Set of Dumbell/Barbells sufficient?

Mr.Blue

Hi,

I'd like to start lifting weights. It won't be taking up a large amount of my time (just something to boost my fitness a little bit) so I'd like to avoid spending a huge amount.

What I need to know is, could I just simply buy a set of dumbells and a barbell like this one here http://www.argos.ie/static/Product/partNumber/3008250/c_1/1%7Ccategory_root%7CSports+and+leisure%7C12159727/c_2/2%7Ccat_12159727%7CHome+gym+equipment%7C12159907.htm and be good to go? This would of course mean that I'd be lying on the floor while lifting (the barbell anyway) Or is a bench absolutely necessary to avoid injury?

Mr.Blue

Change of question, after realising how stupid my original one was. I obviously will need a bench and I seem to have found one which also comes with 40kg weights (I assume a barbell as in the picture).

What do you think of this? http://www.argos.ie/static/Product/p...7C12159914.htm

It seems a good price. Would it be good enough for a beginner?

brianthebard

I don't think a bench is required, if you really want one then get one I guess.

EileenG

You can do bench press from the floor. You lose a slight amount of range of motion, but it's much safer if you have no spotter.

You can do a huge amount with a barbell and dumbbells.

Mr.Blue

Oh okay, well in that case then I may just order the barbell/dumbbell set in the first link then. The weights look better quality as well. Thanks.

Has anyone here ordered weights from argus? If the item(s) qualifies for store pickup up is there much of a wait before they're available to collect? I'd like to get this set as soon as possible.

mink_man

argos

DoireNod

Mr. Blue, dumbbells and barbells (and a bench, which helps a little, but isn't necessary) are great investments. There's a load of things you can do for low-cost with high effect. A year ago, my friend showed me the website of Ross Enamait and I have been using a lot of the principles that Ross advocates in his articles in my training. The website is very user friendly and I'd recommend you have a look through, but be careful as some moves are probably more suited to the more experienced trainer. Make sure you train smart.

At the minute, I'm training everyday with one of my friends, who has over 100kg of weight with his barbells and dumbbells which he accumulated over the few years we've been training. We've been training together on and off for about 2 years and we both feel that we get a great workout with the home-gym. It's also good because we save so much money on gym memberships!

Good luck!

Mr.Blue

Thanks for the info DoireNod. Will definately use that site.

Dazd_N_Confusd

Why don't you just join a gym?

Mr.Blue

Dazd_N_Confusd wrote: »

Why don't you just join a gym?

Too self conscious ( my height, small frame etc..).. Couldn't handle the atmosphere of a gym.

EileenG

Lots of different gyms, and far more cater to the ones who just want to get vaguely fit than the ones who look like they're about to step on stage covered with fake tan.

In any case, most people in a gym are far too busy worrying about their own wobbly/skinny bits to worry about yours.

Phenom™

brianthebard wrote: »

I don't think a bench is required, if you really want one then get one I guess.

A bench is very important. There are many exercises you can't do without a bench, and most exercises where you can compromise don't work nearly as well without a bench.

Mr.Blue wrote: »

Too self conscious ( my height, small frame etc..).. Couldn't handle the atmosphere of a gym.

It's not too bad when you go to the gym a couple of times. The first time can be intimidating, but in the long run it's very beneficial to have a gym membership. At a gym, you have access to equipment that increase productivity.

cardio,shoot me

lol the majority of exercises can be done without a bench, the only thing you really need a bench for is... wait for it..... Bench press!

zebrafumbler

I've been lifting weights for years but have recently been unable to afford gym membership. Introducing the propower bench from Argos. Great little bench and only 89 euro. Very solid on a level surface and takes up to 200kg including the user. Great for a beginner. I had a barbell, dumbbells and 90kg of weight already. I even do squats with it by sitting on the bench, crouching under the bar and cleaning it off the rack, then stepping backwards. Invest in an inverted chinning rack from Amazon and your good to go. Many a world class physique has been built using only barbells, dumbbells and chinning rack. Include benchpress(incline and flat) supinated chins,pullups, bent over rows(barbell and dumbells),military press, shoulder laterals(side and rear), deadlifts, squats, shrugs, barbell and the many variation of dumbell curls and you'll grow big and strong in no time. Go for it!

