Can we revisit alternatives to the "Walmart bench"??

TarHeelMom

TarHeelMom

Cathlete
Hey everyone!

Well, I've measured and rearranged and measured again, and I am sad to say that I just don't have the room in my little workout space to get the bench & squat rack from Walmart that so many of you (including my enabler pal Mama Deb) have gotten. :-( I know my American Express card is happy, but I'm frustrated. GRRRR!!!!!!

I could have squeezed it in, too, if it weren't for the fact that my adorable sons surprised me last Christmas with a heavy bag/speed bag stand & gloves. Their dad wasn't even involved -- they had just overheard me talking about Cathe doing a boxing video and they wanted me to be really prepared, the sweeties. I know I'll really enjoy having this equipment when Cathe does her MMA/boxing video, and I can use the heavy bag hook to do the alternative-to-pullups with a resistance band that Cedie's doing in those blog pix. So that's great. But a heavy bag stand is a huge space hog, and my room is chock full.

I really do want to try to plan on working my legs with STS using a much heavier weight than I can hoist on a barbell. Is a weighted vest my best option? Besides a weighted vest, did we collectively come up with any other alternative to the "Walmart bench"- style squat rack? I remember some discussion of a smaller rack of some kind, I think. (I know I could sit here and run some searches, but we've all talked about this SO much and in so many different threads ... and I'm basically lazy. ;-)

Ideas/opinions, anyone? What are those of us who are space-challenged going to do?
http://www.clicksmilies.com/s1106/sport/sport-smiley-003.gif Kathy S. http://planetsmilies.net/sport-smiley-5536.gif
 
RE: Can we revisit alternatives to the

What about just a squat rack? Then you could move it into or out of your workout space. I'm in the same boat space wise.


Deanie
 
RE: Can we revisit alternatives to the

Let me preface this with the following - no smart a*s comments, please. Some of us legitimately need an alternative to a squat rack for either monetary and/or space reasons. I have spent a lot of time trying to come up with an alternative. Kathy, after reading your post, I went out to my garage for another look and saw the ladders. This may or may not work out for others, depending on height I guess, but for me, it is perfect. We have a 6' aluminum ladder. Where the paint can thing comes out is the perfect height for me. I put a board up there to prevent the bar from rolling all the way back, while allowing my fingers room to grab the bar. The paint can shelf is slanted so your bar will not roll off, and I hung my full weight (130lbs) from there and the ladder did not budge. Voila - my solution! I can back right up to the ladder and place the bar behind my neck. So, thank you for starting this post because I may not have ever had the idea otherwise. I know there are at least a couple of other people on this board whose hubbies are in the construction business, and they are thinking of ideas too for making your own. I just don't have the space for a rack, nor the desire to spend more money. It would be nice to have the leg extension portions of a complete bench/rack, but I am so picky about those that I don't think I would be happy with a home version - even a lot of cheap gym ones are not comfortable enough. The last one I had was a good one, but just not good enough so I gave it away b/c I never used it do to comfort - or rather lack of - reasons. Good luck, whatever you decide. Shana
 
RE: Can we revisit alternatives to the

www.power-systems.com has a two-part squat rack that would take up less storage space (and be easier to move, because each part weighs about 30# rather than one big piece that weighs twice that.
 
RE: Can we revisit alternatives to the

>Let me preface this with the following - no smart a*s
>comments, please.

??? :(
 
RE: Can we revisit alternatives to the

I am fairly new here, so I don't want to churn the waters. I have just been really trying to come up with an alternative that will literally take up no space at all for a squat rack. Something about duct tape was mentioned along with watching some goofy show. I'm sure it was meant as a joke, but it felt like a bit of a jab as well. The ladder actually works, at least for me. Before I suggested it, though, I thought I'd make it clear that I am serious about this alternative use of a ladder! :) No biggie - I feel like crap today too, so that doesn't help my 'tude ... when breathing is exercise enough for the day, I am never in a good mood.
 
