home workout equipment

emmaleeannL

Hi there! I'm ready to start lifting, but the gym is no place for me. I will invest in the weights, but I am a weak newb, so I am wondering if the major equipment like the squat and power racks are necessary for me any time soon? Could some other home lifters share their thoughts on must-have equipment? Also, which size plates should I start with (i.e. 2x 1.25kg, 2x2.5kg etc.).

Thanks!

Llamapants86

You will probably need a squat rack or the like pretty quick. Your squats will get to a point where it isn't safe to clean and press the bar over your head pretty quickly. I would start with getting 2x 1.25kg and 2x2.5kg plates maybe even 4 of those. A couple of 5kg ones wouldn't hurt either.

Autumnfilly2005

I workout at home. The basic stuff I use is a barbell, weight bench and squat/bench rack. I lift super light (my bar is only 12lbs, and I only go up 2.5lbs a week). Even though I do light weights, having the squat rack, which doubles as a bench press for me as well, makes things so much easier. As for weights, I started out with 2x1.25lbs, 2x2.5lbs, 2x5lbs, and 2x10lbs. That's a total of 37.5lbs of plate weight, and just to make it an even number I got another 2x1.25lbs, to make it 40lbs (52lbs with the bar). If you follow the SL program strictly, you'll exceed that amount of weights quickly. Since I start light and add slowly, that will last me a while.

indianarose2

I started with Dumbbells just because that's what I had. Once I maxed out on those I bought a 300# weight set and 1/2 power rack at Dick's (sporting goods store). Before that purchase I combed the classifieds and such to no avail but I know others have had luck going that route. I've had my set less than a month and for example the highest plate size I'm currently using is 25# but that will change soon. I have the 45# bar that came with the weight set. You can check out the introductory sticky threads in this group for more info. Good luck and have fun!

craftymommy

I workout at home. Most of it are different pieces bought off Craigslist and a couple things (45# bar and a mat to cushion the weights when they hit the ground - my neighbor was complaining about the noise) from a store that had just professional lifting equipment. For now I have squat rack, bench, 45# bar - for plates I have 2x2.5#, 4x5#, 4x10#, 2x25#, 2x45#. It works for me, and I do like the convenience of working out at home.

indianarose2

Hi craftymommy! I love it too! Wait a minute...your neighbor actually complained?! ...

emmaleeannL

Thanks for the tips everyone! I ordered 4x .5kg, 4x 1.25, 4x 2.5 and 2x 5 and a bench. I'll see how I get on. I did find a decent power rack for €350 but I will wait until I get to that point. 39 years and sedentary so it might be a while.

DawnEmbers

Honestly, I've used the rack from the very start. My clean is definitely weaker than some of the lifts we do in stronglifts. I am considering a gym change but wouldn't want to go to one without a rack, stand, cage, something (other than a smith machine) because of how useful it is. Plus, it helps for safety on the chance I reach fail on squats/etc. I haven't failed yet but it took just a couple months for me to squat over 100 and right now, months after that, I struggle to clean 70. OHP I'm still working in the 60/65 range, so could clean the bar if necessary but not a fan. I like starting that lift with bar close to position instead of using some of the effort needed to get it up there in order to do the lit.

At home gym seems nice though. *dreams*

craftymommy

indianarose2 wrote: »

Hi craftymommy! I love it too! Wait a minute...your neighbor actually complained?! ...

Hi indianarose! Yes, I live in a townhouse complex. She lives two houses down. To be fair, I have a mix of iron and rubber coated plates and they can get a little noisy. However, I do think she was being a bit of a drama queen when she said it made her think there was an earthquake - I'm not strong enough to lift that much (yet )! Just to be neighborly so I don't start some sort of weird weight lifting war I got the mat. No biggie. I can say I tried. So far so good.

indianarose2

craftymommy wrote: »

indianarose2 wrote: »

Hi craftymommy! I love it too! Wait a minute...your neighbor actually complained?! ...

Hi indianarose! Yes, I live in a townhouse complex. She lives two houses down. To be fair, I have a mix of iron and rubber coated plates and they can get a little noisy. However, I do think she was being a bit of a drama queen when she said it made her think there was an earthquake - I'm not strong enough to lift that much (yet )! Just to be neighborly so I don't start some sort of weird weight lifting war I got the mat. No biggie. I can say I tried. So far so good.

Yes. Good plan! I'm just feeling snarky lately.

lazieats

I'm figuring out what I absolutely need to start at home and what I can add on as needed. Very complicated. I really wish I could just head to a gym, but I have only two slimy gyms near me (a lot of credit card fraud and shiny salesmen with 70-inch biceps who really want you to sign up, and will add in their phone number just for you). There is a great gym, just for ladies, but its further away and doesn't have a good weight room (very few free weights) since they need to cater to their cardio-loving clientele. So I'm stuck at home scouring ebay and craigslist.
I'm really glad this thread is here and wanted to thank everyone who contributed to it. It's helped me figure things out a bit better.

canadianlbs

lazieats wrote: »

I really wish I could just head to a gym,

oh god that sounds so awful. home gym is a much better option at least until you can shame them by curling twice what they curl while hogging the rack.