Are multi station home gym's worth the money? - Page 2 - Ausbb

Kyle Aaron · 06-01-2010, 08:42 AM

Whether you want to look or be strong makes no difference as a beginner. The two are the same until you can bench and row 1-1.5 times your bodyweight, squat and deadlift 1.5-2x bw, and do 6+ chinups. Get strong, you'll look strong.

It is not harder to lift incorrectly with a machine, it can be harder to lift properly, in fact. That's because machines are designed for an "average" build - same as bus or plane seats. Few people have the "average" build, so you will often not quite fit right in a machine. And machines have a particular range and direction of motion you're restricted to, which may or may not work well with your particular build, the way your shoulders sit, and so on.

Machines are not bad, they're just not as good as free weights. Gyms have them because they require little or no instruction in use. "Just sit down, choose the weight you're using, and push on these handles." So if the gym's business model is, "sign them up for 12 months, give them a workout plan, send them off to do it then forget about them," that's ideal.

A workout with machines is definitely better than sitting on your bum watching Oprah and eating Tim Tams. But free weights, if used with proper form, are better still.

If you are the type of person to slack off, you will slack off whether you have machines, free weights, just your bodyweight in a local park, the Twisty Abserciser 6000, or whatever. If you're slack you're slack.

To deal with slackness, I advise finding a training partner and/or a professional trainer. If you make appointments to do workouts, you're more likely to do them. Even if you just have an appointment once a week, and promise to do your own private workout another couple of times a week - you'll need to do the other workouts to keep up with the partner/trainer in your weekly one.

Again, you don't need to buy any equipment at all to begin physical training. Soldiers get fit and strong and their instructors never take them into a weight room. Running, pushups, situps, pullups, squats, burpees, dragging around cement-filled artillery shells, and so on. Just get your body moving.

megaphoenix · 13-01-2010, 12:22 PM

I think im not doing some of the weights properly cos im rarely ever having rest days. im assuming my arms just aren't resting enough to not hurt when i lift weights the next day.

I figure i don't need a machine (i looked up a bunch of internet sites and a lot said free weights are superior), i just feel that i should be buying something (or some things) to focus me on getting stronger. 8kg dumbbells probably aren't going to help too much and thats all i currently have. I just figure stuff like the power rack is a direct "you lift this up" thing and its harder to do it the "wrong way" or anything like that.

Kyle Aaron · 13-01-2010, 12:44 PM

Machines are expensive for what they can do, which as I said is usually less than what free weights can do. For example, in one of my gyms there's a $4,400 machine just for shoulder press. You could get a serviceable squat rack, bar and 200kg of plates for 1/4 to 1/2 that, new.

If you have lots of money to spend on machines, rather than spending (say) $2,500 on machines, it would be better to spend $1,400 on serviceable rack, bar and plates, and $100 on instruction in a few basic compound exercises. You'll get more out of your training by spending less, but spending it wisely.

TGM · 13-01-2010, 11:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kyle Aaron

Machines are expensive for what they can do, which as I said is usually less than what free weights can do. For example, in one of my gyms there's a $4,400 machine just for shoulder press. You could get a serviceable squat rack, bar and 200kg of plates for 1/4 to 1/2 that, new.

If you have lots of money to spend on machines, rather than spending (say) $2,500 on machines, it would be better to spend $1,400 on serviceable rack, bar and plates, and $100 on instruction in a few basic compound exercises. You'll get more out of your training by spending less, but spending it wisely.

Totally agree mate.

Just for a rough idea, I have a squat rack, bench, weight tree, standard bar and about 160kg of weight and have spent less than $1000 on it all. Some was bought new, some used. Hopefully by friday I'll have added a cheap power rack to the mix and then I can get rid of the squat racks. This will still be cheaper than a machine and 1000x more useful.

megaphoenix · 15-01-2010, 12:54 AM

yeah thats all i should need to do now. find a good bench and power rack which is safe, has a good amount of weights included and is able to be upgraded (i mean its easy to buy extra plates).

My knowledge of recommendable brands comes from nothing though. I might figure that samsung and sony are good TV brands, but power racks? no idea who is who, lol.

I am excited about it though. The thought of going from 8kg dumbbells to being able to squat barbells twice my weight is exciting. I figure its like finally learning to swim or drive a car. Just the feeling of pride that comes from knowing you can do something

eaglebay · 15-01-2010, 02:12 AM

Muscle motion offers a great power rack, one of the better value for money racks around.

I got this power rack last month and it has been very good, I feel very safe benching and squatting in this rack.

This is a great package to get you started
http://www.gymdirect.com.au/item/3-Package-Deal-_-Power-Rack--+-FIBEV-flat-incline-bench-+-Olympic-bar-+-80kg-Olympic-weights-$1095/530.htm

megaphoenix · 17-01-2010, 09:25 AM

Muscle Motion Power Rack Package 2 - $1450

Thats the one im now thinking of getting. The only difference i know between the one thats $1095 and the $1450 one is a difference in weights (former is 80, latter is 145). It seems like it would do everything i want and be a great purchase, but i dunno. i guess im nervous about making a purchase that big without know its exactly what i need

06-01-2010, 08:42 AM	#11 (permalink)
Kyle Aaron Active Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Melbourne Gender: Posts: 3,682	Whether you want to look or be strong makes no difference as a beginner. The two are the same until you can bench and row 1-1.5 times your bodyweight, squat and deadlift 1.5-2x bw, and do 6+ chinups. Get strong, you'll look strong. It is not harder to lift incorrectly with a machine, it can be harder to lift properly, in fact. That's because machines are designed for an "average" build - same as bus or plane seats. Few people have the "average" build, so you will often not quite fit right in a machine. And machines have a particular range and direction of motion you're restricted to, which may or may not work well with your particular build, the way your shoulders sit, and so on. Machines are not bad, they're just not as good as free weights. Gyms have them because they require little or no instruction in use. "Just sit down, choose the weight you're using, and push on these handles." So if the gym's business model is, "sign them up for 12 months, give them a workout plan, send them off to do it then forget about them," that's ideal. A workout with machines is definitely better than sitting on your bum watching Oprah and eating Tim Tams. But free weights, if used with proper form, are better still. If you are the type of person to slack off, you will slack off whether you have machines, free weights, just your bodyweight in a local park, the Twisty Abserciser 6000, or whatever. If you're slack you're slack. To deal with slackness, I advise finding a training partner and/or a professional trainer. If you make appointments to do workouts, you're more likely to do them. Even if you just have an appointment once a week, and promise to do your own private workout another couple of times a week - you'll need to do the other workouts to keep up with the partner/trainer in your weekly one. Again, you don't need to buy any equipment at all to begin physical training. Soldiers get fit and strong and their instructors never take them into a weight room. Running, pushups, situps, pullups, squats, burpees, dragging around cement-filled artillery shells, and so on. Just get your body moving. __________________ Recent clients' best results: BW +10kg/-27kg ... BF-11% ... ♀/♂1RM/kg SQ65/145 OHP30/65 DL75/170 "fitness and lifting is just an interest I have. Plain and simple. Some people like music, others like shopping, I like deadlifts." - a client[/SIZE]

13-01-2010, 12:44 PM	#13 (permalink)
Kyle Aaron Active Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Melbourne Gender: Posts: 3,682	Machines are expensive for what they can do, which as I said is usually less than what free weights can do. For example, in one of my gyms there's a $4,400 machine just for shoulder press. You could get a serviceable squat rack, bar and 200kg of plates for 1/4 to 1/2 that, new. If you have lots of money to spend on machines, rather than spending (say) $2,500 on machines, it would be better to spend $1,400 on serviceable rack, bar and plates, and $100 on instruction in a few basic compound exercises. You'll get more out of your training by spending less, but spending it wisely. __________________ Recent clients' best results: BW +10kg/-27kg ... BF-11% ... ♀/♂1RM/kg SQ65/145 OHP30/65 DL75/170 "fitness and lifting is just an interest I have. Plain and simple. Some people like music, others like shopping, I like deadlifts." - a client[/SIZE]

15-01-2010, 02:12 AM	#16 (permalink)
eaglebay Elite Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Perth Gender: Posts: 862	Muscle motion offers a great power rack, one of the better value for money racks around. I got this power rack last month and it has been very good, I feel very safe benching and squatting in this rack. This is a great package to get you started http://www.gymdirect.com.au/item/3-Package-Deal-_-Power-Rack--+-FIBEV-flat-incline-bench-+-Olympic-bar-+-80kg-Olympic-weights-$1095/530.htm __________________

13-01-2010, 12:22 PM	#12 (permalink)
megaphoenix Rookie Join Date: Oct 2009 Gender: Posts: 33	I think im not doing some of the weights properly cos im rarely ever having rest days. im assuming my arms just aren't resting enough to not hurt when i lift weights the next day. I figure i don't need a machine (i looked up a bunch of internet sites and a lot said free weights are superior), i just feel that i should be buying something (or some things) to focus me on getting stronger. 8kg dumbbells probably aren't going to help too much and thats all i currently have. I just figure stuff like the power rack is a direct "you lift this up" thing and its harder to do it the "wrong way" or anything like that.

15-01-2010, 12:54 AM	#15 (permalink)
megaphoenix Rookie Join Date: Oct 2009 Gender: Posts: 33	yeah thats all i should need to do now. find a good bench and power rack which is safe, has a good amount of weights included and is able to be upgraded (i mean its easy to buy extra plates). My knowledge of recommendable brands comes from nothing though. I might figure that samsung and sony are good TV brands, but power racks? no idea who is who, lol. I am excited about it though. The thought of going from 8kg dumbbells to being able to squat barbells twice my weight is exciting. I figure its like finally learning to swim or drive a car. Just the feeling of pride that comes from knowing you can do something

17-01-2010, 09:25 AM	#17 (permalink)
megaphoenix Rookie Join Date: Oct 2009 Gender: Posts: 33	Muscle Motion Power Rack Package 2 - $1450 Thats the one im now thinking of getting. The only difference i know between the one thats $1095 and the $1450 one is a difference in weights (former is 80, latter is 145). It seems like it would do everything i want and be a great purchase, but i dunno. i guess im nervous about making a purchase that big without know its exactly what i need