Equipment suggestions
 

Hi all,

It's time to replace my old bench and I was hoping I could get some guidance on good brands and styles. In the very least I'm looking for a sturdy bench (adjustable for flat and incline), squat rack, leg extension/curl unit and lat bar pulldown unit. In addition to olympic plates I have 1" plates for the leg curl and lat pulldown device so I don't need to pay more for a machine that comes with its own stack of weights. I lift by myself in my basement so I need a bench and squat rack that comes with some sort of safety bars so if I can't make a rep I can rest the bar on some supports and not crush myself to death. I have limited space so I thought an all-in-one free weight unit would probably be best unless I can locate different peices very close to one another. Here is a link to one unit that I thought looked good. Any comments on this unit would be great and if anyone has a better unit or knows of one they feel would be better please let me know.

http://thebenchpress.com/shop/produc...roducts_id=119


I've only been lifting for about four months and not sure what would be best to purchase. Thanks for any help you can provide.

Riley

I think you would be fine to just get an adjustable bench and a power cage. Leg extensions & leg curls are nice and all, but not necessary. I think I have done them two or three times in the past 5 years or more. You can probably do pull ups on the power cage.

Also, the first thing I thought of when I saw that link was the bench at my parents' house (because it's yellow also). Don't buy one unless you have tried it out. The bench at their house sits at least 6" higher than a normal bench. My toes barely touch the floor when I lay down. You have to stack shit on the floor to put your feet on for leverage...it sucks.

Thanks for the help.

I found a basic power cage and adjustable bench without uprights. Do you think these are good?

http://thebenchpress.com/shop/produc...roducts_id=909

http://thebenchpress.com/shop/produc...roducts_id=952

For my quadriceps I stopped doing leg extensions and only do squats now however I still do lying leg curls for my hamstrings. If I don't get something with a leg curl component, what exercise should I be doing for the hamstrings instead of lying leg curls?

I do deadlifts and bent over barbell rows for the back in addition to lat bar pulldowns. I'm too overweight for pullups so I would probably still need to get something with a lat bar pulldown unit.

Both look fine to me. I think GH raises would be a good substitute.

You could probably cheat doing pull ups and get to the point where you could do an honest one.

I agree w/ Ross. Check under the thread I made, called "Increasing arm size" Several good suggestions there. I am going to do those 2morrow-torso day-and I am getting ready to tear s#!% up (in a good way)!

Hi,

I'm having trouble locating a power rack system (with lat tower) that will fit in my basement. The ceiling height in my basement, to the support beams, is 81" and I learned that 82" is apparently the 'standard' height for power racks. Has anyone come accross this issue and found something that would fit? Thanks.

Riley

romanian deadlifts are good for the hammies.

Got a welder? Someone you know with a welder? Might be a cool job to build one. Thats my plan when I start building my own home gym.

IronWorker

My basement is exactly the same height as yours. You basically can't get a full "cage" for the rack. You just want a sort of half rack with uprights and adjustable heights. That powertec rack system is higher than it needs to be to incorporate the lat attachment if desired. Hoperfully you can find a rack in that style without a lat option. And then if you get a separate hi/low pulley system (bodysolid is a good choice) you should be able to fit it between the beams.

I'll see what I can find for racks.

The second thing you linked is MUCH more that you need for a home system anyway. You don't need to pay that much for a one person rack and such.

I wouldn't weld one myself. I would definitely get a certified welder to do it. Squat's aren't light and the last thing you need is for 300+lbs to squash you right after you've racked it or for the cage to collapse because you had to dump the bar. That's worse case scenario, but even if you bent the rack you might not be able to use it. It's a good idea because you can customize it to you and you're taste/needs, but its going to cost alot more than buying one 'pre-made'. Trust me I've priced them out and the steel cost is higher than youd think.