Question about equipment.

r4c · Post by **r4c** » Thu Jul 02, 2009 6:12 am

Hi,

I dont know much about the names of equipment and what they do to you, I just do the weights and machines at the gym which I see make a differance.

I was wondering if anybody could tell me about any, relativly cheap equipment I could perchase to help abs and arms, bicepts, which I could just put in room.

I already have an exercise bike for cardio, and i can always go running.

I have a pull up bar for arms, but thats about it for them.

Thanks for any help.

British, so Â£ would help.

Thanks.

Packard · Post by **Packard** » Thu Jul 02, 2009 9:51 am

No equipment is required for abs work.

Dumb bells and an E-Z curl bar are good starting points for the arms.

clem · Post by **clem** » Thu Jul 02, 2009 3:29 pm

all the equipment you'll ever need is an olympic bar, weights and a power rack.

Packard · Post by **Packard** » Thu Jul 02, 2009 3:40 pm

clem wrote:all the equipment you'll ever need is an olympic bar, weights and a power rack.

Olympic weights are nice but not required. I lifted for 42 years using standard plates (at home) and olympic plates at the gym.

For arms and abs, a power rack seems highly optional.

I will grant it is useful for other work, but a bench press bench is probably an earlier purchase.

clem · Post by **clem** » Thu Jul 02, 2009 4:04 pm

olympic bar with weights is the most versatile... squats, deadlifts and overhead press will definitely improve your abs if your lifting heavy enough weights. As for arms you can curl an olympic bar right? chinups, and dips are great also. Standard is fine but I prefer olympic because i get the gym feel at home

Packard · Post by **Packard** » Fri Jul 03, 2009 7:32 am

clem wrote:olympic bar with weights is the most versatile... squats, deadlifts and overhead press will definitely improve your abs if your lifting heavy enough weights. As for arms you can curl an olympic bar right? chinups, and dips are great also. Standard is fine but I prefer olympic because i get the gym feel at home

The only practical advantage of an Olympic bar is in cleans. The swivel mechanism and the added height aid in cleans and are the reason for the Olympic bar. Clean and Jerk and (formerly) the clean and press were Olympic lifts. All other lifts are equally served with a conventional bar. EZ-Curl bars are a significant help with curls and french presses and are usually preferred over a straight bar for those exercises.

However, once the bar is paid for, the plates cost the same. So if you can afford the bar, then go ahead and get the olympic set.

Weights do not deteriorate with age and if you can find a used set up in the classified it is always a better deal. I have plates that are 50+ years old and belonged to father. They work as well as the newer plates.

thekid24 · Post by **thekid24** » Fri Jul 03, 2009 1:06 pm

I'm just wondering why you're only interested in arms, abs and biceps.?? And why you're willing to invest money to only work those areas.??

As for an equipment, you have all you need. You said you have a pull-up bar so you can just do away with pull-ups mixing grips and you're set. If you wanna invest in equipment, look at the bigger picture and get a power rack. You'll get your money's worth and work more muscle groups. Learn the basic lifts and you'll be better off than working just arms and abs.

As for Pack and Clem, I understand, I love working with OLY weights and platforms. But like I said, buying that much equipment for ARMS only?........

clem · Post by **clem** » Fri Jul 03, 2009 2:17 pm

i wasn't really suggesting just for arms... if he is going to spend his money he might as well spend it wisely, get a power rack, an olympic bar, and weights.. then he won't even need that gym membership

thekid24 · Post by **thekid24** » Fri Jul 03, 2009 3:13 pm

r4c, i assume you have a membership to a gym? cuz you said you do use machines and weights at the gym. so i don't see the need to buy equipment at all.