Weights bench,good idea?

Ricky91t

Well I'm 17 years old still at school but i don't play any sports just thinking i could get something like this to keep me fit/increase muscle.I find myself with alot of free time and spend most of it going on the internet(mostly boards )and just though i could do something good with the time.Is this a good move?By the way I'm 6'4" will that make any difference with the bench?
Thanks all.

podge57

joining a gym would be better imo - you are very limited in what you can do with that bench

EileenG

A Weights bench is a good idea. Not sure if you need that bit on the end. The angle is never right for doing knee extensions or hamstring curls. You'd be much better just using the barbell to do squats and stiffleg deadlifts. With only 50kg of weights, you are most unlikely to need a belt either.

Personally, I'd go for a plainer bench, without the leg bit, and get cast metal plates (smaller and tougher), and maybe a couple of dumbbell handles as well.

Ricky91t

podge57 wrote: »

joining a gym would be better imo - you are very limited in what you can do with that bench

The only gym near me is meant to be no good and very pricy,no car either so I'd have to rely on drivers from family/friends...
I also do a nice bit of cycling

Ricky91t

EileenG wrote: »

A Weights bench is a good idea. Not sure if you need that bit on the end. The angle is never right for doing knee extensions or hamstring curls. You'd be much better just using the barbell to do squats and stiffleg deadlifts. With only 50kg of weights, you are most unlikely to need a belt either.

Personally, I'd go for a plainer bench, without the leg bit, and get cast metal plates (smaller and tougher), and maybe a couple of dumbbell handles as well.

Thanks for the reply!Any suggestions from Argos or any national shop(as i live in Kerry) for what you described above?

EileenG

Had a quick look at the Argus website, and most of the cheaper benches seem to have that fecky bit at the end. As long as you don't expect to use it, it's not a problem.

Actually, that package isn't bad, you can always add weights by buying cast plates as you need to do more. If you have children in the house, those plastic weights might be ok, less likely to damage little toes if dropped.

You'll do a lot with those weights. Bench press, military press, deadlift, stiffleg deadlift, front squat, bentover barbell row, barbell curl etc.

rubadub

I have that bench in my house and do not bother using it anymore. It is quite flimsy, and at your height you might want something more stable. I would just start out with the cast iron set

http://www.argos.ie/static/Product/partNumber/3008250/Trail/searchtext%3E50KG.htm

the plastic/cement plates are crap, they degrade overtime, they also are bulky so take up space on barbell/dumbell.

Also those vinyl plates tend to come with hollow bars which are not rated to high weight. In a month or so you would be lifting more than it is rated for, i.e. it is a false economy as you will need a better bar soon.

I could also get a chinup bar. You can look in my signature link for other ideas if money is tight, also many of the stuff there is compact. I work my chest by doing weighted dips on gymnastic rings. You can make them cheaply.

Roper

If you're 17 and 6 foot 4 then you're a fine lad and should join a sport, one you'll enjoy and use that to get you fit and strong. Post up you live and I bet there's a football, basketball, swimming, running club or something that you'd enjoy being a part of. Get out of that bedroom, what are you doing in there all day anyway? When I was your age etc. etc. etc.

I wish there were more 6 foot 4 17 year olds signing up with me, I know of a basketball coach who'd rob his mother to get you.

Beau

as was said the bar is far to flimsy and the wiehgts are awkward. dont bother. cycle to the gym and work out a cheaper package. or else join a club and use there gym

Ricky91t

Roper wrote: »

If you're 17 and 6 foot 4 then you're a fine lad and should join a sport, one you'll enjoy and use that to get you fit and strong. Post up you live and I bet there's a football, basketball, swimming, running club or something that you'd enjoy being a part of. Get out of that bedroom, what are you doing in there all day anyway? When I was your age etc. etc. etc.

I wish there were more 6 foot 4 17 year olds signing up with me, I know of a basketball coach who'd rob his mother to get you.

Haha thanks! Well i do abit of study and stuff too!Not many good clubs around.Tried GAA and i'm no good only basketball i know of is comunity games...dunno do they have unders 18's though.I live near Duagh

Ricky91t

Would i be better off getting something like this?http://www.argos.ie/static/Product/partNumber/3026397/c_1/1%7Ccategory_root%7CSports+and+leisure%7C10392135/c_2/2%7Ccat_10392135%7CHome+gym+equipment%7C10392265/c_3/3%7Ccat_10392265%7CWeight+lifting+and+exercise+benches%7C10392281.htm

And then the weights posted above?

jdivision

I was exactly like you ricky, down to the height. My one bit of advice to you is to make sure you get a well rounded programme. I lifted a lot from 17-23, completely overdeveloped my front to the expense of my back and ended up with major back problems. So just make sure you know exactly what you're doing before you start.

rubadub

Both those benches look similar and flimsy, I still reckon you would out grow them too quickly. You could look for better ones second hand.

If I had the room I would get this http://www.irish-lifting.com/product_info_equipment.php?cPath=1_11&products_id=194 since it can be used for all sorts.

