[teaston]

I'm looking for some multi gym advice please guys!

I've been a member of gyms before but it just doesn't last because I just can't be arsed with the faff of driving there in the evening, waiting to use equipment, paying every month until contract runs out etc. So I've been looking online at multi gyms.

There's some decent looking Weider ones at around £400-500, but I've also seen some like the one below for just £200 with good reviews! I'm thinking might as well get a cheapy and if i stick to using it I can upgrade to a better one, or if I don't end up using it then £200 is peanuts to lose.

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Search...m/70kg+gym.htm

I don't want to enter Mr Universe or compete in the worlds strongest man, I just want to bulk up a bit and get a more of an athletic physique. Any help from anyone who owns or has owned or used any home multi gyms is appreciated!

[teaston]

Originally Posted by Lobb

TBH. They're shite. Far too light to be of any use. You need something that you can leg press at least double your body weight without the frame moving around, this don't measure up.

Not bothered about legs tbh, they're already lean and toned enough.

[JLR1969]

Look on eBay as their is loads of used equipment that is normally as new. Ideally you want a weight stack of 100kg so you can grow into it.

I have the below which is not cheap but it's awesome and fits in a small space. Fitness Superstore sell them on 0% over a few years.

Vectra 1450 multi gym

[Lewis Mc]

Originally Posted by teaston

I'm looking for some multi gym advice please guys!

I've been a member of gyms before but it just doesn't last because I just can't be arsed with the faff of driving there in the evening, waiting to use equipment, paying every month until contract runs out etc. So I've been looking online at multi gyms.

There's some decent looking Weider ones at around £400-500, but I've also seen some like the one below for just £200 with good reviews! I'm thinking might as well get a cheapy and if i stick to using it I can upgrade to a better one, or if I don't end up using it then £200 is peanuts to lose.

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Search...m/70kg+gym.htm

I don't want to enter Mr Universe or compete in the worlds strongest man, I just want to bulk up a bit and get a more of an athletic physique. Any help from anyone who owns or has owned or used any home multi gyms is appreciated!

Out of the 10 exercises it states you can do 7 of them with dumbbells, which are far better and smaller than that thing, I'd just invest in a good set of dumbbells and use them for weight training, so much better and you can't compensate with stronger/weaker arms which you can on machines.

http://www.fitness-superstore.co.uk/...ells-pair.html

Add a bench and you can pretty much do 85% of muscle groups in the space of a shoe box,

[Andrewthefirst]

Originally Posted by Lewis Mc

Out of the 10 exercises it states you can do 7 of them with dumbbells, which are far better and smaller than that thing, I'd just invest in a good set of dumbbells and use them for weight training, so much better and you can't compensate with stronger/weaker arms which you can on machines.

http://www.fitness-superstore.co.uk/...ells-pair.html

Add a bench and you can pretty much do 85% of muscle groups in the space of a shoe box,

+ 1 pretty much

teaston- look up a good dumbbell tree and a good adjustable bench (I have iron master @valleyfitness.co.uk) that should be all you need and far better than a so-called multi-gym.

If you get all hardcore you can always add a power rack and bar bell later. All compatible with your bench.

[teaston]

Originally Posted by JLR1969

Look on eBay as their is loads of used equipment that is normally as new. Ideally you want a weight stack of 100kg so you can grow into it.

I have the below which is not cheap but it's awesome and fits in a small space. Fitness Superstore sell them on 0% over a few years.

Vectra 1450 multi gym

Holy crap man, £2800! I want a cheap home workout, not to start my own commercial gym!

I can't see any decent used ones on ebay, plus there would be the problems of delivery, dismantling, packaging, putting it back together likely without instructions and some bits now missing etc.

[teaston]

Originally Posted by Andrewthefirst

+ 1 pretty much

teaston- look up a good dumbbell tree and a good adjustable bench (I have iron master @valleyfitness.co.uk) that should be all you need and far better than a so-called multi-gym.

If you get all hardcore you can always add a power rack and bar bell later. All compatible with your bench.

Dumbbell trees that go up to decent weights seem to be well over £500, or am I looking in the wrong places?

[Rbrown]

If you are not looking to either spend a fortune or look like Arnie, have a look at Decathlon sports:

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/C-880661-weight-benches

I got a relatively cheap bench and weights for using in the garage. It did the trick. I used it when the kids were born as getting to the gym was difficult.

Now rejoined gym, you are welcome to my stuff, but driving to Glasgow to collect doesn't make sense!

Good luck!

[Andrewthefirst]

Originally Posted by teaston

Dumbbell trees that go up to decent weights seem to be well over £500, or am I looking in the wrong places?

They are expensive, unless you can find second hand, or just start out small and add-to as you need more weight.

