Buying used weightbench, weights, bar-advice? Beginner here trying to lift heavy
Kirstie155
Posts: 1,001 Member
Hi there-
I started Stronglifts 5x5 last week using an old weight bench that was found in my mother in laws basement. I quickly discovered that it is much too small for me, and I'm sure wont hold the amount of weight that I need it to.
I am now in the market for new equipment, and have started looking on Craigslist, Freecycle, ect for used equipment. As a beginner I am not sure what to look for here. I don't want to waste money by buying something I will quickly outgrow or is poor quality junk. I have found a weight bench in my area, but don't know the weight limit, though it looks super beefy with good supports.
Looking for a bench, bar, free weights and squat rack. This seems to be all I need for 5x5-any advice for a beginner looking to get started buying used equipment for a home gym?
I started Stronglifts 5x5 last week using an old weight bench that was found in my mother in laws basement. I quickly discovered that it is much too small for me, and I'm sure wont hold the amount of weight that I need it to.
I am now in the market for new equipment, and have started looking on Craigslist, Freecycle, ect for used equipment. As a beginner I am not sure what to look for here. I don't want to waste money by buying something I will quickly outgrow or is poor quality junk. I have found a weight bench in my area, but don't know the weight limit, though it looks super beefy with good supports.
Looking for a bench, bar, free weights and squat rack. This seems to be all I need for 5x5-any advice for a beginner looking to get started buying used equipment for a home gym?
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Replies
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Is a home gym absolutely necessary? I mean, if it is, it is. But gyms are awesome.
I used to have one of these in my basement. If you'd rather spend your money on a home gym, this kind of thing does the trick. Mine was a different brand and came with a bench and lat pulldown (I want to say it was a Nautilis, but I could be wrong). Shop around.
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My best advice would be don't end up overpaying. Most ads are overpriced. I saw the majority of used weight sets going for around the same price I could get them new from a store. You can get a NEW 300lb weight set (this includes the bar) for $200 or less (when it goes on sale or there's a good coupon) at Dick's, Sears, Sports Authority, etc. I'd say $.25-$0.50/lb is the range for used weight plates. The lower the better but definitely no higher.
Make sure to regularly check for new ads throughout the day. Good deals pop up at random, but they get bought up right away.
Also check the free section regularly. Mostly junk, but occasionally you can scoop up a great piece of equipment for free.
Oh and if you end up finding a good deal on something, find out what else the person is willing to sell when you get there to pick it up. Chances are if they sold you one piece of equipment at a good price, they have more stuff they will let go cheap as well.0 -
If you're really not familiar with weight equipment I would take a friend that is with you when you go shopping. If you don't have anyone, go in a couple commercial gyms for a tour and note the quality of the equipment. You won't need that level for most home gyms but you will get a better idea what good quality is.0
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I would check online to see if you can find the same piece of equipment. You can often find the owner's manuals online and that should tell you the weight it can handle. Or ask the seller how much weight the bench came with. Even if the weights aren't for sale, you would know it could handle at least X amount of weight that way.
Also, mention to friends or family that you are looking for used equipment. I mentioned at work that I wanted to get a bench and a coworker told me that her son was trying to get rid of his. I ended up getting a simple bench with a starter set of weights, delivered, for $25. Then I found my squat stands on CL for $50. Keep watching because you can find really good deals, especially from people who are trying to clear out stuff that their adult kids left behind when they moved out.0 -
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colors_fade wrote: »Is a home gym absolutely necessary? I mean, if it is, it is. But gyms are awesome. I used to have one of these in my basement. If you'd rather spend your money on a home gym, this kind of thing does the trick. Mine was a different brand and came with a bench and lat pulldown (I want to say it was a Nautilis, but I could be wrong). Shop around.
Thanks for the feedback guys. I am really not interested in joining a gym, they just aren't for me-never been a fan. If I dont have to leave my house to workout-awesome.
I have been doing loads of research on weightlifting programs and am learning a lot, but there just didn't seem to be much info on how to tell if you are getting quality used equipment. I am not looking to spend hundreds on the equipment (hence finding used) since I am still a newb and want to make sure I stick with this long term before making a huge investment.rainbowbow wrote: »
This is EPIC--wow!!My best advice would be don't end up overpaying. Most ads are overpriced. I saw the majority of used weight sets going for around the same price I could get them new from a store. You can get a NEW 300lb weight set (this includes the bar) for $200 or less (when it goes on sale or there's a good coupon) at Dick's, Sears, Sports Authority, etc. I'd say $.25-$0.50/lb is the range for used weight plates. The lower the better but definitely no higher.
Oh and if you end up finding a good deal on something, find out what else the person is willing to sell when you get there to pick it up. Chances are if they sold you one piece of equipment at a good price, they have more stuff they will let go cheap as well.
