Use Iron Gym

Pumping Iron at Home, Or Just Playing With Rubber Bands?

Let me clearly state my bias. I am a free weight guy. The issue has never been one of using free weights or not. On occasion though, I have tossed around in my mind whether working out at home might not be more beneficial.

Of course, I am familiar with all the standard benefits:

• No commuting
• More privacy
• More time
• No monthly fees

That all said, there is nothing like heaving up a pair 110 lb dumbbells for 6 gut wrenching repetitions on the incline bench (for me it was big, for you, it might be a warm-up weight). I loved the adrenaline rush of getting underneath a 365 lb barbell for the scariest set of squats ever (again for me). There is no trying any of that at home.

A few years ago (or eight), I lived at Gold's Gym. Even though I had recently turned 40, it was like I was getting back to my 20's days. I was pumping iron like a madman; living on creatine, colostrum, and whey protein; and running along the ocean at Ala Moana Park every day, or it seemed like every day. Though recently married, we still had no kids. Boy, what a difference a couple of little gals make.

Cut to the chase, with one child in kindergarten and another coming out of her terrible two's, I mentioned heading back to the gym to my wife. Her response - well - let us not go there, as we are all civilized human beings here. I think I meekly responded with something about doing push-ups in the other room.

But with our baby rearing days behind us (I hope, though the older seems to have gotten the flu today), I have been hankering to get back to working out, seriously.

So, I looked at all the options. I have an iron gym pull-up bar that I love. At the moment, my work out program consists of running a hill route of about 3 ½ miles, and then, doing pull-ups and push-ups for my upper body work. It is a good workout, but at 49 with two little ones, could I get back to my muscle days? I need to find out, that is all.

Of my home gym options (because going to the gym is not an option - see spouse), those all-in-one contraption's with the stack weight and selector in back was an immediate out. Hate those things. Resistance feels wrong, zero range of motion, joints locked dangerous positions, and I could go on. And those big power rack/smith machine free weight systems are not doable. Love to have one, but too big and too expensive.'

The toy I really want is, of course, the Bowflex. I used it a while back ago at friend's place and I really liked it. My wallet hates it, as the configuration I want is in the $2,000 range, ouch. Still, with your easy, friendly neighborhood payment plan, it is a doable option. Instead I settled on Bodylastics.

For the next twelve weeks, I am going to put this baby to the test. I am going replicate movements you could only do at the gym. I going to see if this cheap (it is cheap, it is not "inexpensive," it is not "affordable," it is cheap) "home gym" can withstand what I am going to put it through (being the 49 year old, middle-aged father of two, yet "superdad" in my own mind!).

Should be fun!

About the Author

Is he just one of the over-the-hill gang - seeking to relive past glories an Al Bundy acolyte, as he rebuilds his body into the 200 lbs of twisted steel and sex appeal of days gone by (a deluded and vivid imagination here)? Or can he do it (do what?!!!)? Follow his progress at http://www.smartweightgain.com/category/bodylastics as he blogs this journey to beat back the hands of time.  Should be good for a laugh!

Or learn more about Bodylastics from them by clicking here.

Iron Gym Total Upper Body Workout Bar $35 Transform your doorway into a gym - Iron Gym is the multi-function exercise bar you can use to do pull-ups, chin-ups, push-ups, sit-ups, dips, arm and shoulder exercise - every exercise you need to build a powerful upper body! Heavy duty steel construction Fits all standard door frames (24''-32'' wide) Quick & easy assembly (Tools included) Professional quality - Built to last Package Size: 505*210*90 mm Weight: 1673 g

Ast Iron Gym 4 Pk Case Body Workout Bar $20.99 IRON GYM BODY WORKOUT BAR 1 PC AS SEEN ON TV

Gym Candy $3.95 "Look, Mick," he said, "you're going to find out from somebody in the gym, so you might as well find out from me. Those supplements you're taking? They might get you a little bigger, but just a little. If you're after serious results, there's other stuff that produces better results much faster, stuff that a lot of guys in the gym use." "What other stuff?" "You know what I'm talking about--gym candy." Runningback Mick Johnson has dreams: dreams of cutting back, finding the hole, breaking into the open, and running free with nothing but green grass ahead. He has dreams of winning and of being the best. But football is a cruel sport. It requires power, grace, speed, quickness, and knowledge of the game. It takes luck, too. One crazy bounce can turn a likely victory into sudden defeat. What elite athlete wouldn't look for an edge? A way to make him bigger, stronger, faster? This novel explores the dark corners of the heart of a young football player as he struggles for success under the always glaring--and often unforgiving--stadium lights.

