Yikes! This looks like it might be getting expensive!

[eminenz2]

The latest blog pics make me think I might not have nearly enough barbell plates and dumbells for the this series. I thought the plates mates and the paceweights would be enough, but I see the weights look a lot bigger then I thought!

Trouble is, I don't have the $$$ to run out and buy bigger dumbells and more barbell plates.

I'm interested in hearing other's concerns and your plan of attack!

I guess I will actually have a better idea about what I will need when I can start experimenting with my 1RM. Should I be playing with that now for basic weight lifting exercises like bicep curls, etc.?

Thanks for your opinions!

Susan L.G.

 

[netsnotes]

Check out your local Craigslist and newspaper. Also everyonce in awhile garage sales, especially church and local park sales. My old standby is Play It Again Sports. I hardly ever purchase until I feel that I need to get weights. The heaviest dumbbell I have are 25lbs and when that gets less challenging, I'll get more. I guess that is a good rule of thumb. Only purchase what you are comfortable with lifting with. And then add on when it gets less challenging. Thus you won't feel overwhelmed. I hope that helps.

But I do know what you mean though!

Annette Bethel

 

[maddiesmum]

Susan:

I have a barbell that takes me to 80 pounds, dumbells up to 25 and I plan to buy 30's. I already have platemates and 8 risers for my step. I do not plan to buy slanted risers because they are a luxury, rather than a necessity.

I think the only thing I may buy is the weighted vest Cathe and crew are advertising on the latest blog pics, as this is an easier option to house than a squat rack, and cheaper to ship.

I wouldn't rush out and buy up a load of stuff, but acquire gradually as you get stronger once using the STS DVDs, because right now, personally, I don't know exactly how high I am going to need to go on the dumbell front and if I will need extra barbell plates.

Luckily, Target sells 10 pound barbell plates for $9.99 each that fit my Troy lite barbell just fine, so it needn't get too costly.

Clare

 

[Lusignan]

I was starting to think the same thing too, that this was starting to look like the expensive side of training. First we purchase the workouts, and that alone has a nice price tag, although broken down it makes each dvd very affordable, the price tag is on the high side. Then we need extra equipment, chin up bar, squat rack, extra weights we might not have already had, wrist weights, and a weighted vest. If you don't already have a medicine ball you need one of those too, and ankle weights....

But the cool thing is the chin up bar and squat rack look to be one in the same piece of equipment and soon available to us for less than $100. You can't get those two together for that price right now, so that is a savings (but if you are like me you are only going to use this equipment when working out with STS) so that makes it expensive.

On the other side of things, if you want to train right and look the very best that you possibly can then you can't cut corners, you have to spend the money. Think about it, all the good stuff is more expensive than the other stuff, more expensive car can insure you it will run longer. More expensive clothes might wear longer and so on. So as much as I think about complaining on the cost I also realize the benefit with the cost.

I like the idea of Craigs list and garage sales. 9 times out of 10 the pieces of equipment being sold at these types of places are hardly ever used, they were purchased by an individual who thought about working out and it was only a thought, now they want to get rid of the "junk". Their junk our treasure!!! Plus they eat the big portion of the cost when they have to turn around and sale it in a garage sale.

 

[desertbriez]

it's CRAZY! i already have plenty of dumbbells... but i'll need a few more plates for my troy (or another set completely... but i prefer the shorter troy bar!)

squat rack

weighted vest

i already bought pace weights

kaching..... kaching...... kaching....

UGH!

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

 

[Vee]

>...........
>
>I guess I will actually have a better idea about what I will
>need when I can start experimenting with my 1RM. Should I be
>playing with that now for basic weight lifting exercises like
>bicep curls, etc.?
>
>Thanks for your opinions!
>
>Susan L.G.

Hello Susan,

Cathe and crew can really lift! I dont need anywhere near as much weight for most exercises.

I think a 1RM test to establish what extra weights you need may be a good idea so that you can assess the potential $$$ you may need to spend more realistically.

There`are many ways to do a 1 rep max test. I did a 1RM test using a 10 rep attempt (you do the exercise using a weight that you feel you will fail with before you hit 10 reps - the 1 rep max is calculated based on when you failed, example - on rep 6/7/whatever, and the pioundage you lifted). I used this online calculator, method 1:
http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/1rm.htm
I used this method because:
a. It was closest I could find to the method of testing described in the STS blog
b. It is safer than methods that entail actually attempting to lift just once, especially if you dont have a spotter
c. It can be done with weights you already lift

If predicts not just your 1 rep max but various percentages so you will have an idea of what you will need for each meso. In the STS blog they say no 1 rep max method is 100% accurate. You may find you will need`to adjust the weight upwards or down when you actually attempt working out in each meso's rep range, but this test will be close enough to serve as a guideline.

