Do you have a home gym? Is it worth it?

[TheHaitian]

Seems that has been the booming business during covid and I am trying to make sense of it because I am also tempted. Everyone is out of weights, benches, squat racks... looking at a 30 day waitlist to get it.

Gym is out of the question because while they have shut down the changing room, say they are practicing social distancing : they allow folks to work out without their mask. I know it is hard to work out with a mask on but I fell people working out in a close area without their mask basically defeats the purpose.

Currently looking at getting the basic for the basement:
- squat rack
- bench
- barbell
- weights up to ~300-400lbs

Looked at local and there is a guy about an hour from me that I can pick up everything from for about ~1k. I already canceled my gym membership because once they re-opened they would only allow you to freeze it for a month then they would start charging you again.

Along the years I have probably spent way more than that in gym memberships. My wife is not happy with it because to her that sounds like me turning the basement into a perpetual man cave (more weights down the road) so no longer a family space that her and my daughter could use (that is her only con).

Half of the money is coming from my birthday stash , the other half I call as my early anniversary present (August) and Christmas present (December). Or do I weight a bit longer 6 months to 12 months for those that run and bought them now start getting ride of them? But where to work out till then and please don’t say run outside....

[pooks]

I have had home equipment for almost 2 decades.  Right now it is an elliptical, stationary bike, weight bench, and free weights, all bought used.  I love it even when I have a gym membership, because some days I just want a quick something.   I haven't returned to the gym, even though it is open.  It seems like such an easy place to catch the virus, even if you are careful.  

Definitely buy quality equipment.  

[GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl]

YDS graduated from college in May. Of course, DH and I want to give him a gift to celebrate his accomplishment. We tossed out a few ideas and ODS asked for the very same set up — rack, arms, weights, bench, etc. We have a family membership to a gym but probably won’t use it for the next year or so. So, his graduation gift is untraditional, true, but he’ll use it for years and always remember who gave it to him. He can take it with him wherever he goes in life, LOL. He’s on the search for the equipment. Yesterday I dropped @$500 for the rack, arms, and bench. He is on a waitlist (no pun intended, LOL) for the weights and bar.

So, I say, go for it, but get quality cardio in, too. 😁

[Lizard Queen]

We just have some simple stuff, which my DH has been using, and it's working. We were both going to the gym 3-4 x a week before it shut down, and we're also not going back once it opens back up, even though we miss it terribly. Too many people exhaling forcefully indoors.

I say go for it. It's very important to stay healthy as you get older. I know you're a lot younger than me, but you're joining the club. Things start catching up to you as you get older, and all you can do to keep it at bay is to take care of yourself.

[Deleted]

Bowflex and a Sole elliptical in the basement. I’ve had this setup for a while. The giant flat screen with surround speakers in front of it all is the most important equipment so I don’t get bored exercising.

[mamasita99]

One thing I would keep in mind is that you will need to lug this equipment with you if you don’t plan to stay in your current home for a long time. Expensive and a PITA if you are paying for the move yourself. We had equipment in the past and we used our home gym religiously. But when we had a move that wasn’t paid for by an employer, dealing with the transport of that equipment was a weight on our shoulders (is that a pun I threw out there?!)

Plus when we moved to Northern Va our home was much smaller and we no longer had the space. We ended up selling the big stuff on Craigslist to avoid the hassle of moving it all. Of course, now, like many others, I’m leery to return to my gym but I still don’t have the space for equipment so I’m gonna have to get creative...

[tractor]

I’ve been thinking about the same thing. Gyms have been closed here since early March and I haven’t lifted a single weight. I’m not sure where I would put most of it, and when I think about the whole reason I go to a gym to work out (if I go someplace, I’m going to work out, if it’s at home, the motivation is lacking).

I keep hoping things open up around here. The gyms are open 40 miles north of me, just not in our zone, yet. So the question you should ask yourself is will you use it at home? Or are you more motivated going someplace to work out, without all the distractions of home?

[steph08]

We have had a "home gym" setup for about five years. It includes a treadmill, a squat rack, a weight bench, 45-lb bar and associated weights, as well as dumbbells. 

As a runner, I use the treadmill a lot. 

I used the squat rack once week or so, until I figured out that I just can't do a lot of weighted squats on my runners' knees. I care way more about running, so I stopped using that. DH uses it intermittently. 

I use the dumbbells a lot as well, since I do weightlifting 3-4 days/week. 

I'd like a Peleton, but I just can't see spending the money for a stationary bike, plus the monthly fee for classes.

[flamingo]

DH and I are currently talking about what kind of cardio equipment to get - spin bike or treadmill. We both run/walk, but a bike is a lot easier to move, and there is likely to be at least 1 more move in our future.

