Want to build a home gym... Now what?

ExplorinLauren

I've recently (as in, today) found out that I will have an extra year to build the best body possible.

My ultimate goal was tummy tuck by March, but found out with my husbands deployment schedule that will be impossible.... and need to wait another year

With that said... I'm going to build a home gym instead, while waiting.... and try to make my body behave. May not be perfect, but maybe satisfactory to me... and in the long run, may not crave any plastic surgery??

I've always had a 'desire' to 'lift heavy' and whatnot, But I'm pretty shy to head up to the nearest gym and start strutting my stuff and pretending I own the place. lol In fact, I'm a little shy to even go in period.

So, If I could build my home gym, with some basics, to get me on the right track.... what should I be looking into? What are the must haves to get me on my way?? I don't know where to start... but I know I want to start somewhere.

Any help would be GREATLY appreciated :ohwell:

ExplorinLauren

Anyone? Anywhere?!

HypersonicFitNess

Well; I don't know about must haves but after years of increased gym membership fees and not being able to get on a machine or in a class; we bought a bow-flex; we love it and use it weekly. The one we have Bow-flex no longer offers, however and it does over 99 exercises; but they may have other options.

So, I would say a full weight bench that can incline, decline
Bow-flex also has a dial-a-dumbbell that is just awesome. If you're married and your husband is ever going to work out this is a must have b/c if he leaves the dumbbells with 55lbs or more, it takes too much time to change the plates, but with the dial-a-dumbbell, you can be back at 10 or 12.5 lbs in a split second

We also have a treadmill and a stationary bike (I ended up getting a recumbent bike b/c I was hit by a car and my patella tendon was damaged; this was the only exercise I was allowed during recovery and PT)

In addition, we have some smaller free weights b/c the dial-a-dumbbell only goes down to 10 lbs
A medicine ball
A stability ball
Exercise bands
Pull up bar

I guess it depends on the space you have available. When we originally set up our gym; we had the whole basement. Then when we built our new house; we built a room especially to be the gym with rubber floors.

Below is the picture of our gym (sorry; trying to re-size to get the whole picture in):

sirthickness

First, I am no expert. If you are just starting, or new to lifting, you should start with a good, sturdy flat bench and some bumbbells (maybe an adjustable set like Nautilus [5lbs - 52.5lbs], if space is a concern). Get a quality set of elastic bands and a good mat. Elastic bands are great for resistance training and warm-up exercises. From there, if space allows, you can get a full bench system (adjustable bench, cage with squat rack and cable system with lat tower, etc). They used to sell a pretty decent set at Costco for about $400 (300+lbs weights, olympic bar, adjustable bench and cage/rack). The sky is the limit, if you have the space.

I framed in one bay of my garage and have a full gym. Dumbbells, olympic weight set (olympic bar w/400+lbs plates), adjustable bench, flat bench, full squat rack/cage, elastic bands, a complete set of lat attachments, e-z curl bar, mats, elliptical, recumbent bike and treadmill. While my gym works for me, it is no where near "complete".

Personally, I like to workout at home. It's right there. I get home from work, change and walk into my gym, crank the music I want to listen to and hit the weights. When I'm done lifting, I jump on a piece of cardio, turn on the tv or watch a dvd and go for 30-40 minutes. It's just too convenient.

Good luck and thanks to you and your husband for your service!!

Also, I have no affiliation, but "aworkoutroutine.com" has helped me with some great advice. Large website with LOTS of info for beginners to advanced lifters.

sirthickness

Well; I don't know about must haves but after years of increased gym membership fees and not being able to get on a machine or in a class; we bought a bow-flex; we love it and use it weekly. The one we have Bow-flex no longer offers, however and it does over 99 exercises; but they may have other options.

So, I would say a full weight bench that can incline, decline
Bow-flex also has a dial-a-dumbbell that is just awesome. If you're married and your husband is ever going to work out this is a must have b/c if he leaves the dumbbells with 55lbs or more, it takes too much time to change the plates, but with the dial-a-dumbbell, you can be back at 10 or 12.5 lbs in a split second

We also have a treadmill and a stationary bike (I ended up getting a recumbent bike b/c I was hit by a car and my patella tendon was damaged; this was the only exercise I was allowed during recovery and PT)

In addition, we have some smaller free weights b/c the dial-a-dumbbell only goes down to 10 lbs
A medicine ball
A stability ball
Exercise bands
Pull up bar

I guess it depends on the space you have available. When we originally set up our gym; we had the whole basement. Then when we built our new house; we built a room especially to be the gym with rubber floors.

