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you're gonna be hard pressed to find a full cage under that price point.
i used valor fitnessbd-9 power squat stands up until my squat started breaking 300 lbs for reps. after that point, not having full safety bars was getting dicey.
if you're willing to go up to $250, i've been using the fitness reality 810XLT for well over a year, and it's held up beautifully.
I have the Euro bar and I like it a lot. I do wish it had a little more whip, but then again, I'm not lifting a ton of weight (100/120ish).
Stall mats: See if there's a tractor supply store near you. Horse stall mats are like $40 for a 4' x 6' x 0.75" piece.
Squat stand: I got this one from Amazon. It's kinda shaky but I've never had a problem and it's rated for 500lbs. It also comes with arms that attach to the stands for benching.
Most important item: A chair to sit on between sets
I got this one on Amazon. It feels very safe and sturdy, but I don’t necessarily recommend it. One of the handles is crooked (see photos in the Amazon reviews... apparently other people have had the same issue), which isn’t a huge deal, but it’s annoying given the price.
It does only take about twenty seconds to (dis)assemble, and it takes up virtually no space when disassembled, so it’s great if you’re limited on space and don’t mind the crooked handle. If you aren’t limited on space and don’t plan on disassembling it often, I would go for a different one.
The most important thing is changing your diet. Use an app like MyFitnessPal or similar and track your calories. Then, just pick some routine and stick with it. I would suggest doing a good mix of cardio and resistance training. You can start simple like trying to walk a couple of miles 3-4 times a week and do some kind of body weight fitness like push ups and pull ups.
If you plan to eventually join a gym then you may not want to invest a lot in at home equipment so body weight fitness might be the best bet. You could get one of the pull up bars that attach to the door frame. My friend has this one that is pretty nice and sturdy and you can swing it down to do rows if you can't do many pull ups yet.
https://www.amazon.com/Perfect-Basic-Pullup-Pull-Progression/dp/B008DNAKQK#customerReviews
Not up at the moment, but the black ones are in stock fairly often lately.
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B08CDNFJB9/ Usually ~$126-131. Same thing as Titan.
I started squatting when I was really skinny (110lbs). It can be really painful until you get a bit bigger. I see a lot of people suggesting pads but I would suggest this device called the Manta Ray. This is what I used when I first started and it really helped with positioning too. Keep working hard! :)
Manta Ray by Advanced Fitness, Squat Load Distribution Device, Barbell Pad Alternative https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0017DGBY8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_AM2R20QDCQH04PJBY0KC?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08CDNFJB9/ Reminder these crash pads have been available often on AMZN.
Weightlifter here, I have these and they work fine. I got them from Amazon for like $175 so I guess the price goes up and down. I sometimes wish I had jerk blocks, but they're big and heavy and a giant pain in the ass to move.
I just bought this on Amazon for $250. I've been extremely happy so far. I've only ever had 350lbs on it, but seemed steady
Fitness Reality Multi-Function Adjustable Power Rack Squat Stand with J-Hooks, Land Mine, Adjustable Weight Horns, Grey
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B084P72GYX/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fab_KWEHFbWAM3V3T
Sure! This is the link.
It’s a little more expensive now than when I ordered it but honestly it’s worked out great for my needs!
I ordered one of those but it got lost in the ether ( showed up as shipped but after 2 weeks tracking never updated beyond info sent to shipper so I cancelled ). I ordered this one instead and have really liked the functionality of it. Nice and stable. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0098MAYNY/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Oooo. Found a fitness reality on amazon.ca mega cheap. 295 CAD which is 220 USD. Thats cheaper than on their site. Super sale. I know its just a squat stand but if I put some better J hooks on there wow I think this is great for me. I didn't really want a huge power rack.
What do you think!? Seems like a great deal and has everything I want. Spotter arms, weight storage, pull up bar, has the connecting bar at the back for extra stability, and even an extra landmine attachment which I dont really care much about. and free shipping! https://www.amazon.ca/FITNESS-REALITY-810XLT-800lbs-Capacity/dp/B084P72GYX/ref=sr_1_8?keywords=fitness%2Breality&qid=1669516606&qu=eyJxc2MiOiIzLjg2IiwicXNhIjoiMy45NyIsInFzcCI6IjMuNDcifQ%3D%3D&sr=8-8&th=1
Oooo. Actually yeah but some are really expensive. This one is mega cheap tho. Super sale. I know its just a squat stand but if I put some better J hooks on there wow I think this is great for me. I didn't really want a huge power rack.