If you can find the below second hand jump on it! A great set that takes up no space and can be added to easily in terms of bench, extra weight, bars etc.

http://www.valleyfitness.co.uk/quick...lbs-34-kg.html

Don't forget you can do such a lot without weights: run, walk, pull ups, press ups, crunches, dips, squats....endless maybe get a personal trainer for a few sessions just to get a routine then go it alone. Good luck

[siross]

If it were me I'd go for a power rack, bench, olympic bar and enough weights for your needs. That would cover everything you'd need. Otherwise I wouldn't bother.

There's a huge difference between not wanting to look like Arnie or lifting like Eddie Hall and using that as an excuse to not train properly. If you're going to lift weights then why not do it properly?

Train properly to stimulate your muscles and then tailor your diet to meet your goals, whether that be to get as big as humanly possible or look more "athletic" the basics of training are largely similar.

Something like this:

http://www.powerhouse-fitness.co.uk/...ed-edition.php

Then workout a routine based around Squats/Deadlift/Bench. Sorted.

[NISFAN]

I can't offer much other than...

When it comes to fitness equipment, you get what you pay for.

[gr4z]

I just bought a bench, some free weights and a rowing machine from eBay. They are a bit battered but sit in my garage and use them ~3 times a week. When not doing resistance I am running or doing a HIIT session using Youtube (thebodycoach is very good!). This works great for me, cheap as chips and will never ever be a member of a rip off gym again.

[ajfoggy]

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bodymax-Sel...eight+dumbells

[Zippeh]

I fancy one of these:

http://www.powerhouse-fitness.co.uk/...myYaAoDz8P8HAQ

Just need to make sure it fits in the garage!

[cesare87]

U have a Weider C875 at home, great bit of kit. The only problem is you need a whole room to fit it in.

[teaston]

Originally Posted by ajfoggy

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bodymax-Sel...eight+dumbells

They look great! Would definitely take away most of the faff of spin lock dumbells, that would probably end up in me not bothering to use them!

So it looks pretty unanimous that dumbells and a bench would be better, and take up far less space!

[JustChris]

Unless the home gym comes with fit as feck younger ladies it's a complete waste of time.

I had a cable type home gym in the garage and found it really really poor in relation to a good set of free weights. Honestly go for a smaller set of free weights, IMO far more effective.

[Tengocity]

I've been mulling over a similar thought process for our new house, and as we've got no kids I've a got a spare double room to utilise. I'm very much of the mindset that a good set of dumbells, and decent bench, and a pull up bar gives you pretty much everything you need for strength work. I may get a cross trainer for aerobic work too, when I can't get out for a run.
However, the one thing a gym has is decent classes. Not that I was doing aerobics, but as I got older I found the Yoga and Pilates classes very enjoyable!

[Nobby Clark]

Originally Posted by teaston

I'm looking for some multi gym advice please guys!

I've been a member of gyms before but it just doesn't last because I just can't be arsed with the faff of driving there in the evening, waiting to use equipment, paying every month until contract runs out etc. So I've been looking online at multi gyms.

If the motivation isn't there in the first place, you'll never use a home gym. You just need to look on gumtree and eBay to how many people are trying to shift unused weights.

If you think you are kean, buy a cheap barbell and dumbell set from Argos and then think about a multi gym in 6 months. Plenty online workouts to get your teeth in to if you need that extra push.
Finally, have you thought about doing classes at the gym like BodyPump. Really good fun, effective and motivating.

[teaston]

Originally Posted by Nobby Clark

If the motivation isn't there in the first place, you'll never use a home gym. You just need to look on gumtree and eBay to how many people are trying to shift unused weights.

If you think you are kean, buy a cheap barbell and dumbell set from Argos and then think about a multi gym in 6 months. Plenty online workouts to get your teeth in to if you need that extra push.
Finally, have you thought about doing classes at the gym like BodyPump. Really good fun, effective and motivating.

The motivation is there, just not the time really mate. In the 40 or so minutes it takes to get to the gym & get home (not including the time spent there) I could do the entire workout at home!

I absolutely hate classes, I much prefer being left alone to do my own thing!

[teaston]

So after all the great and appreciated advice on here I am now looking at these two:

The Bodymax Selectabells plus stand (saving £60 over buying them seperately!)
http://www.powerhouse-fitness.co.uk/...bell-stand.php

And an incline/decline bench that also will be great for ab exercises:
http://www.powerhouse-fitness.co.uk/...d-ab-board.php

Plus they do 0% finance so could pay just £40pm for 12 months!

Then later I could add a power rack, Barbell & squat stand.

[Tengocity]

Where are you going to put your home gym teaston?