Exercise Equipment - What Do You Use?

I have not been to the gym in years, probably since 2004. I have been focusing on just buying different pieces of equipment, to mimic total body strength training. The latest asset to my arsenal is a 75lb workout vest.



Basically it allows you to literally shoulder more weight, aside from the load you get from your body alone. I have not received the shipment yet, but I plan on using it to add more challenge to pull-ups, dips, and cardio-based workouts.

Does anyone else have any gadgets or jock-stuff, they have around their places, that they use for workouts?

(yeah that's right, I want to know because I'm planning a home invasion)

 

I have simple stuff - a treadmill, elliptical (has iFit), hand weights, resistance bands, ankle/wrist weights, yoga mat, stay-ball, & a pedometer... other than that just sporting equipment. (bowling ball, golf clubs, softball equipment, soccer ball, etc). I haven't really delved into much techno gadgetry because it all seems so expensive. Maybe I'm shopping in the wrong store? haha

 

Elliptical, 45 degree extender, weights and bands. That's all unless you count running shoes.

 

you know, i was meaning to pick up a pedometer. As for yoga, I never really got into that. I may look into it in the future. I think it could help in my somewhat stressful life.

 

I started taking yoga again. I go once a week due to other workouts. Its hard though you will like it.

 

uh huh

 

2/300 Kg's of free weight disks;
2 Standard 1" bars;
2 Squat stands (will invest in cage at some point);
1 EZ-Curl bar (rarely used, better to habituate the wrists to work both Biceps heads;
1 Triceps bar (again, rare use, only when I need hammer curls for my Brachiali AND I'm short on time)
1 Benchpress bench with Lat Tower and Leg Curl/extension attachments;
1 Foldable bench for assorted work;

I recently made my own triceps rope out of strong cord, as well as a cuff attachment out of heavy duty velcro, both from B+Q at a snip of the price it would have cost, and time it would have taken for delivery.

 

that's interesting. I would love to rig up something like that. I would also love to just have a basement to turn into a gym, with all the stuff I accumulated over the years. I ordered a nice bench/squat setup from wal-mart (i think it was wal-mart, I usually order junk online) that I have yet to put together. I also need a bar and plates. Resistance bands and dumbbells are fun, but sometimes you get bored and just need to change things up.

 

Yeah, when you think about it, Gym membership is like paying rent to use the space in the gym, if you don't have spare space in your home for equipment. Altogether you could put buy what I have for about £300 or so, which is what most gym members pay yearly in fees...

I'm forever being asked by mates, "What equipment I need to get started?", I'll offer an intro session at my place, then I'll tell them where to buy benches, bars, disks, matting etc, all for under £100, I've also gone with them twice. I don't want anyone spending money unnecessarily. One of them just completely ignored my counsel and ordered a blingy multigym for £1400, I think he only wanted to impress his wife that he was serious!!!

:smt021

Anyway, I completely agree with you about mixing things up, I do occasionally hit my local muscle gym, as they have a brilliant Leg-press (and the only one in a 3 mile radius!!). While I'm in there I'll use ONLY the stuff I don't have at home, even if that means training bodyparts out of sequence, ie pull and push work in the same session.

Resistance bands are pretty underrated, that's next on my shopping list, which right now consists of:

1 Resistance band;
2x 10Kg disks;
1x Swiss Ball.

 

I would love to get back to doing the leg presses and the reverse leg curls. I don't like paying to use a gym tho. Like I said, if I had a basement, I'd trick it out nicely.

 

It is a great workout. There are alot of guys in my class and all really buff. You feel really good afterwards and more mentally relaxed. You should give it a try. It really is a perfect blend of workout and stress reliever.

 

The weighted vest came today, to my surprise. I remember ordering the 75lb one, but I'll be damned if it did not feel like a log. It came pretty quickly via USPS and the postal guy was dropping F bombs, like nobody's business, because he had to lug the packages with no support. Just a word of advice to anyone thinking about purchasing one though; they're rather cumbersome and a challenge to put on at first.

You can unload the front weights to make it lighter, and put it on that way, but then you'll have a lot of weight on the back pulling it backwards. After getting my form right, I put it on fully loaded, but it took practice and patience.

Tried hitting the pull-up tower with it, for shits and giggles (wasn't a lat day today), but it's pretty evident that I may need to lower the weight. Works wonders with sit-ups and calisthenics also. Makes something that's easier a bit more challenging, in hopes of strengthening up the core.

 

haha I bet you are that UPS guys FAAAVORITE now;-)

I own freeweights, different resistance bands, a simple leg machine - a butterfly bar (dont know the name in English, just translating it, with heights for tricepts/biceps etc). I also have a weight vest with 25 lb that I use (nothing like Petty's 75 lb!!!), a yoga mat, a balance ball and 2 medicine balls (diff weight) and a bosu balance trainer I stand on and do weight training to increase difficulty - love that thing.

 

I thought 75lbs would be light actually (it has extra pockets to increase weight to 90lbs - to think I was looking at a 120lb one too). Like a 45lb plate you put on the end of a bar + an extra 30lb. Like I said, it felt like lifting a log. And it wasn't a UPS guy, it was a regular USPS guy. He's used to dropping off letters and crap like that, not jock stuff. lol

 

OH NO!!! you might wanna give him a tip or something so he doesnt pee in your mailox giggle
Yeah, the 25 lb vest is good enuff fo rme, that thing tires me out!

 

Don't hurt yourself there, sugarfoot.

 

what did you call me??!!
*flinging the 25 lb weigh vest at Petty*
- clonk -
See, is it enough now??

Giggle

 

ur laughing, but the postal worker was like 60...and cursing..which i NEVER seen him do before..I would have gave him a tip, if they didnt pay them so much already

 

That is bad!!!!! what if he has a hernea now?

 

then i suggest he invest in a back-brace, and wrap that shit tight..because i have a big cheesecake coming tomorrow.