I convinced the Wife to let me Train at HOME!

[pottro563]

I have a descent amount of space in my basement and currently I have only a bench bar and 300 lbs, but earlier this week I convinced my wife To let me transform my half of the basement into a gym! I made arrangements to pick up a power rack tomorrow evening along with 500 lbs in weight and a couple bars. I have only about $1000 total to spend and I am about $600 in after rack, weight, and bars. I how a power focus and this is my first time training at home seriously. What are some home gym must haves that I should budget for now? I will be right around 800 lbs in weight so I will be set there for at least a couple years. Only thing right now I'm thinking about if Mats, Home made platform and Loud stereo. I know this thread doesnt hold a lot of substance but I am super excited and can't wait to ditch my membership fees!

[rlundregan]

I have a descent amount of space in my basement and currently I have only a bench bar and 300 lbs, but earlier this week I convinced my wife To let me transform my half of the basement into a gym! I made arrangements to pick up a power rack tomorrow evening along with 500 lbs in weight and a couple bars. I have only about $1000 total to spend and I am about $600 in after rack, weight, and bars. I how a power focus and this is my first time training at home seriously. What are some home gym must haves that I should budget for now? I will be right around 800 lbs in weight so I will be set there for at least a couple years. Only thing right now I'm thinking about if Mats, Home made platform and Loud stereo. I know this thread doesnt hold a lot of substance but I am super excited and can't wait to ditch my membership fees!

Congratulations! If I am hearing you correctly, you already have a rack and a bench, and about 800 lbs of weight. You already have the basic equipment that will be used for 99% of your workouts. If you are looking to follow a powerlifting routine, you definitely want stall mats (around $40 at Tractor Supply Company).

I don't know how much weight you are currently moving, or what kind of bar you have. If you have a bar that would have come with a weight set from Dick's, you might want to consider upgrading your bar. The Texas Power Bar runs around $300, but it is all the power bar you would ever need.

If I was in your position and only had $300-400 to spend, those two items would be the first I would look at.

[owasM]

def a nice bar ..
some sort of dumbell set up?

[rlundregan]

DB's would be great as well. I was also thinking that down the road a piece, you might also consider a Glute Ham Raise and possibly a lat pulldown/low row. I dont know that a lot of powerlifters use lat pulldown machines, but if you are looking to build strength (as opposed to strictly being a competitive powerlifter), a pulldown machine offers a lot of variety in one machine.

Neither of these pieces would necessarily be considered as essential items that you would need to have right now.

[jtrain2323]

Congratulations! If I am hearing you correctly, you already have a rack and a bench, and about 800 lbs of weight. You already have the basic equipment that will be used for 99% of your workouts. If you are looking to follow a powerlifting routine, you definitely want stall mats (around $40 at Tractor Supply Company).

I don't know how much weight you are currently moving, or what kind of bar you have. If you have a bar that would have come with a weight set from Dick's, you might want to consider upgrading your bar. The Texas Power Bar runs around $300, but it is all the power bar you would ever need.

If I was in your position and only had $300-400 to spend, those two items would be the first I would look at.

I'm not sure y he would need this now? I know I don't lift a ton but I've used cap barbell bars with 400+ on it and it's no problem... I would use the extra cash on something else like dumbells or a lat pull down machine... If u have the money to put into such an expensive bar by all means go for it but the OP needs way more equipment right now and dropping $300 on a bar doesn't sound like the best idea at this time IMO

[SugarFree1]

Incline/Decline bench and an assortment of dummbells to to with your rack and olympic set.

In the future I would suggest considering a good cable cross-over. Many exercises can be performed on it.

[blkbelt42]

Here's mine, there's a new GHR, that's not in the pic. And a heavy bag hanging from the tree out back

[rlundregan]

I'm not sure y he would need this now? I know I don't lift a ton but I've used cap barbell bars with 400+ on it and it's no problem... I would use the extra cash on something else like dumbells or a lat pull down machine... If u have the money to put into such an expensive bar by all means go for it but the OP needs way more equipment right now and dropping $300 on a bar doesn't sound like the best idea at this time IMO

He is stating that he has a power focus. THat could simply mean that he is looking to build strength, or it could mean that he is looking to be a competitive powerlifter. I don't know for sure until he clarifies, but given that he stated that he is looking for mats and a platform, it kind of sounds like he is really talking about powerlifting. If that is the case, then he probably wants to make sure that he has a bar that would stand up to being inadvertently dropped once or twice. I'm not sure what kind of bars are being included in his rack purchase, so this may be covered.

If he is looking at powerlifting, then bumpers might also be worth considering sooner rather than later.

[pottro563]

Sorry my Op was hectic. Anyways, I have a 100 lb heavy bag and some sparring gloves. I have 15 25 and 45 lb Dumb bells. I have been looking at a new bar, but that would pretty much be the rest of my budget. I want to build a couple boxs to box squat off of and get some bands and chains. I was looking on Rogue at a couple bars. I would like to get a nice bar for pulling, but I will try the Craigslist route for awhile. A local Community center is getting rid of a "false" rubber basketball floor, and a co-worker can scoop them up for free. So I just checked mats off my original list! I can not wait to get going

[Iakovos]

.....


Let you?


:-p

[817boy]

I would get at least 2 stall mats if not maybe 4 (they sell for $40 each at tractor supply co).

