Reddit mentions: The best strenght training bars
We found 373 Reddit comments discussing the best strenght training bars. We ran sentiment analysis on each of these comments to determine how redditors feel about different products. We found 115 products and ranked them based on the amount of positive reactions they received. Here are the top 20.
1. CAP Barbell “The Beast” Bar | 7-Foot Olympic Barbell
- Specs - 110, 000 Psi tensile strength Japanese cold rolled steel; 15 Inch loadable sleeve length; The shaft length (inside length between the sleeves) is 51; 5 inches; Handgrip diameter 28; 5 millimeter; 5 year
- Construction: Built from solid cold rolled steel with a black phosphate finish; Used for training, this bar measures 2185 millimeter in length and weighs 20 kilogram (44 pounds); For commercial or home use
- Features – The sleeves are designed with snap clips and the bar features medium depth diamond knurling for a secure grip when lifting heavy; Built to accommodate any 2 inch Olympic plates; No center knurl
- Durable: Original bar is made of steel, black oxide finish and polished steel sleeves; Color bars are ace coated in red, blue, purple or pink & have UV stable acrylic clear coat with metallic flake; Green and orange bar have same quality with matte finish
- Trust: Trust experience; CAP has been a pioneer in the fitness industry for over 30 years and has locations worldwide; Chances are, if you have ever worked out before you have used a CAP product
Features:
Specs:
Color | Black/Chrome, No knurled Center (Older Packaging) |
Height | 3 Inches |
Length | 86 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Size | 7' Olympic |
Weight | 44 Pounds |
Width | 3 Inches |
2. CAP Barbell “The Boss” Power Squat Olympic Bar | For Weightlifting
Specs:
Color | THE BOSS - Black, Center Knurl |
Height | 3.03 Inches |
Length | 86 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Release date | December 2011 |
Size | 7' Olympic |
Weight | 44 Pounds |
Width | 3.03 Inches |
3. CAP Olympic Hex Bar, Trap Bar, Shrug Bar, Deadlift Bar, Zinc Plated High Hex Bar
Specs: Bar Dimensions: 56 Inches Length x 24 Inches Width x 5 Inches Height; Bar Weight: 52 Pound; Weight Capacity: 750 PoundQuality: Made of Zinc Plated 25 Millimeter Solid SteelROOMY: 25 inches between grip handlesFEATURES: Combines raised and flush neutral gripsPRO: For use with Olympic plates; ...
Specs:
Color | Zinc |
Release date | April 2011 |
Weight | 46 Pounds |
4. Body-Solid Tools Olympic Straight Bar (OB86), 7 Feet, Chrome
- Solid steel bar and sleeves with triple chrome finish. Medium diamond knurling. Has center knurl.
- Total length: 7' (86"). Grip area length (between sleeve collars): 51". Weight: 44 lbs.
- Grip diameter: 30mm (1.18"). Rotating sleeves with bushings.
- Designed for use with Olympic plates with 2" center hole only. Maximum weight rating: 600 lbs.
- 30 day limited warranty against manufacturer defects (does not cover dropping or abuse).
Features:
Specs:
Color | 7 ft Chrome |
Height | 2 Inches |
Length | 86 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Size | Olympic |
Weight | 37 Pounds |
Width | 2 Inches |
5. CAP Barbell “The Boss” Olympic Power Bar | 7-Foot Olympic Barbell
- ✔️CONSTRUCTION – Made with high-quality solid cold rolled Japanese steel and black phosphate finish; For use with Olympic plates (with 2-inch center hole); No center knurl
- ✔️SPECS – 132,000 PSI tensile strength steel; Bar length is 2185mm; 15” loadable sleeve length; Weighs 20KG/44LB; 28.5mm handgrip diameter; 51.5-inch shaft length (between sleeves). 5 Year Warranty*
- ✔️FEATURES – Medium depth diamond knurling for non-slip, tight grip; No center knurling; Rotating sleeves with bushings to reduce pressure on wrists and forearms; Powder coat finish to prevent oxidation/rust
- ✔️VERSATILE – Get a full body workout or target specific muscle groups to build mass and strength
- ✔️TRUST – Trust experience. CAP has been a pioneer in fitness for over 30 years and has locations worldwide; Chances are, if you have ever worked out before you have used a CAP product
Features:
Specs:
Color | THE BOSS - Black, No Center Knurl |
Height | 3.03 inches |
Length | 85.98 inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Size | 7' Olympic |
Weight | 39.99 Pounds |
Width | 3.03 inches |
6. Sunny Health & Fitness 60 in Threaded Chrome Barbell Bar, 1 in Barbell Diameter with Ring Collars - STBB-60
- 60” BARBELL BAR: Sunny’s solid weight bar is compact and convenient enough for all gyms and homes. The lifting bar features a 60 inch solid chromed steel bar with threaded ends.
- 250 LBCAPACTIY: Threaded chromed sleeve bar holds weights up to 250 pounds Accommodates weight plates with 1 inch center hole. Ergonomic design keeps storage easy. Simply clean your weighted bar to wipe away debris and sweat.
- BENEFITS: Build and engage muscles in your arms, shoulders, and back to the lifting bar. You’ll improve productivity and endurance while boosting metabolism from the energy increase you'll gain with weight training.
- STANDARD WEIGHTLIFTING BAR: Perform a total body workout in the convenience of your own home. Workouts such as squats, deadlifts, rows, bench presses, cleans, etc will provide fast and effective results.
- SAFETY: These weight plates are secured with a star-locked collars to prevent them from sliding off during the exercise. Only weighing 12 Ibs, it gives the user the option to go as heavy or as light depending on the reps.
Features:
Specs:
Color | Metallic |
Height | 0 Inches |
Length | 59.9999999388 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Release date | September 2011 |
Weight | 13.799999988427 Pounds |
Width | 0 Inches |
7. XMark Olympic EZ Curl Bar Olympic Weight Bar
Designed to give a more comfortable feel when performing curls; change the intensity of your lift by alternating gripsDurable chrome finish with snap ring lock system and brass bushings28mm grip with medium knurling ; 22 lb net weight; 400 lb. Weight capacityBlack manganese phosphate on the shaft. M...
Specs:
Color | 00) BAR Only |
Height | 5 Inches |
Length | 51 Inches |
Size | 48 inches |
Weight | 24 Pounds |
Width | 6 Inches |
8. XMark Voodoo Commercial 7' Olympic Powerlifting Bar, 185,000 PSI, 1500 lb. Weight Capacity, Ultimate Performance for Olympic and Power Lifting Routines, Olympic Barbell, Weight Lifting
A 5-STAR STAPLE OF ANY HOME GYM. The XMark VOODOO Olympic bar is over built for performance, under-priced for everyone.The VOODOO weight bar offers a superior tensile strength of 185,000 PSI with moderate flex and a 1500 lb. weight capacity.Crafted using a heat treated alloy steel and a snap ring lo...
Specs:
Color | 00) BAR ONLY |
Weight | 44.0924524 Pounds |
9. Body-Solid Tools Landmine Single Eyelet (LMSE), Olympic
- Adjusts range of motion with convenient chain and snap link
- Easily connects to any machine-use attachment bar for a variety of workouts
- 11 1/2 inch of range from sleeve to end of snap link
- Portable design - works with almost any Olympic bar
- 4.5"L X4 1/2"W x2"h - 500 lb capacity
Features:
Specs:
Height | 2.5 Inches |
Length | 4.5 Inches |
Size | Olympic |
Weight | 1 Kilograms |
Width | 4.5 Inches |
10. CAP Barbell Olympic EZ Curl Bar, Chrome (2-inch)
Made of solid steel with a chrome finish; Includes collars with t screwBar length of 1200mm; 51,000 PSI tensile strength steel; 32” bar length between collars; Knurling on each side is 13” in length; Weighs 7KG; 30 day manufacturer’s warranty*; 25.4mm shaft diameter; For home use onlyDiamond p...
Specs:
Color | Chrome |
Height | 2.75 Inches |
Length | 47 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Release date | April 2011 |
Size | 47-Inch |
Weight | 15.5 Pounds |
Width | 2.75 Inches |
11. Body-Solid OB86B Olympic Bar for Weightlifting and Weight Training, 7-Foot Straight Barbell, Black
- Olympic barbell: Our olympic bar weighs 44 pounds and has a 600 weight plate capacity on a loadable sleeve length of 11. 25-inches
- Weight training: Our 7-foot Olympic bar is perfect for various forms of power lifting, weight lifting, bench press and cross training exercises
- Product specs: Olympic bar has a shoulder bolt collar bolt and is built with a 30mm bar diameter
- Durability: Our 7-foot Olympic bar is precision engineered of the highest quality components. The black oxide finish protects against rusting, chipping, scarring and peeling
- Product dimensions: Overall bar length is 86" with a 51. 5" shaft length and 2” end bar dimension
Features:
Specs:
Color | 7 ft Black |
Height | 2 Inches |
Length | 86 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Size | Olympic |
Weight | 44 Pounds |
Width | 2 Inches |
12. CAP Barbell Classic 7-Foot Olympic Bar, Chrome
Construction; Made from solid cold rolled steel with a chrome finish; Accommodates Olympic weight plates (with 2 inch center hole); 30 day warrantySPECS: Measures 2185 millimeter in length; Shaft length of 51.75”; Loadable sleeve length of 15.3”; Handgrip diameter of 30 millimeter; 63,800 PSI te...
Specs:
Color | Chrome |
Height | 2.99 Inches |
Length | 86.02 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Size | 7 Feet |
Weight | 36.37 Pounds |
Width | 2.99 Inches |
13. RAGE Fitness Olympic Training Barbell, 15 lb, For Weightlifting and Power Lifting
Aluminum barbell for perfecting weightlifting basicsDurable, rotating sleeves with bushingsMedium diamond knurling with center knurlTotal Length: 6'. Grip area length (between sleeve collars): 49". Weight 15 lbs.Designed for use with Olympic style plates with 2" center hole only. Maximum weight rat...
Specs:
Color | Chrome |
Height | 4 Inches |
Length | 72 Inches |
Release date | January 2015 |
Size | 6' |
Weight | 0.220462262 Pounds |
Width | 4 Inches |
14. CAP Barbell Mega Olympic Trap Bar, Shrug Bar, Hex Bar with Combo Neutral Grips and Zinc Finish
#SPECS Bar Dimensions: 56"L x 24"W x 6"H. Bar Weight: 75 lb. Weight Capacity 1000 lb#QUALITY Made of zinc plated 32mm solid steel#ROOMY 26" between grip handles#FEATURES Combines raised and flush neutral grips#PRO For use with Olympic plates
Specs:
Color | Zinc |
Release date | April 2011 |
Weight | 75 Pounds |
15. CAP Barbell 7-Foot Olympic Bar, Black
- ✔️CONSTRUCTION – Made from solid cold rolled steel with a black oxide finish; Accommodates Olympic weight plates (with 2-inch center hole); Does not include collars
- ✔️SPECS – Measures 2185mm in length; Shaft length of 51.75”; Loadable sleeve length of 15.3”; Handgrip diameter of 30mm; 54,000 PSI tensile strength steel; Weighs 16KG; Center knurl 4.75”
- ✔️FEAUTRES – Medium-depth knurling and center knurling for a secure grip; Rotating sleeves with bushings to reduce pressure on forearms; 30-day warranty*
- ✔️VERSATILE – Get a full body workout or target specific muscle groups; Great for powerlifting and Olympic lifting technique building
- ✔️TRUST – Trust experience; CAP has been a pioneer in the fitness industry for over 30 years and has locations worldwide; Chances are, if you have ever worked out before you have used a CAP product.
