YOUR NEW HOME GYM
A home gym may be priceless, but building it can be exorbitant. Learn how to play the used market and one man’s loss can become your gains
01 SQUAT RACK RRP £615 BULLDOG GEAR MSR2 MAMMOTH RACK SPOT CHECK
Focus on the quality of your rack’s steel and build. The thicker the steel, the better, says Cooper Mitchell of Garage Gym Reviews. Compare it to cardboard: if the steel is thinner than the card of a cereal box or shoebox, move on. Push the seller for a discount if you notice any rust forming at the rack’s welding points.
✗ AVOID
If it teeters or rocks when you re-rack a heavy bar. Stability equals safety.
✓ STEAL
Any rack with thick steel. If it’s between £ 75 and £ 150, snatch it quickly.
★ HOLY GRAIL
Bulldog Gear MSR2 Mammoth Rack. At around £500, it could last for ever.
02 BUMPER PLATES RRP £6/KG BULLDOG GEAR COMPETITION PLATES SPOT CHECK
The plan is simple: prod the inner metal ring of each plate with your finger. When bumper plates are cheaply made, the ring is positioned after the rubber has been bonded. As a result, it can eventually fall off, leaving the material to crack. If the rubber is splitting around the ring, ask for a discount, or find other options.
✗ AVOID
Metal weights. They’ll damage your floor when you (inevitably) drop them.
✓ STEAL
Anything with an Eleiko logo. It’s an old-school brand you can trust.
★ HOLY GRAIL
Bulldog Gear Competition Bumper Plates. They can even be resold later.
03 FAN BIKE RRP £999 SCHWINN AIRDYNE AD PRO SPOT CHECK
An Allen key is your friend. Secure all the bolts. If they don’t tighten, a missing or rusted internal piece could be to blame, says Ben Sweeney of Brick New York. If that’s the case, ask for a lower price. Assault bikes are easy to fix, but be cautious of older Airdyne models: parts can be difficult to purchase if they need replacing.
✗ AVOID
If the bike’s fans don’t spin freely, or if the electronic console is off.
✓ STEAL
The Assault Airbike. If this Crossfit classic appears for under £200, grab it.
★ HOLY GRAIL
Schwinn Airdyne AD Pro. It may be a model from 2015, but it’s built to last.