Top ten bits of kit for a home gym...

[tdys]

Been thinking about this one. If I had to start from scratch, what would I buy?

1. Olympic bar and bumper plates.
2. Pull Up Bar.
3. Gymboss timer.
4. Skipping Rope.
5. Kettlebells 16 and 24 for starters...
6. Powercage (if training alone - discovered this the hard way!).
7. Ironwoody resistance bands.
8. Box - for jumping on and off.
9. Medicine ball (made my own out of old basketball filled with sand).
10. If it's too shit out to go running - a rowing machine (Concept2 if I could afford it).

Not sure about the order...

What have I missed?

[Rob T]

I'd go for a few changes myself;

1. Olympic bar and bumper plates
2. Pull Up Bar
3. Gymboss timer
4. Cable pulley system
5. Kettlebells - not sure, but probably
6. Powercage (if training alone - discovered this the hard way!)
7. Matted floor space
8. Box - for jumping on and off
9. Medicine ball
10. Cross-trainer (expensive for a good one though)

[tdys]

Yeah - matted floor space is a good call.
Not so bothered with cable pulley system - reckon I could achieve as good / better results using pull up bar / bodyweight and bands...
Not really tried a crosstrainer, but I do like to row!

Don't go for ab training gimmicks but I use an 'abmat' and thought about including that. Don't know if anyone else has opinions on the 'abmat'?

[MikeyL]

heavy bag?

[Rob T]

Fuck yeah... heavy bag for sure!!

Would probably drop the box and go for that instead. Hardly the same price range though!

[MikeyL]

ice bath lol

[Jamie Taylor]

Skipping rope.

[thaison]

weighted vest.

[Duchman]

Trx..........................

[tdys]

trx - that's the suspension system, right?
Is that sold in the UK?

Weighted vest is a good call, got one of them.
Wish I had enough space for a heavy bag (or somewhere to hang one).

[thaison]

only other thing id have in addition to that list is an agility ladder

[thaison]

and a stability ball dammmmm

[MikeyL]

grappling slave/partner

[bigleeroy1]

porn stash

[Daddy D]

My work laptop to watch fights while on my cross trainer, its a dull half hour otherwise. (also my mate Blobby, who owns every MMA DVD ever made, Cheers Blobby, Just worked my way through all the early UFC s again)

[mcgovern]

a bucket and chair

[scousemouse]

You cant beat a good pair of dumbells for versatility

[ashy51]

Water fountain?

[MikeyL]

My work laptop to watch fights while on my cross trainer, its a dull half hour otherwise. (also my mate Blobby, who owns every MMA DVD ever made, Cheers Blobby, Just worked my way through all the early UFC s again)

how the hell can you watch stuff while doing cardio?

surely this must mean arent going very hard?

[Sports-Select.co.uk]

Resistance bands are the shiz for home gyms: http://www.absolutegolduk.com/shop/bands.html

Not just strength work, Alex had me heaving from band complexes the other week, very MMA specific if you use the right moves.

[Bateman]

Rodney... ...

[cdc]

I have the following in my garage:

1. Cage (with pullup bar and dip attachments)
2. Bench
3. Olympic BB and plates
4. Kettlebells
5. Heavy bag
6. Cross trainer (with hindsight, a rower/Versaclimber would be better)
7. Ab wheel
8. Foam roller
9. Skipping rope
10. Gymboss timer
11. Swiss ball
12. Medicine ball
13. Standard BB and plates
14. Tractor tyre and sledgehammer
15. Weighted vest

I use 1-10 the most. With only a few things (cage, Oly weights, skipping rope) you can perform a variety of workouts.

If looking at cages, consider your height with your arms extended incase you want to do any overhead work - I didn't so have to do it outside the cage.

[MikeyL]

your garage is awesome

[BrettS]

In my gym we have:
1. 7 Olympic bars plus bumper plates (250+ kg)
2. Kettlebells (4kg - 40 several pairs of)
3. Olympic Squat rack + squat stands
4. Pull-up Cage
5. TRX suspension system
6. Heavy bag (pads etc also)
7. Heavy matting area (for dumping weights)
8. Rower & 2 Treadmills
9. Plyo boxes
10. Fight timer and several gym bosses
11. med balls / swiss balls /foam rolls & tp system

We also have a weighted vests / sledges etc and a tyre for outdoor training. Anyone ever in the Epping area please pop down and check us out

www.crossfitessex.co.uk

[MikeyL]

how much would it cost to have floor mats in an average size garage (guestimate)

[s33nyboy12]

surely gotta have some dumbells and bag, but i agree with rest and mats, im getting really p155ed off with commercial gyms at min bannantynes, fitness first, oasis ect thinking of home gym.

[cdc]

im getting really p155ed off with commercial gyms at min bannantynes, fitness first, oasis ect thinking of home gym.

This was one of the main reasons I started putting together a home gym - it gives you the flexibility to buy/use the exact equipment you want and when you want it. Listening to mates spending £70/month on a gym membership, I think annual costs are very comparable, if not cheaper.


Also see http://www.rosstraining.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=17520 for ideas.

[Baz]

This thread has inspired me to sort my garage out.
Thanks guys lol.

[Bateman]

see below....

