This year I'm getting my own gym equipment.

sphinxdust
sphinxdust Posts: 59 Member
edited November 10 in Fitness and Exercise
I've narrowed down what I use at the gym for real results and decided that this year instead of paying for another fee, I'll buy the exact weight equipment to use for many years at home, and it will easily surpass the typical hotel fitness center. Anybody else already do this and stay serious with their workouts?
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Replies

  • mandyedwards101
    mandyedwards101 Posts: 6 Member
    I use kettle bell's at home - and I have a set of dumbbells. If you have a set routine you are more likely to finish the full circuit but get some good pumping tunes on while you're working g out! Keeps the momentum and motivation going.
  • Capt_Apollo
    Capt_Apollo Posts: 9,026 Member
    i wish i had the space for it
  • jemhh
    jemhh Posts: 14,261 Member
    edited January 2015
    I've cobbled together my home gym over the past year. I go to the gym once a week for weights and once for running for a change of scenery. The rest of my workouts are at home. I have a bench, squat stand, bar, dumbbell handles, and plates. Plus sawhorses that I use with my squat stand and then they double as dip bars. Oh, and a treadmill and pull up bar.

    I got the squat stand off Craigslist and made the pull up bar myself (ratchet straps thrown over a ceiling beam and then a pipe threaded through) and got the bench and a few plates from an acquaintance. Other than the treadmill everything else is from Amazon.
  • Liftng4Lis
    Liftng4Lis Posts: 15,151 Member
    Capt_Apollo wrote: »
    i wish i had the space for it

    This^
  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    edited January 2015
    I have, and yes I did.

    I have a full cage, oly bar, trap bar, ez bar, plates, adjustable bench, pull up bar, dip station, and a set of dumbbells. I also have a stationary bike for warming up before lifting and cardio workouts. My gym is never crowded, and it's never closed.
  • jemhh
    jemhh Posts: 14,261 Member
    And you don't have to rerack things if yoi don't want to.
  • kbmnurse
    kbmnurse Posts: 2,484 Member
    I have a Sole Treadmill and several sets of weights. Those with fitness DVD's are just perfect to keep it interesting and provide a great workout. B)o:)
  • Neous
    Neous Posts: 12 Member
    edited January 2015
    I'm serious with my workout but my home gym is not used to its fullest
    I have a full package from Ironmaster.com i.e. bench weight and all the accessories.
    i don't use it all because i'm back doing the Beachbody programs namely P90x3, Insanity Max 30 and T25 soon will be added Body Beast. and they don't require much for equipment.

    i also have a Keiser M3 plus for spinning
    I need to add an elliptical for my wife any suggestion will be appreciated
  • pkw58
    pkw58 Posts: 2,038 Member
    I absolutely hate the gym even though my PT is awesome. We have a home gym as well as our own yoga mats, light hand weights, etc. Works great.
  • I_Will_End_You
    I_Will_End_You Posts: 4,397 Member
    Yes, and it's awesome. I've never been to a gym and don't think I'd work out if I didn't have one at home. I don't like to share. Don't have to worry about waiting for people to get off the equipment, or worry about them waiting for me...and I don't have to re-rack my weights. And I can listen to my music as loud as I want.

    We have: two ellipticals, a recumbent bike, power cage, smith machine, oly bar, two ez bars, curl bar, all kinds of plates, Dumbbells up to 70lbs, ab bench, leg bench, two regular benches, power tower, a universal ( cable machine), a speed bag and a punching bag. I only bought an elliptical and one bench. The cage was my Christmas gift. The rest came from my boyfriend's brother's house. He was down sizing to a condo...score!
  • oaker
    oaker Posts: 132 Member
    I used to go to our local high school wt room but the school made some changes and we could not use it anymore. I decided to get my own equipment. I lifted with a friend, so we did this together. It took about 6 months of searching craigslist, but for 2 grand we have a squat rack, full set of dumbbells (8-85) with racks, 700 lbs in olympic wts, several bars, cable machine, calf machine, mirrors, floor mats, bench, and a good stereo system. We use his basement and really only need about a 10x20 area. Looking for a pec deck, but waiting for a good deal.
  • stacey_rayner
    stacey_rayner Posts: 46 Member
    Liftng4Lis wrote: »
    Capt_Apollo wrote: »
    i wish i had the space for it

    This^

    Me too. But I'm considering getting my own set of kettle bells to start off with and some more dumb bells/weights. And maybe a medicine ball. Cos it all costs money, so want to spend up wisely.
  • chesves
    chesves Posts: 224 Member
    Our goal is to set one up this year .... we have the space for it, but want to do it frugally. Time is tight in our lives, and the closest gym is not close (lol) .... hoping this will help!
  • Tblackdogs
    Tblackdogs Posts: 326 Member
    A treadmill was the best purchase I've ever made.
  • Jesea
    Jesea Posts: 376 Member
    I love my home gym! I have a Treadclimber, a stationary bike, heavy bag, TV/DVD player, step, stability ball, light weights, an adjustable kettlebell and a resistance band. I am on my 17th consecutive day of working out, and I haven't done the same thing twice. It is so convenient to run downstairs to work out after the kids are in bed. Next on my pre-owned wish list is either a weight bench and heavy weights or a weight machine...
  • MaggieLoo79
    MaggieLoo79 Posts: 288 Member
    Lots of people warned me not to waste money on exercise equipment for my home. They said I would never use it. This summer, I got a great deal buying a friend's treadmill. We got it home and I use it all the time!!! What I love about it is not having to set aside large chunks of time for exercise. I might do half a mile here, a full mile there, etc. By the end of the day, I've gotten movement in. We're now looking at a Bowflex on Craigslist and I feel I'll use it the same way. A few minutes here and there add up over time. It works for my lifestyle anyway...
  • SoupNazi
    SoupNazi Posts: 4,229 Member
    I work for the YMCA, have a free membership, and STILL prefer to workout at home! I have everything I need right here....so much nicer and much more convenient.
  • Phoebeg1723
    Phoebeg1723 Posts: 88 Member
    I don't much like the gym but I LOVE spin classes, but I'm not always able to make them so my plan is to buy a spin bike and do it at home :) now that I know I would do every day!
  • JScottBldrs
    JScottBldrs Posts: 44 Member
    We have a home gym that my wife uses. I prefer to go to the gym myself. IF you are going to set up a home gym buy quality equipment from a fitness products store not a sporting goods store
  • oaker
    oaker Posts: 132 Member
    I agree with buying quality equipment, but you don't have to be the one paying the full price. Just do a lot of research on whats good. Then keep checking craigslist or local ads. I paid less than 50 cents per pound for all my dumbbells and olympic wts. The cable machine I purchased sold new for $1800 and I picked it up for $300. Also keep in mind that some day you will sell and having good equipment will fetch a better price.
  • mariaoutlook
    mariaoutlook Posts: 130
    My nearest gym charges approx £400 (+/- $600) per annual membership and it's miles away. I went to Decathlon and Sport Direct and bought an exercise bicycle, weights, dumbbells, etc. for £100 (+/- $150). Not exactly a gym, but more than enough for me. Not only I save money, but I can workout whenever I want.
  • chuck636
    chuck636 Posts: 258 Member
    I take my workouts very serious...like a 2nd job, but I love going to the gym....the environment and atmosphere motivates me
  • yankeedownsouth
    yankeedownsouth Posts: 717 Member
    Yup, I have my gym in my garage. Cage with cables, multiple bars, dumbbells, benches, kettlebells, medicine balls, etc. It's so great not having to wait in line for gym equipment. The only downfall is that it's REALLY hot in the garage in July/August in Texas. I'm hoping to move the entire thing upstairs to the game room as soon as we can afford changing out the carpet for rubber flooring.
  • errollmaclean
    errollmaclean Posts: 562 Member
    Yup and yup! It's convenient and I've saved money in the long run.
  • jlw905
    jlw905 Posts: 3 Member
    Anyone use a mini elliptical? Wondering is they are effective?
  • icrushit
    icrushit Posts: 773 Member
    edited January 2015
    Good idea. If I ever start lifting weights again and have the space, I would do just the same. As things stand, I'm enjoying being gym-free, but didn't do it to save money, just simply to detach my ability to exercise from the need to be in a specific place, or need (a lot of) specialist equipment.

    I walk right now, and get my strength training fix from calisthenics/ bodyweight. Everything else I'm looking at is either something I can do outdoors anywhere, or indoors myself without too much hassle. I will have to compromise when it comes to swimming, as hitting up a local pool is far less aggro than swimming outdoors this weather, lol.

    Re: weights, if it was me, it'd be a squat rack and a bench press, and would opt for a high quality durable one, ie weights club standard, no junk. The suggestion to buy used is also a good suggestion.

    Re: motivation, I manage to motivate myself at home, but then I tend to be the sort of person who puts their head down to see out a workout once I start. Starting can be the sticky point though, and if you're worried about being properly motivated, perhaps you could look into seeing if there is not a friend you could rope in as a workout partner, as if you're going to make headway with compound lifts, a spotter is highly recommended if just for safety :smile:

    Good luck with it all. I want my own little workout area one day (calisthenics/ semi-gymnastic area in my case) :smile:

    By the way, quickly reading your profile, you would seem to be the ideal sort of person to get the value out of a home gym.
  • Suezyq47
    Suezyq47 Posts: 199 Member
    I bought a nice elliptical last year (gym quality one) a set of dumbells, and Bosu Ball. It did cost me a couple thousand dollars, but I use them regularly at home. I have set up a nice workout room with a TV and surround sound. I either watch my favorite programs or music videos. I use my home gym at least 4 days per week and sometimes I go to the gym for a change of scenery. I love that I can save the time it takes to get to the gym and back home (about 30 minutes) and just workout at home, especially when it is cold and snowing!
  • cstinson496
    cstinson496 Posts: 4 Member
    I have total gym, a rower, a heavy punching bag (love it), a set of dumbbells, a core ball and a pull up bar. I can get a pretty great workout at home, and of course a tv or an ipad to do an online cardio workout if i wanted to change it up. I love my rower just because now a days i hate running.
  • DopeItUp
    DopeItUp Posts: 18,771 Member
    What, I haven't whored out my home gym pics in this thread yet?

    52522497578703419904.jpg
    51163485433173627074.jpg

    It'll pay for itself in another...4 years or so.

    Dope
  • AIR73
    AIR73 Posts: 11
    I did this a few years back. Due to previous injuries I am unable to Squat and since I train on my own, heavy weight exercises are not really possible. I went for professional gym quality machines. It took me a while to find and it was a big expense, even second hand, at several hundred pounds average per machine, it takes two rooms of my house. I have the following pieces of equipment:

    Bench Press
    Peck Deck
    Shoulder Press
    Lateral Raises
    Lat Pull-down/ Triceps press down
    Seated Rowing
    Seated Biceps
    Leg Extension/Leg Curl
    Rebook Power Blocks
    Stair climber

    No more driving to it traffic, strangers fluids, etc!
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