York Barbell 300 lb Olympic Weight Set With Bar

[kak39]

This a good deal? It's $319/shipped.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...pf_rd_i=507846

Looking to get a barbell/weights for a new rack I just ordered.

[buffbrown21]

This a good deal? It's $319/shipped.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...pf_rd_i=507846

Looking to get a barbell/weights for a new rack I just ordered.

Are you a York fan? Is there a particular reason you want this set?
Because you can buy a basic 300lb Olympic barbell set at almost any sporting goods store (Dick's, Academy, Sports Authority, etc) for $120-200 and you wont have to wait for it to be shipped.

[kak39]

Are you a York fan? Is there a particular reason you want this set?
Because you can buy a basic 300lb Olympic barbell set at almost any sporting goods store (Dick's, Academy, Sports Authority, etc) for $120-200 and you wont have to wait for it to be shipped.

Didn't think Dicks/Sports Authority had decent 1-piece 7' bars w/ plates? I only see a 3-piece 7' bar and still trying to find prices for plates

Dicks Sporting Goods
--------------------
(1) 7' bar - $85
(2) 45 lb - $130
(2) 35 lb - $70
(2) 25 lb - $60
(2) 10 lbs - $24
(4) 5 lbs - (no price on site)
(2) 2.5 lbs - (no price on site)
---------------------
Total = $369

[Shea_G]

No, much better deals out there.

[buffbrown21]

Didn't think Dicks/Sports Authority had decent 1-piece 7' bars w/ plates? I only see a 3-piece 7' bar and still trying to find prices for plates

Dicks Sporting Goods
--------------------
(1) 7' bar - $85
(2) 45 lb - $130
(2) 35 lb - $70
(2) 25 lb - $60
(2) 10 lbs - $24
(4) 5 lbs - (no price on site)
(2) 2.5 lbs - (no price on site)
---------------------
Total = $369

You are looking at it by pricing each individual item, I am referring to their in store package deals. All of these retailers sell the full 300lb set as a package in their store (probably not online). I personally dont like Dick's sporting goods but they do have the prices I mentioned on their 300lb package deal (again, this is IN STORE pricing).

There are often coupons in Sunday's newspapers for a % off of these and I have seen them as low as just over $100.

I dont know about the quality of the barbell. Obviously you can find better ones, like Eleiko, Rogue operator bar, Okie deadlift, bar, etc. But just to get started and move some weight, the olympic bars in a typical sporting goods store should suffice.

If you are doing powerlifting and/or a lot of Olympic lifts, you will probably want to get a high quality bar from the start.

[AttyGuy]

If you are set on York, go direct to the company through Allison Foreman, who has responsibility for commercial and vertical markets at the company. Her office number is (614) 785-9266, and her fax is (614) 785-9322, Her e-mail is allisonforeman@aol.com. She'll give you a discount that will make cast York plates competitive with the cast Cap plates available at TSA and Dick's.

No, I have no affiliation with the company. Yes, I love York.

[kak39]

Think I just found the best deal...

http://www.christiansfitnessfactory....pic-Weight-Set

It's a good two-hour drive from my house...

[Keetman]

If you are set on York, go direct to the company through Allison Foreman, who has responsibility for commercial and vertical markets at the company. Her office number is (614) 785-9266, and her fax is (614) 785-9322, Her e-mail is allisonforeman@aol.com. She'll give you a discount that will make cast York plates competitive with the cast Cap plates available at TSA and Dick's.

No, I have no affiliation with the company. Yes, I love York.

I would recommend calling/emailing Allison, but if you're only getting one set of plates the shipping may not make this such a great way to go. I ordered 2000lbs of plates with her discount and the total came to about .70/lb shipped. However, the shipping was only $75 because she had everything put on one pallet. As it turned out, this almost became a very big mistake for me because the delivery guy came very close to crashing all 2000lbs onto my concrete driveway..... not good. We should've spent double that and had two pallets and my price still would've been great.

