It's been a long time coming. What initially started as a highschool boy's dream has turned into a well calculated and deliberated decision.
I need a home gym
I won't expand too much on why I use the word need but the short of it is I live in an area where the gym caters to seniors (lots of cardio and pool related equipment) or boxing gym.
My interest is primarily powerlifting but I do use Olympic lifts for core work and am starting to prefer the Oly lifts to compete in.
My budget is $10,000. To be included in this budget is
- power rack / wall mount and bench
- flooring and Olympic lifting platform
- men's, women's and technique barbell
- cambered curl barbell and trap bar
- plates (undecided details)
- change plates and collars
- barbell Jack and plate storage (no horns)
- optional concept 2 rower and dumbbells
- delivery. Set up not required.
The room is a standalone studio approximately 6mx6m. Three walls are glass (entry is on glass wall) and one solid double brick (no windows/entry). Wall height is 240 but vaulted ceiling so highest point is almost 3m. >10cm concrete slab so I'll be directly bolting the cage to floor. I don't want a high efficiency room where there's something in every corner. I want to keep it airy with sufficient space for two to work out together.
Electronics, lighting and decoration is a separate budget.
I am undecided whether is it more practical to have bumpers and steel plates or just go all bumpers. I am not a pro lifter so running out of barbell sleeve isn't a problem (if it ever is, I'll gladly empty my wallet.) I need ~110kg for Oly lifts and ~200kg for power lifts.
Do I want bumpers and steel or just go all bumpers?
Do I want to spend more on bars and get bearing bars or settle with bushings?
Has anyone had dealings with Rogue Australia or importers of Eleiko? (I'm quite smitten by the RML490)
Is it worth looking into other smaller brands?
Wall mount vs floor mount rack?
Any sales period I should hold out for?
I have tried asking in international fitness forums but the brands and layout isn't applicable to Australia. Australian fitness forums are mainly body builders and either no interest in home gym or sports lifting.
I thought I'd approach OzBargainers for advice primarily on supplier and brands, and to a lesser extent on the details of equipment. I know there is a fairly big fitness following here too and potential suppliers.
Firstly,
I would only purchase one type of equipment, such as a power rack/fixed equipment … e.g. Don't go ballistic yet.
Try it out for a while and see if you still feel committed.
Many ppl get excited of having a home gym, spend heaps of money and then use it for about 3 months.
Then get over it and sell it for an 80% loss on Gumtree/eBay.
If you are still committed, then start filling out the rest of your gym. Sometimes, spending the full amount of expenditure can qualify you for a discount at the same outlet, which is good however all of their equipment might not be to your liking.
I have had a home gym for about 5 years, and still love using it.
There is an outlet that sells 2nd hand stuff and is commercial quality.
https://www.graysfitness.com.au/?gclid=Cj0KCQjwxvbdBRC0ARIsA…
If you are not into 2nd hand stuff and want to buy new, not spend heaps on commercial stuff (e.g Life Fitness, Techno Gym etc) I have used Force USA and it is good enough for me.
https://www.gymandfitness.com.au/collections/force-usa?gclid…
I have purchased from Gym and Fitness and the customer service is pretty good. I had a delivery of a bicep curl and the pad was slightly ripped. They gave me a replacement and I also kept the original.
I would purchase in person so it fits you well and you get a feel for it.
The links above are located in Melbourne as I assume where you live considering you are located in VIC.
Cheers