Recommendations for Weight Lifting Home Gym Equipment

poppingtags on 29/07/2020 - 13:06

Hey everyone,

As stock slowly becomes available, I'm looking at putting together a home gym for weight lifting. Would really appreciate some recommendations for the following items:

Equipment List:
1) Power rack/cage (ideally with pull up bar + dip extension)
2) Olympic Barbell (20 kg)
3) Olympic Weight plates (Up to 100Kg for now, no preference for material used)
4) Bench (Flat or adjustable)
5) Rubber tiles to protect floor

Budget: $1500-2000 (Lower the better, just been made redundant)

Location: Melbourne (Have access to a van for pickup, but willing to pay for interstate delivery if deal is good)

Additional Info:
Willing to build the gym over the next few months, so not in a rush as such. I realise that second hand is the best option - but it's become increasingly difficult to find anything second hand at a reasonable price.

Any additional advice on a home gym build would also be great!

Thanks,

PT

Sports & Outdoors

Comments

  • PissLUR on 29/07/2020 - 13:19

    I am looking at buying similar list as yours. seems like $3-4,000 is the ideal budget.

  • spiff on 29/07/2020 - 13:35
    +4

    A reasonable cost for these items new is:

    1) Power rack with dip extension - $700
    2) Barbell - This can vary greatly from $200 to $700 (and much higher) but if you are doing olympic weightlifting then you'll want a bar with needle bearings not bushings so you're looking at the higher end of this range. Assume $500.
    3) Olympic weight plates - Depending on whether you want steel, steel rubber coated, standard bumpers, crumbed or competition bumpers. This will also add a lot of variability to your cost. $4 x 100kg for the cheapest and $10-12 x 100kg for competition bumpers. Standard bumpers are $5-7 x 100kg so let's say $600. Going with 2 x 20kg, 2 x 15kg, 2 x 10kg and 2 x 5kg will give you 100kg.
    4) Flat bench - $100 or Adjustable bench - $300 minimum. I would go with adjustable.
    5) Rubber tiles - $35 each for 1mx1mx15mm x (assume) 6 = $210.

    Total is $2,410. Not including delivery.

    If you want adjustable dumbbells I can highly recommend powertrain 2 x 40kg. Would have loved hex dumbbells but the cost in money and space taken would have been too high.

    I don't know about stores in Melbourne but Flex Fitness in Perth will deliver there.

    • sim777 on 29/07/2020 - 14:21

      How do you find the powertrain dumbells? seems like it can get pretty awkward even at low weights due to how the weight plates are situated. Does it feel awkard for dumbell curls?

      • jamescavs on 29/07/2020 - 14:28

        I have a pair of them. They are very easy to change weight, so that part is great.

        The main downside is that they are very wide. I got them to use for farmers carry, but they keep knocking into my legs because they are just too wide.

        They have also gone up in price a lot. Brand new for 2x40kg with the stand used to be $500, now it's $900. I got mine second hand off gumtree for $300.

        If you're spending $900, then you are better off getting the ironmaster dumbbells. They are rated highly and I am considering replacing mine with those.

      • spiff on 29/07/2020 - 14:38

        Yep as jamescavs said the main downside is the width. But the way I did exercises means the width isn't much of an issue (very supinated curls with arms to my side not in front, more neutral grip 45 degree chest press and shoulder press). The ironmaster dumbbells look fantastic but unfortunately I can't justify spending any more on my gym. I got the Powertrains from Grays Online for $683. The other caveat is that because they're not made out of rubber I don't want to drop them so therefore can't lift as much as I would if they were made out of rubber. But the other side of that is it forces you to control the weight not only during the set but as long as you have them in your hands.

    • poppingtags on 29/07/2020 - 15:06

      Hi there, thanks for the reply! Do you know around how much a power rack should ideally weigh? Most of the racks I see at the $6-700 range seem to be around 80kg, which doesn't seem very heavy? Worried it might tip over!

      • spiff on 29/07/2020 - 15:32
        +2

        I wouldn't focus so much on the weight of the rack itself as different varieties of racks will have different weights. I'd look more at the max weight load that it's rated for in the description.

        I bought this to save space when in use (as it's literally attached to the wall) and when not in use (can fold up against wall). I knew it was going to be decent quality in terms of steel strength because it was rated to 400kg for squats, and also has 75mmx75mm steel stands. This is also another consideration as 75mmx75mm is standard size (along with 60mmx60mm) and it's relatively easy to find accessories that aren't necessarily from the same vendor. As opposed to a rack that doesn't have standard dimensions and may be harder to find accessories from different suppliers. e.g. https://www.flexequipment.com.au/armortech-half-rack-hr33

        Check the weight rating on benches as well. If a bench is rated only up to 250kg then it's likely to be rickety and not feel very solid.

        FYI I bought this rack from eBay and paired it with spotter arms from Flex Fitness. Also bought what I think is the best value, solid, adjustable bench from Flex.

        https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/WALL-MOUNTED-FOLDABLE-POWER-RACK…

        https://www.flexequipment.com.au/armortech-v2-spotter-arms-p…

        https://www.flexequipment.com.au/Armortech-V2-Adjustable-Ben…

        • poppingtags on 29/07/2020 - 19:46

          Great, thanks again :)

  • 87percent on 29/07/2020 - 13:59
    +1

    lot of gyms are closing and selling their equipment, just search on gumtree/facebook. BUT, there's also people who are building squat/power racks out of timber. I saw someone on gumtree selling one for $250

    • poppingtags on 29/07/2020 - 19:46

      Good point about the gyms closing, will see what I can find!

  • nomoneynoproblems on 29/07/2020 - 15:29
    +2

    Definitely doable with your budget although plates will blow through most of it. Go second hand where you can imo.

    • poppingtags on 29/07/2020 - 19:46

      For sure, will keep an eye out!

  • lmw on 29/07/2020 - 15:34
    +2

    Rogue Sponsored fit-out

    Barbell training, full body

    Item Product Desc. Price
    Rack Rogue HR-2 $1179
    Barbell Rogue Ohio Power Bar $525
    Plates (80kg) Rogue Color Echo Bumper (pairs) 10kg × 2 / 20kg $394
    Plates (10kg) Rogue HG 2.0 KG Bumper (pairs) 5kg $72
    Change plates (9kg) Rogue KG Change Plate (pairs) 0.5kg / 1kg × 2 / 2kg $200
    Flat bench Rogue Bolt Together Utility Bench $366
    Collars OSO CP-1 POLYMER (pair) $50
    Plate storage Rogue SP3358 Plate Storage Pair $77
    Tiles Generic brand 1m × 1m × 10–15mm 9pc = 3sqm $225
    $3088
    Accessories
    Dips Rogue Matador $162
    Upper/core Rogue Landmine $153
    Spotter Rogue SAML 24" Safety Spotter Arms If training solo $305

    Total lift weight is 119kg with 1kg increments from 20kg (bar).

    It is above the stated budget, but if you change your mind about home gym — you should have no trouble selling on second hand market due to the brand name demand and low stock levels.

    Shipping is from Sydney but is reasonably priced and speedy.

    It's unlikely any combination of items will be in stock at the same time. You will have to wait for items to trickle into stock and buy and ship individually ($).

    Sign up for notifications and don't hesitate when it pops — stock doesn't last long.

    • spiff on 29/07/2020 - 15:57

      I think your 80kg plates need to double in price.

      • lmw on 29/07/2020 - 16:43

        Echo plates are excellent value (and thin). They are sold in pairs:

        10kg pair = 20kg = $98
        10kg pair = 20kg = $98
        20kg pair = 40kg = $198

        • spiff on 29/07/2020 - 17:00

          My bad you're right, that is decent value.

          • lmw on 29/07/2020 - 17:28

            @spiff: 👍🏋️‍♂️

    • PissLUR on 29/07/2020 - 18:53
      +1

      nice list. but no stock :(

    • poppingtags on 29/07/2020 - 19:45

      Thanks for putting this together, might be able to buy a few things from here to start off with :)

  • dtc on 29/07/2020 - 15:41
    +1

    Add a set of rings for $50, which ideally you can add to the powerrack. Yoga/exercise mat for $25.

    Make sure the bench is adjustable

    • poppingtags on 29/07/2020 - 18:17

      Yup, definitely plan on getting a pair of rings too! Thanks for the reply :)

  • FocusRider on 30/07/2020 - 09:28
    +1

    Check out https://www.ncfitnessgear.com.au/

    If your not in a rush I've purchased all of my gear from these guys.

    Prices are very good and you can pick up from their warehouse in Hallam when we're not in lockdown.

    • poppingtags on 30/07/2020 - 13:27

      Will do, thanks for the recommendation! :)

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