Barbell advice please

skinnyinnotime

Hello

I want to buy a barbell to use at home, but have no idea what would be deemed good/crap.

Can someone offer any advice please?

Here's 2 I am considering, but really don't know what to do for the best.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/SAP-Olympic-100kg-Weight-Barbell/dp/B006TEINAU/ref=lh_ni_t?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A222B8CY0P4708

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/111035577687?var=410165263491&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

Thank you.

ETA: do I even need a barbell? Am I ok with just using dumbbells, or does it depend on the lifts...is a barbell better? I haven't a clue what I'm talking about...please be kind...

toomuchbootyindapants

I would look for a barbell set that came with iron weights instead of plastic, filled, etc. Rubber bumper weights (like are used in Crossfit gyms) are nice but are more expensive than iron so that may be out of the question for home use. I think my barbell is made by CAP but I can't remember - I know the weights are. It's a common brand here in the US sold at a variety of fitness department stores. Go to your local fitness stores and see what they carry to get an idea of what is commonly used. You can spend a lot of money at a site like roguefitness.com or you can find something a bit more economical elsewhere.
Found this article, maybe it will help: http://blog.christiansfitnessfactory.com/what-is-the-best-olympic-bar/

ETA: YES, get a barbell!!! And get some plates!!! Barbell work is great for strengthening the core during lifts, for correcting balance issues, and for doing ALL of the compound moves. Dumbbells are useful too and can be used for bringing up strength in weaker sides of the body but at some point they get hard to use due to grip issues (for women, especially) and you might be able to tolerate heavier weight but your grip fails out and you are stuck at a level not progressing.

skinnyinnotime

Thank you so much for taking the time to read and reply.

IronSmasher

Hello fellow UKer!

Most of the posters in this site are in the US, so will recommend US products/prices.


What's your budget? Goal?

From the off, as Dizzle says, filled vinyl is junk. It doesn't last, lock, and is massive compared to metal equivalent. Also, I'd choose a barbell before dumbbells (assuming I had room) due to the benefits of compound two handed movements.

Since you appear inexperienced, perhaps a day pass at a couple of gyms to try stuff out before you commit?
Many chain gyms do free open days. Abuse that stuff.

skinnyinnotime

Hello fellow UKer!

Most of the posters in this site are in the US, so will recommend US products/prices.


What's your budget? Goal?

From the off, as Dizzle says, filled vinyl is junk. It doesn't last, lock, and is massive compared to metal equivalent. Also, I'd choose a barbell before dumbbells (assuming I had room) due to the benefits of compound two handed movements.

Since you appear inexperienced, perhaps a day pass at a couple of gyms to try stuff out before you commit?
Many chain gyms do free open days. Abuse that stuff.

You're right, I should have mentioned I was in the UK!

Well budget wise upto £150, goal is to increase muscle growth a bit and cut down on fat.

Will look into free gym open days, thanks for the idea : )

Thank you for your reply.

IronSmasher

Well, like pretty much all things, you get what you pay for.... but you can also get ripped off.

Have you any idea what sort of weight you want/need?
Do you live near a city that actually stocks weights for you to see in person?


Sets are always going to be the cheapest overall, but depending on your ability/financial state, you might want to look at buying and collecting as you go.

The other option is the secondhand market. Good stuff lasts forever, so can often be found there for a bargin.

Lupercalia

Do you have a bench and a rack for your barbell?

Those will be things you'll want to consider as well. Bench for bench pressing, rack or squat stands so that you can squat without having to clean the weight up and over your head and onto your back each time. You'll want that rack for bench press and overhead press as well. Cleaning the weight over your head and onto your back is ok when you're not using much weight, but as you progress, cleaning overhead and onto your back (and then reverse when you're done) could make it pretty hard to continue squatting with your barbell if you don't have a rack or squat stands.

HelloDan

Always good to see a fellow UK lifter here! Back on topic, I would also consider second hand.

Also, as a beginner, you most likely won't need 150kg straight away, so I would look to spend your budget on a decent bar and some decent plates to start with, and then you can add more plates to make up weight later, as you require.

If you can I would go with an Olympic bar, as it gives you more options, and if you don't I wouldn't go with spinlock, like on that ebay listing, mainly because it becomes a pain switching weights, unless the bar is fully loaded.

jaz050465

Always good to see a fellow UK lifter here! Back on topic, I would also consider second hand.

Also, as a beginner, you most likely won't need 150kg straight away, so I would look to spend your budget on a decent bar and some decent plates to start with, and then you can add more plates to make up weight later, as you require.

If you can I would go with an Olympic bar, as it gives you more options, and if you don't I wouldn't go with spinlock, like on that ebay listing, mainly because it becomes a pain switching weights, unless the bar is fully loaded.

Look on gumtree. Always loads going free and you can look at local ones- obviously not practical to get them posted out!!

skinnyinnotime

Well, like pretty much all things, you get what you pay for.... but you can also get ripped off.

Have you any idea what sort of weight you want/need?
Do you live near a city that actually stocks weights for you to see in person?


Sets are always going to be the cheapest overall, but depending on your ability/financial state, you might want to look at buying and collecting as you go.

The other option is the secondhand market. Good stuff lasts forever, so can often be found there for a bargin.

