Free weights only - good enough?

MistyCheese

I'm getting more and more hacked off with my gym, especially the pokey little free weights area. So I was thinking of getting some weights and using them in the comfort (and peace) of my own home. I plan to book the services of a Personal Trainer to do me up a good routine and have follow-ups every four or maybe six weeks with the trainer because I want to be sure that I'm progressing.

I'll still keep the gym membership in case this plan of mine doesn't work out and I find myself getting home, looking at the weights and thinking "Yeah, just let me wash the dishes first" or whatever and I keep putting it off. If I see myself heading down that road I'll be hauling myself back to the gym to do the weights there.

I'll be getting a couple of barbell and dumbell bars and then the weight discs so that I can increase weights as needed. I can make up a 5kg dumbell now and when it's time to increase the weight I'll be able to add it on whereas if I were to get a set of dumbells where you can't change the weight, what would I do with the 5kg once I've progressed?

But I don't plan on splashing out on any fixed weights machines. Not that I'd have room for them anyway. So would I be able to get an effective workout from just the free-weights, no machines? Or does this sound like a plan that'll end in disaster?

I haven't been weight training for long (as I'm sure you could guess by the ickle 5kg weight) and I'm not looking to get into weight-lifting in a major way but I really enjoy it and want to keep it up as part of my regular workout. What do you pros think? Am I likely to be wasting my money by buying free-weights and should just stick to using the free weights at the gym?

Petrolium Hat

I'm far, far away from being a pro. But I do do most of my work at home on dumbells i bought (cheaply) in argos, I've had to get a couple of extra 10KG plates since I started . I am I gym member, but generally I find it more convenient for myself to do them at home. So I'd advise going for it, but you need to switch routines often. And get someone who knows what theyre talking about to check your form relatively regularly to make sure you're doing everything ok and not just once, over time.

MistyCheese

Thanks Petrolium Hat, that's definately good advice. I will be booking a Personal Training session every 4 or 6 weeks for definate.

I don't see the point in doing weights (or probably any other type of exercise) if you're not going to improve and be sure that you're improving. It would be like taking a piano lesson, just one piano lesson, and wondering why you still can't play "Moonlight Sonata"!

thirdmantackle

recommend me a decent set of dumbells that you can add extra plates to...

finding them hard to find

dave80

thirdmantackle wrote: »

recommend me a decent set of dumbells that you can add extra plates to...

finding them hard to find

check these babies out

http://www.argos.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=30001&partNumber=3008243

Petrolium Hat

dave80 wrote: »

check these babys out

http://www.argos.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=30001&partNumber=3008243

Just beat me to it, yeah check out the argos catalogue...

dave80

even better again http://www.argos.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=30001&langId=-1&catalogId=1500001101&productId=1500215057&Trail=C%24cip%3D1500012750.Sports%2Band%2Bfitness%3EC%24cip%3D1500012789.Home%2Bgym%2Bequipment%3EC%24cip%3D1500012792.Weights%2Band%2Bdumbbells&categoryId=1500012792&clickfrom=name

ye wont have to buy any extra weights and ye get a barbell too

eddiehead

dave80 wrote: »

even better again http://www.argos.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=30001&langId=-1&catalogId=1500001101&productId=1500215057&Trail=C%24cip%3D1500012750.Sports%2Band%2Bfitness%3EC%24cip%3D1500012789.Home%2Bgym%2Bequipment%3EC%24cip%3D1500012792.Weights%2Band%2Bdumbbells&categoryId=1500012792&clickfrom=name

ye wont have to buy any extra weights and ye get a barbell too

+1, but in any case they have a set of 4x5kg discs for something like €20 which is reasonable enough too if ya need that much

rubadub

dave80 wrote: »

even better again http://www.argos.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=30001&langId=-1&catalogId=1500001101&productId=1500215057&Trail=C%24cip%3D1500012750.Sports%2Band%2Bfitness%3EC%24cip%3D1500012789.Home%2Bgym%2Bequipment%3EC%24cip%3D1500012792.Weights%2Band%2Bdumbbells&categoryId=1500012792&clickfrom=name

ye wont have to buy any extra weights and ye get a barbell too

Yep, get that one. www.irish-lifting.com had a better set but it is no longer there. The barbell is useful, and that one is only 5ft so doesnt take up much room, but may not fit on some benches. I no longer use my bench anyway, I just do weighted dips on gymnastic rings. I would recommend a chinning bar when strong enough.

But I don't plan on splashing out on any fixed weights machines. Not that I'd have room for them anyway. So would I be able to get an effective workout from just the free-weights, no machines?

Most experienced lifters would strongly recommend AGAINST using machines, freeweights are way better.

With that set you might also consider getting 2x20kg plates since these will raise the bar higher off the ground so enable you to deadlift easier. I first got 2 10kg plates, and I rested the bar on a load of jumpers and blankets to both raise the bar, and cushion the bar against the floorboards. I never went to failure so never had a dropped bar.

Also check buy and sell etc for used weights sets/plates, it is not like they really break and some are literally giving them away. And do not be tempted to get the cheapo vinyl/cement sets in argos, they are crap.