I was just going to get 2x 2.5, 2x 5s, 4x10s, 2x 25s, 2x 35s, 2x 45s... but I could see how just stacking instead of unloading then reloading would be highly beneficial.

I just wish you could find plates not astronomically priced right now. Everywhere is sold out .. Might have to put this on hold for when people start selling shit after the pandemic.

you need 4 of each for your dumbbells!

craigslist

Here in ‘Merica we need at least 8x 45s

Apologies, only troll H&F once in a while so didn't notice your mention, super basic comments on your points are below.

- Bench looks solid, the only thing I would mention is the fact the leg attachment appears to not be an attachment at all, and is built in. There will come a time where it becomes an inconvenience, although perhaps minor, if you can live with that pull the trigger.
- Rack is well, a rack.. Plenty of fancy overpriced racks out there with absolutely no need for them. Up here AmStaff has the identical rack, with more or less the same attachments. Unfortunately the picture is gone but I had the same rack, nothing wrong with it and functions as it should.
- Stall mats are absolutely fucking key, trust me when I say this, cover your entire garage/gym with them. I can assure you there will be a time where you will do lunges, want somewhere to use a foam roller, etc. Not to mention the fact over time the mats will move if not locked into place (lock them into place by literally covering the entire area). I'll reiterate - cover your entire fucking gym with stall mats if you can.
- Bumper plates are necessary for Olympic lifts (and idiots) - if you intend on consistently lifting extreme weight and not putting yourself in a compromising situation having to place the weight down these are for you (if you're an idiot that likes to drop weights to make a loud sound in the gym these may also be for you). Cheap rubberized olympic plates are more than enough for a weightlifting enthusiast, if money was no object I've always wanted a set of Ivanko OMEZH plates, and would treat them like my child and NEVER drop then.
- Barbells have mixed reviews, having had the opportunity to use mediocre and professional barbells, I can tell you there is certainly a difference. With that being said I'll once again mention there's a difference between a bodybuilder/powerlifter/weight lifting enthusiast. I would recommend starting with a standard Olympic barbell for now, potentially working your way up if you become serious.
- Treadmills range from POS to absolutely overkill and range from anywhere to a track you manually push, to a track being set at a certain speed with/without incline and automatically changing things to challenge you. Once again based on what seems to be your (GFs) motivation I wouldn't break the bank for this, if space is an issue there are plenty of folding treadmills out there that will do the trick. Not sure where you live but you could always run outside..
- Dumbbells are absolutely key, and your decision should by fueled by your intended usage (like everything in your home gym). Having gone from adjustable spin lock dumbbells to hex dumbbells, pro style dumbbells, and currently adjustable dumbbells I can honestly say if you have the space DO NOT get adjustable dumbbells. Hex/Olympic style dumbbells are great for many reasons, especially seeing as it seems like there may be more than 1 person using this gym. If you are hurting for space adjustable dumbbells are your go to, if not I would highly recommend a set of either hex (budget) or pro style (expensive) dumbbells. If you end up getting adjustable dumbbells I HIGHLY recommend powerblocks (U90), I've had the chance to use pretty much every adjustable dumbbell and trust me when I say this, one light tap against an object can break the locking mechanism rendering the adjustable aspect useless (case in point Bowflex dumbbells).

TL:DR - Stall mats, as many as you can fit. A bench is a bench, a rack is a rack. Running outside works too, eh. Avoid adjustable dumbbells if you can, get a decent set of hex/pro-style if you can, if you must stick with adjustable I'd stick with powerblocks.

Excellent insight on all.. You are spot on, on alot of what I am leaning towards... cheap treadmill (for winter as she can run outside when it's nice), going to get that REP rack and bench when they take orders again, I will probably get cheap bumper plates from walmart, then idk about the barbell yet... thinking of getting the CAP OB-86B.. I don't need nothing absurd.

I am not a power lifter so would be more of a weight lifting enthusiast, so getting the creme de la creme is not necessary.

I am leaning towards getting hex dumbbells; however, would you take the powerblocks over the core fitness adjustable ones? The powerblocks seem like they'd be uncomfortable while lifting.

In regards to the stall mats... I will be doing this part first as everything else is impossible to get right now

Thanks for the reply! Good shit

Have you looked at other nearby options for the rack/bench? You'd be surprised by what you can find, especially used, plenty of other options if you're not concerned about brand.

Just want to clarify that there is a difference between 'bumper' plates and 'olympic' plates. Bumper plates are meant to be dropped, maintaining the same circumference and only differ by width, olympic plates differ by both. 'Cheap' bumper plates do not exist, and if they do I would absolutely avoid them, although understand if your post refers to a preference of bumper plates.

If the olympic bar weighs 45lbs with appropriate knurls, don't worry about the brand. As mentioned there are plenty of expensive options out there, Cap is certainly a solid start and you wont go wrong.

I would take powerblocks over any other adjustable dumbbell. I've been able to test pretty much every possible brand, and although I agree at a glance the PBs look uncomfortable, if anything they are too comfortable. I have the U90s/Barbell and my only complaint is I wish the urethane handle had knurls (personally prefer the calluses). The Commerical Pro series has the knurled handles, and swapped out the adder weights for different handles which is clutch, but are far from cheap. Like I said, if you have the real estate, stay away from adjustable dumbbells.

Yeah I've called around and looked around to no avail.. I am in for the long haul most likely.

I am going to go with bumper plates. I do enjoy cleaning so will be dropping them...

In regards to brand, I might go with Vulcan for both bumper plates and their Vulcan pro rubber hex sets

1-75lbs DBs - https://www.vulcanstrength.com/Vulcan-Pro-Hex-Rubber-Dumbbells-p/hxdx-5.htm
Plates - https://www.vulcanstrength.com/Color-Bumper-Plates-Sets-s/104.htm

Unless you can suggest an alternative? I think these look pretty solid.

I ordered some resistance bands like 4 weeks ago. They've finally shipped. I've never something to replace cables and hope these do the trick.

yeahhh.... I hope you get them soon!. I am not even going to try ordering anything for a good bit. All I see from the people who did get orders in are complaints about nobody hearing back, or shipping taking forever, etc.

I will try to have patience and might land some sweet used deals when all this chaos is over.

I have a barbell, 255 lbs in plates, dumbbell set up to 25 and then one 40, ez curl bar, incline bench, regular bench and rack, pads, pullup/dip station just sitting in Buffalo, New York in my basement while I'm in Vegas.

Buy it from me