Recently my gym announced they're closing their doors. Sad, because it was a rather unique gym I really, really liked. Put it to the owner, one day, that working out there was like working out at home, only with friends.

Don't care much for either of the other two close-by gyms. Not sure I want to continue using public gyms, anyway, what with one thing and the other.

So... Home gym time.

I already have:

• an adequate set of barbells
  
• a set of selectable-weight dumbbells
  
• a weight bench w/bicep curl and barbell rests
  
• WOSS Attack Trainer straps (like TRX Suspension Trainer straps, but better)
  
• Resistance bands
  
• an Ab wheel
  
• a Marcy Wrist and Forearm Developer
  
• an exercise mat
  
• a balance board
  
• a Bosu Ball
  
• an exercise ball
  
• a pecs exerciser (a spring thingy where you squeeze the handles together)
  
• an assortment of grip exercisers
  

I figure if I add:

• An inclined ab crunch board
  
• A Concept 2 rower
  
• A functional trainer with a variety of attachments
  

I should have pretty much everything I need to have a fairly comprehensive home gym.

The big ticket items will of course be the rower (around $1k) and the functional trainer (around $1.5k). Plan is start working out at home with what I have. If that seems to be doing it, probably add the rower, then, if I still stick with it, the functional trainer.

Thoughts?

Water Rower over the Concept all day every day!!

I did a Smith press rack so I could train without spot. Twist wrist to engage locks.

Any chance you could get some equipment from the gym that is closing?

Solid list already but maybe add a pull-up and dip station?

Mine is the heart of my routine.

I guess you're not much into cardio, or maybe you get that on the street. No matter your age, cardio is important. No, it's not going to build big muscles unless you do a stair stepper which is great for calves. Just a thought.

I use a concept 2 about 5x per week at the gym and we put one in our 2nd home....great piece of equipment...commercial quality for about $1000...can't go wrong.

quote:

Originally posted by Black92LX:
Water Rower over the Concept all day every day!!

For what you're looking for, perhaps. But not for me. The Concept 2...

• Has variable resistance
  
• Has a better on-board workout monitor and better performance tracking
  
• Allows competition with others all over the world, if you like
  
• Takes up less space while in-use
  
• Is easier to move-about and store
  
• Requires no water

And I don't care about the operating noise. That is a non-issue for me.

quote:

Originally posted by Patriot:
I did a Smith press rack so I could train without spot. Twist wrist to engage locks.

A Smith Machine is good for one thing and one thing only: Weight-lifting. A functional trainer can be used for a wide variety of movements. Arguably more functional movements than simply pushing weight. (Thus the "functional" part.) While I appreciate a Smith Machine for what it provides, a functional trainer would be far more useful to me.

I'm not about trying to push a lot of weight and get ripped, anyway.

quote:

Originally posted by VANQUISH:
Any chance you could get some equipment from the gym that is closing?

They're asking top dollar for nearly everything they're selling, so, no.

I did snag a few small things, such as the Bosu Ball. But that's about it.

quote:

Originally posted by apprentice:
Solid list already but maybe add a pull-up and dip station?

No room and inadequate ceiling height. I do wish I could do a lat pull-down machine, though. Maybe if one shows up locally for a steal, later.

quote:

Originally posted by NavyGuy:
I guess you're not much into cardio ...

Uhm, rower? Can't get much better cardio than on a rower. Rowers and elliptical trainers result in more calories burned per unit time than any other cardio machines. Then comes treadmills, followed by upright stationary bikes, then recumbent stationary bikes. Don't know where stair climbers fit in there.

quote:

Originally posted by ptb351:
I use a concept 2 ...can't go wrong.

I agree.

Thanks for the comments, everybody.

What about kettle bells. They are very versatile and great for core strength. You can get good cardio with them too. Start small.

Concept 2

original old-style Bowflex with leg attachments

adjustable weight kettlebells

complete setup.

Don't need a spotter with a Bowflex or similar.

At my age not planning to go super heavy.

Added the extra weight bows years ago, don't get that hevey now.

I’d get rid of most of that.

You need a good platform and a good barbell. some plate loading dumbbells are useful.

A power rack is good, but a trap bar would let you safely duplicate squats, and you could use dumbbells safely for the over head work.

The TRX straps are useful for rehab work.

As is a glute ham bench and/or a reverse hyper.

A strap around your waist to hold weights and a pull up bar/some dip bars are nice.

quote:

Originally posted by amc:
What about kettle bells. They are very versatile and great for core strength. You can get good cardio with them too. Start small.

I thought about kettle bells, but two things:

• I got the selectable dumbbells to reduce the clutter. Adding kettle bells would just bring it back.
  
• Most of the stuff I could do with kettle bells I can do with my dumbbells.

Space, clutter, and cost are factors, here.

quote:

Originally posted by sig2392:
original old-style Bowflex with leg attachments
...
Don't need a spotter with a Bowflex or similar.

