Advice on what equipment to get

helimachoptor

Guys, am thinking of setting up a (mini) home gym with free weights. What are the essentials I need? Also are there any places doing good offers on said equipment? Not looking to bulk up just tone up. Can do all my own cardio via, running/biking so weights and a good bench are needed.

Thanls

Remmy

The first thing to look at getting is an olympic weight set.You can get a decent bench or squat rack down the road.

longhalloween

Get a pull up bar too. Cheapest, most versatile piece of equipment. I know of whole workout routines which just use a bar.

Boss_eye

helimachoptor wrote: »

Guys, am thinking of setting up a (mini) home gym with free weights. What are the essentials I need? Also are there any places doing good offers on said equipment? Not looking to bulk up just tone up. Can do all my own cardio via, running/biking so weights and a good bench are needed.

Thanls

Hi Heli.... it really depends on how much space you have and what sort of budget you are working off, A power rack , adjustable bench , Olympic weight set and perhaps a set of TRX straps and you could do absolutely everything you needed, you could get other bits as you go then too, if you wished.

shootermacg

I keep it simple.
No barbells, just dumbbells + EZ curl bar, the reason for this is, I can do everything with just a simple bench, i did have a bench with a rack for a barbell but this restricted my chest pullovers, tricep extensions etc.
If you are stuck for space this would be my recommendation. otherwise you'll need 2 benchs.
You could alternatively get 2 free standing stands for a barbell and move them to the side when out of use. Hmm might look into that myself.

I also put a power tower out the back. I admit to smoking a bit, but I do 10 chins + 20 dips every time i go for a cig. So that's 30 chins and 60 dips per evening ^ ^.

Ciaran500

shootermacg wrote: »

No barbells, just dumbbells + EZ curl bar, the reason for this is, I can do everything with just a simple bench, i did have a bench with a rack for a barbell but this restricted my chest pullovers, tricep extensions etc.

What leg exercises do you do with just dumbbells?

shootermacg

Ciaran500 wrote: »

What leg exercises do you do with just dumbbells?

Squats, lunges, single leg calf raise, seated calf press, dead lifts.
But I see your point a leg raise extension for a bench is a good idea, mine has one.

rubadub

shootermacg wrote: »

Squats, lunges, single leg calf raise, seated calf press, dead lifts.
But I see your point a leg raise extension for a bench is a good idea, mine has one.

But some might sooner just get a barbell than a leg extension device. There is only so much weight you can fit on dumbbells until you cannot properly squat or deadlift with them. Though you mention an ezcurl bar, I deadlift with my one.

shootermacg

rubadub wrote: »

But some might sooner just get a barbell than a leg extension device. There is only so much weight you can fit on dumbbells until you cannot properly squat or deadlift with them. Though you mention an ezcurl bar, I deadlift with my one.

Yep, nothing against barbells, my point is mainly that a bench with an attached rack to hold the barbell restricts what you can do with one bench (I made this mistake with my mini gym ^ ^).
I've actually joined the gym in Dundrum since and use the barbells there a lot.
I only used the ezy curl for pullovers mainly.

Boss_eye

shootermacg wrote: »

I keep it simple.
No barbells, just dumbbells + EZ curl bar, the reason for this is, I can do everything with just a simple bench, i did have a bench with a rack for a barbell but this restricted my chest pullovers, tricep extensions etc.
If you are stuck for space this would be my recommendation. otherwise you'll need 2 benchs.
You could alternatively get 2 free standing stands for a barbell and move them to the side when out of use. Hmm might look into that myself.

I also put a power tower out the back. I admit to smoking a bit, but I do 10 chins + 20 dips every time i go for a cig. So that's 30 chins and 60 dips per evening ^ ^.

Can't see how you would need 2 benches??? but you would have much more versatility with a barbell and rack, also if he bought ISO grip plates for the bar , he could do loads of d/bell type exercises with them. A proper set of d/bells would be more expensive than a barbell set, unless you are to buy an adjustable set - which aren't great, but are cheap, cheap enough to buy with with a power rack , barbell etc.....like I said it its down to budget. Most common pieces people put in there houses or PT studios is a power rack barbell bench , and add from there.

shootermacg

Boss_eye wrote: »

Can't see how you would need 2 benches??? but you would have much more versatility with a barbell and rack, also if he bought ISO grip plates for the bar , he could do loads of d/bell type exercises with them. A proper set of d/bells would be more expensive than a barbell set, unless you are to buy an adjustable set - which aren't great, but are cheap, cheap enough to buy with with a power rack , barbell etc.....like I said it its down to budget. Most common pieces people put in there houses or PT studios is a power rack barbell bench , and add from there.

Well funny thing is you can do almost anything with dumbells that you can do with a barbell but the same can't be said about barbells. Also dumbbells are safer for solo sessions especially if you're going to failure.
But in the perfect world I'd have both ^ ^.

But I agree, you get more weight for your buck if you get a barbell set. Those adjustable weights are real expensive too.
I bought my weights from argos in 20KG increments.

cyberfitnessgur

I would go for the adjustable dumbells.

They dont take up much weight and they work great!

shootermacg

As for where to purchase, I hear good things about this crowd, based in sandyford industrial est:

http://www.irish-lifting.com/

I bought mine in argos in increments. But if I had the money i'd spent, I definately go for adjustable dumbells (I'd love to just change my weights with a dial). Other wise you may end up getting more weight than you need just to have different weighted dumbells. I have 2 sets but I'd like more for drop-sets etc, this is where adjustable dumbbells shine.

As some of the OP's have said it depends on the room available and what you are looking to get out of it. I would advise an barbell/EZ curl also if room is not a problem, they are great for legwork. For anything else you will get more benefit from dumbbels.

