|
Post by jaysun on Mar 4, 2015 16:36:05 GMT
Due to events that I am not going to reveal, I am looking at building a gym for my garage. There is a main reason for these thoughts, but there are other reasons as well: 1- there is only a one time investment 2- I can workout when I want to and my wife, kids and neighbors can watch and admire me and know that even if someone dares to break in they will be protected by a modern day barbarian like man 3- I can show off at house parties after I’ve had a few beers and convince my non-lifting friends that they too, can be like me 4- I won’t have to worry about gym hours, Heavy Metal Rob, Strongman Kurt or guys with a wife named “Scooter”
Downside to home gym: 1- no somewhat amusing stories about random people at the gym 2- having to put up with the wife, kids and neighbors watching 3- what if I quit or get tired/injured/bored with working out 4- my friends and neighbors want to workout with me Started looking on Craigslist and Amazon for ideas. Cost is definitely a factor. If you have a good recommendation for equipment, let me know.
|
|
|
Post by TM79 on Mar 4, 2015 17:08:17 GMT
I think you'll like it. It's sort've like having your own "lab" or ongoing science experiment. You don't have to worry about gym people and gym rules getting in your way. It's just you and the barbell. Will write more later. On my phone out here and it's cold as sh!t. Fingers are numb. I'm pumped for you though!
|
|
|
Post by jaysun on Mar 4, 2015 17:23:45 GMT
Just found 330# of OLY weights, OLY bar, Two Benches (one is adjustable, EZ curl bar, weight tree and freestanding squat stand for $250! Or, 455# of bumper plates with tree for $410. I think I know what to do.
|
|
|
Post by TM79 on Mar 4, 2015 18:08:33 GMT
Sounds like a good deal to me. I'd hop on that for sure. Plates and dumbbells sell new for around $1.00 per pound so if you can find them used for less you're doing good. You don't need a million pounds of bumper plates. Just a set of 45's, 25's and 10's. You can throw iron plates on the end to add weight as long as they aren't touching the floor. Then the bumper plates take the abuse. Other than the stuff you just listed all you really need is a pull-up bar. You can always build your weight collection slowly after you have the basics.
|
|
|
Post by jaysun on Mar 4, 2015 18:34:33 GMT
Going to build a power rack out of 2x6 and 2x4 and metal pipes. I have a pile of recycled treated lumber that I recycled when my parents replaced their pool deck. I have some plans and will be able to do it under $50.
|
|
|
Post by TM79 on Mar 4, 2015 21:12:39 GMT
Sounds like a plan to me. Definitely build it solid. Here are a few links to stuff that I bought: This is the rack that I got from d!c#'s Sporting Goods. It's definitely more expensive than what you're talking about, but just a suggestion. It's been fine for me. You can do pull-ups and squats at the same time (in metcons or super sets) if you put the squat bar out on the ends of the safeties. I got the 160 lb set of Echo Bumper Plates from Rogue. 2x 45's, 25's & 10's. I had another $200 or so in the platform that I built. You don't really need that though. It's nice to have, especially for Deadlifts, but not something that you can't live without. All together, I probably have about $1,000 in all of my stuff and I got great deals on the barbells and iron plates. If you're paying $40/month at a gym that will pay for itself in two years. That's the way I justified it. Also, I bought it all before my wife lost her job, so money wasn't nearly as tight as it is now. You can find power racks on craigslist too if you look for them. Having a garage gym is awesome. My progress really improved when I got my garage decked out. For one thing, when I was trying to learn the Olympic lifts, I didn't have to worry about looking like an idiot in front of people in the gym when I screwed up a lift or had bad form. I'm pretty private when it comes to my training. I hate talking about it with people unless they are doing the same type of training or they are genuinely interested in it. Working out in the garage lets me train my guts out without having to worry about people watching me. I just feel like people think I'm trying to show off, especially doing metcons. It's like a kid having his very own, indoor, private jungle gym. The pitfalls of it are: 1. The very same convenience of having your gym so close by can also bite you because your family has the convenience of you being close by. I can't even count how many times my wife has come out in the middle of a metcon to talk to me about something. Most of the time, she realizes that I'm in a time crunch and keeps it brief though (And honestly, who complains about being forced to take a break ). Kids may not be as generous though. Still, it may allow you to get out there and squeeze in a workout on a day when you otherwise wouldn't have been able to because you had to get to the gym and back. 2. The heat/cold. Well, for you mainly the heat. It is inescapable in the summer time. I don't care how close to that box fan you are, it feels like a sauna in there in the summer time. Still, if you can get used to that, it will seem like a cakewalk on a cooler day. The cold sucks at first, but after a few minutes you start to warm up. The benefits far outweigh the minuses in my opinion. You can set everything up for a metcon and just go for it. You can play your own music while you workout. You can film yourself without looking like a self-righteous A-hole. You can bring your laptop out there and use your spreadsheet or look at videos on form, etc. OK, I'll shut up now. I'm just really excited for you. It is a great feeling of freedom.
|
|