Finally building my home gym - equipment recommendations?

[jmg]

My wife and I finally decided to build our home gym downstairs. We're not going to do anything too fancy. The main purpose of the gym is for cardio and a light weight lifting routine. I need some advice, feedback and recommendations for what we have planned:

1) Cover wood floors with an attractive and durable gym flooring - We want to protect our nice wood floors obviously, and and interlocking floor system would be ideal. I've seen some that look like wood grain but I'm not sure it's durable enough for treadmill support. Good brands that won't break the bank and can support a treadmill and elliptical?

2) Treadmill - $1500 budget. Something that will be durable enough for 2 adults to use twice a day each for at least an hour each session (up to 4 hours total use per day). Noise is a minor issue, the gym will befar from the bedrooms, but I'd like to carry a conversation or watch tv while using it. Size is not an issue, but a folding treadmill would be nice provided there isn't too much of a compromise in functionality. Slight incline and range a plus. I don't need heart rate or calories burned function, I don't need a color OLED screen with a live feed to a personal trainer.

3) Elliptical - ditto above. Small footprint would be ideal so long as functionality isn't compromised significantly.

4) Weight bench - It's just a bench, I'm guessing any brand and model will do, but if anyone has any recommendations I'm all ears.

5) Weight rack - a smallish rack that can support some dumbells and a barbell. I'm looking for a all-in-one combo that will fit in the corner.

6) Any other space economical piece of exercise equipment that you can recommend? I do prefer free weights, but I'm open to ideas.

[UncleWede]

I have an elliptical AND a recumbent bike in the Wii room, if you need to drive up to 'Nard and pick them up

We have wood floor, and just a thick "yoga matt" under each. LAst time I moved both, no marks. I use those machines about 1/month since I have a gym membership.

[1MOREMOD]

Dont know about the others but with the weight bench and rack look at the weight they claim to suppport up to. Want significantly more than your bodyweight plus the top amount you will bench.

[Hawkeye]

2 hours a day on the treadmill PLUS an elliptical and weight set? How much are you planning on working out?!?

[jmg]

Originally Posted by Hawkeye

2 hours a day on the treadmill PLUS an elliptical and weight set? How much are you planning on working out?!?

An hr in the morning and an hr at night after work. That's the plan at least. lol

But I did miscalculate. Its actually an hr on treadmill in the morning and an hr on elliptical at night or vice versa for my spouse (one will be ont the treadmill while the other will be on the elliptical etc). So really, each will get used twice a day for a total of 2 hrs.

[RedlinePSI]

Save the space and money: forget the treadmill. See if you can fit in a small universal.

Elliptical and run outside should cover it. Spend a quarter the time running for real and get 5 times the benefit.

[The Chaddening]

Rogue fitness equipment.

Get a power rack for squatting, benching and deadlifting. Make sure it has a pull up bar on it. Weight adjustable dumbbells. Kettlebells up to 50-60 lb.

Concept 2 rower is probably the best piece of cardio equipment you can own. Get a jump rope. Get a wooden plyo box for box jumps and step ups.

[///3dkn]

Originally Posted by DonaldPump

Rogue fitness equipment.

Get a power rack for squatting, benching and deadlifting. Make sure it has a pull up bar on it. Weight adjustable dumbbells. Kettlebells up to 50-60 lb.

Concept 2 rower is probably the best piece of cardio equipment you can own. Get a jump rope. Get a wooden plyo box for box jumps and step ups.

^^^THIS

But I would get regular iron-grip dumbbells if your gym can fit it, with a dumbbell rack.

[1MOREMOD]

Pretty happy with my pr fitness set up as well

[PoorLurker]

I just googled indoor home gym and I feel so inadequate and poor right now.

Personally, I would be too lazy to work out at home. I am typically falling asleep around 9o'clock. I need to leave my house so I can be awake to lift.

[bosstones]

Originally Posted by DonaldPump

Rogue fitness equipment.

Get a power rack for squatting, benching and deadlifting. Make sure it has a pull up bar on it. Weight adjustable dumbbells. Kettlebells up to 50-60 lb.

