Looking to "build" a home gym

mustangmike6996

mustangmike6996

Club Member
I am currently looking to get away from a monthly gym payment and add some more equipment to my basement (7 foot ceiling).

I have been looking at a power rack or squat rack as the general purpose component. I plan to use an adjustable flat/incline bench that can be wheeled in for bench press/shoulder press or removed for squats, deadlifts, rows etc.

I also am looking to purchase a dumbbell set (10 lbs-100, depending on cost)


I have been looking at Rogue but their prices are a bit high. I was told to look at Titan as well. Do you have any other suggestions?



I am would like to have some nicer equipment without the commercial cost.
 
Good topic as I am looking to do the same. Don't forget about old school York Barbell. I haven't compared costs yet. Ever tried Powerblocks for Dumbbells? Seem good if space is an issue but I've never handled them. Seem awkward maybe. How much room do you have? I'll have a decent space myself but am looking for combination equipment. I like pulleys and cables.

I've heard that ordering from a local shop can cut on delivery cost which can be expensive with the weight. I have not found a source other than the box fitness stores.

Post what you find.
 
My boss's built a gym in our warehouse for us to use. Everything is BodySolid brand equipment, which is nice. But expensive. The squat/bench rack is really nice.

We also use Ironmaster Quicklock adjustable dumbbells that go to 120lb, and the Powerblock adjustable dumbbells that go to 90lbs. They aren't cheap, but awesome if you don't want to buy dumbbells in every increment. The Powerblock are great for adjusting, but they state don't drop them. The Ironmaster feel like solid dumbbells and can be dropped...they are also a little bit more work to adjust than the Power block, which are a snap but feel looser than the Ironmaster.

I would also highly recommend the Bowflex adjustable bench.

We got all those items from Amazon. Along with the stands for the dumbbells. If you wanna check anything out first hand, let me know. It's in Auburn Hills.
 
Last edited:
I got a squat rack off of eBay, shipped to my house for $270.... lemme see if I can find the brand. It's not what you would call "gym quality" but it's rated to 550lbs and plenty for my needs. For the rest, I've been slowly accumulating stuff via Craigslist. It just takes time.

ProTip: Go to Tractor Supply and get "horse stall mats" for your flooring. They are about 4'x6' for $35. Same stuff as gym flooring.

If you need to get it through the doors/stairwell, etc... roll it and use ratchet straps to keep it rolled. MUCH easier than trying to keep it folded yourself.
 
Rogue fitness rubber plates are only useful for deadlift, other than that they are a waste of money and unnecessary.

I had some for sale here a few months ago....a cage too..
 
The Rogue stuff looks nice. That Detroit Weight Company does have rubber coated dumbbell pairs but man do they get expensive quick.
 
Consider estate sales and Craigslist. Exercise equipment is a good example of something many people don't want to move. I'm giving away a $3K treadmill for exactly that reason.
 
*** Only 4 Hours to auction closes ***

mdhmi said:
Consider estate sales and Craigslist. Exercise equipment is a good example of something many people don't want to move. I'm giving away a $3K treadmill for exactly that reason.
Click to expand...


*** Only 4 Hours to auction closes ***

Don't forget auctions, government auctions tend to be some
of the best. This one ends in 4 hours and looks like it could be
a very nice deal...


http://www.bidcorp.com/AuctionDetails.aspx?auction_id=50675


" Auction #50675 - LARGE LOT OF GYM EQUIPMENT "

" Current Bid: $305.00 "

" LARGE LOT OF GYM EQUIPMENT MACHINES ALL IN GOOD WORKING CONDITION ROUGHLY
10 MACHINES WINNING BIDDER WILL NEED PROPER EQUIPMENT FOR REMOVAL FREE WEIGHTS
NOT INCLUDED.

RE-LISTED WINNING BIDDER FAILED TO PAY OR PICKUP. "

" Pick-up Location: 1399 JOSLYN, PONTIAC MI "
 
Last edited:
4Gas$ said:
*** Only 4 Hours to auction closes ***

Don't forget auctions, government auctions tend to be some
of the best. This one ends in 4 hours and looks like it could be
a very nice deal...


http://www.bidcorp.com/AuctionDetails.aspx?auction_id=50675


" Auction #50675 - LARGE LOT OF GYM EQUIPMENT "

" Current Bid: $305.00 "

" LARGE LOT OF GYM EQUIPMENT MACHINES ALL IN GOOD WORKING CONDITION ROUGHLY
10 MACHINES WINNING BIDDER WILL NEED PROPER EQUIPMENT FOR REMOVAL FREE WEIGHTS
NOT INCLUDED.

RE-LISTED WINNING BIDDER FAILED TO PAY OR PICKUP. "

" Pick-up Location: 1399 JOSLYN, PONTIAC MI "
Click to expand...

That's a steal for that stuff... that's $2000 worth of gear


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
mustangmike6996 said:
Thats a great deal but it has everything that I "dont" need lol. There is some nice equipment but I dont have room for it all.
Click to expand...


It all sold for $310.00!

The way it normally works is, you keep the stuff you want and sell
the rest, which usually means you end up with your stuff for free.
 
So I have built my home gym over the past year, all from craigslist and upgrading items over time.

Squat rack was 300 from amazon
Got a FID bench thats rated at 650lbs for $50 on CL - sold my cheap made one from amazon that I got new for $60, sold for $30
Bought new Bowflex adjustable 5-52.5lb dumbells, sold them for 80% cost, and upgraded to ironmaster 5-75lb adjustable dumbells for $300 from CL
Bought a bar and 320lbs of plates for $150 on CL, still have them but also upgraded to ironmaster rubber coated 275lbs plate set for $350 from CL - will probably sell my metric iron cast plate set soon
Bought a new 1000lb bar from Amazon for $99 when it was on sale
Bought a in-store home gym machine for $400, was originally $800
Got a leg press of CL for $300

some pics of the stuff - doesnt have the new iron master plates or adjustable dumbells











 

Attachments

  • FoLAPGW.jpg
    FoLAPGW.jpg
    839.3 KB · Views: 49
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top