Is possible to get big with home gym?

[fellipe]

Let's say I build a home gym with the basics (bb, dbs, bench, squat, chin-up, dip machine etc)
so basically all my exercises would be done with free weights... no fancy machines... Is possible to get big? I know some of you will be talking about diets, etc, and I know that... I'm mainly concerned of reaching a plateau...

What you guys think?

[buffbrown21]

I think the answer lies within jfindon's avatar......

Using free weights is THE way to get big. It doesnt matter if they are located in your basement or the commercial gym.
I dont understand why you would think that free weights would slow you down with that goal or allow you to plateau. A fixed machine has more of a chance of that. You can always add weight to the bar, add weight to your pullups, dips....etc.


(and yes, you have to eat big to get big).

[fellipe]

Can I start with something like this?? What more would you suggest me?

flat bench

adjustable bench (bench press)

support for bb squat

chin up bar

dip machine

[buffbrown21]

Can I start with something like this?? What more would you suggest me?

flat bench

adjustable bench (bench press)

support for bb squat

chin up bar

dip machine

You could consolidate #1 and #2 and just get an adjustable bench.
GET A POWER RACK to do all your compound moves in safely (bench press, squat, etc) and it will have a chin up bar. Many of them either come with or have an attachment for dips.

So what I am saying is, power rack will cover nearly all your needs, just get a flat/incline/decline (adjustable) bench and then get an Olympic weight set.
That will cover all the basics. After that you can add on other things as you need/desire (like dumbbells, for example).

I suggest you read the stickies at the top of the page as well.

[fellipe]

The main muscles I'm afraid I wont be able to train 100% are the legs... Besides squats and deadlifts, what else can I do?

And power racks is the same as smith machine?

[buffbrown21]

The main muscles I'm afraid I wont be able to train 100% are the legs... Besides squats and deadlifts, what else can I do?

Why wont you be able to train your legs? Those two are the base for all lower body exercises (although some would say deadlifts work the back as much/more than the legs). Dont forget lunges either.

If you are used to leg extensions and leg curls at the gym, remember that many (most?) FID benches come with or allow you to purchase a leg roller adaptor to allow you to do those.

If you REALLY want a strong posterior chain, you could make your next purchase a glute ham raise. THAT will really blast your hams.

(dont forget the calves too).

[fellipe]

so what disadvantages will I encounter by having a home gym?

[E77]

so what disadvantages will I encounter by having a home gym?

Not a regular in here but I'm thinking that the lats might be missing out? Unless there's a pulley attachment.

[Tomthenewlifter]

Not a regular in here but I'm thinking that the lats might be missing out? Unless there's a pulley attachment.

But he got a chin up bar

[darkfact]

Not a regular in here but I'm thinking that the lats might be missing out? Unless there's a pulley attachment.

pullups, chinups, bb row, db row, tbar row, etc., all huge movements for the back and can be done with a rack, barbell set and db set. your lats won't be lacking with that.

[darkfact]

Why wont you be able to train your legs? Those two are the base for all lower body exercises (although some would say deadlifts work the back as much/more than the legs). Dont forget lunges either.

If you are used to leg extensions and leg curls at the gym, remember that many (most?) FID benches come with or allow you to purchase a leg roller adaptor to allow you to do those.

If you REALLY want a strong posterior chain, you could make your next purchase a glute ham raise. THAT will really blast your hams.

(dont forget the calves too).

^^This. front and back squats plus variantions can easily be the meat of any good leg day. toss in lunges, split squats, good mornings, stiff leg or romanian deadlifts and the leg extension/lying leg curl attachment for many benches that Buffbrown mentioned and you can easily come up with an effective and quite challenging leg day.

[xephonics]

also through in a vertical leg press (you can get these off CL for ~$100) and your legs will be well taken care of.

[buffbrown21]

so what disadvantages will I encounter by having a home gym?

In my opinion, there are no disadvantages, aside from if you have little/no room and the start up costs (but look at it as an investment on your health/body).

Advantages:
You can play whatever music you want as loud as you want, its open 24/7, it has the equipment that you choose to get and not a bunch of stuff that you dont use (bosu balls, good girl/bad girl machine), no contracts or pushy salespeople, nobody else there to make you wait, etc etc...

Here is a thread full of opinions in regards to disadvantages:
http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showth...asons+home+gym

^^This. front and back squats plus variantions can easily be the meat of any good leg day. toss in lunges, split squats, good mornings, stiff leg or romanian deadlifts and the leg extension/lying leg curl attachment for many benches that Buffbrown mentioned and you can easily come up with an effective and quite challenging leg day.

Romanian deadlifts and Bulgarian Split Squats are awesome!!!! Repped.