I would also consider getting some dumbbells (sell for 50cents a lb on craigslist)

Then when you can afford it later on get a good bar (i recommend Texas Power Bar) goes for $280 shipped.

[one.lifter]

My wife "let me" too! First gym was in my family room, then moved to the garage, now we just sold our home and the new home will have a basement gym....current garage gym that I have to move: http://www.home-gym-bodybuilding.com/garage-gym.html

[AttyGuy]

.....


Let you?


:-p

Exactly.


OP, how about if you start at the end and then work your way forwards. What do you envision your ideal home gym would look like with the space and dollar constraints that you are going to have -- I'm not talking about your $1,000 now, but I am talking about how much space your wife has graciously given to you. A few mats now are good. Working on the dumbbells is good. Buy used and grow your set. Or, go with the adjustable dumbbells and drop some cash now. If you have room, better to go with a rack and a set of dbs from 15 or 20 to 70 or so, minimum. A lat pulldown with low row is very useful, as is a dip station. You can always run outside, so you don't need a treadmill immediately, plus all the good ones are expensive. A GHR/GHD might be handy, but is expensive. Leg machines are nice, but they can wait until the end.

And get a better bar than the piece of crap hex-bolt bar you have. Why? Because, that's why. Hell, buy a Rogue Beater bar. Find a used 1980's York Oly bar. Just get a better d---ed bar.

[ugmoe2000]

I guess I don't see the point in upgrading your bar immediately... you should use the POS bar for a while so you can appreciate the upgrade later on. Get gear that is most useful to your training goals -- and NEVER pay retail. Between your free mats and your CL references I think you'll do just fine with that budget.

[daniel327]

... you should use the POS bar for a while so you can appreciate the upgrade later on.

Why can't he appreciate an upgrade now and continue to appreciate it later?

[LimitStrength]

Why can't he appreciate an upgrade now and continue to appreciate it later?

Honestly when I transitioned from a commercial gym to my garage, I started out with a terrible chinese cap bar. I had taken for granted that all barbells could take at least 405 without bending into oblivion, boy was I mistaken.

That bar became so bent and warped, it was annoying as **** to bench with, squat with, pull with. Beyond that I always was scared that somehow I was going to break off one of the collars and destroy myself.

I gained a whole new appreciation for taking care of equipment and the difference between a terrible barbell and a commercial grade bar.

By the time I finally upgrade my straight bar to something serious, it was like arriving at the holy land. I actually take care of my bars now because I appreciate how much better they are then the typical 300 lbs set bar and want to keep them so I never have to replace them.

You really don't know the horrors of going heavy with a ****ty bar until you've done it for an extended period of time. When you finally upgrade, you will appreciate it 100x more. It's true.

[trimble006]

Obviously a stand alone preacher curl and some Arnold posters should be at the top of your list... After those mighty important pieces my vote goes to stall mats, assuming your basement lifting area isn't carpeted, and dumbbells of some sort with an FID bench.

Valentines day is coming up, slide wifey a few hints about a new bar. If that fails, spend your money for her gift on a bar. A pec flex and a wink will show her that you're working hard 365 days a year on her gift, you stud you.

[irongrandpa]

.....


Let you?


:-p

I 've bought all my equipment FOR my wife, we both appreciate it.

[iportal]

You really won't regret, I love training in my gym room so much more than a commercial gym!

It's always exciting to get new stuff also!

Post some pictures up when you have your stuff!

[ugmoe2000]

I 've bought all my equipment FOR my wife, we both appreciate it.

I'm in a similar boat.

Also regarding purchasing a nice bar upfront, depending on your skill-level you may not need the additional weight capacity there yet-- when you do, by all means spend the money.

[RemainDieHard]

+1 on a quality bar. After using a 1500# test bar, the cheap bar felt like a quivering bowl of jello just benching a mere 185#s.

[matrix563]

the cap bar seems decent based on reviews. the 120-160 dollar one. if the walmart price is comparable to amazon get it from there so you can ship to store for free and return it if you decide its not for you. do you already have a rack op?

[Iakovos]

I 've bought all my equipment FOR my wife, we both appreciate it.

Hey, if you can make her believe that, more power to you. ;-)

Seriously though there is nothing wrong with that at all, it's a mutually beneficial investment in continued health. I don't want to rib the OP too badly as this is a good thread. I just can't understand the she "let me" mentality so many fellas have these days. I'd be equally as shocked at a woman saying her husband "let her" have a yoga room at home. Or a sewing room. Or a new washer and dryer. :-p

Funny examples aside marriage should be a partnership not a dictatorship. A team working together and all that. I don't mean to offend anyone, that's just how I see it.

[AttyGuy]

Cheap bars don't always weigh 45 pounds.

[pottro563]

I got everything into my Training area and I have carpet reminents in the area, but I still went ahead and got some large rubber mats for deadlifting. Under the reminent I have two layers of carpet pad and one layer of laminent.(origianal hardwood under that) I still have membership until next week, so I am using my membership for the last time and then it will be on to the next step in my training. The flooring should be fine. I am making a homemade Deadlift jack and then I will pretty much be done until I order a new bar. I spent a lot of money on little things like mat,deadlift jack, bands, and chains. I will be ordering the Texas Power bar or picking up another olympic rec bar from local store. Local bar is rated 1500lbs and they have knurling in middle or with out for 165 brand new. They are simliar to rogue beater bar.