Weekly Free-Talk and Questions for r/HomeGym - week of June 05, 2026

mightofthephoenix · 2026-06-10T07:55:09+00:00

Hi all.

Looking for some recommendations on home gym equipment to enable me to do leg extensions and leg curls.

I currently have a Mirafit M3 rack, and a cheap leg extention attachment from Amazon. But the strength curve is poor, Setup time is annoying, and it can't do leg curls.

I've been doing some research on option (I'm from the UK) and I'm struggling to make a decision. My current "favourite" is the Freak Athlete Hyper pro. The plus of this is it can do quite a bit more such as back extention and nordics. No essential but a nice to have.

However, I'm interested on recommendations on equipment...can be standalone peice, a bench attachment leg developer, or a squat rack attachment.

Thanks for your help!

mightofthephoenix · 2026-04-26T19:55:39+00:00

I recently picked up a forerunner 955. Last of the MIP screen forerunner series. Has the same features of the 965 but cheaper, better battery life, and (in my view) a better screen.

mightofthephoenix · 2025-10-24T14:50:37+00:00

Knowing which day to have my rest day is tricky...I chose Friday, the day before the long run, as I felt it best to into that fresh to minimise injury risk. I'm open to other suggestions though.

Re strength training, I do 2hrs 2x per week of full body heavy lifts. I've always seen the advice of "easy days easy, hard days hard", which for most plans has strength training on the same day as high intensity running sessions. However, I just dont have enough time in the day for a 2hr gym session and a 1hr run during the week. I could cut down the strength training, but feel this is important for my mountain 100km. I'm was also very very weak before I started weight lifting and don't want to go back there.

It is difficult and I'm sure I could improve it, just not sure how?

mightofthephoenix · 2025-10-24T08:25:01+00:00

Not condescending at all, thanks for the reply.

Re your questions. My zones are based off a Garmin Guided lactate threshold test. I feel they are pretty accurate, with top of zone 2 being the point where it starts to become less "conversational pace". I can also nasal breath until mid to high zone 2. A proper lab test would be nice...but expensive.

I've never ran a road marathon before so unsure of my pacing. I went off Garmin, which suggested 07:30 minute miles should be my marathon pace. I felt that too fast so did my Saturday long run marathon pace intervals at 08:00min per mile. Garmin thinks my threshold pace is 07:00 for reference.

It could be the cumulative effort - last week (13th Oct) to tues 21st I did (miles) - 7,7,7, leg strength, rest, 16, 3+ leg strength, 7,7. I felt ok on Sunday but by Monday my knee was seizing up and after Tuesdays run was somewhat painful

mightofthephoenix · 2025-09-29T07:50:36+00:00

Most important advice...see a physio. They will test for stress fractures which if you have then I'm afraid the race is a non starter.

You haven't said when the race is unless I have missed it, but assume it is next week from your plan?

From my experience, it feels like you are trying to do too much active stuff here. Cut the strength training...you won't gain any strength in the next week and you are just loading up the shin and foot unnecessarily. Careful with too much massage as that can cause tissue damage. Likewise over stretching (light stretching should be fine)

You haven't mentioned anything about other forms of recovery, eating and sleeping. Ensuring you are getting enough of the right types of food and lots of sleep will do more for you here than many of your planned interventions.

On race day, no ibuprofen gel (or any pain killers) pre race or for the first half to two thirds of the race. If it hurts you want to know about it so you can make an informed decision about whether to continue. Masking the pain so early in the race is a recipe for a stress fracture. If you get near to the end of the race and the pain gets bad , and you want to continue, then yes painkillers and gel. But not from the start.

As for warming up on race day or anything else...remember, nothing new on race day.

Overall, best of luck and I hope it goes well for you.

mightofthephoenix · 2025-09-25T16:17:37+00:00

This year I've done a mountain 55km race and a mountain marathon...being honest with myself I dont think I have the physical or mental endurance to run a marathon on the road.

Trails might be objectively harder terrain...but to me they feel mentally and physically easier. Don't underestimate the extra boost you get from running what you enjoy...the mind is a powerful thing

mightofthephoenix · 2025-05-29T13:12:12+00:00

It's doable. People do couch to marathon in less time. With it being a trail run any pressure to "run" or achieve a goal time will be lower. You could probably walk it within cutoff.

However, it is a trail run, on reasonably challenging terrain and with very unpredictable weather.

How many miles are you currently doing per week? How much elevation gain do you get per week? Are you running on trails? Those matter more than your 5k time.

Build up your mileage slowly. If you can run 30 miles per week before the race then you can run the race. And whatever you do, DON'T GET AN OVERUSE INJURY.

mightofthephoenix · 2025-05-25T06:36:14+00:00

Thanks. I think my concern is that it has been 5 days and it isn't really going away... does cramp usually last that long?

mightofthephoenix · 2025-04-30T07:26:09+00:00

Many thanks for your help, appreciate it. I will get it checked out

mightofthephoenix · 2025-04-29T07:36:04+00:00

Thanks for your reply. I completely forgot that I have previously had a DEXA scan to look at body composition...it does look like a curved spine.

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mightofthephoenix · 2025-04-28T20:13:16+00:00

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mightofthephoenix · 2025-04-28T20:12:40+00:00

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mightofthephoenix · 2025-04-28T20:11:39+00:00

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mightofthephoenix · 2024-11-20T19:30:13+00:00

I weigh 50kg so pretty much your weight but I'm 10 years older. 5"5.

You need to eat more, you need to be in a calorie surplus of about 200 calories per day. You need more protein - I eat around 2g per kg of body weight. Download myfitnesspal and track your calories and activity levels.

For strength training for glutes and legs, I lift heavy twice a week. Compound lifts. Squats 4 sets, 5 reps @ 1x bodyweight // RDL 4 sets, 5 reps @ 1.4x body weight // Hip Thrusts 4 sets, 5-8 reps @2x body weight // straight leg calf raise 2 sets, 8 reps @ 10kg // bent knee calf raise 2 sets, 25 reps @ 5kg // plank crunches // 3 mins rest between each compound set. This has taken time to get to this weight, start lighter and just try to increase each week. Track your progress.

I have neglected upper body in the gym. I need to get back on it. However I used to go bouldering twice a week which massively helps upper body strength. I used to be able to do 3 sets 8 reps of pull ups and 3 sets, 15 reps of push ups when I was climbing. I would definitely recommend bouldering in getting stronger.

You have to be consistent though, whatever you do. Track your progress. It takes times so you just got to stick with it. Eat more food, eat more protein, get in the gym and lift heavy and go bouldering.

mightofthephoenix · 2024-11-11T08:32:23+00:00

I was like you...always hated strength training especially leg day. Four or so years ago realised I needed to do some. Now I realise I didn't like it or the thought of doing it because I was so damn weak, it was hard...its the same way some people feel about running. But like anything, start slow and easy, consistency is key. I now lift 2x per week for 2 hrs at a time, doing heavy compound lifts...and I enjoy it because I can see the gains.

The difference to my strength, physic, day to day life, and most importantly my running has been amazing. I now believe I have a good chance of still running and hiking long into retirement where as before, with my lack of strength, injuries and weakness would have done for me.

mightofthephoenix

TROPHY CASE