Which piece of equipment?

[dkr09]

Hi all, I am looking for a bit of advice for some equipment which will help my overall fitness and toning. I have been rowing since last August and lost nearly 2 stone in weight but I would now like to build a bit of muscle, both to improve my rowing and to look a little better.

I only have a small room (2.4m x 2M plus a door recess) which currently has my concept 2 rower in it and I have read lots on the best equipment. Many swear by squat racks, power racks, weights bench, combo benches etc etc. What single piece of fitness equipment would be the best option to go for, or should I sack it all off and just do sit ups, press ups, squats without any equipment? I have come full circle several times now and just need some advice from the more experienced.........

Thanks!

[mcelliott]

A pull-up bar costs very little and a few weeks of use you will see quite a difference.

[Fozziebear]

Couple of things you could use to give a different workout are gym rings if you can hang them and sand bags/Bulgarian bags.

[roboxm3]

A couple of kettle-bells might be useful for relatively low cost.

Combine one of those with a skipping rope and you've got a few decent (if horrible) circuits that you can mix in.

[TurboHatchback]

A power rack with safety bars, bench, olympic barbell and plates is all you need to do the most important exercises: Deadlifts, squats, rows, bench press, overhead press and pullups. It would just about fit in your space. Personally I'd spend the money on a gym membership instead and you'll have access to all the equipment you could need.

[FredClogs]

Kettle bells, two big ones, two smaller ones and enough room to swing them, combined with some standard body weight exercises it's really all you need.

[Sparkysea]

What about
http://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/latest-news/448038...

[martinnitram]

Cheapest bit of kit would be a weighted jacket and use while doing your push-ups pull ups squats etc.
About £20 from Argos and takes no room up, will improve muscle size and tone.
For adding more muscle bulk you want a squat rack and bench which needs plenty of space to use safely.

[joshcowin]

http://www.powerhouse-fitness.co.uk/bodymax-cf360-...

That will allow you to do pull ups, dips, some abwork, I would do pushups and kettle bell. The weighted jacket is a good idea, maybe also a resistance band to help you get some reps in the pullups!

Let us know what you decide on.

[K8-600]

For muscle building, I'd go for a bench and dumbbells and then later on I'd want a bar and weights.

If you have a bench and a set of dumbbells there's a huge amount of exercises you can do to gain muscle.