5 ms·

A very basic but effective home gym: A barbell and 140kg of bumper plates, Squat/bench stands, bench, slam ball, dumbbells and a small range of kettlebells. The

A very basic but effective home gym: A barbell and 140kg of bumper plates, Squat/bench stands, bench, slam ball, dumbbells and a small range of kettlebells. The whole thing cost about the equivalent of a year's gym membership but have lasted two years so far and show no sign of wear. Being able to lift something heavy on a regular basis over the last year has been a massive boost for my mental and physical health. You don't need expensive gear, some of my best workouts are from a metal bar wedged over a loft hatch, you just need to have something and use it.

steve_adams_86 5y ago
This is a great one. I got mine about 8 years ago (whoa) and it’s a gift to yourself that keeps on giving. Mine shows no wear at all, really. Bearings in the barbell still roll smoothly, no rust, no gear getting flimsy. I’ll admit I struggle at times to use it, but it has definitely saved more than it cost me now. I sometimes get a gym membership when time is limited and there’s a good gym near where I’m working. Convenience plays a huge role in my ability to work out. Having 3 kids at home makes the home gym really hard to use!
krat0sprakhar 5y ago
I wish I could do this! But alas, living in an apartment in the city this will remain my pipedream.
- guythedudebro 5y ago
  Nonsense, just get rid of your couch / tv area. No distractions :)
- ryanchants 5y ago
  I rent a garage with a couple of friends and we built a home gym in it. A little rough during Chicago winters, but it's been nice.
- knuthsat 5y ago
  I live on the 5th floor and have 160kg of weights + barbell on my balcony. Got that during corona when all the gyms closed. I do squats, deadlifts and overhead presses. I mean, I wouldn't do it if the building (and the balcony) isn't a modern overbuilt masterpiece. The only drawback is that I really need to put the weights gently otherwise I'm pretty sure neighbors would complain.
  - askafriend 5y ago
    Putting the weights down gently also gives you a better workout. Slow and controlled motions :)
- minimoose 5y ago
  a 25 lb kettle bell will do wonders - but like anything powerful caution is advised: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKx8xE8jJZs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKx8xE8jJZs
waihtis 5y ago
Used to be a dream of mine, except now the gym is one of the few places to socialize (100% wfh)
bhouston 5y ago
https://prxperformance.com https://prxperformance.com is an awesome solution there, but I am biased.
hawski 5y ago
If one wants to go cheaper I recommend the body weight fitness subreddit. But I really just followed their wiki and mostly the "old" routine. https://www.reddit.com/r/bodyweightfitness/wiki/kb/recommended_routine https://www.reddit.com/r/bodyweightfitness/wiki/kb/recommend... and I follow this one, except I do something out of new routine instead of L-sits: https://www.reddit.com/r/bodyweightfitness/wiki/kb/recommended_routine_2017 https://www.reddit.com/r/bodyweightfitness/wiki/kb/recommend... The only thing that is necessary is a bar for pull-ups and around an hour of your time two or three times a week.
- chevill 5y ago
  I used to be really into body weight fitness (actually need to start it back up again). However, they still recommend most people get weights and a set of plates because there are very limited options when it comes to doing leg exercises.
  - sexy_seedbox 5y ago
    Weighted calisthenics is even better. You can get huge legs doing weighted pistol squats and reverse nordics.
    - chevill 5y ago
      I've been trying off and on to work on doing pistols. I think the primary reason people suggest a set of weights and a traditional weightlifting leg routine is because its pretty difficult to develop the strength and balance to do pistols even without weight. I got to the point where I was doing squats with an 80lb weight vest and holding another 70+ pounds of kettlebells and I still wasn't anywhere near strong enough to do unweighted pistols. Gonna keep trying though.
  - hawski 5y ago
    That's why I follow more the old routine. It seems to be simpler for me and it worked good enough at least for know.
jimbob45 5y ago
FWIW I schedule my showers right after my workouts so that I spend less total time devoted to fitness during the week.
- _carbyau_ 5y ago
  I don't get much time to work out but I wake up, do some minor bodyweight stuff, shower, get on with day. For me, it helps to consistently do it every day (mostly) rather than a few times a week.
minimoose 5y ago
yes - really you could get by on a 25 lb kettle bell - swings & get ups are the fastest way to build strength according to comrad Pavel Tsatsouline
browningstreet 5y ago
I built out the basic home gym over the pandemic, but gyms in my town have dropped the mask mandate and I can't wait to get back in. I'll continue both, and the home gym improved the last year of my life immeasurably, but I've always like going to other gyms. When I lived in the city, I made the rounds among the different gym locations available to me. I guess I'm back to having the best of both worlds.
notjustanymike 5y ago
I got a FitBod subscription on the iPad and paired it with a bench and variable weights. It's been a life-changer.
gadders 5y ago
The prices of weight plates in the UK have gone nuts. Now over £3/kg for second hand plates.
sergiotapia 5y ago
I bought a squat rack, barbell, 280lbs in plates all from Titan Fitness. It's the perfect match between cost and premium. It has it's blemishes, but it's much cheaper than Rogue. I'm doing a PPL split for about 8 month and lost a lot of weight but also got a lot stronger.

