Weights/Equipment/Your Regrets?

CoderGal

Thank you for the price points, I appreciate it! Now, come make me a rack :P

Get me the ticket(s) over there and it's a deal .
Hell, reckon I'll even see if I can source the wood on local freecycle etc for you - service with a smile, etc!

Psh for that price I could have a real one :P

ndj1979

<-- I just traded a home gym type machine that I had collecting dust for the last few years out for a power rack and Play-it-Again Sports and I could not be happier. I also picked up an Olympic weight set on Craigslist pretty cheap. Unless money is no object I would definitely recommend looking for some used equipment.

Money is an object but I have a free gym membership currently so there's time to save up. How much was your power rack?

just use the gym membership...

problem solved, close thread

WeekndOVOXO

best decision i've ever made.

Spokez70

<-- I just traded a home gym type machine that I had collecting dust for the last few years out for a power rack and Play-it-Again Sports and I could not be happier. I also picked up an Olympic weight set on Craigslist pretty cheap. Unless money is no object I would definitely recommend looking for some used equipment.

Money is an object but I have a free gym membership currently so there's time to save up. How much was your power rack?

It was marked $200 with a bench but I traded it for something I wasn't using- so free.

hesn92

i want to buy an olympic bar with a set of plates to go with it. a bench and a rack. But goddamn that stuff is soooo expensive. Just the bar and weights alone .... it makes me want to cry a little bit. I might see if my boyfriend will build me a bench and rack. Lol. It will be wooden but whatever.

I built my power rack out of wood....4x4's for the verticals, 2x10's, big bolts....cost me about $200 (the bolts was most of the cost).

http://hobogym.blogspot.ca/2010/07/scott-deebys-hobo-gym-arnprior-ontario.html

I also have a university degree in structural engineering.....I didn't cheap-out on that part

You can save a lot on craigslist if you're patient. I actually got my Olympic bar and plates at the YMCA when they auctioned off their equipment.

yes I am going to need a lot of patience... I just looked on craigslist and there's hardly anything on there. Most of them are selling a bunch of sets which I don't really need. I just want the bar and plates. I'll just have to log on there and do a search once a week or so. Maybe in the summer I'll scope out some yard sales.

CoderGal

<-- I just traded a home gym type machine that I had collecting dust for the last few years out for a power rack and Play-it-Again Sports and I could not be happier. I also picked up an Olympic weight set on Craigslist pretty cheap. Unless money is no object I would definitely recommend looking for some used equipment.

Money is an object but I have a free gym membership currently so there's time to save up. How much was your power rack?

just use the gym membership...

problem solved, close thread

It may have occurred to you that I may be asking this for a reason. For example, what happens after a month is up when my no option to opt out of the crappy overfilled university gym filled with equipment hoggers and crappy equipment runs out? Close face-hole.

CoderGal

best decision i've ever made.

I was checking out the ironmaster dumbbells...they were the nicest ones I found....then I considered making light ones out of a spindol and some old CDs lol....it didn't happen. Glad to hear you like them. I may eventually get these.

taso42

I own a pair of powerblock dummbells that go from 5lbs-90lbs. A bench, power rack, oly bar, plates, and bumper plates. And a fancy treadmill. If you add it all up, I spent quite a lot on it. No regrets.

ETA: Actually I do have a regret, and that is not getting into fitness prior to my 30's.

scottdeeby

I own a pair of powerblock dummbells that go from 5lbs-90lbs. A bench, power rack, oly bar, plates, and bumper plates. And a fancy treadmill. If you add it all up, I spent quite a lot on it. No regrets.

ETA: Actually I do have a regret, and that is not getting into fitness prior to my 30's.

bumper plates...next on my list

taso42

I own a pair of powerblock dummbells that go from 5lbs-90lbs. A bench, power rack, oly bar, plates, and bumper plates. And a fancy treadmill. If you add it all up, I spent quite a lot on it. No regrets.