The Men's Health Gym Bible $9.99 Backed with the authority of the worldÂ’s leading menÂ’s lifestyle magazine, this is the ultimate resource for guys looking for a total gym experience. In The MenÂ’s Health Gym Bible, certified strength and conditioning coach Mike Mejia and magazine contributor Myatt Murphy instruct readers in the optimal use of a gym for strength training and cardiovascular fitness. The authors advise both novices and longtime gym rats on: how to choose the right personal trainer; the value of group fitness classes - and how to fit them into any workout schedule; how to design a gym program that meets personal fitness goals. Packed with hundreds of photographs that demonstrate proper technique for every piece of equipment found in the typical gym, The MenÂ’s Health Gym Bible is the must-have accessory for every gym membership. There is simply no other book on the market that so comprehensively and expertly addresses the needs of gym enthusiasts.

Gym Shoe $4.59 A collection of five erotic stories with mixed spanking themes. Gym Shoe by Ivana Chopski It's close to Janine's fortieth birthday and her husband Ricky is keen to find her that extra special present. Reflecting on an event from her school days that she has kept secret; Janine makes a suggestion that at first shocks her husband, but he eventually warms too. Come the big day Ricky presents Janine with her gift, a present that allows her to indulge once more in her past, with the added benefit of experience. They say life begins at forty. Wanton Witchery by Lynn Lake It's the height of the Middle Ages and the Church is on a brutal mission ridding the world of witchcraft. In the damp and darkened confines of a Monastery's cellar, a young woman finds herself at the mercy of two monks of the Inquisition. Both are determined to use every torturous method at their disposal to drive the Devil out of this young wench. On hearing of the young woman's predicament, her fiance rushes to her rescue only to discover a depravity that shocks him to the very soul. The Landlady by Primula Bond Answering the door to a prospective lodger, Linda is surprised to see Robin is a girl. Despite being desperate for young male company, she invites Robin to view the room. Linda soon discovers that Robin has a tale to tell, regarding her hasty exit from her previous digs. Recounting her experience takes them both on a wild journey into a sensuous and wanton landscape. Perfection by Cathryn Cooper Three long-time friends reflect on their lives after one of their regular, monthly dinner dates. Their conversations soon turn to topic subject of sex and their heart's desires. Remembering a distant time, Josie admits to an affair that she once had with her lecturer. Intrigued, Crystal and Greta urge her to confess all. Sharing her intimate memories, Josie regales to the others a particularly racy episode from behind the tutorial door, with a tutor who expects nothing less than perfection. Paddles by Caesar Pink A couple visit Paddles, a Manhattan BDSM club to indulge in a little exotic nightlife. Walking from room to room taking in the patrons activities, they succumb to the urge to put on a public display themselves. With a wild variety of implements and willing participants to hand it's not long before they're the centre of attention, as their exhibitionist stage show pulls the audience in. These stories have also been published in Spank Me ISBN 9781905170937

At the Gym $24.99 At the Gym - Photographic Print

Pretend & Play Gym Bag $25.99 Pretend & Play Gym Bag Get set to sweat! Realistic gym bag invites kids to discover the fun of an active, healthy lifestyle. Set of 20 pieces comes with everything they?ll need to pump iron in style. Sturdy nylon bag zips, buckles, buttons, snaps and ties to teach everyday dressing skills. Nylon bag stores all accessories and measures 12"L x 8"H LER 9046 Set of 20 Ages 3+

Weslo GGK11 Golds Gym 7 in 1 Gym $67.49 Ideal for building lean powerful upper body. Compact design stores easily in closet or under bed. Sturdy steel frame offers years of use. Weight capacity: 250 lbs. Some assembly required. Includes: Door gym pushup bar ab and

Perfect Fitness PerfectMulti-Gym $29.99 Designed for use in most 27" - 35" door frames, this Perfect Fitness Perfect.Multi-Gym PF-31010 lets you perform chin-ups, sit-ups, dips and more for a comprehensive upper-body workout. The extra-wide handles allow wide-grip pull-ups and comfortable use.

Gold's Gym, Vol. 4: On Target - $14.99 The popular weight-lifting franchise Gold's Gym beings its iron-pumping expertise to the living room with this set of videos. Gold's Gym Volume 4: On Target offers four routines to get viewers trim and toned. ~ Michael Hastings, Rovi

OLMA Mesh Gym Shorts $9.99 Gym class, schmym class. We know you don’t want to go, but what better place to show off these silky, 100% nylon, hunter green mesh shorts with OLMA screen printed in gold on the lower left leg. Buy these today and you will never have to use the excuse that you forgot your gym clothes again!

