Sethius,
I think we've been over this before. But my memory fails me sometimes - a byproduct of old age. So maybe it was somebody else.
In a perfect world you should start out with a power rack, a top quality heavy duty bench, and olympic bar, a full set of olympic plates, two olympic adjustable dumbells, a
low box for squatting, a deadlift platform, a shrug platform. This isn't a perfect world and most of us aren't wealthy. I certainly am not myself.
For starters, get a decent bench - doesn't have to be top of the line. But one full sized with either arms to support the weight or uprights that you can adjust the pins on for various exercises are a good start. Depending on what you get, expect to spend $40.00 to $100.00 (US).
Next, you need a bar and some plates to fit it. A standard bar ($25.00 new)will do fine for the beginning, but expect to outgrow it in a year or two. I've currently got 3 standard bars left (I buy them at flea markets and yard sales because I've got 400lb of standard plates). One is bent but still usable, one is good, one is starting to bend, the others have ended up at the recycler because they were bent beyond repair. And I'm not a strong person - when you put much more than 200lb on one, they start to bend. At 260 they bend badly, at over 270 they won't last much longer. At 365 - they will bend in half and there you stand with weights on your toes and a bent bar hanging down by your sides.
An olympic bar should last you for the rest of your life - about $45.00.
Whatever bar you get, figure out how much you need to lift - buy that amount of plates with a couple of extras to grow on. Some extra 2.5 and 5lb plates are always needed. Then when you get stronger buy more plates. That way you aren't spending so much money at the start.
Whatever you get, standard or olympic, get adjustable dumbells in the same size that way you can share plates.
I really reccomend starting out with olympic equipment - a few dollars more at the beginning, but then you won't have to replace $300.00 worth of standard plates when you outgrow a standard bar.
If you can't afford a power rack from the beginning, start saving money right away for one. Eventually there will come a time when you can squat more than you can lift from the floor, to your chest, over your head, and settle on your shoulders with control. Then you will need a power rack or
squat rack.
Last year, my wife bought me a gold's gym XR-5 olympic bench with the pins that could be placed on either side of the uprights - so it could be used for a squat rack too. An excellent idea - but without a power rack I'm forced to keep my squat weight growing slowly - I can't afford to fail a lift or there I am stuck with a heavy a$$ bar on my shoulders and no where to go with it.
I've finally collected all the steel I need to have a squatting cage built, now all I have to do is get the welder to put it all together for me.
Anyway, you can piece your equipment together a little at a time. I don't know if they have them where you are at, but flea markets and yard sales are excellent places to find used weight equipment.
Best wishes on your training. And finding some good stuff to train with.
great advice, i won't get a power rack because they're far too large, so i think i'll get my dad to knock me up a smaller version (he's a carpenter) he'll make sure it's hefty and not overly large, the advice was well absorbed! i am gunna go with olympic as soon as i get enough dough, and it's 45 quid in england and 45 dolars (29 quid) in america for olympic stuff.. so if i want to save a 10ner i should buy one from america :P
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