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.

Yeah, and plus you don't just want a squat rack you want an adjustable rack so you can do everything in it....that would get very expensive to design an weld...but just buying a "squat rack" and not a "power rack" is a waste of money, imo.

Here is a unit that would work for you....

http://www.gymcor.com/bocomuprsqra.html

74 inches high. As you can see you have adjustable safefty catches. The only drawback is that the "pins" are not adjustable but are just hooks set at pre-determined height. However that can be worked with since there are plenty of levels....

Be careful about the width though. I was just looking at one from newyork barbells and realized the thing is only 46 inches wide This one I linked above is 64 inches.

Here's another one that would work well:

http://bodybuildingequipment.ericsgy...rack/index.htm

Edit* NM about the width. I got out my measuring tape and realized that mine is 47 inches wide (from upright edge to edge). I was thinking it was much wider but the width of mine is perfectly fine and 64 inches is actually way too wide, duh. I think the width on that bodysolid unit is a misprint.

So here is the one from NewYork barbells...

http://www.newyorkbarbells.com/pro93120.html

Cheaper than the other ones.

This is the updated version of the machine I have for hi/low pulley:

http://www.backtrainer.com/Lat-Machine.html

It's 82 inches high but as you can see you should be able to place it in between two beams (what I do). This is nicer than mine since it has no cable change technology and mine doesn't even have a foot plate for the low pulley work like this one does.

Thanks! I thought I needed a power rack but the half rack looks like it will do fine. With the half rack have you ever tried doing a 1 rep max and couldn't make it? I guess you rest the bar on the large safety bars and not the fixed posts?

You might find some in your area with craigslist.com just look ubder sports equipment....thats where I found my rack for $40.00

I had never thought about welding a cage!! I have a welder. As far as the abilities, just read on it, practice, get good enough to make good welds (note, good welds does not necessarily mean nice-looking welds!) Steel is pretty pricey, but you can make it out of scrap steel, and some patience. That, and add gussets where joints meet/welds are made. Anybody interested in buying a custom-made squat rack or bench :) ??

Ya if you had a welder with big enough capacity, you made sure all your material was properly cleaned before welding, and you had good clean cut joints that butt up nice and had beveled edges then you'd be fine. Also, you'd have to know how to use the machine. lol

I only suggest making one if you are confident in your welding skills and I take no responsibilities to any injury to yourself whatsoever. lol Just to cover my ass.

But I agree with Joker, the best would be to find a used one if you could. The things never really wear out if they're in a home gym.

IronWorker

Any of you guys know of any good squat stands? I am a wide-grip squatter and can't use a power rack because the damn frame extends to far out for me to place my hands for a wide grip.

Usually you use the safety bars. You set them where you need them and you're good to go. There are very few things that you can't do...and those are things most people never heard of :)

I think I finally found what I was looking for. Here is a link to the bodysolid power rack with lat bar & weight stack. It even comes with a pullup bar. Does anyone have this one or something similar? How is it for flat benching and incline benching?

http://www.bodysolid.com/images/Item/489HiRes-3.jpg

looks nice...how much?

I think it's $800 without the bench. The bench is about $200 more I think. I'd get a different bench however, one with a leg unit for doing leg curls.