deaconfrost
03-01-2008, 12:04 AM
Thought I'd start a thread on this to help those who are considering purchasing a home gym. I recently bought one and I'll rate it. Please feel free to add your own home gym experiences.
Elliptical - Precor EFX546
http://www.fitnessrush.com/precor_efx_546_elliptical.html
I love this machine. They had a few at the Y where I used to work out and I was on it constantly. It has a crossramp which adjusts to different heights to work on specific lower body parts. I chose the one without the arms because I always get blisters holding on to those things. Plus when I do circuit training I go at some pretty high reps and I have to hold on to the side railings and those arms come dangerously close to hitting me in face. I got lucky and got mine used off ebay for $1000. They sell refurbished ones at Boomerang for $2000-3000.
Home gym - Keys Fitness KPS-1850
http://www.keysfitness.com/index.php?menu=Strength&id=Hg&model=KPS-1850
This received good ratings on some sites I visited before purchasing. I like it, but it is nothing like visiting a real gym. Very few leg workouts can be done on it and I have to purchase a seperate squat rack because there is no way to do them on this machine. Deadlifts are a little awkward, but can be done. It's a great machine for chest, back, and triceps, but shoulder exercises are a little difficult due to the pulley system. The leg extension is good. Overall, I'd give it a 7/10. It was on sale at Boomerang fitness for $1688 and they delivered and set it up for another $150. Trust me, you'll want them to set it up. If I were to purchase another home gym, I would actually pass on this due to the lack of leg workouts and a 250lb. max. It's great for the average person to get and stay in shape, but for serious building, it is lacking.
So, after all this, I still need a squat rack and a bench. Some free weights to go with the bench and maybe a chin-up/dip rack as well. I love doing dips and chin-ups are a great compound exercise.
Elliptical - Precor EFX546
http://www.fitnessrush.com/precor_efx_546_elliptical.html
I love this machine. They had a few at the Y where I used to work out and I was on it constantly. It has a crossramp which adjusts to different heights to work on specific lower body parts. I chose the one without the arms because I always get blisters holding on to those things. Plus when I do circuit training I go at some pretty high reps and I have to hold on to the side railings and those arms come dangerously close to hitting me in face. I got lucky and got mine used off ebay for $1000. They sell refurbished ones at Boomerang for $2000-3000.
Home gym - Keys Fitness KPS-1850
http://www.keysfitness.com/index.php?menu=Strength&id=Hg&model=KPS-1850
This received good ratings on some sites I visited before purchasing. I like it, but it is nothing like visiting a real gym. Very few leg workouts can be done on it and I have to purchase a seperate squat rack because there is no way to do them on this machine. Deadlifts are a little awkward, but can be done. It's a great machine for chest, back, and triceps, but shoulder exercises are a little difficult due to the pulley system. The leg extension is good. Overall, I'd give it a 7/10. It was on sale at Boomerang fitness for $1688 and they delivered and set it up for another $150. Trust me, you'll want them to set it up. If I were to purchase another home gym, I would actually pass on this due to the lack of leg workouts and a 250lb. max. It's great for the average person to get and stay in shape, but for serious building, it is lacking.
So, after all this, I still need a squat rack and a bench. Some free weights to go with the bench and maybe a chin-up/dip rack as well. I love doing dips and chin-ups are a great compound exercise.