Yeah, like others have said. Get some basic weights, bench, power rack, etc. I go to the gym, but just for shits and giggles I picked up this chin up/dip station at Big 5…only $99!!! I would recommend adding that too. Anytime I get bored or anything I just crank out some chin ups/dips. I have never seen a basic generic brand dip/chin up station for more than 150.
I’m somewhat in the same position as you.
I don’t mind going to the gym. But it is a time killer, and I can’t stand the %$^# teen kids doing 1/4 squats thinking the are doing full squats with massive amounts of weight, plus all the BS hype fads in gyms, etc… I don’t mind the eye candy though 
See my post in the get a life forum. newyorkbarbells.com @ equip. assembly. And the how much room is needed post in this forum. I’d make a link, but I’m lazy and its late.
I’ve found some great loking stuff on newyorkbarbells.com @ great $'s!
This is the plan:
power rack
2 or 3 level adjustable bench
lat pull down / low cabel row machine
leg curl / extension machine
full DB set w/ rack
couple oly bars
EZ curl bar w/ preacher curl
set of plates
lots of rubber flooring
wrestling mat ( from ebay, great for stretching )
glute ham raise would be nice
leg press would be nice, but $$$$!!!
Anyways… thats the just of it. Im sure couple things Ive left out. But you get the idea. I’m hoping I don’t break the bank. But it is what it is.
rubber flooring from tractor supply store?
do you got a link?
Do you mean tractor supply company?
I cant find the flooring on the site
[quote]MNguns wrote:
rubber flooring from tractor supply store?
do you got a link?
Do you mean tractor supply company?
I cant find the flooring on the site[/quote]
Ask and you shall receive:
http://www.mytscstore.com/detail.asp?pcID=6&paID=1045&sonID=182&page=3&productID=25384
This is what I use as flooring and it is about 3/4" thick. It is very heavy, if you can find a store in your area, you’ll need a truck.
Also, if you have an Academy close by, I wouldn’t bother ordering weights online. The shipping will kill you.
Also, you may not need a full set of dumbbells. Just get four adjustable handles so you won’t have to change them as often. That way you can have two sets.
I like the adjustable ones because you can go higher in weight. I can get 155 out of mine.
[quote]EstoVir wrote:
I’m considering purchasing a home gym for my basement. I’ve been to Gyms/Health Clubs before, but I never really “fit in” and end up leaving before I know I’m done. I’m just not a gym person, so I’d like workout at home for those reasons.
I was going to get a bowflex, until I read all the bad things about it on this message board.
So which piece(s) of equipment would be the best. I was thinking a machine or free weights. I can spend $1000-3000 right now.
Any good books for home workouts too?
Thanks [/quote]
You need a power rack w\ pullup bar and adjustable weight hooks. An adjustable bench, Olympic weight set with 7 ft. 45 lbs. bar. An easy curl bar, weight rack, and large carpet to put underneath it all.
I went to play-it again sports, bought my shit used and got the whole shootin’ match for under $600. If you want to go to the $3000 range, get yourself a full rack of hex dumbells up to at least 80 lbs. and a nice used bowflex for cable pully work. I’d get used stuff, it’s cheaper and it works just as well. Really, who cares as long as it’s metal and strong. It’s up to you though.
[quote]gotaknife wrote:
Also have a look for a rack that has a plate loaded cable/pulldown attachment. They don’t cost much and can be handy.[/quote]
Nah. Chin up bar is much better and will cost you almost nothing. Chinups/pullus are much better than pulldowns and for seated cable work, you can just do barbell or dumbell rows, etc.
[quote]MNguns wrote:
rubber flooring from tractor supply store?
do you got a link?
Do you mean tractor supply company?
I cant find the flooring on the site[/quote]
That (a tractor store) or a store that sells livestock (as in horse, cow) supplies. The rubber matting that they put in some stalls or tack rooms is reasonably cheap. Much cheaper than buying the type specially designated for gyms.
It’s better that you search in your area so as not to incur shipping fees.
You can just lay them on the ground of your basement and use them as is or you can build yourself a platform. You can search this site for how to build a platform. Also I believe there is a set of instructions over on www.ironmind.com .
If you are interested in getting bumper plates, there are some relatively cheap ones (including free shipping) over at Wichita Falls Barbell
http://store.wfwclub.com/ulbuse.html
Right now I dont have bumper weights for my home gym, but my mouth starts to water every time I see those Wichita Falls ones (better yet, I get an erection when I see a set of Ivankos and I just learned that I might get a bonus here at work. So as soon as that comes through, better believe I’m ordering a set of those bad-boys.
[quote]EstoVir wrote:
Space really isn’t an issue for me, I have about half of a large basement worth of space that I could use for the equipment. The ceilings are over 7 and a half feet high.
.[/quote]
Is 7.5 feet high enough for overhead work? I dont know. My workout stuff is outside so I dont have this problem.
[quote]entheogens wrote:
gotaknife wrote:
Also have a look for a rack that has a plate loaded cable/pulldown attachment. They don’t cost much and can be handy.
Nah. Chin up bar is much better and will cost you almost nothing. Chinups/pullus are much better than pulldowns and for seated cable work, you can just do barbell or dumbell rows, etc.
[/quote]
I was thinking more of face pulls, pull-thoughs and cable pullovers. Also my attachment was only 35$ extra. I don’t use the pulldown attachment but the cable attachment was worth it.
[quote]entheogens wrote:
gotaknife wrote:
Also have a look for a rack that has a plate loaded cable/pulldown attachment. They don’t cost much and can be handy.
Nah. Chin up bar is much better and will cost you almost nothing. Chinups/pullus are much better than pulldowns and for seated cable work, you can just do barbell or dumbell rows, etc.
[/quote]
In his case with plenty of space and money I cordially disagree. There’s a ton of useful stuff that can be done with a cable outfit.
[quote]pat36 wrote:
<<< You need a power rack w\ pullup bar and adjustable weight hooks. An adjustable bench, Olympic weight set with 7 ft. 45 lbs. bar. An easy curl bar, weight rack, and large carpet to put underneath it all.
I went to play-it again sports, bought my shit used and got the whole shootin’ match for under $600. If you want to go to the $3000 range, get yourself a full rack of hex dumbells up to at least 80 lbs. and a nice used bowflex for cable pully work. I’d get used stuff, it’s cheaper and it works just as well. Really, who cares as long as it’s metal and strong. It’s up to you though.[/quote]
I’m pretty much with ya, especially on the used stuff thing. Garage sales, bartering and clearances at Sears have been very good to me. However a plate loaded cable machine is in every way preferable to a Bowflex for those purposes in my opinion.
I’d get a pair each of Jumpstretch minis, light and average bonds, even if your not int Westside, these are amazingly versatile. Get them from Elite FS and look at their band exercise section if you need ideas!