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Upgrading my home gym weight setBasic Question (self.askMRP)

submitted by Vegasman20002

I am very close to outgrowing my starter 1" weight set and looking to upgrade. I did some research and looked at a lot of items but I don't have faith in a lot of what I saw, especially taking price/quality into concern.

I was going to buy a 300lb Olympic set with barbell, but that was a)$700 and b) seemed like garbage. So then I thought about a 700lb barbell capacity (which was less than $150 on Amazon) but then need to get a weight set separately. And that was not easy to find either.

So, I wanted to get recommendations from the crowd here on the following, and I am working on the assumption this will be the last upgrade I buy:

  • 700 lb capacity barbell vs lower ones? I will never lift 700 pounds but concerned about the 300 pound capacity being poor quality. This is what I was looking at:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B088CXV8ZY/ref=ox_sc_act_image_1?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

  • other option: buy some 45/50 pound 2" plates and use them for now on my 1" barbell

-here is the 300 pound set that I assume is bad value for the money: https://www.amazon.com/CAP-Barbell-Olympic-Weight-Medium/dp/B004X1688A/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=300+pound+olympic+weight+set&qid=1589729602&sprefix=300+pound+&sr=8-1

I am willing to pay $1000 for the whole set up, but is that not good enough for a set up?

Edit: while on the topic of Bigger Leaner Stronger: for leg day he recommends leg press. However I cannot do that because I don't have the equipment and my doctor recommends against it because of my two bad hips. So I have been doing an extra set of squats. Does that make sense or are there better recommendations?


[–]part_wolf9 points10 points  (4 children) | Copy Link

Spending $1000 should get you a high quality Olympic barbell, a full set of 45/35/25/10 plates, and a squat stand.

Rogue Fitness has this level setup for $1,033 with free shipping https://www.roguefitness.com/bravo-bar-bumper-set

I would skip the leg press if you’re squatting and deadlifting. Hold a plate over your head and do some lunges.

[–]MRP52481 point2 points  (1 child) | Copy Link

I agree with this. There is some equipment worth spending money on like the barbell and power rack. I bought Rogue bar, #230 Rogue bumper plates, etc. about 8 years ago and they are still in great condition. Quality product worth the price.

Also, you might not need bumper plates unless you are doing Olympic lifts. Iron is cheaper. If you aren't dropping weights, why bumper plates?

Also, set alerts on craigslist or other used forums. I got small Olympic plates (#10, #5, #2.5), kettlebells, squat stands, incline bench, etc. for cheap. So many people start lifting and quit. Use that. Market is pretty scare because of COVID though.

Leg Press? Find substitutes. My leg day is Squats, Deadlifts, BB Lunges, BB Hack Squats, BB Romanian Deadlifts, BB Bulgarian Split Squats. There are plenty of lifts you can do just with your barbell (BB) and weights.

[–]part_wolf0 points1 point  (0 children) | Copy Link

You might not need bumper plates unless you are doing Olympic lifts.

Which is why he should get bumper plates. I believe he's already got some iron.

BB Bulgarian Split Squats.

YES.

[–]z2a1-90 points1 point  (0 children) | Copy Link

looks like a good set

[–]UsefulWalk40 points1 point  (0 children) | Copy Link

The Rouge Fitness stuff is nice. Highly recommended.

Skip the leg press. Squats are better.

[–]Massive-Plate4 points5 points  (2 children) | Copy Link

I spent $120 and built myself a DIY power rack.

I spent $150 on a high quality barbell, 7ft 45 LB.

I spent $8 on a 17" plant saucer. $12 on rebar $45 on cement.

I made 550 LB cement plates. Perfectly flat, smooth, and finished with floor leveling cement.

These are painted flat black, and finalized with a rubber outer coat.

I have a full set, for under $400.

Likewise, my 45 LB plates are branded Trump MAGA (hes the 45th) with a 3d printed lions face.

The 35LB plate has my kids hand prints and names.

The 25 plates have my last name.

Additionally... I bought a 410 LB bowflex for $80 on craigslist.

Plates are overpriced right now... due to COVID and closed gyms..

Ps: I also made 2x (15, 25,35,45,55,65) dumbells using cement and PVC pipe. And 1 20LB kettleball, 1 30LB kettleball.

Good luck.

[–]red-sfpplusHard Core Red4 points5 points  (1 child) | Copy Link

45 LB plates are branded Trump MAGA

You better fucking send me a picture of this.

I got hard just reading it.

[–]dust2dust451 point2 points  (1 child) | Copy Link

Look for a sale/coupon to a Big 5 or Dicks sports for 2in weight set with a 7ft bar. Walmart had china squat cage for $250, works fine. All in <$500.

[–]Massive-Plate0 points1 point  (0 children) | Copy Link

Covid.. shit is sold out.