[Bateman]

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j9/Type25/049.jpg
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j9/Type25/050.jpg
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j9/Type25/051.jpg
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j9/Type25/052.jpg

[ArmchairWarrior]

Some really inspiring stuff on there. Thanks for sharing pictures.

All I have is a treadmill and skipping rope. And a little £3 exercise mate from Tesco.

I really need to get some mats and a heavy bag.

[Dave Hirst]

Push-up bars and an ab wheel are cheap as hell and do a good job.

[ross90]

Push-up bars and an ab wheel are cheap as hell and do a good job.

ab wheels are awesome, i got one from my aunties attic that was just a wheel and 2 handles, no sort of brake or stopping the further you go out like on some Ive seen. She hadn't used it in years and i pinched it, my mates mam has one of the new ones and it has like a resistance on it when you get so far out, which makes it piss easy compared.

Bateman if thats your garage thats fuckin awesome.

[ArmchairWarrior]

I'm going to Taskers Sports to look at brackets for a bag now. I'm not really confident about buying the right one, installing it in the right place, etc. Don't know much about walls or DIY. Getting stressed over it now.

I wanted to get someone in work to make me a bracket but I've been off sick for a few days now and impatient to get started on my home gym.

Moved the bed out of the spare room and took the wallpaper down. Now I can start getting it how I want it.

[blanker]

i would go with
1.judo mats
2. a heater
3.power rack
3.ajustable bench
4.thick bar
5.olympic bar
6. bumper plants
7.a training partner
8. one of those big gym ball things
9. proper locking collars
10. med balls

[simonmobiledisco]

Some really inspiring stuff on there. Thanks for sharing pictures.

All I have is a treadmill and skipping rope. And a little £3 exercise mate from Tesco.



Are you telling us you hire the Downs sydndrome kid who pushes the trollies?

[MMAMAN]

My home gym consists of
Lots of kettlebells, lots of freeweights over 200kg, olympic barbell, dumbells, med balls, power rack, and just recently purchased some gymnast rings which i cant wait to have a play on.

[Dave78]

I have

chinning bar/heavy bag holder
http://www.keyfitness.co.uk/index.php?main_page=popup_image&pID=179

heavy bag

double end bag

leverage gym (cos i have nobody to spot) with loads of pulley attachments
http://www.powerhouse-fitness.co.uk/bodymax-cf500-elite-leverage-gym-with-bench-and-preacher.php

olympic weights (around 200kg)

treadmill

resistance bands

crash mat/floor mat

dumbbells (can make up to 28kg)

olympic bar/olympic curl bar

think thats about it

the only thing i am sometimes missing is the motivation to go in there lol!

[Dave78]

I have

chinning bar/heavy bag holder
http://www.keyfitness.co.uk/index.php?main_page=popup_image&pID=179

heavy bag

double end bag

leverage gym (cos i have nobody to spot) with loads of pulley attachments
http://www.powerhouse-fitness.co.uk/bodymax-cf500-elite-leverage-gym-with-bench-and-preacher.php

olympic weights (around 200kg)

treadmill

resistance bands

crash mat/floor mat

dumbbells (can make up to 28kg)

olympic bar/olympic curl bar

think thats about it

the only thing i am sometimes missing is the motivation to go in there lol!

i also like Bateman have kick shields, thai pads, focus pads etc but dont have the room to use them in there really .... oh ok i admit it ... i have no fucking friends to spar with :)

[SuperKlinch]

Space & £££ saving gym
1.Ab wheel
2.Powerball
3.Dumbbells
4.Barbells
5.Resistance Band
6.3 dining table chairs to do those deep push ups and dips
7.teenage brother

Having a good trainer is key I believe if you don't feel like you wanna die during training you need to go somewhere else. I get pushed to the limit and then pushed past the limit's limit

[Bateman]

Got my walls done ... well pleased with them

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j9/Type25/IMG_2547.jpg
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j9/Type25/IMG_2549.jpg

[GreekGod]

Sweet place Bateman.. you must've spend a lot of money kitting our your garage like that? Teaching private lessons there issit, or just personal use..





GG

[Bateman]

Sweet place Bateman.. you must've spend a lot of money kitting our your garage like that? Teaching private lessons there issit, or just personal use..





GG

cheers mate, its taken a while to get it like that.
I do a few private sessions, this then pays for the kit in which me and a few of my mates use. It works pretty well, my mates have put a pretty good stereo in and the heating and done the electrics ...

[Rob T]

Looks fucking sweet mate.

[Bateman]

Looks fucking sweet mate.

Cheers mate , going to host a rip off of Rio Heros in it some time soon.:D

[Rob T]

Haha, now that would be awesome.

[Dave78]

Bateman's place clearly kicks ass :)

Is that attached to your house or a lockup mate?

I have a nice functional setup, but your place.....i've been to clubs with less lol ;)

[Bateman]

thanks mate, its taken about 2 years and the sale of a classic car to get to this point. Its my double garage at the end of my garden lol... the neighbours love it. The cage walls i got installed at the weekend make it the business, sadly i now have to walk to the station in the morning lol

[Dave78]

sadly i now have to walk to the station in the morning lol

looking at the pics i have no doubt at all its worth it :D

[Graz]

That's quality! Fair play selling your motor to kit the garage out

[Dave78]

Reviving this thread as I've added to mine!

