I'm looking to get some economical yet safe home equipment so I can start doing my exercise at home instead of waiting in line at the gym for equipment. What sort of home equipment should I get if I want to work out alone and still be safe. I don't want anyone to find me pinned under a bar, that would look bad in the news "Local Man Squashes Self Squating". Need something for squats and bench presses, but also for a good all around safe workout.

You'll want a sturdy rack or half-rack and then a good adjustable bench. The rack should have lots of pin settings, and hold a good deal of weight (I'd say over 600 lbs). The bench should be able to hold the same amount of weight or close to it. No cheap-o benches.

A good bench will run you $130 - $200, and a good rack will run you $250 - $450 normally. Good brands are TDS, Powertec, Body Solid, and Keys. There are other good brands, too.

I have a half-rack/bench combo from Galyan's by Tracker that holds 610 lbs each for $250. So far, working great for me. The most weight I've had on it is 205, but it seems rock solid.

The real trick for safety will be two-fold:
1. Setting the pins on the rack so that you won't be crushed, but can still use your full ROM.
2. Using good form so you don't hurt yourself.

id go with a powertec rack and adjustable bench

i personally do not like doing bench presses in a power rack, even though its safer. The reason is i do not like having to unrack my weights off the bar and adjust the bar hooks, i guess im just lazy

i feel dumbell pressing is the best for chest development anyway and its also the safest because you can just drop the weights when you fail

because i only dumbell press now so that solves that problem, but i like doing close grip bench presses so i use a seperate normall bench press for this

because i can bench more than i can close grip, saftey is not a problem because if i get stuck i can just slide my hands further apart and bench press the weight up

I'm looking to get some economical yet safe home equipment so I can start doing my exercise at home instead of waiting in line at the gym for equipment. What sort of home equipment should I get if I want to work out alone and still be safe. I don't want anyone to find me pinned under a bar, that would look bad in the news "Local Man Squashes Self Squating". Need something for squats and bench presses, but also for a good all around safe workout.

I had to laugh when I saw the statement I put in bold above. Yes, stuff like this does happen. I know all too well, due to the fact that my hip replacement popped and dislocated while I was doing squats not too long ago. (aweful site to see your leg cave on you, in a mirror only inches away) If I had not been squatting in a rack, I could've been seriously hurt. (my trainer used to have me squatting outside of the rack...so that he could spot me "better"? :rolleyes: )
Anyway...if you get yourself a power rack or a nice gunrack/squat rack, you'll be as safe as possible to work out at home.

Yep, a cage with spotter bars will sort you right out, and you're good to go.

Kino, have you seen my gym? (http://www.skoorbs.com/images/gym2.jpg) :D

Kino, have you seen my gym? (http://www.skoorbs.com/images/gym2.jpg) :D

Yes...Skoorb...I've seen your gym...very nice... :lol:
Show us the new revised picture with you putting up 280lbs now... :D

Yes...Skoorb...I've seen your gym...very nice... :lol:
Show us the new revised picture with you putting up 280lbs now... :DIf I show 280 crashing down on my chest, will it be just as good ;)

If I show 280 crashing down on my chest, will it be just as good ;)

No...no getting hurt. It takes all the fun out of everybody getting to congratulate you. Don't be trying to rain on our parade... :lol: