So I thought I'd occasionally do some write ups on my fitness journey as up and down as it can be. Lately I'm on a bit of a role so I thought this might be a good way of keeping it interesting. First up though I might just show you all what it is I have at my disposal on the lower level of my house. Here is a shot of the overall setup.
So to begin with I have a fairly nifty treadmill. It connects to ifit and I can create pre set routes any where in the world using google maps. I can then do virtual runs using street view through NYC or around Ayres Rock or Niagra Falls even. The treadmill will match the elevation gain for any given hill also (up to 15% grade). It also has a tonne of built in training programmes depending on what you want to concentrate on. I do prefer to run outside but the treadmill is a handy option when dad life cannot be escaped or for those bone chilling nights / mornings.
As you will see from the overall setup I have a set of adjustable dumbells on a stand that I can dial in to what ever weight I want between 2.5-24kg per dumbbell. I also have a plated set of dumbells which I can use to get some of the in between weights I cant dial in on the other dumbells, or for any exercises I am doing 24kg+ per dumbbell. There is a power rack and Olympic sized bar complete with cable attachments both vertically and horizontally down low. It has dip bars (not pictured) and the chin up bar at the top. I use the Olympic bar for all forms of squats, bench press (flat and incline) and calf raises. I have a calf block to stand on for my calf raises which give that little bit extra extension and holds tension on the muscle. You will also see a standard sized bar which I mainly use for dead lifts or stiff legged deadlifts but I will also occasionally use it for rows and power cleans etc and very occasionally for curls. I have two benches, each is better for some exercises than others. The black and grey one has the added bonus of leg attachments to enable leg curls and leg extensions. It also has further attachments that slip on for seated curls etc that I don't use very often. It will do incline and decline in various positions. The red and black one will only do incline. I also have my little yoga matt which I use for all my floor exercises. Just gives that little bit more padding on top of my recycled rubber gym flooring.
Last but not least you will notice my red bike trainer. I generally only use the stationary trainer for my bike to do short high intensity stuff, but will very occasionally do a normal paced long ride. I have two bikes (the third is my partners $60 KMART job). My road bike is a $3,500 BMC carbon fiber job, the other one is a hybrid Giant Roam which can do light trail/off road stuff as well road use. Both bikes have speed and cadence sensors that report to my Garmin fitness watch, so even if I'm riding stationary it will still calculate how far I have ridden or a current speed. All in all though I do prefer to ride outdoors where ever possible.
Of course none of this would be possible to train with, without some music cranking down there. I use my old home theatre system linked up to a sonos receiver. So it all works wirelessly through the Sonos app. The TV comes in handy as well if there is an important footy game or motor race on while I'm training also ;)
I have a bit of other stuff I use here and there such as skipping ropes, resistance bands, and even a static swimming belt so I can swim for long periods in my pool without having to lap every 3 strokes haha. But that is basically the wrap up of all my fitness equipment. It is still a work in progress with some future additions/modifications still to come.