Most sites recommend that you warm up with some light cardio for about 5 to 10 minutes, do about 10 to 15 reps of weightless work to get the blood flowing to the msucles you are testing (say unweigthed squats for lower body or pushups for upper body), and some light stretching. Then you are`ready to start.

You could test one or two main exercises for each body part such as squats, chest press, deadlift, dead row, barbell curl, overhead tricep extension, overhead shoulder raise. That should give you a pretty good idea of weights you need until the STS 1 Rep max test becomes available.


~* Vrinda *~

 

[dorothyrd]

For the past 15 years, I have been collecting home fitness equipment, and I have never been sorry I have. Honestly I use it much more than the expense of joining a gym to use theirs. It is available any odd time of the day I want to use it, and I save the 20 minutes to and from, changing time, fighting the crowds. So I buy bits and pieces, and this winter, have been in prep. I still have some large plates and some little plates to get, but feel I have time.

 

[Beavs]

Why not try the series out first and see what you need. You may not need super heavy weights just yet and you build your strength. Sign up with freecycle (if it is available in your area) and see if you can get anything for free, try Play It Again Sports (if they are in your are), as well as the other sources already mentioned.

 

[melijoh]

My suggestion would be to do what you can with what you have. I'm sure these workouts will be challenging ALREADY! But yes, I do agree there is lots of new equipment needed...

 

[eminenz2]

Thanks for the replies everyone! They were very helpful and I will certainly be using more than just a few of the suggestions!

Susan L.G.

 

[NY25]

I agree with the others - adding on can be done over time. Plus, it depends upon your own current fitness level and what your goals are. This program is clearly designed for those who really want strength gains and maybe even size/cuts; however, that doesn't mean that others can't use it and build up. I personally know I will not be lifting that heavy for some time and may not even ever want to get that "intense" with it (at least right now). I'll wait until I get the program and get acclimated to it, and then see where I want to go with it and what I need at that point. Just because Cathe is lifting 80 or 100 pounds doesn't mean I need to. 40 or 50 may give me the results I desire. If that's the case then I won't need any new equipment. Wait and see and go from there. Enjoy!!

 

[PennStater]

Like you, I knew I needed more. Our money tree isn't blooming right now, and storage space is tight (I exercise in our living room/dining room), so I went for 2 key purchases.

Because my heaviest dumbbells are only 10 lbs (and already too light), I bought dumbbell bars with cuffs for $15 at Target. Then I went to Dick's and bought a 100 lb. iron weight set (15 lb bar, 85 lbs of plates - 4-10 lb plates, 6-5 lb plates, and 4-2.5 lb plates) for $78. I may have to pause for an extra couple seconds to adjust my dumbbells, but this option met both the money and space constraints.

I haven't looked into the weight vest yet, but will wait on that one, as others suggested, trying the workouts first to see if I need the vest during the first full rotation!

 

[beth6395]

Craig's list, Freecycle, local newspaper, ebay pickup only in your area), garage sales.

When I decided to start lifting I went to Sports Authority and bought my dumbell set, bar, clips with 100#'s in weights for 49.99 its black (I was just there and they went up to $59.99). I just purchased my dumbells 20lbers at Walmart they were 15.00 each. I am just starting on 15's I have the adjustable wrist/ankle weights that have the 10 individual bars that start from 1 to 10 lbs to help me go up. I do not plan on lifting heavy for the legs I bulk to easily so I do not need the squat rack or vest. The tower I will invest in it is going to be easy to put together and take apart to store under or behind something. All my risers work fine as a previous poster mentioned more luxury than needful.


beth6395

"You didn't pause your dvd and go make popcorn did ya"
-Cathe Friedrich

http://www.picturetrail.com/juicyfruities2002

 

[janie1234]

Ugh, I know how you feel. I still haven't pre ordered STS but I have a suspicion once the preview clips come out I won't be able to resist. I'm thinking of buying the bowflex adjustable weights because of my space restraints $399 price tag and that pull up bar and vest look really great, ca-ching $$$ All, in all I'm looking at around $1000 a whole lota green that I don't have right now. I have my target dumbells up to 15lbs and a troy barbell that I went ahead an invested in but man on man this IS starting to get expensive. I'm trying to look at it as an investment in my health and heck if I joined a gym I'd be paying $100 a month anyway.