[–]FoxShitNasty832 points3 points  (0 children) | Copy Link

Go for the 2" Olympic set. If you have space issues go for a half rack and 6' bar. Mine came as a 260lbs set and is good for 300lbs so a few plates and I'm still good. When I need to upgrade I will just get a full rack and new bar. Not sure but mirafit has been good quality kit at good value for my needs.

[–]DrBeaufort1 point2 points  (2 children) | Copy Link

You can get a CAP powerlifting barbell for ~$150 (not the regular OLY one), and a low end rogue squat stand for ~$365. That is good quality equipment for safe lifts up to 1000+ lbs. Get the spotter arms too. Then just couple it with some rusty old used olympic plates for next to free.

Edit: skip the leg press and just squat and deadlift

[–]Vegasman20002[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children) | Copy Link

I actually just bought that barbell five minutes ago! Thanks man.

[–]z2a1-90 points1 point  (0 children) | Copy Link

good shit

[–]Redrover8570 points1 point  (2 children) | Copy Link

I have a very nice set up. Don’t cheapen on the bar, the rack, or the bench. The plates you can find for next to nothing if you are willing to look. I have rogue squat stand with safety bars and an Ohio power bar and love them. I just randomly pick up weights when I find them. That rack could literally save your life so remember that when purchasing.

[–]Vegasman20002[S] 0 points1 point  (1 child) | Copy Link

That is a great point. I have nowhere near bench pressing enough yet but I am planning on upgrading to a power rack and bench at some point. The bench set up I have right now is rated for 660 lb

But if this is BS or sketchy let me know:

https://www.iancheer.com/products/ancheer-adjustable-olympic-weight-bench

[–]Redrover8570 points1 point  (0 children) | Copy Link

Right now you aren’t. But honestly most men that lift correctly are gonna be around 200,300,400 bench, squat, deadlift in a year or two. Obviously depending on leverages. But even as little as 200lbs can really fuck you up. Having a really solid bench that you feel comfortable on and isn’t wobbly is worth the cash. As is a nice bar and a good high quality power rack.

[–]BobbyPeruRed Beret0 points1 point  (0 children) | Copy Link

Definitely go Olympic. 1 inch is for teenagers.

I had a hard time finding weights/bench/rack equipment in a reasonable time, so I just bought some Olympic plates of various sizes on FB marketplace and offer up. I think I paid a little over $2/pound. I did get a bench from Amazon, but I feel like I got lucky. I tried to buy a squat rack from Rogue, but it said they were out and to get on their availability email list.

If I were you, I’d use what you have for now until gyms open for an while wherever you are, then buy a bench, Olympic weights/bar, and power rack when the availability is better. I imagine people will sell good Olympic equipment for more reasonable prices when they can go to the gym again - or buy new. Just be patient and do it right

[–]oloug0 points1 point  (0 children) | Copy Link

I built a squat rack with 4x4's and 2x4's in my garage. I use saw horses as safety bars when squatting which you will need if you are aggressively adding weight in a program like Stronglifts 5x5.

The cheapest place I've found for weights is ordering from Walmart which at the time had free shipping for purchases over a certain amount.

[–]boy_named_su0 points1 point  (0 children) | Copy Link

I have the Fitness Reality 810XLT power cage, and adjustable bench, from Amazon. It's good, and a good deal. The adjustable bench is good for incline bench

I'd recommend getting the weights and bar locally, to save on shipping

You don't need 35 lb plates. You can get to 320 lb (incl bar), in 5-lb increments with:

4x45lb, 2x25lb, 2x10lb, 4×5lb, 2×2,5lb

IIRC, my whole setup was about $600 USD

[–]JCX_Pulse0 points1 point  (0 children) | Copy Link

Check out PRX performance as well

[–]SkimTheDross0 points1 point  (1 child) | Copy Link

At your lifts, it’s more important to just get some weight. It’s chunks of steel and a bar. Pick it up. Put it down. Repeat.

Especially in this current environment. If you can score weight, consider it a win.

My 300 lb set cost 300 bucks 5 years ago. Still serving me well even with additional plates.

Don’t put 2 inch plates on a one inch bar. Doesn’t sound safe.

[–]Vegasman20002[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children) | Copy Link

I am using a one inch plate on the bar first then a two inch after that so it is wedged between two one inchers and won't slide or anything. But it isn't optimal

[–]red-sfpplusHard Core Red-2 points-1 points  (1 child) | Copy Link

I only work out in gyms so your Mom can admire me.

[–]Massive-Plate1 point2 points  (0 children) | Copy Link

Some idiots downvoted him, but I am pretty sure he is serious.

Your mom said hi btw.

You can kill a man, but you can't kill an idea.

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