Great advice here, thanks. I did find a local selling a weight bench and asked them about any weights or bars they might be interested in selling too- it's a Weider brand and the online opinion of this brand seems to be pretty low, but to me this thing looks super beefy with good supports--do I just not know what I'm looking for? At $25 it would be a great deal if its strong enough, but if its cheap and will break I don't want to waste my cash or hurt myself on poor quality stuff that will fail on me.
Thoughts on this particular weight bench? I dont know the model and am working on getting more info from the seller and will obviously check it out in person.
Thanks for all of your insight everyone!
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rainbowbow wrote: »
Interesting. All that work and money just to lose your garage space? Ugh.
There's probably $20k+ in gear in there but $50 speakers? DOUBLE UGH0 -
check out Rogue.com. you wont like the prices but you will never out grow the equipment0
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DONT BUY PLASTIC WEIGHTS!
and make sure you get at least one pair of 20 or 25kg plates.0 -
Damn, I'm not even weight training yet, and am drooling over thatrainbowbow wrote: »0 -
rainbowbow wrote: »
Interesting. All that work and money just to lose your garage space? Ugh.
There's probably $20k+ in gear in there but $50 speakers? DOUBLE UGH
YeahKirstie155 wrote: »colors_fade wrote: »Is a home gym absolutely necessary? I mean, if it is, it is. But gyms are awesome. I used to have one of these in my basement. If you'd rather spend your money on a home gym, this kind of thing does the trick. Mine was a different brand and came with a bench and lat pulldown (I want to say it was a Nautilis, but I could be wrong). Shop around.
Thanks for the feedback guys. I am really not interested in joining a gym, they just aren't for me-never been a fan. If I dont have to leave my house to workout-awesome.
I have been doing loads of research on weightlifting programs and am learning a lot, but there just didn't seem to be much info on how to tell if you are getting quality used equipment. I am not looking to spend hundreds on the equipment (hence finding used) since I am still a newb and want to make sure I stick with this long term before making a huge investment.rainbowbow wrote: »
This is EPIC--wow!!My best advice would be don't end up overpaying. Most ads are overpriced. I saw the majority of used weight sets going for around the same price I could get them new from a store. You can get a NEW 300lb weight set (this includes the bar) for $200 or less (when it goes on sale or there's a good coupon) at Dick's, Sears, Sports Authority, etc. I'd say $.25-$0.50/lb is the range for used weight plates. The lower the better but definitely no higher.
Oh and if you end up finding a good deal on something, find out what else the person is willing to sell when you get there to pick it up. Chances are if they sold you one piece of equipment at a good price, they have more stuff they will let go cheap as well.
Great advice here, thanks. I did find a local selling a weight bench and asked them about any weights or bars they might be interested in selling too- it's a Weider brand and the online opinion of this brand seems to be pretty low, but to me this thing looks super beefy with good supports--do I just not know what I'm looking for? At $25 it would be a great deal if its strong enough, but if its cheap and will break I don't want to waste my cash or hurt myself on poor quality stuff that will fail on me.
Thoughts on this particular weight bench? I dont know the model and am working on getting more info from the seller and will obviously check it out in person.
Thanks for all of your insight everyone!
I've never sat on one in person but I would not get this bench because of the preacher curl part. I can't see myself ever using it and I have a hunch I'd run into it regularly and end up cursing a lot. But who knows, maybe you will fall in love with preacher curls or some other exercise that can be done using that feature. I originally thought that the leg curl attachment on my bench was annoying (and something for me to run into--notice a theme here?) but now I use it regularly.
I would check to see how wide of a grip you can use on that bench. I'm assuming you don't have a huge wingspan but sometimes the benches with the bar attachments are too narrow for people who do. And also, I would check to see how high it is. Some benches are taller than others and you may or may not need a box or extra plates on the floor to set your feet on while benching.0 -
rainbowbow wrote: »
Interesting. All that work and money just to lose your garage space? Ugh.
There's probably $20k+ in gear in there but $50 speakers? DOUBLE UGH
It actually cost him and his wife around 10k total. BUT, they have a badass home gym they can use whenever they want, pretty much forever. Sounds like a great investment in their health to me.
