Good Deal?

[supermark21]

Originally Posted by The Sundance Kid

I am building a gym in my Garage, and would like to have an area for wrestling,BJJ,ect.ect.ect. What type of mats would be best for this? they have the mats at Sam's that snap together like puzzle pieces, but i don't know how well they would work, any ideas on a cheap way to pad the concrete floor would be great.

My college wrestling coach has wreslting mats in his basement. He got them for good prices too. That's where we train for Nationals when the gym is taken over by football players.
I have class on Wednesday and ill try to get prices and website for you.

[Metalhead]

Does anybody know if the Bowflex is anygood or just a gimmack?

[The Sundance Kid]

Originally Posted by Metalhead

Does anybody know if the Bowflex is anygood or just a gimmack?

I don't know, never used one, but i do know they are expeinceive as hell, there is a used, Boflex extreme in the local paper here for $1500. I would assume that you would have to use more stabelizing muscels to control the thing, and I don't know why but it looks like it wouldn't be as smooth as free weights.

[Hypergit]

Looks like a great deal. However, I`d also pick up a separate bar (with spotters and then a rack when you can afford it) to use for squats, presses, rows etc. The smith is only really good for plyos imo, for anything else it is suboptimal and ultimately can lead to muscular imbalance and injury.

[Clint]

Originally Posted by Metalhead

Does anybody know if the Bowflex is anygood or just a gimmack?

My parents have one and while it works decently. It definatly isn't worth what they cost. For the $1000-$2000 you could set up a very solid home gym.

[The Sundance Kid]

What would everyone consider a Complete home gym?

This is what I have so far, Heavy Bag, Speed Bag, Double ended bad, The above Smith Machine, A treadmill, and small things like Jump ropes, rubber training bands, Medicines balls, yoga balls, and a few other odds and ends.

[Hypergit]

You need free weights and a power rack imo, otherwise looks good.

[Clint]

I think the smith machine comes with 300lbs in olympic weights and an extra olympic bar. So I would say get a power rack or squat rack.

Also, I would throw is a peice of pipe about 5/6 feet long with a 2" outside diameter. Use spring clamps or hose clamps to keep the weights in place and use it for grip work.

[BigBanda]

Originally Posted by Clint

For the mats alot of people use those puzzle mats. Your other good choice would be to see if you can get some used wrestling mats from a school or somewhere.

Yeah you may want to go with used matts if they are in good shape, just be sure to use a bleach cleaner or something first before using it. New wrestling matts can be very pricy. You did say you are planning on having this in your garage though so I'd imagine you only have so much room to work with if it is an average 2 car garage. So I mean you can just buy a smaller matt new and that prob wouldnt be that much because a full sized wrestling matt would take up the whole garage.

[Clint]

Originally Posted by BigBanda

Yeah you may want to go with used matts if they are in good shape, just be sure to use a bleach cleaner or something first before using it. New wrestling matts can be very pricy. You did say you are planning on having this in your garage though so I'd imagine you only have so much room to work with if it is an average 2 car garage. So I mean you can just buy a smaller matt new and that prob wouldnt be that much because a full sized wrestling matt would take up the whole garage.

That is another good point. Anything you buy used. Clean/Disinfect the hell out of it. Staph is not your friend.