Mr.Blue

Sorry for bringing the thread back up but I just want to be clear on something.

One person indicated that a lifting bench is required to be able to perform the 'bench press'(makes sense :rolleyes:). Thing is, this is the very weight exercise I want to focus most on, as I plan to stay away from any lifting exercises that require you to be in standing or upright position (like the squat?). The reason is I don't want to be putting pressure on my spine and possibly affecting my already unsatisfactory height.

So I am planning on buying the argos weight set (first link) tomorrow which obviously does not come with a bench. Is it possible (and safe) to perform the bench press lying flat on the floor? Or is a bench definitely a must?

If so then I'll have to invest in a bench in the near future. Unless there are any other non-spine stressing exercises you can suggest I do (that don't require a bench)? Thanks.

Gumbo

Mr.Blue wrote: »

Sorry for bringing the thread back up but I just want to be clear on something.

One person indicated that a lifting bench is required to be able to perform the 'bench press'(makes sense :rolleyes:). Thing is, this is the very weight exercise I want to focus most on, as I plan to stay away from any lifting exercises that require you to be in standing or upright position (like the squat?). The reason is I don't want to be putting pressure on my spine and possibly affecting my already unsatisfactory height.

So I am planning on buying the argos weight set (first link) tomorrow which obviously does not come with a bench. Is it possible (and safe) to perform the bench press lying flat on the floor? Or is a bench definitely a must?

If so then I'll have to invest in a bench in the near future. Unless there are any other non-spine stressing exercises you can suggest I do (that don't require a bench)? Thanks.

you could buy the first cheaper set then buy a second hand bench on www.adverts.ie

NotMe

Mr.Blue wrote: »

Thing is, this is the very weight exercise I want to focus most on, as I plan to stay away from any lifting exercises that require you to be in standing or upright position (like the squat?). The reason is I don't want to be putting pressure on my spine and possibly affecting my already unsatisfactory height.

I was nearly 6 ft when I started deadlifting... now I'm only 4ft 10. JESUS F*@ING CHRIST! Weight lifting won't make you shorter!


Sorry but... that's the craziest excuse for not squatting I've ever heard.

Nobrow

NotMe wrote: »

I was nearly 6 ft when I started deadlifting... now I'm only 4ft 10. JESUS F*@ING CHRIST! Weight lifting won't make you shorter!


Sorry but... that's the craziest excuse for not squatting I've ever heard.

I lift weights at home too. I have a cheapass Wieder 235 bench from Argos or Elverys or somewhere, and a couple of sets of weights and bars also from Argos. My two pieces of adivce are:

1. Get a bench (it will make your presses much less unpleasant and thus encourage you to keep it up)
2. Dont try to save money up front by buying too little weight. I initially bought 50lbs or something and thought that would be plenty, but you do accelerate quite quickly initially and I soon had to buy some bigger weights. Would have been cheaper just to buy 100lb or so up front.

Mr.Blue

I'll try and scout out a good priced bench then. I'll get the weight set tomorrow though anyway. I'll just start off with lifting the dumbbells.

Nobrow, the weights set I'm buying is a total of 50kg (110lbs). I also have two very old looking 5lb weights lying around which I assume should fit onto the bars. 120lbs should do me for a good while right?

Nobrow

Mr.Blue wrote: »

I'll try and scout out a good priced bench then. I'll get the weight set tomorrow though anyway. I'll just start off with lifting the dumbbells.

Nobrow, the weights set I'm buying is a total of 50kg (110lbs). I also have two very old looking 5lb weights lying around which I assume should fit onto the bars. 120lbs should do me for a good while right?

Ought to (I currently have a meagre 90lbs on the barbell, but Im a weak little ****

bongotime

I do 20 reps any chance I get with my 5 kg dumb bells.

but trying to lose weight as well. its working but.

Mr.Blue

bongotime wrote: »

I do 20 reps any chance I get with my 5 kg dumb bells.

but trying to lose weight as well. its working but.

Would dumbbell exercises be as effective and fast at gaining visible muscle as barbell exercises?

Aedh Baclamh

I've a set for sale on Adverts.ie if you're interested -http://www.adverts.ie/showproduct.php?product=126896&cat=500

bongotime

yea they are my guns are huge