Need advice on beginner strength training equipment...

trustymutsi

I went to a friend's house and did my first round of weight training. I loved it. I benched 55lbs (3 sets of 6 reps), single arm curls were 30 lbs (3 sets of 6 reps). I forget the rest, but this gives a rough idea of where I am.

The problem is, I want to be able to do this at home as well, but don't have a very big budget ($275). I currently have dumbbells and 55 lbs worth of weights. I don't have a bench or rack.

I saw this online and read good reviews:

http://www.amazon.com/Golds-Gym-XRS-Olympic-Bench/dp/B009PA1KJG

It's $170, but I'd also need to buy a 7' Olympic bar, as well as weights to go with it. I might be able to get all that for about $265.

Do I need all of this equipment, or should I do what I can with the dumbbells I have, and maybe just buy a bit more weight? I do have a stability ball I could use for benching.

Any advice for newbie equipment on a limited budget? Thanks for any help!

jhc7324

Check out Craigslist. People are constantly getting rid of their unused lifting gear. It will be much less than you'd pay for new gear.

Bun_Ya

Looks like well constructed crap to me. All of the leg and bicep isolation attachments on the bench are surplus to your (or most lifters, imho) requirements so there is money to be saved there. You could probably get away with a squat stand and a bench. Spent the rest of the money on weights when you need them.

JoRocka

Check out Craigslist. People are constantly getting rid of their unused lifting gear. It will be much less than you'd pay for new gear.

this.

start with a power cage and a bar- add weights as you need them.

it's a good investment.