Equipment

[Aiden Bloodaxe]

I'm on the lookout for training equipment to compile my own home gym(& to save money in the long run).

I'm after:


Squat rack
Power rack - Preferable because it's more versatile
Standard power bar
Lots o' weights
& possibly a bench


I haven't got a specific budget ,but I'm looking for 'cheap - decent' prices for the quality of equipment,whatever it may be.

I've been searching thoroughly every now & then for a while & so far I've had no luck. Anybody who knows any good places that are offering bargains; links etc. would be appreciated. I live in the UK,so UK biased searches would be preferable.

Just post here if you find anything. Thanks.

[del]

http://www.powerhouse-fitness.co.uk/bodymax-standard-power-rack.php

this looks ok, just stumbled on it a sec ago

[anfeyd]

Craigslist is your best friend for weights. Are you going to buy the B&R bar? Check Clist for the rack but you may have to resort to buying it in a store.

[Pale Nimbus]

Craigslist is your best friend for weights. Are you going to buy the B&R bar? Check Clist for the rack but you may have to resort to buying it in a store.

Absolutely. On Craigslist, I searched daily using certain key words, such as "squat rack", "power rack", "weights", "weight set", "barbell", and it led me to some good deals. Make sure to use all sorts of generic search terms in addition to more the more accurate terms that are familiar to experienced lifters. Many people don't use terms like "power rack" or "olympic barbell" when placing ads, but they will use generic phrases like "weight stand" (which is the entry that led to me finding a power rack for $100.00) or "weight set" (led to me finding a Cap Olympic barbell, an EZ Curl Bar, a tree stand [for storing the plates], and 300 lbs of plates for $90 freaking dollars).

Good luck hunting for equipment Mr. Bloodaxe :smile:

[Aiden Bloodaxe]

http://www.powerhouse-fitness.co.uk/bodymax-standard-power-rack.php

this looks ok, just stumbled on it a sec agoHm,thanks. Do you happen to know it's yield strength? I couldn't see it anywhere on that page.

Craigslist is your best friend for weights. Are you going to buy the B&R bar? Check Clist for the rack but you may have to resort to buying it in a store.I was certainly considering the B&R bar.:tongue:Thanks,this craigslist looks okay,although,as you can imagine;there's a lot less equipment I'm looking for in my country.

Absolutely. On Craigslist, I searched daily using certain key words, such as "squat rack", "power rack", "weights", "weight set", "barbell", and it led me to some good deals. Make sure to use all sorts of generic search terms in addition to more the more accurate terms that are familiar to experienced lifters. Many people don't use terms like "power rack" or "olympic barbell" when placing ads, but they will use generic phrases like "weight stand" (which is the entry that led to me finding a power rack for $100.00) or "weight set" (led to me finding a Cap Olympic barbell, an EZ Curl Bar, a tree stand [for storing the plates], and 300 lbs of plates for $90 freaking dollars).

Good luck hunting for equipment Mr. Bloodaxe :smile:Thanks for the tips!:smile:

[del]

i use clist now and again n theres not a lot on there, when there is they get taken snapped up fast.

as for the yield strength on the bodymax power rack, im not too sure. tho if u are interested u can get them to call you about it haha

[The Laughing Man]

Getting good bars especially cost's a fuckload, if you get good stuff, it will take you years and years to make the money back by not joining a gym. I was training with cheap shit equipment at home for a while, then when I needed to upgrade my stuff, I checked what good equipment actually costs, and decided to f*** it!

I train in a gym with accurate weight plates, a good bench and rack(we are the only ones who use them hah), and our club has purchased two $500 bars which we leave at the gym. Works out pretty good this way, plus access to all the other equipment that would not be worth putting in a home gym, and getting free coaching from somebody who benches 175kg raw, and training 4 times a week with somebody who squats 230-240kg raw, I would be 10x weaker had I continued with the home gym route.

But hey a good home gym, with quality bars, plates and racks, and good training partners could work well, but I like having access to additional equipment, plus I like training in a gym.

Just something to consider...

[Aiden Bloodaxe]

Yeah,the reason I'm considering a home gym is because:

I no longer have frequent training partner(s). I don't mind training on my own at all,but it's always good training with a partner;one of the reasons why I paid to join a gym.

The gym only has one squat rack & my workouts are usually based around it(SS) & although I'm one of the very few that use it,if it's ever in use whilst I'm there;I have to wait around for ages.

The bench press uprights are too short for me & I'M FIVE FOOT FIVE! I have to unlock my elbows & search for the hooks otherwise the bar goes right over the top & I drop it on the floor. No,the uprights aren't adjustable.

I have a lot of school work & walking to the gym,working out & walking back wastes precious time.

Gym membership is quite expensive -- £36 a month for the limited facilities; I only use the squat rack & bench of which there is only one of each.

The gym doesn't allow chalk.

Workers complain when weights are dropped.

blah blah

This gym is the 'best' in my whole town so...Searching for another gym is pretty much out of question for now.

So a home gym would be a lot more convenient & potentially cheaper. I have a whole garage free for the equipment. I'll be living where I am now for at least two years so in terms of gym membership that'd be £36 x 24 = £864; It'd be great if I could create a home gym for around that much.