Building a Small Home Gym (Lifting)

_Khaleesi_ · December 2012

We live about an hour from the nearest decent gym. I know that I won't go consistently ever, because of that distance. I just don't have the time. So we are looking at setting up a home gym in our basement, in one of our spare rooms. We are likely going to do with the rubber mat flooring, but I am looking for suggestions on what pieces of equipment are must haves.

So far we own dumbbells from 2 lbs - 20 lbs, an exercise ball and theraband (elastic resistance bands). We have a chin up/ pull up bar as well.

We for sure will be getting a treadmill to address the cardio side of things (up here in Canada we have beyond freezing temperatures in the winter... I can't keep up my cardio outside without freezing my lungs or risking breaking a leg on ice). A treadmill allows cardio for me AND cardio for the two dogs that we have, who also can't handle their usual daily runs outside in the winter. So that's really a non-negotiable. Puppies don't do ellipitcals well.

What other equipment do you recommend? Especially for a heavy lifting routine. Lifting/ Squat frame? Barbell weights and plates? etc.

Thanks guys!

BusyRaeNOTBusty · December 2012

This:

http://www.flexcart.com/members/elitefts/default.asp?m=PD&pid=576

Or you could probably assemble the same stuff from craigslist or other sources for a lot cheaper.

wellbert · December 2012

This:

http://www.flexcart.com/members/elitefts/default.asp?m=PD&pid=576

Or you could probably assemble the same stuff from craigslist or other sources for a lot cheaper.

Waht the busy lady said.

FullOfWin · December 2012

Power rack with pull up bar and preferably dip station attachment, adjustable bench, olympic bar and plates, plate tree. Make sure the holes on the power rack are close together.

grecogab90 · December 2012

bump

Cwyman1 · December 2012

Buy whatever you'll use. I gave up the gym a couple years ago. My home gym consist of the following:

Cardio:
1. Treadmill
2. Eliptical
3. Bike trainer

Strength:
1. Pull-up bar
2. Elastic Bands
3. Dumbbells
4. Push-up bars
5. All inclusive home gym machine (similar to a bow-flex). Allows me to do lat pull downs, squats, legs, arms, rows, etc...

Misc:
1. TV w/ ability to play videos (P90X, Insanity, etc...)
2. Rubber mat to do floor workouts
3. Foam roller (stretching device)
4. Fan
5. Music (to get you pumped)

Hope this helps!

mrnedburns · December 2012

We have a pretty tiny room in our basement, but this is what is working for us:

Rubber flooring (actually horse stall mats from Tractor Supply). Tougher and cheaper than the interlocking tiles sold at the sporting goods store, and these don't slide around or come apart:

http://www.tractorsupply.com/rubber-matting/rubber-horse-stall-mat-4-ft-x-6-ft--2219003?zoneMarketInfo=2-4&reqUrl=/rubber-matting/rubber-horse-stall-mat-4-ft-x-6-ft--2219003&langId=-1&storeId=10551&storeCity=city,+state&catalogId=10001&storeZip=46219&ddkey=http:LocationBasedPricingCmd

2 tier dumbbell rack (holds our collection of 5 - 50 hex dumbbells):
http://www.amazon.com/Apex-Deluxe-3-Tier-Dumbbell-Rack/dp/B000ASG0VU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1355252176&sr=8-1&keywords=dumbbell+rack

Metal hex dumbbells from ****'s Sporting Goods. My wife uses the 5 - 25 range, I use the 25 - 50 range. (you can get them anywhere... ****'s was the cheapest in town here):
http://www.****ssportinggoods.com/product/index.jsp?productId=841723&cp=4406646.4413986.4417719.15975956

Cheap blanket folded twice to act as a situp mat.

If our room was bigger I would add a Power Tower and Treadmill. Good luck!

Building a Small Home Gym (Lifting)

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