Home Gyms. Any good?

[Messugga]

Will I also score blonde belters?

Only once you become massive from klapping all that gym, boet.

 

[Hemps]

http://www.gumtree.co.za/s-pretoria-tshwane/gym/v1l3100094q0p1

Try gumtree everyday, I completed my home gym by monitoring gumtree/olx and buying up items on the cheap.

I would look for one of those Trojan power cage type gyms, those have pec dec, lower pulley for cable rows, squats and bench if need be, mine didn't come with weight plates so I had bought over the years and it can handle well over 100kg+

Unfortunately these days gym equipment is pricey.
If you have the space as in big yard or large car garage like I have a 4 car garage for home gym, look into body weight type exercises like pull-ups i.e. setup a pull-up bar etc.

http://www.medi-iq.co.za/bodyweight-training/

They have tons of stuff, if you looking at doing the standard gym stuff like lifting heavy iron, you going to need to buy heavy iron and bars.

Try Drag and throw a 40kg sandbag around and see how toasted you are afterwards, only costs R288 for the bag.

http://www.medi-iq.co.za/weighted-sand-bag-40kg-sand-not-included/

 

[Batista]

You must be joking.

As several other people stated get a bench and some adjustable free-weights OP. Then you'll be klapping gym like a kiff oke my charna.

No jokes man.There is about 100 functional exercises you can do with just a kettlebell,and because the weight is not balanced like a dumbbell/barbell, its activates muscles you didnt even think you had.You end up looking like a lean machine instead of a muscle head.

 

[Knyro]

Will I also score blonde belters?

100% guaranteed.

No jokes man.There is about 100 functional exercises you can do with just a kettlebell,and because the weight is not balanced like a dumbbell/barbell, its activates muscles you didnt even think you had.You end up looking like a lean machine instead of a muscle head.

I don't disagree with that but OP says he wants definition and moving some serious weight will get him that lean muscle gain he's looking for. He won't look like a muscle head. Unless you're on steroids or something it takes quite some time to even look like you lift.

"Getting too big" is pretty much a non-issue, and you can always stop increasing weight/reps etc when you've reached your goal.

 

[APoc184]

Bench + 2 x dumbell bars +barbell bar +110kg weights for R1500.

That is a good deal right?

 

[Willie Trombone]

After shedding 13kg in two months I now want to start building a bit of lean muscle and get better definition.

Going to a gym like Virgin is not an option unfortunately. It will have to be done at home.

I've been doing 100 push ups and 100 sit ups every second day but that only gets you so far. I do plenty of cardio as well. Boxing and "running on the Orbitrek"

Now, stores are full of these all-in-one Trojan home gym combos but are they actually any good?

The guy at Makro told me that for building muscles they are not that great and that I should rather look at a separate bench and weights. He says that the weights on these combo machines are just not enough for somebody like me who wants to build muscle and will only be good enough for general fitness. And he said the pulley system also reduces the actual weight you are lifting/pushing/pulling.

I'm a complete noob when it comes to this so I have come here for help. Last time I was in a gym was back in Grade 10.

I've been doing gym at home for ages. It's worth it if you don't plan on hitting a typical gym. I don't have time for that personally. Start with a pair of dumbells, bench and a bar - get quick release collars (not the spin type). Next get yourself a pullup bar and dip bar. There's not a heck of a lot more that you need. I recommend trying to follow a routine of sorts. Sixpackshortcuts is a nice combination of HIIT and muscle workout and easy to follow with minimal equipment.

 

[D3nz]

Bench + 2 x dumbell bars +barbell bar +110kg weights for R1500.

That is a good deal right?

Absolutely!

 

[Willie Trombone]

Bench + 2 x dumbell bars +barbell bar +110kg weights for R1500.

That is a good deal right?

Perfect... only recommendation is check the bench out - beware of those tiny ones built for small people. Make sure it is nice and solid. Legs are one of the hardest parts to work out alone, here's an intense workout that uses lighter weight but does a brilliant job.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abnaNJUNNK4

 

[APoc184]

Absolutely!

Cool. Now just waiting for the seller to respond to my message or phone back.

If anybody n East Rand is interested. There is a guy selling a Trojan bench with 200kg weights on Junkmail for R2000 as well. Ad placed 1 hour ago.

 

[Willie Trombone]

"Getting too big" is pretty much a non-issue, and you can always stop increasing weight/reps etc when you've reached your goal.

This - it's down to diet mostly.

 

[Willie Trombone]

What I'd do for a 80kg pair of powerblocks...

 

[APoc184]

Okay. Buying my first home gym equipment tomorrow.

Got him down to R1300 for the set.

 

[APoc184]

Perfect... only recommendation is check the bench out - beware of those tiny ones built for small people. Make sure it is nice and solid. Legs are one of the hardest parts to work out alone, here's an intense workout that uses lighter weight but does a brilliant job.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abnaNJUNNK4

I asked for a photo of the bench and he sent me this.



Sorry for the total noob questions. This bench looks quite sturdy, doesn't it?

Jeez... That workout in e video is intense. But I am actually excited to try stuff like that.

I might skip the jumping things for the first while. My knees will not be happy with me.

 

[Willie Trombone]

I asked for a photo of the bench and he sent me this.

View attachment 110894

Sorry for the total noob questions. This bench looks quite sturdy, doesn't it?

Jeez... That workout in e video is intense. But I am actually excited to try stuff like that.

I might skip the jumping things for the first while. My knees will not be happy with me.

That is a small bench. It's good for bench / incline bench press. Don't count on the leg extension or leg curl bit - if you're near 6ft, you're too tall for that older generation trojan bench. You are getting it at a good price - weights alone are worth that. The dumbells and bar look good though I can't tell how wide the bar is - and if it's suitable for bench press or if you'll need one for that. I think it looks OK.

The Collars look good - I think those will be quick release. Good find IMO. Save up for a better bench, but for starters that one will do.

Next - pullup bar and dip station!
Mike Chang and Daniel Rose are ninjas - google sixpackshortcuts - there's a whole course to follow including eating plan - very motivational! He offers vids and printed material.

 

[APoc184]

Thank you yet again for all the advice guys.

 

[Willie Trombone]

Thank you yet again for all the advice guys.

Thanks for posting, I need to kickstart myself again and this thread just did it I think
Work has been too hectic - need to stop making that excuse!

 

[Willie Trombone]

Just found specials online from Game for reference (no longer valid):

Trojan Performer 300 Bench: R700
25Kg weights: R600
25kg with 142cm bar R800
20kg dumbell pair (2x10kg) R536

That's 70kg weights, dumbells, barbell and bench...
R2636

http://www.guzzle.co.za/specials/view/586828/

Re: sixpackshortcuts it bites big time the first time around - don't be surprised if you can't finish 1/3 of your workout. Don't let it scare you off. Second round is MUCH easier and way more motivating given the progress!

 

[APoc184]

Thanks for posting, I need to kickstart myself again and this thread just did it I think
Work has been too hectic - need to stop making that excuse!

Glad I can motivate to a degree.

I've been overweight for so many years now. Not obese overweight but still enough to disgust me.

Many times I decided to go on diet and do a bit of exercise because it seems the right thing to do.
Never worked because my head was not right and I was never serious about it. I always had an excuse ready for why I'll cheat on the meals and why I can't exercise.

So 2 months ago I got my head straight and started right then and there. Not next week, not tomorrow. Right then. Today I am exactly 13.5kg lighter and a lot fitter. Another 1.5kg to go for optimal weight.

The gym equipment is just the next step in my decision to better my health and life.

 

[Willie Trombone]

That's awesome, just losing the weight will have made you feel invincible
Give it stick! You won't regret it. Don't let your off days deflate you - every day is a new opportunity. Even if you end up getting sick and taking a break - just because it's much harder the first time after recovery, doesn't mean you're moving backwards... that little lesson there is important. Most people in the know will also tell you that good sleep is right up there with good nutrition and exercise for staying healthy and fit.

 

[cerebus]

Okay. Buying my first home gym equipment tomorrow.

Got him down to R1300 for the set.

That's a nice deal. Good luck. The weightlifting thread is a good resource.

If you're doing 100 press ups you're already fairly strong, but even so don't shortchange yourself by trying to lift large weights too quickly, missing the full range of motion that develops the real core power and ancillary muscles. When you go in a gym and see the bulked up young guys lifting apparently staggering weights, 9 times out of 10 they're doing a fraction of a full lift, and developing distorted biceps and dangerously weak tendons and back muscles. Often the guys who have the most real strength don't look it.

You should spend a lot of time getting your posture right (a lot of that is down to making sure you're looking directly at yourself in a mirror when standing) and don't worry about taking a lower weight if it means you can complete your sets with the full motion - i.e. on an inclined barbell press start with your hands lower than the chest. If you get it right at the beginning it'll pay dividends later on.