Home Gym: Warm Ups - Skipping?

marathonic

I've been looking into ideas for home gym warmups and cooldowns. I'm getting a power rack, bench and olympic weights next week and, with the expense of that, can't affored a cross trainer or rowing machine (I'm a firm believer in the "buy cheap and buy twice" adage so wouldn't go for a cheap cross trainer or rowing machine.

There's a hill beside me that I can use for a jog when the weathers good. I'm considering a skipping rope for other times and so have been looking through the net for an idea of whether it'd be useful for me.

Do you think skipping ropes are a good warmup/cooldown tool?

Also, which of these would you recommend for me, as a beginner who wants to quickly progress to advanced? I've read that speed ropes are best but may not be suitable for a complete beginner.

How long, typically, do you think it would take a beginner to get close to the level below - or am I just dreaming (I wouldn't know having not skipped before):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVkYjp4mqnc


And finally, does anyone know what gym this skipping is taking place in? I might join up.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=epZjMuRRXLo

Wollwead

Great to hear you've home gym up and running, i've a mobile/home gym in the form of sandbag, kettlebells, weighted vest, doorframe pullup bar and of course a skipping rope. I get lots of great workouts done outside they gym with this equipment, i have to be creative with my workouts to keep me interested!

Anyway back to the skipping (sorry for the waffling!), i have done 3 sessions now of skipping with a pretty cheap rope and feel i have progressed pretty quick. I find mixing it into a metcon is the best way to include it in a workout but i'd say twould be good also for a warmup once stretched out - calves in particular. Think it's time for me to invest in a heavier rope though now. Just go for it and have patience focuse on technique and then get your speed up don't worry about the stuff that chap is doing in the vid.

marathonic

Westcoast Thugs wrote: »

+1
All my gym equipment i brought brand new brought nuthin that was second hand everything is in mint condition if i was to sell everything in the morning i would say only a few months old i.e i had for years i hear in other post you putting in a shed make sure you have a heater or some kind of heat so your new stuff wont rush away btw where you getting your rack weights etc from and cost much ?

Hi,

I'm getting the following package:

http://www.powerhouse-fitness.co.uk/bodycraft-power-rack-system-bench-and-200lb-stack.php but replacing the Lat Pulldown, Low Pulley and 200lb Weight Stack with this http://www.powerhouse-fitness.co.uk/bodymax-235kg-olympic-cast-barbell-kit.php.

I asked them for a quote last month and they said they'd do the package, with the replacement for the same price. At that time, the package was £779.99 - it's now £1,007.99.

I've a £20 deposit down and they are honoring the original quote - will be paying the rest on Tuesday

I know someone that deals with horses (not that well though) so I'm considering asking her about stable matting for the shed floor.

Also, if ordering from them, postage to Ireland is a standard £42. If ordering from them, don't order directly off the website, contact them via email or live chat - they'll normally offer a discount.

Looking at the stuff on the separate item pages, it looks a top quality bench and rack but I'll post pics when it's set up.

I also have gym rings and a bike (for commuting).

Wollwead

oh by the way my rope is just standard lightweight rope material i'll be looking to purchase a good heavy leather speed rope soon enough though. Currently i have a reebok piece of junk i bought im JJB sports but it's fine for a peasant like beginner like me!

Wollwead

for warm ups you could do a whole range of things like skipping, burpees, jumping jacks, box hops, jogging, stretching etc. Although the best exercise for putting the heart rate through the roof i find is burpees. No equipment needed but they are lethal. Just do 20 of the and see how the heart is ready to explode. And make sure that your chest hits the floor on every rep. Everyday i see people doing half burpees at the gym, the full range of motion makes a world of a difference! They're evil!

Westcoast Thugs

marathonic wrote: »

Hi,

I'm getting the following package:

http://www.powerhouse-fitness.co.uk/bodycraft-power-rack-system-bench-and-200lb-stack.php but replacing the Lat Pulldown, Low Pulley and 200lb Weight Stack with this http://www.powerhouse-fitness.co.uk/bodymax-235kg-olympic-cast-barbell-kit.php.

I asked them for a quote last month and they said they'd do the package, with the replacement for the same price. At that time, the package was £779.99 - it's now £1,007.99.



I know someone that deals with horses (not that well though) so I'm considering asking her about stable matting for the shed floor.


Looking at the stuff on the separate item pages, it looks a top quality bench and rack but I'll post pics when it's set up.

I also have gym rings and a bike (for commuting).

Sweet, thanks for telling me i got my stuff here http://www.fitness-superstore.co.uk/ and here http://irish-lifting.com/ and my cast iron weights in Argos

therunaround

Hi lads, first I foam roll and then I usually use a 5kg med ball and do 3 sets of:squats, chops and forward lunges (X12 each), before a good stretch. Usually gets my heart rate flying and loosens out my glutes, shoulders and back, before this I tried the skipping rope but this was scuppered due to low Irish ceilings and rubbish Irish weather!

The burpees are a good idea though I might try does as a transition from the weights to the aerobic stuff at the end of my sessions.

marathonic

Westcoast Thugs wrote: »

Sweet, thanks for telling me i got my stuff here http://www.fitness-superstore.co.uk/ and here http://irish-lifting.com/ and my cast iron weights in Argos

Panic stations there... I hadn't seen fitness superstore before and was just having a look.

I'd say the rack in the package I'm getting is more comparable to their Powertec one than their Powerline one so I still think it's a pretty good deal I'm getting.


EDIT: Interesting Rack Comparisons - http://bodybuilding.wikkii.com/wiki/Power_Racks: I haven't verified the source but it appears that the Bodycraft one is about 80lbs heavier than the Powertec one but is rated for 800 lbs as opposed to 1000 lbs. Personally, I prefer the heavier weight as it probably means less scope for movement of the rack when doing pullups and it'll be a LONNNNNGG time before an 800 lb rating isn't good enough for me. :-D