Our local gym just had to shut down and sanitize because someone went to work out with COVID and exposed 200 people. No way are either of us going back there anytime soon. We have some time, because as long as the weather is decent, we can run/walk outside. But once winter comes, and whenever I go back to working from the office and not home, I need an indoor option. I currently have a couple highly rated spin bikes on my Amazon birthday wishlist, though 

[Artemis Windsong]

I have had a gympack in the basement for 39 years. I wore out the cables 3 times then had to resort to a local cable maker to get new ones. My H. uses the gympack. The gympack fits up against the wall. The bench lifts so it takes up maybe a 2' x 3' space when in storage mode.

We have a barbell set with dumb bells where the weights can interchange easily.

He built a crossfit gym in the basement years ago and it hasn't been used in several years. Most of the crossfit gym is within the barbell set. The left over is the rings he used. His using the rings kept his shoulder from becoming injured.

We wore out a spin bike and a cross country ski machine. They are gone.

I have an Anytime Fitness gym membership for years because I need the back extension machine. I have dumbbells in 6 lb, 10 lb then smaller ones that can be 1 to 5 pounds.

Your 300 to 400 lb weight desire is into the Olympic bar bell area and will be more expensive.

There are dumbbells sets that are an all in-one-thing that can change weights easily.

--------

Back to your issue, Haitian. I think $1000 for what you are getting is a bargain. The squat rack would be one expensive piece. You need to check all of the brackets on the bench and squat rack for excessive wear. And then the question is, why is this person getting rid of his set?

The next question is, how much experience do you have lifting weights? Can you safely train yourself?

I hope this isn't TMI.

[movinonup]

If it's good enough for Arnold...
www.menshealth.com/fitness/a31818878/arnold-schwarzenegger-home-workout-plan/

Just because there is a possibility that you will be moving soon, and it is a bit of a pain to add an extra 400 lbs of stuff when you move you may want to hold off.  I like running outside, but you already nixed that idea.  For cardio, I would consider getting a regular bicycle and an indoor trainer.  This way you have the flexibility to ride outside also.  I have run stairs inside my house in a pinch.  

-movinonup

[countrygirl2]

I've had a home system for a long time. I have the weight machine and all kinds of separate activities on it. A good padded treadmill. Weight bench, not the really heavy ones though and an exercycle. I used to have an elliptical but my hips and back are so off I couldn't use it, it really hurt me. I use mine off and on but I'm always doing something anymore, so not as much as I should. My intent is there, just getting to it. I don't know if we will ever get it out of the basement and move it. I don't think hubs can and it would cost to have someone do it for us.

[pooks]

My gym equipment has been moved 4 times, once across the country (also had a commercial treadmill at that time), and it was never an issue.  We always hire movers to load and unload the moving truck.  It was harder getting the stuff in when it was originally bought, because we did that a piece at a time and moved it ourselves.  

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

My husband decided we won't be returning to the gym. We canceled our membership and purchased a free-stride elliptical and a rower from NordicTrack. That total was $2800. 

We already had floor mats for them to sit on, though I don't know what we'll do for what we used to use those. 

I could handle the $2900. However, I don't want the stuff to be in my house; I wanted it to be in the garage. Now we have to spend $6,000 - $10,000 to frame in a room in our garage, insulate it, put separate light fixtures, a door, flooring, etc. 

Then we might get a few free weights. 

[daisylu]

I wish we did, and we will as soon as one of the kids move out (18 & 21, both in college). I am not a gym person, but I started working out outdoors this year and now I do not know what winter will bring. 

The pandemic really made me start thinking about my overall health (which is good, but could be better), so I say it would totally be worth it.

[txlady1234]

Husband and I have both decided that we won't be going back to the gym anytime soon either. I cancelled my membership to a boxing club, we still have memberships to a big box gym. The big box here hasn't reopened and I don't think they are resuming charging until they reopen. I don't think I'll be comfortable going back until there is a vaccine or considerable control over the virus - so if it opens before that if we can't put the memberships on hold I'm sure we'll cancel those too.

We bit the bullet and purchased the Peloton Bike, which won't arrive until next month. We already have access to the app, which seems nice to provide variety and some instructor led workouts to keep me motivated. The only thing I think we're missing is access to free-weight equipment. We have absolutely no room for free-weights in our current home, so it's just not an option for us. We are/were looking at purchasing a new home; but we want to build, and with everything going on with the economy we aren't as eager to get that ball rolling just yet. So we are just SOL on the weight equipment, and we'll both miss that!

So I say if you have the space and money for it...in this climate I'd get it. 

[bean29]

My nephew was a HS teacher, now he is working with a bunch of different school districts working in Job Placement for Co-op students.  I think he is considered self employed.  His home gym, has part of my DS's cast off stuff that was too big to fit in his basement when he moved, and he has managed to get some very nice equipment when the schools changed around their weight rooms and bought new equipment.

DS replaced the rack he sold to my DN, he has a combination of used and new to him stuff.  I think my some of my Son's equipment is from rougefitness.com - the infinity series.

My DS is a powerlifter - he is serious about his home gym.

I would seriously consider the used equipment but I know nothing about the pricing.

[dippyegg]

I would love to get a treadmill.  I was browsing a couple online.  But, I don't know if it is worth the investment.  And, not sure about buying one online.  I am worried I would have to put it together.  

