Online or brick-n-mortar suppliers of high-quality home-gym equipment?

[JavaMan]

I'm turning a spare room into a home-gym and was wondering what my equipment vendor choices are (both on the web, brick-n-mortar stores, etc.).

I've seen fitnessfactory.com in the magazines and also have seen ads for yukon-fitness.com - I'm sure there are others, but I have no idea about the quality of their products or their reputation.

Can I get some feedback from anyone who actually has bought/used home-gym equipment from any of these vendors?

Something more than, "Don't buy from ____, because they suck!" would be appreciated. :) Or if they do suck, let me know why so I know what to look out for.

Please comment on quality (same as what's available at a regular gym?), price (cheap/expensive? free shipping included?), customer service... stuff like that.

Also, what are the basic setup should I look at getting first? Bench, Rack, etc?

Thanks in advance.

[ctgblue]

quality manufacturers whos machines I have laid hands on:
Newer lines of Body Solid, lower priced, decent value
New York Barbell, moderate priced
York Barbell, moderate priced
Hoist, quite pricey
Tuff Stuff, quite pricey
Hammer Strength, REAL proud of their stuff

If I were you, I would look at a power rack and the heaviest incline/flat/decline bench you can afford as a basic piece to build around
Try to get a rack that will ultimately allow you to add a lat pulldown to it. look for the inside measurements vs the size of the bench to make sure you have enough room inside the cage to do inclines and military. I found this a problem when I bought my smith, and it looked like it was a possible problem for some of the smaller racks
http://www.fitnessfactory.com/
http://www.newyorkbarbells.com/index.html
http://www.yorkbarbell.com/
http://www.hoistfitness.com/
http://www.tuffstuff.net/

[Ace7]

I trust a few online merchants.

[cdawnreed]

I just turned a spare bedroom in to my home gym.

I researched equipment for several months before actually making a purchase. I look on-line and at my local vendors.

I looked at tuff stuff, bodysolid, nautilus, and hoist.

All of the local vendors prices were way more expensive than the on-line vendors. I ended up ordering from jesupgym.com. They carry the bodysolid line. I couldn't believe the price that I was quoted. I saved so much by ordering from them.

I ended up with the Series 7 master package: 7 degree smith, gun rack, high/low pulley, pec dec, and FID bench. The quality is great, pretty much like my local gym. I am very pleased with the equipment and quality. It took 10 hours to put the thing together with a friend. But it is money well spent. I also have an olympic free weight bar with 265lbs of free weight and a nice selection of dumbbells. I also have a stationary bike and an elliptical for cardio.

The customer service was great, I spoke to Rex. I had to pay shipping, but even with the shipping cost I couldn't resist the deal. I was a little hesitant to order that type of thing from an online vendor, but would do it again, and would recommend this web site to others.


Hope this helps