Mapped out a home gym for an empty room. Take a look at the picture. Need advice!

[2af53lbg]

Images attached.

I will be in this house for another year and a half, so this is all I have to work with. I spend $600 a year on the gym, so I will be using craigslist to build a $600 gym. These are hardwood floors supported with floor joists and a crawl space underneath, so weight is a big factor here. Can't slam weights either, so no deadlifting inside.

I need some advice on how to lay this out. I would really appreciate it if someone would take a look at my schematic and tell me what I can improve on.
home gym.jpg
homegymsize.jpg

[thedickus]

Images attached.

I will be in this house for another year and a half, so this is all I have to work with. I spend $600 a year on the gym, so I will be using craigslist to build a $600 gym. These are hardwood floors supported with floor joists and a crawl space underneath, so weight is a big factor here. Can't slam weights either, so no deadlifting inside.

I need some advice on how to lay this out. I would really appreciate it if someone would take a look at my schematic and tell me what I can improve on.
Attachment 5062223
Attachment 5062233

What are your ceiling heights? I think you could combine the bench press station and the VKR into a power rack with a chin bar and dip handles and save space.
Also you could do rack pulls inside the rack.

[GarageIron]

What are your ceiling heights? I think you could combine the bench press station and the VKR into a power rack with a chin bar and dip handles and save space.
Also you could do rack pulls inside the rack.

Yes. See Attached.

[rthawker]

Here's a tool that will help you map it out better. http://legendfitness.icovia.com/icovia.aspx

[2af53lbg]

What are your ceiling heights? I think you could combine the bench press station and the VKR into a power rack with a chin bar and dip handles and save space.
Also you could do rack pulls inside the rack.

Standard 8'ft ceilings, with a ceiling fan and lights in the middle of the room.

Yes. See Attached.

I knew this was coming. I am trying to avoid a rack because it is so heavy and it focuses all of the weight on one side of the room. It is also expensive. I want to pull this whole thing off for $600. That includes weights.

Here's a tool that will help you map it out better. http://legendfitness.icovia.com/icovia.aspx

Thanks this is pretty cool.




I have read the stickies - and they are power rack power rack power rack. I was thinking of something like these spotter stands to save $$ http://homemadestrength.blogspot.com...stands_28.html

[thedickus]

Standard 8'ft ceilings, with a ceiling fan and lights in the middle of the room.

I knew this was coming. I am trying to avoid a rack because it is so heavy and it focuses all of the weight on one side of the room. It is also expensive. I want to pull this whole thing off for $600. That includes weights.


I have read the stickies - and they are power rack power rack power rack. I was thinking of something like these spotter stands to save $$ http://homemadestrength.blogspot.com...stands_28.html

I'm usually the first to not recommend a power rack since contrary to popular opinion I don't think it's the end all be all of home gyms nor does it apply to everyone. However, in your case it would be perfect. It meets all of your physical requirements. I'd look for used equipment. For nothing more than needing a rack, FID, oly set, $600 should easily leave you with cash to spare in the used market. If the $600 includes the treadmill you're going to have to get pretty creative.

[2af53lbg]

I'm usually the first to not recommend a power rack since contrary to popular opinion I don't think it's the end all be all of home gyms nor does it apply to everyone. However, in your case it would be perfect. It meets all of your physical requirements. I'd look for used equipment. For nothing more than needing a rack, FID, oly set, $600 should easily leave you with cash to spare in the used market. If the $600 includes the treadmill you're going to have to get pretty creative.

I already have the treadmill, sorry forgot to mention that.


I just need weights and lifting equipment.

[vic84875]

The only way that an olympic bench uses a smaller footprint than a power rack is: if you do not use a bar.
If you use a bar, the proyection of the bar on the floor, uses the same footprint that the olympic bench.

Olympic bench + bar = cage + fid bench + bar; both occupies the same footprint, give or take 10 inches?.

[2af53lbg]

The only way that an olympic bench uses a smaller footprint than a power rack is: if you do not use a bar.
If you use a bar, the proyection of the bar on the floor, uses the same footprint that the olympic bench.

Olympic bench + bar = cage + fid bench + bar; both occupies the same footprint, give or take 10 inches?.

I figured the bench would just weigh a lot less than a power rack. If I get a power rack, what's the cheapest flat bench I can buy to go with it? I can find weights on craigslist for cheap.

[rlundregan]

I figured the bench would just weigh a lot less than a power rack. If I get a power rack, what's the cheapest flat bench I can buy to go with it? I can find weights on craigslist for cheap.

I have found pretty much my entire gym on CL, including a couple of benches, one of which is a commercial bench. I hear you on not wanting to create problems with your hardwood floors. However, you should really consider a rack and bench--just keep an eye on CL. If you pick up a couple of stall mats ($42.99 each at Tractor Supply Company, and sometimes they have them on Black Friday for $30) to put under the rack, it will help to protect the floors.

[daniel327]

Can't slam weights either, so no deadlifting inside.

Deadlifting with proper form does not involve slamming weights.

[Stasher1]

Deadlifting with proper form does not involve slamming weights.

This^^^

I do all of my lifting on a concrete floor and don't slam my deadlifts. I lower them until they just bump the floor and then I drive them back up.