are weights worth it?

as long as you follow the principles of progressive resistance there is no reason why db's can't be as effective as a bb. You just need to be able to keep challenging yourself e.g. bb squatting 50kg -55kg the next week or bulgarian split squatting 10kg -12kg the next week. Both are challenging and there is progression.

If you had a bb and just do the same weights week in week out there is no progression.

If you use you're db's and keep making progressions harder then the db's will be more effective.

I like resistance bands for mobility work and stretching. I don't think they have enough resistance to do much for strength. (unless you're using them as assistance for one arm chinups or something )

Enough weight in dumbbells and an adjustable bench with no racks will get you pretty far on the routine below

http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=147447933

I thought you were a smith machine pro.

If I didn't go to the gym, I would try Scooby's workout.

http://scoobysworkshop.com/womens-workouts/

He has a good resistance band one, try it.

I am already using weights up to 8 pounds as well as 30 ds, jumping jacks, pushups, etc, I have lost 3 sizes and over 66 pounds,. My question was clearly should I buy a cheap weight bench if that is all I can afford!

Hell yes. Buy plates as you go - as and when you need them.

I never go to the gym; I just use weights or resistance bands (and recently got a light barbell set to do with my Les Mills Pump DVDs). If you're new to weight training, I suggest buying an at-home workout program (one of my favorites is ChaLean Extreme from Beachbody). In that program, the trainer shows you how you can do all your weight training at home with either weights or bands.

I've been weight training at home for quite awhile so feel free to message me if you want more insight

And I don't think a weight bench is really necessary. If you have money to spend, I'd suggest buying stronger bands or some heavier weights to use as you get stronger. You can still do bench presses lying on the floor.

Hope that helps!

My question is, would a regular weight bench with curl pad and leg attachment, the kind that can only support a max of 100 pounds, get me that much further than dumbells and bands?

Yes. That's pretty much what I have. I was using machines and the gym for about a year. This is just two months of lifting free weights at home.

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/744311-free-weights-vs-machines-holy-crap

Just this week, I started Stronglifts 5x5. I wasn't following a formal program before. I'm going to need more plates in a few weeks.

I know this isn't what you were asking about, but if you don't already know about it, it's worth checking out the You Are Your Own Gym program. Lots of libraries have the book and there's tons of stuff on the web about it. It's bodyweight-only strength training and it is VERY challenging.

http://amzn.com/0971407614
http://www.marklauren.com/

If you have a smartphone, there are also good smartphone apps that will walk you through some of the workouts.

My question is, would a regular weight bench with curl pad and leg attachment, the kind that can only support a max of 100 pounds, get me that much further than dumbells and bands?

Probably not. The bench won't allow you to do much... bench press (which you can do with pushups), curls (which you can do with bands/dumbbells), leg extensions (which you can do with squats... and squats would actually be a far better movement). I'd spend that money on more dumbbells personally. With a little creativity and the right dumbbells, you can get in a killer workout.

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I'd go with a program like YAYOG. The phone app is a couple bucks, and most the stuff you can do at home without buying anything.