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F2C Max Load 550Lbs Pair of Adjustable 40"-66" Squat Rack Sturdy Steel Squat Barbell Free Bench Press Stands Gym/Home Gym Portable Dumbbell Racks Stands (one Pair/Two pcs)?
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I found these squat stands on Amazon but unsure if they would be safe. I can only squat about 250 lbs right now but I'm not sure if the spotter arms would actually protect me from a failed back squat or bench.
I'm going to have to go with a soft YTA, because you have alternatives, but there is nowhere else to squat.
I would suggest seeing if your gym will by a couple of standing rests, or let you buy a set and store it there to use during your workouts.
Here is a cheap example: https://www.amazon.com/F2C-Adjustable-Barbell-Portable-Dumbbell/dp/B018XDH17K/
Yeah been scouting around for a portable stand that can fit a sedan as I am usually working outside. Something like this but with a decent load and online reviews.
& I agree with that argument. I focus on strength so usually don't push past 5 reps per set but may have to redo my program to accommodate variation and volume work.
For the big 3, you basically just need a squat rack that can handle your squat weight x1.5. for the averages person, that's gonna be something like this https://www.amazon.com/dp/B018XDH17K/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_YL4zFb7PWW67G
Any upgrades to that get you things like a pull-up bar or safeties. But really, that, some iron plates, a barbell and 2 horse mats are all you really need. The priciest bit will be the weights.
For a new barbell, assume 400 shipped. You can find less (got my rogue boneyard for 200), but that's a pretty easy price to assume for budgeting purposes. A basic starter kit of bumper plates will be around 600, same story
> I've seen some youtube videos recommend basic $50 amazon benches,
I'm guessing they know their audience and know the viewer is likely gonna be repping dumbbells on it. If you know you want to put up serious weight, (or want to train for that) I would just invest in a quality bench. You're gonna pay even more of a premium if you want it to be adjustable considering that requires joints strong enough to be able to withstand the weight. If you want to save money, just go with a solid flat.
> 3) How stable are squat stands? Especially for the ones where it's 2 separate stands, I'm worried that the bar will tip over while I'm loading plates.
I initially ordered these squat stands from Amazon but I was told by this sub that these weren't reliable for heavy squats.
I sprung for $450 squat stands from a local vendor that seem very high quality and sturdy. If you want to save money, you can hope Rogue or Titan restocks theirs and jump on it. You're going to have to be quick.
Are there any independent squat stands in stock anywhere? I had ordered these off Amazon but I'm not entirely sure I trust them. I do plan on squatting 400+ lbs.
I found squat stands like these cheap on Craigslist and used them for awhile as a landmine stand.
They were serviceable, but not the sturdiest with any significant weight on it or at any real heights higher than the base height of the stands.
I ended up selling them and getting the Titan one and it's much sturdier. Plus the angle of the stand makes it much easier on the barbell. I find that it's worth it having something made specifically as a landmine stand than anything I tried to DIY.
Also thought about using a weight tree, but never actually did.
I lift weights in my basement. I got a bench and some squat stands. The squat stands I have feature a "safety bar" of sorts that I can position for bench press or squats to add a level of safety.
If you want to go all-out, you can get a power rack.
I thought the squat rack was the "cage". While of course he could buy something like that (it is expensive), what I meant was something like this: https://www.amazon.com/F2C-Adjustable-Barbell-Portable-Dumbbell/dp/B018XDH17K/ref=sr_1_4?s=exercise-and-fitness&ie=UTF8&qid=1480146512&sr=1-4
Not sure if you can call this a traditional squat rack though...
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B018XDH17K/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Yeah, it's pretty good and versatile if you're not lifting too heavy.
tl;dr I use adjustable barbells for my at-home routine but they have big limitations for certain key exercises - I'm wondering if anyone has come up with any solutions to these problems.