Concept 2 rower is probably the best piece of cardio equipment you can own. Get a jump rope. Get a wooden plyo box for box jumps and step ups.

lol....it's like you've been peeping into my basement. Not shown are Ironmaster adjustable dumbbells (you can kinda see part of the stand peeking behind the banana bag.

Personally, I went the rack route for versatility. Built my own lifting platform.

[The Chaddening]

Originally Posted by bosstones

lol....it's like you've been peeping into my basement. Not shown are Ironmaster adjustable dumbbells (you can kinda see part of the stand peeking behind the banana bag.

Personally, I went the rack route for versatility. Built my own lifting platform.

Well done, sir.

[hooligan_E84]

jmg Are you training for races or just looking for general cardio work?

We have a Peleton bike and love it. Much easier on your joints than running (even on a treadmill) and will take up less floor space, too. Unless you're training for races, I would at least consider that option. I love rowers, too, but they are not terribly space efficient. If space isn't an issue - it's a wonderful option.

Our set up:

In the house - Peleton bike + yoga area in the bonus room.

In the garage - PRx folding squat/bench rack, flat bench, bar and bumper plates up to 340lbs (need to get another pair of 45s), rower, pull-up rig, slam balls, wall balls, jump rope, kettlebells, plyo boxes.

[jmg]

Originally Posted by hooligan_clt

jmg Are you training for races or just looking for general cardio work?

We have a Peleton bike and love it. Much easier on your joints than running (even on a treadmill) and will take up less floor space, too. Unless you're training for races, I would at least consider that option. I love rowers, too, but they are not terribly space efficient. If space isn't an issue - it's a wonderful option.

Our set up:

In the house - Peleton bike + yoga area in the bonus room.

In the garage - PRx folding squat/bench rack, flat bench, bar and bumper plates up to 340lbs (need to get another pair of 45s), rower, pull-up rig, slam balls, wall balls, jump rope, kettlebells, plyo boxes.

Cardio Work. I like the idea of the bike! What do you like about it? I don't really need the touchscreen, so I'd rather not pay for it. Whats another good option?

[hooligan_E84]

Originally Posted by jmg

Cardio Work. I like the idea of the bike! What do you like about it? I don't really need the touchscreen, so I'd rather not pay for it. Whats another good option?

The screen is the best part - for $10/mo or something you get access to TONS of on demand spin classes, search-able by length, instructor, type, music genre, etc.

You can also participate in classes streamed live from one of their studios.

[FlaPatsFan]

Op...one of the best pieces of equipment I have in my garage/home gym is my Schwinn Airdyne bike! I have a love/hate relationship with it.

You can find them for a good price used and they don’t take up much space. And if you use it right it’s a kick ass training tool! Simple yet very effective! Old school shit!

[PoorLurker]

OP pays 4 times average price for his home because weather

wants to spend 4 hours a day inside.

[PoorLurker]

[jmg]

Originally Posted by PoorLurker

OP pays 4 times average price for his home because weather

wants to spend 4 hours a day inside.

LOL, it's already dark out when I get the chance to work out!

[TheWatchGuy]

for floors, go to any farm supply store and get their rubber stall mats. usually $75 and under for 4'x8' 3/4" rubber mats.

what i did for my home gym was scoured craiglist for decent treadmills, bikes and elliptical, as well as a power rack and weights. usually you can find these things at an extreme discount because people hate moving them, and people stop using them. get olympic size weights and bar. Get some bumper plates as well if you do those type of lifts.

Bench, best to buy a good one. hit up a sporting goods store and try them out and get one that feels right to you. A bad bench that doesnt fit your body sucks.

Free weights, unless you have a lot of space and want to spend a lot of money, get the all in one systems like bowflex. makes it nice to just turn a dial and have 5-50lb dumbbells available, and mine have been pretty durable.

[Daftasabrush]

IMO no home gym is complete without one of these:

[Torgus]

Unless you have a lot of space in your home unused or gyms are super far away I vote a gym membership. Save you $$$.

Save the space for something useful like the above Bar. Bottles will not drink themselves, I know from experience.

I've done the home gym thing, I prefer going to the real gym for a number of reasons.