Just looking for recomendation for starter equipment on a budget. So far I have just been using dumbbells. I was just looking for a bench at first but from my reading I feel like I need a dip and pullup station. What do I get first and any specific models that you recommend with Price to quality in mind.

I would search this forum for the Marcy smith machines. Excellent equipment for the price.

all i have for my 'home gym' and approximate costs

stand alone pullup bar: $80
http://ncogni.to/gallery/d/5423-2/DSC01493.JPG

small cheapo barbell with 100lbs of weights: free from side of road
http://ncogni.to/gallery/d/5735-1/DSC00258.JPG

everlast punching bag from garage sale: free (get it out of here)

pair of 25# dumbbells : free from craigslist
http://ncogni.to/gallery/d/5737-1/DSC00259.JPG

dip belt : $30 from play it again sports
http://ncogni.to/gallery/d/5536-1/DSC00017.JPG

elite gymnastics rings : $75 from ringtraining.com
http://ncogni.to/gallery/d/5366-2/DSC01415.JPG



all i need to get now is a 20# medicine ball or so, and a little more weight on the bar and i'll be pretty darn good. eventually i'll upgrade to a full blown 7' olympic bar, but i'm moving in two months, and i can do everything i need here. for chest i do pushups, flys , dips, weighted dips, and a bunch of stuff like that all on the rings.

for back i do pullups, weighted pullups, ring rows, false grip ring pullups, muscle ups (also works chest), dead lifts, deadlift / high pulls / etc

for total body i do the olympic lifts, front squat into push press, back squat into push jerk, farmers walks, overhead squats, pistol squats holding just the bar above my head, weighted pistols, plyo jumps holding weight, and turkish getups

so basically with very limited equipment i'm able to get a very solid workout.

total money spent: $185

Thanks Mattback, I'll have to refer back to your post for some of those workouts and see if I can setup something on the cheap like you have.

I just went to a regular gym yesterday. my strenght is definitely up in my chest and shoulders since using the rings...

while i STRUGGLE to get 15 dips on the rings while fresh, i was able to crank out 25 bar dips like it was nothing AFTER doing flat bb press (3x10), then db press (3x10)... i did 25/15/15 on the bars not even really trying.. but on the rings, i'm lucky if i get 15/10/8.. they are just that much harder.

so they definitely work.

I was hoping for a picture of you sled dragging that boat. :lol:

ill do it, but i have a 6500 lb van that my friends and i push up and down the street when we really want a workout.