Good idea! I actually got my current pair, stand, and bench off Craigslist for a good deal. However, the warranty doesn't apply for 2nd hand owners, and there aren't too many used ones for sale locally. I figure that if I sell my old set, that should offset the cost a bit. They're compact and really nice for
drop sets. Still, I need to save up a bit for them. So, I'll probably be ready for them by then.
Though, what I was really intending to ask was: is it reasonable to invest in heavier dumbbells? Or does someone need access to more advanced gym equipment to continue to progress?
I guess it all depends on what kinds of exercises you're doing. My heaviest dumbbell exercise right now is the bent-over row, for which I use a 60 lb dumbbell. I got a set of rubber hex dumbbell pairs, in five-pound increments, 20-60 lbs, for $550, about 75 cents a pound. You'll probably have to pay a bit more than that, cuz I got mine from a wholesaler at close to cost (he's a friend of a friend). But I really like the convenience of non-adjustable dumbbells, and like you say, not having to monkey with plates makes a quick progression through drop sets a lot easier (not spending a whole lot of time in between sets and exercises is a high priority for me). But the shape of those adjustable ones you're interested in looks a little awkward, although I've never actually tried them so I don't know. I just wonder if I could do all my dumbbell exercises properly with them.
If you're into machines, then a gym may be the way to go, but if you're basing your routine on free weights, then after a modest initial investment, you'll save time and money over the years having a home gym. Here's my garage gym set-up:
a bench with adjustable bars for dips & squats and a leg thing for extensions and curls, and then bench is adjustable for incline and decline presses as well,
a couple of barbells,
lots of 5, 10, 20, & 25 lb plates,
a curling bar (which I use for upright rows and pull-overs--I do my curls with dumbbells),
a bent-over rowing bar ("lat blaster"),
a basic cable machine for pull downs, seated rows, abductor/adductor stuff, and so on,
a pull-down bar back pull-downs,
a lat bar for front pull-downs,
a triangle bar for seated rows,
a pair of square handles for cross-overs
paired dumbbells up to 60 lbs (10,15,20,25, etc.),
ankle weights-- a pair of 10-pounders, and one 20-pounder
a homemade t-bar for kettlebell swings, from 3/4 plumber's pipe.
plyo boxes -- 6", 12", 18"
a sit-up bench,
a tricep rope, good also for face-pulls
a head harness for neck flexion and extensions
a couple of different sized straps for cable stuff
an old belt for doing back extensions off the bench
my foam rollers,
a jump rope (thanks to your recommendation)
I've built up the set over the years, and inherited some stuff from friends and family. The only thing I miss from the gym are cross-over cables.
Exercise gear, like kids stuff, is usually a good value used--no need to buy new. Used gear is often lightly used because someone feel off the exercise wagon shortly after buying it, and it's pretty durable--hard to break or ruin.
The advantage of having a home gym, as you know, is you can do your routine whenever time permits, and you don't have to drive anywhere so you save time. Plus you never have to wait your turn and don't have have to deal with other people's sweat or smell.
The disadvantage is you don't have any spotters, so you have to be extra careful and can't do anything to failure, as we discussed, but I don't mind that too much now that I'm getting older. I also miss the gym rat camaraderie a bit, but I get my fix for that here. I also miss the occasional eye candy, but I've always got my wife for that.