I don't know how they'd ship out one set of 250-300lbs of plates. It might be cheaper, but the overall discount she gives probably won't be better and might be worse since I ordered so much.

I'm not trying to dissuade anyone from using Allison's discounts....its real and she does a good job, just don't be disappointed if its not as cheap as you were expecting for a small order.

On those plates you're looking at, I'm with Buff....go get you some plates at a big box store or Craigslist. I sincerely doubt the bar in that Amazon ad is any different quality than the ones you'd get at Dick's. I could be wrong, I'm just guessing. The only reason I went the direction I did is because I wanted a lot of matching plates, she gave me a great deal, and I'd done a lot of flipping of equipment to get me to where I basically got them for free.

Unless you're in a similar situation, you're OCD or just want really nice stuff....plates are plates.



EDIT:

Think I just found the best deal...

http://www.christiansfitnessfactory....pic-Weight-Set

It's a good two-hour drive from my house...

That's not a bad price for those ones from Christian's. I'm sure those are York's bottom tier plates, but you're only paying a little more for them than you would for just CAP's at a big box sporting goods store (maybe $150, maybe a little cheaper with a coupon). I would pay that for having the York name on the plates, cooler than CAP. Just know that there are cheaper options or you could even get them used and pay like $100 for a set.

Also, don't forget include gas money and time for the trip. The time isn't that big of a deal, but you will be tying up the better part of a day. Although, Christian's place might be worth visiting, getting to see where these places are at and what they have all in real life is sometimes cool. Rogue is in my backyard and I always love going over there.....and its basically just a warehouse.

[AttyGuy]

Absolutely right. And the bar will be a 7' chrome, made in China, 700 lb.-test bar. Weight may be weight, but bars are not bars. Still, having "York" on the plate is pretty cool.

If kak39 is willing to drive to Christian's Fitness, then he's probably up for a drive to York, PA and the York Barbell Co. In that case, it won't be $50-100 for shipping, but more likely $30 in gas. Plus, you can visit the Weightlifting Hall of Fame and learn about Bob Hoffman. That's what I did to pick up a York bar and about 300 lbs. in milled plates. It was a lot of fun and I included stops along the way to pick up other gear for my gym (BOB punching dummy, dumbbells, etc.).

Keetman, I would have liked to have been there for the delivery. That would have been something to see.

[sanlilian]

lol at thinking that cap barbell, impex and all that cheap olympic weight sets sold at dick sporting goods are as good as the york barbell .. there is a reason why the york barbell weight set costs more money and there is reason why those cap,impex, etc are so god damn cheap, and is not the name brand
if u are going to lift for a long time, get the york .. thats the cheapest york olympic weight set u can get .. you will progress very fast and you are going to need a good bar .. unless you are planning on getting $200 olympic bar
the york weight set is the way to go

dont get it from amazon

get it here and use this coupon
fitnessedgeonline.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=145300&site=google_ base

free shipping + coupon = $297

if u can pick up locally from christian factory, then much better

[dumb.bell]

the delivery guy came very close to crashing all 2000lbs onto my concrete driveway..... not good.

Something similar happened to me. I had over 1,000 lbs of iron railing components delivered and the pallet slid right off of the lift-gate into the driveway (the driveway is slanted and driver didn't take that into account). I barely escaped getting crushed. Luckily, there was no damage (to the iron, driveway, and most importantly "me").

[buffbrown21]

lol at thinking that cap barbell, impex and all that cheap olympic weight sets sold at dick sporting goods are as good as the york barbell .. there is a reason why the york barbell weight set costs more money and there is reason why those cap,impex, etc are so god damn cheap, and is not the name brand
if u are going to lift for a long time, get the york .. thats the cheapest york olympic weight set u can get .. you will progress very fast and you are going to need a good bar .. unless you are planning on getting $200 olympic bar
the york weight set is the way to go

dont get it from amazon

get it here and use this coupon
fitnessedgeonline.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=145300&site=google_ base

free shipping + coupon = $297

if u can pick up locally from christian factory, then much better

Nobody said the basic barbell (Cap, etc) compared with York or other better options. The OP was told that those basic barbells would suffice to start, particularly if he wasnt doing any powerlifting or a lot of Olympic Lifts.

