Newbie seeks advice

"Steve" <sdaniel13 DeleteThis @speakeasy.net> wrote in message
news:1145064857.669224.140930@z34g2000cwc.googlegroups.com...
> I'm as uneducated as they come where weights and gym equipment are
> concerned. I want to buy a weight bench or SOME sort of weight
> training
> equipment that will take up very little space in my cramped apartment
> and still afford me a reasonable workout. I considered getting a used
> soloflex machine, but they're too big. I need something small. I just
> don't know whether anything out there takes up so little space while
> still affording a real workout. Maybe this just isn't realistic.
>
> Any thoughts?

Yes, buy a kettlebell, the kettlebell book, and the kettlebell DVD. If
you're into competition powerlifting or having a big bench press, this
won't do, but if you're after excellent strength and conditioning, it's
just the ticket and it'll cost you about $150. For that money or less,
you can also choose dumbbells and see http://www.stumptuous.com and get
good dumbbell-only workouts there, but kettlebells are fun, take very
little space, travel easily in a car, and offer a wider variety of
exercises than a dumbbell.

See the site in my sig below for more about kettlebells and kettlebell
training. Once you follow the links to the DragonDoor site, see the
discussion forum there and ask any questions you may have.

-S-
http://www.kbnj.com
 >> Stay informed about: Newbie seeks advice 

Steve wrote:

> I'm as uneducated as they come where weights and gym equipment are
> concerned. I want to buy a weight bench or SOME sort of weight training
> equipment that will take up very little space in my cramped apartment
> and still afford me a reasonable workout. I considered getting a used
> soloflex machine, but they're too big. I need something small. I just
> don't know whether anything out there takes up so little space while
> still affording a real workout. Maybe this just isn't realistic.
>
> Any thoughts?

A barbell, weight plates & tree, and some dumbbell handles for the
weight plates?

Use the barbell for deadlifts, and use the dumbbells for all the
overhead moves: bench press, shoulder press, even squats. (I like swiss
ball squats wiht dumbbells.)

When push comes to shove, uh, pun intended, you can do bodyweight exercises.

Dally
 >> Stay informed about: Newbie seeks advice 

"Steve Freides" <steve DeleteThis @fridayscomputer.com> wrote:
>"Steve" <sdaniel13 DeleteThis @speakeasy.net> wrote:
>> I'm as uneducated as they come where weights and gym equipment are
>> concerned. I want to buy a weight bench or SOME sort of weight
>> training
>> equipment that will take up very little space in my cramped apartment
>> and still afford me a reasonable workout. I considered getting a used
>> soloflex machine, but they're too big. I need something small. I just
>> don't know whether anything out there takes up so little space while
>> still affording a real workout. Maybe this just isn't realistic.
>>
>> Any thoughts?
>
>Yes, buy a kettlebell, the kettlebell book, and the kettlebell DVD. If
>you're into competition powerlifting or having a big bench press, this
>won't do, but if you're after excellent strength and conditioning, it's
>just the ticket and it'll cost you about $150. For that money or less,
>you can also choose dumbbells and see http://www.stumptuous.com and get
>good dumbbell-only workouts there, but kettlebells are fun, take very
>little space, travel easily in a car, and offer a wider variety of
>exercises than a dumbbell.

Your prejudices are showing. I'm sure if I was feeling creative, I
could come up with just as many novel movements to use with dumbbells
as Pavel can dream up for kettlebells. And kettlebells come in one
weight per kettlebell. Dumbbell handles weigh five pounds and can be
increased by plates up to about 80 pounds in five-pound increments.
 >> Stay informed about: Newbie seeks advice 

"Steve" <sdaniel13 RemoveThis @speakeasy.net> wrote:
>I'm as uneducated as they come where weights and gym equipment are
>concerned. I want to buy a weight bench or SOME sort of weight training
>equipment that will take up very little space in my cramped apartment
>and still afford me a reasonable workout. I considered getting a used
>soloflex machine, but they're too big. I need something small. I just
>don't know whether anything out there takes up so little space while
>still affording a real workout. Maybe this just isn't realistic.
>
>Any thoughts?

There is a solution, though not the optimal one.

Adjustable dumbbell handles
Plenty of iron plates
A 65cm anti-burst exercise ball
A heavy rubber mat, about 3' X 5'

the first three can be purchased somewhat cheaply at one of the major
sporting goods franchises. The final item is best found at a farm
supply store; the good ones are used in horse stables.

You can perform a lot of lifts with this setup: dumbbell bench press
on the exercise ball, squats holding dumbbells in both hands with the
exercise ball between your back and the wall (weighted Swiss ball
squats), straight-legged deadlifts with dumbbells in boths hands, plus
the usual dumbbell exercises. For seated exercises, use the exercise
ball. The exercise ball is also good for crunches and reverse hypers.

You could get a decent workout with just that equipment. However,
there's one preliminary question: Will you actually use it? The
setup will be compact, but will it just sit in corner, unused?

Only you can answer that question.

--

JMW
http://www.rustyiron.net
 >> Stay informed about: Newbie seeks advice 

"Free weights, a cheap bench."

