My home gym ideas

[StrengthAddict]

So, my roomate is moving back to BC and I am thinking of making his room in to a home gym

I have a chinup/pullup bar (with a weight belt)
getting powerblocks
maybe an incline bench(that goes to flat)

i think that should be everything i would need
squats could be done with the dumbells


**edit**
also i was wondering if i should get a treadmill
run outside or a stationary bike ?
i only want it for cardio, so not to lose weight
just keep healthy

[lowblow]

You could always make a small wood platform and rig up the powerblocks with your belt to do belt squats. I was in a couple of fitness supply stores today and there sure is alot of interest in powerblocks.

[Accutron]

So, my roomate is moving back to BC and I am thinking of making his room in to a home gym

I have a chinup/pullup bar (with a weight belt)
getting powerblocks
maybe an incline bench(that goes to flat)

i think that should be everything i would need
squats could be done with the dumbells

If you can fit power rack in the room that would be ideal. You can get one on CL for around $300 used or less. You can do chins/pullups on the rack.

You cant really squat with DBs, but some store listed on the first page currently is selling a 300lb Olympic set with bar for $125.

[Mixelflick]

You could always make a small wood platform and rig up the powerblocks with your belt to do belt squats. I was in a couple of fitness supply stores today and there sure is alot of interest in powerblocks.

Solid post.

For an even better set up, look into the ironmind hip belt squat with 15" olympic loading pin. You'll quickly outgrow the weight offered by the powerblocks and the hip belt can be used for other exercises like weighted dips/chins, calf raises, sled pulling etc...

[jkinney5]

You don't say what your goals are, but it seems like you're mostly interested in overall fitness. If that's true, make yourself a sandbag (do a search here and on rosstraining.com). Cheap, takes up little space, and gets results.

The type of cardio doesn't really matter. Just pick something you enjoy or don't hate.

[StrengthAddict]

ahhh well thank you for all the help folks

the main thing I am concerned with is strength
my goals are to be able to do pullups with my bodyweight
planche pushups
pistols with 50 in each hand

but imma go to ironmind right now and take a gander at some of their stuff
i found a dip/chin/ab station for pretty cheap
just don't deliver it to Canada haha

[jgood]

So, my roomate is moving back to BC and I am thinking of making his room in to a home gym

I have a chinup/pullup bar (with a weight belt)
getting powerblocks
maybe an incline bench(that goes to flat)

i think that should be everything i would need
squats could be done with the dumbells


**edit**
also i was wondering if i should get a treadmill
run outside or a stationary bike ?
i only want it for cardio, so not to lose weight
just keep healthy
In order of stress on joints (least to most):
1. Bike
2. Treadmill
3. Run Outside

Now with a treadmill though you can walk, run, inclines and is probably the best choice to just remain healthy ... if you actually want to run marathons and stuff then outside is the best choice. I like treadmills though because you can just stay inside no matter what the weather is and be comfortable.

Also, I think on the sports powerblocks you can get a bar to put the dumbbells on to do squats and stuff .... just a thought haven't tried it since I have the elite's.

[lowblow]

ahhh well thank you for all the help folks

the main thing I am concerned with is strength
my goals are to be able to do pullups with my bodyweight
planche pushups
pistols with 50 in each hand

but imma go to ironmind right now and take a gander at some of their stuff
i found a dip/chin/ab station for pretty cheap
just don't deliver it to Canada haha

Sometimes it sucks living in Canada. It's like you live on another planet when you need something shipped from the US. Luckily we get such nice weather to make it all worth while.lol(I think it's about -25 out there today!)

[trailwarrior]

In order of stress on joints (least to most):
1. Bike
2. Treadmill
3. Run Outside
If you were to qualify that by emphasizing "healthy stress" then I would agree. Outdoor running is a natural motion for the human body, but cycling and treadmills are not natural and more prone to injuries over the longterm. I have been an outdoor runner going on 50 years sometimes running as much as 50 miles in a week and have never had joint problems. Doctors not only coment on how healthy my lungs and heart are for someone my age, but believe it or not they have even commented on my strong hips, knees and ankles as well.


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"What about your knees? how are your knees?" chances are, you've fielded those questions more than once. Not from physicians, exercise physiologists, or physical therapists but from nonrunning friends and family members...The number one risk factor for OA is excess body fat--a problem most runners don't have.

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