I concur with Keetman that I doubt Alison can get a great deal on something small and basic, but if the OP is in need of more/other items, it may be worth a call.

However, the drive to Christians may be worth it and a lot of fun to check out their stuff. They are awesome to deal with, I have purchased from them before.

[jtyler30]

lol at thinking that cap barbell, impex and all that cheap olympic weight sets sold at dick sporting goods are as good as the york barbell .. there is a reason why the york barbell weight set costs more money and there is reason why those cap,impex, etc are so god damn cheap, and is not the name brand
if u are going to lift for a long time, get the york .. thats the cheapest york olympic weight set u can get .. you will progress very fast and you are going to need a good bar .. unless you are planning on getting $200 olympic bar
the york weight set is the way to go

dont get it from amazon

get it here and use this coupon
fitnessedgeonline.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=145300&site=google_ base

free shipping + coupon = $297

if u can pick up locally from christian factory, then much better

The bar that comes with the York set is most definitely comparable to the crappy bars that come with the cheap sets. Same crappy bolt on design too. $175 is not too bad but you are not getting a much higher quality bar with the York set. That said, the cheap bars are fine for starting out. You can invest in a nicer bar when you are able to.

[sanlilian]

Nobody said the basic barbell (Cap, etc) compared with York or other better options. The OP was told that those basic barbells would suffice to start, particularly if he wasnt doing any powerlifting or a lot of Olympic Lifts.

I concur with Keetman that I doubt Alison can get a great deal on something small and basic, but if the OP is in need of more/other items, it may be worth a call.

However, the drive to Christians may be worth it and a lot of fun to check out their stuff. They are awesome to deal with, I have purchased from them before.

well is very clear that op has enough money to spend and really like the york weight set

cap, impex, ect etc are a good option if you dont have much money, which isnt the case with the op

[sanlilian]

The bar that comes with the York set is most definitely comparable to the crappy bars that come with the cheap sets. Same crappy bolt on design too. $175 is not too bad but you are not getting a much higher quality bar with the York set. That said, the cheap bars are fine for starting out. You can invest in a nicer bar when you are able to.

have u tested both ? york bar and the cap, impex bars ? have u tested both at their maximun weight to see which bends faster ?

[buffbrown21]

well is very clear that op has enough money to spend and really like the york weight set

cap, impex, ect etc are a good option if you dont have much money, which isnt the case with the op

Its very clear? How do you figure?
Did he ever say that he LOVED York or it was his preferred brand? No. In fact, I asked if there was a particular reason he wanted York and he didnt answer.

Where did he say he has enough money? He is apparently looking for a "good deal" so I would disagree with that too. In fact he is comparing prices (which is smart), so he apparently wants the best product for the money he will pay.

I do agree that Cap et al are good cheaper options. Which is why I mentioned them.

Man, you sure assume a lot.

[jtyler30]

have u tested both ? york bar and the cap, impex bars ? have u tested both at their maximun weight to see which bends faster ?

It is not as much a matter of bar bending as it is a matter of poor collar design. We are talking about a 700 lb test bar, if you are even worried at all about it bending you should have a higher test bar. The collars on bars with that design have been known to come loose and I have seen the inside collars break right off the sleeve. I have never seen a quality bar with bolted end collars. There is a reason CFF sells that set for $175.

[sanlilian]

It is not as much a matter of bar bending as it is a matter of poor collar design. We are talking about a 700 lb test bar, if you are even worried at all about it bending you should have a higher test bar. The collars on bars with that design have been known to come loose and I have seen the inside collars break right off the sleeve. I have never seen a quality bar with bolted end collars. There is a reason CFF sells that set for $175.

lol because nobody buys that set and they want to get rid of it

all over the net, that york set is between $290 and $320

I really doubt those cap barbells are as good as the york ones .. are u saying that the only reason why the york are more expensive is because of the brand ? how come there are no reviews on amazon about the cap olympic weight sets ?
the only one that could compare to york in quality is cap, the rest such is impex and others brands on dick sports are crap, lots of people on many forums say they suck and the bar bends, plates weight less

could it be that the reson why cap cost less money is because

the plates weight less ? the bar doesnt support as much as weight the york bar ?

