Strength / Weight Training

Id have hoped stock would have started filtering in by now, but obviously not.... I tried more bodyweight focussed routines back in March, but didn't get on with them tbh. So now I have a rack an flat bench in the garage.

But the ceiling is too low to overhead press anything with a bigger radius than a 10 plate. and I've almost run out of smaller plates to load the bar in that situation. Suppose I can always add volume instead of weight.....

Fitness superstore have some 5 plates left, but they are expensive for what they are....

Z-press might be right up your street.

Edit: and seated press. Z-press especially though is a great base builder for overhead work. Instantly shows up any weak links.

Thanks. I've thought of switching to seated presses before, but haven't ended up actually doing it . Time for a change perhaps

They have the rubber crumb 2.0 in stock it says, as I looked before linking it.

Yeah the problem with the government shutting the gyms is that people have probs bought more gear than ever before. Cant wait till its all over as theres gonna be a massive sale with people wanting rid of stuff.

I'm working tomorrow so will check some due dates for you, but yeah around £4 a kilo is the going rate at retail. Cast used to retail at like £1.2/kg before brexshit referendum but it's been a steady climb since and a big jump at lockdown. Now chinese factories are overwhelmed they're auctioning off their production time on top of increased production, materials and transport costs...

Aside from lack of stock, is it stupid for me to be considering buying an Olympic bar/squat rack?

I used to do quite a lot of strength work (3x week heavy lifting for 5 yrs) but I’ve barely set foot in a gym for 10 years. I want to get back into a bit of lifting for swim/bike/run S&C but I know I’m not going to go to a gym regularly. I’ve been doing some bodyweight stuff but want to move towards heavier 5-8rep stuff.

I was thinking barbell setup over dumbbells because that’s what I’m more familiar with. I’d want to keep it pretty simple but I’d be doing mostly leg stuff so was thinking of a squat rack and a bench.

My main thought/concern is whether it’s totally stupid to be lifting solo in my garage? In the old days all my weights sessions were paired so I always had a spotter and most were coached. Now I’m just a MAMIL with delusions that I can lift the same as I did in my 20s. I’ve not done much with dumbbells but maybe that would be a cheaper/more flexible/safer option?

Rubber 5kg in stock now, 10Kg due March/April. £23 each for the 5kg.
Cast iron 10Kg due in Mid Feb £29.99 each
Rubber Bumper 10Kg are our soonest Olympic option at £35 each and due in the next couple of weeks, imports at docks pending, but that doesn't solve your ceiling height problem as they're full size plates.

I have a garage set up. It works for me. Mine paid for itself in around a year of saved gym fees. One thing I would say is make sure, if you get a bench, it is sturdy enough for bench presses etc. I looked at an Adidas one which was rated for 100kg. I’m 88kg so that wouldn’t be safe.
Availability will likely be the problem at the moment. The various posts here show the difficulty and cost of getting plates etc.

My main thought/concern is whether it’s totally stupid to be lifting solo in my garage?

The sensible answer is probably yes, however I've been training alone since day 1 (what's that, like 4 / 5 years?) and have only ever failed one squat and 2 bench - both times having the spotter bars set at the right height saved me (not catastrophic failure, just not able to get past half way so had to ease it down)
But then I also cold water swim on my own and happily throw a motorbike around London so perhaps I'm not the best person to ask regarding risk aversion.
As TGR said, check your capacities. And when it comes to racks/bars, take into account inertia of dropped weight. 180kg 7ft bars will turn to cheese if you drop 150Kg with one side hitting the ground before another.
As with the weights though, it's an expensive time to buy.

Home gym is well worth the money. No need to buy it all at once, just get plates, dumbells now and then. No doubt there is going to be a ton on the used market soon.
Mine has paid for itself over approx 20 years. No lineups, open 24/7.
I have a Smith machine and it is very safe. I use cement blocks for BB shrugs and curls. Hoist commercial gym bench.
In 20 years I have only hurt myself 3 times, all when finishing sets of flyes.

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That is a seriously cool setup

Dungeon (currently too damp to use as a real room) pretty much complete now.

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Great setup Henners! Wow!

When you say too damp, that cause the indoor pool behind you is heated and causes it?

Cool gyms going on :)

We don't have the space inside and garage is damp and full of bicycles.

So it's kettlebells atm and with school closed my 11 year old also joins in as PE replacement.

Now I know how a pe teacher feels ha. His 2 arm swing is actually spot on deadlift getting there, squat needs work.

I like many KB exercises like Turkish getups, clean and press etc.

I do miss proper weights, can't really deadlift. Ah well.

I like many KB exercises like Turkish getups, clean and press etc.

I do miss proper weights, can't really deadlift. Ah well.

This is me!

I used to live in a small condo and put many holes in the walls with the bar.

Has anyone ever used a Bulgarian bag?

Thought I'd share my lockdown gym 😂

This is for chest day, cause Monday.

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Properly? Nah. Just as a shoulder bag when doing plyometrics. The most comfortable way I found to add weight when jumping and holding the corners stops you from swinging your arms about too.

It’s totally fine lifting on your own, the only exercise you can get in trouble is bench press and you just have to be sensible and when one rep is a real struggle you don’t do the next one. I make use of pyramids and drop sets etc in place of monster PB reps.
Any other exercise you can just dump it if needed.
I have more issues with putting the bar over head in a low ceiling garage!

I have one of these two... just not wide/ high enough for good form IMHO
Re: Indoor pool @ChainBreaker- only when it rains.

lol

Don't even have a garage and no space for a proper gym. Invested in an adjustable Kettlewell and considering getting one of those adjustable barbell/dumbell sets. Expensive if you want decent quality and they won't bear the weight you would want for bench press and deadlift, but then without proper space for a gym and exercising solo, a lot of that is out of the question anyway.

Kettles are good for the retro look

Tx, we have 6-12-16-20 bells ATM and 2 adjustable dumbbells.

It's not too bad but a bigger bell for squats will be good, but they are £££ ATM as you say.

If the floor can take it, you can deadlift solo with decent weight.

Ours won't ;)

Do you enjoy training this way?