Gym Equipment
Gym Equipment Curated for Home Gym-Weights
This list is designed for a home gym where you are trying to minimize space (so most of them).
Bench
The Ironmaster Super Bench. It is very well made and it has a ton of attachments for chin ups, dips, leg stuff, etc. So it is all very easy to put away when not in use. It also does not have that very common and awkward indentation at the small of your back. Pro is slightly better than basic.
https://www.ironmaster.com/categories/weightlifting-benches/
It has optional attachments that will get you:
Hyperextension
Dips
Pull-ups
Leg curls and leg lifts
Wheels for easy moving
Bench Rack
To minimize space and make it easy to put away, get these for bench press and anything with a rack. They are heavy duty and well made. They are not high enough for really heavy squats but for your basic work out they are fine. They also have the safety stands built in, which is absolutely critical.
If you really need to go higher for squats, the third link below will work. Alternatively, for the first two links, you can put blocks of wood under the stand to get that extra 3-8 inches. But if you do that, make sure to put heavy weights on the other side for stability.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00JQKSPHK/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
There are some cheaper versions of this that actually look good, but I can’t speak to the quality. The Valor Fitness ones above are definitely high quality.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BFWJD3P4/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A10TG7D991OTWQ&psc=1
Make sure you use a ratchet to put the bolts on. A wrench will not get it tight enough.
Standard Dummbell Handles
These are the best adjustable dumbbell handles. They spin on and off fast. Just buy any standard weight plates for them. Walmart actually has decent ones.
https://www.hamptonfit.com/shop/bars/beefy/beefy-bars-std-1-dia-spin-lock/
If you want adjustable, these are the best, but they only go up to 80. I have them and they are really good. I use them for everything <= 80 and then use the ones above for heavy stuff.
https://smrtft.com/products/nuobell-80lb
Weights
Ironmaster also has the best rubber coated Olympic weights. I like these because they easy to grip and I have them on an inside floor so I want the padding. But weights are weights, you can get much cheaper if they are just in the garage. I had the cheap ones before and they were fine.
Fractional Weights
You need these for a home gym. You can get rubber or rubber coated ones if you want to protect your floor.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B096WB1ZRR/ref=sw_img_1?smid=A1VWHJEJOB413X&th=1
https://barbell1.net/products/new-barbell-1-fractional-rubber-weight-plates
Bar
I love this bar because it is extra thick.
https://yorkbarbell.com/product/york-7′-international-black-oxide-bar-30mm/
But you can get much cheaper ones. Just make sure it is thick enough to be comfortable. Also, if your wife will also use it, maybe you go for one of the 30lb ones. I hate that because the math is more intuitive to me with 45 because that’s what I’ve always used, but if you are trying to save space or money, that might work.
Rack
For a rack it depends on where you are storing it. I have mine on a flat weight rack so it’s against the wall and takes up no space.
I got one like this and cut off the back legs so it is flat against the wall
https://www.tunturi.com/en/disc-dumbbell-rack.html
You can also get ones that are movable on wheels