The Saintly Little Gym

I've had an overwhelming amount of questions about our home gym so I thought I would go ahead and share how we put it together with links provided!

This was an idea born out of the frustration of the amount of time it took to:
1. get the kids ready for to go out
2. drive (and sometimes through too much traffic)
3. sometimes the failed attempt at a workout when something happens to the one of the kids and we're needed to go back to the child care room
4. the wait for equipment and space in a crowded place
5. the inability to shower right away.

Sometimes from start to finish (getting home) it would be 3 hours later and there were times were it was less than an hour workout. And then imagine the recommended 3-5 times of exercise per week?? As full time working parents managing the kids and the home, those extra 2 hours we lost is A LOT OF TIME (then compound that x 2/3 weekly). And of course, if you know me and J, we like efficiency and maximizing our time. We figured this would be the best way for us to not worry so much about finishing a workout but also get more time, and also keep an eye out for the little ones close by.

1. FITNESS GEAR HALF RACK <-- click links
This unfortunately does not come with any other accessories! We had to buy complete separate. I love this rack, it is so customizable and you can definitely safely do you squats and deadlifts, to even chest decline and incline positions (with bench) and also pull ups!
Retail: $379.99
What we paid: $250.00

2. FITNESS GEAR PRO UTILITY WEIGHT BENCH
Because you know why!
Retail: $159.99
What we paid: $120.00



3. BOWFLEX SELECTTECH 552 DUMBBELLS
I seriously can't begin to explain how amazing this system is.
Retail: $549.99
What we paid: $299.00

4. FITNESS GEAR 300LB. OLYMPIC WEIGHT SET
The bar is of true olympic status at 45lb by itself. The only thing that sucks is that these things don't come with a better set of spring clips. They were extremely hard to take on and off.
Retail: $220.00
What we paid: $180.00

5. STEELBODY LOCK JAW OLYMPIC BAR COLLARS
Piggy-backing off of the last listed equipment... these are SO MUCH EASIER to put on and off and definitely worth the money.
Retail: $35
What we paid: $35

6. FITNESS GEAR 16 SQ FT DUAL-DENSITY FLOORGUARD
It comes in a pack of four but it's definitely of a good grade and quality. I feel comfortable smacking the weights down if I needed to without feeling like it hurt the cement foundation.
Retail: $49.99
What we paid: $49.99


7. ARCHON SINGLE PULLEY CABLE STATION
The only thing on my wish list that I'm saving money for is an actual weight cable system, but for now this is actually so versatile!
Retail: $50
What we paid for $50

8. GOFIT PROGYM EXTREME WORKOUT KIT
Retail: $50
What we paid for: $45

9. 30x40 MIRROR
Retail: $150.00
What we paid for: $30

10. FITNESS GEAR OLYMPIC CURL BAR
Retail: $60.0
What we paid for: $47

11. Multiple yoga mats... because, yoga and core. We have a total of 3. And YES Mamala works out here too. lol. We only own the high quality 5mm ones though from here and here. Roughly $70-80 each.

Random items not listed with links:

12. Hyperice Equipment - we have the whole gamut including the Hypervolt, the Viper2.0, and Hypersphere. All way too expensive but apparently J was able to get for only $300 for all. While I really still prefer getting a massage and the research is a little muddy still on these items, I'll use it sometimes for my hamstrings, which are perpetually sore.

13. Other exercises bands of multiple colors, strengths, and lengths. Because, well this is self explanatory.

14. Leg weights 3.5 to 5 lbs., to perform with during leg exercises.

15. Pilates ball, because these are SO AMAZING to use as a tool for core strengthening.

16. Small portable heater - because working out cold is no bueno.

17. Get yourself a nice portable sound system! We're using our Bose Portable Home Speaker

18. My dad gave us gifted us a nylon rope and also hand strap pulley attachment and that saved us money too.

Total cost if everything bought on retail: $1845 (this doesn't include the unlisted items!)

Total of what we actually paid: $1106

I think saving ourselves almost half the price was a good bargain. Majority of putting it together actually required J to look around at different places and wait on different deals, but I think the effort was worth it. The only thing missing that I would love to have is a cable system or maybe even a smith machine. Truly, having a home gym has been the best ever though! I highly recommend unless there's a gym close by you that to like. We've only had this really for less than 2 weeks and it's been already a big return in investment. Time is money, and we still get to spend time with our kids too!
I hope this was somewhat helpful!