Ok I have searched high and low looking for the right set up. Due to space issues I think I have narrowed it down from a rack system to some sort of bench set up. I have seen quite a few but cannot decide what direction to take. Some systems have the actual bench attached to the weight rack while others allow for the bench to be disconnected. Some have 1 year warranties(which scare me)and others lifetime which is obviously better. Some have a step in squat rack on the back while others don't. Add leg curl attachments? preacher curl?

TDS? Weider? Bodycraft? Xodus? Powertec? it's information overload.

Does anyone want to give a review on the set up they have with pro's and con's? The last thing I want to do is order something, have it shipped and find out some major flaw I didn't think about. Most places around me don't have many floor samples to test out except the lower end sports store models.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

You really can't go wrong with a Powertec or Body Solid power rack and bench. I LOVE my Powertec equipment in every way. No regrets here, I'd buy it all again without hesitation.

Weider stuff, surprisingly, is not that good based on what I've seen. Very low-end, poor construction and low weight capabilities.

I've heard very good things about New York Barbell.

This is not something you want to skimp on. Your life rests in the hands of your equipment when you have 250 pounds over your chest & face and can't get the last rep up. Good equipment should last many years, if not a lifetime.

I never know if I should post stuff here that is already posted on my main site, so at the risk of being redundant here are some pictures of my home gym:

Before and after (http://www.johnstonefitness.com/html/homegym.html) - My old equipment and new setup, lots of links and pricing information.

Working out (http://www.johnstonefitness.com/html/upper_body.html) - I'm not using the rack in any of these, but you can see the overall setup, and my new hanging ab straps & dip belt.

:gl:

I second the PowerTec endorsement, I have a bench and it's a solid piece of equipment.

When I was shopping around I went to Sports Authority (the local walmart of sports stuff) and looked at their benches and you can just feel how cheap they are. They're made of a thin guage metal and don't feel sturdy at all.

Also I think I paid 230 ish for mine whereas the benches at Sports Authority were 99-120. The 230 (maybe it was 270 I forget) also made it a more solid commitment to me. It's not something I'm going to put to the curb or give away because I made the financial commitment to buy it. And as long as I have it I feel the need to use it.

I agree with John, if you're truly serious about a long-term commitment to strength training, you need to invest in safe, solid equipment.

I did alot of research when I purchased my setup. For me, it was between the Powertec and New York Barbells (newyorkbarbells.com) equipment. I went with NY Barbells because their lat attachment did not interfere with placement of the bench inside the power rack. I also bought a Hoist bench, which accepts the leg curl/preacher curl attachments (I might buy later). It was $250 I think, but well worth it. It has wheels and is very solid.

I am very pleased with New York Barbells equipment. Probably the best value out there. Well designed stuff. The power rack system they sell includes dipping handles and plate holders, it is excellent for the price.

The only thing I don't like about the power rack is that it doesn't have a chinning bar, though it does have nice pullup handles (like the Powertec), someday I will use them once I can pulldown my bodyweight.

Good Luck finding the right stuff for you!

Thanks, you guys are making this a quite a bit easier. I don't think the power rack will fit so I'm back to a standard bench set up or possibly an open rack without the top rails. Unfortunately I am in a very old house so height is an issue so the full size racks are too tall. Powertec has a few bench set ups but I worry about safety when lifting alone. The standard benches indicate thay have saftety latches but I don't feel as comfortably as some of the other brands I have seen. TDS has a set up that has a safety stand attachment but I'm not sold on that because the bench is attached. I haven't decided if the attached bench is that much of a problem or not. I think I'm leaning towards a seperate bench for versatility such as Powertec and either a smaller squat rack that will double for bench presses etc or just wait until I have more room for a full power rack set up. I think I can get a good enough work out from a good bench and dumbells for awhile. :db:

I just purchased a NORTHERN LIGHTS OLYMPIC WORKOUT Bench, and I must say it's the best purchase I've made. It has my old WEIDER bench all beat and it's comfortable to use. I created a workout space by cleaning out a section of my basement and put down a carpet (about 10x10, so I have a nice 100sqf section where my stationary bike and bench go.

If I maintian my program well into the summer, I'll go with the NORTHERN LIGHTS powerrack, or the POWERTEC rack. But for my initial fat loss, this bench is plenty.

Don't get into expensive equipment until you've made your commitment and gotten into a routine. I just started 3 weeks ago after 2 weeks of solid planning and I've whittled off 10lbs - man do I feel good.