The Total Gym Ball Workout $19.49 The ultimate ’one stop’ guide to using this bestselling piece of equipment - not just in the gym but at home too. Practical and easily accessible, The Total Gym Ball Workout is perfect for the fitness enthusiast or fitness professional who wants to lightly improve their knowledge and heavily improve the range of exercises they can use in their training. Tried and tested exercises are accompanied by clear photos and illustrations presented in a modern and logical way. The Total Gym Ball Workout is brimming with ideas for using this popular piece of fitness equipment. Packed with clear and easy to use exercises, this how-to reference book also provides adaptations of basic and advanced exercises making it ideal for anyone who wants to get the most out of their fitness gear. - Each exercise idea is organised by fitness level and includes follow-up and extension ideas. - Written in a jargon-free and concise style, this book is light on the science and background, heavy on practicality.

Squirrel Jungle Gym Feeder $24.95 Squirrel Jungle Gym Feeder Enliven Your Garden with a Squirrel Feeder Squirrel feeders have always been popular. Squirrels are crafty, which makes them a lot of fun to watch. Mount your Squirrel Jungle Gym Feeder close enough to a window. You will be entertained for hours. Squirrel feeders also make a great gift for wildlife lovers of all ages. Special Features Black powder coated finish Made of wrought iron Brass bells alert you to feeding activity Corkscrew feeding points where ears of corn may be attached Tiers rotate independently Enjoy watching the squirrels entertain themselves while they eat Dimensions: 18.5" H x 1" W x 1" D Low Price Guarantee Achla Designs, a Garden Accessories company, emphasizes unique, hand forged, wrought iron, European furnishings for the home and garden. Items range from small hooks and brackets to large pavilions and arbors. They also offer birdbaths, birding & garden pole systems, trellises, statuary, composting products, and wood and metal furniture. In 2004, Achla Designs introduced the Williamsburg Collection, offering reproductions as well as 17th and 18th century inspired designs for the contemporary home. Achla Designs continues to add beautiful and unique items year after year, resulting in an unusually large product line.

Jessica Ennis 65cm Gym Ball. $14.99 Use this great two-tone gym ball from the Jessica Ennis range to tone and strengthen abs muscles. A great way to vary your floor exercises, at home or in the gym.65cm diameter gym ball.Grey and purple.Durable burst-resistant PVC construction.2-tone design.Foot pump included.Maximum user weight 125kg (19st10lb).

Adidas Antiburst Gym Ball 75cm. $24.99 Use this Antiburst Gym Ball to add anther dimension to your workout. Add extra intensity to your floor exercises, and help strengthen and tone core muscles.75cm diameter gym ball.Red.Textured surface for improved stability and control during exercises.Maximum user weight 125kg (19st10lb).

Brooklyn Bridge Cables Vintage Gym Bag by CafePress $17 This gym bag has a black and white photograph of the Brooklyn Bridge on it. Pump some iron or stash your overnight things with this vintage-looking classic. Vintage Gym Bag Headed to the club for a work out? No sweat. Our Nylon Gym Bag from American Apparel is the perfect way to transport those damp gym clothes back home. Made with a water-resistant Nylon Pack Cloth construction, it's made for the rigorous demands of an athl

Pro Fitness 65cm Gym Ball. $6.99 This gym ball from Pro Fitness is ideal for performing a range of exercises designed to improve balance and co-ordination, and strengthen core muscles. Great for use at home or in the gym.65cm diameter gym ball.Silver.Helps develop overall body muscle, balance and co-ordination.A great exercise alternative for any age and fitness level.Washable and easy to care for.Comes with foot pump.Maximum user weight 125kg (19st10lb).

Body Sculpture BB268 Body Gym $19.99 The Body Sculpture Body Gym is ideal for push ups chin ups dips sit ups and a total upper body workout. Made from of heavy duty steel with anti-slip rubber grips it's easy to use and is attached or removed from the door frame in seconds.