ETA: Actually I do have a regret, and that is not getting into fitness prior to my 30's.

bumper plates...next on my list

they're pricey and hard to find used. the good thing is that all you really need is a few of them, then you can load the rest of the weight with regular plates.

some day i will need additional plates or bumpers. this will be a NSV type of problem to have

Loftearmen

i want to buy an olympic bar with a set of plates to go with it. a bench and a rack. But goddamn that stuff is soooo expensive. Just the bar and weights alone .... it makes me want to cry a little bit. I might see if my boyfriend will build me a bench and rack. Lol. It will be wooden but whatever.

I know right? Why can't they start selling them as a set at walmart :P
I'm close to the university...I should just wander into the machine room and conjure up some stuff...Want some weights...I'll lathe me some weights lol

If you just troll Craigslist and yard sales in the spring frequently, you should be able to find stuff if you're patient.

This ^ I have a 55lb squat bar, over 1000lbs in plates and a bad *kitten* set of 1300lb test squat stands that I got out of people's garages and I spent less than $700

Loftearmen

i want to buy an olympic bar with a set of plates to go with it. a bench and a rack. But goddamn that stuff is soooo expensive. Just the bar and weights alone .... it makes me want to cry a little bit. I might see if my boyfriend will build me a bench and rack. Lol. It will be wooden but whatever.

I built my power rack out of wood....4x4's for the verticals, 2x10's, big bolts....cost me about $200 (the bolts was most of the cost).

http://hobogym.blogspot.ca/2010/07/scott-deebys-hobo-gym-arnprior-ontario.html

I also have a university degree in structural engineering.....I didn't cheap-out on that part

You can save a lot on craigslist if you're patient. I actually got my Olympic bar and plates at the YMCA when they auctioned off their equipment.

I did the same when i was first starting out. Search it on my youtube channel screenname norsemanpowerlifter

geebusuk

You can make your own bumper plates out of a couple of old car steel wheels with tyres.

It's probably going to be a bit bigger than standard, so might want to consider standing on something slightly raised - a block of wood or similar so you've got the same reach to the bar.

I did look at doing this to fit more weight on to my bar, but now that I've got my last lot of weights with 50kg of big metal weighs, I've got a chunk more than the bar is rated for.

HelloDan

How serious about weightlifting?

If you're going to compete, get a womens bar, as no point practising with something different from what you will compete with. Also for weightlifting, get a decent bar, a weightlifting bar is more flexible and has better bearings than a cheap old bar or a powerlifting bar. They're not cheap, but will last a lifetime as long as you don't completely abuse them.

You'll also need bumpers, but if you are on a budget, just get something like a 15kg pair (20 or 25s would be more ideal, but as a beginner this may be too much weight. 10s would probably be even better, but they'll be too thin IMO), you can just use normal weights to add more on. For this reason, I wouldn't get hex plates, as they may interfere with the bumpers by protruding at some points, plus its also handy to be able to roll the bar when setting up.

Also a platform isn't essential, but I'd at least consider getting some kind of rubber strip to lay down each side of you to drop the bar on. Will prolong the life of your plates.

Finally away from the actual 'gym hardware' get yourself a pair of weightlifting shoes, they make a huge difference.

darrensurrey

I regret buying:
-a _cheap_ training band (pointless once you've gone past the newbie stage) (more expensive ones with changeable resistance mean you'll still find them a challenge)
-sand-filled plate weight. Again, once you get past the newbie stage not very useful as too light

Stuff I am glad I bought:
-cast iron plates and dumbbell and barbell bars
-recumbent gym cycle
-kettlebell
-push up bars
-pull up bar
-gravel bag

CoderGal

How serious about weightlifting?

I have a displaced spine and everything hurts. Ever since I started lifting it's felt better. For example, I lifted nothing this week since I'm in exam mode and my back is currently aching...I haven't had it ache in a while. Everything that required equipment that I ever got into (piano, flute, dance, pilates) I still have and still use. I would like to be able to put up something over my weight (>120lbs), but that's a vague thought. I'm a complete and utter noob, so this question is hard to answer. As far as competing...I'm competitive, but the community here is small and I'm not a fan of the people I have met who are in it. Not sure if that makes me want to do it more or less at this stage. I'll be a lone ranger for quite a while I'd say. I'm also very very short on funs so this is going to take some time. Not to mention I'm busy with school, so it's going to take time...but 5 more courses and I'll have a lot more time...I also have some heart issues which makes me think competitive may not be the greatest idea for a competitive broken back heart failure lol.

