dirt cheap standard bar

[cthulhupun]

I posted this on another board and I thought some here might be interested:

For a bar that's light, but fairly strong, you could get a 3/4" (1" exterior diameter) black-iron water-pipe from Home Depot. They usually sell a 5 foot length, which would be a good length that wouldn't require you to cut it. For the internal collars, you could use a set screw coupling cut in half (with the edges filed smooth so it doesn't hurt the hand).
http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/...91&R=100135091

That should give you a dirt-cheap light bar that will last for a while. It'll actually be a better bar than the ones often sold with the concrete weight sets.

[cthulhupun]

While you're there, you can pick up some spring clamps to use as collars.
http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1...atalogId=10053
I know a lot of people who use these for that purpose.

[Wildtim]

While you're there, you can pick up some spring clamps to use as collars.
http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1...atalogId=10053
I know a lot of people who use these for that purpose.

real ones are cheaper.

http://www.edfsuperstore.com/servlet...eights,/Detail

[Wildtim]

OP how much will your bar hold before it bends?

[cthulhupun]

Mine holds 110lbs without bending. I don't know the max, as I have three Olympic bars that I use for real lifting. The post was originally for a guy who wanted to teach his mom how to lift, but she couldn't lift a real bar. I would assume at the point where his mom started lifting real weights, he would switch over to using a real bar.

I know real spring clips are cheaper (minus shipping), but the spring clips seem to be a popular option in many of the powerlifting gyms I've seen. I grew up in a rural town with no sporting goods stores for miles, so I know how being handy with what is available to you can be helpful.

[IvankoBarbellCo]

You can go Detroit-Style on the plates and use manhole covers too

Vinko

[cthulhupun]

Yes, we do lift some odd objects in Detroit, although I didn't know it was actually referred to as "Detroit-Style." I did see a few manhole covers used as plates when I lived there, as well as cinderblocks on pipes. Old tires (which are all over Detroit) are great for lifting/pulling/flipping/etc. It's proof that lack of quality equipment is just an excuse. A person can get a pretty good workout for very little money if they are creative.

That's not to discount the great quality of equipment coming out today.