[jtyler30]

OP, another option is to buy the plates seperately and just get a nice bar. Like I said before you may not need to get a nice bar (about $200) now but if you can afford it it would be worth it. I see you live in Jersey. If you are close to this place, check it out.
http://www.njsportsexchange.com/
They have a tons of these plates for 50 cents a lb.

So if you got all the plates that come with a standard set it would cost you 127.50 and you would get some pretty nice plates. I have a set of 45's from there and I am going to go get more soon actually. Those plates are nicer than my plates that came with the cheap set.

[jtyler30]

lol because nobody buys that set and they want to get rid of it

all over the net, that york set is between $290 and $320

I really doubt those cap barbells are as good as the york ones .. are u saying that the only reason why the york are more expensive is because of the brand ? how come there are no reviews on amazon about the cap olympic weight sets ?
the only one that could compare to york in quality is cap, the rest such is impex and others brands on dick sports are crap, lots of people on many forums say they suck and the bar bends, plates weight less

could it be that the reson why cap cost less money is because

the plates weight less ? the bar doesnt support as much as weight the york bar ?

I see what you are saying but I just think you are misinformed. By your logic then this set must come with a very nice bar:
http://www.amazon.com/Marcy-Classic-.../dp/B0042LL49E

You most definitely can not go by price alone. I am not saying that the cap bar is better. I am not even saying that the cap bar is equal. I am saying that if that York bar is better, it is so negligable that it is not worth the differance in price. 200 dollars gets you a nice 1500 lb test bar. The York bar is a peice of crap, even if it is better than the cap, it is still a peice of crap. I doubt anyone would consider that York bolt end bar a quality bar.

[AttyGuy]

$180 is a reasonable price for a new set of cast plates and a 700 lb. test chrome Olympic bar. You can pick up a 300 lb. weight set at any Dick's or Sports Authority for that amount.

Weight is weight, plates are plates, to a point. Cast plates do not fit as snugly as do milled plates. Some companies' cast plates vary greatly from the poundage listed on the front. Other companies' cast plates weight much more closely to the stated values. All cast plates have a rougher finish than do milled plates. I'd venture to say that all cast plates and most milled plates are made in China.

An inexpensive weight set will come with an inexpensive bar. And it will be made in China. Don't kid yourself. For most, it won't matter. For those for whom it does matter, they will buy a better bar.

Shipping heavy stuff is expensive. $300, shipping included, means shipping is part of the cost. You can get a 300 lb. weight set for $180 online, but you will pay $50 to $100 for shipping.

If you can drive to York or to Christian's you will be out gas money and your time. If you visit one, you'll probably enjoy it. Both, and you'll be dreaming at night about the stuff you want to get next.

For what you save through Allison, you'll spend on gas to go to York. Either way, for a new set, you'll pay $180 to $200, tax included, for an inexpensive set of weights. IMO, the York cast plates are closer to stated values than are other companies' inexpensive cast plates. Add in a classic name in weightlifting (York) and a fun drive and visit to York Barbell and you've got a great deal. That's not everyone's cup of tea.

[sanlilian]

$180 is a reasonable price for a new set of cast plates and a 700 lb. test chrome Olympic bar. You can pick up a 300 lb. weight set at any Dick's or Sports Authority for that amount.

Weight is weight, plates are plates, to a point. Cast plates do not fit as snugly as do milled plates. Some companies' cast plates vary greatly from the poundage listed on the front. Other companies' cast plates weight much more closely to the stated values. All cast plates have a rougher finish than do milled plates. I'd venture to say that all cast plates and most milled plates are made in China.

An inexpensive weight set will come with an inexpensive bar. And it will be made in China. Don't kid yourself. For most, it won't matter. For those for whom it does matter, they will buy a better bar.

