I'm looking for the following: 1. For those of you with a decent home gym set up, how to you justify the money vs renting at a commercial gym? 2. What features or equipment have meaning/value to you? I am considering building out a home gym in a new building.
Depends upon how many different and costly machines you need. Some people just use free weights. I just have a single weight machine and some free weights. I wouldn't want to drive somewhere just to lift weights. If it's in your home you'll likely lift more often. I use mine multiple times every day for short periods of time rather than one long session. If you lift a lot, then get a higher quality machine than the one shown ($500 at WMT).
Not having to look at, hear or interact with, other, people, makes it worth - https://www.youtube.com/@oefitness
I have a gym membership at a hard core gym but it’s a 25-30 minute drive in good weather. We had a recent storm and they closed the road for two days. Three season it’s just an inconvenience. If you go to the gym to sit on the bench and read the paper then stick to the gym membership. 24-hour gyms are cheap but always seem to be at capacity unless you’re working out at 3am. I do a lot of oly-lifting and most gyms don’t have platforms. Many gyms don’t allow you to drop bumpers. I have an oly-lifting platform for C&J and snatches. I use urethane bumpers from americanbarbell.com. They have less bounce than rubber competition bumpers. Don’t buy iron plates. I have the following 28mm IWF-bars: Uesaka training, Eleiko training, AmBell SS comp. Buy a legit 28mm IWF bar if you’re going to do any power-movements. You’re going to need a good bench. You’re only going to use the bench for (bench press) and DB lats. Get a Rogue or something similar. Don’t buy crap. The minimum I would go for a rack would be Rogue Monster. The 1” nut assembly. The RM-43 is one and done and has bumper storage. I would go with an IWF bar loaded outside the cage for oly-lifts for use on a platform and another inside the cage for squats, deads, bench. No need to get a PL-bar for the other lifts. You will need a platform if you’re doing anything overhead with the bar. Platform $2K Bars are $1K each RM-43 is $4K Bench $500 Urethane bumpers $2K Under $12K shipped and it will last a lifetime. Neighbors/friends will ask to use your equipment. I firmly believe that quality gear leads to motivation. This is more than adequate but not crazy. Price some Sorinex gear if you think this is over the top. Decent gym membership is going to be $2K per year. I would only go with a gym if you need access to True treadmills and other commercial equipment where cost/benefit isn’t there for the home.
I’m not sure about Olympic lifts at present but might get there. my current routine is Dead hangs Heavy bicep curls One arm suitcase carry-heavy as possible I’ve been using assisted dip/chin up machine- this is a key piece to buy Kneel on one leg in lunge position and do one arm overhead press up Kettle bell squat Kettlebell swings Pushups if no dips done Floor based ab stuff Repeat x4 will likely add in some punching/kicking so my current needs are simple
Your needs are a lot different than mine. I don’t do any DB/Kettlebell stuff. Technogym and French Fitness make assisted PU-machines for women.
I use the fire stairs mostly. 30+ floors. Carry a suitcase. An awkward shape exercises muscles you didn't know you had. Functional strength is the way.