Recommendations for a Compact, Cheap Home Gym Setup

mr626 on 25/03/2019 - 20:49
Last edited 25/03/2019 - 20:54

Hello all,

I'm a reasonably fit guy- I play soccer once a week and manage to run a few kms most days.

I'm thinking about looking into a small home gym setup to supplement what I already do, and maybe take the place of my daily run on days where I can't get out of the house for some reason (busy family / work life). I only care about overall fitness- not looking to build muscle in any particular area for aesthetic reasons.

With all that in mind, could you please recommend for me some home gym equipment that will help me achieve this? The more compact, the better. Also (its Ozbargain after all) the cheaper the better (although I don't want to buy junk either- the cheapest I can get without being junk). I'm not opposed to buying second hand if that is worthwhile

I am starting to do my own research on this area, from what I gather those 'all in one' home gym setups are usually not that good? Seems a lot of people recommend buying just a small subset of equipment.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts and suggestions.

Sports & Outdoors Gym Equipment

Comments

  • tabz on 25/03/2019 - 21:13

    What are your goals?

    If it's really just an alternative to your daily runs, maybe get a treadmill?

    Otherwise, if it's something like trying to improve your movement and strength, then maybe doing some calisthenics might work for you.

    Examples of some calisthenics routines:

    • mr626 on 26/03/2019 - 07:54

      Thanks, that's really helpful. I think I'm mainly after an alternative to my run at this stage, so as you say maybe a treadmill (or exercise bike?) might be a good starting point.

      That said, some extra strength / movement wouldn't hurt on the soccer pitch! Thanks for those reddit links

  • modgod on 25/03/2019 - 21:27
    +5

    Tower 200 - You got a door you got a gym

    • serpserpserp on 25/03/2019 - 21:55

      Haha was going to post this tagline!

    • mr626 on 26/03/2019 - 07:54

      I can't tell if this is a real thing or not. Does this actually work?

  • Islund on 25/03/2019 - 21:41
    +1

    Total Gym

    • Nugs on 26/03/2019 - 06:34

      Chuck says so.
      .

  • serpserpserp on 25/03/2019 - 22:39

    OP do you need a treadmill? How far do you run a day if so?

    • mr626 on 26/03/2019 - 07:56

      Daily run is normally 2-3kms. Might not sound like much, but I live in a very hilly area so its a reasonable workout.

      I don't like the idea of a treadmill that much due to the physical footprint of them- would an exercise bike be a reasonable alternative?

      • serpserpserp on 26/03/2019 - 08:56

        No problems, I had a treadmill recommendation but for people that are doing 10km plus on their runs and using it every day it probably isn't suited to them as they might want to go for a more professional gym style machine.

        To be honest, a exercise bike will probably take up 2/3rds on the floorspace as a treadmill anyway. Remember you can fold treadmills to store these days and I use to think folding treadmills were crap but they are so much better (and safer) these days.

        Good luck with your quest. My setup is very simple. 2 x 1x1m insulation gym mat thingos from Bunnings, yoga mat down the middle, gives me all the cushioning I need to do floor work. Then just 2 sets of cheap dumbbells, one set loaded heavily and one loaded light, a sturdy chair that you can do tri-dips and step ups onto and the like and you are done! Maybe get some bands if you need them for extra resistance on things.

        Next on my wish list is a kettlebell or two (but you can safely use a dumbbells in a similar way) and a chin up bar or the like.

  • [Deactivated] on 25/03/2019 - 23:35

    You need to tell us more about your home and your gym routine.

    House/unit/apartment?

    Bodybuilding/strength/powerlifting/Oly?

    Budget?

    Floorspace available?

    Preference of bars, dumbbell, kettles, cables?

    Any need for overhead hanging things like bars or rings?

    With current info supplied, the only thing that comes to mind that's a safe choice is a second hand rower/bike. Can't even use a treadmill in an upstairs apartment.

    If you have the a 3x4m space and a floor that you can drop some bumper plates, all you need is a barbell, bumper plates and some rubber mats. Maybe a few pieces of structural pine and plywood to make a couple of jerk blocks. You'd be lifting washing machines overhead with correct technique before next summer.

    • mr626 on 26/03/2019 - 08:00

      That's fair. I'll answer what I can, in order:

      House. Reasonable size, but no spare rooms that could be dedicated to gym stuff. I don't have a garage or anything like that.

      Not sure about your next query. I'm mostly concerned about maintaining a good level of physical fitness. Don't care about bodybuilding. Extra strength would be good I guess?

      Budget- $500

      My preference of equipment is whatever is most compact whilst still be useful.

      Thanks

      • [Deactivated] on 26/03/2019 - 10:27

        Second hand kettle bells and some rubber mats.

        Lunges, squats, kettle bell raises, and throws. They're all doable indoors except the throw.

        If you have some outdoor space, get a 8kg sledge hammer and an old truck tyre and smash that (should last many years. The rubber dries out before you'll manage to break the tire).

        $500 is really tough but achievable with patience and Gumtree.

        The exercises would vastly strengthen your core and legs.

    • Allan on 26/03/2019 - 08:04

      Also some ideas based on what you said

      Since your a soccer player you probably want good footwork, core stability and coordination - get one of those agility ladders. Great for footwork and kids love it too. Runs around $20

      For cardio/stamina, you could keep doing jogs/run + skipping rope for more footwork and coordination work - around $5-10 for skipping rope

      Without knowing prior injury or lifting history I would go to free gym session/passes and see what you like to do and build a budget version of that at home. You can ask the PTs there for some info too to fine tune your lifting goals

      • serpserpserp on 26/03/2019 - 11:26

        skipping rope for more footwork and coordination work - around $5-10 for skipping rope

        This is a great idea. But I find it difficult to skip indoors and in a apartment I can imagine hitting the roof a bit.

    • serpserpserp on 26/03/2019 - 09:05

      Can't even use a treadmill in an upstairs apartment.

      Yeah you can!

      • [Deactivated] on 26/03/2019 - 09:11

        Cannot Shouldn't

        You better sleep with one eye open. (Not a threat. Not from me anyway). :)

  • HardlyCharly on 26/03/2019 - 13:30

    A single 16kg Kettlebell.

  • mr626 on 26/03/2019 - 14:43

    Thanks for all the replies. I think I might start with a couple of kettlebells and a skipping rope, and I'll keep an eye on gumtree for an exercise bike.

    I love the idea of the sledgehammer and the truck tyre too!

  • Beanvee on 26/03/2019 - 15:31

    Dumbbells and a basic incline bench. With that you can basically do everything, and fold it down when not using it.

  • TheRealCher on 26/03/2019 - 19:08

    There's an app (and book if you really want it) called you are your own gym. If you buy it, it comes with videos too. Ex marine. Has various levels. Is about building functional fitness, like what you need.
    Would also recommend some of the 7 minute workouts because high intensity interval training, given you already run/play soccer, will be good to improve your cardio.

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