Features:
Specs:
Color | Black |
Height | 3.07 Inches |
Length | 88.98 Inches |
Size | 7' x 2" |
Weight | 39.5 Pounds |
Width | 3.07 Inches |
16. Sting Ray - Front Squat Stabilizer
Sting Ray squat pad for alleviating stress on shoulders while performing squats.Easy clean & maintanenceTop quality plastic
Specs:
Color | Blue |
Size | One Size |
Weight | 0.99 Pounds |
17. IRON COMPANY Body-Solid OB60 Black 5' Short Olympic Weight Lifting Bar - 600 Pound Capacity
- Solid steel bar and sleeves with black oxide finish. Medium diamond knurling. No center knurl.
- Total length: 5' (60"). Inside grip area length (between sleeve collars): 36.5". Weight: 30 lbs.
- Grip diameter: 30mm (1.18"). Sleeve loading length: 9.75". Rotating sleeves.
- Designed for use with Olympic plates with 2" center hole only. Maximum weight rating: 600 lbs.
- 30 day limited warranty against manufacturer defects (does not cover dropping or abuse).
Features:
Specs:
Height | 3 Inches |
Length | 60 Inches |
Weight | 37 Pounds |
Width | 3 Inches |
18. Ader Sporting Goods Farmers Walk Black Bars with Trainning Collars
Heavy duty commercial quality farmers walk bars with chrome collars30 mm diameter handle with 12" Olympic sleevesDurable handles are knurled for a better gripSold as a pair, weigh 42 Lbs, 800lbs CapacityNO shipping to Alaska, Hawaii, and APO/FPO addresses or PO boxes
Specs:
Height | 50 Centimeters |
Length | 100 Centimeters |
Weight | 42 Pounds |
Width | 100 Centimeters |
19. CAP Barbell Threaded Standard Bar, 1-Inch, 250-Pound Capacity, 6-Feet
CONSTRUCTION – This standard 6-foot barbell from CAP is made of solid steel with threaded ends and finished with a chrome coating to prevent the bar from oxidizingACCOMMODATES 1-INCH PLATES – Designed with a 1-inch diameter, this standard barbell is designed to accommodate weight plate with a 1-...
Specs:
Color | Chrome |
Height | 2.7 Inches |
Length | 60 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Release date | April 2011 |
Size | 6-Ft |
Weight | 13 Pounds |
Width | 2.7 Inches |
🎓 Reddit experts on strenght training bars
The comments and opinions expressed on this page are written exclusively by redditors. To provide you with the most relevant data, we sourced opinions from the most knowledgeable Reddit users based the total number of upvotes and downvotes received across comments on subreddits where strenght training bars are discussed. For your reference and for the sake of transparency, here are the specialists whose opinions mattered the most in our ranking.
I think that Rogue fitness has a lot of good quality stuff. You'll need an standard oly barbell, bench, squat rack/power cage, weights, collars for barbell and possibly a platform to deadlift on if you're wanting to do SL and not destroy your floor (not sure how much deadlifting is in SS since I don't do it). However, I will say this about Rogue: it can be quite expensive for someone on a budget. I would LOVE to have all Rogue equipment, but that's not a possibility for me in the near future and possibly not for you either depending on your finances (if you can afford it, def go with Rogue).
Otherwise, look into Craigslist in your area. Lots of people are trying to get rid of weights/racks all the time and usually at a pretty reasonable price. I think that what you should look for is someone who wants to sell between like $.50 and $.75 per lb of weight, obviously cheaper if you can get it! You should look for someone selling a set of probably around 300 lbs of oly plates (2 inch holes on the plates).
If you have the room, I'd suggest getting a power cage because they make lifting without a spotter (example: if your bf isn't home and you want to lift) a lot safer. You can fail your bench/squat and not have to worry about killing yourself, usually. Here is a decent cage for someone on a budget:
If you don't have room for something that tall, try going with this.
As for a bar on a budget, you can get one on Rogue for pretty cheap. I've heard good things about the men's economy bar.
or for something a bit cheaper.
Here is a good brand of collars.
Depending on your floor type, you may want to get some horse stall mats to put your rack on.
Good luck and happy lifting.
Edit: You will also need a bench...if you want to bench press at home. I personally do DB bench press because I feel like it activates the muscles better so I have kind of a cheapo bench. But here is one apparently rated for 500 lbs at an ok price. There are probably better ones out there but in the short term it could work alright.
Also, even if you don't do SL and do SS instead, SL is good at explaining the equipment and giving links to decent quality stuff.
I have both the valor bd-7 power rack+dip handles as well as the FG pro utility bench. They're solid, budget pieces of equipment, offer good bang for your buck, and get the job done. Both the rack and bench are more lightweight than other options out there, but as long as you won't outgrow their weight capacities, they should be fine (I think 500 lbs for the rack and 600 lbs, weight and user combined, for the bench). Keep in mind, the lat pulldown gets in the way of incline benching inside the rack. If that's going to be a problem, you can elect to get just a rack without a lat pulldown and attach something like this for pulley work. There are definitely more luxurious options out there in terms of racks, like ones from Rogue (and they have the option of a bunch of cool attachments) but it all depends on your budget and goals. There are some flaws to the rack, like the storage pegs getting in the way of benching inside the rack when loaded with plates (I ended up removing the top pegs and am thinking about moving the pegs to the front by switching the front and back posts so I can actually store plates on the pegs). Overall, the rack gets the job done for me and I like having the option to do pulley work. Here's a thread on the bench that helped me decide on buying it. Definitely happy about it, especially at the price I got it for. Dick's always has 10% off when you sign-up for emails here. At the time, I was able to stack the 10% with a 20% off coupon to get the bench for $140.77 after tax and free in-store pick up.
I got a package that included the triceps rope and single handle here for $21 that are working fine if you want to save some money on attachments.
If you're interested in doing olympic lifts farther down the road, this barbell is generally considered the best bang for your buck barbell and comparable to more expensive options out there. It all depends on your needs, the Dick's set might work just fine.
Let me know if you have any questions.
That bar is pretty junky, but you're basically getting it for free with the weights. It'll get you started and you can upgrade that later if you get serious about it. It'll also give you a beater/landmine/superset bar in the future if you upgrade.
Chances are, if you got the $95 one you would probably end up wanting to upgrade it anyways.
this one is is a decent starter bar (they have one for $120 as a warehouse deal, which is how I bought mine). It has decent, but not great bushings and ribbed sleeves so the plates and clamps stay on better. The sleeves are also held on by a circlip instead of pinned like the cheaper ones. The bar isn't nearly as strong as some of the better and newer bars, but it's still pretty good and a lot better than those cheaper ones. The knurling isn't that aggressive, but it's much better than most cheap bars. It also has a black oxide finish on the bar.
Black oxide is one of my favorite finishes. Unlike Zink plated, chrome, or ceratoke the black oxide doesn't take away from the sharpness of the knurling. They dunk the bar in a bath of nitrates ect. and it creates a very thin (I believe only a few millionths of an inch) oxidized layer that does an ok job of warding off rust. It can still rust and it's not as durable as other finishes, but it'll feel very much like a bare steel, or stainless steel bar, which imo are the best feeling.
You should also check out titan fitness and maybe rep fitness. They might have comparable bars.
I have this bar:
https://www.amazon.com/XMark-Fitness-Knurling-Excellent-XM-3675-BLACK/dp/B01AKLL75U
The xmark chisel ez bar gets good reviews too. From what I can tell, it's basically the same bar but the sleeves have bearings (which aren't necessary at all, but maybe a nice upgrade for the $15-20 extra they charge.
I've used a lot of ez bars in many different gyms, and while it's not my absolute favorite that I've ever used, it's pretty good. And I've used a lot that I liked less. And I really like it for tricep work. And that really just comes down to my personal preference for the angles on the bar. Which are going to differ person to person. The construction is plenty good enough.
Without being able to handle the bars to see what angles you like best, I wouldn't pay over $100 for an ez bar personally.
I think with an ez bar you're going to see diminished returns fairly quickly over $100. If you wan't to pay the extra money at Rogue for American Made, that's one thing. But I have a tough time believing you're going to get much more out of an ez bar than what you'll get with one of the xmark ez bars.
I recently got the fit505 power rack for $230:
http://www.treadmillfactory.ca/fit505-power-rack
Might be sold out now. It looks identical to the AmStaff one, but I read a review saying that the Fit505 one was much better. Though they could in fact be identical, not sure. Anyways, I'm very happy with my fit505 power rack... but I've heard some bad things about AmStaff in general.
In terms of weights, you might be better off on Kijiji if you're near a big city. You can find used weights for 50 cents a pound (no tax).
Then maybe pick up one of these bars:
https://www.amazon.ca/Barbell-Olympic-2-Inch-1000-Pound-Capacity/dp/B001K4OPY2/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1481343523&sr=8-7&keywords=cap+barbell
http://www.fitnessdepot.ca/H11OTO1027676/strength/bars/olympic/northern-lights-black-oxide-olympic-bar-86-28mm-44lb-1500lb-rating-bbocfitltgb.html#.WEuB6vlVhBc
You'll also need a bench. Again, I would look on Kijiji and find a used bench. You can get an alright one for around $100 or a good one for around $200.
Your best deal is to buy a full used set from someone on Kijiji if you want the best value. I live near Toronto, and I've seen people selling a rack, bench, bar, weights, lat pulldown, few extras, etc. for around $700. Generally you can get things for about 1/3 of the retail price... so that's by far the best way to go if you're looking to get the best bang for your buck. But it takes patience, and you need a vehicle for transport.
I started with about the same budget as you. This is what I did (minus the flooring because I'm in the garage and just threw down mats).
http://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/rubber-mat-black-4-ft-x-6-ft?cm_vc=-10005 6 horse stall mats - 35 bucks a piece. $220
http://www.titan.fitness/short-power-rack.html - Titan short rack, because of the clearance thing. I wish I would have gotten the taller one so I could OHP in it, but it's not a big deal. $269
http://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/body-power-deluxe-multifunctional-power-tower?repChildCatid=3077414 Power tower, on sale still. $129
http://www.ironmaster.com/products/quick-lock-dumbbell-system-75 - Ironmaster dumbbells - best purchase ever. $499
Found 205lbs of rogue bumper plates, and a flat bench on craiglist for $300 Had another 175lbs of bumper plates previously. If you don't want bumper plates you can find metal plates for much cheaper on craigslist.