Never been particularly enamored of Bowflex' and the various other home combo machines.

quote:

Originally posted by sig2392:
adjustable weight kettlebells

Didn't know such a thing existed. I'll have to look into that. Thanks!

quote:

Originally posted by sig2392:
At my age not planning to go super heavy.

Neither am I. Never have.

quote:

Originally posted by Aglifter:
... a trap bar would let you safely duplicate squats,

Hmmm... I'll add that to the "maybe" list. In the meantime I'll just do 'em with dumbbells.

quote:

Originally posted by Aglifter:
... a reverse hyper.

Likewise: Added to the "maybe" list.

quote:

Originally posted by Aglifter:
... a pull up bar/some dip bars are nice.

As I noted: No vertical clearance for those, sadly I'm gonna have to keep my eye out for a decent lat pull-down machine to simulate pull-ups/chin-ups.

What I'd really like to have is a Keiser Functional Trainer. With that I could do everything I could with a plate-loaded functional trainer, plus use it as a lat pull-down machine, all in a minimal footprint. But those are hella spendy.

Thanks, guys, for the additional comments and suggestions!

quote:

Originally posted by ensigmatic:

quote:

Originally posted by sig2392:
adjustable weight kettlebells

Didn't know such a thing existed.

Ever since my gym closed to Covid ~ been having to make do at home.
Primarily dumbbells and a treadmill.
No real room for much more.

On the kettle ball situation, I got this device from Amazon and originally saw it on Shark Tank.

Kettle Gryp > https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074...dt_b_product_details

No need for weight duplication on kettle balls.

Great product.


Additionally, I may be going back to a gym because the main thing I lack is an adequate leg workout.
Dumbbells alone aren't cutting it ~ machines and barbells would work much better.
YMMV

quote:

Originally posted by smschulz:
Ever since my gym closed to Covid ~ been having to make do at home.

Yeah, the Wu Flu was unquestionably one of the things that led to my gym closing.

quote:

Originally posted by smschulz:
On the kettle ball situation, I got this device from Amazon and originally saw it on Shark Tank.

Very cool! Thanks!

Only problem I perceive is inadvertently whacking yourself with one of the relatively pronounced edges of a dumbbell vs. a smooth, round kettle ball

quote:

Originally posted by smschulz:
Additionally, I may be going back to a gym because the main thing I lack is an adequate leg workout.

Yup. Leg days used to consist of:

• Leg press
  
• Leg extension
  
• Leg curl
  
• Calf raises
  
• Lunges (no machine for those)
  
• Hip abduction
  
• Hip adduction

And whatever other various and sundry stuff I'd randomly add in. I'm gonna miss that stuff, but I think I'm done with gyms for good. The gym that's closing spoiled me. I just can't get the least bit interested in the ones remaining.

The good news is I should be able to replicate all or most of it once I have the functional trainer.

quote:

Originally posted by sig2392:
adjustable weight kettlebells

Is that possibly one of these: Tru Grit KTTL1001?

That's the 40 lb. version. They also make a 20 lb. version.

ETA: Acquired!



ETA2:

Man, just did twenty-five kettle bell swing reps at sixteen pounds. That's more a workout than it looks like

This message has been edited. Last edited by: ensigmatic,

Concept Rower for sure and get their Skierg which can be floor operated or mounted to the wall for space saving. Skierg is good upper body workout.

quote:

Originally posted by urbanwarrior238:
... and get their Skierg which can be floor operated or mounted to the wall for space saving. Skierg is good upper body workout.

I can do everything with a functional trainer you can do with that, and a good bit more, to boot.

Iron mind used to make plate loading kettlebells. Had a bunch of their stuff when I was competing.

Not sure if I’d trust a plate loading one for throws, but should work for pressing.

(Not sure where the cross fit guys get their ideas, but we used to lock a kettlebell straight out over our hands, to build wrist strength, when pressing them. The swings never made much sense to me - maybe if you can’t throw them? )

Just do the pull ups off your knees. Same with the dips, if you can’t fit - hold your legs out at 90 if showing off, but I don’t think a plate belt would work that way.

quote:

Originally posted by Aglifter:
Not sure if I’d trust a plate loading one for throws, but should work for pressing.

The locking mechanism on this one seems pretty secure. I looked up reviews before driving the half hour to go fetch the one I bought, and they get very good reviews, very consistently.

quote:

Originally posted by Aglifter:

(Not sure where the cross fit guys get their ideas, ... )

You mean the kettlebell swings? It seems that's actually one of the most popular uses for kettlebells. That's what I saw a trainer teaching a student, years ago, at Life Time Fitness.

It's claimed to be a very good whole-body workout. It certainly gets the heart pumping, which was my primary goal, lacking a dedicated cardio machine of any kind right now. (I don't care for running. At all. Never have. Though I do like the treadmill. Go figure.)

I'm doing the Russian-style kettlebell swing, as-described in How to Do the Perfect Kettlebell Swing

Interestingly enough: Despite the fact I'd never done kettlebell swings before today, I naturally did them pretty much just as the author of that piece says to do them. (I couldn't do the American-style even if I wanted to. Ceiling.)