I'd suggest those adjustable DB's from Bowflex, but I have no idea how much they cost and a flat bench minus the weights. DB's are pretty easy to do without a spotter if you have to. If they're too heavy in a shoulder press, bp or fly you can just drop'em, assuming you have a mat of some sort. DB's are the most versatile home training things you can own. Power racks, etc. aren't worth the money or the hassle. I'd rather just spend the 18$ a month at a gym, when you can start doing it, versus spending tons of cash on Racks, weights, or olympic lifting stuff. (Which is super expensive, for the bumper plates, platforms, etc.) Spend your money on books about weight training or buy some stocks. They'll suit you better.

Whoa, platforms? Bumper plates? Are these for the olympic lifts? I just wanted the olympic weights. I was only planning on doing the "big 3" plus a couple of other exercises (like pullups...since the squat rack has a pullup bar on the front). All in all, it was only going to set me back like $450 or so. Not a huge investment, but more expensive than going to the gym for a year or two. Especially since my company reimburses me for half of my gym costs (if I go...they like to see their employees taking care of themselves). The problem is that my wife is still recovering from an illness, so I don't have the luxury to spend a lot of time away from home after work (which takes up a great deal of time as it is).

The gym would be preferrable for me, but I'll have to see if I can swing it. If I can, I'd have the luxury of training partners (co-workers), plus a crapload of equipment (not to mention the company discount). And then there's the fantastic music that they pump through the speakers 24-7!

I don't mean to hijack the thread, so to keep it on topic...The pushup handles rock! Oh wait *re reads the whole thread* I mean, I wasted that $5.

I was thinking you meant, Power Cleans, Snatches, etc.. For pullups, get one of those things that hangs on the doorway, it's about 20$ or so. If you could manage an hour 3 times a week to start with at the Gym, you'd be more than well on your way to looking like you want, plus the incentives you listed. Our gym has wonderful music also... N'suck, John Mayer, Ashante, etc. Fortunately the days I lift on my own, I have my ipod to keep me company. Hope your wife gets better soon.

I would never, NEVER have ANYONE do Sumo anything. You might think you're hitting a different part of your thighs, but you'd be wrong. You might think you're not risking blowing out your knees, but again you'd be dead, dead wrong.

TBM you should really do a small MA conditioning / weight lifting guide to help cut some of the crap around here.

That said, thanks for posting here at least.

Akira,
Yeah, I have one of those doorway pullup bars (a fantastic investment for anyone. It's worth every penny). I use it during my home workouts (mostly BWE with a couple of DB exercises). I'm up to 2 unassisted pullups (which is a vast improvement from zero). :) I just figured the squat cage having a pull up bar on it was a plus because I could use a wider grip if I wanted.

Thanks for the well wishing too. My wife's health has seen some drastic improvement over the past year, so I don't see it being too much longer before our lives get back on track. The problem is that I've just gotten myself involved in a contest against my brothers and a couple of friends. We're trying to get into killer shape in 6 months (lose the most weight/bodyfat percentage), so I'm trying to make the best use of the whole 6 months. ;)

I concur with Shumagorath, I think a small guide on what to look for, and what to avoid would be helpful. I know that Ronin69 posted that "facts" thread, but that thing is a monster (of course anyone serious enough to look beyond TBM's initial guide should look there as well).

TBM although having the disposition of a wolverine, knows what he's talking about. He has 9372483274 certifications. I'm just an understudy as I harass him until he tells me the answer to the questions I have. I'll help to the best of my ability on fitness issues or questions you have.

Gotcha. Thanks fellas.

Forget the pushup bars. Just do knuckle pushups,dips,pull ups and hit the weights room at the gym.

The sad part is I'm not doing weights anymore. I used to do alot of weight training back when I did Bujinkan but not anymore. I simply don't have the time. I'm doing Kyokushin three times per week. That and a bit of running on weekends. Thats all I can manage at the moment.

TBM although having the disposition of a wolverine, knows what he's talking about. He has 9372483274 certifications. I'm just an understudy as I harass him until he tells me the answer to the questions I have. I'll help to the best of my ability on fitness issues or questions you have.

Yeah, I think his posts are extremely helpful, but it won't let me +rep him until I spread the wealth some more. :icon_cool So thanks for the help.

The sad part is I'm not doing weights anymore

Don't kid yourself Hannibal. We all know you don't even know what a weight looks like.

Not only is TBM the pinnacle of correctness, she is also totally hot.

I mean for a girl...

Hey dipshit stop paying me out and hijacking my thread.

Either contribute in a positive manner or leave. On second thoughts no, just leave.

**** you bitch. If I post on it, it becomes MY thread, got that?

Budd, that's a bad idea. It just increases your chances for arthritis. I used to do shockups, punch bags of rocks, and use a rolling pin on my shins and forearms. More hassle than it was worth. ... you need to do some forearm and wrist exercises to build up the tendon strength. Use weights. Work every range of motion with heavy weight. In 1-3 months you'll notice a much improved grip, strength and stability when handling heavy weight, or whatever you're doing. Also you'll hit alot harder. Striking is primarily a forearm, tricep and shoulder action. Build those and the tendons around them and you'll see alot better improvements than if you were to do puhsups or pushups with the grip bars. BWE's are for women.
Sorry AkiraMusashi... I'm not buying any of this. I can’t really take somebody serious when their bullshit signature is far more prominent here than anything they’ve ever written. Despite your speculation about how endowed hapk03 is, I’ve seen him throw down multiple opponents in person and he is a serious fighter, and a decent, friendly person. You know nothing about him.

But back on subject of arthritis.... Having your wrists bent back in standard pushup position or resting massive weighted bars on the base of the palm can be just as stressful to your joints, just different joints. It by-passes your knuckles and fingers.
Frankly I’d much have arthritis of the knuckles than arthritis in my wrists. I’d much rather have arthritis later than shatter another metacarpal bone, or have my wrist buckle during a strike because it was used to bending under load rather than staying straight. Saying “BWE’s are for women” is just straight ignorance. I don’t have a bench press everywhere I go, but I do have my hundred kilograms of body weight.
Punching bags of rocks is just plain stupid too... a makiwara is the proper way of conditioning the hand bones ( http://www.bullshido.net/forums/showpost.php?p=504732&postcount=107). Unless you like depending on gloves and wraps to prevent injury, don’t bypass your hands and knuckles.

Despite my love of Conan... your advice has absolutely zero credibility.

Okay, not going to argue with you on it.

TB you titless monkey.

YOU **** off. I started this thread. I wanted further information on some advice that was given to me. Your advice nor your presence is wanted here by me. Leave.