Victorious Messenger and Gym Bag Set. $19.99 This eye-catching Victorious messenger and gym bag set is ideal for sports enthusiasts and for everyday use, offering plenty of room for your belongings with style.Pink polyester.1 internal pocket.2 compartments.Adjustable shoulder strap.Styles may vary.Size H30, W31.5, D9cm.8.5 litre capacity.Weight 0.2kg.EAN/MPN/UPC/ISBN: 5055170566882

It's a Preemie Thing Baby Gym Bag by CafePress $17 Great bag for Preemie Parents to use when going to relieve some stress at the Gym, or maybe even going to the hospital to spend the night. Baby Gym Bag Headed to the club for a work out? No sweat. Our Nylon Gym Bag from American Apparel is the perfect way to transport those damp gym clothes back home. Made with a water-resistant Nylon Pack Cloth construction, it's made for the rigorous demands of an athl

Wrought Iron and Its Decorative Use $18.21 A superb treasury of decorative wrought iron, this well-illustrated volume presents an informative survey of the ancient craft's practice throughout England. Its history can be traced simply by admiring the crisp black-and-white illustrations of gates, railings, screens, and other elaborately rendered works. 241 black-and-white illustrations.

Gym Junkie Funny Hooded Sweatshirt by CafePress $45 Gym Junkie: Sports, fitness, gym, work out, aerobics, iron, pumping iron, body building, body, extreme, t-shirt, exercise, attitude, humor, funny, free weights, weight lifting, strength Funny Hooded Sweatshirt Tee, TShirt, Shirt The hoodie: the perfect utilitarian piece of clothing. Leave your hat and scarf at home Stay warm and comfy in your Pullover Hooded Sweatshirt. This hoodie is constructed with a cotton/polyester blend - both durable and comfortable.Heavyweight 90

GYM $2.49 24,90 EUR / 1kg - Die GYM Salmiakdrops werden hergestellt unter Verwendung von reinem Lakritz. Sie schmecken kr�ftig und w�rzig und sind eine bew�hrte Hilfe bei Husten und Heiserkeit.

Gym Scooter Fun & Games Book $25.04 This first-of-its-kind resource contains fun and challenging scooter relays, scooter movement tasks, scooter tag-type games, sport lead-up scooter games, and academic concept-building games that utilize gym scooters. The quick, easy-to-use format makes it very reader friendly-the ideal resource for the busy PE teacher! Grades 1 - 8.

Climb Evolution Funny Gym Bag by CafePress $17 Man has evolved from a knuckle-dragging ape all the way to a tool-wielding biped. Is that the best we can do, though? The truly evolved don't just stand erect and use tools -- they go rock climbing Funny Gym Bag Headed to the club for a work out? No sweat. Our Nylon Gym Bag from American Apparel is the perfect way to transport those damp gym clothes back home. Made with a water-resistant Nylon Pack Cloth construction, it's made for the rigorous demands of an athl

Copyright 1961 Humor Funny Gym Bag by CafePress $17 A funny birthday gift idea that says unauthorized use of me is prohibited. Funny Gym Bag Headed to the club for a work out? No sweat. Our Nylon Gym Bag from American Apparel is the perfect way to transport those damp gym clothes back home. Made with a water-resistant Nylon Pack Cloth construction, it's made for the rigorous demands of an athl

Puzzler: Mind Gym - 3DS (DS) $29.99 Keep your mind fit and active with Puzzler Mind Gym 3D Puzzler Mind Gym 3D offers you a daily program of brain exercises and puzzles in 3D, designed to help you make the most of your mind. Improve your capabilities in four categories you use every day — Visual, Memorization, Word-based, and Numerical. Puzzler Mind Gym 3D is brought to you by Puzzler, in conjunction with Professor Ian Robertson, an internationally recognized neuroscientist and expert on cognitive rehabilitation. Keep your brain active! Key Game Features: Choose from an extensive selection of games covering four categories – VISUAL, MEMORY, WORD and NUMERICAL, all of which are designed in 3D to exercise the mind in various ways. Play However You Want - Browse and select from any of the 90 daily programmes at any time, choosing your preferred game types at your leisure, or successfully complete all 4 Warm Up games within a daily session before attempting the brain-stimulating Mind Gym Challenges presented by the Professor. Profile Progress Tracker - Track and review your progress to monitor your improvement over time. Use the overall performance graph to check your progress and see all of the grades that you have achieved for each of the 90 Mind Doctor Challenges. Professor’s Strategies and Tips - Successfully complete a set number of Challenges and be rewarded with “Brain Box” strategy lessons which provide you with expert advice on exercising the mind both in and out of the game. About Professor Ian Robertson: Currently Professor of Psychology at Trinity College Dublin, Professor Ian Robertson has worked in Cambridge, Toronto, and London, and is a regular keynote speaker at conferences on brain function throughout the world. Professor Ian Robertson has written for The Times and the British Medical Journal, and has made numerous television appearances, including presenting for the popular Irish TV show Read Write Now. His many scientific articles and books include the leading international textbook in his field, and the popular science books Mind Sculpture and Opening the Mind's Eye, and the successful self-help manual Stay Sharp with the Mind Doctor.

