Free weights or cable machine for home gym?

[DanL]

I assume there's no right answer here, but thought I'd ask for opinions! So - I lifted weights at my gym in a very casual sort of way. As an example - the trainer had me doing delorme bench presses in my latest programme, and I used to do 10 x 35kg, 10 x 50kg and 10 x 65kg with dumbbells (e.g. 2 x 32.5kg dumbells to get to 65kg). I did pretty much most other exercises using dumbbells as well - incline bench, bent over row, some curls, etc. with a cable machine thrown in for triceps and back.

Since lockdown, I've managed to have a dip / pull up station and a bench delivered, and I've got 2 x spin lock dumbbells with around 19kg each on them, and I'm making it work. Once lockdown eases up a little and you can finally buy gym equipment again, I'm now wondering what to add.

My initial thought was a set of dumbbells, say 10kg to 35kg in 2.5kg increments, but turns out buying those adds up quite quickly and a cable machine can be had for not a great deal more (something like this https://www.fitness-superstore.co.uk/body-solid-co...

Which would you go for, and why, assuming it's either / or, rather than both!

[Jonny TVR]

My gym is the size of a single garage and almost all I have is free weights. I've been weight training for around 7 years, 5 years of this with a trainer who came out to my gym. I will take some pics of my set up but I wouldn't bother with machines.

[DanL]

Same - whatever I get would need to fit in this space:

[Slagathore]

I wouldn't bother with the cable machine either.

There's so much you can do with dumbbells, kettlebells, bands and even just body weight exercises.

Youtube has gone crazy for little/no equipment exercises, so plenty of ideas for workouts on there.

[Jonny TVR]

DanL said:

Same - whatever I get would need to fit in this space:

Get a barbell and a simple adjustable stand for them to start with. You don't need much else for now. If you can find them get olympic sized. 2 x 10kg, 2 x 5 kg and 2x 20kg to start with possibly 2.5/ 1.25kg as well. This will open you up for so many different types of excercise so you can fill an hour with 7 - 8 excercises, 3 sets of each.

Try one session with lighter weights but higher reps and the next a bit heavier with less reps. Don't over do the weights to start with and very gradually build up. Concentrate on good motion and getting it right, as getting this wrong could result in injury. There are some good videos on the types of excercises you can do but try ... barbell curls, rows, bench press, dead lift (careful) or half dead lift, etc

Edited by Jonny TVR on Friday 29th May 08:30

[gareth h]

If you didn’t have the dip / pull up station I would have suggested a power rack that incorporates this and some Olympic weights, but with what you’ve got all you really need is a set of adjustable dumbbells, something like this, they used to come up 2nd hand quite regularly, but not at the moment.
https://www.powerhouse-fitness.co.uk/bodymax-36kg-...

[Jonny TVR]

gareth h said:

If you didn’t have the dip / pull up station I would have suggested a power rack that incorporates this and some Olympic weights, but with what you’ve got all you really need is a set of adjustable dumbbells, something like this, they used to come up 2nd hand quite regularly, but not at the moment.
https://www.powerhouse-fitness.co.uk/bodymax-36kg-...

£640!

He already has dumbells. Get barbells as you can do twice the amount in the same time and more different types of exercises such as weighted squats.

[DanL]

Jonny TVR said:

£640!

He already has dumbells. Get barbells as you can do twice the amount in the same time and more different types of exercises such as weighted squats.

I have light, rubbish dumbbells. But, appreciate that barbells would provide another dimension. I’ll check them out - suspect it’ll be impossible to get hold of any of this stuff in the near future.

[rb5201]

I use the cable machines at the gym but my guess is the ones you buy for home use will not he as good unless you spend big bucks so I would stick with the weights.

[gareth h]

Jonny TVR said:

gareth h said:

If you didn’t have the dip / pull up station I would have suggested a power rack that incorporates this and some Olympic weights, but with what you’ve got all you really need is a set of adjustable dumbbells, something like this, they used to come up 2nd hand quite regularly, but not at the moment.
https://www.powerhouse-fitness.co.uk/bodymax-36kg-...

£640!

He already has dumbells. Get barbells as you can do twice the amount in the same time and more different types of exercises such as weighted squats.

But only light ones, which was why I suggested these, there’s not much you can do with a barbell that can’t be done with dumbbells, and you don’t need stands.

[Jonny TVR]

[ORD]

If a rack will fit, I would get one. There are attachments that replicate cable machines. I have a thingy majig for mine that means I can do lat pull downs, face pulls etc. You can loads of exercises just by attaching resistance bands to the rack, too.