Have We Had a Home Gym Thread?

[1990C4S]

I am deciding between a gym membership and a home gym. I don't think I can find a gym for under $45 per month, maybe I'm better off buying equipment? A home gym might be better for me, I'm not sure.

On the plus side I will waste less time driving there and back, I have a nice room for it, and I have the mindset to do it regularly. As a negative, I get better equipment at the gym, and the machine might collect dust.

What is a good 'all around' gym, or do I really need to got to a gym to get good equipment?

[dan88911]

Well here is my 2 cents.
The home gym may require a little more motivation some times driving to the gym and being there helps.

That being said I have a gym membership one those deals via costco 24hr. fitness. Second year in to a 2yr deal. They have all machines free weights etc. The issue I have is the other members not returning weights and other equipment to the racks and the crowds during prime time.


So I go during non prime time so I don't have to work around these folks.
And I have some dumbbells at home so I get a workout at home some times.

[Les Paul]

After lifting weights for 38 of the last 40 years and having tried just about every scenario, I'd go with the home gym even if I had to do it all over again. Even before that you need to commit to doing pushups and sit-ups for a month before you start buying anything. If you can do three sets of 20 pushups and 50 sit-ups 4-5 times a week for a month see what that does for you. Then get a set of 20-30lb dumbbells and do some curls, flys, etc with the pushups and sit-ups. Then after a month of that add more free weights. I've always preferred a curl bar as you can do various complementary things with them. Then a bench to do your flys on, concentration curls. If you get in to it all get oly weights and a big bar. Then one of the many weight machines that has lat pull down press etc.

Good loud music also helps.

[1990C4S]

Originally Posted by Les Paul

After lifting weights for 38 of the last 40 years and having tried just about every scenario, I'd go with the home gym even if I had to do it all over again. Even before that you need to commit to doing pushups and sit-ups for a month before you start buying anything. If you can do three sets of 20 pushups and 50 sit-ups 4-5 times a week for a month see what that does for you. Then get a set of 20-30lb dumbbells and do some curls, flys, etc with the pushups and sit-ups. Then after a month of that add more free weights. I've always preferred a curl bar as you can do various complementary things with them. Then a bench to do your flys on, concentration curls. If you get in to it all get oly weights and a big bar. Then one of the many weight machines that has lat pull down press etc.

Good loud music also helps.

Thanks. I think that is great advice.

[Aragorn]

If you have the mindset to do it, go ahead and buy some equipment yourself. You will save both time and money in the short and long run.

Have said this before in another thread, but I really don't like to use a machine after Gunther has done his squats and forgot to wipe down the machine.

The 7 Grossest Gym Germs - Men's Fitness

[David]

Along with Les' advice, I'd add a pull up bar. I've had one where ever I've lived for the last 30 years. If I do nothing else, I try to at least get in some pushups and pull ups a few times every week.

I do think some people need the trip to the gym to work out, I'm just not one of them.

[Evans, Marv]

I think I would go with the home gym if you have the room and motivation. I don't work out anymore - just hard work for me. But I built some things on the patio for my wife's Cross Fit workouts. She is faithful at it and one of the neighbor ladies works out with her most of the time. She's gotten pretty strong and is in very good general shape. Working out at home never was successful for me in the past, but it has a lot of plusses if you have the discipline.

[rusnak]

Buying weight machines is a waste of money. If you do well with the machine, then it'll become obsolete within a year, as you move on with more weights.

For the beginner, a machine helps you to get into condition without hurting yourself. As you advance, free weights are the way to go. So start with a gym membership, then after a few years when you've weaned yourself off of machines, think about buying a home bench that is made like the healthclub version, and free weights. You'll know exactly what to buy by that time.

[pavulon]

Most big gyms have scenery that provides attendance motivation.

[TimT]

Most big gyms have scenery that provides attendance motivation.

+1

I had home gyms and equipment, i.e. universal gym, nordic track, etc. eventually they became cloths hangers..

for some reason I could not get the discipline to maintain a exercise regimen at home. About2 years ago I joined a gym (Planet Fitness, black membership).

I now go 3-4-5 time a week...I know its weird that I can make the time and get to the gym that many times a week, but could not work out when I had the equipment in my spare bedroom.

One driving force is that there is always some nice eye candy at the gym

[911dean]

Work out at home if you can. I've never worked out at a gym. I had worked out on and off(never had any real results) and then right before I turned 40 I became more and more disciplined. I literally worked out 4-6 times a week for 5 years. I got to the point that I could squat, deadlift, and bench press 300#s. So it can be done.
Now it's just something I do. I did start to take it easier after I turned 45 due to slight injury and bad work related attitude getting into life outside of work. Now that I have this stuff ironed out, I've really gotten back into it( I never really completely stopped).

So my advice is buy some high quality free weight equipment on Craigslist for 25 cents on the dollar and see if you can stay motivated to work out at home.