Hello all, I discovered this website a few months back, and decided that I wanted to change my life for the better.
First some stats:
I'm 20 years old, 176cm, about 84kg (185 lbs I think?) and I'm guessing around 28-30% BF.
My goal is to lose a lot of BF and gain some muscle, and I've tried to read up on both on this forum and other sites. I've understood that diet is the most important thing, and I've read up on that a lot (and still trying to learn). As far as cardio goes I have two healthy legs and a road to run on.

But when it comes to weight lifting, I'm very much still a huge newbie. There are no gyms nearby (close enough to fit into any schedule anyway), so I'm guessing I'll have to opt for a home gym. However, I'm a full-time student, so I'm not exactly filled to the brim with money, and therefore I don't want to make any wrong (newbie-fueled) purchases. I really have no idea what equipment gives me the ability to do exercises to gain muscle mass, without hurting myself. Nor do I really know what weight lifting exercises I should do, how often, and when.
When I look at some home gym pictures I see huge machines which probably costs lots of money, and I begin to wonder if that's how much you have to get to see some results. :d_frown:
So really, what I'm wondering about is what type of equipment I should get in order to be able to work out most/all muscle groups, and hopefully isn't too expensive. (I hear free weights is a good option, but if so then how heavy should they be, what types, and what other equipment do I need to have along with the free weights to do different exercises, etc?).

Also I'd like to thank you all for being such an inspiration to me, I would never have gotten started if it wasn't for this site. My basic reasoning behind this decision to get in shape was because of the pictures and posts I have seen on this forum. "If they can do it, then I want to do it too!". So thanks :bow:

(also please excuse any spelling/grammar mistakes, English isn't my first language)

Hello all, I discovered this website a few months back, and decided that I wanted to change my life for the better.
First some stats:
I'm 20 years old, 176cm, about 84kg (185 lbs I think?) and I'm guessing around 28-30% BF.
My goal is to lose a lot of BF and gain some muscle, and I've tried to read up on both on this forum and other sites. I've understood that diet is the most important thing, and I've read up on that a lot (and still trying to learn). As far as cardio goes I have two healthy legs and a road to run on.

But when it comes to weight lifting, I'm very much still a huge newbie. There are no gyms nearby (close enough to fit into any schedule anyway), so I'm guessing I'll have to opt for a home gym. However, I'm a full-time student, so I'm not exactly filled to the brim with money, and therefore I don't want to make any wrong (newbie-fueled) purchases. I really have no idea what equipment gives me the ability to do exercises to gain muscle mass, without hurting myself. Nor do I really know what weight lifting exercises I should do, how often, and when.
When I look at some home gym pictures I see huge machines which probably costs lots of money, and I begin to wonder if that's how much you have to get to see some results. :d_frown:
So really, what I'm wondering about is what type of equipment I should get in order to be able to work out most/all muscle groups, and hopefully isn't too expensive. (I hear free weights is a good option, but if so then how heavy should they be, what types, and what other equipment do I need to have along with the free weights to do different exercises, etc?).

Also I'd like to thank you all for being such an inspiration to me, I would never have gotten started if it wasn't for this site. My basic reasoning behind this decision to get in shape was because of the pictures and posts I have seen on this forum. "If they can do it, then I want to do it too!". So thanks :bow:

(also please excuse any spelling/grammar mistakes, English isn't my first language)

I know it may sound a little wierd but just get anything you can get your hands on. For instance after I saw what John used for the first few months of his transformation (with great results) I just went out to garage sales the next two weekends and was able to get a ton of equipment for under $150. A bench, five sets of DB, 150 pounds barbell set and a stationary bike. I haven't bought anything else and I am happy with my progress. The equipment was used and some of it was beat up pretty good but hey weight is weight. So even if you can only get some dumbbells that would be Ok. You can get a good workout if you are creative enough. :gl:

Hello all, I discovered this website a few months back, and decided that I wanted to change my life for the better.
First some stats:
I'm 20 years old, 176cm, about 84kg (185 lbs I think?) and I'm guessing around 28-30% BF.
My goal is to lose a lot of BF and gain some muscle, and I've tried to read up on both on this forum and other sites. I've understood that diet is the most important thing, and I've read up on that a lot (and still trying to learn). As far as cardio goes I have two healthy legs and a road to run on.

But when it comes to weight lifting, I'm very much still a huge newbie. There are no gyms nearby (close enough to fit into any schedule anyway), so I'm guessing I'll have to opt for a home gym. However, I'm a full-time student, so I'm not exactly filled to the brim with money, and therefore I don't want to make any wrong (newbie-fueled) purchases. I really have no idea what equipment gives me the ability to do exercises to gain muscle mass, without hurting myself. Nor do I really know what weight lifting exercises I should do, how often, and when.
When I look at some home gym pictures I see huge machines which probably costs lots of money, and I begin to wonder if that's how much you have to get to see some results. :d_frown:
So really, what I'm wondering about is what type of equipment I should get in order to be able to work out most/all muscle groups, and hopefully isn't too expensive. (I hear free weights is a good option, but if so then how heavy should they be, what types, and what other equipment do I need to have along with the free weights to do different exercises, etc?).

