Ultimate Home Gym - Worthy?

[Truth Teller]

So what you're saying is that your knees were not meant to extend or flex.

I could see some damage being done if someone loaded 200lbs on the leg extension machine and heaved the weights; but assuming the person knows how to train properly, cite a source to support your claims.

I guarantee you more people injure themselves doing front squats and RDL's than they do with leg extensions and curls.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/...tions+in+patellofemoral+joint+rehabilitation.

The leg extension places a ton of stress on the knees.

 

[Truth Teller]

I like the initiative. He spent way too much money.

The dumbbell rack is a waste of money (buy adjustable dumbbells). The leg extension/curl machine is a waste of money (good way to wreck your knees though). The seated calf raise machine is a waste of space and money. I'm not a fan of leg press/hack squats, so another waste of money.

The bench, rack, bars, and plates are nice. They're the only pieces of actually necessary equipment, though.

Who are you? Mark Rippletoe?

Yeah, I'm totally Mark Rippetoe. I love squatting in an incredibly unnatural way and shouting about hip drive. Also, a gallon of milk a day or you're not doing the program. Finally, I hate bent over rows. Fuck bent over rows. Do power cleans instead, because they somehow work your back better than bent over rows. Ignore my poor posture and multiple shoulder surgeries caused by the imbalance in my shoulders.

Obviously, I'm not Mark Rippetoe, and before it looks like I shat on Starting Strength too much, I do think Rippetoe is knowledgeable and means well.

I'm a guy who thinks the adjustable barbell is the greatest piece of exercise equipment ever invented. The greatest drug free physiques ever were built with barbell and dumbbell lifting. The leg press can be useful for people who can't squat.

 

[Only One Man]

So what you're saying is that your knees were not meant to extend or flex.

I could see some damage being done if someone loaded 200lbs on the leg extension machine and heaved the weights; but assuming the person knows how to train properly, cite a source to support your claims.

I guarantee you more people injure themselves doing front squats and RDL's than they do with leg extensions and curls.

Yea the knees were meant to extend and flex. They weren't meant to sit in a chair and lift heavy things from 90 degrees to parallel using your ankles. Legs and knees aren't designed to lift things in that manner.

 

[Spike]

Why I stopped doing leg extensions. Even though it was one of my favorite leg exercises.

At 8:00 minutes.

 

[rhodey]

I like the initiative. He spent way too much money.

The dumbbell rack is a waste of money (buy adjustable dumbbells).

Once you get past a certain weight adjustable dumbbells can become a royal pain in the ass for several reasons:

It's time consuming changing weights.

It's tough to find room on an adjustable dumbbell to accommodate 100lb+

It's tough having confidence that your collars will hold 100lbs of weight as you haul these thngs over your head....

IMO Dumbbell racks look damn cool, they are must for my home gym.

 

[LeeEnfield303]

My opinion: squats, bench, miltary press.

You can set this up for about a grand, world-class. I've done the research.

 

[la bodhisattva]

My opinion: squats, bench, miltary press.

You can set this up for about a grand, world-class. I've done the research.

You're going to need some compounds pulls to prevent total imbalances and prevent injury.

 

[Alpharius]

My opinion: squats, bench, miltary press.

You can set this up for about a grand, world-class. I've done the research.

Any examples you can show with prices?

 

[Truth Teller]

My opinion: squats, bench, miltary press.

You can set this up for about a grand, world-class. I've done the research.

You're going to need some compounds pulls to prevent total imbalances and prevent injury.

Bent-over rows/pull ups would be a good addition.

I've never understood the fascination with the bench press.

 

[The Beast1]

I've used adjustable dumbbells before. Honestly though at my gym I go to they have dumbbells from 5lbs all the way to 120 lbs. I personally enjoy like using the solid ones over the adjustable ones.

I would probably hurt myself during a squat if I worked out alone. I like the social security blanket the gym provides. Still want a home gym.

