Best weight sets for home gyms

Start with adjustable dumbbells. The Adjustable Dumbbell Set is my top pick: one pair covers a wide range of weights in a few steps, so you get a whole rack's worth of training in a corner of a room — ideal if space is tight or you're new to lifting.

Who the others suit:

• TriForm 3-in-1 System — a compact, more premium all-in-one for someone who wants one tidy unit instead of plates.
• Athletic Works 100 lb plate set — best for a barbell-first lifter who wants real cast-iron plates and a bench setup.
• CAP 110 lb Elite Olympic plates — for anyone building around an Olympic bar and adding plates over time.
• URA-MAX bumper plates — for Olympic lifts and deadlifts where dropping the bar is part of the plan.
• Sprint Demon hex dumbbell set — simple fixed dumbbells for quick circuits and no assembly.
• US Weight 105 lb set with barbell — a budget all-in-one barbell starter kit.
• CAP Olympic plate pair — a small add-on for topping up an existing bar.

Skip plastic or no-name sets if you plan to lift seriously; cast iron and rubber-coated steel last.