Also I'd like to thank you all for being such an inspiration to me, I would never have gotten started if it wasn't for this site. My basic reasoning behind this decision to get in shape was because of the pictures and posts I have seen on this forum. "If they can do it, then I want to do it too!". So thanks :bow:

(also please excuse any spelling/grammar mistakes, English isn't my first language)

A set of dumbells and a bench would be a great start. If you go here
http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/exercises.php?MainMuscle=&Equip=Dumbbell&Isolation=
You'll see that there are 94 excercises you can do just with dumbells.

If you have a little more budget, I recommend buying a rack with a set of weight plates and bench (see below...sans bench). A rack will allow you to work all of your muscle groups safely because of the built in safety devices. And, you won't be wasting money as a rack will last with you as your training develops (unlike cheap weight sets). Plus, you'll get to do real squats...

After that, you can begin purchasing dumb bells and eventually cardio equipment.

http://www.lifestylesport.com/41.jpg

If money is tight just get a cheap bench and a bb set. Use dumbells for chest if working out home alone. For legs, if you have no squat stands or no power rack just do hack squats with a barbell, feels uncomfortable at first but it works.

Right now I just workout in my garage, I wedge my barbell diagonally between 2 shelves to create a chinning bar. I use 2 chairs for dips. You really don't need to spend much or even have much equipment to workout. If you can afford it then great, if not just improvise :)

Thanks for the help guys, I'll see what's available nearby, maybe check by a garage sale or two ;)

(I hear free weights is a good option, but if so then how heavy should they be, )


My guess is that you would want to start with a set of DB's between 25lb and 50lb. If you can get a cheap 'set' that you can change the weights, these usually cover the lower weight ranges, but I find them very 'cluncky' and not nice to use.

I don't thing you want tyo do too many isolation exercises to start with and most people I know tend to start too light.

Alright, a local store were having a very cheap sale on different stuff. So I got:
- Bench
http://www.fit-senior.com/acatalog/gr1400.jpg
Not the actual bench, but looks very much like it.

- Dumbbell set (2x 1kg bars, 4x 2.5kg discs to put on the bars, 4x 1.25kg discs)

- Barbell set (1x 9.5kg bars, 2x 10kg discs, also I can put the dumbbell discs on the barbell bar).

Looking good? :D

(Don't know if you use the actual expressions discs and bar. Maybe you use pole or staff instead of bar, not sure. Having a hard time translating between my language and English, hope you understand).

Also remember I've been inactive for quite some time, so not sure if this is too heavy or light as far as weight goes for starting with. They also had plenty of other discs at a very cheap price at the store, so I might go back and get some more if needed.

Alright, a local store were having a very cheap sale on different stuff. So I got:
- Bench
http://www.fit-senior.com/acatalog/gr1400.jpg
Not the actual bench, but looks very much like it.

- Dumbbell set (2x 1kg bars, 4x 2.5kg discs to put on the bars, 4x 1.25kg discs)

- Barbell set (1x 9.5kg bars, 2x 10kg discs, also I can put the dumbbell discs on the barbell bar).

Looking good? :D

(Don't know if you use the actual expressions discs and bar. Maybe you use pole or staff instead of bar, not sure. Having a hard time translating between my language and English, hope you understand).

Also remember I've been inactive for quite some time, so not sure if this is too heavy or light as far as weight goes for starting with. They also had plenty of other discs at a very cheap price at the store, so I might go back and get some more if needed.



Looking good!

I suggest you start with a low weight and pile up the discs untill you find out what your optimal weight is (that is when your last reps are a struggle). Keep in mind that different exercises require different weight.

Alright, a local store were having a very cheap sale on different stuff. So I got:
- Bench
http://www.fit-senior.com/acatalog/gr1400.jpg
Not the actual bench, but looks very much like it.

- Dumbbell set (2x 1kg bars, 4x 2.5kg discs to put on the bars, 4x 1.25kg discs)

- Barbell set (1x 9.5kg bars, 2x 10kg discs, also I can put the dumbbell discs on the barbell bar).

Looking good? :D

(Don't know if you use the actual expressions discs and bar. Maybe you use pole or staff instead of bar, not sure. Having a hard time translating between my language and English, hope you understand).

Also remember I've been inactive for quite some time, so not sure if this is too heavy or light as far as weight goes for starting with. They also had plenty of other discs at a very cheap price at the store, so I might go back and get some more if needed.
Looking very good! You can train every muscle in your body with that setup and bodyweight exercises -- see http://www.exrx.net/ . Although I think you'll need some more weights for your barbell, as you'll definitely be benching/squatting more than 30-40 kg after a while.

Looking very good! You can train every muscle in your body with that setup and bodyweight exercises -- see http://www.exrx.net/ . Although I think you'll need some more weights for your barbell, as you'll definitely be benching/squatting more than 30-40 kg after a while.
Alright, will keep in mind. Can pop by the same store in the morning to see if I can pick up anymore equipment for a cheap price. Can't wait to get into a get routine with this :tu: