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re: Analyze my home gym options por favor

Posted on 10/22/19 at 3:28 pm to
Posted by Jim Rockford
Member since May 2011
98128 posts
Posted on 10/22/19 at 3:28 pm to
Any particular reason for wanting bumper plates? Plain iron plates are a lot cheaper.
Posted by thibtigerfan
Thibodaux
Member since Aug 2006
2460 posts
Posted on 10/23/19 at 12:34 pm to
quote:

one can't fulfill the use of dumbbell options for my liking.


Powerblocks
Posted by lsu777
Lake Charles
Member since Jan 2004
30960 posts
Posted on 10/23/19 at 2:09 pm to
Yea powerblocks can fullfil 90% of things you would want to do with dbs, same with ironmaster and the Ohio db handles from rogue.

I love my powerblocks, but I will eventually get the rogue handles also.
Posted by Jim Rockford
Member since May 2011
98128 posts
Posted on 10/23/19 at 2:52 pm to
quote:

You don't want just squat stands


I went back and forth on this. Finally went with a Titan 3x3 stand due to space considerations. It is plenty stable. I cant imagine doing anything that would knock it over under normal conditions.
Posted by gumbo2176
Member since May 2018
15009 posts
Posted on 10/23/19 at 3:25 pm to
You can find Olympic weights on Craigslist or e-bay for a fraction of the price of new if you can live with plain steel weights.

Also, that 7 ft. bar. What is it rated for as far as weight capacity? I got one with a set of Olympic weights and when I put 400 lbs. on it, the thing took on a bend right in the center of the bar when doing squats. So I went out and bought a much sturdier bar that could easily handle that weight and not take on a permanent bend.

Do you really need a weight tree? I keep mine stacked according to size on a large rubber mat in the man cave.

What about a designated curl bar? Those are more ergonomic than using an Olympic bar for curls, especially reverse curls.
Posted by StringedInstruments
Member since Oct 2013
18326 posts
Posted on 10/24/19 at 5:34 am to
Going to update what I went with soon but just realized I have a problem:

Ordered cast iron plates from Titan Fitness. They’re shipping way faster than I expected. Should be here tomorrow between 9 and 5.

It’s supposed to be monsooning here tomorrow most of the day. I won’t get home until 3:30.

How fricked are the plates if they get wet and stay wet for a few hours?
Posted by gumbo2176
Member since May 2018
15009 posts
Posted on 10/24/19 at 7:30 am to
quote:

How fricked are the plates if they get wet and stay wet for a few hours?


I've not seen cast plates that didn't have a coat of paint on them. Most have black, some with silver, etc.

Just be sure to unpack them and wipe them down when you do get them and they should be fine.
Posted by lsu777
Lake Charles
Member since Jan 2004
30960 posts
Posted on 10/24/19 at 11:12 am to
They will be fine, but as a precaution dry them off when you get home and spray/rub them with wd40.
Posted by DeafJam73
Baton Rouge
Member since Sep 2010
18390 posts
Posted on 10/24/19 at 11:16 am to
I’m in the process of closing on a house. It would be my first home. I have a HUGE back yard. I want to build a gym one day.

What kind of building could I build that would inexpensive, but still sturdy? Maybe something that doesn’t require a permit, but I could still run electricity to?
This post was edited on 10/24/19 at 11:23 am
Posted by gumbo2176
Member since May 2018
15009 posts
Posted on 10/24/19 at 11:38 am to
Pretty sure ANYTHING you build, especially if running electricity will require a permit to do so----legally, that is.

But you can risk it and DIY if you are up to it, but don't be surprised if a neighbor calls to report it and you get a Stop Work Order.

As for building, I would recommend a slab and go from there with the building.
Posted by DeafJam73
Baton Rouge
Member since Sep 2010
18390 posts
Posted on 10/24/19 at 12:07 pm to
I wouldn’t mind paying for a permit if it wouldn’t cost me my left nut.
Posted by gumbo2176
Member since May 2018
15009 posts
Posted on 10/24/19 at 12:43 pm to
quote:

I wouldn’t mind paying for a permit if it wouldn’t cost me my left nut.


A permit to build a shed shouldn't cost all that much. That's a pretty basic structure and even though you want electricity, there's no plumbing or complex construction. Basically 4 walls and a roof.
Posted by lsu777
Lake Charles
Member since Jan 2004
30960 posts
Posted on 10/24/19 at 1:33 pm to
For lifting? I would recommend Something on a slab, but you will need a permit no matter what if running electricity to a building.
Posted by tke_swamprat
Houma, LA
Member since Aug 2004
9748 posts
Posted on 10/24/19 at 1:51 pm to
A slab and a metal building frame would be a good start. You could insulate and put window units or just have a two big garage style doors at each end and have air flow with fans. Lots of options. Just get a permit and have water and electricity ran.
Posted by StringedInstruments
Member since Oct 2013
18326 posts
Posted on 10/24/19 at 2:34 pm to
So here’s the update. It’s long and more so as a reflection for me, but maybe someone will read this and get some clarity if they are in a similar situation.

I’m building a home gym for a few personal issues I’ve been going through. The biggest is that I’ve been depressed and living in a fog for the past few months. My schedule has forced me to work out in the mornings before my kids wake up. I typically wake up at 4:50ish and lift from 5:25ish-6:00 before coming home by 6:15 to help the wife and kids get ready for the day. Because I have my son with me in the afternoons, I can’t go to the gym then.

Unfortunately, I’ve never been able to fix my sleeping issues, and I’ve been falling asleep on average between 10:30 and 11:30. I’ve spent the past few months running on 5-6 hours of sleep while trying to lift heavy, run long distance, be a father and husband, be an active teacher, and perform as a professional musician for side money. I think a lot of my depression issues stem from being overwhelmed with all of my responsibilities and wanting to achieve even more than what I already have on my plate.

So I’m wanting a home gym to workout in the afternoons when my son and I get home.

Secondly, I’m a simple person when it comes to what I do in the weightroom. I don’t need machines or a lot of different gadgets to lift. Barbells and plates give me everything I need to run Greyskull effectively. Therefore, I only need one power rack to do what I want to do, so it’s been rather frustrating to bust my sleepy arse to get to the gym early only to find that the one power rack that I’d like to use is already taken.

But I’m actually not in a position to be spending $1000+ on a home gym. We’re saving for a house and trying to make up for some financial mistakes in our past. I had to do this on a stricter budget than I probably would have liked, but I think this was the best option for me:

Total Cost: $990

Fitness Reality 810XLT Super Max Power Cage $279

CAP 7-Foot Olympic Bar for Weightlifting and Power Lifting $140

Fitness Reality Extended 9" Olympic Weight Plate Holder $29

Fitness Reality Landmine 360 Degree Rotation $50

Titan Fitness Flat Weight Bench 1,000 lb Rated Capacity w/ Handle & Wheels $120

Angled Landmine Handle w/ Rubber Grip $25

Cast Iron Olympic Weight Plates $340 for 280 pounds (2 pairs 45s, 1 pair 25s, 2 pairs 10s, 1 pair 5s

Also clips and some mats.

I could have easily spent $1600 and gotten the Ohio Bar and a lat pull down attachment or Titan/Rogue level stand/rack. Maybe I should have, but I couldn't delay buying a house for my family so I can work out with nicer stuff. I'll add on and update the gym over the next few years.

I'm excited though!
This post was edited on 10/24/19 at 2:35 pm
Posted by lsu777
Lake Charles
Member since Jan 2004
30960 posts
Posted on 10/24/19 at 3:02 pm to
Dude, be excited. For the longest time I worked out with weider squats stands and bench. I did fine with that and you will do great with this. Family comes first and you can always upgrade slowly later. It's what and many others did.

Just remember the rack is 14 gauge, be gentle with it unless it is a catastrophic failure. In the end 14g will prolly support more than you could ever lift. The bar would be first thing I would upgrade.

The two things I would add when you can afford it are ability to do dips and a set of gymnastic rings, This will open up a lot of possibilities.

From there in order

prowler

Cheap suspension trainer(allows exercises on prowler)

Thick climbing rope(again Opens sled drags, climbs, rows, pullups etc)


Overall man enjoy it, keep your training simple and bust arse. Really happy for you.
Posted by StringedInstruments
Member since Oct 2013
18326 posts
Posted on 11/5/19 at 6:50 pm to
Well I’ve got a problem.

My garage floor is uneven. I noticed it after I built the rack, but it was so subtle I hoped it wouldn’t cause any issues.

It’s a lateral down slope from left to right. If I use a leveler on the rack, the bubble just barely touches the line. Technically still almost center but enough to say it’s slightly off.

I read some posts about how an uneven floor isn’t the worst thing in the world, but today after squats, I noticed some pain that’s lasted all day in my right hip at the front at the top of my quad.

So any tips on getting wood cut to place underneath the right side of the rack? It would need to be really thin to make it level underneath my right foot when squatting but get a little thicker underneath the foot on the rack.

I don’t believe I have another place in the garage to place the rack, so that’s not an option. And the one place I’m thinking might work looks like it will be a downward slope behind me (front to back), which I’ve read is no good for squats.

Posted by Hu_Flung_Pu
Central, LA
Member since Jan 2013
22159 posts
Posted on 11/5/19 at 7:27 pm to
Make a platform
Posted by lsu777
Lake Charles
Member since Jan 2004
30960 posts
Posted on 11/5/19 at 9:28 pm to
Search Amazon for wooden shims or better yet, build a platform.
Posted by Chad504boy
4 posts
Member since Feb 2005
166127 posts
Posted on 11/6/19 at 9:11 am to
one shoe on; one shoe off.
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