TrustyMutsi

Cool, thanks. If I need to get one first, I'll build the rack. At this point, I'll be picking up a lifting bench, bar, and 60 lbs of weight for $30. It'll keep me going for now. I assume I still won't be able to do squats using the bench. Once I have the bench I'll post pics and ask for advice on which workouts I should do with it.

That's super helpful. Thanks! Right now I got a very cheap bench, standard bar, and 60lbs of additional weight for $30 on Craigslist. I'll use that until I outgrow it. Hopefully by then I'll have saved enough to Olympic and maybe build the homemade rack you linked to.

Awesome, thanks!

Well, after all of this, we've looked at our budget, and we can't afford more equipment for a few months still. Maybe I'll work on bodyweight stuff for a while, or fund ways to make what I have work

Sounds good. Thanks, sir.

Yeah, I think my best bet is the 300 lb set from Dicks and El Exercisto's rack from Amazon. Just wondering if I need to get safeties right away if I'm not lifting that heavy yet?

You know what? I might just go with a combo of what you both posted. Get the rack from Amazon and the 300 lb set from Dicks. They have it in stock right down the road from work. It only ends up being $50 more than the rusty crap on that Craigslist listing. Are the additional safeties absolutely necessary?

That rack on Amazon looks good. What about this set of weights? http://allentown.craigslist.org/spo/4476213359.html Too rusty? Is a 5' bar too short? Thanks for the feedback!

See, I think my problem is my deficit isn't severe enough. Being a 6'2" male, I am told I don't eat enough, but if I'm not losing, I really think I need to cut more calories. I do VERY little activity outside my strength training, so I bet I need less calories than the average person my size.

Hi! I'm about 2 months into strength training. I've just been using dumbbells. Here is my current workout: Bicep curls, overhead shoulder press, bench press, bent over rows, dead lists, and squats. I do 3 sets or 6 reps. I've been using a small coffee table for bench presses. It's small enough for my arms to go all the way back. I've gotten to the point where I've used up all my weights (105 lbs total) for bent over rows, dead lifts, and squats. In fact, I've moved up to 12 reps for dead lifts and squats after running out of weight. I need to go heavier. I could just buy more weights for the dumbbells, but I'm not sure how much more will fit I COULD start adding more weight to just ONE dumbbell, and take turns on each arm, but that won't help with my deadlifts and squats. So I'm thinking of finally investing in more equipment. Here are my current issues: 1. I do not have a lot of money to spend. Would like to keep it under $400. Would LOVE to keep it around $150, but I doubt that's realistic. 2. Basement is the only place to set up equipment. There's not much space left, and the ceiling is kinds low. I'm 6' 2". 3. I am cutting, not bulking, so I probably will not be going INCREDIBLY heavy for a while. I'm about 22-25% body fat %, and trying to get down to at least 15-17%. I've heard it's good to use craigslist, but I just can't seem to find much in my area, except for some simple benches. I also have trouble knowing when something is a good deal (good price, good brand, etc…) My area is Allentown, PA. Would it be possible to seriously strength train using bodyweight? I've read some good articles about it on the main Nerd Fitness site. I honestly am feeling really overwhelmed. Any advice is VERY welcome. Thanks!!

Well, my focus right now isn't gains. It's losing fat/getting to under 19% body fat. I was just curious about how gains worked when cutting.

I've been trying to not eat unless I'm actually hungry, but I'm starting to wonder if I even KNOW what hunger feels like anymore. I believe that all the years of eating when I'm tired, depressed, or bored have deadened my awareness of true hunger. I'm not sure if I even know what it feels like. Outside of my stomach rumbling, am I hungry when I feel irritated, stressed, or light headed, or do those feelings stem from lack of sleep, a bad day, not enough water, etc? I tried listening to my body yesterday, and it was tricky. I knew for sure later at night that I WAS just tired, so that was a win, but most of the day it was a challenge. Sometimes it helped for me to literally ask myself "Are you really hungry?", but I didn't always know the answer. Maybe this is why I need to just count calories. Maybe waiting to feel hungry just doesn't work when you're eating a deficit, because honestly, you're going to feel SOME amount of hunger in this state of you diet, right? Anybody else struggle with this, or have any tips on hearing your body better?

If my strength gains slow or stop, do I start eating more? I was was under the impression that if I'm cutting, there's only so much strength gain I can make on a deficit, and will only start gaining again when I bulk. Is that not true? And thanks for all the input so far guys!

Well, I started at 202 over a month ago. I shot down the first couple weeks to 196, but now the last 4 weeks seems stuck. Maybe I'm just expecting too much. Maybe I'm gaining some muscle and putting the scale off. Some friends told me they think I look thinner. You know, I REALLY need to avoid the stupid scale. My main concern is if I'm at a good calorie range. Sounds like maybe I could stand to bring it down to 1,300-1,400.

Training is heavy dumbbell workouts (until I can afford better equipment). Doing 3 sets of 6 reps each exercise. Dead lifts, bent over row, squats, bicep curls, overhead shoulder press, and bench press. When I can do all set at 6 reps, I increase the weight. Been keeping my proteins at about 130 g/day. Carbs under 150 g/day. I've been consistent with the calories.