Creating a home gym in a spare bedroom

deathbomber

Mental prices at the moment. Good kit there but all in its circa 3k, before the virus you would of had all that for 1.5k. If you wait a few months and hopefully the vaccine kicks in and works and life starts to resume, i envisage a **** load of used weights for sale etc

Alf Veedersane

5500 wrote: »

Just to jump in on this as I'm after a home gym as such as the OP, im looking at the below

https://www.fitnessequipmentireland.ie/product/home-gym-package-with-lat-pulldown-rack/

And

https://www.fitnessequipmentireland.ie/product/dumbbell-5-30kg-bundle/

Id also like to add in a spin bike or air assault bike but just wondering what the general consensus on the above would be for a home gym, or if theres any alternatives or something else to be looking at?

I'd just get a rack without the lat pulldown business. Just do pull ups and use a band to reduce resistance if you struggle to do full pullups in the short term. I just think the lat pulldown probably adds more cost than its worth

5500

deathbomber wrote: »

Mental prices at the moment. Good kit there but all in its circa 3k, before the virus you would of had all that for 1.5k. If you wait a few months and hopefully the vaccine kicks in and works and life starts to resume, i envisage a **** load of used weights for sale etc

Yeah I'd expect or at least hope so, although will it go the other way with people being happy to just stick to working out at home and cut the gym membership for good, hard to know.

Heres another i looked at although is it worth the longer wait time?

https://strengthandfitness.ie/collections/racks/products/half-rack-package

https://strengthandfitness.ie/collections/dumbbells/products/bodymax-5-30kg-rubber-commercial-dumbbells-without-rack

Black Sheep

5500 wrote: »

Yeah I'd expect or at least hope so, although will it go the other way with people being happy to just stick to working out at home and cut the gym membership for good, hard to know.

Heres another i looked at although is it worth the longer wait time?

https://strengthandfitness.ie/collections/racks/products/half-rack-package

https://strengthandfitness.ie/collections/dumbbells/products/bodymax-5-30kg-rubber-commercial-dumbbells-without-rack

There’s a fair difference between a half rack and a full size rack you posted above, it would be worth figuring out exactly what you’re after.

Why do a pre-order, if you are fairly flexible in terms of what you want?

You could order a quarter rack with catcher arms immediately from Blk Box. They also just restocked Hex DBs and adjustable benches.

There’s also various racks in stock in ROI based suppliers.

If you do get a full set of hex DBs you will need a storage solution- I would suggest budgeting for a rack and getting what you can now and more later.

As far as pricing goes, in new gym gear sales there has been no mark up of any significance - the higher asking prices are very much in the used / second hand market and from new businesses who have come in to try to fill demand, from what I have seen.

With a company like Strength Shop in the UK, what has happened is that their prices have not gone up at all, but suddenly their weekly deals are gone. Those used to be amazing... Regularly 20-30% off stock, they'd just rotate it from thing to thing. Now they don't need to do that.

What mark-up there is... To be honest feels like there’s also a bit of Irish people just hating to ever pay more for a thing no matter what availability of product is, what demand is, what added costs there are with shipping etc.

deathbomber

Black Sheep wrote: »

There’s a fair difference between a half rack and a full size rack you posted above, it would be worth figuring out exactly what you’re after.

Why do a pre-order, if you are fairly flexible in terms of what you want?

You could order a quarter rack with catcher arms immediately from Blk Box. They also just restocked Hex DBs and adjustable benches.

There’s also various racks in stock in ROI based suppliers.

If you do get a full set of hex DBs you will need a storage solution- I would suggest budgeting for a rack and getting what you can now and more later.

As far as pricing goes, in new gym gear sales there has been no mark up of any significance - the higher asking prices are very much in the used / second hand market and from new businesses who have come in to try to fill demand, from what I have seen.

With a company like Strength Shop in the UK, what has happened is that their prices have not gone up at all, but suddenly their weekly deals are gone. Those used to be amazing... Regularly 20-30% off stock, they'd just rotate it from thing to thing. Now they don't need to do that.

What mark-up there is... To be honest feels like there’s also a bit of Irish people just hating to ever pay more for a thing no matter what availability of product is, what demand is, what added costs there are with shipping etc.

Sorry disagree, i have been buying various equipment over the years and regularly check pricing on new equipment, weight and even gear i bought, pricing has most definitely increased by at leadt 25 %, some places more. I agree about the used market.

deathbomber

Just had a look at blk box as recommended above. Very expensive, easily 33% more on some of their equipment. No doubt import costs and unit costs have gone up for them but things are really starting to get farcical.

Black Sheep

deathbomber wrote: »

Sorry disagree, i have been buying various equipment over the years and regularly check pricing on new equipment, weight and even gear i bought, pricing has most definitely increased by at leadt 25 %, some places more. I agree about the used market.

Could you give some examples? I am genuinely interested.

“Over the years” there’s no doubt pricing has changed. Partly inflation as in all sectors, partly a massive change in the nature of what is available. Hard to get some of the low quality barbell and plate sets that were ubiquitous 10-20 years ago, the standard has risen. Even what used to be a premium product like Jordan is now no more than mid market.

But since the pandemic began, and examples of 25% price hikes or more?

Black Sheep

deathbomber wrote: »

Just had a look at blk box as recommended above. Very expensive, easily 33% more on some of their equipment. No doubt import costs and unit costs have gone up for them but things are really starting to get farcical.

Which products are you talking about, out of interest, and what product are you comparing it to thats 33% less?

They import some gear, some is EU made and some is made in Belfast. You’re probably aware.

caviardreams

I am starting to contemplate getting a small rack - space is very limited for me. Was looking at the likes of this:

https://www.blkboxfitness.com/products/blk-box-utility-quarter-rack

I have a small spare bedroom so was hoping a couple of mats underneath (it doesn't need to be bolted to the floor which would be an issue) and I could use it for squats and bench (weight would be up to 100kg or maybe just over I'd say so nothing too heavy - could add spotter arms down the line https://www.blkboxfitness.com/collections/all/products/blk-box-goliath-spotting-arms)

Would this be a good option? I could possible just squeeze it in size wise, but I want something stable enough

Would something like this still be solid if not bolted down?
https://www.mcsport.ie/products/hit-fitness-adjustable-squat-rack-standard-hit00323?variant=31806426546255&dfw_tracker=95584-31806426546255&cmp_id=732425403&adg_id=114225645032&kwd=&device=c&gclid=Cj0KCQiAmfmABhCHARIsACwPRAAT-tKEqBX8t5m19MHeGrch-cslP7V5bi0LlBROBykuKxSb9r4O2usaAk21EALw_wcB

Black Sheep

caviardreams wrote: »

I am starting to contemplate getting a small rack - space is very limited for me. Was looking at the likes of this:

https://www.blkboxfitness.com/products/blk-box-utility-quarter-rack

I have a small spare bedroom so was hoping a couple of mats underneath (it doesn't need to be bolted to the floor which would be an issue) and I could use it for squats and bench (weight would be up to 100kg or maybe just over I'd say so nothing too heavy - could add spotter arms down the line https://www.blkboxfitness.com/collections/all/products/blk-box-goliath-spotting-arms)

Would this be a good option? I could possible just squeeze it in size wise, but I want something stable enough

Would something like this still be solid if not bolted down?
https://www.mcsport.ie/products/hit-fitness-adjustable-squat-rack-standard-hit00323?variant=31806426546255&dfw_tracker=95584-31806426546255&cmp_id=732425403&adg_id=114225645032&kwd=&device=c&gclid=Cj0KCQiAmfmABhCHARIsACwPRAAT-tKEqBX8t5m19MHeGrch-cslP7V5bi0LlBROBykuKxSb9r4O2usaAk21EALw_wcB

I have had an outdoor quarter rack and they’re very stable. I do think it’s a great design for most people’s use.

The HIT one would be fine too but you lose the pull-up option, the catcher arms are shorter and it’s imported from China vs made in Belfast. Not necessary to bolt down either.

Alf Veedersane

caviardreams wrote: »

I am starting to contemplate getting a small rack - space is very limited for me. Was looking at the likes of this:

https://www.blkboxfitness.com/products/blk-box-utility-quarter-rack

I have a small spare bedroom so was hoping a couple of mats underneath (it doesn't need to be bolted to the floor which would be an issue) and I could use it for squats and bench (weight would be up to 100kg or maybe just over I'd say so nothing too heavy - could add spotter arms down the line https://www.blkboxfitness.com/collections/all/products/blk-box-goliath-spotting-arms)

Would this be a good option? I could possible just squeeze it in size wise, but I want something stable enough

Would something like this still be solid if not bolted down?
https://www.mcsport.ie/products/hit-fitness-adjustable-squat-rack-standard-hit00323?variant=31806426546255&dfw_tracker=95584-31806426546255&cmp_id=732425403&adg_id=114225645032&kwd=&device=c&gclid=Cj0KCQiAmfmABhCHARIsACwPRAAT-tKEqBX8t5m19MHeGrch-cslP7V5bi0LlBROBykuKxSb9r4O2usaAk21EALw_wcB

I think the mcsport one is along the lines of what bluewolf has.

Should be plenty stable. Unless you start racking the bar from a distance or with a bit of a run-up

caviardreams

Great - thanks guys - the mcsport one looks like it might be better for me (don't need the pull up option as have a doorway bar that never gets used as it is! )

Would this be a decent bar?
https://www.blkboxfitness.com/products/blk-box-belfast-bar-7ft-20kg-olympic-barbell
or https://www.mcsport.ie/collections/barbells-1418/products/hit-fitness-7-black-coated-olympic-bar-20kg-semi-commercial-hit00001

Have seen 6 foot and 5 foot bars too - would these be a decent option given I won't be loading it too much (again thinking of the space issue!)

Really helpful!

theoneeyedman

OP,

I bought a Nordtrak treadmill in September, from Gym fix in Monaghan. Cost about a grand, is a good machine, and will fold up out of the way to save some space. Has a 27.5HP motor and a wide track. That were good to deal with and delivered etc included in the price.

Might be a little more than required for walking, but I'd prefer if possible to overspec a little than underspec.
Won't can't comment on the other bits as I k ow nothing about them

Dtp1979

caviardreams wrote: »

Great - thanks guys - the mcsport one looks like it might be better for me (don't need the pull up option as have a doorway bar that never gets used as it is! )

Would this be a decent bar?
https://www.blkboxfitness.com/products/blk-box-belfast-bar-7ft-20kg-olympic-barbell
or https://www.mcsport.ie/collections/barbells-1418/products/hit-fitness-7-black-coated-olympic-bar-20kg-semi-commercial-hit00001

Have seen 6 foot and 5 foot bars too - would these be a decent option given I won't be loading it too much (again thinking of the space issue!)

Really helpful!

Very expensive bars. The one I use is fine and Cost around €170 bought from the same guy I bought my plates from. All still available on DoneDeal.
There’s a guy in Dublin making concrete dumbells that are a little flintstoney looking but very affordable.
There’s also a guy selling a lovely half rack on DoneDeal for 400.

deathbomber

Black Sheep wrote: »

Which products are you talking about, out of interest, and what product are you comparing it to thats 33% less?

They import some gear, some is EU made and some is made in Belfast. You’re probably aware.

Standard olympic barbell is 299 sterling on blkbox. I bought a quality one from d8 fitness in Novemberv2019 for 180 euros. Basically everything on blkbox is way up, they are not alone.

coffee_cake

I use this bar
BLK BOX Utility Bar - 7ft 20kg Olympic Barbell × 1
£140.00

And very cheapy squat stands from amazon which are not bolted and rest on carpet
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08L6HBHGK/ref=pe_2515581_431334481_fb_remail_prodpg

Black Sheep

deathbomber wrote: »

Standard olympic barbell is 299 sterling on blkbox. I bought a quality one from d8 fitness in Novemberv2019 for 180 euros. Basically everything on blkbox is way up, they are not alone.

I bought three of the D8 fitness bars you’re talking about for two different small gyms I fitted out.

They’re good mid range bars, but not comparable to the Belfast bar in terms of collar construction and fit and finish.

I haven’t bought the Belfast bar for any fit outs but used them fairly extensively in other peoples gyms before the pandemic. The knurling is better and it has two needle bearings per sleeve.

To the person asking- yes, they’re quality bars, comparable to the Strength Shop bastard bar and Rogue Ohio bar in spec.

I would say Blk Box is also a brand at this stage, there is a premium that comes with that but it also means good QC. I’ve not seen anything shoddy from them yet. I have their open hex bar, sand bag, plyo box and DB rack, all very good.

