Bench v. MultiGym

[YZF600R]

I currently use free weights (bar and dumbells) which I am successfully using for a decent workout plan alongside a decent diet.

However, when I used to go to a gym, I much preferred using the machines.

I'd rather not join a gym again (hard to get motivated to go, working out at home is easier to commit to!) but would like to upgrade what I have.

Option 1: Decent "Multi Gym" which seems to do nicely for a full body work out. Looking around £300-£350 for a decent one like this:



Option 2: Decent bench and proper set of weights. Probably looking at £180-£200 all in? OK. Sticking with the free weights, but a bench would be a good grounding to do more stuff that I can't/find hard to do at the moment?

[MJK 24]

Bench and weights IMO.

You'll soon outgrow a machine of that value whereas you can economically add to your weights over time.

[randomman]

Bench all the way, and a quick look round the internet will give you a thousand different exercises you never knew existed

[groucho]

randomman said:

Bench all the way, and a quick look round the internet will give you a thousand different exercises you never knew existed

Does it come with a spotter?

[rhinochopig]

A bench makes you use your core muscles to stabilise the load, unlike a machine. This means that you become functionally stronger, rather than being better at using the machine.

HTH

[shadowninja]

rhinochopig said:

A bench makes you use your core muscles to stabilise the load, unlike a machine. This means that you become functionally stronger, rather than being better at using the machine.

HTH

My thoughts exactly.

[gingerpaul]

A bench set up will cost a lot less if you look on ebay. After all, not a lot can wear out of a few lumps of cast iron and some welded box section and you'd have to try hard to break anything. They're cheap because you can't post it and are therefore limited to an audience who is prepared to travel to collect. Obviously check and make sure it's not buggered when you collect.

[DWP]

Stick with a bench. Free weights are the way to go. You say a multi gym will help you with things you can't do, not being funny, but is that code for it's easy to push a bigger weight on a machine? It can be satisfying to push a greater weight, it does feel like you have achieved something. But free weights will go to the core of both your body and what you are doing. Get yourself onto you tube, plenty of hints and ways to work. Good luck hope it works whatever you choose.

[Driller]

A bench but don't get a st one like that get a Hoist or Parabody one.

ETA Or you could get a powerrack if you've got the space which you could add to thus combining the best of both of the worlds you mention above.

Hoist PTS:



PTS + Latpull with weight stack



The full thingummy with cable crossover when you have the necessary:



I've got separate Hoist machines as I like to move around the room a bit but the above would be a good alternative minus machines for back/legs etc

Edited by Driller on Friday 1st August 18:57

[richyb]

Job done.

[Driller]

richyb said:

Job done.

[YZF600R]

richyb said:

Job done.

Haha. I have one of them and it sits in the garage.

Wonder why!

[CLK-GTR]

second the power rack suggestion. that and a decent bench is all you will need. you can do proper exercises properly and if you stuff up just drop the weight on the spotter bars

[gingerpaul]

YZF600R said:

richyb said:

Job done.

Haha. I have one of them and it sits in the garage.

Wonder why!

What's it like? I remember the half hour advert / programme from a trip to the states many years ago. Chuck Norris can certainly put a good pitch across.

[richyb]

YZF600R said:

richyb said:

Job done.

Haha. I have one of them and it sits in the garage.

Wonder why!

There is a lifetime satisfaction guarantee on the Chuck Norris Total gym. If you're not completely happy with it just call 1-800-ROUNDHOUSE and I guarantee you you'll chnage your mind by time you put the phone down.

[EK993]

Bench & weights without doubt. You need something to be able to do a decent back workout though - can you attach a chin bar to the ceiling at all?

[Dale19]

Power rack, a bench, and some free weights, you`ll end up just hanging stuff on the multi.


If you dont want to spend much on a power rack, make your own from scaffold, wont be pretty but its cheap and very very strong, make some bumper plates for overhead incase you have to bail, and your good to go.


That will be easier to sell if you ever need rid, less to fail, no maintenance, and you`ll get further with the free weights, most multigyms stop at 100kg which isnt very useful.