Ken

Ok I have searched high and low looking for the right set up. Due to space issues I think I have narrowed it down from a rack system to some sort of bench set up. I have seen quite a few but cannot decide what direction to take. Some systems have the actual bench attached to the weight rack while others allow for the bench to be disconnected. Some have 1 year warranties(which scare me)and others lifetime which is obviously better. Some have a step in squat rack on the back while others don't. Add leg curl attachments? preacher curl?
Does anyone want to give a review on the set up they have with pro's and con's?
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.



Ok. I think I got the pic attached, so if you can see it, my bench is a Rockfit 435, and I got it from Big 5. It cost about $160.00, weights not included. Overall I like it. The bench portion is not attached, so it can be moved out of the way for squats, and moved back in for lat bar work. I really like the leg extensions, and the foam padding on the bars is perfect, just enough to make it comfy, but not pillowy. Note that like John's, mine has safety catches so that heavy lifts can be done by a person alone in safety. The one thing I don't like is that your back is pressed up against the barbell when using the lat bar if you leave the barbell in place. A minor gripe. Everything else is solid and works well. Now I just gotta get a damn weight tree.

Ok. I think I got the pic attached...

Whoa! Is that a VITAMAX/VITAMASTER bike I see sneaking in the left side of that picture? Is that the bike you're using?

This is the same bike I'm using. I think it was an old catalogue gimmick bike from the early 90s. However, I find it gets my heart rate up enough (180) for a decent cardio workout. I also like the co-op action - it allows my arms and legs to work together for the almost 30 minutes I'm on it.

That and the old Sylvester Stallone (yes, I'm not ashamed) training music is getting me by great. Hey, I'm old school. Cut me some slack.

Ken (who's considering a stepper, elliptical, treadmill in the spring)

Whoa! Is that a VITAMAX/VITAMASTER bike I see sneaking in the left side of that picture? Is that the bike you're using?

This is the same bike I'm using. I think it was an old catalogue gimmick bike from the early 90s. However, I find it gets my heart rate up enough (180) for a decent cardio workout. I also like the co-op action - it allows my arms and legs to work together for the almost 30 minutes I'm on it.

That and the old Sylvester Stallone (yes, I'm not ashamed) training music is getting me by great. Hey, I'm old school. Cut me some slack.

Ken (who's considering a stepper, elliptical, treadmill in the spring)

Actually, I finally found out that its a model that Sears sold. I got it free (someone down the street was gonna throw it out). I think its a DP 135 Air Master or something like that, but it doesn't have a model number on it so I can't get the user manual. :( But at least I finally ordered a weight tree! Can't wait till it gets here! :)

TDS? Weider? Bodycraft? Xodus? Powertec? it's information overload.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

I went the Powertec Route - my setup is nearly identical to Johns, save that I have the pull down gidget on the back of mine. You probably don't need it, I got it as an encouragement to get the rest of the family lifting...

So, when I got mine, I had a damaged part. I called Powertec, and they transferred my call directly to the warehouse. The guy in the warehouse sounded cranky, but... He sent me the replacement part immediately - 3 days later, I was in business.

That's good business. I'm real happy with my home gym. Best equipment I ever owned.

Oh, something people fail to mention - get a good set of lifting gloves, and if you're going to do squats, I'd recommend a belt too!

Unfortunately I am in a very old house so height is an issue so the full size racks are too tall.

Make sure your floors can handle the load! My rack weighs just under 500, that's BEFORE ME, the BAR and the WEIGHTS.

When I first started lifting, I had a simple bench, and a couple of dumbbells. That's it! You can do a complete workout with those if you plan it. I did it for a couple of months until I had saved up enough for a decent setup.

Don't let lack of equipment slow you down. If you want to change something, start today!

Make sure your floors can handle the load! My rack weighs just under 500, that's BEFORE ME, the BAR and the WEIGHTS.

When I first started lifting, I had a simple bench, and a couple of dumbbells. That's it! You can do a complete workout with those if you plan it. I did it for a couple of months until I had saved up enough for a decent setup.

Don't let lack of equipment slow you down. If you want to change something, start today!

I just ordered the new Powertec bench like John's for $179 because it was such a great deal. I think I'm going to stick with this and dumbells until I have more space. Between the new bench and the year old elliptical I have I should be fine for awhile.