Gold's Gym, Vol. 3: Cardio Mix - $14.99 The popular weight-lifting franchise Gold's Gym beings its iron-pumping expertise to the living room with this set of videos. Gold's Gym Volume 3: Cardio Mix focuses on the all-too-infrequently worked cardiovascular system, offering tips on how to improve breathing and circulation as viewers work their major muscle groups. ~ Michael Hastings, Rovi

Maximuscle Two Station Home Gym. $399.99 This Maximuscle Two Station Home Gym encourages and helps you to achieve even greater muscle strength and tone. Use the impressive 65.8kg weight stack to build and condition day by day. Work out and set yourself goals in the comfort of your own home.With a total resistance weight of 65.8kg, the top stack is 2.27kg and the rest stack is 4.54kg.Vertical gym.Weight stack 65.8kg.Bench press.Butterfly press.Pec dec.Leg extension.Arm curl.Low rowing.Triceps press.Shoulder press.Vinyl weight stack.Sealed bearing pulley system.Maximum user weight 125kg (19st10lb).General information:Size H195, W148, D156cm.Weight 141kg.Packed flat.

Jr. Gym Combination Set $1109.59 Soft gymnastic set ups with different densities of foam and reversible supports. Use 11 individual pieces or progressively in groups. Soft log and beam are 12 cross section and 4 ft. long. 2 mats 2' x 4' and 2 mats 2' x 6' for tumbling and safety. Half cylinder 24 dia. x 24 long. (SHIPS IN 21 DAYS)

An Iron Will $11.32 The world takes us at our own valuation. It believes in the man who believes in himself, but it has little use for the timid man, the one who is never certain of himself; who cannot rely on his own judgment, who craves advice from others, and is afraid to go ahead on his own account. -from "The Rulers of Destiny" The preeminent self-help expert of the early 20th century and a forerunner of Dale Carnegie and Norman Vincent Peale, Stephen R. Covey and Anthony Robbins, Marden penned numerous motivation books that galvanized the public. In this insightful and motivating little book, first published in 1901 and just as enlightening today, he explores the importance of mental discipline to our happiness and success. Topics covered include: .training the will ."the wills, won'ts, and can'ts" .what is worse than rashness .conquerors of fortune .concentrated energy .persistent purpose .and more. Also available from Cosimo Classics: Marden's Friendship, Cheerfulness as a Life Power, Do It to a Finish, and two-volume Pushing to the Front. American writer and editor ORISON SWETT MARDEN (1850-1924) was born in New England and studied at Boston University and Andover Theological Seminary. In 1897, he founded Success Magazine.

Iron Will - $12.99 A rousing Disney dog-sled adventure based on a real life event -- a 522-mile dog-sled race between Winnipeg, Canada and St. Paul, Minnesota that occurred in 1917. When his father is accidentally killed, South Dakota farmboy Will Stoneman (Mackenzie Astin) decides to enter the dog-sled race in order to save his family from financial ruin. His mother (Penelope Windust) wants Will to use part of the prospective $10,000 race winnings for college, but Will just wants to save the farm. With the help of Indian handyman Ned Dodd (August Schellenberg), Will begins to train for the race. But the rich mogul underwriting the race, J.P. Harper (David Ogden Stiers), doesn't want Will to enter, thinking the competition too arduous and too dangerous for such a young boy. To Will's aid comes yellow journalist Harry Kingsley (Kevin Spacey), who convinces Harper to permit Will to enter the race. But Harry also has his own agenda -- he sees a great story in Will and thinks it will sell newspapers and advance his journalistic career. With his father's best dog Gus at the head of his dog team, Will is ready and determined to win the race. But Will discovers that winning the race is only half his battle. Dealing with the petty and malevolent human beings involved in the race -- in particular, the egotistical Scandinavian champion Borg Guillarson (George Gerdes) and the wealthy gambler Angus McTeague (Brian Cox) -- prove to be as much of a challenge to his mettle than any natural obstacles Will might encounter. ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi

Napoleon in the Gym $10 Napoleon in the Gym

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