Home gym advice

[Sport_Turismo_GTS]

Just reviewing this thread, as plans for the gym area have advanced a little!

Coincidentally (looking at the most recent post) I’m going to go for a Mirafit cage with cable attachment - probably the M2 range with a barbell & weights package. Also a set of dumbbells and a bench. Any thoughts on a heavy rope and a jump box?

I’ve purchased a Norditrack 1250 treadmill (still to be unpacked, pending installation of the garage floor), and will be using my road bike on a Tacx turbo trainer for alternative cardio. There will also be a long punch bag for karate practice.
Given the space available I don’t want to cram too much in, so won’t be having a separate rowing machine, but the cable attachment on the rack will allow some rowing-like exercises.

Any recommendations for a good gym floor solution - probably rubber tiles with an additional mat for exercises.

[Still Mulling]

From Garage Pride I have EVOtile Professional Tile 7 mm - Smooth Texture with EVOtile Professional Tile Ramps 7 mm.

Been in for nearly 4 years. Mild indentations under our well-used treadmill.

I also bought a folding crash mat for indoor skipping and more "bouncy" aerobic work.

[LimaDelta]

I used this stuff https://www.cannonsuk.com/products/flatline-pro-gr..., with some drop pads for OLY lifts.

They are great so far, dense enough for a secure footing when heavy lifting, 18kg each so they don't move. No thermal expansion/buckling like cheaper foam mats, and comfortable enough when doing floor exercises.

[ukwill]

I have a full rack with oly weights, landmine attachment, dumbbell & kettlebell rack. Along with a spin bike and versaclimber.

I'm getting rid of the spin bike as I use the peloton app and they've double the monthlies for the spin classes - so sod that, I really only use it for the strength classes these days anyway.

Have to say, the versaclimber is a fking beast. I walk in to the gym and I swear it looks at me as if to say "come and have a go if you think you're hard enough". It's definitely a love/hate relationship.

[Sport_Turismo_GTS]

Well, I went a bit OTT, broke the budget and now have a garage full of dumbbells, weight plates, M3 cage and cable attachment plus misc other pieces from Mirafit.
Rubber floor is being fitted next week and then the equipment can be installed on top.
According to the website the M3 cage needs to be fixed to the floor - I think this probably due to the potential weight capacity of the rack, which isn’t something I’m likely to get anywhere near to.
I’m debating whether to:
a) fix the rack to the floor then install the flooring (20mm rubber mats) around it, cutting as needed
b) install the rubber floor then cut out places for the feet of the rack
c) install the rack on top of the rubber floor and drill through into the ground below.

Any advice?

Edited by Sport_Turismo_GTS on Saturday 13th April 08:52

[d_a_n1979]

Sport_Turismo_GTS said:

Well, I went a bit OTT, broke the budget and now have a garage full of dumbbells, weight plates, M3 cage and cable attachment plus misc other pieces from Mirafit.
Rubber floor is being fitted next week and then the equipment can be installed on top.
According to the website the M3 cage needs to be fixed to the floor - I think this probably due to the potential weight capacity of the rack, which isn’t something I’m likely to get anywhere near to.
I’m debating whether to:
a) fix the rack to the floor then install the flooring (20mm rubber mats) around it, cutting as needed
b) install the rubber floor then cut out places for the feet of the rack
c) install the rack on top of the rubber floor and drill through into the ground below.

Any advice?

Edited by Sport_Turismo_GTS on Saturday 13th April 08:52

FWIW I've got the M100 powercube and lat pull down attachment...



Before my body started to try and kill me back in 2021 (and it's still at it now) I was regularly squatting 200-250kg with zero issues and it's not bolted down

I've had the lat pull down fairly loaded as well regularly with 60kg to 100kg and again no issues

If you're not going anywhere near it's capacity; I personally wouldn't bolt it down. But that's your call

[Sport_Turismo_GTS]

d_a_n1979 said:

FWIW I've got the M100 powercube and lat pull down attachment...

Before my body started to try and kill me back in 2021 (and it's still at it now) I was regularly squatting 200-250kg with zero issues and it's not bolted down

I've had the lat pull down fairly loaded as well regularly with 60kg to 100kg and again no issues

If you're not going anywhere near it's capacity; I personally wouldn't bolt it down. But that's your call

Thanks for this. I went with the M3 Power Rack, mainly due to the fact that the cable pulley attachment can be located on the side, rather than the back, which worked out much better in my room. Plus there are a few more attachment options.
I’m not going to be getting up to the weights you’ve mentioned for quite some time, so might take your advice about not bolting it down for now.

[d_a_n1979]

Sport_Turismo_GTS said:

d_a_n1979 said:

FWIW I've got the M100 powercube and lat pull down attachment...

Before my body started to try and kill me back in 2021 (and it's still at it now) I was regularly squatting 200-250kg with zero issues and it's not bolted down

I've had the lat pull down fairly loaded as well regularly with 60kg to 100kg and again no issues

If you're not going anywhere near it's capacity; I personally wouldn't bolt it down. But that's your call

Thanks for this. I went with the M3 Power Rack, mainly due to the fact that the cable pulley attachment can be located on the side, rather than the back, which worked out much better in my room. Plus there are a few more attachment options.
I’m not going to be getting up to the weights you’ve mentioned for quite some time, so might take your advice about not bolting it down for now.

The M3 rack is superb; I got the M100 on a great deal and TBH it was to see me through whilst we were still getting out the back of the lockdowns etc and also because the gym I trained at here in Preston kept opening through the lockdown, so ended getting shut down via an ASBO and then it went under, because he still opened it

It's been in the garage since and has served me very well...

I no longer lift heavy; after 3 operations since early last year; my heavy lifting days are done unfortunately

But I'd have no qualms chucking big weights around in my powercube...

I've done some big squats and rack pulls in similar powercubes that haven't been bolted down, again with no issues at all. They're steady as they are. It's only if you're a hero and slam the bar back into the cube you're going to have issues etc!

[biggbn]

Sport_Turismo_GTS said:

Well, I went a bit OTT, broke the budget and now have a garage full of dumbbells, weight plates, M3 cage and cable attachment plus misc other pieces from Mirafit.
Rubber floor is being fitted next week and then the equipment can be installed on top.
According to the website the M3 cage needs to be fixed to the floor - I think this probably due to the potential weight capacity of the rack, which isn’t something I’m likely to get anywhere near to.
I’m debating whether to:
a) fix the rack to the floor then install the flooring (20mm rubber mats) around it, cutting as needed
b) install the rubber floor then cut out places for the feet of the rack
c) install the rack on top of the rubber floor and drill through into the ground below.

Any advice?

Edited by Sport_Turismo_GTS on Saturday 13th April 08:52

Used to squat heavy for reps every week from a rack/cage, they were never bolted down in any of the gyms I used. The one in the gym I use now is not bolted either and although I've only been up to @180kg on it, I'd have no hesitancy using more weight. I'd save yourself the trouble just now and give yourself some wriggle room for layout in the future.

[Sport_Turismo_GTS]

biggbn said:

Used to squat heavy for reps every week from a rack/cage, they were never bolted down in any of the gyms I used. The one in the gym I use now is not bolted either and although I've only been up to @180kg on it, I'd have no hesitancy using more weight. I'd save yourself the trouble just now and give yourself some wriggle room for layout in the future.

I’ve set up my bench, barbell rack and cable machine, ready to be attached to the cage that I’m planning to set up tomorrow. That will just leave the turbo trainer and treadmill to be sorted out on Sunday - in theory!

I’ll post some pictures when it’s finished.