If it's adjustable dumbbels your after make sure you go for a heavy set, you may not need em now but you'll hate yourself for not forking out later!

jeff lebowski

A 16kg kettlebell would be an excellent addition to your home gym plus, you can bring it with you and do full-body workouts away from home. If you do the right Kettlebell workout then you will be in a heap afterwards, they are great.

helimachoptor

Guys thanks for the advice,

Am planning on getting these, (prob not exact models but something along these lines)


http://www.irish-lifting.com/iron-pro-dumbells-pe-225.html
http://www.irish-lifting.com/ez-curl-bar-pe-230.html
http://www.irish-lifting.com/flat-incline-bench-pe-164.html
http://www.irish-lifting.com/140kg-olympic-set-pe-259.html

Thoughts?

I have a decent amount of space to actually work out in but storage space is limited where i'll be working out in and would prefer not to just throw them in the corner.

holdfast

I have in my mini gym, worth a few pound and allows me to do 90% of weights sessions
TRX
Power blocks up to 27.5kg
bench
punch bag
kettle bell 20kg and weinder adjustable
push up bars
med ball
stab ball
wobble board
foam roller


but i would love to have power rack, barbell and 140kg, concept rower and plyo jumps

shootermacg

helimachoptor wrote: »

Guys thanks for the advice,

Am planning on getting these, (prob not exact models but something along these lines)


http://www.irish-lifting.com/iron-pro-dumbells-pe-225.html
http://www.irish-lifting.com/ez-curl-bar-pe-230.html
http://www.irish-lifting.com/flat-incline-bench-pe-164.html
http://www.irish-lifting.com/140kg-olympic-set-pe-259.html

Thoughts?

I have a decent amount of space to actually work out in but storage space is limited where i'll be working out in and would prefer not to just throw them in the corner.

Pretty nice choice there mate! I'd also look for a rack if you want to press that barbell. You could keep it near a wall and push yer bench under it when you are benching.

Simple bench is the way to go! I wouln't bother with an incline bench unless it can go flat, 30, 45 degrees. otherwise you'll just be targeting your upper chest, although the incline is good for bicep curls.
I would say a bench is one of the most important investments so don't spare cash there, get a good one.

25kg is a nice weight for the dumbells if you are doing flys, kickbacks and curls I guess you can use the BBs for the rest, press rows squats lifts.
if you arrange your split correctly you won't even have to change your weights more than once at the start of each of the session.

Wish I had the cash ^ ^.

Boss_eye

shootermacg wrote: »

Well funny thing is you can do almost anything with dumbells that you can do with a barbell but the same can't be said about barbells. Also dumbbells are safer for solo sessions especially if you're going to failure.
But in the perfect world I'd have both ^ ^.

But I agree, you get more weight for your buck if you get a barbell set. Those adjustable weights are real expensive too.
I bought my weights from argos in 20KG increments.

You can't seriously consider that you can do any sort of respectable poundages squatting and deadlifting with d/bells, or even imitate proper technique . with regard to the safety aspect , hence the fact I recommended a Power rack , which would have safety spot bars.

shootermacg

Boss_eye wrote: »

You can't seriously consider that you can do any sort of respectable poundages squatting and deadlifting with d/bells, or even imitate proper technique . with regard to the safety aspect , hence the fact I recommended a Power rack , which would have safety spot bars.

I'd personally love a home power rack, Boss what's the cheapest power rack you'd recommend?

Boss_eye

shootermacg wrote: »

I'd personally love a home power rack, Boss what's the cheapest power rack you'd recommend?

You can pick them up from €650 up wards , you would get a very good one for around €1000, I may even have a 2nd hand one I get my hands on, If you PM me I can get you some details.

shootermacg

A little bit too expensive for me atm, but thanks for the offer.

Davei141

shootermacg wrote: »

A little bit too expensive for me atm, but thanks for the offer.

Look at the irish lifting site

http://www.irish-lifting.com/gym-equipment-power-racks-c-1_11.html

shootermacg

The one for 499 looks the biz, still 399 would suit my pocket more.

Davei141

I have the 499 one and it is indeed the biz.

shootermacg

Davei141 wrote: »

I have the 499 one and it is indeed the biz.

82 inches is approx 6'10, gonna put a false floor in the garage soon, so it'll be out with the measuring tape ^ ^.

holdfast

I am getting itchy fingers and thinking of getting a set of plates and bar from irish lifting and the squat rack. Can get a power rack as not enoung room to push press. So I was hoping I could get a squat rack and be able to move the squat rack around to where I can push press etc. Anyone use one, is it any good.

http://www.irish-lifting.com/light-squat-rack-pe-199.html

cheers

shootermacg

holdfast wrote: »

I am getting itchy fingers and thinking of getting a set of plates and bar from irish lifting and the squat rack. Can get a power rack as not enoung room to push press. So I was hoping I could get a squat rack and be able to move the squat rack around to where I can push press etc. Anyone use one, is it any good.

http://www.irish-lifting.com/light-squat-rack-pe-199.html

cheers

Boss make's a good point about the spot bars, on the power rack, I personally wouldn't feel safe without em, after all you really should be going to failure to get good gains. I don't know if there's an alternative for benching. you really don't want to be sitting there with heavy weight on yer chest. Saying that dumbbell are great for bench pressing. if some one can bench 35kg dumbbells in each hand, he's probably stronger than a guy benching the same on a bar (not taking the bar's weight into it, those bars are heavy in themselves)

mrkf1984

yep, jus call irish lifting and mick will sort u out. everything u need, great quality and very reasonable. dealt with him yesterday and cant speak highly enough of mick or this place.

d'Oracle

shootermacg wrote: »

The one for 499 looks the biz, still 399 would suit my pocket more.

You could wait and save the 100 difference.....:D