I didn't get any response in another thread and so am tryign here. Note that I am seriously in need of losign 10-12 lbs to get to ideal weight. I am very uncomfortable with the extra weight. Right now, I work out of home and sit in fornt of computer all day long. So I don't even nroaml movement.
I am reading "Free Weights and Benches" and "Multi Gyms " at
http://pages.ebay.co.uk/buy/guides/exer ... g-guide/#8.
Multigym require a room - out of the question fro me - but the site also said "Many multi gyms fold up so that you can store them away under the bed or in a wardrobe. Other have folding parts that you can add or put away as you wish. " May be I should try one like that but the site doesn't give any tips on brand name.
BTW, I have a friend who can assemble things for me though i don't know how well he would be able to do it. In this forum, I read about Nautilus Smith machine taking 3.5 hours to assemble. In fact, at amazon, for Marcy Deluxe Smith Machine, one reviewer who seemed to be able to set it up perfect gave five stars while a woman said something about stiff movement.
I'd really appreciate soem recommendation of brand names. I am interested in "Free weights and benches" and foldable Multigym.
Please help: buying equippment
Moderators: Boss Man, cassiegose
A lot of multigyms, can have low weight levels. I used one once, that was okay for things like Shoulders but inadequate for Chest, and I'm not a massive guy either.
I would at this stage, reccomendation would be to get a Bench, and some free weights. Free weights will stack up easily, and you can prop small and long Bars against a wall for example.
I would reccomend something like the following.
A Long Bar, like an Olympic Bar, that takes weight discs, not one with the weights already screwed / attatched on.
2 small Bars, that fit in each hand, and will take weight discs.
2x 10 kg, (22lb), discs
4 x 5kg, (11lb), discs
4 x 2.5kg, (5.5lb), discs.
8 x 1.25, (2.75lb), discs.
An Inclined Bench.
If needs be a pair of Leather Weight Gloves.
There two ways to go about this.
1. Buy a weights kit, that has the discs and bars you need in them. You'll probably find a maker produces a couple of kits, one having more weight in than the other, then get the bench seperately.
The Kit might be available from some kind of superstore, like one of those catalogue stores.
2. The other way is, buy the stuff from a shop, that specialises in sporting goods, and then you can pick and choose what you want, and they should price it all on a disc and bar basis, so you can go in sometimes if needs be and get a couple of extra discs, or another disc if you lose one.
You might need to get the Bench from there, even if you buy a kit from a Catologue shop or superstore.
Most shops should be able to deliver, if you have trouble getting all the stuff in your Car, or you walked / used public transport.
I would say what I've reccomended right now, is all you'll need for starters. You can always add extra discs at a later date.
The only dfference between most weights Kits, is some use spring clips, and some use collars to lock the weights. If you choose the second option, and go to a sporting goods shop, you might be able to stipulate which you'd like to use, in which case it would be 6 of one or the other. otherwise a Kit would come with one or the other in it.
You can get benches that come with a couple of metal Arms up the sides, for resting a bar on, like for when you do Benching work, some even have a little metal arm and footpad setup at the other end, for doing Hams / Quads on, but that's not necessary. If an Inclined Bench is not altogether necessary, you could just get a good flat one. Incline ones may cost a bit more, I don't know.
Hopefully all that helps.
Good luck, and if there's anything else you need, let us know, and we'll be happy to help
.
We do value all our female members too.
I would at this stage, reccomendation would be to get a Bench, and some free weights. Free weights will stack up easily, and you can prop small and long Bars against a wall for example.
I would reccomend something like the following.
A Long Bar, like an Olympic Bar, that takes weight discs, not one with the weights already screwed / attatched on.
2 small Bars, that fit in each hand, and will take weight discs.
2x 10 kg, (22lb), discs
4 x 5kg, (11lb), discs
4 x 2.5kg, (5.5lb), discs.
8 x 1.25, (2.75lb), discs.
An Inclined Bench.
If needs be a pair of Leather Weight Gloves.
There two ways to go about this.
1. Buy a weights kit, that has the discs and bars you need in them. You'll probably find a maker produces a couple of kits, one having more weight in than the other, then get the bench seperately.
The Kit might be available from some kind of superstore, like one of those catalogue stores.
2. The other way is, buy the stuff from a shop, that specialises in sporting goods, and then you can pick and choose what you want, and they should price it all on a disc and bar basis, so you can go in sometimes if needs be and get a couple of extra discs, or another disc if you lose one.
You might need to get the Bench from there, even if you buy a kit from a Catologue shop or superstore.
Most shops should be able to deliver, if you have trouble getting all the stuff in your Car, or you walked / used public transport.
I would say what I've reccomended right now, is all you'll need for starters. You can always add extra discs at a later date.
The only dfference between most weights Kits, is some use spring clips, and some use collars to lock the weights. If you choose the second option, and go to a sporting goods shop, you might be able to stipulate which you'd like to use, in which case it would be 6 of one or the other. otherwise a Kit would come with one or the other in it.
You can get benches that come with a couple of metal Arms up the sides, for resting a bar on, like for when you do Benching work, some even have a little metal arm and footpad setup at the other end, for doing Hams / Quads on, but that's not necessary. If an Inclined Bench is not altogether necessary, you could just get a good flat one. Incline ones may cost a bit more, I don't know.
Hopefully all that helps.
Good luck, and if there's anything else you need, let us know, and we'll be happy to help
.We do value all our female members too
.Thanks. I'll work on getting those following your detailed suggestion on bars and weight discs.Boss Man wrote:A lot of multigyms, can have low weight levels. I used one once, that was okay for things like Shoulders but inadequate for Chest, and I'm not a massive guy either.
I would at this stage, reccomendation would be to get a Bench, and some free weights. Free weights will stack up easily, and you can prop bar small and long Bars against a wall for example.
Thanks. I was thinking to do that and this helps what weight to get.Boss Man wrote: I would say what I've reccomended right now, is all you'll need for starters. You can always add extra discs at a later date.
That reminds me of the collar type lock I saw at Bally when I joined the free weight exercise class once. I like that one. Good thing you told me about this.Boss Man wrote: The only dfference between most weights Kits, is some use spring clips, and some use collars to lock the weights. If you choose the second option, and go to a sporting goods shop, you might be able to stipulate which you'd like to use, in which case it would be 6 of one or the other. otherwise a Kit would come with one or the other in it.
Thanks for mentioning this.Boss Man wrote: You can get benches that come with a couple of metal Arms up the sides, for resting a bar on, like for when you do Benching work, some even have a little metal arm and footpad setup at the other end, for doing Hams / Quads on, but that's not necessary.
I was at a local shop for those equpment yesterday and yes "inclined bench" is about $20 more. The ones I looked at was $199 and $119, for the incline and non-incline, respetively.Boss Man wrote: If an Inclined Bench is not altogether necessary, you could just get a good flat one. Incline ones may cost a bit more, I don't know.
Is the incline bench basically for sitting position, allowing to keep the head up? Is there other benefits?
It helps a lot.Boss Man wrote: Hopefully all that helps.
BTW, I like lateral pull a lot for upper back muscle. I used to belong to Bally's a while back. What exercise would equivalently accomplish the same thing using the bench and/or free weight? And for lower back?Boss Man wrote: Good luck, and if there's anything else you need, let us know, and we'll be happy to help
Are there videos/DVD for the complet working using free weights and bench?
Boss Man wrote: We do value all our female members too
There are certain benefits to having the Inclined one.
Obviously things like Flyes, and Barbell / Dumbbell style Pressing with your bars. can be inclined to change the target area.
You can also do things like Inclined Hammer Curls, or use it to sit up, and do Bicep Curls / Hammer curls, or Tricep Extensions, Dumbbell style Shoulder Presses
Slope the Back, to do One Armed Preacher Curls.
Or you can slope the Back and lie down on it, staring at the floor, to do things like Bent Over Raises for the Delts. I'm not sure how easy it would be, and without trying to sound rude, but being a woman, obviously it might cause Chest pain, lying on your front, to do weights, you'd have to just see if you could.
So there can be be benefits, it's just a matter of if you want to spend the extra, which of course is a personal thing, so I won't influence that one way or the other.
For things like Lateral work with Bars, you do have options.
Stuff like Upright Rows.
Bent over Barbell Rows
Dumbbell style Rows
Barbell Shrugs, will have some effect, on the Lats, and also the Traps.
Frankly Lat Pull-down style movements are unnatural, unless you tip your head forwards, or force the Shoulders and Rotator Cuff, to go back beyond the perpendicular, otherwise you end up doing a Shoulder Press style movement, and hitting yourself on the head. Used to do them wouldn't anymore.
Obviously things like Flyes, and Barbell / Dumbbell style Pressing with your bars. can be inclined to change the target area.
You can also do things like Inclined Hammer Curls, or use it to sit up, and do Bicep Curls / Hammer curls, or Tricep Extensions, Dumbbell style Shoulder Presses
Slope the Back, to do One Armed Preacher Curls.
Or you can slope the Back and lie down on it, staring at the floor, to do things like Bent Over Raises for the Delts. I'm not sure how easy it would be, and without trying to sound rude, but being a woman, obviously it might cause Chest pain, lying on your front, to do weights, you'd have to just see if you could.
So there can be be benefits, it's just a matter of if you want to spend the extra, which of course is a personal thing, so I won't influence that one way or the other.
For things like Lateral work with Bars, you do have options.
Stuff like Upright Rows.
Bent over Barbell Rows
Dumbbell style Rows
Barbell Shrugs, will have some effect, on the Lats, and also the Traps.
Frankly Lat Pull-down style movements are unnatural, unless you tip your head forwards, or force the Shoulders and Rotator Cuff, to go back beyond the perpendicular, otherwise you end up doing a Shoulder Press style movement, and hitting yourself on the head. Used to do them wouldn't anymore.