I live in London so you would think there's be lots of options to go and look...but for the life of me I cannot find any places near me (north London) found one place in Hackney, when I got there it was the smallest shop with hardly anything in it.

My dumbbells are 15kg each I can lift alot more, which is why I want to buy some more, but just clueless as to what.

skinnyinnotime

Always good to see a fellow UK lifter here! Back on topic, I would also consider second hand.

Also, as a beginner, you most likely won't need 150kg straight away, so I would look to spend your budget on a decent bar and some decent plates to start with, and then you can add more plates to make up weight later, as you require.

If you can I would go with an Olympic bar, as it gives you more options, and if you don't I wouldn't go with spinlock, like on that ebay listing, mainly because it becomes a pain switching weights, unless the bar is fully loaded.

OK, so Olympic bar is best and spinlocks aren't the best option.

Is it best to choose a well known brand like York? Or doesn't it really matter?

Who would have thought it would be so complicated?!

skinnyinnotime

Always good to see a fellow UK lifter here! Back on topic, I would also consider second hand.

Also, as a beginner, you most likely won't need 150kg straight away, so I would look to spend your budget on a decent bar and some decent plates to start with, and then you can add more plates to make up weight later, as you require.

If you can I would go with an Olympic bar, as it gives you more options, and if you don't I wouldn't go with spinlock, like on that ebay listing, mainly because it becomes a pain switching weights, unless the bar is fully loaded.

Look on gumtree. Always loads going free and you can look at local ones- obviously not practical to get them posted out!!

Yes, I've been looking....just not 100% sure what I'm looking for lol, don't want to buy a white elephant!

sijomial

I found this lot were good on price and a decent range if you are looking for new....
http://www.fitness-superstore.co.uk/
Think their closest store to you would be in Victoria.

Gumtree sometimes turns up trumps for secondhand.

KarenJanine

As others have said, I would recommend iron plates not vinyl - vinyl ones tend to be very bulky and take up a lot of space for not much weight - as you progress in strength you can end up with a lot of plates on the bar, and/or not enough space to add more.

An Olympic bar with spring clips is also more practical than spinlock for ease of changing weight plates around for different exercises etc.

I have this brand, although I bought a 6ft bar rather than 7ft (for practicality and space purposes mainly). I am very happy with them:

http://www.fitness-superstore.co.uk/olympic_weight_sets/bodypower_105kg_trigrip_olympic_weight_set_/12268_p.html

But also as others have said, if you are planning to make an investment like this to work out at home, you will sooner or later require a squat rack/stands, bench, etc.

IronSmasher

Always good to see a fellow UK lifter here! Back on topic, I would also consider second hand.

Also, as a beginner, you most likely won't need 150kg straight away, so I would look to spend your budget on a decent bar and some decent plates to start with, and then you can add more plates to make up weight later, as you require.

If you can I would go with an Olympic bar, as it gives you more options, and if you don't I wouldn't go with spinlock, like on that ebay listing, mainly because it becomes a pain switching weights, unless the bar is fully loaded.

OK, so Olympic bar is best and spinlocks aren't the best option.

Is it best to choose a well known brand like York? Or doesn't it really matter?

Who would have thought it would be so complicated?!

Similar to what I was saying about paying it up by collecting. The Ebay link didn't work for me, but I'd like to also say that spinlocks suck.

Olympic bars are best. They also range in size and weights though, from 15kg 5' to 20kg+ 6' or 7'.
I think the amazon had them pictured, oly bars will have a 2" end on them, so they will be compatible with the spring clips and weight plates with 2" holes in them (not the smaller holed ones with cheaper sets).


When it comes to buying large pieces of metal, brands aren't necessarily where it's at. The same with chain gyms and chain fitness stores.

As sijomial posted, there's a Fitness Superstore in SW for you to look in and compare stuff. Their range is massive to suit a lot of budgets and taste.

I'd also check out Powerhouse Fitness. The guys in the Glasgow store had some amazing stuff for half the prices I would've expected and they were really enthusiastic talking to a fellow lifter. They were also talking about MAKING me kettlebells (providing enough interest would be drummed up to fund a new mould).
Those guys actually had a local metalworks that made their skull kettlebells, which goes back to brands not necessarily being associated with quality products. Nobody has monopoly on quality metal work.

skinnyinnotime

Thank you all so much for taking the time to respond, lots of good advice for me to think about.

I think I might take a trip to Victoria in the Easter hols and check that place out.

ETA: hoping to move to a bigger house this year so might have room for rack and bench then

IronSmasher

If you take an easter egg to pure gym, they'll give you a day pass to use anytime, and donate the egg to charity.

Huffdogg

Is it best to choose a well known brand like York? Or doesn't it really matter?

This isn't important either way, but I *would* make sure it's a standard weight bar and not a lightweight chrome oly bar. It will hold up better over time. 20.4kg, I believe is the metric weight. Someone else help me out there lol. Stupid 'murrican here.

KarenJanine

This isn't important either way, but I *would* make sure it's a standard weight bar and not a lightweight chrome oly bar. It will hold up better over time. 20.4kg, I believe is the metric weight. Someone else help me out there lol. Stupid 'murrican here.

Yes that's right (for a 7ft bar). A female (6ft) Oly bar weight around 15 kg. I checked mine last night and it weighs15.4 kg according to my bathroom scales

sixpacklady

bump