That had me at about $1600 after taxes. I also got a Xebex rower/decline bench/med ball from GetRXd on a special for $800 but that was bought because it was a great deal. Awesome rower btw.
If you want a good incline bench instead of flat, go with the ironmaster one. It's $299 I believe and very solid. Ironmaster dumbbells are way, way better than the Bowflex ones. They're solid metal. I toss them around and they're fine. They also don't rattle.
I also got the Cap bar from amazon for $160. Awesome 1000lb rated bar. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006R4EOXM/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_2?pf_rd_p=1944687562&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B001K4OPY2&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=044DMW43KCXP3YXFA73M
I can't agree more with your gym sentiments. Walking through a sea of resting bitch faces at the gym just to see that two people were already waiting for the squat rack tended to ruin my somewhat fragile motivation.
I would recommend against the FT2, having an enforced straight up and down bar path will not help your form and will make your workout less effective for your core/stabilizing muscles. If you're thinking you want something safe for home workouts alone, you can still do that with a free weight barbell setup, spotter arms are wonderful thing.
I haven't tried that many options, but I can tell you what is working for me. I got the titan T3 squat rack and I love it. I highly recommend the spotter arms, I try for bench personal records all the time by myself and I've never had issues when I failed. This rack is stable enough for pull ups but you don't have to screw it to the floor to install. I did have to take off both the weight storage arms so that the plates on the storage arms didn't impede my bench press. http://www.titan.fitness/cages-and-racks/squat-rack.html
For the barbell I got the CAP OB-86B, it's reasonably priced and I'm not doing anything too fancy with the olympic lifts. I expect to get another, better bar and keep it as a beater bar eventually. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001K4OPY2
My plates are a mix, I recommend getting some bumper plates off craigslist or a local shop to get started then adding bumper and iron plates as needed. Another option is to get the $300 iron set from Dick's as a starting set, but from what I've heard the bar is fit only to trash/resell. http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/p/fitness-gear-300-lb-olympic-weight-set-16fgeu300lbstwth7brb/16fgeu300lbstwth7brb
For bench I'd recommend getting something strong and adjustable. I got the flat Adidas bench and it's fine, though I now want an adjustable bench so I can do incline/decline. https://www.amazon.com/adidas-Performance-Flat-Training-Bench/dp/B00WHIG6X8
Appropriate flooring, resistence bands, and dumbbells are also incredibly helpful.
I would save up for better main equipment. Skip the adjustable dumbells to start and put it towards a better rack/bench. If you get dumbells later do not buy bowflex. powerblocks and ironmaster are the only quick adjust dumbells worth anything and otherwise would just get some spinlock adjustable dumbells if they are too pricey.
The problem with that valor fitness rack is it is way too cramped and the designers didn't know what they are doing (just look at the demo video)- it is impossible to fit a bench inside that rack since the weight tower/pulley and bottom crossmember is in the way no matter which way you face so you are forced to bench outside, not to mention the weight tower uses 1" pins instead of 2" olympic pins so it is just shoddy with oly weights anyway. would try to find a rack that has tighter hole spacing on the pins- at least 2" holes on center. a weight tower can be nice but it needs to be offset from the back of the rack so it is actually useable. find a quality rack first that works good as a rack then grab a cheap pulldown on craigslist later or something.
The bench is iffy- most cheap (and even nice commercial) adjustable benches tend to not be very good to setup on for flat benching since the butt piece gets in the way and the pads are at different heights with gaps making it very difficult to get a good proper flat bench setup on. cheaper adjustable benches are fine for incline work but I would get a dedicated quality proper flat bench in addition.
I'm a big fan of the CAP OB86 series bars for the money- I would just suggest picking up the PBCK variant instead that has the center knurl for squats though.
for flooring look at either stall mats or 3/8" rolled rubber for gym flooring. good rolled rubber is a lot more expensive but looks a bit cleaner and has less smell. stall mats are cheap and thick and great- only issue is they can smell pretty strong at first and are heavy and a bit cumbersome to do a whole gym in- if you do go for stall mats if you leave them outside in the sun for a couple weeks they won't smell when you bring them inside.
Craigslist, LetGo, Facebook Marketplace, and OfferUp are the best places to look.
At a bare minimum you want a barbell, bench, and a rack/cage that you can bench, squat, and do pullups in.
As far as barbells go, buy new unless you know what you're looking for. You don't have to pay rogue money, but you can do ok with one of the following:
Beyond that, I really recommend a cage just because there is more you can do with it, but something like the Titan T-2, Fitness Reality, or TDS that can be had around $300 new on amazon are good enough for all but the strongest people.
Here's the details on the stuff:
Power Rack. Had this about 6 weeks and I'm extremely happy with it. Looks fine, feels very sturdy, no feeling of tipping or instability even when I hang from the bar at front. Paint scratches when you move and insert the spotter bars but what do you want for $350 shipped. It's held 215 on multiple occasions with no issues. If you lift significantly heavier than this (300+) you may want to read reviews first, or invest in a less-starter rack, but for many/most people this will be fine forever. It's dead easy to assemble if you have a socket set and if you don't, great opportunity to get one, they're cheap! Assembly can be done mostly solo but the final bits really need a second person to hold stuff in place while bolts are inserted. Rack comes shipped in 2 or 3 (can't remember) boxes which are pretty unwieldy and heavy.
I went with this CAP barbell. This suits my needs very well with great knurling and came without bend, and I'm unlikely to put a bend in it with my sub-300 deadlifts. The barbell ships in a fun 7 foot cylindrical tube which caused the dude at the mail place to nearly topple over because he expected it to be light for some reason.
I also got this plate tree which holds 2x 45# bumpers, 2x 45# plates, and 2x 25#, 2x 10#, 4x 5#, and 2x 2.5#. Does the trick but paint scratches off the pegs like crazy but is easily cleaned up. Single box, about 30 pounds.
The bench is this one by Marcy. I wanted a simple bench and that's what I got. Great bench for the price and I haven't had any instability problems. Had this for a year and used up to 70# dumbbells and 215# barbell with it (I'm 215). Most weight total that's been on it was a 270# friend benching 185# for sets and he found it fine.
Assorted stuff: got these puzzle mats which do the trick for the right price and are stowable unlike a permanent mat. As I mentioned elsewhere the 45# bumpers are meant to mitigate any floor impact, and I'm not terribly concerned with keeping this floor perfect anyway (it's 10 year old laminate on top of concrete, and the "path" is linoleum). The plates were from a sale at the local FitnessDerp store (not its real name) and were 85 cents a pound -- I never saw any on Craigslist for less than that in the month I looked. Finally just some collars.
The cat in the picture highly recommends this crinkle tunnel.
How much do you want to spend? I'm not the best with kg, but in lbs its generally:
2x 1.25lb (optional depending on linear program)
2x 2.5lb
2x 5lb
2x 10lb
2x 15lb
2x 25lb
2x 35lb
2x 45lb
2x 55lb (optional depending on strength level)
You can get a cheap set of iron weights.
Or you could get a relatively inexpensive set of bumper plates. (Plus some change plates).
I'm a fan of Titan Fitness' equipment. Its great for home gym use and the price is right. I have their T-2 series power rack and their 2" Olympic Weight Plate Rack Tree. I also got lucky and bought a bunch of stuff from MDUSA before they closed. I have 415lbs of bumpers, change plates, and a couple nice Pendlay olympic bars. That being said I started off with an inexpensive bar off of Amazon.
Hope this helps, I'm happy to answer any other questions.
I use bumpers in my home gym and transitioned from a standard, 7ft Olympic bar to a 15 lb "training bar" that's 6 ft a few months ago. I started doing 5/3/1 and some of my warm-up weights were lower than 45 lb, necessitating a lighter bar.
I've really liked moving to the 6' bar. Deadlifts feel about the same, but my squat & bench balance feels so much better! I'm 5'6", for reference.
With the one I bought (link below), my plates from the standard Olympic fit just fine, too.
That being said, I don't think you'd hurting anything with a 7ft - it seems to me to be a personal preference & what fits your plates. You might try a free day pass to a local gym that has both and see which you like better?
I bought this bar: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00R93GJ74/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
And use these plates (would love a set of Rogues, but these have been great, too):
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00I18FHOW/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
You don't expect to lift more than 250lbs? You wholly underestimate your strength. You should be able to pull more than that on a deadlift before you max out on SL 5x5.
IF you really want to stick with lifting and not just a program but being dedicated to lifting regularly, then buy quality. Being thrifty doesn't mean buying cheap. It means getting the most out of what you spend, and good quality stuff will last you a lifetime.
Titan racks are great value, If you can't bolt the T-3 to the floor or a platform, look into getting the free standing T-3 Squat Stand with spotter arms. The T-2 cage isn't as heavy duty but still more than enough for most people.
There are other options but Titan's a good value.
As far as bars, get the CAP-OB86 which is a highly regarded barbell for it's price whihc regularly goes on sale for as low as 100 dollars.
As far as plates go, buy used if your local area has a good craigslist base. Get mostly 45s with a pair of 25s and 10s
Buy the Adidas flat bench which is a cheap but sturdy option to the more beefier $150+ dollar options
Suh from Waterloo.
So when I was building my homegym I was also debating the fitness depot stuff - went to the actual store and jiggled/empty bar squatted out of that squat stand and a few of the racks. The squat stand was 'okay' at best. If you were set on fitnessdepot (for $$ reasons) I would pick this rack instead:
http://www.fitnessdepot.ca/H11OTO1027676/strength/strength-equipment/power-racks-smith-machines/northern-lights-power-rack-full-cage-nlpowrbund.html#.WTxaemjyuUk
It felt surprisingly solid but sadly I cannot give you a real review since I didn't actually put weight onto it and obviously didn't use it for any length of time. However for the price it did seem usable. I am only 165 pounds though so you might want to give it a jiggle yourself.
Also I'd advise checking out the 2x3" hole spacings on their other racks. Some of the attachments like the lat-pulldown were surprisingly functional but they only fit certain racks.
The squat stand just wasn't as robust and I want to feel safe while I'm working out. The footprint of that rack versus the squat stand is also not that different which surprised me.
As for the hex bar, my neighbor has the exact same bar and it's only 'okay' as well. If I was buying one for my home gym I would probably get this one from Cap on amazon.ca:
https://www.amazon.ca/Cap-Barbell-Olympic-2-Inch-Combo/dp/B004X1674A/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1497128109&sr=8-2&keywords=cap+barbell+hex
I don't really have a strong opinion of the hex bars but since you are taller you might want to go with the hex bar that has higher handles. The fitnessdepot hex bar does the job for us because:
So something to consider for yourself.
Hope this helps
I've always hated going to the gym fighting with other people for equipment and altering my exercises around what is available. I also let the distance from my house creep in as an excuse. It resulted in a lot of fuckarounditis and quitting for long periods of time. Best thing I have done was get some proper equipment for my garage. I am addicted now.
I had some weights, a bench, a short olympic bar, and two olympic dumbell bars I got off of classifieds awhile ago. The bar sucked since it was so small. I never got into using it for years. I decided to finally get a real bar and a power rack. I also supplemented my olympic weights a bit. It has made a HUGE difference in the quality of my workouts. The power rack allows me to push myself a lot without the use of a spotter.
Below is the equipment I got and can absolutely recommend all of it. The bar has the perfect amount of knurling to not rip your hands up. The weights are not works of art, but cheap and perfectly suitable.
PowerLine PPR200X Power Rack
Body Solid 7-Feet Olympic Bar
Cap Barbell Free Weights
Lockjaw Olympic Barbell Collar
My bench is kind of a shitty bench that came with all the other junk I purchased earlier. Not sure what would be good if I was in the market right now. You can modify the power rack to hold some of your plates, but a weight tree isn't expensive and laying weights on the floor isn't a problem at first. A pad is pretty much necessary for dead lifts and you can pick up 3/4 inch rubber horse stall mats at those farm feed store for about $45. Get on a program like SS and this is all you need until you decide to move to splits, giving you plenty of time to slowly add more equipment as you find it.
When I finish SS I will pickup the Ironmaster 75 lb Quick-Lock Adjustable Dumbbell System and I already ordered the Powerline PLA200X Lat Attachment, both of which get great reviews.
Overall you will save a ton of money on membership fees in the long run and it's really hard to make excuses to not workout. The equipment is a joy to use.
An unintended beauty I found with building a home gym is that because of budget restraints for most of us, you're often forced to boil down your routine into the basics early on. To me that's a wonderful thing. I've been a far more productive lifter focusing on more basic lifts and forgetting about all the ancillary isolation exercises. Granted, your lifting routine doesn't seem to get cute with the iso work. So I guess my point is, get what you need for the big lifts now. You can figure out alternatives to your complimentary lifts with what you have. For example, using different pull up grips, or using inexpensive bands as support in your pullups if you need to go high reps (in place of lat pulldowns) are possibilities.
In time, you'll get pieces here and there to add further variety. Many of these gyms you see here have evolved over time. Be patient, you'll be accumulating complimentary pieces in no time.
My advice is to put money in:
I am a big fan of the Ohio Power bar, and I went ahead and picked up one from the USA. you're right, its $$$$ but IMO worth the money.
if you are looking for a cheaper "Canadian" alternative you could try this bar http://www.strongarmsport.com/product-p/bar-bos.htm it's from Bells of Steel and has great reviews. This is their last gen bar, but reviews are saying its better than their "new and improved" version. its comes in at $370 shipping and taxes inc. the Rogue bar comes in at $390 shipped so its a no brainer to go with the OPB.
the only other option I found to be cheaper was the Cap Power Bar from Amazon (Free ship with Prime) https://www.amazon.ca/Cap-Barbell-Weight-Lifting-Olympic/dp/B006R4EOXM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1520517760&sr=8-1&keywords=ob86pbck
currently at $193 ($218 taxes in and free ship) is your cheapest option for a decently reviewed power bar. http://capbarbell.com/1500lb-solid-power-squat-bar-with-central-knurling/
You bring up a great point, and I wish I could tell you that the "be-all, end-all" decisions regarding dimensions / weight / etc. were left to CubiScan. However, those measurements and weights affect so many things in the process from the time we receive an item until it goes out the door to a customer, that there is rarely a black and white answer for things. Also, there are items we as associates question every day as to why the system states an item is sortable v. nonsortable. I've also said several times in this forum that we stretch CubiScan's capabilities beyond what its manufacturer intended because, as of right now, it's the best thing we have. CubiScan was designed to capture dimensions and weights of boxed items -- hence its name -- and it does a great job at that. But, as you all are well aware, not every item comes to us boxed. I've suggested to a couple of folks in PMs that if they want more control over the dimensional measurements of their products, send them to us pre-boxed. But, that's a cost-benefit analysis thing -- am I paying more to have an item boxed than I would be in paying for "air" in a poly bag...more on that later. Let's look at some examples based upon your plastic totes comment...and some other things that pop up as well...I hope reddit let's me link to items on the AMZN site. These items are chosen based upon our experiences with them, so disregard the brand, etc. and consider the items themselves. Here we go...
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NY7MCTI/ref=sspa_dk_detail_1?psc=1
Wow, great job man! 30 lbs in 3 months is crazy, doesn't look like your body fat changed that much. Your before looks very similar to what I look like now, plus I'm only an inch taller than you. I would be very pleased if I looked like you at 190. I plan to bulk to around 200 then recomp forever, I think I'll be happy enough with my physique to take it slow from then on.
If you want to do more lower body work you could always buy one of these. That's not as long as an olympic bar so you'll save space. I wouldn't worry about changing anything upper body related, what you have now is just as good as any barbell exercise. Keep up the good work man!
Sorry for the confusion about the bar, I was referring to this one.
https://www.amazon.com/CAP-Barbell-Olympic-2-Inch-7-Feet/dp/B000RNSDKE
You can usually find then on Craigslist, but for $180 a 1500lb tolerance (according to them) bar is still a great deal.
In regards to the rack, I think my experience would be better if I had found this in say a commercial gym or training facility with more space. When space is limited and you HAVE to lift inside, it is a huge hassle for squats, deadlifts, and benching. It's basically impossible to deadlift in this rack if you have attached plate storage.
When you can lift outside the rack, it becomes infinitely better. But again, for most home gyms space is an issue and a lot of us have to lift inside. Plus, with the safety system the way it is, it is designed to be squatting/deadlifting within the 24 inches.
Hi guys, I have an idea about starting to lift at home with a really tight budget, I would like to ask for some advice.
I want to do the 5x5 stronglifts program, because it fits me perfectly, and I just want to get in good shape, besides right now I only want to lose weight (but keeping the few muscle I have).
I have thought, for now, to get the bar, 2 7.5 pound plates and 2 10 pound plates.
I need to pass on the bench for now, they cost $40 at Amazon, maybe in the first two months I'll have to improvise, but It doesn't worry me because 4 of the 5 exercises are standing up.
What I think I'll definitely need to get is a mat so the plates don't touch the floor..right?
I'll be really thankful if some of you guys could help me out.
The brand plates are CAP Barbell and the bar is this one:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004EFYPBC/ref=ox_sc_act_title_4?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER
Oh, and the two thingies so the plates don't move, that costs $4.99, so not that big of a deal.
I would strongly recommend something like this: http://www.amazon.com/CAP-Barbell-40-pound-Adjustable-Dumbbell/dp/B000VCDXNS#
You can then also use the plates with something like this: http://www.amazon.com/Sunny-Threaded-Chrome-Barbell-60-Inch/dp/B004EFYPBC/ (For legs, even /r/bodyweightfitness will tell you bars are useful for legs. With a bar at least you can deadlift, at least easier than with DBs -- if you try DL with DBs, don't smash your junk!)
Note that those are all "standard" (ie 1in) bars, vs "Olympic" (2in) bars. Standard are cheaper, but barbells for standard tend to only go up to ~250lbs (decent but not super heavy for legs stuff. You'll have to do volume if you max out at 250+). On the plus side, standard 1in dumbbells have "spin locks" which I find super useful for home gym things.
Going from 30lb-40lbs with those is just the cost of 10lbs worth of plates (which can often be found for $1-1.50 per pound), much less than the cost of a new set of 40lb DBs. Plus, bar if you want one.
Also, 1in plates and handles/bars are almost always, everywhere, for sale on craigslist, often for very cheap.
I have a similar set as the one on Amazon and bought plates as I needed them. I can currently load up 90# on each handle. (Can't do much with it - I use that weight for deadlift progression..)
That's a reasonable start to a home gym -- inexpensive, compact, versatile.
Try oiling the sleeves and see if that does anything.
As for the bar...
This seems to be the best option I could find on Amazon. I've never heard of them, who knows about the quality control and how long it will last but reviews seem ok. Only about 30$ more than your prior selection.
https://www.amazon.com/Bonnlo-Barbell-Weightlifting-Capacity-Rotating/dp/B07BXHF8H6/ref=sr_1_8?dchild=1&keywords=weightlifting+barbell&qid=1574724081&sr=8-8
https://www.amazon.com/CAP-Barbell-Olympic-Weightlifting-Renewed/dp/B07RH732VH/ref=sr_1_90?dchild=1&keywords=weightlifting+barbell&qid=1574724518&sr=8-90
https://www.amazon.com/CAP-Barbell-Power-Olympic-Weightlifting/dp/B006R4EOXM/ref=sr_1_5?dchild=1&keywords=weightlifting+barbell&qid=1574724081&sr=8-5
We used to use CAP barbells as our general purpose barbells. No idea what model but it wasn't uncommon for them to get bent over time or spin poorly.
​
https://www.amazon.com/Training-Equipment-Olympic-Barbell-Crossfit/dp/B07NZ7T1VJ/ref=sr_1_59?dchild=1&keywords=weightlifting%2Bbarbell&qid=1574724518&sr=8-59&th=1
probably the next step up but you could just pony up another 50$ and get something from Fringesport with excellent customer service and a return policy. They bought out AgainFaster a few years ago which was pretty popular in the CF community.
https://www.amazon.com/XMark-Lumberjack-Manganese-Phosphate-Powerlifting/dp/B01NBTGVNI/ref=sr_1_29?dchild=1&keywords=weightlifting%2Bbarbell&qid=1574724081&sr=8-29&th=1
https://www.amazon.com/XMark-Crowbar-Olympic-Weightlifting-Powerlifting/dp/B07T6C2ZWL/ref=sr_1_12?dchild=1&keywords=weightlifting+barbell&qid=1574724081&sr=8-12
Never heard of XMark. They have plenty of reviews though.
If you're not looking to purchase second hand, I would recommend this rack:
http://www.xtcfitness.ca/strength-equipment/power-racks-smith-machines/x-series-econ-power-rack-xsep-power-cage-weight-rack-squat-rack-crossfit-rack-xtc-gear.html
It's probably the cheapest rack with acceptable gauge steel among the crap being sold in Canada right now and the configuration of it being a Rogue clone is superb. $550+tax.
If you don't plan on doing olympic lifts, I would recommend the CAP OB-86B. Great beginner bar and probably the only one worth getting in the price range. Placed in high regards among many home-gymers. Otherwise, drop $300+ for a higher end bar that will last you a long time. This bar will be good up til 500lbs.
https://www.amazon.ca/Barbell-1000-Pound-Solid-7-Feet/dp/B001K4OPY2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1462994733&sr=8-1&keywords=ob-86b
http://www.walmart.ca/en/ip/cap-barbell-olympic-bar-2-inch-1200-pound-capacity-7-ft/6000188615841
http://www.garage-gyms.com/cap-ob-86b-olympic-bar-review-comparison/
http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=166852731
There's a "mega" trap bar on Amazon with iirc a longer sleeve length and a 1000 weight capacity for under $100. Haven't checked it in a while, price is usually around $92 with free shipping
Edit: price is up to $125 again, but the bar is 64" end to end with a sleeve length of 13" on each side compared to 56" of the Titan bar (so it says). This bar is also ~75lbs empty
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B004X167A4/ref=mp_s_a_1_fkmr0_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1497486930&sr=8-1-fkmr0&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=monster+trap+bar
I've had my eye on this for a while though haven't got it yet. I'll check CamelCamelCamel on this when I get home, shows the price fluctuations. If you have time to wait for the bar I'd choose this one, though Titan is not bad either. And I've personally had very good luck with Titan gear, always been great for me
I finally got fed up with going to my overcrowded gym that only had one squat rack and decided to join the home gym club. This room was previously a home theatre room but we weren’t watching much TV in there anyways. I figured a home gym would be a better use of the room and our time. I had considered a garage gym but didn’t want to lose our covered parking spots or deal with extreme temperatures. The room was completely open on one side so the first thing I did was build sliding barn doors to cover it up and keep the kids out. This was my first ever woodworking project so I’m pretty proud of myself! I laid down the stall mats directly over the existing carpet. They felt a little springy when I first put them down but two weeks later, they now feel much firmer. I taped them together with gorilla tape but it isn’t staying down quite as well as I’d hoped (if anyone has any other suggestions for keeping stall mats in place, please let me know). All in all, am loving my decision. I spent a little over $2K but that will pay for itself in about 4 years now that I have cancelled the gym membership. I plan on working out much longer than that anyways!
Rep Fitness Home Gym Package Comes with rack, bench, barbell, bumper plates, dip bars and rings. This thing is solid and doesn’t take up a lot of space. I also got the adjustable bench upgrade and extra bumper plates. Bumper plates: 8x45, 2x25, 2x10. Change plates 2x 5, 2x 2.5. I had them swap out the 35 lb plates that came with the package for 45s. Total olympic weight: 445 lbs (490 lbs with 45 lb barbell) Total price $1450
200 lb adjustable dumbbell set. $173
15 lb aluminum training barbell (for my wife) $119
Rowing Machine (Goes for $300, purchased for $150 on Craigslist)
5 horse stall mats from Tractor Supply Company, $200
The resistance bands set is from Bodylastics and was purchased years ago for around $50 I think.
For the barn doors, I bought a track kit for $135 on Amazon and the lumber, screws and stain was around $150.
Thanks! Iso stuff to start with, but eventually will get a rack and do everything in my home gym, so I want to buy with that vision in mind.
Thanks for the advice on the bench, the Rogue one is indeed pricey. I want adjustable for skull crushers, incline seated curls, and normal 90° seated curls (just as an example).
I was actually considering the CAP EZCurl bar, I'm glad you said that. WAY cheaper and seems to get the same job done.
You're correct, I don't need bumpers yet, but I do want a pair of 15lb plates to load the curl bar. The change plate set only has 10/5/2.5/1.25, so I don't see another way.
I've looked into those combo solutions for dumbbells but for some reason have a distaste for them! Just doesn't feel the same to me.
I'm not sure which barbells have a limit below 300lb, I haven't seen one at least. Even the Dick's Sporting Goods cheap one that is terrible is 300lb. Are you sure buying the one you picked is a good idea? There's several on Amazon for decent prices with 500+ limits.
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Here's one for $140ish.
Here's a 6ft bar for $65 with a 500lb capacity.
One for $110 with a 600lb capacity.
This one has a 250lb capacity for $31 but it seems like garbage. It's a standard and seems like it may last a year at most. I had a similar bar once and it did not last. Plus the weight of the bar itself is low.
Here's one for $70s for a 7ft Olympic.
And you could probably find some decent prices on Craigslist or FB Marketplace. I got a Matt Chan bar for like $100 through craigslist.
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You could check out /r/homegym for more suggestions. A common one is the Dick's Sporting Goods 300lb set though I warn you that the bar isn't great. I bought two sets for the decent and cheap weights and gave one of the bars to a friend. I used the other for a year and now it is a beater bar. Good deal for a bar and weights for cheap.
T-3 squat rack? Yes. Their adjustable bench is fairly new, but just like every other product they sale, it's a clone of someone else's product, in this case it looks like a clone of an already fairly cheap cap barbell/fitness gear bench. Like I said it's fairly new to market so there's not really a consensus on wether or not it's worth having. Even if you do go with the bench ( how bad can it be? ), I'd avoid the barbell, even though it appears to have snap rings, I can't imagine them making a quality bar. Here's my next purchase : http://www.vulcanstrength.com/The-One-Basic-Bar-Vulcan-Olympic-Barbell-p/v1basbar.htm , 28mm, hard chrome coating and free shipping. Or if you're looking for more of a power bar, this one is fairly popular value choice: https://www.amazon.com/CAP-Barbell-Olympic-1000-Pound-Capacity/dp/B001K4OPY2
The CAP bar is $166 with free shipping on amazon. As far as I could tell from many other threads, this was the best affordable bar to get. I got this as a second bar to do cleans, dead lifts, etc. Though I am reading the replies here and seeing a different CAP bar (which costs more, but doesnt hold as much weight.. and doesnt show on sale..so not sure it is a better bar).
I dont quite know why center knurling is needed.. and let it be known that I am just getting back in to weights, so if I can clean the bar alone I would be happy at this point!
I just bought this CAP bar that comes highly rated and at a fair price if you don't feel like dropping $250 or beyond on a bar. CAP makes some gear many people would scoff at, but this is a quality piece. You can fit a power rack under an 8' tall ceiling, you'll just have to shop around. Do some research, read a bunch of reviews, check out the Workout Equipment forum at Bodybuilding.com. As some others have said, you get for what you pay for, so if this is something you are serious about, don't be afraid to invest a little money upfront for quality equipment. I'm in the process of upgrading a lot of my stuff and I wish I just did it the right way from the get go. That being said, Craigslist is a great resource, you just have to know what you are looking for.
I don't have any personal experience with it (not many will have experience with a 5-foot barbell), but if looking at Amazon, this is the only one I can find that is rated for more than 300lbs:
http://www.amazon.com/Body-Solid-Black-Olympic-Weight-Lifting/dp/B00HAUSNAM
You may think 300lbs is a lot, but personally I try to stay under 50% of a barbell's max rating. Just like you wouldn't drive a car at maximum speed all the time...
Also, they're all less than the standard 45lbs, which is not a big deal, just make sure to factor that when counting weight.
If you want higher quality, Rogue makes a Junior bar that is roughly 5.5ft long, but has the regular distance between the loading sleeves, which mean you won't sacrifice stance and it will work with any regular power cage of olympic bench. It will also spin better (less of an issue for bench and squats) and last longer. It's significantly more expensive though.
Like you said I do both one arm rows and double arm rows with handles. Some of my other favorites are: belt squats, single arm overhead shoulder presses, single leg deadlifts. If you search landmine exercises on YouTube you will find tons of examples. This attachment is awesome for the landmine. I got it to use to attach to my belt for belt squats but it's also great as it allows you to use any cable handles you have and the extra chain length allows you to use 45 lb plates without hitting your chest and shortening the range of motion. You just slide it over the end of barbell and then put the plates on. https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01N65DXJE/ref=pd_aw_sbs_200_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=3Q0T4PSYG1RGFX4VSHYH&dpPl=1&dpID=61gVYyDaOkL
This is the one I have at home right now. I got it about 7 months ago and it's been working great for me.
The absolute best bar I ever used was an Eleiko Weightlifting Competition bar. So nice. Extremely pricey though($1000+).
I'd look in the Rogue Boneyard
(if you want one of their bars on a budget).
Otherwise if you can find the CAP OB-86PBCK for around $110 - $130 you're good to go (Walmart | Amazon). I own this and for $112 (the price I paid) I am MORE than happy with the finish / knurling, etc. for doing SS (I'm only 9 weeks in). It will do it's job just fine for a long time.
Just make sure you get a bar with Center Knurling (like the Ohio Power Bar, Chan Bar, the CAP one listed) if you're getting this for SS / SL.
I plan on buying this barbell and don't know where to get plates. How much weight should I get and where should I get it. I want to ensure I have enough weight to be able to smoothly add more weight as I am a beginner that will follow a beginner program, it looks like most places sell 300 lb + bar so I assume I should get 300 lb total. Also most people recommend craigslist but I don't seem to find any deals there at the moment and I don't mind buying new at a reasonable price. I can't find any other places to get them. Any help would be nice.
I use these.
Barbell Stands:http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004ARP4LE/ref=oh_details_o05_s00_i00 Some people say free stands are not safe but after watching some videos and using them myself they seem to work great. They are very stable and can handle 300lbs per stand so that's 600lbs total. I've squatted 305lbs on them with no problems.
Olympic Weights: http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/product/index.jsp?productId=10793623. I bought them in store. I ended up getting two extra 45's and two 10's later on so now I have a total 400lbs. I also replace the bar with one of these http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0039Z5FHQ/ref=oh_details_o03_s00_i00. The olympic bar that comes with the set has ridges on the sleeve that flake off metal when you put weight on the bar.
I also use an Ironmaster Super Bench with a barbell adapter spotting stand I got a few years ago for bench presses.
That power rack is a really solid choice. It should be compatible with most of Rogue's accessories/attachments because it has the same dimensions as a certain Rogue rack. I would stay away from that bench and purchase a used one from a better brand (Body Solid, Parabody, Parabody Serious Steel, Body Masters, etc.) on craigslist for the same price or way cheaper. I'd also recommend purchasing all your plates used through craigslist for 50-60 cents/lb. The CAP OB-86B is a good choice for a barbell.
Not the OP, but this X-Mark one for $80 is great. Feels good and spins quietly:
https://www.amazon.com/XMark-Fitness-Knurling-Excellent-XM-3675-BLACK/dp/B01AKLL75U
This is my main barbell. It doesn't have the knurling in the center, but it still works for me. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001K4OPY2/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
This one showed up on SlickDeals the other day for just over $100. It's much higher in price now, but it may come back down. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006R4EOXM/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?tag=slickappfp-20&ascsubtag=804135fa590311e7b4ca324be198f5910INT&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1
For mobility take a look at Got ROM and Alan Thralls YouTube channels.
Farmers bars are great for grip strength. My shoulders were consistently giving my troubles and I tried a ton of different things. One thing that appears to have helped me big time is to strictly use an overhand grip when deadlifting. So I continue up with deadlifting weight until I cannot hold it anymore. Right now I'm at a 2-3 reps with 290. Then move over to straps. The hook grip is also an option.
This "only" supports 800 lbs.
This will good enough until you decide on Texas vs Ohio power bar I don't think it has center knurling, but I'm sure you could find a similar one with it for the same money.
This only supports 300 lbs, but you can always rebuild the framing out of 4x4 wooden posts. I can tell you it doesn't collapse even when you have around 500 lbs on it.
Then you just need weights, Craigslist, or if you want new, walmart has them for a little less than 1$ a lb. Make sure your 45's are the right size, or you'll end up doing deficit deadlifts.
The CAP O-86B retailing at $110 is a very well respected general purpose bar. It will last you a healthy amount of time until you decide to spring for a more expensive Oly or Powerlifting focused bar.
Sounds like you're Powerlifting, and not Olympic lifting.
I prefer center knurling for squats, while others don't mind if it's missing. If you're Oly lifting you may not want it.
I would recommend a 1000LBS bar over a 500LBS bar. Not only for the weight rating (keep in mind static weight is not the same as dropped weight), but also for the fact its a higher quality steel.
Many lower end bars are 32mm diameter and much less comfortable. Also quality of bushings etc is well, lower.
EDIT: It seems as if you may be looking for "Bang for the buck", and nothing too fancy. If thats the case, I would highly recommend taking a look at the CAP OB-86B. Its on sale for $109 shipped. You will be very hard pressed to find something better for close to that price: https://www.amazon.com/Barbell-Olympic-2-Inch-1200-Pound-Capacity/dp/B001K4OPY2?th=1
If you're just looking for DB's I would go with something like this. They're adjustable and actually a pretty fair price for a set. They are 105 lbs total, so they go up to 52.5 lbs each. I would also get a barbell so you can do some compound stuff as well.
DB's
Barbell
Seems expensive for what you're getting.
For twice the price, Here, you can get a bar that will last you for a long, long while.
That bar in the link is good for 700 pounds, which is a pretty good deadlift.
That Apex bar is only good until about 250 pounds, which is a month or two of deadlifting. In fact, I wouldn't recommend it, unless you're planning on doing endurance exercises with low weights.
The standard recommendation here is usually this bar its the best bang for your buck bar. A lot of people start out with it and if you outgrow it it makes a great beater bar.
Never ever purchase a squat rack with a lat pulldown attachment.
I would invest more elsewhere and less into the barbell. The best budget barbell is definitely the cap-ob-86b. Nothing comes even close to it and it is comparable to $200+ barbells.
http://www.amazon.com/CAP-Barbell-Olympic-1000-Pound-Capacity/dp/B001K4OPY2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1458486030&sr=8-1&keywords=cap+ob86
If you want to save money, go the Craigslist route.
For new stuff?
The best "cheap" barbell is the CAP Barbell's OB-86B. Anything cheaper and you run the risk of getting a shitty, rusted out bar that will fall apart as soon as you put more than 100lbs on it.
As for weights? The cheapest are CAP's 300 lb Olympic weight sets. They weights are crappy, and you may have to file down the holes so it doesn't scrape you bar, but it's the cheapest you'll find brand new. Take the shitty bar that comes with it and sell it on Craigslist for like $50 (if it doesn't arrive already broken).
I've heard mixed things about the Titan rack, but it's probably the best of the budget racks. Supposedly, the quality is improving.
This one is only $120. I have one and it's pretty sturdy. Paintjob is meh but it's perfectly functional and doesn't bend at all. At least not at 450 lbs.
Save your money and get this: CAP Barbell Olympic Bar, 2-Inch, 1000-Pound Capacity, 7-Feet https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001K4OPY2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_4-AExb35MGHCJ. Read the reviews. People like it better than the rogue, which you should know are inherently overpriced due to their partnership with crossfit
I have pretty much a brand new weight bench with 40lb bar and weights totaling up to 185lbs (with bar weight added) that I want to sell, I'm just not using it. Had it about a year and might have used it 10 times at most. Only issue is with the pin that raises the bench up for incline presses, the dog chewed on the black ball part of it but it still works fine.
here's the bench I got off amazon
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00OJX90UU/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
heres the bar: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002OOYINA/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
the weights: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00JJYLPO8/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00306YI1I/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
About $450 total from what I got off amazon. Make me an offer? I'll start at $380 and throw in the mats I also got: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00B4IHXRU/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Mmmm, this is again exactly why I made this post.
http://www.amazon.com/CAP-Barbell-Olympic-1000-Pound-Capacity/dp/B001K4OPY2
I was on the fence about the 31mm thickness as well.
Thanks for the input =)
I'm constantly changing my list and Im saving so much money and the quality of product is also staying where I want.
How far are you from Calgary or Edmonton? https://www.fitnessdepot.ca/H11OTO1027676/store-locator?prov=AB
I'd highly recommend calling both stores getting quotes and seeing what they can do for you.
For $850 I'm sure you can get the squat stands with safeties. And at least a set of 405Lb.
I think this cap barbell - CAP OB86 is the go to starter for more people on the sub
If you want a full rack check out Bells of Steel u/kvgravy
We've been very happy with this one from Amazon, but I haven't any idea of it's tensile strength.
For a rack and bench, I don't know, but the bar and bumpers, yup, I gotcha. If you're only using bumper weights, you might not need the stall mats.
I have this barbell. Works just fine. Doesn't have a center knurl, if that matters to ya.
https://www.amazon.com/CAP-Barbell-Olympic-1000-Pound-Capacity/dp/B001K4OPY2
I went with these bumper plates, which have held up well. $80 for a 45 lb, shipped; they were the cheapest I found, as well.
https://www.amazon.com/Black-Bumper-Plate-Rubber-Insert/dp/B00I18FGL6
Currently just started working out again recently. I currently have
fitness reality squat rack/bench
CAP 7ft Olympic bar
powerblock elite dumbbels
CAP ez curl bar
Goal: I'm skinny being 6'2 and weighing 140lbs. My goal is to get calves and biceps. When I used to go to the gym all the time. I used to enjoy using their cables to do lat pull downs, standing pull downs etc.
So I'm stuck between a cable machine or maybe something that can workout my calves like a sitting calf raises matchine
Yeah, I was just kidding on the Vibrams.
Regarding front squats. You may want to consider picking up a Sting Ray pad, which makes them a shitton more comfortable with the cross-arm setup.
Also, what about goblet squats? Do you see butt wing when you do those?
I would recommend
Bench
http://www.treadmillfactory.ca/fit-505-fid-bench
Barbell for beginners
https://www.amazon.ca/Barbell-1000-Pound-Solid-7-Feet/dp/B001K4OPY2
The knurling on this is pretty great. Been using this for more than a year.
Also lock jaws instead of clamps.
This cap barbell is generally considered an all around decent bar and its cheap.
Peraonally i recommend the rogue ohip power bar for all purpose lifting.
For olympic lifts ive heard great things about the rouge ohio bar.
Are you sure you can't find room inside? It'd be a shame to keep expensive gear like that outside.
If I had to keep gear outside I'd probably go cheaper. Something like:
If you're looking for a budget bar set a notifcation on camelcamelcamel for the Cap OB-86B https://www.amazon.ca/Barbell-Olympic-2-Inch-1000-Pound-Capacity/dp/B001K4OPY2
Well regarded as the best budget bar, routinely goes on sale for $100.
I've heard a lot of good things about the OB-86B Barbell. It's cheap and adequate until you're in the 600 lb range.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001K4OPY2
I like that rack for the price.
I bought this one a couple weeks ago. It's not the bestest bar in the world, but it's solid, and still showing up to me as on sale. If you're not looking for top-of-the-line type stuff, it's got my vote of approval.
Where did you see it for 100$? Best I can find is amazon for 130:
http://www.amazon.com/CAP-Barbell-Olympic-1000-Pound-Capacity/dp/B001K4OPY2
I'm pretty sure an olympic barbell is by definition 2 inches, so you should remove that term from your search. What kind of capacity do you need? Obviously a 1 inch will never hold as much weight as a 2 inch. I've seen CAP barbells listed at 250lbs for 1 inch:
http://www.amazon.com/CAP-Barbell-Threaded-Standard-250-Pound/dp/B004X166W8/ref=sr_1_20?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1426331828&sr=1-20&keywords=1+inch+barbell
The women's bars are often 15kg instead of 20kg (so about 35#), and have a thinner bar diameter. Whether there's any reason for you to want one I can't say, I don't have one and probably wouldn't get one but that's just me. There was a big thread about women's bars about a week ago so you might check that out. [Link] (https://www.reddit.com/r/xxfitness/comments/6the4a/what_a_difference_a_womens_bar_makes/)
I personally chose this [CAP barbell] (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B006R4EOXM?ref=emc_b_5_t) for my home gym. I would have liked to get a nice Rogue bar but it was out of my price range and also my gym is on a back porch so theoretically it would be easy (although time-consuming) for someone to steal all of it. The one I linked is the center knurl version, they also have them without that so if you go with the CAP ones from Amazon be careful which one you get! The link should have a chart of all the CAP barbells so you can compare them.
It's not the nicest bar I've ever used, nor the worst, but for the price I have no complaints. I managed to find a second (crappier) bar on Craigslist, and we use that one for deadlifts.
We only got a single pair of 45lb bumpers and some 10s, because we have a set of regular iron Olympic plates so we can get up to the 200s just with all that, and so that is plenty for our purposes. I can't remember where we got the 45s from in the end. :(
ETA: Now I remember, we got the "one fit wonder" 45 bumper pair from fringesport. I don't remember why I got those particular ones (probably felt they were the most decent value for the $$ at the time), but I have no complaints about them and they are rather attractive.
A great beginner bar for $200 or less is the CAP OB-86B. It's actually on sale right now on amazon for $109.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001K4OPY2/ref=cm_sw_su_dp
This one here? That seems like a good price.
Thanks for the link. the site says they are very specific on fitting on only high quality bars. I'm getting this bar do you think they will fit?
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0039Z5FHQ/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER
You're looking for something like this or this. They appear to be made by New York Barbell which is a good company.
This is the one that I have. It's going for $108 (so ~$40 more) but it has a 750lb capacity and high/low hand positions.
Just another option in case you want to spend a bit more
I have this cap "the boss" bar. Its great for the price. Knurl is not too aggressive
​
https://www.amazon.com/CAP-Barbell-OB-86PBCK-Lifting-Olympic/dp/B006R4EOXM/ref=sr_1_1?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1538601390&sr=1-1&keywords=OB-86PBCK
Here's what the garage looked like last week.
The only decent gym in my area charges $50 per month and it's always packed, so I figured i'd try building a gym for the price of roughly a one year membership (~$600).
Here's the rundown:
Total - $815
I went a bit over my budget, but I might still end up selling some of those Olympic plates. I justified the extra I spent by telling myself I can always just sell most of this stuff on CL and still end up with a relatively minimal loss compared to what I originally bought the stuff for.
I'm also probably going to buy a pair of dip handles and something to tag onto the side of the cage to hold the rest of the weights i've got stacked in the corner.
That bar has a 700 lb weight capacity. This bar might be a better fit for you. Its $128 and has a 1,500 lb weight capacity.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000RNSDKE/ref=ox_sc_saved_image_2?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1
XMark makes a Voodoo Bar, and it’s currently on amazon with great reviews.
XMark VOODOO Commercial 7' Olympic Bar, 1500 lb Weight Capacity, 28 MM Grip, OB86 (Black Manganese Shaft or Hard Chrome) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01I46FG46/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_JWeRAbKS457S4
I use a Sting Ray for front squats as well as a Manta Ray for my regular squats. They help me focus on form and not worry about how the bar is sitting. A bit pricey but it was worth it for me.