RE: Can we revisit alternatives to the

>www.power-systems.com has a two-part squat rack that would
>take up less storage space (and be easier to move, because
>each part weighs about 30# rather than one big piece that
>weighs twice that.

dang now that looks like something i could work with here.and while out of my range right now a little hard work and saving for a bit,its actually a reasonable thing. thank you kathryn!!!

http://www.power-systems.com/p-3454-muscle-maxx-self-standing-squat-stand-pair.aspx


kassia

http://www.picturetrail.com/ldy_solana

http://jtjulian2003.tripod.com

YOU CAN'T HAVE EVERYTHING,WHERE WOULD YOU PUT IT??

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1307/4842454/16585805/255246443.jpg
 
RE: Can we revisit alternatives to the

does anyone actually have these? how sturdy are they?

i thought these (or something like them) were mentioned before... but there seemed to be some concern about them! (and they're quite expensive! although i love that they are in two pieces so easily tucked in a corner!)


-------------
cute work out clothes are good for AT LEAST an additional 10-15 calories burned!

http://www.picturetrail.com/desertbriez
 
RE: Can we revisit alternatives to the

Yes, this looks really interesting. I have NO room at all for more equipment and was thinking a weighted vest was the way to go. This might work though.
 
RE: Can we revisit alternatives to the

OH *GASP* smelling salts, please!!!!!!!!!!!

UPS Ground $126.69

that's on top of the $189 they cost!!!

ya.... too rich for my blood! i'm off to look for something else *sigh*

-------------
cute work out clothes are good for AT LEAST an additional 10-15 calories burned!

http://www.picturetrail.com/desertbriez
 
RE: Can we revisit alternatives to the

Hi. I was looking at the following items:

http://www.samsclub.com/shopping/navigate.do?dest=5&item=380103

or

http://www.samsclub.com/shopping/navigate.do?dest=5&item=380170

Does anyone know how easy it would be to move these things? I was thinking I could keep mine out in the garage and move it into the room I exercise in just on the days that I need it. (my exercise room is an extra bedroom/playroom/exercise room) I don't have room to store it in the closest in the room since that is already full with other exercise equipment and office equipment. Since my garage and this room are both on the first floor I was thinking this may be an option. Anyone have something like this and know how easy/hard it would be to move around?

Thanks,
Amy
 
RE: Can we revisit alternatives to the

>Hi. I was looking at the following items:
>
>http://www.samsclub.com/shopping/navigate.do?dest=5&item=380103
>
>or
>
>http://www.samsclub.com/shopping/navigate.do?dest=5&item=380170
>
>Does anyone know how easy it would be to move these things?

>Thanks,
>Amy

I don't know. But I REALLY like the first one. I just wish I wasn't doing all my working out in my formal dining room. It's huge so it's the perfect size but it's visible from all over and it's... a DINING room. You forget how weird it is to be working out in your dining room until you have visitors, exchanging concerned looks :eek:
 
RE: Can we revisit alternatives to the

Hey Kas, I should know this but do you have a basement? (Not sure they have them in your state???) If so, I was thinking possibly you could do JUST the leg workouts down there? I know it would entail another DVD player but I know how badly you want that daggone rack/bench we keep tempting you with. (Or, possibly do it in the garage?) I know these are not ideal options but it might work?

http://www.PictureTrail.com/gid8692709


Your-Friend-In-Fitness, DebbieH (AKA "Den Mother Debbie") http://www.clicksmilies.com/s0105/aktion/action-smiley-066.gif[/img] If You Get The Choice To Sit It Out Or Dance, I Hope You DANCE!
 
RE: Can we revisit alternatives to the

It funny that you should mention the ladders because I used two ladders myself a couple of years ago when I had a sore elbow and couldn't lift my bar over my head to work my legs. The ladders worked perfect.

Joanne
 
RE: Can we revisit alternatives to the

>does anyone actually have these? how sturdy are they?
>
>i thought these (or something like them) were mentioned
>before... but there seemed to be some concern about them!

I don't recall anyone mentioning any safety issues.

I haven't used these particular ones, but I used this same type of two-piece set-up when I was taking a weight-lifting class in college. They were plenty sturdy. Of course, if you're going really heavy, it's best to have a graduated rack (one that looks like stair steps from the side), so you can step forward into the lower levels while lifting, and if you get 'stuck,' there's always a support to catch the bar for you, but those are really space hogs).
 