This is my latest addition, a multi purpose rack that can take upwards of 350kg as i've tried it (no...by tried i do NOT mean lifted i mean left on a static bar and jumped on it myself to add weight lol)

http://i1201.photobucket.com/albums/bb343/DWedz/IMG00117-20110611-1429.jpg

http://i1201.photobucket.com/albums/bb343/DWedz/IMG00116-20110611-1429.jpg

Its bolted to the wall and floor using coach rawl bolts and welded together made of old gym parts and some steel from the fella who welded it for me (only cost me £100 all in! :D )

I'll try and get some more pics of my other gear on here soon....but yes....Bateman's gym ftw still lol

EDIT : Finally got the pics to work :D

[Bateman]

you tried photobucket mate ?

[Jgaldo]

I need a garage:mad: I have a bike and rower in the kitchen, 120kg Free weights & bench, pull-up bar, weights-vest, skipping-rope, TRX Suspension system and a slam/punch-man. Not jealous at all... :(

[Bateman]

I need a garage:mad: I have a bike and rower in the kitchen, 120kg Free weights & bench, pull-up bar, weights-vest, skipping-rope, TRX Suspension system and a slam/punch-man. Not jealous at all... :(

you have to fit it in where you can mate , i used to have 4 mats, 2 bags in my shed. me and my mate you so spar in there as well it was fucking mental. Take 1 step forward and you was in the middle of the shed lol toe 2 toe

[Bateman]

Note the festive and welcoming lights outside the 'summer house' , we used to drag the mats outside and and assemble them on my decking in the summer (to the amusement of my neighbours) and roll, MMA and stuff.

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j9/Type25/seni/IMG_8236.jpg

[Bateman]

Reviving this thread as I've added to mine!

This is my latest addition, a multi purpose rack that can take upwards of 350kg as i've tried it (no...by tried i do NOT mean lifted i mean left on a static bar and jumped on it myself to add weight lol)

http://img14.imageshack.us/img14/250...1106111430.jpg

http://img69.imageshack.us/img69/660...1106111429.jpg

Its bolted to the wall and floor using coach rawl bolts and welded together made of old gym parts and some steel from the fella who welded it for me (only cost me £100 all in! :D )

I'll try and get some more pics of my other gear on here soon....but yes....Bateman's gym ftw still lol

(ps if anyone knows how i can get imageshack to post the image not the link let me know :mad:)

you got a squat rack in there ?

[Evzy]

Fair play, just getting my garage up and running and was quite happy with it, but Batemans makes mine look a pants - though mine isnt geared for MMA, just fitness. But love the decal on the walls, has given me an idea as had just whitewashed them and stuck a couple of posters up.

So far
Life Fitness cable machine
2 bench one with fly/leg attachements, other just basic bench press (both getting binned soon for a utility bench )
reebok treadmill
worlds worst bike - going in the skip and just going to use my real bike for cardio
squat rack (which i will double up for bench press with the utlity bench when i buy it so i can throw the other benches out)
3 full size bars (not olympic grade though)
4 dumbells
220kg+ of weights, mostly cast iron, some vinyl
cheapo rowing machine
no pull up bars but cross beams do the job.

Want to get some resistance bands and the utility incline/decline bench sorted next.

[Dave78]

you got a squat rack in there ?

the rack in the pictures above (about 7 posts) is for squats and bench's, although i am finding it has limitations in terms of its width :(. I had to make it a certain width because i dont have a 7' olympic bar only a 6', but the consequence of that is the grip width on bench pressing is a little narrow.

The other obvious limitation to bench and squats is that i shit my pants over a certain weight as i have no one to spot me :o

I also have -


chinning bar/heavy bag holder

heavy bag

double end bag

numerous kick pads/gloves etc

leverage gym (cos i have nobody to spot) which can do squat, bench's, shoulder press and has a high/low pulley


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQNJI91_WE8&feature=player_embedded

loads of pulley attachments

olympic weights (around 200kg)

resistance bands

crash mat/floor mat

dumbbells (can make up to 28kg)

olympic bar/olympic curl bar

[Jgaldo]

You should check Gumtree on the regular...I got a £700 york 2in1 Cycle/rower for the grand sum of....and wait for it....£30.
4 days it's been in my possession and I'm over the moon with it!
I make do with what space I have and it goes well but it would be nice to lay out a circuit and not go through your house lool

[Bateman]

the rack in the pictures above (about 7 posts) is for squats and bench's, although i am finding it has limitations in terms of its width :(. I had to make it a certain width because i dont have a 7' olympic bar only a 6', but the consequence of that is the grip width on bench pressing is a little narrow.

The other obvious limitation to bench and squats is that i shit my pants over a certain weight as i have no one to spot me :o

I also have -


chinning bar/heavy bag holder

heavy bag

double end bag

numerous kick pads/gloves etc

leverage gym (cos i have nobody to spot) which can do squat, bench's, shoulder press and has a high/low pulley


loads of pulley attachments

olympic weights (around 200kg)

resistance bands

crash mat/floor mat

dumbbells (can make up to 28kg)

olympic bar/olympic curl bar

I am liking that a lot Dave , you got a nice strength set up there. That rack and bench will give a nice chest , shoulders and leg work out. you planning on getting any safety bars for squating ? thinking you can get those as an attachmrnt to your rack.

