Need to build a 'Home Gym' to start lifting heavy- Help!!!

ExplorinLauren

It's tax time.... and I've planned on building a gym for months, so that I can get into lifting heavy. I plan on following the Stronglifts 5x5 (at least that's my plan... I've heard New Rules for Women is complicated to follow when it doesn't need to be.)

Well, between online sites, Craigslist, news papers etc..... I can't seem to find what I'm looking for. Truth is, I don't even know what I'm looking for. lol
All I'm finding is "home gyms" with pulleys and such..... I was under the impression I'm not going that route anymore!
Perhaps I'm searching for the wrong equipment or using the wrong wording while I'm searching?

If you were building a gym, in your garage, to start lifting heavy.... What would you need?? The basics to even get started, and maybe some other extra things to continue with.... Please help..... All advice is appreciated
Thanks!

concordancia

You should be looking ofr a weight bench and weights. Most people will picture snow flex type machine when you say home gym.

Have you checked play it again sports?

ExplorinLauren

Yeah, that seems to be the problem I'm running into. I say home gym and get shown a lot of what I DON'T want. So I then started looking for free weights, benches.... things like that.
But I don't really know what I'm looking for and don't want to waste money on things I don't need. Am I looking for adjustable benches or flat? How much weights? What type of bars? I saw on the Stronglifts sight about a Power Rack. But I haven't been able to find one (used) So, they mention squat rack or smith machines as alternatives, but they're less safe or not what you need, and I don't really know the difference between the three! So I'm trying to figure out what I actually need and what is buffed up to sell products, or what the differences between them are. lol

No I have not checked Play It Again Sports. I'll see if there is one in my area. Thanks for replying

2bmeagain12

Definitely an adjustable bench and some freeweights.
My hubby got a good deal on Bowflex adjustable dumbbells: http://tinyurl.com/4utulku. He bought them from a friend. I like them because they are currently within my lifting range, although they have other models that go higher; and they don't take up much space.
I'd like to add a chin up bar that goes in the door frame.
Also, I used to have some of the TRX training straps: http://tinyurl.com/cux74v7 and loved them! They are expensive but what a workout!
I just discovered the app Gorilla (free), there's also a paid for version. It appears to be all body weight exercises, and levels.
Maybe a set of plyometric jump boxes, like these: http://tinyurl.com/ceku5nj. That would help with leg workouts (which is the one that I haven't figured out with the small space I have).
Sorry for the brain dump. Great question though!

desiv2

I'm doing the exact same thing. I know I need a weight bench and weights, and a squat rack. Right now I'm confused about if I should do 5x5 or Rules of Lifting.. grr it's confusing. Most of the internet research is very basic and doesn't really go into the details I want it to. lol

jimmie65

Look for a barbell and weights, preferably Olympic (though I've gotten far with a standard weight set). You definitely need a bench;flat benches cost next to nothing on Craigslist. Then look for a squat rack.

Slamdunkpro

If you want to do Stronglifts you need a squat cage, a flat bench press with rack, an Olympic bar, some plate weights and some kind of floor padding. That's it. Look in your area for gyms going up for auction. Don't skimp on the squat cage, get one that either allows racks on the outside or has an 8 foot clearance if you have room so you can do overhead presses.

wellbert

Weigh every olympic plate you buy. They can be off by a lot.

Riemersma4

If you want to do Stronglifts you need a squat cage, a flat bench press with rack, an Olympic bar, some plate weights and some kind of floor padding. That's it. Look in your area for gyms going up for auction. Don't skimp on the squat cage, get one that either allows racks on the outside or has an 8 foot clearance if you have room so you can do overhead presses.

And a pull up bar or lat machine.

bench, squat, row, deadlift, pull up. Done.

Dumbells for the fun stuff... shoulders, curls, etc.

rileysowner

It's tax time.... and I've planned on building a gym for months, so that I can get into lifting heavy. I plan on following the Stronglifts 5x5 (at least that's my plan... I've heard New Rules for Women is complicated to follow when it doesn't need to be.)

Well, between online sites, Craigslist, news papers etc..... I can't seem to find what I'm looking for. Truth is, I don't even know what I'm looking for. lol
All I'm finding is "home gyms" with pulleys and such..... I was under the impression I'm not going that route anymore!
Perhaps I'm searching for the wrong equipment or using the wrong wording while I'm searching?

If you were building a gym, in your garage, to start lifting heavy.... What would you need?? The basics to even get started, and maybe some other extra things to continue with.... Please help..... All advice is appreciated
Thanks!