RE: Can we revisit alternatives to the

Hi cutie pie! How're you today? :)

Nope, we don't have a basement (or I would have taken it over long ago, ha!) A lot of houses here do, but we don't. And Kenny has very nicely asked that I not put any kind of equipment in the garage, which we recently renovated and which is sort of "his" space to play with.

I am thinking that a weight vest is truly my best option, Deb. I'm investigating different ones and am gonna take my time on this, because it'll be a while, honestly, before I can do squats and lunges with the max weight I could comfortably hoist on my barbell. You know my knees -- I have to take this verrrrrrrrry slowly so that they acclimate! :)

Maybe the fact that I can't accommodate that rack is a little message to me about not overtaxing my knees. ;-)

http://www.clicksmilies.com/s1106/sport/sport-smiley-003.gif Kathy S. http://planetsmilies.net/sport-smiley-5536.gif
 
RE: Can we revisit alternatives to the

Amy, this looks great and I really appreciate the tip! How stable do you think this gadget would be? It might work in my room and the price is pretty good, so I will definitely measure. Space in my room is really tight, though, and I am fearful of nibbling away at my space so much that I end up not having enough clear floor left to do my step and kickbox workouts. As it is now, I have to modify how far I go when Cathe's "traveling", and I used to be able to pretty much travel along with her. :)


http://www.clicksmilies.com/s1106/sport/sport-smiley-003.gif Kathy S. http://planetsmilies.net/sport-smiley-5536.gif
 
RE: Can we revisit alternatives to the

>>Hi. I was looking at the following items:
>>
>>http://www.samsclub.com/shopping/navigate.do?dest=5&item=380103
>>
>>or
>>
>>http://www.samsclub.com/shopping/navigate.do?dest=5&item=380170
>>
>>Does anyone know how easy it would be to move these things?
>
>I think it would be pretty cumbersome and rather heavy to
>move. A two-person job, and still a bit clumsy at that.

Oooh, not a good thing if you're right, Kathryn. :-( I would think I'd need to just consider them stationary.

http://www.clicksmilies.com/s1106/sport/sport-smiley-003.gif Kathy S. http://planetsmilies.net/sport-smiley-5536.gif
 
RE: Can we revisit alternatives to the

Let me preface this with the following - no smart a*s comments, please. Some of us legitimately need an alternative to a squat rack for either monetary and/or space reasons. I have spent a lot of time trying to come up with an alternative. Kathy, after reading your post, I went out to my garage for another look and saw the ladders. This may or may not work out for others, depending on height I guess, but for me, it is perfect. We have a 6' aluminum ladder. Where the paint can thing comes out is the perfect height for me. I put a board up there to prevent the bar from rolling all the way back, while allowing my fingers room to grab the bar. The paint can shelf is slanted so your bar will not roll off, and I hung my full weight (130lbs) from there and the ladder did not budge. Voila - my solution! I can back right up to the ladder and place the bar behind my neck. So, thank you for starting this post because I may not have ever had the idea otherwise. I know there are at least a couple of other people on this board whose hubbies are in the construction business, and they are thinking of ideas too for making your own. I just don't have the space for a rack, nor the desire to spend more money. It would be nice to have the leg extension portions of a complete bench/rack, but I am so picky about those that I don't think I would be happy with a home version - even a lot of cheap gym ones are not comfortable enough. The last one I had was a good one, but just not good enough so I gave it away b/c I never used it do to comfort - or rather lack of - reasons. Good luck, whatever you decide. Shana

Shana, that is SERIOUSLY creative!!!! I hope it works for you safely! The two obstacles to my trying this are (1) our ladder has vanished mysteriously ;-) and (2) my DH has asked me not to allow my fitness gear to spill over into his proudly-renovated garage. :) But let me know how YOU'RE doing!

http://www.clicksmilies.com/s1106/sport/sport-smiley-003.gif Kathy S. http://planetsmilies.net/sport-smiley-5536.gif
 
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