Does anyone know the best place to get a good set of weights and barbell as well as a decent weight bench? looking for leg,bench and squat capabilities among other things and thinking 300lbs or more of weights...son has been after me for awhile to get him some and I'm thinking I'll break down and finally get them..it won't hurt for me to use them again..its been awhile...I was not sure if there was a decent store that sold workout equipment besides Academy and such or someone had some they wanted to part with...any help/suggestions would be appreciated.

If you're dead set on having your own weights, browse craigslist and the local ads.

If you aren't dead set on having your own, get a gym membership. Weights and a bench that have squat capability are going to run you at least a thousand dollars. A gym will have everything you need, and has other various machines such as cable machines that help get an all around workout.

I see weights and workout equipment on the front porch of houses everywhere not being used. Try the gym first and if the interest is still high, then buy for yourself.

Best bet it to buy a power rack with adjustable arms and a adjustable bench, you'll be able to do many of your compound movements from that station.

For what you are looking for you are going to spend about $1K-1500; it may be worth getting a gym membership to see if it's something you and your son will be committed to. Even combined $70 membership for 2 comes out about the same at 2 years than buying good equipment outright, that stuff ain't cheap and the resale will be terrible.

I have a bench with I think 250 lbs of weights plus a curl bar I would sell you for $125 the bench has the leg lift but no squat capability. The weights are metal...

I have one that I am interested in selling and would take $500 for it but I am a little far away. I think it had 300 lbs worth of plates when I bought it plus I had some extra plates from another set added to it that would be close to 400 lbs total. I would have to count them to be sure.

PLANET FITNESS
3 yr. member here

we went to the one in Tuscaloosa at its original location before the tornado. I think it was $10/month and wasn't especially crowded, we liked it. Now they're located in the Midtown shopping center and that parking lot is an absolute dumpster fire 24hrs a day. We never did sign back up after they moved.

Best bet is to browse used stuff. Case in point, this thread has some good stuff for a good price. You don't need a lot of crap, just some thing like that rack above to be able to get all of your mass movements in. You can do ALOT with a barbell,bench and a pullup bar.

Plates are about a dollar per pound new by the way.

Try Play It Again Sports. Got a great deal at Xmas few years ago on a brand new set of weights and bench/squat rack combo.

Depending on where you live in tuscaloosa I would consider a gym. I go to northridge fitness and they have everything and more you need to do any kind of workout. Awesome place.

If you don't mind saying, how much is a membership there?

I thought about the gym...but with me working 6 days a week and goofy hours...as well as him being 16(not sure he could go by himself)I thought I would through these in the garage..he was wanting free weights because thats what they use at school.

He can get the $10 plan himself at Planet Fitness and go by himself. They have about anything he would need.

If you do buy, don't pay more than $1/pound of weight for the plates. Try to negotiate down closer to $0.50/pound

The more he works out, the more he will realize that just barbell/bench/squat rack won't do everything he needs. If he's working out for sports, he's going to end up deadlifting. Unless you have rubber weights, you can't deadlift on a concrete garage floor. Cable machines allow you to isolate certain muscles better than free weights sometimes, and are a perk to have.

I bought this at Sam's Club several years ago complete with an adjustable bench and 300#'s of Olympic weights for about $300.

I use it 3 days a week and Mrs. Irish does too. It's great just grabbing some water and walking down stairs in the mornings to work out. I've done the gym thing, there is no comparison to having your own home gym... if you are somewhat self motivated.

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If i was to get a set up for the house again I'd go with a smith machine(there's days i do heavy drop sets and could get into trouble without a spot if by myself) but also one that i can use as a normal rack and a stand-alone cable system that could be used for other movements. I don't have the room at my house anymore so i just pay for a membership to 24/E. For $35 a month I've got 24hr access(there are mornings i go at 330 or 4am),access to there many different fitness classes,unlimited tanning(don't need it as i work outside) and some very nice cardio equipment,and a ton of yoga pants running around. Now with that said,one day I'll have me another house setup.

Honestly not 100% sure but I'm thinking it is around 40 a month. If you haven't been inside it I would go in and just look around. Truly everything and more a man or woman needs to accomplish whatever kind of workout they are going for.