Might start going to a different gym.

[Lizard]

I went to the gym today thinking: Everyone says that free weights are better than machines, perhaps I should consider going somewhere else. Then when I got there I saw that the Bench press/shoulder press machine was "temporarily" out of order. I know this place, when something breaks they take ages to replace it. So I just concentrated on other excersises and did some pushups. I'm going to see if there is anywhere else nearby with better facilities. Exactly what should a good gym have?

Alternatively I was thinking of buying some equipment and working out at home which would be more convenient and cheaper in the long run. If so what things would I need? I was thinking of some dumbells, a pull-up bar of some sort and perhaps a proper bench press (In which case I would be able to say that my facilities were better than theirs!).

[Tom Yum]

jump rope?

[Lizard]

Great Idea! I can improve my cardio fitness too! And Excersise my calf muscles. I'm assuming you were answering both questions.

[Biker]

I don't know where you live or what you have available, but a large name gym is your best bet. Something like Gold's or World Gym. The equipment is usually better and if something breaks they're pretty prompt about getting it fixed, especially if it's a hardcore gym. Don't wanna piss off the hardcore guys by having some broken equipment.

Pros to working out at home:

Convenience
Cheaper
No waiting to use equipment
Always open

Cons:

Might be hard to get a spotter
Lack of variety of machines, benches
Possible lack of space
Good equipment can be hard to find/expensive

Gym pros:

Most everyone will spot for you
More weights than you'll ever use
Variety of equipment

Cons:

Gotta get there
Gets expensive over time
They get busy and you might have to wait for equipment
Limited hours, sometimes

[Lizard]

OK I'll do some research and try to find a good gym in my area. If I don't find any or their not good enough then I'll train at home. I won't be able to excersise hamstrings at home and I won't be able to do seated rows or leg presses but apart from that I'd be alright.

What does a spotter do? Do they watch you on the bench press to make sure you are ok?

[Biker]

A spotter is someone who assists with a lift. Like with the benchpress. Let's say you are trying for a maximum or working to failure. The spotter will help lift the weight if you need it so you won't get injured. Spotters can be used for just about everything, squats, benching, barbell curls, etc. They let you get that little bit extra out of working out and so you will be safer.

[Thai Bri]

Lizard, havent you posted advice to people about weight training, yet don't know what a spotter is?

Anyway. I weight train at home. I love it. No dick heads telling you they know a better way to do the exercise. And no numpty sitting on the equipment having a rest.

Heres what I have.

1 x 7' long bar. Not really heavy duty, but I am not the incredible Hulk.

2 x swivel collar dumbell bars

About 150 kilos of standard weights, in various sizes

One sturdy bench

One "half cage". This has safety arms that you can set to the appropriate height. For example, it saves you from strangling yourself if you cant lift the bar on the bench press, or breaking your back if you get stuck in the squat.

One pulley system. This attaches to the safety cage and I can do pull downs and cable rows etc.

The whole lot probably costs about £500. But, like you said, it pays for itself. Its all in my garage. Half of it is for bag work etc, the other half the weights. No room for the car. Who cares? That garage is my little haven in the world.

[Lizard]

Originally posted by Thai Bri
Lizard,
Anyway. I weight train at home. I love it. No dick heads telling you they know a better way to do the exercise. And no numpty sitting on the equipment having a rest.

Yeah I hate them too. I only give advice to people on things that I'm sure about, things that people (like biker) have told me and that I have tried and found that they work. Unfortunately the gym I go to is sh*t and only has a benchpress machine (instead of free weights), in fact that's one of the reasons I'm going to stop going there.

Thanks for giving me the details of your equipment, whatever the moderaters say, you can be constructive (and funny too).

I've been doing some research on the internet, I think most of these products are targeted at women who want to lose weight. "Dumbells range from 1kg to 10kg"

[Lizard]

Could you use a half cage to do chin ups? Good weights seem very expensive. There's one place near me but I'm not sure if it's still open, I'll try there sometime.

[Lizard]

I don't have much space and they said that they will be getting some new equipment soon so I'll wait to see what they get before making a descision. They've fixed the bench prees/shoulder press machine. While it wasn't working I did some push ups which helped to excersise my stabaliser muscles, Push ups are easier but I can't do as many as I used to (strength has gone up my endurance is terrible), I also trained harder on the other excersises. It turns out that before they fixed it there was a lot of friction, it's much easier to lift now I'm stronger than I thought I was which is a nice suprise. What's everyone's opinion of butterfly machines (AKA pec decs) because the place I go doesn't have one of them either (at least not at the moment), is the bench press better or is it a good idea to isolate the pectoral muscles as well?

There is nowhere else near me.

[Thai Bri]

A friend of a friend is a physiothrapist. He reckons that the pec dec is one of the most harmful pieces of equipment going. One of them is inbuilt in my Half Cage, but I have never used it.

You can use the half cage for pull ups, as long as you have the ceiling clearance.

Go here for excellent training advice and knowledge about safe and productive weight training

https://www.hardgainer.com

ps - "I only give advice to people on things that I'm sure about, things that people (like biker) have told me and that I have tried and found that they work."

Yep. You sound like one of them dick heads.

[Biker]

That a slam, Bri?

[Lizard]

"ps - "I only give advice to people on things that I'm sure about, things that people (like biker) have told me and that I have tried and found that they work."

Yep. You sound like one of them dick heads."

If someone asks "I want to gain muscle mass, is it best to eat lots of small meals or one big huge meal?" Then I will tell them that it is best to eat lots of small meals because I know this to be true. If someone says "What is a spotter" and I do not know because the place where I go does not have a proper bench press then obviously I won't answer, instead I will look at the replies and try to find out, after which I will know what a spotter is.

I'm just trying to be a productive member of the forum.

[Lizard]

Why is the pec dec a harmful peice of equipment?