Looks like these two fit the bill
https://www.amazon.com/CAP-Barbell-Olympic-2-Inch-Chrome/dp/B002OOYINA/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1520871626&sr=8-9&keywords=CAP%2Bbarbell%2B2%22&th=1
https://www.amazon.com/CAP-Barbell-Olympic-Bar-Black/dp/B018AERM4O/ref=sr_1_35?ie=UTF8&qid=1520872024&sr=8-35&keywords=CAP+barbell+2%22
I can even buy a 1 year protection plan for just a buck
I literally just bought the Titan Rack w/ dip bar - very happy with it and with free shipping you can't beat the price.
You can skip the spotter arms since the rack comes with safety pins - as long as you squat in the rack the pins will have your back.
I wouldn't get that bar from Dick's due to the low weight limit. I bought the $150 CAP bar from Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001K4OPY2?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00).
I sourced all of my weights from Craigslist as I didn't want to spend more than $1.25/lb for them and many places bumper weights go for $1.50-$1.75/lb. I spent $1.25/lb for a few bumper plates and < $1/lb for some steel weights.
I got four 4'x6'x3/4" horse mats from a local feed store for $40/each.
With weights and everything I'm in for $900 but I haven't gotten a bench yet.
I over estimated most of the prices, but these are things I figured I would need in a home gym if I ever build one. If you take out a few, you can make it fit your budget.
Home gym Equipments
Adjustable dumbells: $100 (https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B0087T8UOE/ref=dp_olp_new_mbc?ie=UTF8&amp;condition=new)
Power Rack + Bench: $310 (https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B01MR0BM7X/ref=olp_twister_all?ie=UTF8&amp;mv_style_name=all)
Olympic Barbell: $101 (https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B005PGBFQW/ref=dp_olp_new_mbc?ie=UTF8&amp;condition=new)
Weights: $264 (https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B00ZKJ08I0/ref=olp_twister_all?ie=UTF8&amp;mv_style_name=all)
Clips: $20 (https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B000BJKWXK/ref=dp_olp_new_mbc?ie=UTF8&amp;condition=new)
Weight Tree: $56 (https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B000ASDXP6/ref=dp_olp_new_mbc?ie=UTF8&amp;condition=new)
Mat: $44 (https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B00KHT4L1I/ref=olp_twister_all?ie=UTF8&amp;mv_color_name=all&amp;mv_size_name=0)
Lat Pulldown/Leg Extensions/Leg Curls/Preacher curls/cable flys : $420 (https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B00JGRBSS6/ref=dp_olp_new_mbc?ie=UTF8&amp;condition=new)
Decline Bench/Ab crunch: $40 (https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B0744FP4RF/ref=dp_olp_new_mbc?ie=UTF8&amp;condition=new)
dip accessory: $40 (https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/ol/B00B29F5JE/ref=olp_tab_new?ie=UTF8&amp;condition=new)
Hanging knee strap: $20 (https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/ol/B00G8UGUAK/ref=mw_dp_olp?ie=UTF8&amp;condition=new)
Ab/ decline Bench: $750 (https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B00U1WJCFQ/ref=dp_olp_new_mbc?ie=UTF8&amp;condition=new)
Treadmill: $3100 (https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B0010XI81E/ref=dp_olp_refurbished_mbc?ie=UTF8&amp;condition=refurbished)
Seated Cable Row: $400 (https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B000M0GWUK/ref=dp_olp_new_mbc?ie=UTF8&amp;condition=new)
About $2629 without treadmill, and $5729 with treadmill. Another few hundred for some mirrors and paint.
The best quality to price ratio I've ever found http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B005PGBFQW/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1421017191&amp;sr=8-1&amp;pi=AC_SY200_QL40&amp;dpPl=1&amp;dpID=31%2BTuIRBEFL&amp;ref=plSrch
I was considering using the bar included in the Dick's set at first, as the reviews are decent and I'm a beginner so the weight wouldn't be too great. Then I thought I could get this CAP bar soon after (as I've read a lot of good comments about it), or just go all-in on a Rogue bar or something for $200-300. Do you have any suggestions for good bars in that range? I'm a bit overwhelmed with all the variety.
This is the basics of my current set up. I recommend all these products.
Titan T-3 squat stand with dip bars and spotter arms
http://www.titan.fitness/squat-rack.html
Titan plate storage
http://www.titan.fitness/2-olympic-weight-plate-rack-tree-barbell-holder-organizer-stand.html
I bought my bumpers off craigslist but Titan has theres out now at a reasonable price.
I use 6x45lbs, 2x25lbs, 2x10lbs
Cap 2x45lbs 2x5lbs 2x2.5lbs iron plates
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0000ATDSQ/ref=ox_sc_act_title_3?ie=UTF8&amp;psc=1&amp;smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER
Cap OB-86PBck Barbell
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006R4EOXM/ref=ox_sc_act_title_4?ie=UTF8&amp;psc=1&amp;smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER
Valor Fitness DA-6 Flat Bench
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002ME0JGW/ref=ox_sc_act_title_5?ie=UTF8&amp;psc=1&amp;smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER
I have the OB-86B, its nice, I just wish it had slightly more aggressive knurling. For the price its going for, I'd rather pick up the PB for $5 more http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000RNSDKE
Get this one. Those have iffy reviews. This bar is universally well liked. And in expensive
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001K4OPY2?ref=emc_b_5_t
Solid start. In addition to some of the other comments about potential substitutions, I'd recommend these on Amazon from personal use:
In this order (more or less)
Get some horse stall mat as well to put down. Thick stuff (3/4" or thicker) - like this
FYI re: the landmine attachment you link to. This one appears identical apart from costing $20 less.
If you find a decent barbell let me know.
I want the American Barbell california bar, they ship to the UK but it doubles it's price and I can't really justify paying that much for shipping.
Rougue have a distribution center in Europe so the ohio bar is an option, might go this route.
Hell, I think even this https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001K4OPY2 is better than the crap that's easily available in the UK.
I bought this hex bar off of the recommendation of Cooper. I haven't received it yet but it looks nice, thick and heavy duty. I'll let you know how it works out when I get it.
If carries, I'd avoid longer 6' or 7' trap bars, especially rackable. Since you're using bumpers, you don't want anything with short sleeves either (Titan or other cheaper chrome or cap bars) since you'll quickly run out of sleeve space. You'd be happy with something in the middle. Here's my top picks for you:
I'm still just starting up with the home gym. So I don't yet have much. But here is what I have:
Power Rack:
http://www.treadmillfactory.ca/fit505-power-rack -- got this for $229 though it is backordered at the moment.
Bar: https://www.amazon.ca/Barbell-1000-Pound-Solid-7-Feet/dp/B001K4OPY2 -- got for $165
3/4 inch Rubber mat from fitnessdepot for $50
I'm currently looking out for plates from kijiji and the likes. Hope this helps.
Edit: I also bought a 4' x 8' piece of plywood from home depot which I'll cut to size as the rubber mat and just lay it underneath the mat for additional cushioning
They look like this.
https://www.amazon.com/Ader-Sporting-Goods-Farmers-Black/dp/B0017RLKIQ
Since they don't fit in my bag I would guess I would have to strap them onto my back like a swordsman.
I have this one: https://www.amazon.com/CAP-Barbell-Olympic-2-Inch-Combo/dp/B004X1674A
I maxed it out on Rogue echo bumpers at 360 pounds, and went back to standard barbell deadlifts exclusively. Im not sure what movements you'll be doing, but if it's hex bar deadlifts, you'll probably need to buy something else if you're near that weight range or inspiring to surpass it.
Not a freaking tank, not yet anyway, however the cheapest bar/bumper plates I have found hover around $900 anyway, and that set gave me the most weight for the buck.
I kept looking around, this set from Amazon plus this bar will "only" set me back around $650 for 305 lbs of weight (260 lbs worth of bumper plates plus the bar)
I wanna do starting strength/strong lift? is all I need a barbell bench and some weights for the barbell? Do you recommend this barbell?
https://www.amazon.com/Sunny-Threaded-Chrome-Barbell-60-Inch/dp/B004EFYPBC/ref=sr_1_1?s=exercise-and-fitness&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1467087824&amp;sr=1-1&amp;keywords=barbell
Is there an easy way to load a hex bar? It's such a struggle to put plates on and off of this even when I'm only loading like 250-275.
In Starting Strength, Rippetoe gives instructions on his Lying Triceps Extension saying to hold an EZ bar on the in-most angle with the middle bend facing down. Based on his video, though, his bar is different than mine.
Should I be holding my bar in that middle area, or should I hold it (upside down from the above image) on the knurled area?
The rack is this one: http://www.amazon.com/Impex-Marcy-Platinum-Power-116-Pounds/dp/B008UQLTIS/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1406083293&amp;sr=8-3&amp;keywords=marcy+weight+rack
When I ordered it a week ago it was Prime eligible. Looks like it's not anymore... right now anyway.
I got a 300 lb olympic weight set from Dick's for $209.99 (local store). The stand is also from Dick's. Bought a few random weights (5-10 lbs, small ones) from Dick's while I was there.
The mats are these:http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0041FQZMW/
EZ curl bar: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004X168VW/ref=oh_details_o01_s02_i00?ie=UTF8&amp;psc=1
Under the weight rack are a couple dumbbell handles that take olympic weights (and the reason I bought some misc smaller weights). I got them from Dick's as well.
Overall, I made a list of things I need and compared local (Dick's) vs. online. I perused Craig's list every now and then, but decided to get new for all of these.
If you're in the US you can get a decent beginner squat rack from Amazon or Walmart for $250-350. Building your own only to replace it will cost a lot more in the end and take an awful lot of time.
As for the bar, if you buy a decent one now you can keep it forever, or until you become a hulk. From what I can tell, the CAP OB-86B seems to generally be considered the best bang for your buck. It's currently available for $138 shipped at Amazon.
This one is pretty decent. Sometimes it goes on sale for around $100 bucks
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001K4OPY2/ref=cm_sw_su_dp
FringeSport for bumpers and barbells.
CAP's OB-86B, OB-86PB, or OB-86PBCK are supposedly very good for the price.
https://www.amazon.com/CAP-Barbell-Olympic-1000-Pound-Capacity/dp/B001K4OPY2/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1473432657&amp;sr=8-3&amp;keywords=ob86
I'd get 2 pairs of 5s and one pair of 2.5s.
I got one of these hex bars from Amazon and made me excited for leg day http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004X1674A/ref=pd_luc_rh_bxgy_01_04_t_img_lh?_encoding=UTF8&amp;psc=1
Get this one. Its both cheap and good. I know several who prefer it to their Rogue bar.
A barbell, bumper plates, and a rack will break that couple-hundred bucks alone. You'll definitely need those. I suggest building your own plyo boxes if you can, the standard ones are surprisingly expensive.
I looked this up recently.
