Looking to stock my home gym

[CodeZeroOn1]

Due to a hectic schedule as of late I've found it harder and harder to get the gym.
My solution is to turn the empty corner in my basement into a makeshift home gym that I can use on my busier days that I don't have time to drive to the gym.

I've looked at several home gym options:
- Bowflex
- The Crossbow by Weider
- a decent multipurpose bench w/ accessories to workout w/ freeweights & dumbells

As for cardio, I have a friend that works ar Sears and I can purchase a cardio machine or two using his employee discount.

Any helpful hints or suggestions on what to get?

[Delta_V]

The bench and freeweights would be the cheapest way to go and give you a great workout, but the drawback is the necessity of a spotter when doing things such as the bench press.

I'm not a big fan of Weider systems, as they just don't seem to be as durable as the more expensive pieces of equipment. I have a Pacific Fitnes Zuma (www.pacificfitness.com) and am extremely happy with it. They're a bit pricy though.

If you're going to choose between those three setups, I'd go with the Bowflex. I've had the chance to try one on occasion and find it quite nice. People who own one seem to really like and recommend it to others

[ateamer]

Against my advice, my wife bought a Weider gym years ago. It is a piece of junk. I have never seen anything from Weider (including his ragazines) that isn't trash.

Buy free weights and a decent quality adjustable bench. Free weights are the cheapest, most versatile way to go. You can often find free weights used for next to nothing.

As far as cardio, running is free. Don't spend the money on a treadmill.

[JRT6]

There's leverage machines advertised around there that you can add weight plates to for some serious tonnage and you can train on alone safely. I breifly considered them for myself but I like going to the gym to socialize a bit. If I remember the brand I'll post it.

[Groundhog]

I like my old Soloflex. It is nearly as space-saving as the Bowflex, and it gives a decent strength training workout. I think it may be cheaper also, but I bought mine used 2 years ago so I don't know for sure. When I priced them back then, I think the Bowflex was around $1200 delivered.

[Hemtt]

Go with an Bench and dumbbells. And get a bench that can do both incline and decline. You can do tons of work with just dumbells to include your legs and abs, and you can work your chest without fear of decapitating yourself with a straight bar.

Will Coy

I should be in better shape...

[Darkwulfe]

For a home gym I would recommend getting something like a Bowflex or the like, especially if you are going to be lifting alone. I replaced my free weights with a Bowflex last year and doubt I will ever go back. I still use free weights in the gym but when it comes to working out at home, you can't beat a Bowflex. They may seem a little on the expensive side but they of good quality and will last a long time. Don

[retdetsgt]

I hope it works for you... I found that if when I got stuff for home, I kept putting it off (because I could!) and didn't work out as much. I had to make going the gym a priority. But I have to admit, the gym I used (Gold"s) had a steam room that I loved! That was my treat to myself when I finished working out. A good steam after a hard work out and then a cool shower made my day. They also had a lot better stuff to work out with than I could afford.
Jim

[ateamer]

Having a home gym is great for me. I do at least two workouts every week at home. It would be harder for me to get in a session on workdays if I couldn't just walk downstairs to the garage. There is no problem with motivation. Actually, when I am in the garage playing with power tools or whatever, I sometimes jump in the rack and do a set or two of squats or bench just to keep tight and to help recovery from the previous day's workout.

[JRT6]

The home gym I was refering to above is the Powertec.

<a href="http://www.powertecfitness.com" target="_blank">www.powertecfitness.com</a>

If anyone has any expierence with this set up post about it with some feedback.