Might have to make a trip over to you one day and try it out

[Dave78]

I am liking that a lot Dave , you got a nice strength set up there. That rack and bench will give a nice chest , shoulders and leg work out. you planning on getting any safety bars for squating ? thinking you can get those as an attachmrnt to your rack.



i do have some 'plans' with the rack its not finished as such. Im thinking i will (see the white bits which support the bar) have the catchers cut so that they are a single thickness and try and encorporate some sort of moveable safety bars a little like this

http://www.gymratz.co.uk/images/product/detail/2bsgpr370squat.jpg

I figure this will give me a little more grip width!?

also if you notice in the top picture you will see there are some holes underneath the top parallell bars, my plan is to feed some sort of cable and rotational pulley through this and out of the front and have some sort of cable crossover at the front/top of the rack

i was thinking of buying this or similar to weld on as i can't ceiling mount in my garage

http://ecentrum.kelton.pl/produkty/UK/HW4_HD6_1.jpg

its a work in progress, but its getting there :)



Might have to make a trip over to you one day and try it out

mate you are welcome anytime, i work shifts so any day that im off or about is good, or weekend wise if that suits better i get roughly two in five off, so just give me a shout :)

[London84]

Field Trip / Forum day out to Dave78's garage - everyone welcome ! WOO HOO ! :D

[Bateman]

guessing you could put them accross the garage , the pulley looks like it comes out far enough to allow for biggish plates to be loaded on. You could work 'Double Biceps' in front of the garage door then to the delight of the neighbours lol

A mate of mine was telling me how terry Hollands always bends the Safety Bars in the squat racks lol he uses that much weight he must blow blood out his nose, fuck that.

The second picture, wondering if those safety bars come out far enough for you to clear the rack ?

[Dave78]

You could work 'Double Biceps' in front of the garage door then to the delight of the neighbours lol


haha awesome, joys of a home gym is that there's no dress code either...double bicep pose in my spiderman pants for the win :cool:




The second picture, wondering if those safety bars come out far enough for you to clear the rack ?

not getting you buddy?

[Bateman]

not getting you buddy?

those safety bars look about a foot long on that pickture, by the time you step back to clear the verticles you will be out past the safety bars.

look at the safety bars on this hammersterngth set up

http://www.savagestrength.co.uk/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/500x500/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/h/a/hammer_strength_hd_half_rack_.jpg

[Dave78]

those safety bars look about a foot long on that pickture, by the time you step back to clear the verticles you will be out past the safety bars.

look at the safety bars on this hammersterngth set up

http://www.savagestrength.co.uk/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/500x500/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/h/a/hammer_strength_hd_half_rack_.jpg

ah, im with ya!

yeah i think the problem is finding a compromise between depth of the rack (and the room it takes up) and safety

the rack itself ive had built is only 40cm deep for that reason, that rack you've put a link on for is the nuts....but then i found it online and its £2500 ish so im not surprised lol

[Bateman]

hammerstrength is the business but i was more of the length of the support. If you go up reflexions gym in Dartford you can watch Terry Hollands straigthen them out before he uses the rack, and bends them again lol

[Mattchoo]

Home set up consists of a pretty average solid walled garage in the garden.

Has full gym size running machine & cross trainer

2/3 sand 1/3 normal filling punchbag - takes two to lift it up LOL. It is awesome for kicking and the head section has more give in it but not too much due to the padding so the punching is perfect for me. It doesn't really move anywhere!!

Floor to ceiling bag

Bench

Free weight selection with dumbell bars & Z bar with around 60kg of discs, need some more to be more creative but it does the job.

Two 16kg kettlebells - I am a weak little girlboy.

Pair of 5kg ankle weights which are a pretty cool gimmick for some down time bag work

Horrendously over sized selection of 10-boxing gloves, thai pads, focus pads, headguards and all that jazz.

Its a work in progress and is so much better than going up to the gym being frustrated at old people doing stretches all over the place!

I would get some pictures but my computer is crippled and itunes is kaput!

[Bateman]

lets see some pics, i need some ideas ...

[Mattchoo]

I will try get some photos eventually of it, it's not very big though so if I'm on the bag I got to shift weights etc but other than that does a great job! By the looks of yours there is absolutely nothing it can offer haha!

[Evzy]

hahahahaha just realised something, might post a pic of mine later, you lot will go mental for it when you see it...lets just say by the time I get home there should be a few additions to my garage that have sexed it up no end...

[Dave78]

We appear to have had some old shitty but massive tyres dumped in the car park at work...im thinking i might 'borrow' one (bearing in mind they are SO not roadworthy anyway) and keep one in the shed to bust out for some sledge training and flips on sunny days :)

[Bateman]

We appear to have had some old shitty but massive tyres dumped in the car park at work...im thinking i might 'borrow' one (bearing in mind they are SO not roadworthy anyway) and keep one in the shed to bust out for some sledge training and flips on sunny days :)

nice , i took a chunk out of the decking and also hit myself in the face when i tried that lol
i did make some home made sand bags which are pretty good. I also want to get some rock climbing holds and put them on the beams and walls to help my grip.
you seen rosstraining.com ?

