The CAP Barbell Rubber Olympic Bumper Plates are one of the more affordable options available if you're looking to add bumper plates to your home gym. These can often be found online for under $1 per pound, which makes them a pretty solid value compared to many other bumper plates on the market. I picked these up specifically because I wanted to add another pair of 45 lb plates without spending a lot of money. For that purpose, they get the job done. That said, the lower price point does come with a few trade-offs. First, the lettering and weight numbers are stamped onto the plates rather than molded into the rubber. This isn't a huge issue functionally, but it does make them look and feel a little more budget compared to higher-end bumper plates. When you first open them, expect the typical new rubber smell, and the plates may feel slightly oily out of the packaging. A quick wipe down usually takes care of that. Another thing worth noting is the design makes them slightly harder to grip than some other plates that have raised edges or more ergonomic cutouts. It’s not a deal breaker, but something to be aware of if you move plates around frequently. Overall, these are good, budget-friendly bumper plates. If you're building a home gym and want extra weight without spending a lot of money, they’re a reasonable option. Just understand that with the lower price, you are getting a more basic plate with fewer premium features.

The Peloton Bike is honestly a really good piece of equipment. The bike itself is solid and smooth, but the real value comes from the app. The classes, coaching, and structure from the subscription are what make the whole thing work. Without the app it would just be a nice stationary bike, but with it the workouts feel guided and a lot more engaging. One downside is the subscription fee. That alone will probably turn some people away. The platform does come with more than just cycling though. There are yoga classes, light weight training, conditioning workouts, and other fitness sessions built into the subscription. Most of it still revolves around the bike, but there is definitely extra value there. If you are interested in getting one, I would highly recommend checking Facebook Marketplace first. We found ours there for a huge discount and it was barely used. I see a lot of them pop up that were probably bought during the COVID workout boom and then barely touched. In our house it gets a good amount of use. I probably ride it every two or three weeks, but my wife is on it about five times a week. For the right price, it’s definitely worth checking out.

The GIANT 3X Competition J-Cups came with my 3x3 rack and overall they are pretty decent. They feel solid and hold the bar well, which is really all you need from a set of j-cups. For the price, they do the job and I’ve had no issues with stability or anything like that. One thing I did notice though is the nylon sleeve inside the cup slipped down at one point and I ended up getting some metal to metal contact with my barbell. It was an easy fix, but it’s something you might want to keep an eye on. Other than that, they work well and are a good value. I’ll probably end up grabbing another set to keep on the outside of my rack for convenience.

I have the GIANT BD3X Axis Safety Straps on my power rack and I honestly love them. They let me sit low into my squats and feel supported. There’s something about straps that just feels better than traditional safety bars. The quality is solid and the straps feel strong and well made. No weird shifting or sketchy movement. They just do what they’re supposed to do. One unexpected bonus is they actually make a pretty solid seat too. If you’ve ever just needed somewhere to sit between sets, they get the job done. If you have the option between straps and safety bars, I’d pick straps every time, especially these. I would highly recommend them for anyone running a 3x3 rack setup.

The GIANT AB Mat Core+ is one of those pieces that I probably should use more than I actually do. It’s not something I grab every workout, but when I do, I’m reminded that it’s actually pretty solid. It’s simple, comfortable, and does exactly what it’s meant to do.