Yeah, I totally second this. You can do everything basic with just free
weights and a bench. When you get to the point when you know more,
you'll know what to buy.

Cheers
 >> Stay informed about: Newbie seeks advice 

On 14 Apr 2006 18:34:17 -0700, "Steve" <sdaniel13 DeleteThis @speakeasy.net>
wrote:

>I'm as uneducated as they come where weights and gym equipment are
>concerned. I want to buy a weight bench or SOME sort of weight training
>equipment that will take up very little space in my cramped apartment
>and still afford me a reasonable workout. I considered getting a used
>soloflex machine, but they're too big. I need something small. I just
>don't know whether anything out there takes up so little space while
>still affording a real workout. Maybe this just isn't realistic.
>
>Any thoughts?

Free weights, a cheap bench.
 >> Stay informed about: Newbie seeks advice 

On Fri, 14 Apr 2006 21:46:38 -0400, "Steve Freides"
<steve RemoveThis @fridayscomputer.com> wrote:

>Yes, buy a kettlebell, the kettlebell book, and the kettlebell DVD. I

Ignore this stupid faggot and his "kettlebells". Go to his site and
have a gander at the 5' tall, 120lbs of punk that's recommending this.
 >> Stay informed about: Newbie seeks advice 

"JMW" <jmwilliams.DeleteThis@enforcergraphics.f2s.com> wrote in message
news:01m042lua8ea1r07ddb7b1napi6r9ik3ft@4ax.com...
> "Steve" <sdaniel13.DeleteThis@speakeasy.net> wrote:
>>I'm as uneducated as they come where weights and gym equipment are
>>concerned. I want to buy a weight bench or SOME sort of weight training
>>equipment that will take up very little space in my cramped apartment
>>and still afford me a reasonable workout. I considered getting a used
>>soloflex machine, but they're too big. I need something small. I just
>>don't know whether anything out there takes up so little space while
>>still affording a real workout. Maybe this just isn't realistic.
>>
>>Any thoughts?
>
> There is a solution, though not the optimal one.
>
> Adjustable dumbbell handles
> Plenty of iron plates
> A 65cm anti-burst exercise ball
> A heavy rubber mat, about 3' X 5'
>
> the first three can be purchased somewhat cheaply at one of the major
> sporting goods franchises. The final item is best found at a farm
> supply store; the good ones are used in horse stables.
>
> You can perform a lot of lifts with this setup: dumbbell bench press
> on the exercise ball, squats holding dumbbells in both hands with the
> exercise ball between your back and the wall (weighted Swiss ball
> squats), straight-legged deadlifts with dumbbells in boths hands, plus
> the usual dumbbell exercises. For seated exercises, use the exercise
> ball. The exercise ball is also good for crunches and reverse hypers.
>
> You could get a decent workout with just that equipment. However,
> there's one preliminary question: Will you actually use it? The
> setup will be compact, but will it just sit in corner, unused?
>
> Only you can answer that question.
>
> --
>
> JMW
> http://www.rustyiron.net

I've gone through periods where I worked out on my own. Many of my MA days
were on my own doing kicking drills, bag work...anything. Running and
biking, same. But I've found that I like the social setting of a gym, and
enjoy the company of others of like health-minded goals. That alone is
worth the $40 per month.
 >> Stay informed about: Newbie seeks advice 

"Brahma" <Brahmaviharas.RemoveThis@gmail.com> wrote:

>"Free weights, a cheap bench."
>
>Yeah, I totally second this. You can do everything basic with just free
>weights and a bench.

It doesn't do much for legs, does it?
 >> Stay informed about: Newbie seeks advice 

On 14 Apr 2006 20:06:33 -0700, "Vasa" <vasilijepetkovic.DeleteThis@yahoo.com>
wrote:

>just ignore them. most of the people here are decent, yet often we get
>commnets like this. welcome...
>
>
>v

Hey dipshit, try quoting so we'll know WTF you are talking about.
Fucking dimwit.
 >> Stay informed about: Newbie seeks advice 

On 14 Apr 2006 22:37:34 -0700, "Brahma" <Brahmaviharas.DeleteThis@gmail.com>
wrote:

>"Free weights, a cheap bench."
>
>Yeah, I totally second this. You can do everything basic with just free
>weights and a bench. When you get to the point when you know more,
>you'll know what to buy.
>
>Cheers

I personally think frreweights are the only way to go.
 >> Stay informed about: Newbie seeks advice 

On Sat, 15 Apr 2006 01:50:43 -0400, JMW
<jmwilliams.RemoveThis@enforcergraphics.f2s.com> wrote:

>It doesn't do much for legs, does it?

Run.
 >> Stay informed about: Newbie seeks advice 

On Fri, 14 Apr 2006 23:25:50 -0700, "Larry Hodges"
<2larry2.DeleteThis@2maximizesoftware2.com> wrote:

> But I've found that I like the social setting of a gym, and
>enjoy the company of others of like health-minded goals.

ie: gym fags.
 >> Stay informed about: Newbie seeks advice