Lockjaw

Ok I'm getting ready to get really serious about getting into shape(already have the diet down,excercise 6 days a week for 40 minutes walking and jogging)but I am looking into getting a home gym so I can do some weight/resistance training. The gym is out because it's not that easy to fit into my schedule and I don't exactly have a ton of extra cash money laying about to make a gym membership feasible, besides I prefer working out alone and people at the gyms annoy me at times.

So here's what my requirements are...
Space is a premium as this will be out in a relatively crowded space enough to put a single machine in but not the large ones. Probably about 6 feet square is what I'm looking at just eyeballing it.

Money is a major issue. Anything over 350 bucks is out.

The best range of excercises allowable. Something that would allow me to equally work my chest,legs,back,and lats mainly.

I haven't lifted weight seriously since high school and needless to say I'm weak and as I said I prefer to work out alone so I need to have something that I'm able to workout with alone so if I'm benching or squating I won't need a spotter to keep the weight from drop on me as one likely won't be around all the time.

I was thinking about this thing called the Weider Max which is like a Bowflex ripoff but it's inexpensive,versitile, and looks relatively safe.

http://www.fogdog.com/product/index....ductId=1848515
So what do you think?

st33lr4t

power rack, bench, pair of dumbells, barbell, and a bunch of plates and your set.

with the rack you do not need a spotter since it has adjustable safeties. you can probably find everything used so it should be easy on your wallet.

stevie667

Bump to that.

c172g

I get one hell of an upper body & cardio workout from a simple speed bag. Under $100 from Everlast. Twenty minutes a day on one of those things will develop your upper body as well as your wind. About 24" in diameter. Also excellent when you've had a crappy day at work, go beat the shit out of something & it doesn't mind a bit. You can also use the same platform to mount a double-ended bag, which works other parts of your upper body, including your back. Gotta watch out, that one can hit back if you don't mind yourself.

thingstodo

Space is a premium. I would say to get a flat/incline/decline bench combo. Add a set of Powerblock weights which take up the space of one set of dumb bells www.powerblock.com and add in a big ball for balance and ab work. There are very few things you cannot do with this stuff.

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StephenSa

A good bench and nice selection of dumbells can get you into great shape. DB curls, db flyes, db presses, lateral raises, the list goes on and on with what you can do with dumbells and a nice bench. If you go this route be sure to get a good bench with a full decline and incline capabilty. I second the Powerblocs too, they are awesome. If you really want to go the machine/gym system route the Weider thing might work out but take a good look at it. The construction of a lot of home gyms is a bit dodgy and if used intensly over a period of time can start to fall apart. Cables fray, pulleys warp, the bench becomes loose, etc. I'm not familiar with the Weider Max machine so I'm not knocking it, just be sure to give a good look before you buy. I used to have a Soloflex I liked very much. I bought mine on ebay for $300 (they are $1500 new) and are built of solid steel. They fit in a confined space and do every exericise you could want and more. I do a lot of free weight stuff but I'm keeping my eye out for a good used Soloflex myself to have for variety. If you can find one cheap enough ($300 to $400) they are a great deal and if you decide to get rid of it you can sell it for what you paid for it or more.

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