Posted

recently setup my own little garage gym with a few of my friends starting into weight training.. we recently set it all up for under 500 pounds. 7 foot black oxide barbell £120 a decent power rack on ebay another 100. some bumper plates 50kgs worth for 150 pound from again faster. and also a handful of dumbells and an olympic ez bar. enjoy workin gout in the garage alot mroe even though theres less equipment i find that you focus and concentrate more with the less equipment you do have since theres a plethora of barbell workouts. :)

 

ToddHFE
ToddHFE g Todd Burgess
8 Post(s)
8 Post(s) Gender: Male Goal: Lose Fat Date Joined: December 12, 1969
Posted

Hey Adam,

Sorry, have not been keeping up here on the forum. Sounds like a great little gym that you put together in your garage. Working out at home can be great for many people. Less time travelling so more time for workouts and no distractions! Keep it up!

Thanks,

Todd

Workout Equipment Expert from HomeFitnessEquipment.org - If I don't know the answer to your question, I will find it for you!
Scott_Herman
Scott_Herman a Scott Herman
7.1K Post(s)
7.1K Post(s) Gender: Male Goal: Bodybuilding Date Joined: August 8, 2008
Posted
Posted By: adampugsley

recently setup my own little garage gym with a few of my friends starting into weight training.. we recently set it all up for under 500 pounds. 7 foot black oxide barbell £120 a decent power rack on ebay another 100. some bumper plates 50kgs worth for 150 pound from again faster. and also a handful of dumbells and an olympic ez bar. enjoy workin gout in the garage alot mroe even though theres less equipment i find that you focus and concentrate more with the less equipment you do have since theres a plethora of barbell workouts. :)

 

Looks like you have a nice set-up in deed! how has the training been going? #HTH

Need 1 on 1 coaching? Send me a direct message to learn more!
muscular strength
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