Building a home gym

[The Nuke]

Hey all, I need some advice. My two roommates and I are wanting to set up a little home gym in our apartment and then split it three ways. Right now we're thinking of just getting the basics: A power rack (With a top bar for pullups), a bench, a barbell, maybe 500 lbs in weights, collars, etc. and possibly dumbbells although that might come later.

The problem is that I've been shopping around at a few sports/fitness stores and haven't really found anything I'd buy, mostly there are giant rack/bench sets with tons of extras we don't need for way too much money. Can anyone recommend a good store or website to go shopping at? Maybe recommendations from members that have built their own home gyms? We're looking at spending maybe $1000 and not much more if possible.

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[beerdrinker]

Check out New York Barbell's racks. Also, check out Powertec's basic rack. I got the Powertec, but I wish the pullup handles were just a straight bar. That will set you back about $300 to $400 shipped. $200 on a good solid bench, and you will have $400 to $500 left for whatever else you want. Build a solid platform to go underneath the rack. I used 4 sheets of plywood layered two deep. Two laid horizontally and two vertically. I just screwed mine together, but glue + screws is better. I also used 7/16" OSB, but I recommend 3/4" plywood instead. 7/16" OSB has too much give for my tastes, but it's working for now. I put indoor/outdoor carpet on top. $1000 bucks can go far when going the power rack route. Good luck!

 

[The Nuke]

Thanks for the suggestions, I'll have to check out NYB and Powertec. Good idea on the platform too, that's one of the things I was worried about since we live in a top floor apartment so I don't want complaints from the neighbors. I also read about a platform setup in Starting Strength that looks inexpensive and easy to put together. I'll have to talk to my roommates.

 

[beerdrinker]

Thanks for the suggestions, I'll have to check out NYB and Powertec. Good idea on the platform too, that's one of the things I was worried about since we live in a top floor apartment so I don't want complaints from the neighbors. I also read about a platform setup in Starting Strength that looks inexpensive and easy to put together. I'll have to talk to my roommates.

Top floor...you are going to get complaints no matter what. When those deadlifts come down, your downstairs neighbors are going to know it. At least a good platform will keep the weights from going through the floor.

 

[AEKDB]

Rubber stall mats from you local farm supply store will protect the floor.

You can pickup a 300lb weight set at sports authority or dick's for $100. Get two sets for 600lbs and 2 bars. The bars are crap but mine is still going strong 5 years later. Get the dumbbell handles from NY Barbell. They are hidden on the site so heres the link:dumbells $20+shipping (shipping is probably free if you buy a squat rack). Pick up some standard weights: 4 each: 5lbs, 2.5lbs; and as many 10lb plates as you think you need. 3" Squat rack from NYBB is $709 incl shipping. Two stall mats will run $60-75 total. This should put you just over $1000 with shipping.

 

[The Nuke]

I wound up ordering from NYB a power rack, bench, 500 lb weight set, a plate holder, and some collars for around $800 total with shipping. Hopefully I'll be able to set it up this weekend and start lifting again on Monday. Thanks for all the advice, I'll probably be back for workout advice.

 

[AEKDB]

Good luck. There are few things better than having a true home gym.

 

[blut wump]

I'd suggest also getting a set of Jumpstretch bands from EliteFTS. The bands can be used for adding tension to lifts, which you're probably not really ready for yet, and, with a little imagination, can be used to substitute for a plethora of cable/pulley exercises.

By tying a band off on the bottom of the rack and tying the other end around a DB handle, you can do pull-throughs. By tying off the top of the rack, you can to face-pulls or triceps push-downs or abs pull-downs. You can tie two bands off the top of the rack and even have a band cross-over. For the heavier guy, they're handy for assisted pull-ups. etc. etc.

 

[The Nuke]

Well I finally have everything set up, and did my first workout today which went pretty well. The only thing I really miss is the device I used to use for back extensions, which I would do on days I didn't deadlift. Any creative ideas to make one out of what I got?

(I tried using the bench and just hooking my legs under it but I am way too unstable.

 

[artificialaspirations]

good mornings