Setting up a home weight room

Serah87

I have:

Squat rack (in the process of being built)
barbell
weight plates
dumbbells
adjustable bench
ball
mat
pull up bar
jump rope
ankle weights
rubber bands

ETA: add more

xmichaelyx

I bought almost all my stuff on Craigslist.

Ditto. If you're in/near a city, people are trying to unload their old workout equipment all the time.

I bought a rack, and guy threw in floor mats and his whole Olympic weight set.

257_Lag

I have a power rack, olympic bar and plates, a bench and mats. I have a treadmill nearby that I have had for years but only used in the past year since I started here.

If you end up going new on a rack I can vouch for the quality of this one. For what I paid for it (about $450 on sale) I was very impressed with the build and features.

http://www.amazon.com/Valor-Athletics-Inc-BD-Power/dp/B002EJC990

Squamation

Holy cow! Thank you so much for all your replies!

We're currently stationed overseas in Germany- I'm still learning the language but maybe I can fumble my way through their version of Craigslist.

@alyhuggan - thank you for the UK websites, hopefully I'll have a better chance of them shipping here. The US sites I looked at do not.

Along with the barbells we have an incline trainer (treadmill), and I've set up a make shift squat rack with the washer/dryer.

There is a free gym on base, but I have 2 kids at home and work full time/night shift so making it there is not worth the time and effort. Having a more real home gym will be amazing.

SuperC_85

Bump

sami_83

I am doing New Rules of Lifting and I bought the following:
-squat rack (second hand)
-bench (second hand)
-3x barbells (2x second hand)
-dumbells (second hand)
-weight plates (second hand)
-aerobic step (just for doing step-ups, it has different heights. new)
-fit ball (new)

All of that would have cost me less than $300 (Australian).

I also have a treadmill that I bought years ago, and a poor quality exercise bike which I will hopefully be rid of soon!
Nothing wrong with second hand, there are plenty of bargains to be had if you keep a good eye out :happy: best of luck with your search!

rf1583

We have a smith machine with pull up bar, squat machine, elliptical, couple barbells, lots of free weights, and a few benches. We are going to expand it into the adjacent room which is now an office. We put down rubber flooring too. Here's a pic.

sarahmoo12

could you use a power cage as a squat rack too ?

fitphoenix

Bump. One day!

sjohnny

could you use a power cage as a squat rack too ?

Absolutely. That's what they're for.

jackielou867

RF1583 That's impressive and I am well jealous :-)
I have bench, barbell, medicine ball, barbells, pretty much all I need except a squat rack. If I could fit one in I would give up the gym. Although sometimes when I look at others around me lifting, it reminds me to check my form. And a couple of times I have had the guys help me out with technique.

rf1583

RF1583 That's impressive and I am well jealous :-)
I have bench, barbell, medicine ball, barbells, pretty much all I need except a squat rack. If I could fit one in I would give up the gym. Although sometimes when I look at others around me lifting, it reminds me to check my form. And a couple of times I have had the guys help me out with technique.

Thanks! Yeah we needed to have this in the house because I just wouldn't stick with it as well if I couldn't do it at home. I find I'm more focused too at home. Though I know being at the gym with other people has it's benefits too.

ShellyAnn46

I do most of my cardio in classes to get the social interaction but when I can not make I have home equipment as back up. Having a home weight room set is better for me as I can focus more & work as long as I want as the fitness places can be hard to get the time I want on the weights as other users training also.
Did buy treadmill brand new for around $400. (have had the longest at about 5 yrs and still is great)
Elliptical $150 & Gold's Gym $150 second hand but lightly used. (needless to say I have gotten lucky with my purchases, like brand new)
All other ala carte pieces little investment probably total around $80

Gold's Gym Home System (scored second hand like brand new for $150 which included all plate weights & full set of free weights also)
Olympic bar (included with gold's set)
Treadmill
Elliptical
Free weights (2 each from 10 lb to 45 lb) (included with gold's set)
bench (included with gold's set)
Medicine ball
exercise ball (large & small)
Yoga mat
Bands
TV/DVD
Luckily I have a finished basement and an alcove which fits all my equipment perfectly.

Good luck and definetely once you are set up you will love it!!!!!!! No more icky sweaty germy gyms unless you want to not because you have to. Not to mention the $$$ you will save.

3laine75

I have a lot of jealousy for those of you with dumbells. They cost a fortune here, even second-hand. Anyone know of any websites/shops where they're cheap in the uk?

ETA: tips on cheap medicine ball too, if anyone knows.

KarenJanine

I have a 6' Oly bar with total weights up to 140 kg .

A set of incremental weights ranging from 0.125 kg to 0.5 kg

Two adjustable dumbbells, 2.5 kg to 25 kg each

A bench

Squat stands, which I also use for BP and OHP

Saw horses (as safety rails)

Pull up bar

Plus the following which are not used often:
resistance bands
yoga mat and blocks
high step

Within the nexy year I will be looking to upgrade my squat stands/saw horses to a power rack. I also want to make a deadlift platform as my lifts are getting heavier and I need to protect the floor.