Home Gyms, any suggestions?

[Muenkel 0]

I used to go to the gym fairly regularly, but it is 40 minutes from my home in the opposite direction from work. I need to get back into shape, so I have been looking into some home gyms (I do have free weights, but looking for more).

Any suggestions out there on which brand is the best? Is Bowflex really as effective as the commercials say or is it just something to basically hang your dirty laundry on?

Thanks,
Chris

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Chris

[shawnstarr 0]

i say stick with the free weights and try to work in cardio (running, hiking). those home gyms are extremely expensive and take up too much space.



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'I refuse to tiptoe quitely through life
only to arrive safely at death' Anon

[Aviatrr 0]

Crossbow

Try this. I have one...love it...not anywhere near as expensive as the Bowflex....does the same thing...very effective(not as effective as a full set of free weights to do all the same excercises, but cheaper and safer - no spotter needed). The only thing I don't like is that the resistance varies throughout the movement....but it's something you can learn to deal with by adjusting your weight, body position, or range of motion. The increased resistance is a must...the stock 210lbs(I think that's what it is) is nowhere near enough.

Mike

[AggieDave 6]

Fuck those all in one machines.

Get a flat bench you can angle to make an incline. Make sure its a good sturdy bench.

Now, get yourself a good set of dumbbells, up to the highest weight you'd need for flat bench and squats.

Why dumbbells and not a barbell? You can drop the dumbbells without crushing your chest, this is important if you're working out at home, alone, or with no one actively spotting you.

I'd say get sets from 20lbs to 200lbs (200lbs so you can do shrugs and light leg work), in 10 lbs incriments.

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[Kennedy 0]

Avoid bowflex/crossbow machines. There's little to no resistance at the start and all at the end. Invest in one long bar, a good rack of weights, a curl bar if it suits your fancy, a decent bench and a place you can lift the bar onto your back from for squats. (this is assuming you already have a pull up bar)

Maybe get a rubberized mat and a mirror and you've got everything.

(this leaves out a lot of leg exercises that I'm not big on, but you can get a bench that does a lot of it)

witty subliminal message
Guard your honor, let your reputation fall where it will, and outlast the bastards.
1*

[Kennedy 0]

or what he said

(and you can probably skip on some of the higher increments)

witty subliminal message
Guard your honor, let your reputation fall where it will, and outlast the bastards.
1*

[hooked 0]

Along with everyone else's opinion......stay with the free weights and maybe invest in a really good treadmill. The treadmill is the one piece of exercise equipment we use regularly. With our rainy weather here, it's hard to get outside and walk/run!

Jan

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Sometimes we're just being Humans.....But we're always Human Beings.

[Guest]

I call it the "Beau-flex", and imho it's just another silly toy. Like AggieDave said, you can do plenty with a bench and some free weights. They're cheap and they come in increments.

You can probably pick up a set in a flea market if you look around.

Lots of people buy fitness equipment thinking it'll somehow motivate them, but they quit when they realize they have to commit to it and endure some discomfort for a while to get the payoff.

I bought my Nordic Trak Sequoia ($300+ value) almost new for $50. The owners were using it as a coat rack in their garage.

When I asked them why they didn't use it - they said "It's too hard!"

Yes, it is hard, but just like anything else, there is a habituation curb to climb, and once you're used to it, it gets easier.

Likewise, my wife bought a Tony Little Gazelle Freestyle Elite for $75 (goes for over $400).

I'll never touch the thing, myself, because Tony Little reminds me of Richard Simmons on steroids for some reason...

mh

"The mouse does not know life until it is in the mouth of the cat."

[TheAnvil 0]

A good set of dumb-bells, a heavy bag, and some imagination are all you need. $$ for frivolities is all you're getting otherwise.

Vinny the Anvil
Post Traumatic Didn't Make The Lakers Syndrome is REAL
JACKASS POWER!!!!!!

[Vlad 0]

I don't know.. Crossbow works pretty nice for me. I use it once or twice a week. That is not too often, but better than never. I got it new for $450, and am very happy with it.

[skydyvr 0]

Quote

Avoid bowflex/crossbow machines. There's little to no resistance at the start and all at the end.

I'll disagree with this and all the other negative tripe about Bowflex.

I've had one for three years, use it several times a week on my non-running days, and get quite a lot of benefit from it. When used properly, the rods produce a Nautilus® effect, growing *slightly* more difficult to bend at the end of the spectrum, just the right amount to match the increased mechanical advantage of the curling limb. I love it.

I will take issue with their advertising scheme however, right along with all the other home gym products. After three years I look reasonably good, but I DO NOT look like the guy in the Bowflex commercials (nor do I want to).

Nothing less than complete devotion to working out and a carefully controlled diet could ever produce anything close, and Bowflex (and all the others) ought not to be allowed to lie about an impossible six week miracle transition.

. . =(_8^(1)

[rehmwa 2]

AggieDave has it right if you are serious about it. Also, dumbbells are excellent for working your stabilizers. (Don't forget a good rotator cuff workout - good book, The Seven Minute Rotator Cuff Solution - you'll need some dumbbells lighter than 20 pounds for this 5, 10, 12, 15 these are little muscles.)

I still like to have a long bar with the weights for bench, but the dumbbells are better for your body overall. The long bar is nice for squats as the dumbbells start to drag on the shoulders at those weights,

Hopefully you have olympic weights (like at the gym) instead of the sandfilled. A very long bar and the big weights are much smoother to work with.

Instead of the home gym, invest in a cross trainer. I like those better than treadmills or steppers. But anything cardio to complement the weight training is best.

(Dave - 200 lbs for EACH arm in shrugs? Remind me to have you around if I ever need someone to help move my truck or crumble boulders.)

...
Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants

[AggieDave 6]

Quote

(Dave - 200 lbs for EACH arm in shrugs? Remind me to have you around if I ever need someone to help move my truck or crumble boulders.)

Well, due to stress and school, I haven't really lifted regularly in 2 weeks, but the last full workout week (I have a couple workouts, the "this is the only time in the gym this week" workout and the "I'm going to do it right and hit it 4 days" full workout), I was shrugging 450lbs (total) for reps. Now if I could only get my bench past 275lbs for reps.

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[RoysPlayThing 0]

Quote

i say stick with the free weights and try to work in cardio (running, hiking). those home gyms are extremely expensive and take up too much space.



.

I agree ... take up a sport you can do almost anywhere,.. like rollerblading , biking ... joining a baseball team. Swimming is a great one if you know someone with a pool .... Hmmmm.... I need to practice what I preach, I can use some toning myself!

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My mind is like a parachute...it functions only when open.

[dove 0]

Dumbells are definitely the way to go. I always worked out in a gym until this summer when I didn't have that option. I was worried I'd lose a lot of muscle but the dumbells kept me in tip top shape! I was surprised! As for cardio, I went running or used a stationary bike I had at home. Good thing about the bike is that if you get injured it is great for rehab since it's non-weight bearing. Having been there, that kinda stuff is important to me.

Fall in dove.

[steve1 5]

I'd go with the free weights. As many mentioned earlier machines take up too much space, are very limited in what you can do with them, and they're expensive. I've had one type of home gym or another for years. I still do flat bench with a long bar, but be careful. It's no fun getting pinned under it with noone to spot. If I'm in doubt about my last rep I don't go for it. I don't use any collars, so in an emergency I can tip the bar one way and let the weights slide off and then the other side will s;ode off the ends. I've been stuck under the bar and ended up trying to slide it down my chest and stomach...No fun! Dumbells are a must for doing lot's of different lifts, and they would be safer than a long bar on bench presses, (as Dave mentioned).