If you're going to compete, get a womens bar, as no point practising with something different from what you will compete with.

I thought about that but a friend made a good point...if I go to a gym etc (I occasionally have to pay for a membership since I'm in school and have no option to opt out), I'm going to be using the mens because chances are that's all they have. This is a small place, many of the gyms here are crappy at best when it comes to weights. Also, I'm 5'7 (taller then most women), and have 'piano hands' (long fingers). Based on that right now I'm more interested in the mens bar but my mind could be changed. Wouldn't switching to the womens bar be easier vs switching to the mens? Wouldn't it be cheaper per pound if I got the mens?

Also for weightlifting, get a decent bar, a weightlifting bar is more flexible and has better bearings than a cheap old bar or a powerlifting bar. They're not cheap, but will last a lifetime as long as you don't completely abuse them.

What's a decent bar, keep in mind I'm clueless. what's a 'weightlifting' bar compared to a 'powerlifting' bar compared to a 'olympic' bar?

You'll also need bumpers, but if you are on a budget, just get something like a 15kg pair (20 or 25s would be more ideal, but as a beginner this may be too much weight. 10s would probably be even better, but they'll be too thin IMO), you can just use normal weights to add more on. For this reason, I wouldn't get hex plates, as they may interfere with the bumpers by protruding at some points, plus its also handy to be able to roll the bar when setting up.

I can take a guess but, what's a bumper? :P I'm assuming they are just weights but have rubbery plates that can be dropped? Since I'm not planning to do the olympic lifts right away wouldn't I be better off getting them later then spending money on them now? Or are there just extra wide light ones that I can use where only those ones touch the ground</oblivious>

Also a platform isn't essential, but I'd at least consider getting some kind of rubber strip to lay down each side of you to drop the bar on. Will prolong the life of your plates.

I have yoga mats, should that be ok?

Finally away from the actual 'gym hardware' get yourself a pair of weightlifting shoes, they make a huge difference.

What makes something a weight lifter shoe? I have no idea what they are, and I think that's a little intense sounding for right now since I don't even have a plate yet lol. Plus I like using my stabilizers, I'm currently a dumbbbell five fingers kind of girl. In the future though who knows! Especially when the weight goes up.

taso42

How serious about weightlifting?

If you're going to compete, get a womens bar, as no point practising with something different from what you will compete with. Also for weightlifting, get a decent bar, a weightlifting bar is more flexible and has better bearings than a cheap old bar or a powerlifting bar. They're not cheap, but will last a lifetime as long as you don't completely abuse them.

You'll also need bumpers, but if you are on a budget, just get something like a 15kg pair (20 or 25s would be more ideal, but as a beginner this may be too much weight. 10s would probably be even better, but they'll be too thin IMO), you can just use normal weights to add more on. For this reason, I wouldn't get hex plates, as they may interfere with the bumpers by protruding at some points, plus its also handy to be able to roll the bar when setting up.

Also a platform isn't essential, but I'd at least consider getting some kind of rubber strip to lay down each side of you to drop the bar on. Will prolong the life of your plates.

Finally away from the actual 'gym hardware' get yourself a pair of weightlifting shoes, they make a huge difference.

Why are you assuming she wants to train for Olympic weightlifting? What if she will compete in powerlifting, where they don't use a women's bar? What if she doesn't compete at all?

HelloDan

Why are you assuming she wants to train for Olympic weightlifting? What if she will compete in powerlifting, where they don't use a women's bar? What if she doesn't compete at all?

Mainly because CoderGal (she) said:

Edit: Looking at getting into stronglifts 5x5 and extra impressed by snatches and clean and jerk type lifts.

As for competing, I didn't assume anything, I asked.
Not that it really matters, weightlifting, powerlifting, strongman, or just throwing weights around in a gym, it's all good.