Also, from what i've seen they are going to do a better music system, install some mirrors, and blow up the Arnold poster to take up the whole garage door. >_<
At first i was like "wow, is that necessary?". Then i remembered rich people gonna rich.0 -
I found this tread very useful when I was in your situation http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=113942001 Take sometime to figure out what you want/need. I wouldn't bother with the bench you posted, it would be useless with a rack and there are no safeties. You'll be looking for a power cage (more often listed on CL as a squat rack), a bench and olympic weights/bar to start. If you keep an eye on CL you could end up getting a good deal, you just need to be patient.0
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Craigslist. Some quality brands in no particular order
Rogue
Ivanko
Sorinex
Legend
Body solids
Spud inc
Pendlay
York0 -
I started with some inexpensive set from sports authority like already mentioned, they're only a few hundred. This last year we upgraded everything to Ivanko. I'll never have to replace it, hell my boys will have it the rest of their lives too!0
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rainbowbow wrote: »rainbowbow wrote: »
Interesting. All that work and money just to lose your garage space? Ugh.
There's probably $20k+ in gear in there but $50 speakers? DOUBLE UGH
It actually cost him and his wife around 10k total. BUT, they have a badass home gym they can use whenever they want, pretty much forever. Sounds like a great investment in their health to me.
Also, from what i've seen they are going to do a better music system, install some mirrors, and blow up the Arnold poster to take up the whole garage door. >_<
At first i was like "wow, is that necessary?". Then i remembered rich people gonna rich.
Super nice, but I would have skipped the leg press/hack squat and got a nice water rower for some cardio/HIIT work.0 -
I found this tread very useful when I was in your situation http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=113942001 Take sometime to figure out what you want/need. I wouldn't bother with the bench you posted, it would be useless with a rack and there are no safeties. You'll be looking for a power cage (more often listed on CL as a squat rack), a bench and olympic weights/bar to start. If you keep an eye on CL you could end up getting a good deal, you just need to be patient.
Will read this thread asap-thanks!
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galgenstrick wrote: »Craigslist. Some quality brands in no particular order
Rogue
Ivanko
Sorinex
Legend
Body solids
Spud inc
Pendlay
York
Thanks for the recommendations. It's gonna be hard to wait this out-I want to buy it all NOW! So far lifting has become very addictive, very fast
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Jennloella wrote: »I started with some inexpensive set from sports authority like already mentioned, they're only a few hundred. This last year we upgraded everything to Ivanko. I'll never have to replace it, hell my boys will have it the rest of their lives too!
Thanks for this!
I am thinking I will pass on the weight bench on CL, the seller is saying they have quite a bit of interest and its not looking like I will be able to easily meet up with them in the next few days due to scheduling conflicts. I don't want to jump on one and regret hastily buying something that will not meet my needs. I am going to do some more research (thanks for all of the tips-keep them coming!) and keep an eye out for deals on CL. Might have to make my christmas list early this year!
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Kirstie155 wrote: »galgenstrick wrote: »Craigslist. Some quality brands in no particular order
Rogue
Ivanko
Sorinex
Legend
Body solids
Spud inc
Pendlay
York
Thanks for the recommendations. It's gonna be hard to wait this out-I want to buy it all NOW! So far lifting has become very addictive, very fast
I hear you, the good stuff is rare on Craigslist and snatched up quick when it's posted.
When I put together my garage gym I just bought new because I couldn't wait, pretty much everything from rogue, and my bench from legend. I sold almost all my other belongings on Craigslist to pay for it. Well worth it. Never regret it. I now lift 5x a week because 3 isn't enough!0 -
galgenstrick wrote: »Kirstie155 wrote: »galgenstrick wrote: »Craigslist. Some quality brands in no particular order
Rogue
Ivanko
Sorinex
Legend
Body solids
Spud inc
Pendlay
York
Thanks for the recommendations. It's gonna be hard to wait this out-I want to buy it all NOW! So far lifting has become very addictive, very fast
I hear you, the good stuff is rare on Craigslist and snatched up quick when it's posted.
When I put together my garage gym I just bought new because I couldn't wait, pretty much everything from rogue, and my bench from legend. I sold almost all my other belongings on Craigslist to pay for it. Well worth it. Never regret it. I now lift 5x a week because 3 isn't enough!
I've been stalking Craigslist-did find an Olympic bar with 160# of weights for $75 (what?!) but it's either too good to be true, or will get snatched up before I have the chance to recruit someone to go see it with me (I refuse to go meet people at their house alone.)
I went to Goodwill yesterday and did see a pair of 2.5# plates-for $7. I can buy them cheaper than that as new! Ugh.
I would LOVE to buy all new like you did and custom build, but that is just not in the budget right now!
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You can get tons of Cap olympic plates on CL. They aren't the best, all cast not milled like the ivanko or troy stuff but it gets the job done. Hold out for $0.50/lb or less. Sometimes if you can catch a "complete home gym" package it's worth the lump sum investment. This is all coming from a guy who is in the process of doing this now.
Fitness gear full cage - Dicks
Fitness gear FID bench - Dicks
~800lb of cap olympic plates - mix of Academy & CL
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