steve_adams_86 5y ago

This is a great one. I got mine about 8 years ago (whoa) and it’s a gift to yourself that keeps on giving. Mine shows no wear at all, really. Bearings in the barbell still roll smoothly, no rust, no gear getting flimsy. I’ll admit I struggle at times to use it, but it has definitely saved more than it cost me now. I sometimes get a gym membership when time is limited and there’s a good gym near where I’m working. Convenience plays a huge role in my ability to work out. Having 3 kids at home makes the home gym really hard to use!

krat0sprakhar 5y ago

I wish I could do this! But alas, living in an apartment in the city this will remain my pipedream.

guythedudebro 5y ago
Nonsense, just get rid of your couch / tv area. No distractions :)
ryanchants 5y ago
I rent a garage with a couple of friends and we built a home gym in it. A little rough during Chicago winters, but it's been nice.
knuthsat 5y ago
I live on the 5th floor and have 160kg of weights + barbell on my balcony. Got that during corona when all the gyms closed. I do squats, deadlifts and overhead presses. I mean, I wouldn't do it if the building (and the balcony) isn't a modern overbuilt masterpiece. The only drawback is that I really need to put the weights gently otherwise I'm pretty sure neighbors would complain.
- askafriend 5y ago
  Putting the weights down gently also gives you a better workout. Slow and controlled motions :)
minimoose 5y ago
a 25 lb kettle bell will do wonders - but like anything powerful caution is advised: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKx8xE8jJZs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKx8xE8jJZs

waihtis 5y ago

Used to be a dream of mine, except now the gym is one of the few places to socialize (100% wfh)

bhouston 5y ago

https://prxperformance.com https://prxperformance.com is an awesome solution there, but I am biased.

hawski 5y ago

If one wants to go cheaper I recommend the body weight fitness subreddit. But I really just followed their wiki and mostly the "old" routine. https://www.reddit.com/r/bodyweightfitness/wiki/kb/recommended_routine https://www.reddit.com/r/bodyweightfitness/wiki/kb/recommend... and I follow this one, except I do something out of new routine instead of L-sits: https://www.reddit.com/r/bodyweightfitness/wiki/kb/recommended_routine_2017 https://www.reddit.com/r/bodyweightfitness/wiki/kb/recommend... The only thing that is necessary is a bar for pull-ups and around an hour of your time two or three times a week.

chevill 5y ago
I used to be really into body weight fitness (actually need to start it back up again). However, they still recommend most people get weights and a set of plates because there are very limited options when it comes to doing leg exercises.
- sexy_seedbox 5y ago
  Weighted calisthenics is even better. You can get huge legs doing weighted pistol squats and reverse nordics.
  - chevill 5y ago
    I've been trying off and on to work on doing pistols. I think the primary reason people suggest a set of weights and a traditional weightlifting leg routine is because its pretty difficult to develop the strength and balance to do pistols even without weight. I got to the point where I was doing squats with an 80lb weight vest and holding another 70+ pounds of kettlebells and I still wasn't anywhere near strong enough to do unweighted pistols. Gonna keep trying though.
- hawski 5y ago
  That's why I follow more the old routine. It seems to be simpler for me and it worked good enough at least for know.

jimbob45 5y ago

FWIW I schedule my showers right after my workouts so that I spend less total time devoted to fitness during the week.

_carbyau_ 5y ago
I don't get much time to work out but I wake up, do some minor bodyweight stuff, shower, get on with day. For me, it helps to consistently do it every day (mostly) rather than a few times a week.

minimoose 5y ago

yes - really you could get by on a 25 lb kettle bell - swings & get ups are the fastest way to build strength according to comrad Pavel Tsatsouline

browningstreet 5y ago

I built out the basic home gym over the pandemic, but gyms in my town have dropped the mask mandate and I can't wait to get back in. I'll continue both, and the home gym improved the last year of my life immeasurably, but I've always like going to other gyms. When I lived in the city, I made the rounds among the different gym locations available to me. I guess I'm back to having the best of both worlds.

notjustanymike 5y ago

I got a FitBod subscription on the iPad and paired it with a bench and variable weights. It's been a life-changer.

gadders 5y ago

The prices of weight plates in the UK have gone nuts. Now over £3/kg for second hand plates.

sergiotapia 5y ago

I bought a squat rack, barbell, 280lbs in plates all from Titan Fitness. It's the perfect match between cost and premium. It has it's blemishes, but it's much cheaper than Rogue. I'm doing a PPL split for about 8 month and lost a lot of weight but also got a lot stronger.