Home Gym Equipment Help
Discussion
We have recently decided that our dining room is never really being used, mostly due to me being an unsociable 
So we have decided to turn it in to a home gym, so I can keep fit and remain being an unsociable
We have the space and want for -
Cross Trainer
Cycling Machine
Weights bench
Also some general good quality free weights. Not interested in an entire multigym.
I have looked online at the crosstrainer and cycling, trouble is there is so much choice. I am not afraid to spend a bit of money on this, but at the same time don't want to spend £4k on a commercial crosstrainer...
Has anyone got any suggestions of what to avoid / go for based on their own purchases?
So we have decided to turn it in to a home gym, so I can keep fit and remain being an unsociable
We have the space and want for -
Cross Trainer
Cycling Machine
Weights bench
Also some general good quality free weights. Not interested in an entire multigym.
I have looked online at the crosstrainer and cycling, trouble is there is so much choice. I am not afraid to spend a bit of money on this, but at the same time don't want to spend £4k on a commercial crosstrainer...
Has anyone got any suggestions of what to avoid / go for based on their own purchases?
I can heartily recommend a rowing machine - not some crappy Argos effort but a Concept2
One of, if not the best bit of equipment for an all over body workout.
That is instead of a static cycle - or if funds and room allow, a Wattbike too.
One of, if not the best bit of equipment for an all over body workout.
That is instead of a static cycle - or if funds and room allow, a Wattbike too.
Edited by MellowshipSlinky on Monday 12th November 12:21
If you have a bike already then a decent turbo trainer instead of a whole bike? A wattbike atom gets good reviews (£1600) - as does the peloton bike, although this comes with a subscription requirement.
Echoing the above - a decent rowing machine, concept 2 is good but can be noisy - I have a waterrower (about 6-700 used on Ebay)
Echoing the above - a decent rowing machine, concept 2 is good but can be noisy - I have a waterrower (about 6-700 used on Ebay)
V8mate said:
Do you have a history of consistent training/exercise?
Without a proven mindset, I'd suggest that cheaper clothes airers are available.
Without a proven mindset, I'd suggest that cheaper clothes airers are available.
Actually yes, but I really hate gyms these days. Plus for the saving on monthly cost we could buy a decent set of gym kit outright in a couple of years.
Hearing everyone on the rowing machine, however wife is against and we don't have a huge floor space so cycling and crosstrainer only.
Carrot said:
V8mate said:
Do you have a history of consistent training/exercise?
Without a proven mindset, I'd suggest that cheaper clothes airers are available.
Without a proven mindset, I'd suggest that cheaper clothes airers are available.
Actually yes, but I really hate gyms these days. Plus for the saving on monthly cost we could buy a decent set of gym kit outright in a couple of years.
Hearing everyone on the rowing machine, however wife is against and we don't have a huge floor space so cycling and crosstrainer only.
V8mate said:
I wasn't specifically referring to gym usage, even just regular running or cycling. I just think that unless someone has got the training commitment bug, home equipment is the easiest possible to fall out of love with.
A very valid point.My daughter has been rowing (water and indoor) for 5 or 6 years.
She has a very strict training regime that consists of 6 days a week at the club.
However, she never uses the ergo at home as she says it’s nowhere near the same atmosphere as being at the club or a gym.
Just doesn’t get motivated at home, and this is someone who is dedicated to the sport and trains at a very good level,
We have a similar set up (small home gym) - have a cross-trainer, simple weights bench and rowing machine. All work really well - am considering a turbo trainer as well as it can be used in the gap between the bench and the other equipment - you wouldn't want it set up that way full time but there's space for the trainer itself, I'd just have to move the bike in / out as needed.
Works well for us - can't be bothered to go to a gym but having it right there means it gets much more use (particularly for me as I am recuperating from an injury so only manage about 5-10 mins at a time).
Works well for us - can't be bothered to go to a gym but having it right there means it gets much more use (particularly for me as I am recuperating from an injury so only manage about 5-10 mins at a time).
