Beginners Multigym

[mutto]

As title, this any good for a fitness n00b?

http://www.fitness-superstore.co.uk/weider-8700-i-...

[Hoofy]

Better off with a home cast iron plate weight set eg http://amzn.to/1uI9DPS

And a bench. Even a cheap one (unless you're obese) will be fine for a beginner.

Then once you're addicted you can buy an olympic bar and weights plus a decent bench and rack but that will probably cost over £500 so not an ideal expense if you're just starting out perhaps.

Edited by Hoofy on Monday 15th December 12:25

[mutto]

I've already for those exact weights, they've been sat in the garage for a few years.

So you reckon just get a bench and possibly a few more weights would be a better option then shelling out on a multigym?

[LordGrover]

Horses for courses, not a fan myself but if it gets you training it can't be all bad.
I agree with hoofy re free weights, but if you can justify it go for olympic bar and plates rather than spinlock.
If you're buying new it can get a little expensive starting out, but you may be able to find used kit on gumtree or similar at sensible prices.
Start with olympic bar, c. 100kgs plates, flat bench and ideally a power cage. Anything else would be nice but not necessary to get you started.

[Hoofy]

Right, if you already have the kit, then start training with it.

Research a decent routine eg http://amzn.to/1DAB48B then follow it. TBH I'd decide on what one specific goal you want. Lose weight? Get strong? Get "ripped"? Improve fitness? Improve power? Then use what you have to work towards that goal. You may find what you have is enough. If not, buy more iron.

[mutto]

Thanks for the replies.

Since I already have a few weights and bars (including cobwebs), think I may get:

http://amzn.to/1DACL62 - York B530 Heavy Duty Incline/Decline Bench - There's a cheaper one with the fly attachment, needed?

http://amzn.to/1ISZaeJ - Extra weights.

[Hoofy]

All looks good for a cheap home setup. Forget the fly attachment. Get some dumbbell handles that can fit your weight plates. The less you rely on fixed metal the more your body has to do.

[pilchardthecat]

There's no such thing as a good multigym.

The best ones are the plate-loader lever systems, but they are still nowhere near as good as a power cage an olympic bar and a pile of weights

[chris watton]

A power cage with pulley machine attachment is the way to go, I think. You can buy both for the price of that (very limited) machine you linked to.

[chris watton]

mutto said:

Thanks for the replies.

Since I already have a few weights and bars (including cobwebs), think I may get:

http://amzn.to/1DACL62 - York B530 Heavy Duty Incline/Decline Bench - There's a cheaper one with the fly attachment, needed?

http://amzn.to/1ISZaeJ - Extra weights.

DO NOT buy that York multi-bench!

I made the mistake of buying this when I first started training back in May.

It is useless for bench presses - the supports are exactly where you want your hand to be when holding the bar.

I then bought a pair of York squat stands, but found that they too were too unstable as the weight mounted up.

In the end, and what I still use now, and what I should have bought in the first place, is this:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B001DUW51I?psc=...

Followed soon after with this:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bodymax-CF375-Lat-Pulley-A...

And one of these:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/York-Fitness-80-Beefy-Bar/...

[mutto]

Chris - What weights do you use for those ^

Cheers

[LordGrover]

If you have any intention of sticking with it, go for quality oly bar and plates.

[chris watton]

mutto said:

Chris - What weights do you use for those ^

Cheers

I started with this set:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/YORK-Black-Unisex-Adult-We...

And then added more weights as I went along (have over 400kg worth now). All York 1", from 20kg discs to 0.5, with 2.5 and 5kg the most numerous.

But, I did need to buy the longer barbell to fit the cage (the 5 foot ones are too short)

This is the actual barbell I bought:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/York-6ft-200cm-Spinlock-Be...

I also ended up buying some sets of interlocking gym mats (as the garage floor is concrete. These make it a little more comfortable:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Black-Interlocking-Floor-G...

I did look at some of the same stuff on EBay, but in some instances, a lot of the equipment was actually more expensive than Amazon!

[mutto]

Began Stronglift 5x5 tonight using the weights which I had, I've got enough to get me through Christmas and will buy some more in the New Year.

My arms are still shaking, shows how out of shape I really am!

I'll get it a few months and will post a before/after pic, hopefully I'll see some change by then.

[mutto]

Would it harm my routine if I add a bit of treadmill after the Stronglifts?

[Hoofy]

Depends on your goal.

[lost in espace]

mutto said:

Began Stronglift 5x5 tonight using the weights which I had, I've got enough to get me through Christmas and will buy some more in the New Year.

My arms are still shaking, shows how out of shape I really am!

I'll get it a few months and will post a before/after pic, hopefully I'll see some change by then.

I am a club runner, used to run 20 - 30 miles a week. Been doing 5x5 for about 6 months, cut my mileage hugely but my times have improved! I would say a bit of cardio, 30 - 45 mins is idea.