Universal weight machine?

That's exactly why I picked up on of the multi-gym machines a few years ago, now that my son is old enough I wish I had free weights and a bench (but he's off to college next year so I'd be back to square one for a spotter)

Mine's pretty much this model http://www.eurosportfitness.se/en/strength/multigym/single-station/ (except mine has the leg press attachment which I rarely use now, I'd rather do squats)

Do you have a shop locally that has several models in stock? There's a wide range in terms of prices / quality and some are more intuitive when it comes to switching between exercises.

A suggestion...

Don't buy anything new. Check out craigslist. You will find equipment @ a fraction of the cost.

Purchase the following:

1. A flat bench. Whatever is cheap and works. Don't buy this new!! There will be NUMEROUS listings on craigslist.
2. 1" dumbell handles. Walmart has them for less than $10 for a pair if you don't see them on craigslist.
3. 1" plates. Again, NUMEROUS listings on craigslist. Don't buy these new. You'll want 10's, 5's, 2.5's.

4. Optional. A 2x4. Piece of wood for you to stand on. You'll understand this when you google youtube videos for toe raises.

Note: You'll probably find a listing on craigslist combining 1 and 3. Potentially you'll find a listing combining all three. You'll probably get a straight bar. Just set it aside. You are going to focus on mastering the form on the following exercises with your dumbbells.

Follow this routine:

1. Squat
2. Stiff Legged Deadlift
3. Bench press
4. Overhead press
5. Bent over row
6. Curl
7. Toe raise

- Watch youtube videos demonstrating how to perform these exercises with good form using dumbbells. There will be plenty. Make sure you understand them.

- Start with a weight that you can comfortably perform 1 set of 12 repetitions of each exercise before becoming fatigued. Make sure you're comfortable with what you've learned on youtube.

- Once you've found the weight you're comfortable performing 12 reps with, consider that your starting weight. You're going to perform 3 sets of 8 repetitions your first week of each exercise. Perform this routine for 3x per week.

Week 1 - 3 sets x 8 reps
Week 2 - 3 sets x 9 reps
Week 3 - 3 sets x 10 reps
Week 4 - 3 sets x 11 reps
Week 5 - 3 sets x 12 reps

After you successfully perform 3 sets of 12 repetitions for an exercise - you're going to increase the weight you're using by 10% and then go back down to 8 reps. Round down if needed (for example if 10% = 6lbs, use 5lbs. Follow the same format until you get to 12 reps, and do the same.

If you are unable to complete the number of reps required to advance, use the same weight for the next cycle.

Do this until this routine no longer works (meaning do this until you go through multiple cycles and can't increase the weight you're using). Report back when that happens. This will probably work for you for months (6-12 months easily).

Good luck!