[Evzy]

Gutted, was supposed to be putting 3 Fridges in my garage for storage for someone last night, but they found somewhere closer to do it.....

Damn that would have been a fine garage you all would have been jealous of :(

[Dave78]

nice , i took a chunk out of the decking and also hit myself in the face when i tried that lol
i did make some home made sand bags which are pretty good. I also want to get some rock climbing holds and put them on the beams and walls to help my grip.
you seen rosstraining.com ?

lol @ the sledgehammer that must've smarted! yeah ive seen/used Rosstraining a few times in the past mate it can be very useful

Why stop at a couple on beams Rog ?...put them all up the side of your house and spiderman that shit haha :D

Bigish rooms with highish ceilings can be used for so many different things. Scaffold bar across the middle plus some home made olympic rings and various metal lumps for handles and you can perform so many bodyweight exercises. Im gutted my ceiling is low as when im in the work gym there is an exercise i like to do which is as follows -

On a chin bar or smith machine set at top, jump up and take an underhand grip
Bring your knees to your chest like a knee raise
Keep going so that you are upside down and all the way over like a kiddie at the park
lower yourself back to start REALLY slow and repeat for a set

One of many many examples of kickass bodyweight training :cool:


Gutted, was supposed to be putting 3 Fridges in my garage for storage for someone last night, but they found somewhere closer to do it.....

Damn that would have been a fine garage you all would have been jealous of :(

haha i had a feeling when you said it you were going to have a fridge/chest freezer somewhere along the line ;)

[Dave78]

:cool:

Im like a kid at xmas! I have had the rack I had made adjusted so the uprights are now only singular to give a load more range inside. I've had part of the cable cross (the plate loaders and bits) made and now have the main 'beam' part on order.

I've also got a T-bar row adapter for my olympic bar being made like this http://www.fullcirclepadding.com/displayPages/admin/products/images/dt_EQTBAR.jpg.

And new dipping and knee raise wall mounted station been bought just waiting to put it up after everything else is fitted and i know where the room is (like this) http://www.fitnessavenue.ca/images/products/Dip%20Bar%20Knee%20Raise%20Bar-%20Wall%20Mounted.jpeg

Home gym is the way forward....and my local steel fabricator is my new best mate :D

[Bateman]

get him make you a shrug machine, that would be wicked

[Dave78]

get him make you a shrug machine, that would be wicked

like a hex bar?

[Bateman]

forget that , you got a rack aint you...

[Dave78]

forget that , you got a rack aint you...

yep :)

i'll upload new pics next week when im done

[Dave78]

Gym is finally finished :cool:

Have added the cable crossover, sorted the rack out, numerous hooks and bits as anchor points. Also invested in a TRX and some Bodylastic style bands. Well happy :D

Will upload some pics tomorrow, a vid would be better to explain and show it all but i don't know how to edit one so it'd be full of me changing cables over and swapping plates etc :(

[Dave78]

Right here goes...

http://i1201.photobucket.com/albums/bb343/DWedz/IMG-20111023-00002.jpg

http://i1201.photobucket.com/albums/bb343/DWedz/IMG-20111023-00012.jpg

http://i1201.photobucket.com/albums/bb343/DWedz/IMG-20111023-00003.jpg

TRX are AMAZING! Can't recommend them highly enough :cool:

As you can see there are numerous 'anchor' points on the beam (2nd & 3rd pic). perfect for ab slings, attachments for chins etc

[Dave78]

The cable cross was made with marine pulleys, covered wire rope, locally welded plate loaders and kids party rubber balls :D (how many gyms have those in them i ask ya!? lol). Its VERY smooth and i can honestly say as good and as smooth as any i've ever used in a gym, well pleased!

http://i1201.photobucket.com/albums/bb343/DWedz/IMG-20111023-00004.jpg

http://i1201.photobucket.com/albums/bb343/DWedz/IMG-20111023-00005.jpg

http://i1201.photobucket.com/albums/bb343/DWedz/IMG-20111023-00011.jpg

[Dave78]

The rack is 'single skin' now so i have a lot more room to move and vary grip

http://i1201.photobucket.com/albums/bb343/DWedz/IMG-20111023-00008.jpg

and i can 'walk the bar' to change height even with weight on :cool:

http://i1201.photobucket.com/albums/bb343/DWedz/IMG-20111023-00010.jpg

[Dave78]

Lots of attachments to vary it up...

http://i1201.photobucket.com/albums/bb343/DWedz/IMG-20111023-00014.jpg


Bands are very good for drop sets and supersets

http://i1201.photobucket.com/albums/bb343/DWedz/IMG-20111023-00009.jpg

[Dave78]

IF I can bothered (big IF) I think the only thing that remains is to 'pretty' it up, plaster the walls, clear out the tools etc ... but I kinda like it as it is, rough and spit and sawdust :)

Bateman et al, let me know what you think...

[Evzy]

Looks nice dude, gonna invest in some TRX once my redundancy comes through, need to tidy my gym up a bit before I take a pic and post it though !!

