Are home gyms effective?

[jj23]

..I'm not talking about the crappy all in one systems, but a decent bench and some free weights. My wife recently had a baby and well it's hard now getting to the gym in the evenings except weekends. I'm also just about ready to start a cycle so I need to put a good system together. Luckily there is a gym at my apartment complex which has decent leg machines and a treadmill (no decent other machines though) so I'll be able to use a bit of both.

Basically, I was thinking equipment to do the most basic compound excercises (incline bench, t-bar, preacher bench etc.).

If someone could recommend some parts and the best and cheapest place to get em much appreciated.

 

[big4life]

Home gyms are as effective as you make them. I know people who have super gyms at home, but can't get motivated unless they are in an outside gym. I also know people who are the opposite.

For equipment, here is one of the best places I have found.

www.newyorkbarbells.com

For some reason their site is down right now, but check them out when they get back up. They have some of the best deals I have seen on the net.

 

[b fold the truth]

My home gym is pretty effective.

B True

 

[WalkingBeast]

I agree. Motivation is the most important factor. You only need basic freeweights to build a strong and large body, but without motivation its all useless.

 

[Schutzhund1]

Home gyms can be very effective assuming that you have decent motivation and can block out the distractions that come with being home. In your situation I would make sure that there is an understanding that when you are training it should be like you aren't there at all until you are finished. With a newborn in your home I can envision many problems such that if it were me I would welcome the excuse to get out of the house and go to the gym. (I know this sounds callous but I don't have any kids yet so take my wisdow - or lack of wisdom with a grain of salt.)

That being said,
My wife and I are building a new home and I've been granted the use of half of the basement for my home gym. (I sold the idea as an investment instead of paying the $70 montyly fees for both of us at out current gym.)
I ordered all of my equipment from www.newyorkbarbells.com except for the rubber flooring mats which I have on order from our local tractor supply company (they are used for horse stall mats- an idea I got from another member here. They were $40 for a 4'x6' 3/4" thick mat. About 1/2 the price you would pay from a fitness store. I have 9 mats on order so I've got 10'x18' of floor space.

 

[Schutzhund1]

Another thing to consider is the noise. If you are on the ground floor this isn't an issue but I wouldn't want someone living above me to be doing deadlifts on my ceiling or dropping dumbells after incline chest presses.