# What is a good, all around weight bench/home gym? **URL:** \ **Category:** PittSpeed Off Topic\ **Created:** [September 30, 2007, 4:53pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/what-is-a-good-all-around-weight-bench-home-gym/192729 "2007-09-30T16:53:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![06se-r](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/0/c5a1d2/32.png) [@06se-r](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/06se-r)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2007, 11:42am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/what-is-a-good-all-around-weight-bench-home-gym/192729/21 "2007-10-01T11:42:57Z")
depending on how much time you have, you could joina gym for a lot cheaper then building your own. it only takes an hour or so per day to workout, its all in how much time u have ---
**Author:** ![Mitternacht](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a8b319/32.png) [@Mitternacht](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Mitternacht)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2007, 11:48am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/what-is-a-good-all-around-weight-bench-home-gym/192729/22 "2007-10-01T11:48:23Z")
> [@bics56"](#): > > Smith machines are a joke…I would stay away from them. Do they just not work good? They look like they were built pretty well. ---
**Author:** ![SP71Supra](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/sp71supra/32/5955_2.png) [@SP71Supra](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/SP71Supra)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2007, 11:55am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/what-is-a-good-all-around-weight-bench-home-gym/192729/23 "2007-10-01T11:55:01Z")
> [@Useless GIF](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/useless-gif/32780/3): > > Do they just not work good? They look like they were built pretty well. He is right, I bought one before I really knew what I was doing. It balances the weight for you. You can easily lift more on a smith machine than you could by using free weights. ---
**Author:** ![Mitternacht](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a8b319/32.png) [@Mitternacht](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Mitternacht)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2007, 12:01pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/what-is-a-good-all-around-weight-bench-home-gym/192729/24 "2007-10-01T12:01:52Z")
Not long ago my dad told me he saw one, i think in Dick’s Sporting Goods, for $600. ---
**Author:** ![TwoFortySX](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/twofortysx/32/6014_2.png) [@TwoFortySX](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/TwoFortySX)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2007, 12:05pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/what-is-a-good-all-around-weight-bench-home-gym/192729/25 "2007-10-01T12:05:41Z")
> [@Useless GIF](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/useless-gif/32780/3): > > Do they just not work good? They look like they were built pretty well. they have their place in training and its not the quality of the actual machine that makes them somehwat undesirable. The bar on a smith machine only has one range of motion which doesn’t take into account the individual using the machine. a smith machine can out you in a vulnerable position while performing a number of exercises. Like mentioned before it also slows the development of your secondary and stabilizer muscles. ---
**Author:** ![imported\_gearhead](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/imported_gearhead/32/5957_2.png) [@imported\_gearhead](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/imported_gearhead)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2007, 3:15pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/what-is-a-good-all-around-weight-bench-home-gym/192729/26 "2007-10-01T15:15:43Z")
Maybe there is a gym up here I could look into. I’m just not into lifting in that environment, I’d rather have something at home to do myself. ---
**Author:** ![jph102900](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/jph102900/32/6049_2.png) [@jph102900](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/jph102900)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2007, 3:28pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/what-is-a-good-all-around-weight-bench-home-gym/192729/27 "2007-10-01T15:28:47Z")
> [@RidinDirtyCrx's Build Thread (Now Running)](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/ridindirtycrxs-build-thread-now-running/26260/36): > > Maybe there is a gym up here I could look into. I’m just not into lifting in that environment, I’d rather have something at home to do myself. I didn’t think I would like the gym either. I am not a particularly strong guy and I thought that people would look down on you at the gym if you weren’t ripped, but half of the people there are fat and middle aged, so I don’t feel so bad. ---
**Author:** ![bics56](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/47e85d/32.png) [@bics56](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/bics56)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2007, 5:07pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/what-is-a-good-all-around-weight-bench-home-gym/192729/28 "2007-10-01T17:07:45Z")
> [@TwoFortySX"](#): > > they have their place in training and its not the quality of the actual machine that makes them somehwat undesirable. The bar on a smith machine only has one range of motion which doesn’t take into account the individual using the machine. a smith machine can out you in a vulnerable position while performing a number of exercises. Like mentioned before it also slows the development of your secondary and stabilizer muscles. Exactly…except i don’t think they really have that much of a place in training other than help spotting you. They keep you in a fixed range of motion and for a lot of exercises they can actually slowly injure you (not good on the joints.) Free weights allow you keep yourself in a natural range of motion and at the same time help with stabilizer muscles. For Home gyms…you cant beat a quality squat/power rack. You can do enough exercises to completely train your entire body. I like lat pulldown machines as well to complement the squat rack. As for home gym vs going to a gym. No doubt belonging to a gym is awesome (as long as they have decent stuff) but depending on what motivates you, schedule, and other variables it both have their strengths and weaknesses. I know I hate it when the gym is packed and I have to wait or alter my routine…and lifting at home can be boring…or not having a spot…or not having the nice machines. I say if you are somewhat new to lifting you have two choices. I wouldn’t go out and spend a ton for a high quality home gym…then next thing you know you are like 90% people with a $800 clothes rack. I would say either look in craigslist and get a decent used adjustable bench that you can squats on as well. Or you can join a month to month gym and see how you like it. So if you dont like it or lose interest you can resell the “cheaper” equipment or you can just stop going to the gym and not have to keep paying. I myself like the best of both worlds, I have a decent setup at home and I belong to a gym as well. just my $.02 ---
**Author:** ![imported\_gearhead](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/imported_gearhead/32/5957_2.png) [@imported\_gearhead](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/imported_gearhead)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2007, 6:23pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/what-is-a-good-all-around-weight-bench-home-gym/192729/29 "2007-10-01T18:23:41Z")
Thanks for teh input man. I like the idea of the squat to help keep my legs in shape for riding… [Previous page](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/what-is-a-good-all-around-weight-bench-home-gym/192729.md?page=1)