Shipping heavy stuff is expensive. $300, shipping included, means shipping is part of the cost. You can get a 300 lb. weight set for $180 online, but you will pay $50 to $100 for shipping.

If you can drive to York or to Christian's you will be out gas money and your time. If you visit one, you'll probably enjoy it. Both, and you'll be dreaming at night about the stuff you want to get next.

For what you save through Allison, you'll spend on gas to go to York. Either way, for a new set, you'll pay $180 to $200, tax included, for an inexpensive set of weights. IMO, the York cast plates are closer to stated values than are other companies' inexpensive cast plates. Add in a classic name in weightlifting (York) and a fun drive and visit to York Barbell and you've got a great deal. That's not everyone's cup of tea.

this

[cooli]

Just to let you guys know... Modells' 300# set now comes with a 35# olympic bar. I got the set for Christmas from my wife. While adding up the lbs, the set turned out to be what I thought was 310lbs.
2x45lb
2x35lb
2x25lb
4x10lb
2x5lb
2x2.5lb
1x barbell (I thought was 45lbs)
I couldnt figure it out until I decided to weigh the barbell..... 35#s. I am a little upset but I figure it will last me a least a year before I get a better one. The main thing that sucks is doing the "gym math" with a 35# bar after doing it with a 45# bar all these years.

[packemup87]

If you go to Christians Fitness Factory, you may be able to buy a 255 lbs weight set (or 300 lb set w/ bar) and ask them if you can swap bars for an additional up charge. You could look at buying the weight set listed below:

http://www.christiansfitnessfactory....pic-Weight-Set

Then you could see if you can upgrade to the bar listed below for an additional cost. cgc bought the bar and seems to be happy with it (you can search for his review). Apparently it is a significant upgrade over the CAP bars that come with the sets.

http://www.christiansfitnessfactory....mpic-Power-Bar

It seems like that should come in at or under your $300 budget.

[jtyler30]

If you go to Christians Fitness Factory, you may be able to buy a 255 lbs weight set (or 300 lb set w/ bar) and ask them if you can swap bars for an additional up charge. You could look at buying the weight set listed below:

http://www.christiansfitnessfactory....pic-Weight-Set

Then you could see if you can upgrade to the bar listed below for an additional cost. cgc bought the bar and seems to be happy with it (you can search for his review). Apparently it is a significant upgrade over the CAP bars that come with the sets.

http://www.christiansfitnessfactory....mpic-Power-Bar

It seems like that should come in at or under your $300 budget.

Doing something like this would be the way to go.

[Keetman]

I like the idea of just saying screw it and making a real road trip to York.

First of all, it would be cool and make the time/gas money spent a moot point since you'd be doing something fun. Second, if you contact Allison.....you're going to open yourself up to a whole different situation with your plates. She is going to give you a deal on every single plate they offer and it will be a good one. I was floored by the quotes she gave me, it wasn't a coupon kind of discount. I don't know why they do that across the board for the internet community.....but its damn cool that they do.

Also, if you have the funds, just go ahead and get one of their bars too. I have three of them (2 newer and 1 old school one). I'm not going to say they're the most fantastic thing I've ever used or anything, but they are nice bars, well priced (don't even know what kind of discount she'll give on them), and between the 3 of them I have been able to put off feeling the need to put out $300 for a newer bar (and I'm an equipment slut, so I usually don't "not" buy something).

Finally, if you're going to make this kind of a trip, if you at all have the funds.....buy 2 sets. You're going to want that weight eventually....and you're making a road trip....why not just go ahead and get a full set of matching plates.




Sanilian.....I'm not sure why you're confusing the issue. Nobody here is disparaging York, my God I spent $1500 on the stuff I bought last year from them. I don't know if you've lurked here or just dove right in, but while not necessarily experts.....the guys around here generally offer pretty good advice.

