Help me choose...

[Slyonic]

Should I put my money towards a Gym Membership or should i spend the money on some Equipment? I am not sure what to do and want some input from you all on what you think I should do.

I am just now beginning if that helps. Actually I haven't started yet as I don't have a gym and I don't have any equipment.

[waterbuckat]

Originally posted by Slyonic
Should I put my money towards a Gym Membership or should i spend the money on some Equipment? I am not sure what to do and want some input from you all on what you think I should do.

I am just now beginning if that helps. Actually I haven't started yet as I don't have a gym and I don't have any equipment.

Me personally would start building a home gym? Do you have room? It is soo much easier just to walk down in your house to lift, don't ahve to wait on anyone, and you can do whatever you want. I love it. I would recommend starting out by getting a incline/flat/decline bench with a leg extension/curl and preacher curl add on. Also a squat rack and some olympic weights and some dumbbells. Dumbbells are expensive so I would recommend getting olympic dumbbell handles and using ur olympic weights for your dumbbells. Or if you have the cash you can buy some dumbbell sets. Some other items to look into would be a dip station, chin/pullup bar, and some accesories like dip belts (hold weights) and all that stuff.

Also make sure you personalize it with your music and your magazines and some quotes on the wall and stuff. Pictures are always good too!

[ctgblue]

I would opt for the opposite at first.
Why?
Because you have not given us any info on your experience.
How long have you lifted?
Have you ever SEEN a real squat rack?
Do you know quality equipment from cr@p equipment?

Going on the assumption that you are a total beginner, I would say, for the first year, buy a gym membership.
Work with a trainer a few times and learn to use the machines & free weights properly to avoid injury and obtain maximum results.
The first couple of months for a beginner are really designed to PREPARE your body to actually lift. After that you can ease into the real lifting.
Once the year is up you can make an educated decision as to what YOU want to do and will know enough about what you will & will not use in order to avoid purchasing the wrong equipment for YOU.
A decent home gym will ultimately cost you a minimum of $800-1000 to put REAL equipment in. This is not an area to 'cheap out' on as cheap equipment is poorly made and ultimately dangerous if not properly constructed.
Once you get to this point, a good heavy duty bench, power rack, olympic set + dumbell handles, EZ curl bar will get you a long way.
I have a home gym and use it at least 1-2 x week but I still try to get in my gym time as I am more motivated to push myself there.
Good Luck

[Slyonic]

If I go the gym route, it would be my local 24 hour fitness as they are the most close to me.

If I go the home equipment route, this is what I was gonna buy:

this bench:
http://www.fitnessfactory.com/Fitnes...ction&linkid=3

this rack:
http://www.fitnessfactory.com/Fitnes...ction&linkid=3

the 300 pound weight set here:
http://www.fitnessfactory.com/Fitnes...ction&linkid=7

two of these:
http://www.fitnessfactory.com/Fitnes...tion&linkid=17

this combo bar:
http://www.fitnessfactory.com/Fitnes...tion&linkid=17

and this leg attachment:
http://www.fitnessfactory.com/Fitnes...cfm?itemid=118

Now I know I'd spend more up front to do the equipment but I won't have a monthly payment either.

[ctgblue]

that's a good basic setup, but buy the olympic weight set at your local Oshmans or Sports Authority. They arer basically the same and you don't get shafted on the freight. (note, these are NOT free freight and are expensive approx $.50/lb to ship).
Also try to find the bars locally to save shipping, those handles are priced EACH!
Also, pick out what you want, total it up, then call and see if they will give you a price break for multiple items or waive freight for attachments etc.. It never hurts to ask.

I prefer this bench, if you are over 200 lbs and can bench 200+ you should get this one and pay the extra $70, the arm/bolt style is far superior to the pop pin setup.
http://www.fitnessfactory.com/Fitnes...tion&linkid=16

Other than that, it's the basic set I would suggest as you can add a lat pulldown later.

[Slyonic]

Right now I'm not in shape, but am near 170 pounds give or take 5 pounds and am 5 foot 9 inches. Given that information, I'm still considered a newbie cause I don't know the names for all the exercises without looking them up.

But perhaps I'll find a Gym and try it out for a few months; then again, I'm still undecided.

[ctgblue]

If you can find a gym with a 90 day membership deal, grab it and find out as much as you can.
Beware of the "Scrawny Ass Trainers" who act like they know everything.
If it sounds stupid, find a really well built guy who's lifting good weight with good form and, when he's done with his workout, ask his advice.
Most guys will be willing to share knowledge when not in the middle of a routine.

Go to the "steroid forum" here and read "Big Vinces Monday Rants". Half of them are about poor mannered gym newbies. Don't be one. Basic courtesy and common sense, of which much is lacking nowadays, will get you a long way in obtaining advice from qualified individuals.

A good 90 days SHOULD give you an idea of whether or not you want to build your own or sign up for another year.

[Slyonic]

I read all of those the last couple weeks, they had me laughing on some of those incidents. But I might take you up on that 90 day idea. I think the gym near me has one of those.

Is it better ya think, since I'm a beginner, to get an olympic weight bench first something like this:

http://www.thesportsauthority.com/pr...entPage=family

instead of the setup I stated earlier with separate rack and cage?

[ctgblue]

No way, stick with the power cage.
That setup is very cheaply built. I have had my hands on one and was very surprised at how cheap it felt.

[Slyonic]

So should I get a separate dip station or one that can be added to the above rack?

[ctgblue]

get a separate one, ALWAYS MUCH sturdier.

[micky]

I would say go to the gym somewhere. You get to meet people and see other meatheads doing different exercises. Looking at T & A in those aerobic tights is cool **** too. Keeps me motivated too. If a hottie is looking even remotely my direction, I do two more reps everytime. Gives you a chance to compare yourself too.