[Ryan]

I've had a treadmill since 2008 and it's held up great.  Had a basic weight bench since 2004, but upgraded in December of 2019 to a full squat rack with new weights.  I have some other stuff too (lat pulldown, adjustable dumbbells, bands, etc) that I'll use. 

I usually will lift weights 2-3 days a week and then run on the other days, either outside or on the treadmill.  I personally love it, but it's not for everyone.  My wife likes going to a gym where other people are working out and has a hard time getting into the home gym atmosphere.  I think it's a good investment/ 

[countrygirl2]

My treadmill is a good Nordic Trac one with a padded bed. If you have foot issues  like me you need that. I have used it a lot but not since being here. Never seem to find the time. I get done working and sit down anymore. I'm still trying to do the exercises from my PT for the hips and legs but I'm just to worn out to do what I did. I have to much that needs done, books, sewing, cleaning, and I'm running out of steam.

If you use them they are a good investment, but most people do not.

[Regis]

Reminds me of this.

[TheHaitian]

Ok I did it .... my wife is going to kill me. I spent way more than I expected but went for heavy duty instead of the basics... for what I have so far costs $1,710 and may go back and spend more on some weights and dumbbells.

So I got:

- squat rack
- barbell + weights (up to 300 lbs).
- bench
- 2 (30 lbs ) dumbbells
- 2 heavy duty mats to protect the floor
———————————
$1,710 🤯🤯🤯🤯

I plan on going back for
- 2 (50 lbs ) dumbbells
- 2 (45 lbs) weights plates and maybe more as I get my deadlift back up to where it used to be.

Now after I spent that kinda money (need to fix the basement) and have no excuse NOT to exercise. None... for now I got enough to cover the basics:
- squats
- deadlifts
- bench press

Will start walking outside, come winter will look into a treadmill or Elliptical.

[cktc]

We have a gym corner with super basic equipment for body weight and resistance training, mats, ball, jump rope, 5lb weights, tension bands. We've had a bowflex with rower on waitlist for about a month and I just ordered a climbing machine that will arrive tomorrow. 

[bean29]

Yeah!   So happy for you.  

I really want to return to the gym, but when you read how risky it is, I just can't do it.  I hope this works out for you.  

[Artemis Windsong]

The Haitian Good for you and your family.

My 24-hour gym is open. I am able to go when there are maybe 2 - 3 people inside.

[steph08]

We have the bowflex dumbbells that can go from 5 pounds up to 50 pounds - they are really nice for saving space

[Lizard Queen]

My DH just found a 40 lb dumbbell set at Walmart for $20. Our other stuff is still not set up. I wanted it upstairs. He wants it in the basement (with the spiders). I might rather risk covid19...

[pooks]

I canceled my gym membership last week.  I know I am not going back until there is a vaccine.  The gym was empty and the front desk added my form to a stack of other member cancellation forms.  On one hand I feel bad for them, on the other they played Fox propaganda on all the TV's.  

[TheHaitian]

Aug 5, 2020 15:03:05 GMT -5 pooks said:

I canceled my gym membership last week.  I know I am not going back until there is a vaccine.  The gym was empty and the front desk added my form to a stack of other member cancellation forms.  On one hand I feel bad for them, on the other they played Fox propaganda on all the TV's.  

One one hand I do feel bad for them because I know it is a business but on the other they kinda pushed me to it... when they first re- opened while you are required to have a mask to check in, you could work out without a mask.

I was like : no no... that doesn’t sound smart; let me freeze my account. They were very snobbish about it on how they would only let me freeze it for an additional month or I would have to cancel. In the middle of a pandemic, the choice was easy: cancellation.

Then the other gyms I wanted to join, their hours sucked for someone like me that doesn’t work set hours and the prices were between $50-$100/Month. I figure at those prices I would recoup the money within 2 years and the convenience of working from home: priceless.

Now just need to keep setting it up!

[tskeeter]

Jun 30, 2020 13:27:25 GMT -5 steph08 said:

We have had a "home gym" setup for about five years. It includes a treadmill, a squat rack, a weight bench, 45-lb bar and associated weights, as well as dumbbells. 

As a runner, I use the treadmill a lot. 

I used the squat rack once week or so, until I figured out that I just can't do a lot of weighted squats on my runners' knees. I care way more about running, so I stopped using that. DH uses it intermittently. 

I use the dumbbells a lot as well, since I do weightlifting 3-4 days/week. 

I'd like a Peleton, but I just can't see spending the money for a stationary bike, plus the monthly fee for classes.

Back in the days when I was racing, long, long before Peleton technology, I used to watch bike racing videos while I was working out.  Riding along with the pros in the biggest bike races in the world was kind of fun.  When the race started a climb, I’d bump up the effort.  When a chase developed, I’d chase.  If the race of the day was a time trial, I’d time trial. The only down side was that no matter how hard I rode, I never won the finish line sprint.