Home Gym Setup

I sure like the feeling Scott Bird, writing in his blog training journal, portrays: "Weight training in a home gym, using mostly free weights, has never felt like a short term thing. Unlike going to a commercial gym, training never feels like a chore; in fact I look forward to it." Here's his home gym setup guide.
Now that you're salivating, here are some thoughts of how to set up a home gym, what equipment you might need, and a some tips on how to mentally switch from a commercial to a home gym.
Two schools of thought regarding home gym equipment

For lack of better terms, let's call these two concepts minimalist and lavish. The longer I have been involved in training, the more I tend to gravitate toward the minimalist approach. Having the minimum amount of equipment doesn't require lots of space and it allows you to purchase top quality in the equipment that you do use. My ideal minimalist approach would have the following:

A lifting platform, either 8x8 or 12x12 feet
A power cage
A good quality barbell, at least 6 feet long and dumbbell handles
A heavy duty flat bench
At least 300 lbs. of plates to start...minimum. 500 would be better and 1000 even better.

This setup would allow Olympic lifting or Power lifting, as well as bodybuilding type movements. The emphasis is on "platform lifting," simple, clean, "stand on your two feet and get it done." The use of mainly standing exercises on the platform guarantees a strong midsection and practical, useable strength. It also forces you to exercise your creativity when working out.

The lavish approach would start with the above equipment and the sky would be the limit. I'd add to this with a lat machine, hyperextension/roman chair unit, Hip belt squat set up or similar leg set up, numerous solid dumbbells and rack, chin/dip unit or attachments for rack and some grip toys, including a thick bar.

The up side of the lavish approach is that boredom is kept at bay, plus the substantial cash outlay for the extra equipment tends to motivate you to use it. It is easier to work around injuries with various types of equipment available. Obviously, there are two major negatives - the need for substantially more space and the expense. Also, many machines actually make the movement easier...not necessarily a good thing. The idea is to make a movement harder and potentially more productive.

My current gym is in my garage and has a fair blending of the two thoughts above. I have a power cage, lat machine and various handles, a leg extension/curl bench, flat bench, rack with a fair selection of hex dumbbells, plate holders and about 1000 lbs. of plates, a plate loading grip machine and CoC grippers and a few other grip toys. I've just completed a hip squat belt. Lately, the leg extension bench and flat bench are seeing little use. As I say, I'm gravitating toward the minimalist approach. Wicked Willie

Now one thing you'll need: Fred Fornicola and Matt Brzycki's new book, Dumbbell Training for Strength and Fitness.
Dan John wrote a one-dumbbell workout article for T-Nation; you can get an excellent workout with minimal equipment.
Ironmind offers two informative articles on home gym equipment:
- Choosing a barbell set
- Choosing the right bar
In this article Dave Tate over at Elite writes of his dream gym, then hones it down for price.

In this article, Jim Bean describes the up and downs of commercial and home gym training and the considerations needed for equiping a home gym.

First Things First

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