[liftinoz]

Where you train means sweet f*** all mate. It's how much effort that YOU are putting in. Some people need a gym with people around them for motivation. Others find it too distracting with crowds, eye candy, travelling to and from etc etc. I personally prefer a home set up as I have mainly the basics and concentrate on adding reps or weight to my exercises. No fancy machines etc. If you do invest in home gear micro plates are a must imo.

[ironwill2008]

The main muscles I'm afraid I wont be able to train 100% are the legs... Besides squats and deadlifts, what else can I do?

Back Squats
Front Squats
Zercher Squats
Jefferson Squats
Barbell Lunges
Barbell Split Squats
Barbell Hack Squats
Romanian Deadlifts
Stiff-Legged Deadlifts
Conventional Deads


With a rack, bar, and plates.

[Skidmarx]

Back Squats
Front Squats
Zercher Squats
Jefferson Squats
Barbell Lunges
Barbell Split Squats
Barbell Hack Squats
Romanian Deadlifts
Stiff-Legged Deadlifts
Conventional Deads


With a rack, bar, and plates.

Also, standing calf raises and seated calf raises

[fellipe]

Do I need to have a seated calf machine?

[buffbrown21]

Do I need to have a seated calf machine?

No. sit on a bench (or even a chair) and put your feet up on a step or block of some sort. Lay a bar with weight on it or just a stack of weight plates on your knees and you are set.

[moto46]

Same size, but quicker. We dont wait for the use of equipment.

[Keeptryin]

No. sit on a bench (or even a chair) and put your feet up on a step or block of some sort. Lay a bar with weight on it or just a stack of weight plates on your knees and you are set.

I do exactly that but after awhile the weights will get heavy on the legs,I bought a cheap yardsale bench took the pad off and use that (pad side on legs)and you can handle alot of weight.also I set the safeties an inch lower so I can slide the bar packed with weights on and off.

[beastlifting]

Fellipe - I started at 137 pounds 12%bf 3 years ago and I hit 195 at 16% bf this winter, all the while working out in my 1 car garage. So yes, you can get big anywhere. As suggested get a decent rack/cage, a bench and 300 pounds of plates to start. Depending on your strength, a good "entry-level" rack with a dip bar, pull up bar and pulley system can be purchased for under $500. If you're already benching or squating over 350, you'll need something better made and more $. get some adjustable dumbells too, preferably used.

[fellipe]

what about the F430 - Power Rack by Bodycraft ?

[sphexius]

you can get huge!

[michaelstone]

Necromancer. With great power comes great responsibility.

[AttyGuy]

Lol. Can you get big with jelqing?

(That's a rhetorical question. . . )

[JustLost]

Lol. Can you get big with jelqing?

(That's a rhetorical question. . . )

You have to have the right towel.

[KingsOfCardio]

Let's say I build a home gym with the basics (bb, dbs, bench, squat, chin-up, dip machine etc)
so basically all my exercises would be done with free weights... no fancy machines... Is possible to get big? I know some of you will be talking about diets, etc, and I know that... I'm mainly concerned of reaching a plateau...

What you guys think?

you can get big in an empty room with push-ups and sit-ups and calf raises. I think what you really want to know is if you can quality equipment for your home. You can, but it's expensive and buying cheap/flimsy leg presses / stair climbers or w/e is nothing more than aggravating bc it's a waste of money and time.

[KingsOfCardio]

what about the F430 - Power Rack by Bodycraft ?

they're decent. BodyCraft is actually a pretty solid company for products that are not entirely health club quality / commercial, but they're not lightweight, either. Their Xpress Pro gym is sweet, their X4 is nice. I've sold/used BC stuff for 10 years. Know it pretty well. It's probably not strong enough for 8 hr a day use at a hotel or w/e, but if it is for your home, it's warranted for life, for real and it will hold up.

[KingsOfCardio]

you can get huge!

yeah but def not too fun w/o some cool equipment or a great work ethic (ie you just hammer out push-ups ll day and run around the block)

[Deep-Voiced-One]

Let's say I build a home gym with the basics (bb, dbs, bench, squat, chin-up, dip machine etc)
so basically all my exercises would be done with free weights... no fancy machines... Is possible to get big? I know some of you will be talking about diets, etc, and I know that... I'm mainly concerned of reaching a plateau...

What you guys think?

This the best route ever bro...Home gyms are awesome, you not only have your own space and equipment to do everything you have and want to do without distractions, but also there is something about working out freely at home that not only pushes you, but also there is nothing like being out of sight and then all of a sudden when you go places each and everyday you definitively are bigger and stronger (even leaner as well depending on the goals) than each previous day.