You can often pick them up at recycling centres (tips to the rest of us). Ours has a shop run by Age Concern attached to it which is good for all sorts of bargains. Any kind of fitness gear, especially cycling and running machines turns up all the time and is always is almost new condition!Nobody local flogging off some weight lifting gear? they usually go cheap once the muscle building fad has become a lost interest.
I have a pair of weightlifting thingies on mine and does pack loads mre punch.
Just watch your head as they stick out further. (the voice of experience).
i think the abrupt halt may not agree with tins or bottles and he may end up slightly wetTin/Bottles full of water so long as they're absolutely brimmed so it can't slosh about.