Spring Lock vs Spin Lock

[Pairunoyd]

Are the spring lock collars as secure as the spin lock collars? I've got spin lock db bars and it would be a lot faster using spring lock. If not, maybe I could use spin lock for heavy chest and shoulder work and the spring lock for other stuff.

[Wildcat33]

The Olympic size spring collars can be secure if you get some quality ones made out of fairly heavy gauge metal. I have 8 Olympic spring collars, and the 4 that came with my first Olympic set are crap. The spring is weak on them, they are very easy to put on the bar, and they loosen easily. The other 4 that I've bought at sporting good stores work well and hold tightly. If you compare the first 4 to the 2nd 4 the 2nd bunch looks to be made of a slightly lower gauge (thicker) steel. You also have to squeeze much harder to put them on the bar.

So at least in my experience it's hit and miss on how tight they are depending on how tight the tolerances were at the manufacturing facility. If possible I'd try spring collars on a bar at a retailer first to see how good they work. Otherwise you might buy a set and find out as soon as you get them home that they aren't very tight. Don't know anything about the standard size spring collars, because my standard size stuff is all spin lock. The spin lock DBs handles aren't meant to be used with spring lock collars, not sure how that would work out.

[ctgblue]

As far as dumbbells go, the spring locks are nowhere near as secure.
Don't beleive me, put a 25lb plate on with a spring and tap the end of the handle on the ground and watch the plate slide.
If you are lifting 25-35 lbs on chest, fine.
If you are pushing 70+ SpinLock.

[smartkid]

Spring locks are quicker but you have to get decent ones because the ones I had on my dumbbel set were **** and took ages to get on they were too stiff. Now I've got spinlocks which are much better. They take a bit onger but take no effort and the weights sit properly straight

[MuscleGainer]

Have you considered smartlock dumbbell handles. They imitate pro-style dumbbells but they are adjustable. They also say that it's the fastest plate change for an adjustable dumbbell set. Actually powerblocks are probably faster adjusting but are much more expensive. www.fit-1.com mentions that you can get handles for up to 120 lbs using standard plates.