Ths reminded me of the machine for hamstring at Bally's where I had to lie with face down. It's not pain free but not enough to remmeber it once done with the exercise or evevn during the exercise.Boss Man wrote:There are certain benefits to having the Inclined one.
Obviously things like Flyes, and Barbell / Dumbbell style Pressing with your bars. can be inclined to change the target area.
You can also do things like Inclined Hammer Curls, or use it to sit up, and do Bicep Curls / Hammer curls, or Tricep Extensions, Dumbbell style Shoulder Presses
Slope the Back, to do One Armed Preacher Curls.
Or you can slope the Back and lie down on it, staring at the floor, to do things like Bent Over Raises for the Delts. I'm not sure how easy it would be, and without trying to sound rude, but being a woman, obviously it might cause Chest pain, lying on your front, to do weights, you'd have to just see if you could.
I think I like the inclined one.Boss Man wrote: So there can be be benefits, it's just a matter of if you want to spend the extra, which of course is a personal thing, so I won't influence that one way or the other.
Thanks for statign the options. I won't bother with lateral pull-down anymore then.Boss Man wrote: For things like Lateral work with Bars, you do have options.
Stuff like Upright Rows.
Bent over Barbell Rows
Dumbbell style Rows
Barbell Shrugs, will have some effect, on the Lats, and also the Traps.
Frankly Lat Pull-down style movements are unnatural, ... Used to do them wouldn't anymore.
-
hightreason
- STARTING OUT
- Posts: 3
- Joined: Tue Feb 06, 2007 10:53 pm
Hello mm. I'm a newbie in equipments too. In looking for the right smith machine though, i found this guide rather useful: http://pickyguide.com/sports_and_recrea ... guide.html
Goodluck!
Goodluck!
Thanks.hightreason wrote:Hello mm. I'm a newbie in equipments too. In looking for the right smith machine though, i found this guide rather useful: http://pickyguide.com/sports_and_recrea ... guide.html
Goodluck!
instead of investing all that money, I'd say just start off with bodyweight exercises. I'm a beginner and here's what I have.
push-up bars(for various pushups and dips)
yoga mat
jump rope
chinup bar
free weights
a few exercise videos
Very inexpensive stuff.
The pushup bars were especially useful for me.
I hate doing pushups using hands and after
using the pushup bars, I loved doing them.
Just deal with those until you get in better shape.
Also, watch your diet. Oh, and take up running.
You can lose 10 to 12 pounds easily doing this stuff.
And the best part is that you can bring all this stuff
around with you wherever you go. Imagine trying to
transport your multi-gym between work and home!
There's not need to spent all this money on equipment now.
Maybe if you get fit from bodyweights AND THEN want to get
bigger invest in a multi-gym.
favorite mixed martial arts fighter Carlos Newton has
one of the most incredible bodies I've ever seen and he
has never lifted a single weight in his life. He does all
bodyweights and is stronger, faster, and has more endurance
than almost anyone out there. Sure, it's kind of an extreme.
But it shows you can get in serious shape without spending
a lot of money on things like fancy gym equipment.
After a few weeks, you'll feel the energy and it'll drive you
to exercise more. That's really all you need to do.
I'm trying to do the same and I'm already noticing small
improvements.
push-up bars(for various pushups and dips)
yoga mat
jump rope
chinup bar
free weights
a few exercise videos
Very inexpensive stuff.
The pushup bars were especially useful for me.
I hate doing pushups using hands and after
using the pushup bars, I loved doing them.
Just deal with those until you get in better shape.
Also, watch your diet. Oh, and take up running.
You can lose 10 to 12 pounds easily doing this stuff.
And the best part is that you can bring all this stuff
around with you wherever you go. Imagine trying to
transport your multi-gym between work and home!
There's not need to spent all this money on equipment now.
Maybe if you get fit from bodyweights AND THEN want to get
bigger invest in a multi-gym.
favorite mixed martial arts fighter Carlos Newton has
one of the most incredible bodies I've ever seen and he
has never lifted a single weight in his life. He does all
bodyweights and is stronger, faster, and has more endurance
than almost anyone out there. Sure, it's kind of an extreme.
But it shows you can get in serious shape without spending
a lot of money on things like fancy gym equipment.
After a few weeks, you'll feel the energy and it'll drive you
to exercise more. That's really all you need to do.
I'm trying to do the same and I'm already noticing small
improvements.
I am sticking with the bench and free weight. There are not many fitness equipment shops here and I couldn't find the kind of locking collar for the weight. Got busyw ith soemthing sle but I will pursue getting the weight. So far, just using the machines at the gym. Will try free weight there ..soon.swanso5 wrote:high lander - smith machines aren't very good...power racks are better, safer and cheaper
mm - the fold away jobs like bowflex etc aren't very good either i don't think...all you need is a bench with adjustable supports and bench if you can, bb's, db's and wt plates and you're set