Setting up a home weight room

My current home equipment:

http://www.powerhouse-fitness.co.uk/bodymax-cf480-heavy-duty-multi-press-walk-in-squat-rack.php

http://www.amazon.co.uk/York-Fitness-45071-Bench/dp/B000N3T0RS/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1395226953&sr=8-2&keywords=bench

http://www.powerhouse-fitness.co.uk/bodymax-olympic-rubber-radial-barbell-kit-235kg.php

Although I wish I didn't buy it I have:

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/3358261.htm

Cost an extra £60ish for postage:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/84KG-PRO-DUMBELL-SET-PRO-STYLE-FLAT-WEIGHT-DISC-PLATES-MAKES-UP-TO-2-x-42-/171254686672?pt=UK_Strength_Training&hash=item27df9323d0

We also have about 60 of these

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BLACK-INTERLOCKING-EVA-SOFT-FOAM-EXERCISE-FLOOR-MATS-GYM-GARAGE-HOUSE-OFFICE-MAT-/200821078755?pt=UK_Sporting_Goods_Exercise_Fitness_Fitness_Accessories_ET&var=&hash=item2ec1de7ae3

I can't find it but we have the model above this:

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/3359466.htm

We also have a stepping machine, rowing machine, another 3 barbells, an e-z curl bar, about 120kg extra worth of 1" diameter plates, liquid chalk, straps, belts, two heaters, a fan, a skipping rope and a punching bag.

The equipment that sees the most use are:

The squat rack

The barbell

The dumbbells

The bench

The mats

The treadmill

The bench hasn't had any problems except when I dropped a 52kg dumbbell on it, then it tore slightly, but that's kind of a given and was my own fault. And the tear hasn't affected my workouts.

weight lifting home gym you should have

Bars
Plates
Bench
Squat rack/power cage (something to keep you safe when lifting heavy and no spotter)

That's it...

My husband built me a squat rack so if I do fail when squatting I have a safety net...and works well for when I do OHP.

Squat rack
Bench
Pull up bar
weights
dumbells (and or kettlebells)

I bought almost all my stuff on Craigslist.

Good luck!

LOVE my home gym. Mostly because I'm too lazy to make myself presentable and then drive to a gym.
Treadmill
Elliptical
Free weights and bench
Power tower
Weighted body bars
Rower
Pilates reformer
Pilates balls
Medicine balls
Yoga mats
TV/DVD
and of course a dog bed for my neurotic dog.

Bump because I'm heading towards lifting!

great responses!! Does anyone have any pictures of their set up?

I was also thinking of using Craigslist to gather some pieces so that I am not a. Going into debt or b. over extending myself financially.


Thanks again!

Sorry, don't know how to post pics

Are you handy (or have a hubby who is)? If so, google powercages plans. I wish I'd done this and am trying to talk my dad into a new project ATM =D. I think this option would be cheaper and better than some of the racks that are out there.

In my garage I have:

Power Rack
Olympic Bar and plates totalling about 430lbs (including a couple of bumper plates - more of those are on my list)
Adjustable bench
Dumbbell handles that take plates with a 1" hole (I also have a 15lb barbell that takes the 1" plates)
A bunch of plates with 1" hole
A couple of smaller dumbbells, some rubber bands, an ab wheel, a bucket of chalk, some of the put together mats for the floor, a stand to hold most of my oly plates, and probably some other stuff.

And most importantly, a badass stereo.

The rack I got cheap as it was a blem (it had a couple of scratches on the paint so was half price - I've put a LOT more scratches on it since). The barbell and most of the plates I bought used, the bench I bought from a friend along with a separate rack/stand (whatever the deal that holds the bar that is connected to some benches but this one's separate) that is currently unused in my backyard but if I can make more room in my garage I'll set it up in there too so I can have two "stations" or whatever.

I have probably around $800 in my whole set-up and it does everything I need. I want to get some more bumper plates and my bar is pretty beat up so I'd like to get a new one at some point but for the time being I'm good.

Treadmill
Squat Rack
Bench (made out of 4x4's, old bath towels and duct tape)
Oly Bar
Axle Bar
Strongman Log
Over 1,000lbs of olympic plates
2 Kegs (1 filled with sand, 1 filled with water)
Sandbag (250lbs)
Atlas Stones
Blast Straps
Pull Up Bar
Dip Bars
Heavy Chains (for accomdating resistance)
Bands
Oly DB Handles
Plate loadable kettlebellish thingy I made from an old barbell collar and some chains
Fat Grips
Straps/Wraps/Chalk/Ammonia, etc...
Plyo/Box Squat Boxes
Tires
Farmers Walk Handles
Sections from a tree trunk that I carry/throw/lift overhead, etc...
Weighted sled I made from wood
Ab Wheel
Rubber Horse Trailer Mat
Solid Cement Blocks for doing block pulls
Heavy Bag
Focus Mitts
Bag Gloves
Curl Bar

Bump for future reference!

This will get you really far: A safety squat rack that has a pullup bar, an adjustable bench, an olympic barbell (with oympic plates), and a standard set of adjustable dumbells with standard plates.

Throw in some exercise mats if you have a hard floor.

For extra credit:
If you want to do any sort of olympic lifting type movements (cleans, snatches) then get some bumper plates and you may want to build a platform.

Anything else you buy is just extra credit.

this thread is an eye opener. I am spending $780 per year for my daughter and I to attend the local gym. I think I will work on turning my garage into a home gym over the next few months and cancel the membership at the end of the term. Thanks for the inspiration.

I have a Total Home Gym ( Thank you Chuck Norris ) that I bought at a yard sale 3 years ago for $100 that I use 2 days a week. A weight bench and 180# of steel weights, purchased for $50 at a yard sale, that I use 3 days a week. I also have a Tony Little Gazelle that I use when the weather is cold. ( I will walk/ run in every kind of weather but cold ). Over in the corner I have a punching bag to work out frustrations.

I am turning 60 in Oct and have decided also to lose weight and how best to since I have had 2 back surgery and one neck surgery. I have to loose 50 lbs and my goal is to loose it by next March. With that said I have have a friend that has had very good luck with the Total Gym so I bought one about 6 weeks ago and love it. So many different things you can do and so easy to set up and adjust it totally gives you a good workout. I started out at 235 lbs and am now at 218, this in 2 months, also have changed diet, 1750 cals per day. I also do 2 plus miles on a treadmill every day. So whatever you choose good luck
that1s my two cent worth Take a look at the Total Gym you may want to try it and it is a month to month pay plan or buy it out right. Total refund also if you don,t like

Bump!

this thread is an eye opener. I am spending $780 per year for my daughter and I to attend the local gym. I think I will work on turning my garage into a home gym over the next few months and cancel the membership at the end of the term. Thanks for the inspiration.

Geez! for $780 you could get EVERYTHING you need off of Craigslist. I probably only spent about $1000 total and I have a HUGE home gym set up.

The one-time pricetag is by far one of the best features of home gyms. Pay once, and the gear is pretty much entirely at your disposal. Membership gyms are great for people who don't have the space at home, but your membership is basically you renting the ability to TRY and use equipment, provided someone else isn't using it, already.

That's very true, I often have to wait for a treadmill or elliptical or, for the kid that's texting to get on with his workout and get off the machine.