[Dave78]

Looks nice dude, gonna invest in some TRX once my redundancy comes through, need to tidy my gym up a bit before I take a pic and post it though !!

don't let untidyness stop you dude...clearly i didn't lol :o

[Evzy]

true, but I am also waiting for delivery of a shiny new Marcy bench so I can throw my cheap n nasty one out - it was supposed to come a week ago but been delayed now til Nov 5th or so :( Still will be in there later so might take a pic anyway if I can move the random light fitting and dead woodlice outta the way ! - had a few in the corner about 2 weeks ago so put some powder down, went in there yesterday to grab something and noticed an absolute shitload of em dead legs in the air, in the corner.....muhahahaha woodlice genocide !!

[Dave78]

Which Marcy bench did you buy dude? (and where from if they are dicking you about!?)

I like Marcy/Impex/Maxxus stuff its very good value for money whichever sticker they decide to lay on it.

I had an SM600 Smith Machine which was one of my first 'real' attempts at home gym. I can honestly say (aside from a Nautilus one which are MAJOR bucks) it was the best bench i've ever had in terms of comfort and stability. The rack/frame wasn't quite so hot but still ok, but the bench itself was awesome!

http://img1.foxy.co.uk/product_images/1/2/5/9/0/8/125908649/large.jpg

I'm not sure they do this actual bench seperately though, some look similar but a little more flimsy

[Evzy]

Doh, couldnt find it on web search then so double checked my order - its maximuscle not marcy!!

http://www.jellydeal.co.uk/prod_store/maximuscle-multipurpose-workout-bench.jpg

From Argos - £99.99 - just needed something that does incline/decline so I can use it with my cable machine and then my squat racks can double up for bench press etc and I can sling my standard bench out.

[Dave78]

Doh, couldnt find it on web search then so double checked my order - its maximuscle not marcy!!

http://www.jellydeal.co.uk/prod_store/maximuscle-multipurpose-workout-bench.jpg

From Argos - £99.99 - just needed something that does incline/decline so I can use it with my cable machine and then my squat racks can double up for bench press etc and I can sling my standard bench out.

You'll probably find by looking at that its also made by Impex. It certainly looks identical to many Marcy ones i've seen (and very similar to Bowflex by Nautilus which is so not a bad thing!).

I don't think you'll be disappointed and £100 is not OTT for a bench at all. It has a nice wide base and personally i much prefer the design where the back is adjusted by hand rather than on a spring screw (which many of the pricey ones have). I find you get a lot less movement on the design you've bought.

Why are they keeping you waiting? Out of stock?

[Evzy]

I think its out of stock, said it will be with me by the 5th - was a message on my phone, didnt speak to anyone directly, should do the job I need it for hopefully - most other places selling that one for around £179 - won some vouchers in work so they pretty much paid for it which was handy. That and some TRX and I think I am done, bar a cross trainer but doubt will buy one of those for awhile as not worried too much about cardio at present.

[Dave78]

I think its out of stock, said it will be with me by the 5th - was a message on my phone, didnt speak to anyone directly, should do the job I need it for hopefully - most other places selling that one for around £179 - won some vouchers in work so they pretty much paid for it which was handy. That and some TRX and I think I am done, bar a cross trainer but doubt will buy one of those for awhile as not worried too much about cardio at present.

Makes total sense to wait then dude and it'll be sweet when you get it knowing it didn't set you back much :)

I think my TRX is a snide as it only cost £75 but if it is its an AMAZING copy! As long as functionality and strength are good i don't really care.

They are amazing though, its SO much harder than it looks. The press ups are like reps of 10 each one and every exercise seems to work your abs lol.

[Bateman]

thats wicked Dave, you just need to get a coffee machine in there for when i head over. thinking we could get a nice chest work out going in there, maybe some chest and back. looks sweet, a lot of thought and effort gone in to that.
Should I bring my slippers ? i noticed the carpet and dont think its welcoming of outside shoes

that trx is excellent, i have used them a few times and thought about getting one myself

[Dave78]

thats wicked Dave, you just need to get a coffee machine in there for when i head over. thinking we could get a nice chest work out going in there, maybe some chest and back. looks sweet, a lot of thought and effort gone in to that.
Should I bring my slippers ? i noticed the carpet and dont think its welcoming of outside shoes

that trx is excellent, i have used them a few times and thought about getting one myself

I'll get a Lavazza in specially for you bro lol. I was going to spend that money on some extra plates though after your recent gains :D

The carpet most definitely accepts outdoor shoes, its had more dirt on it than a Premiership footballer with a side ho :) . I do keep it clean in terms of that it gets hoovered and that so it's not minging, but its not something i'm precious about haha. Although having said that...bring your slippers, we'll crack open the Jura and do something more leisurely :)

The TRX is just amazing. I'll be using it tomorrow at works gym in a boxing/leg/trx circuit. The thing with the TRX is it ACTUALLY gives you a good workout, its the first mobile peice of equipment i've ever known that can do that from beginner all the way to advanced. All these faddy things don't normally do a lot if you're in to your training they are more for people who think they'll lose a pound or two in front of the telly! But all you need is a beam or hook (although mine came with a door fitting i'd be a bit sceptical about my full body weight on an internal door!) and some space :cool:

[Evzy]

Right, quick pick of mine - still needs a good tidy and move around but at least its a pic and compared to most on here, its a shitty effort, but its home and it does me :)

http://i868.photobucket.com/albums/ab247/evz1974/IMAG0642.jpg

Squat racks on left, bench right (thats the one going) cable machine, treadmill in the corner, things left to do - stick my cheapo rowing machine in and where the pic was taken - gonna put a unit there with a PC on loaded with music vids and workout vids for inspiration, got an old 21 inch monitor and a crap PC that will do the job, just gotta hook it up, will post another pic once project shitty garage is finished :)

[Evzy]

Oh ignore the plank of wood - thats a light fitting that I havent..erm...fitted yet!