The fact is that those plates from York are more than likely their bottom tier plates. Nothing wrong with that and I'd personally be fine with owning them. Are they better/worse than CAP plates you'd get at Walmart???? I don't know.....I'm guessing they're all made in Asia, so spare me any discussion they're just out the door better. They probably are, but who knows. Also, CAP makes nicer lines of stuff too, they don't sell them at discount stores....but you can get CAP plates that would make those York ones we're talking about look silly.

As far as Marcy, Impex, and CAP in general........ we're aware, thanks.

[Keetman]

Alright, since something about that bar in the ads didn't sit well with me and since I can't really speak for York....I just wrote Allison an email. You don't have to take my word or anybody else's here.....she summed it up pretty nicely for all to understand.

-----Original Message-----
From: keetman
To: allisonforeman <allisonforeman@aol.com>
Sent: Wed, Feb 9, 2011 12:48 pm
Subject: question about bars....

I have a quick question that is not pertaining to a sale, so please answer at your leisure. There is a discussion going on on a message board about one of York's cheaper set of plates and the barbell that comes with it. The set is located here:

http://www.christiansfitnessfactory....pic-Weight-Set


The question is the quality of the bar. This appears to be a typical lighter weight bar with threaded ends. I have commented that based on its appearance, construction, and the price of the set that it may not even be a York bar. I am assuming this is a cheaper made bar that has been put with these plates to market to a discount buyer. I'm not trying to disparage York, I can understand trying to compete, I am just looking for clarification. I don't even see any bars on your website made like this and the only York bars I've seen have the split sleeve design with a punch pin retaining the sleeve in place.

Thanks and thanks for the help you've given to the community.

Hi, XXXXXX. Nice to hear from you again. Be happy to clarify what's up with the bars, so hope you don't mind a little background on the industry in general. Fitness equipment is manufactured in retail, light commercial, and full commercial capacity, so there will be different price points (as well as quality points) for different situations. What the industry considers okiedokie for home use wouldn't be placed in a beasty, full commercial gym. Many people who want to do a little light lifting at home, or purchase something for their kids, may want options for their financial outlay. Bars, for instance, come in a 700# test for retail (home use), 1000# test for light commercial, and 1500# test for full commercial situations. Our Elite bars meet competition specifications, so the monsters can lift large, but bars of that strength necessarily come at a higher price point.

That particular set (York's product number 145300) is a 300lb York International Olympic Set - the bar that is included is a home-use 700lb test bar. It is a type that you would find in a sportings goods department. It comes, of course, with a lower price point than a bar of higher (or competition) quality. These lower priced bars are produced overseas. It is NOT warranted for any light commercial or full commercial application. The higher quality full and light commercial bars are manufactured at our York plant outside of Toronto with US steel.

Higher quality bars for both weightlifting (linear motions, such as pressing, deadlifts, and squats) and Olympic bars (rotational, ballistic movements such as the clean & jerk or snatch, with a smaller shaft diameter for more bar whip), will have different specs and different price points. If it were me, I'd pick the bar I'd want for its quality and use, then cherry pick the plates I prefer from the extensive selection of styles. There's no price advantage to a "set", just easier for the warehouse to pull.

Hope this helps - if you can send me a link, I'd be happy to add to the conversation.

Allison Foreman
Commercial and Vertical Markets
for York Barbell
(614) 785-9266 office
(614) 785-9322 fax
allisonforeman@aol.com

Neener, neener, neener............

[AttyGuy]

Nice!

I must say, I like the York spring collars that I got when I bought 300 or so lbs. of milled Legacy plates and a black oxide bar from York. Still, I wouldn't rely on spring collars for anything beyond keeping the plates from sliding off the bar if I didn't keep it parallel to the ground. I'd look to Ivanko collars or Lock Jaw collars. And while I'm not lifting any heavy weights, I'd rather have 1000 or 1500 lb.-test bar from York or Rogue than one of the 700 lb. test bars from any of the manufacturers.

[kak39]

Think I'm going to make a trip out to CFF and try to purchase these York plates w/ a different barbell. Going to contact their sales now.

[jtyler30]

neener, neener, neener............

lol!