Another thing to consider is your motivation level. Although I have a home gym, I usually go to the gym down town. I'm just not very motivated to work out hard at home. That's where I go to relax. But it can be done. Some people, with lot's of discipline, do fine working out at home. I do intend to buy a tread mill soon. My wife now runs by herself, in the dark outside. The weather here often gets below zero in the winter. A treadmill is expensive, but might be another good option to consider......Steve1

[TheAnvil 0]

Oh I'm sure you get a lot of use and enjoyment out of it. It's probably a good system. I just consider it a frivolity as I make do just fine with my dumb-bells and bodyweight for what I want to do. They are good systems, I just don't recommend them.

Beers,

Vinny

Vinny the Anvil
Post Traumatic Didn't Make The Lakers Syndrome is REAL
JACKASS POWER!!!!!!

[ReLLiK75 0]

Quote

After three years I look reasonably good, but I DO NOT look like the guy in the Bowflex commercials (nor do I want to).

Nothing less than complete devotion to working out and a carefully controlled diet could ever produce anything close,

And don't forget damn good genes...If you don't have the genes for muscle definition like the guy in the commercial, you'll never achieve that look. I can point you to a few examples of professional body builders who lack in certain areas due to genes, and a few articles to back up that statement as well.

Just a bit of FYI for those interested....

__________________________________________
Have you Got Flare?

[AggieDave 6]

With hard work and the proper diet, you can get yourself looking really good, though!

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[skydyvr 0]

Quote

And don't forget damn good genes...

. . . and throw in some damn good steroids for even better results

It's an honest question because I know nothing about serious weight lifting, but -- has there ever been a top body builder that didn't use them?

. . =(_8^(1)

[AggieDave 6]

I've been asked before if I used steriods...talk about fucking annoying. Yeah, so the IFBB pros use them, that's fine, but you can still get pretty freak'n big without them.

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[nightjumps 1]

12 ounces 5,000 reps. Just kidding.

Is there a martial arts facility closer than the gym? Good exercise and they usually have free weights and workout bags. I've done the "at home" workout thing, but all of them, including free weights eventually become doorstops.

If I "go" to the gym, I am there for the purpose of working out. Side step the in-house exercise a few times and they become transparent. Although, the dumbells work really well for packing weights.

Just my $.02

[ReLLiK75 0]

Quote

It's an honest question because I know nothing about serious weight lifting, but -- has there ever been a top body builder that didn't use them

It's a good question though...I'd say in the heavier weight range, no, but I could very well be wrong about that. But then again, most of the guys in the upper 200 lb range have been lifting for so many years that when they started steroid use was acceptable.

I think that if you look at people in the 170 range, you'll find a lot more "natural" bodybuilders. Most of the bodybuilding community today recognize the severe implications of using steroids which is why many now use growth hormone, which can also work wonders for muscle size (not that I've tried it)

__________________________________________
Have you Got Flare?

[mfrese 0]

Guess I'll throw in my $.02 here...

We've got a Crossbow, and it really is a pretty good system. Got it mainly because I wanted a lat tower and something to do leg extensions on, but it's pretty versatile. You MUST get the extra 200 lb. bows, or it's too little resistance, and you've gotta assemble the thing from scratch, practically...must be why it's so much cheaper than the Bowflex.

Another great invention for the home gym is PowerBlocks. [/url]http://www.powerblocks.com[url]. You get from 5 to 90 lb dumbbells in a single 18"X22" footprint, and they change in seconds. You can upgrade these to 200 lbs each with an extension...beware, though, they are VERY expensive (like $450 for the 90lb. set).

These and a decent exercise bike are pretty much it...and they're in the living room, since I've discovered that I will indeed work out regularly if I don't have to drag my lazy ass any farther than 8 feet from the couch.

Good luck!

Iceman

Doctor I ain't gonna die,
Just write me an alibi! ---- Lemmy/Slash

[AggieDave 6]

Hey, if I dropped to a IFBB competition bodyfat percentage I'd still weigh between 210lbs and 220lbs and I've never touched steriods. 255lbs is there because I enjoy beer and pizza a little too much.

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."