standard bar

jps · Post by **jps** » Sun May 24, 2009 8:06 pm

I am ready to upgrade from my current bar (hollow steel-----*gasp!*), to a solid bar. I am using standard weights. The olympic bars come in different varieties such as a power bar, but I have not seen anything online different about standard bars. Any info on specific companies to look at? Specific bars? How's this one? -----> here I would probably do the 6 ft bar for now and add a 7 ft bar when I do get a nice rack. (gotta love a nice rack

)

I wish I would have started with olympic weights, but didn't think I would get into working out so much, and have already spent a good bit of coin on standard plates.

So what say you?

jps · Post by **jps** » Sun May 24, 2009 8:37 pm

This one seems to have a grip area about the same diameter as an olympic bar. Better?

Post by **Jungledoc** » Mon May 25, 2009 4:20 am

How about scanning Craig's List for O-bar and plates? I've seen them at times very inexpensive. Then use your standard plates for plate-loaded dumb bells.

jeffrerr · Post by **jeffrerr** » Mon May 25, 2009 5:05 am

Make sure the Bar Diametre is the same as your plates! I bought York Cast Iron Plates and some of them wouldn't fit on a Gold's Gym Bar due to sloppy casting!!!!

John

nygmen · Post by **nygmen** » Mon May 25, 2009 4:44 pm

I don't really know which kind to get, but if you get it, and the ends don't spin freely & easily, send it right back for full refund. (try WD40 too, but make sure the damn ends spin.)

Nothing worse than trying to muscle up a deadlift with the stupid bar spinning with the plates.

And if you do end up with Oly's off of Craig's list (Good idea Doc.) can't you get one of the "DB" type standard bars to use the standard plates with? That way you can make some heavy DB's and you're home gym will be better than most commercial fitness places.

jps · Post by **jps** » Mon May 25, 2009 5:17 pm

lol....I feel pushed to Olympic. So be it. I will look for deals and start a new collection of plates in the coming months. I will however still get that standard size "beefy" bar from the second link I posted while I save for new bar/plates. Cheap enough, and I will feel safer using it than the hollow crap I'm using now. And the standard size plates I have now will work for my DB work, so it won't be a loss.

Thanks a lot guys....

pdellorto · Post by **pdellorto** » Mon May 25, 2009 7:13 pm

You know, I just saw this video...there is a short look at a few classic standard bars (even one with a rotating sleeve!) during it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1DFreZNS_A

About 50 seconds in or so they discuss the bars.

But my only experience with standard bars was in Japan, and the variety of garage sale bars I see so often.

jps · Post by **jps** » Mon May 25, 2009 7:25 pm

Cool video. Thanks for posting it.

jps · Post by **jps** » Tue Jul 07, 2009 5:06 pm

Well I went and did it. Couldn't stand it anymore.

Went to Sports Authority for some chalk (DL's), and looked to see what deals they had on Olympic sets.....they had a 300lb set on sale for $200. I thought that was a good enough deal to buy it....and I am growing tired of looking at craigslist and finding good stuff that is a couple hours from my house.

I can't justify a four hour round trip to save a little money.

I just remembered I forgot to buy spring clips.......DOH!

nygmen · Post by **nygmen** » Tue Jul 07, 2009 7:51 pm

Oh man, chalk & O weights in one day...

Good God man, you're gonna be hard pressed to top this day...

Congrats, pretty soon that bar will have a perma bend form squats and deads, then you'll need a separate one for pressing