I would get

1) An Olympic Weight set 300Lbs.
2) A power cage
3) A bench

That should be all you need for Stronglifts.

3laine75

I just searched sites using, 'squat rack' 'Olympic barbell (7')','weights bench'. I don't think you have to go mega expensive as you won't be using it as much as, say, a commercial gym one would be used.

That, plus the barbell weights costed out at about £300 ($450ish?) new here so I'm scouring the second hand stuff ATM.

RunDoozer

It's tax time.... and I've planned on building a gym for months, so that I can get into lifting heavy. I plan on following the Stronglifts 5x5 (at least that's my plan... I've heard New Rules for Women is complicated to follow when it doesn't need to be.)

Well, between online sites, Craigslist, news papers etc..... I can't seem to find what I'm looking for. Truth is, I don't even know what I'm looking for. lol
All I'm finding is "home gyms" with pulleys and such..... I was under the impression I'm not going that route anymore!
Perhaps I'm searching for the wrong equipment or using the wrong wording while I'm searching?

If you were building a gym, in your garage, to start lifting heavy.... What would you need?? The basics to even get started, and maybe some other extra things to continue with.... Please help..... All advice is appreciated
Thanks!

I would get

1) An Olympic Weight set 300Lbs.
2) A power cage
3) A bench

That should be all you need for Stronglifts.

This.

DaniH826

Have you checked play it again sports?

Winner winner chicken dinner!

I got a 300 lb olympic weight set plus a Golds Gym bench with squat rack ( super sturdy!) for $350. Got one of those plate stand thingies for the weights, some rubber floor tiles for our garage, a pair of gloves, and voila, done; all for way under $500.

Alternately if you can't find anything used, try Sears. They have the same thing for roughly $150 more, brand new. We priced them out. We also checked D!cks Sporting Goods but their bench was too flimsy for my taste. Sports Authority also has the Golds Gym if I remember correctly, for around the same price as Sears did.

I'm doing Starting Strength (and am becoming quite the Rippeto-ite) and it's working out just fine. Course I'm not doing pullups and whatnot, just straight lifting (squats, bench/military presses, deadlifts, and power cleans).

Figure if I wanna do pullups I'll get me one of them door bar thingies later on some time. For right now I'm super happy with what I have.

Good luck! Lifting is super fun! You'll love it!

P.S. And a foam roller. Definitely get one of those. You'll be glad you did.

2bmeagain12

I would check out your local Craigslist for any and all of the items folks have listed.

ExplorinLauren

Thanks for the replies! I'm gonna check out play it again sports tomorrow, since I'm not finding what I need on Craigslist. I might just have to suck up the full price for the power rack What is the difference between the squat rack and power rack/cage? As far as moves go?

ExplorinLauren

I'm doing the exact same thing. I know I need a weight bench and weights, and a squat rack. Right now I'm confused about if I should do 5x5 or Rules of Lifting.. grr it's confusing. Most of the internet research is very basic and doesn't really go into the details I want it to. lol

Exactly! I can't seem to find the exact info I want lol

Gallowmere1984

Look for a barbell and weights, preferably Olympic (though I've gotten far with a standard weight set). You definitely need a bench;flat benches cost next to nothing on Craigslist. Then look for a squat rack.

Pretty much this, just make sure you get a good quality rack (preferably with safety rails), not some rickety junk that sways in the breeze and nearly tips over when you try to lock the bar into your traps.

DaniH826

What is the difference between the squat rack and power rack/cage? As far as moves go?

Here you go:

http://stronglifts.com/power-rack-vs-squat-stands-gym-equipment/

jenifr818

bump so I can come back and re-read later

LorinaLynn

The problem I had with Craigslist was that all the listings were far away and/or the photos looked like they were taken in Buffalo Bill's basement. So weighing the cost of gas to get there and the possibility of being made into a human skin suit against the cost of buying new... I shopped for sales at Sears and Dick's instead.

I don't have a squat rack. I do barbell hack squats instead. It's not ideal, but I don't have the budget or the room for a rack right now, and I'm perfectly happy with the results I've had. Sometimes I go lighter and do front squats.

LorinaLynn

Have you checked play it again sports?

Total derp moment for me. I've heard of it on here, but thought, "Ah, there's not going to be one close to home." Because my area sucks. But on a lark, I googled it, and there's one less than a mile and a half from my stinkin' house. I've probably driven past it at least four times a week every week since it opened. :grumble: