Building a home gym

justincredible Honorable Admin
37,969 posts 246 reps Joined Nov 2009
Tue, Jul 13, 2021 10:39 AM

Say you have $2000 (give or take a couple hundred) to spend at https://www.roguefitness.com/ on equipment for a garage gym.

What are you buying? 



superman Senior Member
4,377 posts 71 reps Joined Nov 2009
Tue, Jul 13, 2021 10:47 AM

Nothing Rogue is overpriced. Hope that helps. 

Automatik Senior Member
15,737 posts 98 reps Joined Nov 2009
Tue, Jul 13, 2021 11:12 AM

Home gym equipment prices are all over the place so I'm not even going to factor in the 2k.


Squat rack w/ pull up bar.

45lb bar

Curl bar

Plates up to 315lbs

Adjustable dumbbells. I think these only go up to 55lbs but I could make that work

Adjustable bench

Probably throw in some bands that could anchor to the rack.

justincredible Honorable Admin
37,969 posts 246 reps Joined Nov 2009
Tue, Jul 13, 2021 11:20 AM
posted by superman

Nothing Rogue is overpriced. Hope that helps. 

Feel free to provide links to better resources.

BR1986FB Senior Member
27,923 posts 123 reps Joined Feb 2010
Tue, Jul 13, 2021 11:40 AM
posted by Automatik

Home gym equipment prices are all over the place so I'm not even going to factor in the 2k.


Squat rack w/ pull up bar.

45lb bar

Curl bar

Plates up to 315lbs

Adjustable dumbbells. I think these only go up to 55lbs but I could make that work

Adjustable bench

Probably throw in some bands that could anchor to the rack.

Pretty much this but maybe throw in a kettlebell and, if you have extra, some battle ropes or a Prowler sled. I'd recommend PowerBlock dumbbells. I also have a PowerBlock kettlebell. 

My garage has a Smith Machine w/seated row/lat pulldown attachment which takes care of everything. Have a bunch of other assorted machines, bars, etc.

I will agree that Rogue is overpriced.

justincredible Honorable Admin
37,969 posts 246 reps Joined Nov 2009
Tue, Jul 13, 2021 12:39 PM

I priced Rogue plates versus a few other places and they were right in line with or cheaper than everyone else. 

justincredible Honorable Admin
37,969 posts 246 reps Joined Nov 2009
Tue, Jul 13, 2021 12:41 PM

justincredible Honorable Admin
37,969 posts 246 reps Joined Nov 2009
Tue, Jul 13, 2021 12:42 PM

The above is what I have in my cart so far. Surely some gaps I need to fill, but pricing seems comparable to other places from my quick research.

Zunardo Senior Member
815 posts 15 reps Joined Nov 2010
Tue, Jul 13, 2021 12:46 PM

If I had the wherewithal and space, I'd get a full set of late 1970's Nautilus machines, with the darker blue paint.  Haven't used anything as ergonomic as those machines since.  

Nowadays - a straight bench, Smith machine, leg extensions and curls machine, a pull-up/dip/calf-raise station, a multi-station cable set, dumbbells, curling bar, and a good elliptical.

On a 2K budget - good elliptical, assisted pull-up/dip/calf-raise station, Smith machine (if possible

kizer permanente Senior Member
1,309 posts 18 reps Joined Aug 2017
Tue, Jul 13, 2021 1:04 PM

We bought ours last year during covid

I got the Powertec Levergym and their weight set with rack. I like it, It's good for a multi-use piece of equipment, but has its drawbacks as a multi-use piece of equipment

https://www.powertec.com/workbench-levergymr-black
https://www.powertec.com/olympic-plate-345-lbs-heavy-set-op-345
https://www.powertec.com/workbench-weight-rack


Got a flat bench on amazon 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07HNLBZ4Y/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s02?ie=UTF8&psc=1


Adjustable dumbbells on amazon. They serve their purpose but it's annoying changing their weights.


https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07W319GQ5/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1


the flooring from amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07KBPTHJN/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1




An ez curl bar i can use with the powertec weights since its olympic size.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004X168VW/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1



A rowing machine for cardio

https://www.waterrower.com/us/natural-rowing-machine.html


And a peloton that my wife uses (i only use rower)

https://www.onepeloton.com/shop/bike/bike-package



ernest_t_bass 12th Son of the Lama
26,698 posts 204 reps Joined Nov 2009
Tue, Jul 13, 2021 6:34 PM

A peloton 

Is that the right answer?

justincredible Honorable Admin
37,969 posts 246 reps Joined Nov 2009
Tue, Jul 13, 2021 6:35 PM
posted by ernest_t_bass

A peloton 

Is that the right answer?