MellowshipSlinky said:
V8mate said:
I wasn't specifically referring to gym usage, even just regular running or cycling. I just think that unless someone has got the training commitment bug, home equipment is the easiest possible to fall out of love with.
A very valid point.My daughter has been rowing (water and indoor) for 5 or 6 years.
She has a very strict training regime that consists of 6 days a week at the club.
However, she never uses the ergo at home as she says it’s nowhere near the same atmosphere as being at the club or a gym.
Just doesn’t get motivated at home, and this is someone who is dedicated to the sport and trains at a very good level,
When I had a home gym in a previous house I was in it for 90 minutes a day, 5 days a week.... I left that house and haven't seen a gym since.
In fact, I've just moved again, one of the main drivers being enough room to have a gym again.
In short, I can't stand public gyms - invariably they either have music or the TV on (I prefer silence)
there's always some Adonis showing off, the changing areas are invariably full of sweaty, smelly people - If that's atmosphere then I can't think of anything worse lol
Give me a decent in-home setup, where I can train in peace, steps away from my own shower any day of the week!
K50 DEL said:
MellowshipSlinky said:
V8mate said:
I wasn't specifically referring to gym usage, even just regular running or cycling. I just think that unless someone has got the training commitment bug, home equipment is the easiest possible to fall out of love with.
A very valid point.My daughter has been rowing (water and indoor) for 5 or 6 years.
She has a very strict training regime that consists of 6 days a week at the club.
However, she never uses the ergo at home as she says it’s nowhere near the same atmosphere as being at the club or a gym.
Just doesn’t get motivated at home, and this is someone who is dedicated to the sport and trains at a very good level,
When I had a home gym in a previous house I was in it for 90 minutes a day, 5 days a week.... I left that house and haven't seen a gym since.
In fact, I've just moved again, one of the main drivers being enough room to have a gym again.
In short, I can't stand public gyms - invariably they either have music or the TV on (I prefer silence)
there's always some Adonis showing off, the changing areas are invariably full of sweaty, smelly people - If that's atmosphere then I can't think of anything worse lol
Give me a decent in-home setup, where I can train in peace, steps away from my own shower any day of the week!
User to weight train a lot a few homes ago where I had a multigym in the corner of my apartment living room so would think I would use it.
2nd hand power rack, Olympic plates/bar decent bench and an exercise bike would do the trick. You can do all the big lifts in safety, do pull-ups on the power rack, and do cardio/conditioning on the bike.
There would also be no easy way of folding it up and putting it in a corner. The power rack would stare at you accusingly every-time you entered the room.
You might want to look at you floor if you go the power rack route......
There would also be no easy way of folding it up and putting it in a corner. The power rack would stare at you accusingly every-time you entered the room.
You might want to look at you floor if you go the power rack route......
K50 DEL said:
Just shows that people are different I guess...
When I had a home gym in a previous house I was in it for 90 minutes a day, 5 days a week.... I left that house and haven't seen a gym since.
In fact, I've just moved again, one of the main drivers being enough room to have a gym again.
In short, I can't stand public gyms - invariably they either have music or the TV on (I prefer silence)
there's always some Adonis showing off, the changing areas are invariably full of sweaty, smelly people - If that's atmosphere then I can't think of anything worse lol
Give me a decent in-home setup, where I can train in peace, steps away from my own shower any day of the week!
When I say atmosphere I mean 20 odd people lined up all on ergos banging a few 2k’s out - the noise, smell ( When I had a home gym in a previous house I was in it for 90 minutes a day, 5 days a week.... I left that house and haven't seen a gym since.
In fact, I've just moved again, one of the main drivers being enough room to have a gym again.
In short, I can't stand public gyms - invariably they either have music or the TV on (I prefer silence)
there's always some Adonis showing off, the changing areas are invariably full of sweaty, smelly people - If that's atmosphere then I can't think of anything worse lol
Give me a decent in-home setup, where I can train in peace, steps away from my own shower any day of the week!
) and general competitiveness can never be replicated at a home gym!I’m entirely with you though, with your description of a public gym!
