All I have is around 200lbs of free weights; is it enough? (home only, no gym access)

guitardude87 · 01-03-2009, 08:13 PM

I have a pretty hectic schedule and I have found that going to school and working more than 25 hours a week has been pretty hard to bring myself to go to the gym (which is a 45 mins trip back and forth). It was hard to justify paying 45$ a month when I can only get myself to go once or twice a week.

I recently picked up a set of free weights from Craigslist of around 200 lbs worth of adjustable steel weight. The pair of dumbbells can hold 40lbs each and I have a barbell that can apparently hold 100lbs, along with an elliptical that was left behind from the previous owner who lived here.

I was just wondering if this is sufficient? I'm around 5'4, 200lbs and generally just want to build up some mass. Would exercises done at home using solely the dumbbells and barbell be enough to work all my muscle groups, although with the elliptical for cardio and situps/push ups? I don't have a bench, but I may consider it (need a piano bench anyways...haha)

I still consider myself a beginner, so I haven't exactly used heavy weights for things like squats (I just take 45lbs and do more reps), because usually back at the gym I tend to use the machines when working with really heavy weights of more than 120lbs so I'm a bit weary.

Any advice would be great, suggestions, etc. Please keep in mind that I live in an apartment and I have limited space....so I can't exactly buy a complete home gym. I'm just looking for the "minimum" keep myself in good shape until I get out of this hellhole.

jdmalm123 · 01-03-2009, 08:25 PM

Based on what I can discern about your physical condition and goals it's plenty of weight to do what you need for now.

You can do almost anything with a bar and some DBs.
In your case, everything except lift 201 lbs.

LactoseTolerant · 01-03-2009, 10:30 PM

When it gets to the point where it's not enough, you can always buy more plates.

guitardude87 · 01-03-2009, 11:04 PM

Sorry, what I really meant to ask is that with only barbells and dumbbells, is it sufficient enough to do all the exercises I need?

Basically, I don't have a bench press or a bench to work my chest.

Rane · 01-03-2009, 11:41 PM

after u get stronger it wont be, right now its prolly fine depending on ur strength atm

jdmalm123 · 01-04-2009, 07:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rane

after u get stronger it wont be, right now its prolly fine depending on ur strength atm

I agree if your goal is strength, but...

Quote:

Originally Posted by guitardude87

Sorry, what I really meant to ask is that with only barbells and dumbbells, is it sufficient enough to do all the exercises I need?

Basically, I don't have a bench press or a bench to work my chest.

...you'll get a lot of mileage out of 200 lbs if you're just a beginning bodybuilder.

You can do floor presses, pullovers and flyes or even pushups for chest...even heavy pinwheels (cross body hammer curls) will hit your chest.

dcamnc · 01-04-2009, 07:55 AM

Are you sure the bar can only hold 100 lbs? I've never heard of anything like that before.

guitardude87 · 01-04-2009, 10:40 AM

My barbell is walmart quality. It's this brand called Athletic Works and the barbell is broken into 3 pieces which can be screwed together with an allen key....which is exactly why I am weary of putting heavier weights on it (it actually comes in a case with 100lbs of weight too).

JOHN GARGANI · 01-04-2009, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by guitardude87

My barbell is walmart quality. It's this brand called Athletic Works and the barbell is broken into 3 pieces which can be screwed together with an allen key....which is exactly why I am weary of putting heavier weights on it (it actually comes in a case with 100lbs of weight too).

wow, what a weird thing, have NEVER heard of that, and I have heard of a lot!

JustLost · 01-04-2009, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JOHN GARGANI

wow, what a weird thing, have NEVER heard of that, and I have heard of a lot!

I'll bet it's been a long time since you shopped for lifitng equipment in WalMart.

dcamnc · 01-04-2009, 01:36 PM

I know you just bought this set, but I would check craigslist or something, and find a used 300 lb olympic set or something. Hell my bar alone cost $400.

Leyton Stone · 01-04-2009, 01:47 PM

You can get a great workout with the equipment you have. A bench would increase the number of exercises you can do especially chest exercises.

Nick1971 · 01-05-2009, 12:52 AM

I have one of those Wal-Mart quality weight sets, and the barbell is fine for 100-200lbs. Furthermore you can buy more of the exact same type of plates down the line from Wal-Mart - they sell them separate. I was lucky enough to have a friend who gave me 100lbs of additional weights. I also bought a couple matching dumbbells that can load the same plates.

Anyhow, for another $40-60 you can buy a weight bench. Don't buy the "Marcy" bench there, with the racks. I bought that $50 or so bench, and the racks that you place the barbell on - it happens to be at a good location for where I'd like to place my arms when I bench press, so I've had to either use a wide or close grip if I want to use the barbell. I've opted to use dumbbells instead. There's also an additional safety factor for when I bench press without a spotter.

Basically I recommend you buy an inexpensive bench without racks, use dumbbells, and later you can buy a standalone rack that is wide enough to also support Olympic weights. Think of that as a bonus for when you upgrade one day out of standard weights. Something to think about, at least.

JOHN GARGANI · 01-05-2009, 06:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JustLost

I'll bet it's been a long time since you shopped for lifitng equipment in WalMart.

LOL, you are definitely correct....I don't even have a WalMart within reasonable driving distance to me....

I buy all of my equipment either from a franchise called GYM SOURCE, in which case I prefer the TuffStuff line, and then, online, including Ebay.....

Skidmarx · 01-05-2009, 07:13 AM

Walmart? Good god, look around on craigslist before you buy that junk they sell at Wallyworld.

paulb72 · 01-06-2009, 03:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by guitardude87

Sorry, what I really meant to ask is that with only barbells and dumbbells, is it sufficient enough to do all the exercises I need?

Basically, I don't have a bench press or a bench to work my chest.

Get yourself an adjustable bench and you have all you need for now. I would suggest that slowing down the rep speed to 4-6 seconds up and down allows lower weight while still getting a killer workout. When you outgrow the weights you have add more.

Remember it's all about form rather than tossing heavy weights around. I know when I finally undestood that and gave up the ego thing and focussed and felt the movement massive gains started.