/6ft 15lb barbell, 1" plates, $28
http://www.amazon.com/Cap-Barbell-Standard-72-Inch-Threaded/dp/B004X166W8/ref=sr_1_1?s=sporting-goods&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1333213152&amp;sr=1-1
/1" plates, 2x2.5lb = $7, 2x5lb = $12, 4x10lb = $68, 2x25lb = $50 | total weight with 15lb = 120lb, without the 2x25lb = 70lb, total
http://www.amazon.com/1-25-Standard-Gray-Weight-Plates/dp/B002B3Q2VU/ref=sr_1_3?s=exercise-and-fitness&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1333214577&amp;sr=1-3
/1" spring lock collars, $11
http://www.amazon.com/Weider-1-Inch-Spring-Lock-Collars/dp/B000N9E176/ref=sr_1_17?s=exercise-and-fitness&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1333215483&amp;sr=1-17
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Total = $176 for 6ft 15lb barbell and 120lb weight total, this is w/out tax or shipping tho, some shipping free, some not, $126 if you don't get 2x25lb, and stuck with 70lb weight total.
Landmine Single Eyelet Attachment
You could just wrap a chain or strap too, but there is an actual attachment to use carabiner accessories with a landmine.
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@u/ReptarKanklejew
Body Solid 7' bar - $100 https://www.amazon.com/Body-Solid-Oly-Power-Black/dp/B005PGBFQW/
Fitness Reality cage - $180 https://www.amazon.com/FITNESS-REALITY-810XLT-800lbs-Capacity/dp/B01N4I8FOY/
Get plates at your local sports store or Wal mart. I used a similar set up for 10+ years before the bushings in my barbell wore out.
I do.
Have you got your bar yet? If not, the OB86B is a little nicer:
http://www.amazon.com/CAP-Barbell-Olympic-1000-Pound-Capacity/dp/B001K4OPY2
CAP OB86PBCK
https://www.amazon.com/Barbell-OB-86PBCK-Weight-Lifting-Olympic/dp/B006R4EOXM/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1518889536&amp;sr=8-1-fkmr0&amp;keywords=cap+ob+86ck
Just FYI: olympic bars are 7 ft bars, not 8 ft.
Like most things dumbells, eventually you out scale them.
That's where these kinds of things come into play
Are these like all the same bars?
http://www.amazon.com/Body-Solid-Black-Olympic-Weight-Lifting/dp/B00HAUSNAM
http://www.amazon.com/Body-Solid-Oly-Power-Black/dp/B005PGBF8U/
http://www.amazon.com/Body-Solid-Oly-Power-Black/dp/B003TPRM2C/
http://www.amazon.com/USA-Sports-Troy-Barbell-Olympic/dp/B002Z5ZKMG/
There's a few options around that are in the 19-24 inch range instead of 14. Here's a handful that I found: Titan Fitness 19.5", SportsDealBox 24", TDS 18" on Amazon.
https://www.amazon.com/Body-Solid-Tools-Single-Landmine-Olympic/dp/B01N65DXJE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1524192930&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=body+solid+eyelet
And then use any attachments you want, I use my mag grips with this
Get the one with center knurl if you're powerlifting. It's a little more but the CK is worth it especially for back squats.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B006R4EOXM/ref=emc_b_5_t
This is a highly rated budget barbell. It looks like $99 is an all-time Amazon.com low. I linked to the price tracker, but here is the direct amazon link
Farmers walk handles are around 3 feet long. Kinda like these:
https://www.amazon.com/Ader-Sporting-Goods-Farmers-Black/dp/B0017RLKIQ
I've purchased both of these ~ $90 that can take those numbers. I've caught them on sale at different times. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001K4OPY2/ref=emc_b_5_t
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B006R4EOXM/ref=emc_b_5_t This handles <500 on dead lifts & rack pulls & still going strong. I like cap barbells. They work for my needs. Rogue bars are nice but I can't afford them.
OP, this is a very very solid Olympic bar for the price:
http://www.amazon.com/CAP-Barbell-Olympic-1000-Pound-Capacity/dp/B001K4OPY2/ref=sr_1_2?s=exercise-and-fitness&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1464017707&amp;sr=1-2&amp;keywords=cap+barbell
I'm curious about this too. What exactly is a rogue bar going to do that say this bar wouldn't ::
Body Solid Oly Power Bar 7 ft Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005PGBFQW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_xE6XAbB7EAFKM
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001K4OPY2/ref=s9_hps_bw_g200_i4 is the CAP bar that everyone recommends, I wouldn't get that $62 one
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001K4OPY2
This is what I have at home. Works fine.
Unless you think you're going to be hitting 315+ soon, I wouldn't even spend $250 on a bar.
This one has served me fine up to 275:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005PGBFQW/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&amp;psc=1
While I agree that a cheap barbell isn't the way to go, I don't agree that a $250 Rogue bar is the bare minimum, as we often see in this sub. The low end Ohio Bar doesn't have much corrosion protection either, so depending on your lifting environment, you may have to buy a more expensive version to avoid rust. From what I understand, the CAP OB-86B gets the job done with regard to durability and weight tolerance. It has good reviews, and also been known to drop to $100 when on sale. https://www.amazon.com/CAP-Barbell-Olympic-1000-Pound-Capacity/dp/B001K4OPY2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1522953107&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=cap+beast
This is the barbell I have [it's black like you prefer] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B006R4EOXM/ref=s9_mbia_gw_d28_g200_i3?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&amp;pf_rd_s=mobile-1&amp;pf_rd_r=18JQG9D149R5SSAYHWH7&amp;pf_rd_t=36701&amp;pf_rd_p=2015187942&amp;pf_rd_i=mobile) but right now it's priced as high as your rack. I got it when it was around $150.
It's on sale again for $109.88 at Amazon and Walmart.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B006R4EOXM
lol didn't know it was a low quality bar. it was my fave and allowed me to lift the most on all lifts... just due to the diameter...I would actually wait until someone was done just to use that bar because I didn't like any of the other bars....
I am considering this bar http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001K4OPY2
it has good reviews on bodybuilding.com forums and all over online... my needs are just a 28mm 45lb standard men's bar... for squat, deadlift, bench and press.... I'm a small female but have no need for a womens bar since i won't be doing snatches and jerks.... i doubt i will be going over 3 plates on deadlift... only deadlifting 200 lbs at the moment... so not that strong... genetic potential is probably like 280 max.... I just want a basic olympic bar with a 28mm diameter.... other than that not picky.
I've lifted with a mens bar all my gymlife and its fine... tried a womans bar once and don't have a need for one.
I bought this a few years ago and it's comparable to a Texas powerbar imho.
Cap Barbell Weight Lifting 2-Inch Solid Power Squat Olympic Bar https://www.amazon.com/dp/B006R4EOXM/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_YdCPwbSGM7T2F
I bought this one; http://www.amazon.com/Barbell-Weight-2-Inch-Plated-Olympic/dp/B004X167A4/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1425331970&amp;sr=8-5&amp;keywords=trap+bar
It's the same as the one you're looking at just a little heavier capacity. You get what you pay for with this one. The finish is tacky, the welds are ugly, and there's no rotating sleeves. However, it's 100% solid so far. It's half the price of the competition and does exactly what it's supposed to do with no signs of breaking, like ever.
Also, the trap bar deadlift is a much stronger lift than the barbell deadlift. 750# is definitely achievable with time.
You can wait for the CAP barbell to go on sale for <$130. It's one of, if not the best budget bar around. Buy something else if you need it ASAP. But, if you can wait, I would personally setup a deal alert and buy when it goes on sale.
Link to bar
As far as cheap bars goes, it's hard to beat the OB86B. It's a standard 7' bar, but I doubt that a 5' bar would fit in your rack. You might want to try to rearrange your rack to give you more width.
Get this one:
https://www.amazon.com/CAP-Barbell-OB-86B-Olympic-Original/dp/B001K4OPY2/ref=sr_1_1?s=sporting-goods&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1487648632&amp;sr=1-1&amp;keywords=CAP+OB-86B
I got 480 lbs of weight off craigslist for less than $100.
I paid about $130 for this bar.
I believe this is the gold standard for budget bars CAP Barbell OB-86B Olympic Bar (Original, 7 inches) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001K4OPY2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_m5kNzbXFBGP9E
https://www.amazon.ca/Barbell-Olympic-2-Inch-1000-Pound-Capacity/dp/B001K4OPY2
http://www.amazon.com/CAP-Barbell-Olympic-1000-Pound-Capacity/dp/B001K4OPY2
Or at least the $140 range.
CAP OB-86B
https://www.amazon.com/CAP-Barbell-Standard-1-inch-Chrome/dp/B002KLQJGG
https://www.amazon.com/CAP-Barbell-Olympic-1000-Pound-Capacity/dp/B001K4OPY2/ref=sr_1_1?s=sporting-goods&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1527600777&amp;sr=1-1&amp;keywords=olympic+barbell
When shopping online for plates and other bars, the 1 inch is sold as standard while the 2 inch is sold as olympic.
Can someone tell me quick what's the difference between this bar and https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001K4OPY2/ref=ox_sc_act_image_2?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&amp;psc=1
Or are they the same?
I have this for the house, does not compare with equipment you’ll find from rogue or gym but it works
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001K4OPY2/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1506210246&amp;sr=8-1&amp;pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&amp;keywords=cap+olympic+barbell&amp;dpPl=1&amp;dpID=310cW02b2RL&amp;ref=plSrch
You don't have to use Olympic bars though? I've started training my nephew (under 35kg at 15 years old) and I've been having to use one of these sort of bars to get to weights he can lift at the moment
https://www.amazon.com/CAP-Barbell-Olympic-2-Inch-Combo/dp/B004X1674A/ref=sr_1_1?s=exercise-and-fitness&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1485328485&amp;sr=1-1&amp;keywords=trap+bar
Anyone know the functional difference between the hex bars with the raised handles, and those without?
Raised
Non-raised
Both
You could get more out of one of these, one of these and some of these. More compact and takes less putting together time.
Perhaps the most affordable option is the CAP barbell OB-86PBCK, at less than $200.
Non-mobile: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B006R4EOXM/ref=s9_mbia_gw_d28_g200_i3?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&amp;pf_rd_s=mobile-1&amp;pf_rd_r=18JQG9D149R5SSAYHWH7&amp;pf_rd_t=36701&amp;pf_rd_p=2015187942&amp;pf_rd_i=mobile
^That's ^why ^I'm ^here, ^I ^don't ^judge ^you. ^PM ^/u/xl0 ^if ^I'm ^causing ^any ^trouble. ^WUT?
I would go with this one from Rep....https://www.amazon.com/Rep-Sabre-Olympic-Bar-Barbell/dp/B0170DYOOM/ref=sr_1_27?s=sporting-goods&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1525804312&amp;sr=1-27&amp;keywords=rep+fitness
Or from XMark, this bar...(I love my two Xmark bars)....https://www.amazon.com/XMark-Commercial-Olympic-Capacity-Manganese/dp/B01I46FG46/ref=sr_1_8?s=sporting-goods&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1525804355&amp;sr=1-8&amp;keywords=xmark