What Makes A Good HOME Gym?

[jyl]

Sorry for what is kind of a copycat thread, but the "gym membership" topic got me wondering about home gyms.

The question is: what equipment is necessary, desirable, recommended, etc for a HOME gym?

But let's assume you're not outfitting the south wing of your Bel Air mansion for private trainers to get you ready to fit in that latex bodysuit for your next movie.

More like, you're putting together a workout space in your basement, garage, spare room, etc.

I know it will depend on one's fitness goals.

As I mentioned in the other thread, I have or plan to add, basically, some rings and some dumbbells, an adjustable bench, a comfy mat, and a cardio machine.

What else? Or would you equip (have you equipped) your home gym completely differently?

[EarlyPorsche]

Probably just need a shake weight.

[Red88Carrera]

Before you invest in all the equipment, make sure you are determined to use it. If you aren't sure of your commitment, get a 3-month membership and see how it goes. We have set up a home gym that has 2 treadmills, free-weights, universal, stair-master, nordic-track, bicycle, elliptical, ab machine, tanning bed, you name it, it's probably in there. The wife HAD to have it. For the amount of use it all gets, a 10-year membership would have been cheaper. Her idea was... "If I have it here in the house, I'll use it more often". That worked out really well.

[968rz]

I use a bench similar to this one but with a few more accessories:
Welcome to Impex Fitness
plus a pull/chin up bar and assorted weights, dumbbells, barbells, stretch bands, jump rope, tread mill.......
the hardest part is to keep going, it's too easy to make excuses to NOT exercise.

[TheMentat]

I went through the P90X routine last year. I'm now fairly convinced that a pull-up bar and some resistance bands are all that's required. As an upgrade, I'd go for some dumbells. All the rest of the stuff out there (benches, equipment etc.) are usually for isolating muscles.... not terribly useful for real-life activity.

[Buckterrier]

I had a home gym when I lived in New Hampshire. I purchased separate equipment... Bench press cage, you can do a lot with it, lat pull down which doubled as a rowing type machine, and free weights. Be careful of quad machines as they are VERY hard on the knees, (do squats instead, which you can do in the cage). I also had just a bench to do triceps and such with the free weights.
I now have a 'machine' It's OK but easy to get bored with it. That is what's nice working out with separate equipment, you have variety. Machines are less expensive but separate stuff is nice.

[epbrown]

Depends on that the gym is for. If you're going for cardio training, a treadmill, stationary bike or climber are all you need.

If you want to build strength, add a rack for deadlifts and squats, maybe some dumbells for lighter work. You need a bench/weight machine when you progress to working individual muscle groups.

[JonT]

I've got a set of power blocks and a incline/decline bench. All you would really need. Power blocks are adjustable dumbbells and are expensive but are on craigslist regularly.

[Evans, Marv]

I could never work out at home except for a rowing machine I had a long time ago. I could use it as I watched the news(mostly) or something else. My wife & I had a gym membership for several years and went pretty faithfully. However I started experiencing pain in my shoulder & elbow joints. When I took a break from the gym it stopped, so I knew I had to do something else. Since I'm not interested in building big muscles at my age, I started using some 5 & 10 lb. weights when taking walks. I alternated through 5 different exercises with them while walking. It was light weights w/ high reps - like maybe 3 to 5 hundred for each exercise. I really liked that. For my legs, I like mountain biking. I just could never hang with exercising in the house. It never worked out, but I enjoyed a regular routine of walk with weights and bike riding.

[john70t]

If you want a home gym, go to the Salvation Army. There are plenty of treadmills and exer-cycles to be found cheap.

"Getting into shape" requires a commitment to diet, stretching, and mental fortitude.

[jyl]

Specifically, my goal is to build muscle and generally firm up. I'm on a diet and want to be building, not losing, muscle.

I use the rings frequently, they are great for pushups, planks, leg raises, rows, other bodyweight exercises.

So I want to add some stuff to do lifting exercises. The idea of a set of adjustable dumbbells and an incline/decline bench is appealing, because it would be pretty compact.

We just cleaned the basement out - I don't want to be filling it up again!

[enzo1]

I've got a Vectra home gym, Love it! A cheaper alternative is a kettle bell...

[vash]

Adjustable dumbbells and a bench. Me, I am gonna just buy a kettlebell and one of those big rubber balls

[rfuerst911sc]

One that has plenty of room for clothes hangers

[NutmegCarrera]

Recepie for a good home gym:
Something that gets used.

[island911]

What Makes A Good HOME Gym? - dedication, not equipment.

I mean, sure, you can buy some nice weights, for example, but weights, will you really use them? ...I mean, those things are heavy.

[Rednine11]

I setup a small gym in my basement. I went with a Smith Machine so I can eliminate the need for a spotter. Let me know if you look into them. there are some things to consider when buying one
I also went with the Bowflex adjustable dumbells to save space. I know where they can be bought outright in the 250 dollar range for the pair.

[911_Dude]

This is a great product: Welcome to TRX Training
My GF is a trainer and she was sceptical, but now loves it. Simple, but very effective. Packs into a small bag and can be used in a hotel room when traveling.

[jyl]

I'd like to get the Bowflex, they look great - could you send me a PM with the information? Thanks.

I'm not doing the machines, for now. I use the gym at work for that stuff.

[Joe Bob]

A good gym is one that you use.....+1 on buying used.