What do you think!? Seems like a great deal and has everything I want. Spotter arms, weight storage, pull up bar, has the connecting bar at the back, and even an extra landmine attachment which I dont really care much about. and free shipping! https://www.amazon.ca/FITNESS-REALITY-810XLT-800lbs-Capacity/dp/B084P72GYX/ref=sr_1_8?keywords=fitness%2Breality&qid=1669516606&qu=eyJxc2MiOiIzLjg2IiwicXNhIjoiMy45NyIsInFzcCI6IjMuNDcifQ%3D%3D&sr=8-8&th=1
Try this bar if you're not already
You should consider trying out a Manta Ray. You could benefit if the weight starts to feel uncomfortable. You also use a high bar position and the Manta is geared towards that position. I used to use one until I got a Transformer bar.
I really like this alternate. It mounts inside the door frame, but is unique because besides being a pull up bar, it swings down for rows. Hope the link works Perfect basic pullup pull-progression on Amazon
I'm in a prewar and was too afraid for a pull up bar. I've got a dip bar that I can do some back exercises on. It's similar to this: https://www.amazon.com/Ultimate-Body-Press-Fitness-Station/dp/B000ICHPIK
If I use pads for deadlifts like (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08CDNFJB9/)
wouldn't that negatively affect my form since it's raised off of the ground a few inches?
I don't intend to completely let go at the top of the deadlift, but when i'm pushing 2x bodyweight or whatever, at least some reps will get sloppy towards the end and will slam the ground a bit.
I'm planning to have it setup in a room, and not garage so the floor is def not as solid.
I noticed a decent markdown on CAP products. I have never used these and they are pretty obviously cheap and there are a few reviews of the items coming broken, but with Amazon's return policy i am not to worried about a risk of needing to return them. For the price, do these seem cheap enough to be worth getting them as entry level versions of these products?
I was weary of this brand being it's on Amazon but I will definitely be looking into it more. My space is very limited and this one looked appealing but it's $50 and seems less safe. Any opinion on it? I'm going to try and see what I can do to make the $200 full cage work first.
Thanks for the feedback!
Btw what’s the general stance on using devices like the manta ray for training? The bar is uncomfortable on my shoulders, I’ve seen people use towels. https://www.amazon.com/Manta-Ray-Advanced-Fitness-Distribution/dp/B0017DGBY8
I'm aware that rod pull-up bars that use tension to hold to the door frame are unsafe but what about something like this?
It's attached to a door frame with screws. I'm planning on attaching it to a concrete doorway. I've read way too many stories of people getting seriously injured by doorway pull-up bars so I want to make sure it's safe.
I'm aware that rod pull-up bars that use tension to hold to the door frame are unsafe but what about something like this?
It's attached to a door frame with screws. I'm planning on attaching it to a concrete doorway. I've read way too many occurrences of people injured by doorway pull-up bars so I want to make sure it's safe.
I don't really deadlift heavy enough in my place for me to not be able to control descent easily, but https://www.amazon.com/Yes4All-Silencer-Weightlifting-Cover-Handles/dp/B08CDNFJB9?th=1 for crash pads helps.
Limited-time deal: Weider Power Tower https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0098MAYNY/ref=cm_sw_r_awdo_navT_g_dl_4A2SQZ2TP67103909137
I had to put sand bags to stabilize the base even more but otherwise great product.
https://www.amazon.com/Yes4All-Silencer-Weightlifting-Cover-Handles/dp/B08CDNFJB9?th=1 crash pad rec.
I'd still lean to bumpers. Assuming apartment living means you're not fully wedded to living in the city/town you're in currently? Bumpers tend to hold up as far as looks the best and will have the best market if you ever need to sell or want to switch to irons in a more permanent location. After that, things like Rep equalizers could be a good choice of a coated plate that'll reduce the clanking. You'll also have to think about your side neighbors.
I use this half rack and it easily covers all my needs. I bought it on sale a few months ago at $220.
How can you tell? It still says “Ships from and sold by Amazon.ca”, so I’m not sure.
Also, after that price went up, I noticed that they’re also selling a half-rack. I wonder if that would be a better option. Normally that would sound like a big step down from a cage, but this half-rack seems to be getting pretty good reviews and it even has advantages over the full size, includes a landmine, weight storage, and it appears to have better j-hooks.
I wonder if that would be a better choice.
Same as Titan, but cheaper https://www.amazon.com/Yes4All-Silencer-Weightlifting-Cover-Handles/dp/B08CDNFJB9?th=1
For deads and heavy DBs they'll be perfect. For dropping bars there is still a decent amount of noise when newer as the vinyl (or whatever the cover is) and the firmness of the foam will still make a 'smack' sound rather than a thump, but it helps reduce the vibration so noise does not travel.