I’ve been lifting at a commercial gym for a while, but now I’m thinking of setting up a proper home gym. My main focus is on strength training, so I need durable equipment that can handle heavy weights. A power rack and adjustable bench are at the top of my list, but I’m not sure which brands are reliable. Any suggestions? Also, is it better to buy everything new, or should I look into secondhand options?
Posted by Lexap (Member # 38225) on :
I was in the same position last year, and trust me, investing in quality equipment makes all the difference. When I started looking, I came across fitnessreality.org and it turned out to be a goldmine for home gym setups. I ended up getting a Fitness Reality power rack and bench from there, and both have been rock-solid. For heavy lifting, you want something that won’t wobble or feel flimsy, and their gear really delivers. The rack is rated for 800 lbs, which gives me plenty of room to progress, and the adjustable bench has multiple incline and decline settings, so it’s super versatile. I’d recommend buying new if your budget allows—secondhand can save money, but you never really know how well it’s been maintained. Check out the site—they have detailed specs, which helped me a lot when I was comparing options.