 

[la bodhisattva]

My opinion: squats, bench, miltary press.

You can set this up for about a grand, world-class. I've done the research.

Any examples you can show with prices?

I think by world-class, he's means absolute and extreme quality. In this sense, an extremely high quality squat rack, bench, and olympic weights can certainly set you back "just" a grand. York Barbell and Rogue are good places to start if you're looking for pro level equipment.

Honestly, I wouldn't bother with a squat rack that both costs $1500 AND holds 1500 lbs. But anyone who squats 500 raw doesn't need to hear my opinion on weight equipment needs. Most of us aren't doing ass-to-grass full squats with 300 lbs, so most things you'll find at Dicks will probably suit your needs just fine.

Mehdi from stronglifts gives a good breakdown on building a home gym here:

http://stronglifts.com/home-gym-equipment-buyer-guide/

 

[WanderingSoul]

He didn't spend too much. Just like the guy who spends thousands restoring his favorite car didn't spend too much.

This guy built his dream gym because he wanted it and had the money. Of course he could have spent a grand on a used power cage and some weights and had a perfectly fine gym, just as the guy who builds a 69 GTO could buy a 05 Civic and have a perfectly fine commuter car.

This dude wanted to build his ultimate gym and did it. Money well spent in my opinion.

 

[kosko]

To much money and time on his hands, its cool but I find this project overkill and OD for just one persons use.

If he is going to be hosting his buddies also then its all good, and you could also easily make that money back charging folks. You start charging folks though and that opens another with BS licensing, city/county rules, zoning, and insurance.

 

[Mess O.]

There's definitely some interesting discussions going on here. ^Yeah, concerning the dumbbell rack, it's a fine thing to have, permitted only if you have the resources, being $$ and space, and this dude's got it. A strong sentiment here is the high probability of it being too much, if, in fact, he's using the facility for himself, which I rather doubt, given how much crud is in there. And the green . . . mmm, on the wall maybe, but the machines, nah. It is really somethin' overall, but its full potential has yet to be realized.

We don't seem to have too many Rippetoe fans 'round these parts, but I think that his recommended outline for a home gym is really ideal, not only in its versatility, simplicity, but also economics. Same with the outlines professed by Mehdi. There doesn't appear to even be a straight-up power cage in there.

Clearly, again, there're a wealth of factors we're unaware of concerning the reasoning behind this fella's project. Given such resources, epic potential - there's what we can all agree on.

 

[Mess O.]

Kosko hits on some harsh truths there.

 

[Mess O.]

Ah, I see that dealy in the back is the cage. I thought it was a Smith.

 

[Sidney Crosby]

Seems like it took a long time just for that.

I think it would have been better if he still had enough room to park a car.

 

[eradicator]

My home gym, a concept 2 model rowing machine(model D), chin up bar in the doorway, some free weights(8 pounders, tens, and 15s). I don't really need much more. I certainly don't lift heavy, haven't in many years.

The rowing machine was 600 off of craigslist, but I had to get lucky and keep checking craigslist to find one in this good of condition. The chin up bar, I think $25 after coupon at target(was in the weekly ad). The weights were from garage sales, a couple of dollars. All total, about $630, mostly because of the rower, which I use daily. Much cheaper than getting a gym membership.

For the OP, if you are actually going to use all of the equipment and be hosting training sessions, or you are a trainer yourself, then I get how you would want that much of an elaborate set up, but if you aren't going to use all of the gear, why buy it? For show?

 

[monster]

My opinion: squats, bench, miltary press.

You can set this up for about a grand, world-class. I've done the research.

Any examples you can show with prices?

Decent equipment will run you closer to 2500-3000 with a rack, flat bench, incline bench, bar, plate set, adjustable DBs.

 

[RexImperator]

Titan HD Power Rack $400
CAP OB-86B Barbell $135
500 lb. of Weights from Craigslist $300 to $400
Used Bench $100 to $200

Eventually upgrade to a Texas Power Bar $300