Black Sheep

coffee_cake wrote: »

I use this bar
BLK BOX Utility Bar - 7ft 20kg Olympic Barbell × 1
£140.00

And very cheapy squat stands from amazon which are not bolted and rest on carpet
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08L6HBHGK/ref=pe_2515581_431334481_fb_remail_prodpg

Just checked out the specs on that- looks more in line with the D8 elite bar. PSI rating is good for a relatively inexpensive bar. I also like that it’s 28mm.

Will_I_Regret

I ordered the Belfast Bar from BLKBOX and I am extremely impressed with it. Good quality bar with a nice whip, but may be wasted spending that kind of momey if you're only using it to squat/bench.

deathbomber

Ok in fairness i didn't realise they had a mid range bar, fairvenough

5500

I've gotten a few quotes now on the following and all seem to be around the same eg 3300/3400
With the dumbells being over half the cost

Half rack
100kg plates
Olympic barbell
Bench
5/30kg dumbells

I've also thrown an eye to China just to see how prices compare, its likely that they will be higher due to not buying it bulk, and for minimal saving it wouldn't be worthwhile but im waiting on some prices just to compare either ways

Dtp1979

5500 wrote: »

I've gotten a few quotes now on the following and all seem to be around the same eg 3300/3400
With the dumbells being over half the cost

Half rack
100kg plates
Olympic barbell
Bench
5/30kg dumbells

I've also thrown an eye to China just to see how prices compare, its likely that they will be higher due to not buying it bulk, and for minimal saving it wouldn't be worthwhile but im waiting on some prices just to compare either ways

Christ, have you looked on DoneDeal?

Black Sheep

Here's an option...

Blk Box utility bar 195 euro
Blk Box utility quarter rack 454 euro
Blk Box utility lite adjustable bench 277 euro

That brings you to 926 euro plus shipping from Blk Box.

100kg plate sets seem to be thin on the ground at the moment but you could order a set of 140kg Jordan bumper plates from Expert Leisure dot ie for 795 euro.

That brings you to 1721 euro plus shipping.

If you really don't think you need more than 100kg in plates you could claw back a decent chunk by selling 40kg of the bumper plates on adverts.ie.

You could also get your 100kg in plates for a few hundred euro less if you order plates individually, it looks like there are cast iron and urethane plates in stock on various sites that should work out cheaper for you than the Jordan bumper set (Which would actually be quite a good mid range set, I just picked it as an example of what was in stock).

You're right about the dumbells ... Hex dumbbells get expensive quickly. I have an almost complete set between 6kg and 30kg and the last few heavier pairs its gets hard to part with the money for them.

You could get an adjustable set, or you could get an ez curl bar for 50 euro, a set of change plates, and use that for your isolation work. Or get bands and the change plates and use your oly bar!

caviardreams

Has anyone tried the BLK BOX flooring? I think I need 2 x 1m rubber mats at least.
As I'll be ordering other stuff from them I think I might as well get it there even if it's more expensive.

Back thinking of the 1/4 rack from Blk box as the reviws on this one seem to say the spotter arms (fixed) get in the way of benching sometimes - might depend on body size/type etc!

https://www.mcsport.ie/collections/squat-racks-stands-148/products/hit-fitness-adjustable-squat-rack-standard-hit00323?_sgm_campaign=scn_949a8a50d4000&_sgm_source=4480989823055&_sgm_action=click

GazzaL

I'm weighing up whether to go for a squat rack or go all out for a power rack. I want a pull up bar but don't want to drill into walls or risk damaging door frames so I may have to invest!

https://powerballs.com/shop/adjustable-squat-rack-ireland

Or

https://www.mcsport.ie/products/hit-fitness-f100-standard-power-rack-hit00160

Or really pushing the boat out

https://www.blkboxfitness.com/products/blk-box-utility-free-standing-power-rack

A friend of mine has one like the first one and he's very happy with it.

Black Sheep

Has anyone tried the BLK BOX flooring? I think I need 2 x 1m rubber mats at least.

I'm not sure which tile you're thinking of ordering. I think the Blk Box tiles are fine, but my preference is always for as thick as you can afford.

I ordered 43mm 1m square tiles from Strength Shop and even factoring in Brexit I think I would go that way again if I were getting tiles now.