I've built a small home gym (well, a small 1br apartment gym) over the course of the pandemic and have been struggling to scale up the weight for certain exercises, such as hip thrusts and bench presses, in a way in which doesn't risk injury just getting the bar in position for the exercise.
The equipment I'm using are the Bowflex 2080 and the PowerBlock Pro adjustable dumbbells with straight and EZ curl bar attachments (I know there's overlap in functionality, but I purchased these over the course of 2020 and early 2021 as equipment became available and as my training routines evolved). Both have been upgraded to their maximum respective weights - 90 lbs./dumbbell for the PB and 120 lbs. for the Bowflex. I started using some inexpensive racks I found on Amazon as I've moved up in weight, but their usefulness has only gone so far.
A few examples:
- Hip thrusts: weight progression was fast for this exercise, so getting under the bar to set up quickly became an issue as the bar can't be rolled and the clearance between the ground and the bar is very narrow. I used the spotter catches at first, but found they required a lot of shifting and jimmying to first get under then to get them out of the way; it seemed like I was inviting injury with that approach, so eventually I stopped. After that, I tried other scaling options, such as single-leg variants or using an elevated surface with a more manageable load (shifting and jimmying was still required, but it was less problematic with a lighter weight). Those were OK, but I've found it challenging to focus on the glutes and keep the quads and hamstrings from taking over, even with a lot of experimentation, so I eventually just stopped doing them.
- Bench Press: the rack has been more useful for these, but it still requires a clean to get it in to position. This isn't too problematic a lot of the time - I'm never going to go super-heavy alone in my apartment - but I've gotten to the point where I'm spending more energy getting the bar into position more than I'd like.
Has anyone encountered and solved these issues, or at least found good workarounds? I did search for solutions on this and other subreddits, but didn't find anything that addressed this issue. I've contemplated investing in a traditional barbell setup, which would undoubtedly solve most of these issues, but I'd like to spend money on other things in 2022 given that, on the whole, I'm satisfied with the current equipment.
Any thoughts? Thanks in advance!
If you don't have room for a rack, what about a set of stands like these?
I find having home workout options helpful. I hate the gym, so this is helpful for me. Weights and racks are expensive, tho but there could be some okay options to get you through a depressive episode until you feel like doing the gym again. I’m linking some stuff (on mobile so sorry if it doesn’t work!)
I hope these are helpful or the advice/support you’re looking for. You can do this and it’s ok if you need to take a break. A big part of BP2 health is rest so make sure to give your body that, too.
Amazon, actually. I'm waiting on a custom power rack now, but that rack gets it done!
Fair enough, thanks for responding. Glad you understand the value of that too.
Any reason you decided to get the rack rather than a bench and something like this or this? Assuming "cheap on fb marketplace/craigslist" right? Nothing negative meant by that (just in case it wasn't obvious).
Also: Your parents make you pay rent? Jesus.
Got the rack on Amazon for $175 - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B018XDH17K/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Got the barbell & plates on eBay for $750.
Hello stranger!
I have actually been slowly building a home gym and don’t have too much to spend either.
From my experience, it’s going to be tough to find cheap bumper plates that are still decent quality. I went with Vulcan Alpha plates. It’s generally cheaper to start buying a weight set and adding too it as you go instead of buying pairs of weights individually. Also check for shipping costs, weights from one company might be cheaper but they will charge you for shipping so in the end the price isn’t much different.
https://www.vulcanstrength.com/Vulcan-Alpha-Bumper-Plates-Set-p/alphbsets.htm
I order a squat stand and weight rack from Amazon, they are holding up well so far.
F2C Max Load 550Lbs Pair of... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B018XDH17K?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
XMark All-in-One Dumbbell Rack,... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B076THXJ9F?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
The last thing I need is some floor matting, I’m going to be getting 3/4” horse stall mats from Tractor Supply. A mirror and some random dumbbells and a kettlebell or 2.
All in under $1000 put together over a couple months to ease the impact.
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