No.

superman Senior Member
4,377 posts 71 reps Joined Nov 2009
Tue, Jul 13, 2021 7:23 PM
posted by justincredible

Feel free to provide links to better resources.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/320752013026377/

friendfromlowry Senior Member
7,778 posts 86 reps Joined Nov 2009
Tue, Jul 13, 2021 7:27 PM

Get a big tractor tire to flip around in your back yard 

justincredible Honorable Admin
37,969 posts 246 reps Joined Nov 2009
Tue, Jul 13, 2021 8:22 PM
posted by superman

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/320752013026377/

So is it Rogue overpriced or is everything overpriced?


gut Senior Member
18,369 posts 115 reps Joined Nov 2009
Tue, Jul 13, 2021 10:44 PM

$459 - Best dumbbells out there: https://www.ironmaster.com/products/quick-lock-dumbbell-system-45-lb-set-original/

Then get the microplate kit for $39, and the 75lb upgrade kit for $169 and you have 10-75 lb quick adjustable dumbbells in 2.5 lb (even 1.25) increments for about $680 plus tax.  That's if you want to leverage those weight plates.  Amazon basics sells nice hex rubber dumbbells for about $1.25 per pound, so a "gym" of 15-50 lbs in 5lb increments is going to cost @ $600.

Maybe $150 for a good adjustable flat/incline bench.  Truthfully all you need for weightlifting.  For the other $1200 it's about convenience and preference.

- Get a quality treadmill with adjustable incline.  Might be invaluable if you hate going outside in winter to run/walk.  I think a good treadmill would start at about $800.

- Consider building yourself a squat rack, with a row/lat pull pulley.  I've seen some videos on youtube and it doesn't look that difficult.  Maybe $200.  Then add an olympic bar and olympic weights, add on a box for step ups and calves and your gym would be pretty much complete.  If you want to leverage the weights from your dumbbells, get a 1" steel bar (high strength), some grip tape, collars and clips for maybe $100.  And buy a pair of 50 lb 1" plates for deadlifts/squats.

Actually, all that would put you close to $2k.  You'd max out bench/squat/deadlift at about 240 lbs, so maybe if things go well you'll be looking to add some plates down the line, but for another $60 or so you can get a pair of 25 lb plates.


I think the Amazon dumbbells might work best for you because you can change weights as quickly as grabbing a set.  If you're going to work heavier, you can get a pair of 14" spinlock dummbells for 1" plates - great for a working set, but suck for changing weight quickly (i.e. warm-ups and drop sets).  If you have the space, this is even more convenient than the Ironmaster.


justincredible Honorable Admin
37,969 posts 246 reps Joined Nov 2009
Tue, Jul 13, 2021 10:57 PM

We have a treadmill and dumbbells already. 

gut Senior Member
18,369 posts 115 reps Joined Nov 2009
Wed, Jul 14, 2021 12:18 AM
posted by justincredible

We have a treadmill and dumbbells already. 

In that case, power cage is what I'd have to have next:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07PVDCMJZ/ref=twister_B081ZRSDQ1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

Just throwing that out there.  Has an optional lat pull/row attachment.  So several options with lat pull/row in the $600-$800 range.  Get one with posts and you'll save money using your olympic plates (as opposed to buying a weight stack).  Depending on how much variety you want, you might look for one that has a t-bar row attachment (although I think you can buy standalone options).  By the way - notice the one I linked has no footrest for seated rows (others have that).  If you have the budget, I'd probably prefer to get a weight stack.

Then get 2-3 olympic bars (because we're lazy and want to leave starting warm-up weights on for squat/bench/deadlift) and like 400-500lbs of plates.


I've used those "multi-home gyms" pieces and...not that they can't get the job done, but I much prefer free weights.  I think unless you're throwing around big weights and/or poor form, you can safely use free weights (even squats and deads) well into your 60's and even 70's.

You really don't need a leg curl or leg extension, and I think free weight alternatives are better AND better for your joints.  But there are benches out there with those attachments either with posts for plates or possibly that could attach to the low cable pulley.

Then look at a plyometric box/platform for step-ups and calves, if you have interest in those exercises.

Ironman92 Administrator
56,729 posts 164 reps Joined Nov 2009
Wed, Jul 14, 2021 8:09 AM
posted by justincredible

We have a treadmill and dumbbells already. 

I have found that regardless of price that treadmills will hold up to 6 coats.


justincredible Honorable Admin
37,969 posts 246 reps Joined Nov 2009
Wed, Jul 14, 2021 8:39 AM
posted by Ironman92

I have found that regardless of price that treadmills will hold up to 6 coats.


Lol


justincredible Honorable Admin
37,969 posts 246 reps Joined Nov 2009
Wed, Jul 14, 2021 3:20 PM

I changed my mind, I'm just going to get one of those Mirror things.

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