If you're only getting two then be aware that although they won't slide around much you're really meant to either lay the whole floor with them, flush, or else you should put a frame around them.

Back thinking of the 1/4 rack from Blk box as the reviws on this one seem to say the spotter arms (fixed) get in the way of benching sometimes - might depend on body size/type etc!

https://www.mcsport.ie/collections/s...m_action=click

Huh, weird, when I first looked at those squat stands I didn't cop that the spotter arms are not adjustable. For me that would be a deal-breaker. It is a really bizarre design feature since most people of different heights do need to set catcher arms at different heights for their squat and their bench. The odds of your ideal position to set them up for your squat being the same as a position that lets you bench with full range of motion are very slim I would think.

In which case, I would definitely look at something different.

If you wanted an alternative to the Blk Box quarter rack this looks OK - https://www.mcsport.ie/products/hit-fitness-e60-quarter-rack

I personally would rather something that is made in Ireland, rather than being imported, for that price, but the HIT quarter rack has one very nice feature - westside hole spacing, which the Blk Box quarter rack does not. That means you can get really precise how you set those catcher arms, as the gap between each hole is less than usual.

The catcher arms are a bit of an expensive add-on, must be admitted... Same with the Blk Box quarter rack though, you'll need to buy a set on top of the price of the rack.

This is a bug bear of mine on the commercial half rack I have at home. The hole spacing is quite old school, it's massive.

I alluded to this in a post above, but equipment has come a long way in the past 10-15 years. It's like cars, design features that used to be luxury become more commonplace and our expectations gradually.

Dtp1979

Regarding equipment coming on a long way, I have that exact power cage in the above link and it’s at least 15 years old.

GazzaL

Dtp1979 wrote: »

Regarding equipment coming on a long way, I have that exact power cage in the above link and it’s at least 15 years old.

Which one?

caviardreams

GazzaL wrote: »

https://powerballs.com/shop/adjustable-squat-rack-ireland


A friend of mine has one like the first one and he's very happy with it.

This looks like it might work for me as the spotter arms are adjustable - thanks for posting!

Black Sheep

GazzaL wrote: »

I'm weighing up whether to go for a squat rack or go all out for a power rack. I want a pull up bar but don't want to drill into walls or risk damaging door frames so I may have to invest!

https://powerballs.com/shop/adjustable-squat-rack-ireland

Or

https://www.mcsport.ie/products/hit-fitness-f100-standard-power-rack-hit00160

Or really pushing the boat out

https://www.blkboxfitness.com/products/blk-box-utility-free-standing-power-rack

A friend of mine has one like the first one and he's very happy with it.

The half rack you linked too first is definitely a better option than the one earlier in this thread. The argument against that design remains that the catcher arms are shallower than on a bigger rack, the actual hooks you're racking the bar in are going to be a pain (like all squat stands) and you've got no pull up bar on the top of the uprights.

The F100 rack is, in my view, a really bad option. It's attraction is that it's a full sized rack for a pirce that seems almost too good to be true. But, you're getting a cheaply made imported rack whose build quality is reflected in the fact that it weighs less than 50kg and has a max load rating of 227kg. Considering it's a full rack, that does not fill me with confidence. Because of the light weight of the rack, and the fact that there's no plate storage on the back of it, if you are doing pull-ups off it and are 85kg or above you might have the interesting experience of feeling the front of the rack go a little light if you get too energetic. For reference, my adjustable bench weighs almost as much as this rack by itself! I've also seen people doing moderately heavy squats outside the front of this type of rack and seen it rock about because of that. Now, if you have a full rack you should squat inside of it, because that's the point of a full rack, but it's still indicative of the instability of the thing due to lightness.

The Blk Box utility rack you linked to is, as you say, a really high quality product. Made in Belfast, westside hole spacing etc. There are other similar products in that price range that you could consider. For me personally, I would actually be as happy to buy a quarter rack from them and pay for a pair of goliath spotter arms, in order to have the smaller footprint at home.

If opt for a full rack over a quarter rack or a half rack you really need to explore why. They are the gold standard of safety and stability in terms of solo training, but a lot of casual trainees just don't need them.

I think one possible argument in favour of a full rack these days is if you have the money to really go all-out and fit things like jammer arms or cable stack attachments to it. That's becoming more commonly available.