[Dave78]

Lol at the light fitting :D

I'm on my phone so can't see it brilliantly until tomorrow but that high/low cable looks pretty hardcore Evz?!

That's a mans gym that is :cool:

[Evzy]

I got the cable machine from my works gym when it closed, got a bargain on it - Life Fitness make, 2x95kg stacks and 20 height settings I think on each side, they threw in all the handle attachments - steel grips x2, long and short fabric type grips 2 of each, rope , bar that attaches across both cables and few other bits, that and the gym grade squat racks for 500 I think it was...More than getting my use out of it to be fair - though it was on its side for awhile whilst I got the garage floor skimmed n level and a bit of a leak ran under doors by the frame and now the outer casing on one sides cable is cracked here and there so slightly less smooth action, nothing too bad though to be fair - more I know its there than it actually makes any diffence I think.

One thing I did learn though..... I fucking hate squats :(

[Bateman]

i dont have many weights in my Home gym, just a small barbell and some dumbells set, mainly bands , medicine balls sandbags etc etc..

i did think about putting in a bench but i think i would achieve lass than I do at the Gym I train at daily.

What you guys have done looks very impressive, I have a 44" tv in my gym , i will get a picture up if i still have it lol

[Dave78]

One thing I did learn though..... I fucking hate squats :(

i think pretty much everyone does dude! But you MUST do them!!!!! Over and over and over!

Why do you think there are so many t shirts and the like on the market saying things like "shut up and squat"!? i was going to post a picture of one as a joke, but i found this and i thought it was even funnier and perhaps more fitting :D

http://www.primaltrainingstudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/squat-240x300.jpg

[Dave78]

i dont have many weights in my Home gym, just a small barbell and some dumbells set, mainly bands , medicine balls sandbags etc etc..

i did think about putting in a bench but i think i would achieve lass than I do at the Gym I train at daily.


How do you find you get on with this style of training since you've made your physical 'alterations' lol ?

I think you're right about there being no point in going mad on the weights at home if you have a good gym nearby home or work to be fair




What you guys have done looks very impressive, I have a 44" tv in my gym , i will get a picture up if i still have it lol

this cracked me up :D most people don't have this in their front room haha

[Evzy]

haha love that picture, need a poster of it for my garage wall now!! Still hate the bastard things though, although in fairness never ever done squats til i got that squat rack home so probably doing them wrong and thats why my knee's bleed and I can see my lung hanging out of my arse on the down part of them...

[Dave78]

haha love that picture, need a poster of it for my garage wall now!! Still hate the bastard things though, although in fairness never ever done squats til i got that squat rack home so probably doing them wrong and thats why my knee's bleed and I can see my lung hanging out of my arse on the down part of them...

No...that's just how they feel :( lol

The main things are the obvious, eyes straight, stomach in and a nice straight line. Imagine a cross is drawn on top of your head if someone is looking down from aerial view as if to have you in a gun sight. You need to remain central to this cross both left/right and forward/back (if that makes any sense).

Don't go too heavy until your technique is good, build it up gradually then when its good go heavier and heavier. Squatting heavy for the win :)

Other exercises can assist in your squat capabilities like Leg Presses, Hack Squats etc on machines and lunges, steps and unweighted squats.

They are a bitch and will be uncomfortable, but they should not HURT!

You need to decide which it is?!

If they are hurting don't do them! If they are uncomfortable, take some ManUp :D

[Evzy]

I get a kinda popping sensation in my right knee as I push off the bottom of the squat sometimes - not every time but more often than I would like, I push through it and so far I can still walk so not toooo worried about it, still not squatting heavy heavy, more making sure I get good form but I am not happy about them so far, obviously going to keep going til I am happy, or til my knee explodes but either way I shall not admit defeat (expect on days when I am too tired and cant be arsed, then we can call it a draw)

[Dave78]

How low do you go before it 'pops'?

Do you support/strap it?

I take it its only one knee?

[Evzy]

Go to almost horizontal on thighs to floor - its not a popping sound, it just feels like the outside of my knee erm...how to explain, wobbles/pops/slips a bit - doesnt hurt but I am concious of it bigtime more as an annoyance. Nah no stapping shizzle up - I'm Welsh - we don't do girly stuff, if the knee pops I will just twat it back in with a hammer and crack on! But yeah its only the right knee - I also figure if I can't twat it back in with a hammer, I still have the left knee and will just have to do one legged squats til I grow another knee. Did 3 sets tonight, was popping a fair bit but , I wanted to quit squats on about the 3rd rep of second set but...I pushed through after seeing that pic you posted :( Only doing 1/2 my bodyweight as well on them so not overloading by any stretch at the moment...