Below is the picture of our gym (sorry; trying to re-size to get the whole picture in):

That is a nice in home gym. Probably a martial artist works out there, based on the knives and gi belts on the wall. Note the adjustable bumbbells on the far right.

HypersonicFitNess

Yes; we are both prior military and yes both have belts...or we did...we're too old now, but that doesn't mean we don't still practice....I forgot we have a heavy bag in the garage too and of course lots of mats:laugh:

HypersonicFitNess

And, I didn't mean to miss saying it (being prior military and retired military wife); Thank you to your husband for his service and all that you do to support him. I know it's alot!

ubermensch13

If I could build my perfect home gym, this would be it:

Adjustable Bench
Bench Press with Barbell and at least 250lbs in Plates
Adjustable Dumbells
Pull up Bar
Squat Rack

I don't think I'd need anything else. You'd get a great full body workout just from doing Squats, Deadlifts, Pullups, Bench Press, Bent over row and Military Press.

oaker

What ubermensch13 said. Doesn't get much more effecient than this.

anemoneprose

Would just say that you can get things as and when, if you can't get everything at once. Budget timeline:

Now:
- adjustable dumbbells (2 dumbbell handles, 4 collars, & plates - 4 x 2.5 lbs, 4 x 5 lbs, 4 x 10 lbs <-you can get through that in a month) & mat; maybe pull-up bar

Boxing day sales! :
- bench, squat rack, barbell, more plates

After that, plates as you go.

Cardio -> sometimes I think a stationery bike would be nice to have, just to switch things up, but it's not necessary. There are lots of bodyweight workouts you can do. (But takes some thinking to avoid screwing with recovery, especially starting out.) You might want to avoid cardio altogether anyway for the first few months you're lifting, and wait for spring/summer sales.

I started with standard bars & plates because they're ~15-20% cheaper, but if I'd do it again I'd get Olympic style from the beginning (more options, heavier weights, can get bumper plates if sound is a worry).

sunsnstatheart

I don't know what exercise you're doing so I can't base this on that, and everyone here will have their own take but . . . I would start with kettle bells of a moderate weight, find an exercise regime with them that works for you and stick with it. If you don't like kettle bells then go with moderate weight dumbbells. Both of these come in adjustable types if you want those. Then, after you've used them for a few weeks and are ready to buy more, spring for the flat bench. This keeps the spending to a minimum and there are plenty of routines you can build on these.

wmagoo27

A basic setup would be a bench, weights (dumbells, barbell, or both), and a rack if you choose a barbell. The exact equipment you will need will be determined by the lifting program you use, so it may be worth a read and even a trial membership at the local gym to determine how you will be lifting. For the equipment, that can be a heavy price. You shouldn't go cheap, or you may end up buying something again once you outgrow it. I learned this the hard way. You can check out your local craigslist, especially early in the year when new years resolutions don't work out and people want their space back.

Heather1899

My gym is in the basement and it has grown over the years based on whatever inexpensive stuff I find at thrift shops and stuff I splurge on.
I have in mine:
*4 shelves wooden shelf with lots of variety of workout dvds and tapes. Alot found at thrift shop, others purchased new
*Television to play dvds or just tv
*Stationary bike-$10 at thrift shop
*Step for step aerobics or props on other exercises
*Total Gym-bought this new, always wanted one from day one! Was only $200 and yes I use it! I like that I can do pull-ups on it that are assisted but I don't have to hang anything on our walls or doors-makes the owners of the house happy!! I like like some leg exercises on the TG
*Adjustable dumbbells-dumbbells can get expensive. I have a pair of adjustable ones that are from 15-20 and some single ones that are 5, 8, and 10. That is still not much...but I also have bands and the TG. Like I said, dumbbells are expensive.
*Matt for floor exercises, like pilates or stretching
*Door mirror-it might sound crazy but I got a regular door mirror for when I am lifting to make sure I am using good form. The one I wanted was huge but $50 so I went for the $20 one. I might watch for a more affordable used one, but until now this one works well.