The attachments on the bench you posted allow different exercises, but most of the muscles they work can be done with just free weights. That rack I posted could be used for squats which work your legs way better than those things on the benches.

There is a bench here which is strong and you can buy additional items later on, but you do not really need them.
http://www.irish-lifting.com/product_info_equipment.php?cPath=1_8&products_id=177

Ricky91t

Thanks for the reply!Do you know if that can be delivered?And how much?Is there any decent ones in Argos?And i'm on a limited budget!

WolfForager

Ricky91t wrote: »

Well I'm 17 years old still at school but i don't play any sports just thinking i could get something like this to keep me fit/increase muscle.
Thanks all.

Incresaing muscle size is all well and good, but lifting weights is not going to keep you fit. You should go out jogging a few times a week or as was suggested before join a gym and incorporate some treadmill work into your routine.

Ricky91t

WolfForager wrote: »

Incresaing muscle size is all well and good, but lifting weights is not going to keep you fit. You should go out jogging a few times a week or as was suggested before join a gym and incorporate some treadmill work into your routine.

Well i allready do a bit of cycling and could easily do a bit more...

SorGan

Ricky91t wrote: »

Thanks for the reply!Do you know if that can be delivered?And how much?Is there any decent ones in Argos?And i'm on a limited budget!

ive had a few argos yorkcheap benches over several years and never had an issue with them, first bench...go cheap, itll be cool.

rubadub

Ricky91t wrote: »

Thanks for the reply!Do you know if that can be delivered?And how much?Is there any decent ones in Argos?And i'm on a limited budget!

The owner Mickk is a member here, postage is pretty cheap, not sure what it was on a bench, I got 40kg of plates for only €7 delivery, might have been an opening offer, but it is reasonable.

Just check out the benches rated weights. What weight are you at the moment? if you are not overly overweight you can probably be hoping to be benching your bodyweight after a year or so, maybe sooner or later (dunno what others would reckon).

I have the catalogue here and see nothing that catches my eye. But I like to keep things simple. I would use the previous rack I linked for squats, weighted dips & chinups. I would not use the other contraptions. You might want to visit a pay as you go gym and see what suits, most recommend against machines. Have a read of www.exrx.net and www.stronglifts.com

SorGan wrote: »

ive had a few argos yorkcheap benches over several years and never had an issue with them, first bench...go cheap, itll be cool.

Why a few? outgrow them by any chance? That is all I am getting at. If you are certain you are serious I would get quality stuff, but on the other hand better to have a cheap clothes horse in a years time than a expensive one!

This is the last thing I did consider getting in argos, http://www.argos.ie/static/Product/partNumber/3356359/Trail/searchtext%3ESQUAT.htm

It is high enough so I could use it for weighted chins. Also I might be able to make handles to do dips on it too.

SorGan

rubadub wrote: »

Why a few? outgrow them by any chance? That is all I am getting at. If you are certain you are serious I would get quality stuff, but on the other hand better to have a cheap clothes horse in a years time than a expensive one!

yep, still they did the job of getting me on the way, so cant complain.:)

Ricky91t

Ricky91t wrote: »

http://www.argos.ie/static/Product/partNumber/3026397/c_1/1%7Ccategory_root%7CSports+and+leisure%7C10392135/c_2/2%7Ccat_10392135%7CHome+gym+equipment%7C10392265/c_3/3%7Ccat_10392265%7CWeight+lifting+and+exercise+benches%7C10392281.htm

Anyone think this is any good?

SorGan

thatll do ya.....well without the moving bits,(flys/leg extention)..:D

BobbyOLeary

Incresaing muscle size is all well and good, but lifting weights is not going to keep you fit. You should go out jogging a few times a week or as was suggested before join a gym and incorporate some treadmill work into your routine.

Sorry for the OT remark but can you explain that to me please?

I run (or cycle, row or swim) very little but I lift weights (both Max Effort and for Metcon) quite a lot and I'm fit enough. I don't want to get bogged down in the science end of it but from my own personal experience the second I stopped doing lots of running and replaced it with weights I got fitter not the other way around.

rubadub

BobbyOLeary wrote: »

I'm fit enough.

Fit to do what? that is the real question, the other poster might have no need to be strong, and could value being able to run a marathon.

I would rather look like a sprinter than a marathon runner, but I also have no need to run 100m at a fast pace, nor a marathon.

I am "fit" to cycle or walk pretty much anywhere, I am "fit" to lift stuff in work with no problem or worry of straining myself. I would score 100% in some US marine fitness tests, but not in others, I have no real interest or goal to be good/fit to do some of the tests e.g. running, though I expect I could outrun maybe 70-80% of my peers.

Have a read of this too http://stronglifts.com/for-the-last-time-strength-training-improves-cardiovascular-fitness/

BobbyOLeary

rubadub wrote: »

Fit to do what? that is the real question, the other poster might have no need to be strong, and could value being able to run a marathon.

Good point. I find the CrossFit definition of fitness to suit me best and I'm fit enough in that respect or respects. I probably should have defined what I meant by fit. What I was really trying to get across is that one can become "fit" by only using weights and bodyweight exercises, there is no great divide between "cardio" and "strength".