What do you use at home????

[mrhoon]

Before I moved to Pittsburgh I sold most of my training equipment. After 6 months in New Orleans, and 3 months here I am ready to put my home gym back together. Previously I had a generic smith machine, and various free weight bars and dumbells. I am not going with a smith machine again, and am looking at some power racks.

What do you use/have used/want/like/dislike/ and why. What are features you have that you like, or would want in an upgrade. What have you used that you would not recommend. Quality name brands, dealers? DO you buy online or get from somewhere? There is a ton of stuff out there so lets hear it.

I am looking for a basic power rack, I really focus on basic compound movements. But my wife likes doing many different lifts, and I also like variety from time to time. I've seen some cool stuff on the Sorinex web site, but pricey. We just got back from a fitness equipment store and tried some stuff out. There was a cool "electric brake" smith machine there. It has a wire across the bar that releases a break to allow the bar( held by wires, not on a trac like traditional smith ) to move freely up and down. You had free movement, and felt like a normal bb. When you release your fingers from the top of the bar it applies a break and stops movement. ie. safety stop. I was impressed. But prob not something I would invest in.

 

[kish]

My bro used to have almost almost 1 1/2 tons of weight before he moved out. And 2 of most bars and a sweet wieder bench. I should of scored it looking back. Now I have about 800 lbs of weight, 2 long bars, one curling bar with the spinners and a pro form mill. And 2 dumb bells with spinners. I also made a killer ab bench with a pully setup that works awesome. And I use them all. I love going to the gym, but I have time restrictions. I mainly go now to bump into honeys and for the leg press.

 

[JL_204]

My neighbor has a pretty good setup in his basement. He has a nice olympic bench, power rack, and dumbells up to 100 lbs. Hes gonna sell the whole thing to me for a cool $600. Hes selling it cheap because he wants to get a bowflex. Ill barely use it though because i workout at an awesome gym. Everything there is donated by Joe Wieder and its in the basement of some old fire station. Its a total dungeon with all brand new equipment and theres barely anyone there.

 

[beerdrinker]

My neighbor has a pretty good setup in his basement. He has a nice olympic bench, power rack, and dumbells up to 100 lbs. Hes gonna sell the whole thing to me for a cool $600. Hes selling it cheap because he wants to get a bowflex.

Wow, why in the hell would he do that???

 

[kish]

Wow, why in the hell would he do that???

Yea why would he do that? I know 2 people that bought bowflex machines and were'nt happy with them. I tried one. I don't like em'

I think their treadmill is all hype too. They diss an incline treadmill in their infomercial. If you watch their not walking on an incline at all. They hype that pos to be better than an eliptical too. As soon as they step foward it levels out..so it's just like regular walking.

 

[Madcow2]

I've heard nothing but good stuff about Midwest Barbell. Susan has some great prices on things and they run a PL site, contests, and have a team so you know you aren't going to get shit equipment. She's a PL and OL. http://www.midwestbarbell.com/catalog/

If I had more room I'd love to have something like this: http://www.magnumfitness.com/catalo....php?main=0&category=Power Series&sub=&id=145

 

[mrhoon]

I've looked at midwestbarbell.com before, glad to hear good stuff. Thanks

 

[JL_204]

Yea why would he do that? I know 2 people that bought bowflex machines and were'nt happy with them. I tried one. I don't like em'

He's seen the commercials and thinks there worth it LOL.
Hes not really serious into training so I think it is good enough. Oh well im getting a good deal out of it.

 

[gonelifting]

NYBarbell.com has good stuff for good prices. You gotta choose the right quality for your taste though. I would ditch the Smith machine, especially if you have limited space. . I have one and would get rid of it for the space. Number one thing is a power rack IMO.

I would also get the deeper power racks. They seem to come in 2 sizes 26 inch and 32. The 26 inch which I have is not deep enough (front to back) and you gotta be really careful not to hit the front or back with the bar as your squatting etc. You gotta stand in the center exactly... it's a small hassle, especially for the taller individual. I'm 6ft 3, just for a reference.

Here's where I'd normally post a pic of my gym but I've bragged way too much recently, so I'll hold off for a good month or so. lol good luck I love lifting at home.

 

[daverelli]

a bowflex, hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!