I wouldn't bother with the gym machines you're considering, not because they're the most efficient but because you want something that you're likely to still be using in 3 weeks' time. 
And so I recommend a recumbent gym bike. You will burn far fewer calories than a £50000000 state of the art rower but I bought my gym bike back in 2003 or something and use it pretty much every week to supplement other training, especially when it's pissing down outside.
I like it because I can sit back and read a book or watch a YT vid on a tablet or make a call to a mate ("Dude, what's with the heavy breathing???").
I could have bought a rower (and indeed prefer one) but it takes up more space and requires me to use my hands. When I'm feeling particularly energetic, I tie gym bands to my recumbent bike's handles and pull.
I have one like this: https://amzn.to/2T89ZE4 (magnetic weight thingy for smooth resistance)
Agree with the free weights. Depends on your goals as a set of DBs might be easier and less of a faff. I have about 8 DB handles preloaded with weights. Every now and then I increase the load. On cheapo Argos ones (solid handles), I can load up to 40kg with larger 10kg weights.
For a fellow anti-social git (me), it's perfect.
Make sure the new kit can fit through the loft hatch.
And so I recommend a recumbent gym bike. You will burn far fewer calories than a £50000000 state of the art rower but I bought my gym bike back in 2003 or something and use it pretty much every week to supplement other training, especially when it's pissing down outside.
I like it because I can sit back and read a book or watch a YT vid on a tablet or make a call to a mate ("Dude, what's with the heavy breathing???").
I could have bought a rower (and indeed prefer one) but it takes up more space and requires me to use my hands. When I'm feeling particularly energetic, I tie gym bands to my recumbent bike's handles and pull.
I have one like this: https://amzn.to/2T89ZE4 (magnetic weight thingy for smooth resistance)
Agree with the free weights. Depends on your goals as a set of DBs might be easier and less of a faff. I have about 8 DB handles preloaded with weights. Every now and then I increase the load. On cheapo Argos ones (solid handles), I can load up to 40kg with larger 10kg weights.
For a fellow anti-social git (me), it's perfect.
V8mate said:
Do you have a history of consistent training/exercise?
Without a proven mindset, I'd suggest that cheaper clothes airers are available.
Without a proven mindset, I'd suggest that cheaper clothes airers are available.
Make sure the new kit can fit through the loft hatch.
Edited by Hoofy on Monday 12th November 13:46
I've got a pair of these hanging in the garage, and no, they're not for the pigeons 
I started off following a recommended body weight routine and have since branched out a bit.
A lot cheaper and takes up a lot less room than all the gym gear...
I started off following a recommended body weight routine and have since branched out a bit.
A lot cheaper and takes up a lot less room than all the gym gear...
TRX straps and a barbell with landmine attachment are both good alternative options for a full body workout / weighted cardio type routine. They would take up minimal space when not in use.
I have a landmine attachment bolted onto a squat rack, both made by MIRAFIT which seem to produce decent quality kit and ok prices. I find I use this the most in my garage gym.
Second the advice to search second-hand on Ebay.
I have a landmine attachment bolted onto a squat rack, both made by MIRAFIT which seem to produce decent quality kit and ok prices. I find I use this the most in my garage gym.
Second the advice to search second-hand on Ebay.
Good luck with the fitness regime! I've recently decided to get off my arse again. I loathe gyms. I've had a niggle in the ankle that curtailed my running a while ago and since then I've been lazy. I've finally got round to seeing a physio (who's also teaching me some pilates), but rather than wait to see if the ankle can support my new lardiness, I've dug out and resurrected a bike and also managed to pick up a Concept 2 ergo on Ebay for 400 quid, which seems like a bit of a bargain. Net result will be similar to your proposed kit except I'll risk getting flattened on the bike in return for the fun of zipping through the landscape. The ergo can obviously be an instrument of torture, but it complements the bike really well when the weather is ghastly. It's alarming how quickly I'm noticing a difference in suppleness and strength. It's certainly more indicative of how unfit I am rather than an indication of herculean effort.
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