Newbie needs advice

[HodgeMN]

New to strength training and have found the info on this board to be exceptional. I am unable to make it to the gym much due to working 50+ hours a week (salary sucks) and going to school part time. I am piecing together a home gym and do not have a lot of space. Is a lat pulldown machine essential for developing your back?

 

[jeremys]

New to strength training and have found the info on this board to be exceptional. I am unable to make it to the gym much due to working 50+ hours a week (salary sucks) and going to school part time. I am piecing together a home gym and do not have a lot of space. Is a lat pulldown machine essential for developing your back?

no. pullups work much better than pulldowns. you can also do deads, partial deads, row variations, etc. get a power rack w/ a chinup attachment

 

[Backlash]

Absolutely not. You should have some way to do pullups, though. Either some kind of bar attached to a wall or a power rack that allows you to do pullups.

Then you'll of course have dumbbells or at least a barbell for different types of rows. Dumbbells would definitely help if you can afford a decent set though.

 

[jerkbox]

nope

 

[Lord_Suston]

try 4 sets of 4 reps of deads going up in weight each set. Make sure to have perfect form. and then follow up with 2-3 sets of intense barbell rows. then do some shrug work. hope this helps

 

[HodgeMN]

Thanks for the repsonses. I was considering the powertec leverage gym, but I think I will just invest in a power rack were I can also do pull ups and dips. Any ideas?? Have about $1000 to spend. I am also looking for a bench were I can do some leg work and bench presses. Remember space is limited.

 

[Lord_Suston]

plenty of money man, shit with a power rack you can do pullups from the top bar.

 

[Devastation]

I spent right around 850 bucks for everything in my home gym. I waited awhile and pieced it together slowly, always waiting for the best prices. I think for what i got, I got a pretty freakin awesome deal.

 

[kingc_79]

we just got a rack(350) (u can get for 300) , bench(200), and weight set(169) but they have them for 129@dick's sporting goods. we just ordered more. so we may have spent 700$ for everything you'd need(u could get by w/less and just add to it later) maybe bands or chains later on or boxes.

i think weighted chins are the greatest for lats, and gm's for lower back.

 

[kingc_79]

plus now i almost have everything i want for strongman equipment except for maybe the conans wheel/viking,maybe a harness and the only money i have invested is $ for concrete for stones and hopefully i'll make that back selling them.