Question about building a home gym

[zaxxon1982]

I'm considering building my first home gym and was looking at Werksan for the weights. I don't have any information on the difference between their "training" line and their "competition" line. Can anyone tell me what the differences are?

Competition:
http://www.werksanusa.com/onlinecart/agora.cgi?cart_id=2126922.2647*A444o8&product=1_COMPETITION

Training:
http://www.werksanusa.com/onlinecart/agora.cgi?cart_id=2126922.2647*k879p2&product=2_TRAINING

Also, I'm looking at EliteFTS among others for a rack... does anyone have any experience with them?

EliteFTS:
http://www.flexcart.com/members/elitefts/default.asp?cid=167

 

[super_rice]

One is an IWF certified and calibrated set, while the other one is not. I believe the training bar is also 1lbs lighter than the comp bar.

Buy a good rack, build your own platform, and buy a good set of weights. You can also contact Glenn Pendlay for weightlifting equipment for a good price, though I would recommend you call him, as I have not had success with email.

 

[Jim Ouini]

I'v ordered some cheap bumpers and other nik naks from Wersksan; EliteFTS racks look pretty good but too expensive for me.

You must have some money to burn

 

[Protobuilder]

Check out www.midwestbarbell.com . They have good prices on good equipment and Susan offers awesome customer service.

 

[mekannik]

Ironmind.com ran an article a long time ago. Single most important component is the bar. Are you powerlifting? Olympic lifting? Bodybuilding?

What climate do you live in? This will dictate somewhat the materials chosen.

Is this going in your house? basement? garage?

 

[zaxxon1982]

Thanks all for the input... this is very helpful and as has been pointed out this is a sizeable investment so I don't want to go the wrong way here.

Ironmind.com ran an article a long time ago. Single most important component is the bar. Are you powerlifting? Olympic lifting? Bodybuilding?

What climate do you live in? This will dictate somewhat the materials chosen.

Is this going in your house? basement? garage?

I'm olympic lifting with no intention of competing... really just a personal challenge/fitness sort of thing. I guess that's bodybuilding but I definitely will be doing olympic lifts, so the equipment should accommodate that.

I live in Houston, TX, so climate is hot and very humid. The equipment will be in a well ventilated but not air-conditioned garage.

 

[mekannik]

Thanks all for the input... this is very helpful and as has been pointed out this is a sizeable investment so I don't want to go the wrong way here.



I'm olympic lifting with no intention of competing... really just a personal challenge/fitness sort of thing. I guess that's bodybuilding but I definitely will be doing olympic lifts, so the equipment should accommodate that.

I live in Houston, TX, so climate is hot and very humid. The equipment will be in a well ventilated but not air-conditioned garage.

Then definately shop around for a bar. Obviously something with no/lite knurling in the middle and good bearings.

Eleiko has a training bar that is not as stringent as their competition line - it can handle the weight and rotates beautifully - but will save you $200-300.

http://www.dynamic-eleiko.com/ - US distributor, click on products, Eleiko Equipment Bar AB


http://www.power-systems.com/nav/default.aspx?c=17&sc=79

http://www.bsolympicgym.com/products.asp?cat=50


What type of bumpers or plates are you looking at?

 

[zaxxon1982]

What type of bumpers or plates are you looking at?

Was looking at the Werksan lines and planning to just get bumpers since I'll need them anyway. Any reason to get plates in addition to the bumpers given the applications I've listed?

 

[mekannik]

Was looking at the Werksan lines and planning to just get bumpers since I'll need them anyway. Any reason to get plates in addition to the bumpers given the applications I've listed?

In my opinion - and not knowing your budget - I would recommend York bumper plates. They are big, black, rubber - so you will not damage the floor when dropping/dumping wieghts and the added bonus of not having to place rubber matting on the ground to save the floor.

Granted bumpers will cost more than regular plates, but if you plan on doing heavy shrugs, deadlifts, what have you - plates can be added to the bar without hindering clearance and they are cheaper (in price).


Given your climate (Houston) - you will definately need to be aware of the quality of materials used and the effect of environmental conditions on them. Rust will be your biggest enemy - hence splurge on the bar to get quality that will last and withstand humidity. Bumpers will not tarnish or rot.

Are your building/buying a platform to oly lift on?

For some reading material:
Building a platform: http://www.ironmind.com/ironcms/export/IronMind/Main/homesweathome6.html

Setting up a home gym:
http://www.ironmind.com/ironcms/export/IronMind/Main/homesweathome2.html

 

[glennpendlay]

wfwclub.com, if you click the "store" link, has a bar available that is much less than the training bars from werksan or eleiko, but is a great bar for OL. there is also a phone number listed on the site that, if called, would provide you with training bumpers at a price much reduced from what you would probably be able to get elsewhere!

If you called the number, there would also be someone on the other end with a bit of experience in the whole bar/bumpers/OL thing that could point you in the best direction for equipment, even if it were something not sold on the website and you had to buy from someone else.

In my opinion - and not knowing your budget - I would recommend York bumper plates. They are big, black, rubber - so you will not damage the floor when dropping/dumping wieghts and the added bonus of not having to place rubber matting on the ground to save the floor.

Granted bumpers will cost more than regular plates, but if you plan on doing heavy shrugs, deadlifts, what have you - plates can be added to the bar without hindering clearance and they are cheaper (in price).


Given your climate (Houston) - you will definately need to be aware of the quality of materials used and the effect of environmental conditions on them. Rust will be your biggest enemy - hence splurge on the bar to get quality that will last and withstand humidity. Bumpers will not tarnish or rot.

Are your building/buying a platform to oly lift on?

For some reading material:
Building a platform: http://www.ironmind.com/ironcms/export/IronMind/Main/homesweathome6.html

Setting up a home gym:
http://www.ironmind.com/ironcms/export/IronMind/Main/homesweathome2.html

 

[zaxxon1982]

Again, big thanks all around.

On budget, I could be comfortable spending pretty much whatever on this as long as I could be reasonably certain it would last. I do not, however, want to pay for functionality I won't use.

I had planned to build a platform but would be glad to buy one if a good one can be had for a reasonable price.

Any other opinions on racks?

 

[Jim Ouini]

BTW, here's a pic of my home gym. You sound like me when I was assembling all my stuff

http://putfile.com/pic.php?pic=7/18920341128.jpg&s=f10

I couldn't get a power rack because of the room and I'd possibly have to move it around at some point. The only thing I miss about it is if I have to dump the bar.

I got most of the accessory stuff from NY barbell, really good prices and service was excellent.

 

[mekannik]

BTW, here's a pic of my home gym. You sound like me when I was assembling all my stuff

http://putfile.com/pic.php?pic=7/18920341128.jpg&s=f10

I couldn't get a power rack because of the room and I'd possibly have to move it around at some point. The only thing I miss about it is if I have to dump the bar.

I got most of the accessory stuff from NY barbell, really good prices and service was excellent.

Are those vulcan racks?

Hopefully you pull the vehicles out of the garage when you work out.

 

[Jim Ouini]

Yep. As with most IM stuff, I probably overpaid but what the hell.

As far as moving the vehicles, my workout stuff is worth more than my truck so no worries there.