BuffBarrera
Haven't posted much
Posts: 24
Registered on 01-26-08
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07-30-10 10:20 AM - Post#637495
Sure this has been brought up before but just wondered how many here have seen a big improvement in their strength and gains by dropping their gym membership and working out at home?
I for one have noted real improvement and, upon reflecting on it, it is obvious why: I now do squats, bent over rows, dips, stiff-leg DL, bench (db only for safety) chins etc. etc. because I HAVE to!...simply no other options! No pull-down machines, curl stations, pulleys etc. Back rowing machines were my special temptation.
I have about 400 lbs of weights on 3 bars, 2 adjustable DB sets, a very solid adjustable bench w stable dip station and a pull up bar. That's it. Bench did come w a preacher set-up but I've never used it.
Commercial gyms do have obvious advantages (and, per above, temptations...at least for weak-willed me ;-) but I find the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages. No waiting for equipment and I can super-set curls w dips w no fear of someone jumping in and so on. A bonus is I no longer encounter skinny 17 year olds turning blue on conc curls, pushdowns and cable crossovers who get upset if I offer some friendly advice.
Finally, just as an aside, I visit my family in California once a year and usually buy a week's membership at Gold's Huntington Beach. In my approx 40 hours of total training time there, I have NEVER seen anyone doing free squats and I can always do my dips or chins. Most (many are big guys btw!)are busy hitting the Hammer and other machines. I have been gone from the USA for 17 years and usually stare at these machines for a while w NO idea how to use them or even "get in". I have to wait for a minute for someone to use it before I get the idea.
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Jack C
ΑΞΙΩΣ
Posts: 1760
Registered on 02-12-07
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07-30-10 10:52 AM - Post#637500
I made my best gains with a workout partner; the only practical venue was a club gym because of its convenient after-work location for both of us.
If you're training alone, training at home if you have the space is better.
Jack
The fox knows many things; but the hedgehog knows one big thing. |
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big rick
Old hand here on IOL
Posts: 1028
Loc: Chickasha, OK
Registered on 04-28-09
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07-30-10 11:32 AM - Post#637517
I have a lot of the commercial gym equipment so I don't have the limited bare bones, but i love my home gym.
since a car wreck i really couldn't train like a powerlifter any more. so i do a lot of high volume work, with supersets and giantsets. Try setting aside equipment to do circuts in a big gym with out someone hassling you....exactly not happening. I really wish i had a dedicated lifting partner but other than that I much prefer a home gym.
but hey I'm antisocial
| My gym is my church. My sweat are my prayers. My strength is my salvation |
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Displacedtexan
Carpe Ferrum
Posts: 3669
Age: 47
Loc: Oklahoma City
Registered on 04-06-04
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07-30-10 11:57 AM - Post#637520
As with so much in life, it depends. I’ll weigh in in favor of the commercial gym. Maybe if I had a large out building in the Back 40 I would use a home gym. But I find I do better if I have the routine of “going to the gym”. If it’s in my garage it won’t be used due to the other temptations around the house. I need to get away to the gym. Fortunately, I have a great gym nearby which has a DL platform, bumper plates, chalk, 3 power racks, and lots of space.
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Gabster
Old hand here on IOL
Posts: 957
Age: 68
Loc: Elk Grove CA
Registered on 04-03-10
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07-30-10 12:12 PM - Post#637525
I believe you have to go and do it, daily or every other day and stick to your schedule along with eating correct also...
The gyms have many variable machines, that can help if you get in a rut and are tired of lifting the same old thing, and not being able to change the attack on the same muscle mass to shock it...
The basics are pretty basic though...LOL
Gary
"I live, I lift, I ache, I am." -
"I don't mean to be rude, but...junk is for jerks"
"No pain, no gain' isn’t a nursery rhyme, and 'only the strong survive" ...Etc...
Dave Draper
****
Semper Fi...
GAB |
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TomP
Rambo
Posts: 4566
Age: 57
Loc: Iowa, USA
Registered on 04-25-04
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07-30-10 12:27 PM - Post#637530
Either/or as they have advantages and disadvantages. I do feel that I've made my best gains with a training partner who can spot me and encourage me to go that last rep. As long as I have him, it doesn't matter where I train.
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hermoolyness
Mandy Moo
Posts: 1055
Age: 31
Loc: Texas
Registered on 09-16-09
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07-30-10 12:34 PM - Post#637532
Agreed...training with a partner is best, whether at home or the gym. I train alone, and I like having both options. I like the freedom of having a good bar and plates to drag out at 3am when I can't sleep, and I like being able to disappear into the gym for 3 hours and become one of the anonymous bodies working ourselves silly.
"Rebooting feels good. Kinda tickles." ~Dave Draper
"You should never never doubt what nobody is sure about." ~Willy Wonka |
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Gabster
Old hand here on IOL
Posts: 957
Age: 68
Loc: Elk Grove CA
Registered on 04-03-10
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07-30-10 01:31 PM - Post#637543
Alone or with a partner, it is all good...
Gary
"I live, I lift, I ache, I am." -
"I don't mean to be rude, but...junk is for jerks"
"No pain, no gain' isn’t a nursery rhyme, and 'only the strong survive" ...Etc...
Dave Draper
****
Semper Fi...
GAB |
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Bill Keyes
Still Tryin'
Posts: 2329
Age: 58
Loc: SF Bay Area
Registered on 03-26-04
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07-30-10 02:00 PM - Post#637550
My thoughts on the topic:
http://www.davedraper.com/bill-k-best-workout.html
Bill2
"There ain't no fool like an 'old school' fool" |
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big rick
Old hand here on IOL
Posts: 1028
Loc: Chickasha, OK
Registered on 04-28-09
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07-30-10 03:01 PM - Post#637565
\great stuff 
| My gym is my church. My sweat are my prayers. My strength is my salvation |
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rvan
At home here
Posts: 363
Registered on 03-05-05
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07-30-10 06:30 PM - Post#637587
Train at home, don't want/need a training partner. However always safety first.
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Barney
IronBear
Posts: 8298
Age: 54
Loc: Central FL from NJ
Registered on 03-30-04
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07-31-10 01:10 AM - Post#637610
Nice! 
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Richard Sanchez
Cool Muscle, Age 49
Posts: 1923
Loc: Silicon Valley
Registered on 04-01-04
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Home Gym gains vs commercial gyms?
07-31-10 02:07 AM - Post#637612
I train mainly at the commercial gym and sometimes at home. Occassionally (once or twice a month) I'll bump into one of my old friends from the older gyms way back when. That always makes it fun to know I am not the only one still training.
I lost my zest for training at home when I had my cable crossover machine fall on me. Ouch. Lucky to survive that one.
Now I seek the gym. The key is to go during the hours when they have a more serious crowd. Usually, later at night. And also, I play my music player and everyone leaves me alone.
Most seek to train alone but to be honest the best memories are from training with others.
Richard Sanchez
Edited by Richard Sanchez on 07-31-10 02:08 AM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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IronGuy
Slave To The Iron
Posts: 322
Age: 39
Loc: North of Detroit
Registered on 08-20-07
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Re: Home Gym gains vs commercial gyms?
07-31-10 07:04 AM - Post#637617
My barn gym is the best thing I've ever done for my training.
Supersets, Giant Sets, or anything else I can dream up are unlimited and there for the taking.
I can train at my AFB gym for free (and during the duty day), but I choose to get up at 0400 and train in my own space.
Most folks think I'm nuts, but it's where I want to be.
Heading there now and I'm ready - no waiting, great equipment, and nobody curling in the squat rack.
Life is good.
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hermoolyness
Mandy Moo
Posts: 1055
Age: 31
Loc: Texas
Registered on 09-16-09
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Re: Home Gym gains vs commercial gyms?
07-31-10 08:17 AM - Post#637624
Most folks think I'm nuts, but it's where I want to be.
That about sums it up, doesn't it?
"Rebooting feels good. Kinda tickles." ~Dave Draper
"You should never never doubt what nobody is sure about." ~Willy Wonka |
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