The Reddit Post That Got Me Thinking About Home Gyms
So, I was browsing r/homegym the other day, and I saw a post that immediately caught my attention. Someone had sold their Bells of Steel functional trainer and replaced it with a Temple of Gainz multi-flight system. Now, I've been tinkering with my home gym setup for years, always trying to find the perfect balance of space, functionality, and, let's be honest, just plain fun. This post really resonated because it touched on a few things I've been struggling with myself – mainly, making the most of limited space and finding equipment that actually gets used consistently.
The poster mentioned that they weren't using their functional trainer as much as they thought they would. I can relate to that. Sometimes, we get caught up in the hype of a particular piece of equipment, imagining all the amazing workouts we'll do with it, only to find it gathering dust in the corner. They also talked about wanting a pec-dec, but ultimately opting for the multi-flight system to save space and add versatility. This got me thinking about my own setup and whether I was truly optimizing my space and workout routine.
Why I Decided to Shake Things Up
The main issue for me was the sheer footprint of some of my equipment. I live in a house where space is a premium and that means every square foot counts. I had a functional trainer that, while versatile, took up a considerable amount of space. Setting it up for different exercises felt like a chore, and honestly, it wasn't getting the use it deserved. It became a piece of equipment that just got in the way.
I started to consider alternatives. A pec-dec was tempting, as it's a great isolation exercise for the chest, but again, it's a dedicated machine that takes up a lot of room. That's when I started looking into multi-flight systems. The Temple of Gainz one, in particular, caught my eye because it seemed to offer a good balance of functionality and space efficiency. I also liked the idea of having a dedicated delt raise station, as I've always found it challenging to target my delts effectively with dumbbells alone.
The Real Game Changer: The Multi-Flight System
What really sold me on the multi-flight system was its versatility. It's not just a pec-dec or a delt raise machine; it's a multi-functional piece of equipment that can be used for a variety of exercises. The poster on Reddit mentioned using it for pec flies with an incline bench, which sounded like a fantastic way to target the chest from different angles.
One of the biggest advantages of this system is that it allows you to perform exercises with a different feel than you get from dumbbells or even cable machines. The resistance curve is different, and it forces you to engage your muscles in a slightly different way. This can be a great way to break through plateaus and stimulate new muscle growth. I also liked the idea of having a dedicated reverse hyper setup. Reverse hypers are fantastic for strengthening the lower back and glutes, but setting them up can be a pain. The multi-flight system makes it much easier and more convenient to incorporate them into my routine.
Space-Saving Solutions: Rogue Monster Strip to the Rescue
Another thing that resonated with me from the Reddit post was the mention of using a Rogue Monster strip to store a trap bar. I also own a Bells of Steel trap bar, and it's a great piece of equipment for building overall strength. However, it's also quite bulky and can take up a lot of floor space.
I was constantly tripping over it or having to move it out of the way, which was a nuisance. The Rogue Monster strip seemed like a brilliant solution. It allows you to store the trap bar vertically, freeing up valuable floor space. It's a simple but effective way to keep your home gym organized and clutter-free. This is especially important in a smaller space where every inch counts. I installed the Rogue Monster strip on the side of my power rack, and it's made a huge difference in terms of space and organization.
The Importance of Customer Service (And Why It Matters)
The Reddit poster also raved about the customer service they received from Yoni, the owner of Temple of Gainz. They mentioned that he was incredibly responsive and even mailed them a missing piece the very next day. This really stood out to me because, in my experience, customer service can be hit or miss with fitness equipment companies.
It's reassuring to know that you're dealing with a company that genuinely cares about its customers and is willing to go the extra mile to ensure their satisfaction. Good customer service can make all the difference, especially when you're investing in expensive equipment. It gives you peace of mind knowing that you can rely on the company to support you if you have any problems. My own experience with Temple of Gainz mirrored the Redditor's; Yoni was incredibly helpful and responsive throughout the entire process.
The Reality Nobody Talks About: Home Gym Fatigue
Let's be real, home gyms can get boring. It's easy to fall into the same routine, doing the same exercises day after day. This can lead to plateaus and a lack of motivation. It's important to find ways to keep things fresh and exciting. One way to do this is to experiment with new exercises and equipment. The multi-flight system has definitely helped with this, as it's opened up a whole new range of exercises that I can do.
Another thing that can derail your home gym progress is a lack of accountability. When you're working out at home, there's no one to push you or hold you accountable. It's easy to skip workouts or cut corners. This is where having a workout partner or joining an online fitness community can be helpful. Surrounding yourself with like-minded people can provide the motivation and support you need to stay on track.
Making This Work for Your Life: Time-Saving Strategies
One of the biggest challenges of working out at home is finding the time. Life is busy, and it's easy to let workouts fall by the wayside. That's why it's important to develop time-saving strategies. One thing that works well for me is to schedule my workouts in advance, just like I would any other important appointment. This helps me prioritize my fitness and make sure that I'm carving out time for it each week.
Another time-saving tip is to do shorter, more intense workouts. You don't need to spend hours in the gym to get results. A 30-45 minute workout can be just as effective, especially if you focus on compound exercises that work multiple muscle groups at once. I often do HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training) workouts at home, which are a great way to burn calories and build muscle in a short amount of time.
Actually Putting This Into Practice: A Sample Workout
Okay, so how do you actually incorporate the multi-flight system and other space-saving solutions into your workout routine? Here's a sample workout that you can try:
Warm-up (5 minutes):
- Light cardio, such as jogging in place or jumping jacks
- Dynamic stretching, such as arm circles and leg swings
Workout (45 minutes):
- Pec Flies on Multi-Flight System (3 sets of 10-12 reps)
- Delt Raises on Multi-Flight System (3 sets of 12-15 reps)
- Reverse Hypers on Multi-Flight System (3 sets of 15-20 reps)
- Trap Bar Deadlifts (3 sets of 6-8 reps)
- Incline Dumbbell Press (3 sets of 8-10 reps)
- Pull-ups (3 sets to failure)
Cool-down (5 minutes):
- Static stretching, holding each stretch for 30 seconds
This workout targets all the major muscle groups and can be easily modified to suit your fitness level. Feel free to substitute exercises or adjust the sets and reps as needed. The key is to listen to your body and challenge yourself without overdoing it.
My Take on All This: It's About Finding What Works For YOU
Ultimately, the best home gym setup is the one that works best for you. There's no one-size-fits-all solution. What works for one person may not work for another. The key is to experiment and find the equipment and workout routine that you enjoy and that fits into your lifestyle. For me, ditching the functional trainer and replacing it with the multi-flight system has been a game-changer. It's allowed me to make better use of my limited space and add more variety to my workouts.
I think the original Reddit poster was onto something. Sometimes, we need to re-evaluate our fitness equipment and ask ourselves if it's truly serving our needs. It's okay to sell equipment that you're not using and replace it with something that you're more likely to use consistently. The goal is to create a home gym environment that motivates you to work out and helps you achieve your fitness goals. And don't underestimate the value of good customer service!