I’ve found a couple of places online where I can get a bar and 300 pounds of rubber bumpers for under $750. I have room in my garage, provided I shift things around. I could get 750 pounds of iron plates and a barbell used for $120 around here (lots of people buy exercise equipment, use it once, and sell it), but I want rubber bumpers. With iron, if you start to fail, you still have to lower the weight to the ground.
With bumpers, you reach lock out and you drop the bar. Since I always work out alone (although I’ve invited my housemate to join me), having equipment that doesn’t require a spotter is key. With bumpers I can put them in the back of my new car with a barbell, drive to the park and do Fran as RXed.
(Fran = 3 rounds for time (21, 15, and 9 reps) of: 95 pound thrusters, pullups)
I’ve been using dumbbells and kettlebells. Time to raise my game.