[Dave78]

I would get that knee looked at by a sports physio buddy its probably something easily rectified but u could do fuck loads of damage to it if not seen to! Plus even if you want to be 'a man' and don't want to have it looked at think of all the weight and gains you are missing out on!

I generally squat up to 120%+ of bodyweight and I'm not overly strong! I have done more but I tend to limit it to that for safety and injury prevention. But that should give you an idea of how much your thighs are missing out on!

(I do quite like the hammer theory though lol...must be all that Welsh blood I have in me! :)).

[Evzy]

Yeah, maybe I should, though my current temptation is get my mate to spot me and see how much I can squat without crying and managing 6+ reps just to get an idea of if the knee will give once i load up the bar.... but yeah, should get it looked into - I wont mention the MRI I had on my lower back the other week lol!! Old age man, I am falling apart just as I am getting the fittest I have been!

[Dave78]

Yeah I feel your pain with the age barrier :( . Its why I'm off the MMA at present.

I think a half decent physio would sort that in a session or two but would only work off recommendation and word of mouth as some are shit and clueless.

[Bateman]

Yeah I feel your pain with the age barrier :( . Its why I'm off the MMA at present.

I think a half decent physio would sort that in a session or two but would only work off recommendation and word of mouth as some are shit and clueless.

you know what to do with the Age barrier mate, its been mentioned a few times on the board by my mate lol

[Bateman]

here you go, watching "The Smashing Machine"

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j9/Type25/photomarkkerr.jpg

[Dragunov]

Impressive stuff going down with these home gyms. Wish I had some space to do the same!

[Evzy]

Shit man I want a cage in my garage...no reason, just that must be awesome to open the doors and see that!

Wonders if this will spiral into everyone one upping each other, how soon before we see HD projectors in garages, full size cages and rings, ring girls...oooo ring girls....

[Dave78]

Shit man I want a cage in my garage...no reason, just that must be awesome to open the doors and see that!
....[/COLOR]

Like Bateman's?

Or like Joseph Fritzel's?

:D

[Evzy]

Erm god no, I wouldnt spend that much money on my captives.... I mean errrr I just have a chain link fetish?

[Bateman]

Shit man I want a cage in my garage...no reason, just that must be awesome to open the doors and see that!

Wonders if this will spiral into everyone one upping each other, how soon before we see HD projectors in garages, full size cages and rings, ring girls...oooo ring girls....

haha I have 2 full size cage walls, one either end ...
I am not showing off , Fritzel had a couple of ring girls lol , i dont have any so he is up on me...

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j9/Type25/IMG_2548.jpg

[Evzy]

Love the graffiti on the walls! Is yours a double garage or something to get all that kit in? Show us ya garage - wonder if this could be the new fridge?

[Bateman]

double garage mate , I had the roof lifted by 2ft and a new roof put on it, seeled all the walls up and painted it white inside. got a few mirrors in there now and the brendan schaub UFC banner hanging in there from 129 i think it was... wouldnt mind a coffee machine and a counch ..lol

[Evzy]

is that a conch shell or a couch you want - or a hybrid of the 2 - a couch shaped like a conch? That would be sweet.

Sounds very nice that dude, lot of effort obviously gone into it, must be a bugger to drag it all out when ya want to do an oil change or your car though!

[Bateman]

going to start smashing the cardio again in january , so the home gym should come back into its worth.

Thinking a few more medicine balls, sand bags should help me out quite a bit...

[Evzy]

Well my bench finally arrived, turns out they were waiting on me phoning to check when they could deliver it - even though they said they would call and arrange a delivery date, though I had noticed it on sale in Argos and 1/3rd off, queried this and they sent me a cheque for the £33 or so difference, bench has arrived, piece of piss to put together (even though some tard on a review said it was near impossible) and must admit I am very very happy with the quality, feels solid, is a decent width and very quick to adjust the incline/decline, only problem is I have knackered my left bicep so can't really train with it for anything other than situps at the moment :( Damn you bicep!!!

TRX Bands next stop methinks, need to tidy up and make some room in the garage first though.

[Dave78]

Pleased your happy with it after the wait dude :). At least they compensated you for your wait too!

TRX smashes. I can't praise it enough!

[paulscrapper]

Any recommendations on pull up bars please? Looking on eBay at iron gym but before I buy I'd like to get a thumbs up. Ta

[mele1]

my garage consists of
floor matted out
kettle bells 8kgx1 12x3 16x3 20x2 and 24x1
power clubs 4kg x2 6x2 10x1
resistance bands
dumbells
pilates ball
stepper box
med balls 7kg and 10 kg
weighted vest
heavy 6ft bag
speedball
floor to ceiling speed ball
uppercut wall box
skipping ropes pads body vest and a home made 20 kg bulgarian bag
.want list well theres plenty lol
best thing i ever did was turn my garage into my gym .works out well as i can do boxing circuits one session next high impact bells session and so on .
if i can work out how to get pics in here i will post asap

[dadyJ]

weights vest
heavy bag
tractor tyre and sledge hammer
A Mrs that can hold the focus mits