Home gym question

[epimetheus]

I am finally moving out of my small ass apartment (pretty much a studio apt), and getting a two bedroom apartment. The manager assures me that having 500lbs of weight isn't a problem and that the floor will hold it. So I am going to build a home gym!

The room is pretty small however. Enough for a power rack, with only a foot or so on each side of the Olympic bar. I am trying to conserve as much money as possible- I will be a student soon and cannot afford much as I am saving up to pay for college- Hence the home gym vs ~50 dollars a month for gym fees. I figure 600-800 dollars will get me what I am looking for.

So far I have ordered a decent looking Power rack from Wal-mart. With shipping it comes to $220.
Dicks sporting goods has a 300lb olympic weight set on sale for 98 dollars, and I will pick up 4 more 45lb plates and a plate rack. (40 dollars for olympic plate rack)
I am trying to order an adjustable weight bench off Ebay- Lost 3 auctions and winning current one. It has 9 adjustments- straight up for overhead presses, a few incline positions, a flat position and a several decline angles. If I win I should get it for around 75 dollars. Maybe a bit more.

I already have some adjustable dumbell sets. I still need to pick up a few more plates so I can load both dumbells up with ~120lbs of weight. (only lift I am close to on that is shrugs, still it is nice to have the weight so I can work up to it)

So far I am up to about 600 dollars. I plan on running several times a week as well. I am very conscience of my cardiovascular fitness, which just sucks IMO. I was going to get a boxing set with a heavy bag and a speed bag, but my room will not hold it and the weights. Too small. I was thinking of some sort of stationary bike or treadmill but they are very expensive. Then I saw the Gazelle thing that is always advertised by that fairy on television. It folds up and it is pretty quiet. I just don't know how effective it is. That is really my question- Should I get the Gazelle or one of it's clones? My room can't hold the weights and a treadmill, unless it is a treadmill that folds up, and I would like to keep it under 150 dollars if possible.

Anybody use them and have an opinion either way? (you can also critique my other gym products if you like as well, interested in some input)

So far it looks good to me, I can manage to do every bodypart- not as efficently as at the gym, but I gotta make sacrafices for my future career. As long as I don't have to give up weight entirely.

 

[st8k_lover]

I paid 300 for this

Includes bar and 245 olympic


http://www.samsclub.com/eclub/main_...0&coe=0&oidPath=0:-23542:-24845:-24846:675792

 

[collegiateLifter]

for cardio, i would recomend you do some sprints at a local track, or do jump rope (outside) or go play some bball at gym. DO NOT get a gazell if you are serrious about fitness, and while treadmills are uselfull they are not neccessary.

 

[TheOak84]

I paid 300 for this

Includes bar and 245 olympic


http://www.samsclub.com/eclub/main_...0&coe=0&oidPath=0:-23542:-24845:-24846:675792

you got ripped off i paid $100 for a 300 pound set.. so i bought 2 sets...

 

[epimetheus]

for cardio, i would recomend you do some sprints at a local track, or do jump rope (outside) or go play some bball at gym. DO NOT get a gazell if you are serrious about fitness, and while treadmills are uselfull they are not neccessary.

I plan on implementing some sprints, though with my time schedules the way they are, the weekends are the only time I can do so. I also will not do jump rope. Not that I have anything against jump rope, just standing out on the sidewalk of my house jumping rope in front of the whole neighborhood isn't something I can do.

I can't play Bball at the gym either. I plan on quitting my gym membership, hence the home gym. I could buy a bball and play up at one of the many school playgrounds around here... But that takes friends to play with. None of my friends have compatible schedules to play.. again excluding the weekend. We do play some football a couple times a month, none of those friend like bball though.

I plan on running twice to three times a week. I have a route of 2 miles marked off and plan on building up the courage to go out running on my streets. I won't run in the snow, rain, or 105 degree temperatures, so I would like something to fall back on, and something to do on the days I don't run.

I also plan on bike riding several times a month- on a path nearby, not streets.

Is there a reason that the Gazelle isn't good for something serious about fitness? My cardio is sadly lacking- I can run 2 miles, but only at 5mph- and it takes about 25 mins to do and is still very difficult. I would like to be able to run 3-5 miles at a bit of a higher speed, and be able to do at least a 7-8 min mile. Will the Gazelle not be able to work on my cardiovascular endurance?