SRH7

Oh and in the bigger Tescos and very big Asda (owned by walmart) they sell weights here .

Thanks for the tip. Currently using dumbbells but have just ordered NROLFW so need to start having a look for what I need next.

HelloDan

I also have some heart issues which makes me think competitive may not be the greatest idea for a competitive broken back heart failure lol.

Only you know what's bets for you, so I'll leave that in your hands.
Only thing I will say is competing is all about having 3 attempts and each lift to beat your PBs. You can ignore everyone else, a success is if you beat your previous competition PB, if you put up the absolute max that you could do, you've given it everything. You could do this in a gym for fun, but being on the clock with some pressure and limited attempts changes the game. It's also fun, and makes the gym time have a purpose.

Based on that right now I'm more interested in the mens bar but my mind could be changed. Wouldn't switching to the womens bar be easier vs switching to the mens? Wouldn't it be cheaper per pound if I got the mens?

If that's your current goal, stick with it. The only advantage of the womens bar is practising what you will use in competition, if competition is not on the horizon and you're not petite, then stick with the mens bar.

What's a decent bar, keep in mind I'm clueless. what's a 'weightlifting' bar compared to a 'powerlifting' bar compared to a 'olympic' bar?

A weightlifting bar has slightly different knurling, but more importantly is slightly more flexible and has better bearings than a powerlifting bar. This makes a huge difference when performing cleans and snatches.

Olympic bar just describes the size, it will be 7' long and take olympic sized plates.
[/quote]

I can take a guess but, what's a bumper? :P I'm assuming they are just weights but have rubbery plates that can be dropped? Since I'm not planning to do the olympic lifts right away wouldn't I be better off getting them later then spending money on them now? Or are there just extra wide light ones that I can use where only those ones touch the ground</oblivious>

Bumper - high density rubber plate. Designed to be dropped, without ruining the bar or the plate. If you're not doing Olympic lifts, then you won't need them straight away, and they are expensive, so not worth spending on if you don't need them.

I have yoga mats, should that be ok?

Anything is fine really, just to cushion the impact a little.

What makes something a weight lifter shoe? I have no idea what they are, and I think that's a little intense sounding for right now since I don't even have a plate yet lol. Plus I like using my stabilizers, I'm currently a dumbbbell five fingers kind of girl. In the future though who knows! Especially when the weight goes up.

This is the only item that I really would go for right away if you have any intention of weightlifting. They are shoes with a solid sole and a slightly raised heel.
The solid sole helps transfer force produced from your legs pushing against the floor. With a rubber soled shoe, the sole compresses and force is lost, with lifting shoes this doesn't happen. Also the heel creates additional artificial ankle dorsiflexion. This allows you to stay more upright in a squat, which is where you want to be if you're going to catch a clean or a snatch.
If you want to see what's about in these, Do-Wins are good at the lower end of the price spectrum and Adidas Adipowers and Nike Romaloes are awesome at the higher end.

Hopefully that explains what I was saying clearly, but if not, just ask.

taso42

If that's your current goal, stick with it. The only advantage of the womens bar is practising what you will use in competition, if competition is not on the horizon and you're not petite, then stick with the mens bar.

Sorry to be pedantic.. Again, this is only true if she will compete in Olympic Weightlifting. In Powerlifting, there is only 1 bar, and it's the 20kg "men's bar". Perhaps some leagues are an exception, but as far as I know they don't switch out the bar for the women's classes.

HelloDan

Sorry to be pedantic.. Again, this is only true if she will compete in Olympic Weightlifting. In Powerlifting, there is only 1 bar, and it's the 20kg "men's bar". Perhaps some leagues are an exception, but as far as I know they don't switch out the bar for the women's classes.

Yes, you might also have noticed my whole post is about weightlifting, so in the context of my post 'competition' refers to weightlifting competition.

I get that you're a fan of powerlifting, that's cool, I'm a fan of all strength sports, but I compete in weightlifting at a pretty high level, so this is where my expertise and experience is, so this is what I post about. I'm not saying the OP must do weightlifting, I'm just referring to it, as an interest was shown in the lifts in the very first post of this thread.