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Your starting setup
The barbell starter
From about $1,065 with the cheapest pick that fits each step and needs nothing else, collars included. Tax and delivery are extra. You choose each piece.
Who this is for. You want to squat, bench and deadlift at home, starting from nothing.
Each step says what you need and why; the shelf shows everything we carry, sorted by your answers, and you choose.
We assumed a room that can take this setup. Tap the room answer above if yours can't.
Why this order (floor, rack and bar, plates, bench, storage)
- Floor first. Once a rack is up and loaded you can't get mats under it.
- Then the piece everything else works around: a rack and one straight bar for barbell lifts, or one adjustable pair of dumbbells if you're not there yet.
- Plates and a bench make the bar useful. Spend on what your body touches (bar, bench); save on plates and steel.
- Storage as soon as plates start leaning on a wall.
- Cardio, extra specialty bars, attachments, machines: later. Wait until your routine asks for them.
Equipment doesn't build the habit. Start with the smallest setup you'll use every week.
1A rubber floor, laid first
Floor first: once a rack is loaded you can't slide mats under it. Dense rubber, not foam; a 6x8 ft patch under the bar is enough.
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Trade-off. Stall mats: cheapest, heavy, smell at first. Rolled rubber: seamless, costs more. Both work.
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Choose from the Flooring shelf
The ones that fit this step run $90 to $1,425 for a 48 sq ft patch; the shelf says how it's ordered.
2A rack with safety bars
You'll lift alone, so the rack needs safety bars to catch a missed rep. Check they come in the box; some stands sell them separately.
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Trade-off. Not sure you'll stick with it? Start with dumbbells and add the rack once you're training every week.
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Choose from the Racks shelf
The ones that fit this step run $380 to $5,885; the shelf says how it's ordered.
3One general-purpose barbell
One bar covers squats, bench and deadlifts. It has to span the rack: most 15 kg and 20 kg bars do; 5 ft bars don't. Leave 9 to 11 ft of width to load plates. Collars are extra.
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Choose from the Barbells shelf
The ones that fit this step run $118 to $1,999; the shelf says how it's ordered.
4Iron plates, small ones first
Pairs from 2.5 to 45 lb (175 lb total) so you can add a little at a time. Iron is thinner than bumpers and usually cheaper; don't drop it.
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Trade-off. Iron unless you'll drop the bar. Used iron often goes for about a dollar a pound.
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Choose from the Plates shelf
The ones that fit this step run $303 to $606; the shelf says how it's ordered.
5A flat bench
A welded flat bench with one front post so your feet have room; look for a seat height around 17" (it's on each card).
Trade-off. Flat: steadier, cheaper. Adjustable: incline work, more to go wrong. Flat for a first buy.
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Choose from the Benches shelf
The ones that fit this step run $144 to $1,350; the shelf says how it's ordered.
Left out for now, and why
Cardio (rower, bike, treadmill)
Try it at a gym first; a rower or bike is the usual first cardio buy. A garage's heat and cold can void a motorized machine's warranty.
Specialty bars (trap bar, safety squat bar)
Wait until a lift asks for one. A trap bar or safety squat bar is the usual first specialty bar.
Rack attachments
Buy them when your routine needs them, and match your rack's tube size and hole size.
What we left out, and why. Adjustable dumbbells (a good next buy), cardio (try it at a gym first), attachments (wait until your routine asks for them).
Your choices so far$0
5 pieces still to chooseFlooring, Racks, Barbells, Plates, Benches
Flex Marks the Spot doesn't choose products for you. The shelves show everything we carry, sorted by your answers; you pick. We may earn a commission at participating stores.