Barbell question + home gym equipment in Canada

[TipsyBanker]

I am thinking the york legacy plates for my main set (seems like a good set for the price) and have a few 45lb TF bumpers for deadlifts ...
something like:

2x1.25
2x2.25
2x5
2x10
2x25
6x45

then add 4-6x45 bumpers ?

[TipsyBanker]

can anyone recommend a good bench (flat or 0-90) ... I really want a grippy (?) bench I hate the ones at LA fitness, they are so smooth...

Also what do you think about rogue HG collars or the lockjaws (standard, as I hear the pro's are a pain) ?

[TipsyBanker]

TSS/CAP Barbell plates: http://www.texasstrengthsystems.com/...2-black-plates

$0.90 USD/lb seems cheap if these are good

[Vmango]

can anyone recommend a good bench (flat or 0-90) ... I really want a grippy (?) bench I hate the ones at LA fitness, they are so smooth...

Also what do you think about rogue HG collars or the lockjaws (standard, as I hear the pro's are a pain) ?

Get the Rogue Flat Bench

[TipsyBanker]

Get the Rogue Flat Bench

How does it compare to the EFTS flat bench w/ gripper pad? (links below)

http://www.elitefts.com/shop/strengt...-together.html

http://www.roguecanada.ca/rogue-bt-bench

[snova031]

I'd suggest 1.5" spacing, unless you've used 1" spacing and know that's what you want.

As for collars, I have a pair of real lockjaw pro's and knock-off muscle clamps from this guy: http://www.ebay.com/itm/5billion-fit...item2a4381b4d2
They're both good, and I use them interchangeably.

[CliveWarren]

is 28.5 and 29mm really that big of a difference? im sure you would get used to 0.5mm difference in diameter ...

[michaelscott]That's what she said![/michaelscott]

[TipsyBanker]

[michaelscott]That's what she said![/michaelscott]

lol ... i miss the office

[TipsyBanker]

I'd suggest 1.5" spacing, unless you've used 1" spacing and know that's what you want.

As for collars, I have a pair of real lockjaw pro's and knock-off muscle clamps from this guy: http://www.ebay.com/itm/5billion-fit...item2a4381b4d2
They're both good, and I use them interchangeably.

Yeah I think I changed my mind on WS spacing and going to go with 1.5''

The link didnt take me to a specific seller, but there are lots of lock jaw knock offs for less than 20 bucks a pair

[Vmango]

Rogue is setup to come into Canada EtFS is not...unless you're close to a border.

[TipsyBanker]

Rogue is setup to come into Canada EtFS is not...unless you're close to a border.

ah fair enough. I could drive to Niagara border, will look into that.

[TipsyBanker]

$0.70/lb good for these york plates?

[CliveWarren]

$0.70/lb good for these york plates?

I'd say yes. I'm not sure if these are Canadian, Chinese, or American plates. American plates with milled backs are definitely the nicest/most sought after. They look like the Canadian foundry plates without the OLYMPIC STANDARD or the Registered Trademark symbol.

[Vmango]

$0.70/lb good for these york plates?

Don't recognize those. Just get the Yorks you posted in your other plate thread. I'd rather you buy the York Legacy plates but you seem to be on a budget and those deep dishes are fine enough.

[TipsyBanker]

Tried searching around but couldnt find much on these benches:

Amstaff Competition Flat Bench ($140 CAD): http://www.fitnessavenue.ca/item.php?id=639

XTC X-Series Bolt Together ($165 CAD) (They said they can shorten it to 17'' since they make it): http://www.xtcfitness.ca/strength/be...-xtc-gear.html

Amstaff Commercial Heavy Duty Flat bench (apparently the same as Valor DA3) ($100 CAD): http://www.fitnessavenue.ca/item.php?id=146

Pendlay HD ($226 CAD) https://therepublicofsport.ca/index....-free-shipping

Both seem to be proper dimensions and for a pretty decent price ($0 shipping for me since I would pick them up). A good amount cheaper than the Rogue at $280 CAD with shipping. Although I'll spend the extra $$ if the rogue is a far superior bench.

Thoughts anyone?

[dragon360]

Still to this day I won't spend a dollar with fitness Avenue. Other people have had luck. Others have had none. Not worth the hassle to me. I know very little about the XTC bench.

[ASOUL]

Tried searching around but couldnt find much on these three benches:

Amstaff Competition Flat Bench ($140 CAD):

XTC X-Series Bolt Together ($165 CAD) (They said they can shorten it to 17'' since they make it):

Amstaff Commercial Heavy Duty Flat bench (apparently the same as Valor DA3) ($100 CAD):

Both seem to be proper dimensions and for a pretty decent price ($0 shipping for me since I would pick them up). A good amount cheaper than the Rogue at $280 CAD with shipping. Although I'll spend the extra $$ if the rogue is a far superior bench.

Thoughts anyone?

York STS flat bench has good reviews and you can pick one up at XTC for $229 but it is 19" tall. I couldn't find any good flat benches locally so I ordered a rogue flat bench myself last week.

[TipsyBanker]

Still to this day I won't spend a dollar with fitness Avenue. Other people have had luck. Others have had none. Not worth the hassle to me. I know very little about the XTC bench.

will look into them more ... Im not too far from one of their locations so I will check it out and see ... I am leaning towards either rogue or xtc though (went in there and the owner is a good guy and seems to know his stuff)

[TipsyBanker]

York STS flat bench has good reviews and you can pick one up at XTC for $229 but it is 19" tall. I couldn't find any good flat benches locally so I ordered a rogue flat bench myself last week.

Will look into that, I was in the XTC store the other day and I think they had a couple York benches on sale (cheaper than on the website)

[iwillbecomeFIT]

hey! which XTC store did u go to? Mississauga or the one in Scarborough? Just missing a utility bench lol

[TipsyBanker]

hey! which XTC store did u go to? Mississauga or the one in Scarborough? Just missing a utility bench lol

mississauga

[TipsyBanker]

Tried searching around but couldnt find much on these benches:

Amstaff Competition Flat Bench ($140 CAD): http://www.fitnessavenue.ca/item.php?id=639

XTC X-Series Bolt Together ($165 CAD) (They said they can shorten it to 17'' since they make it): http://www.xtcfitness.ca/strength/be...-xtc-gear.html

Amstaff Commercial Heavy Duty Flat bench (apparently the same as Valor DA3) ($100 CAD): http://www.fitnessavenue.ca/item.php?id=146

Pendlay HD ($226 CAD) https://therepublicofsport.ca/index....-free-shipping

Both seem to be proper dimensions and for a pretty decent price ($0 shipping for me since I would pick them up). A good amount cheaper than the Rogue at $280 CAD with shipping. Although I'll spend the extra $$ if the rogue is a far superior bench.

Thoughts anyone?

bumping for more opinions on these benches

[CliveWarren]

bumping for more opinions on these benches

I hate all the bolts on the Pendlay and XTC. The XTC has ugly plastic caps on the feet too. Pendlay is too expensive, I'd wait for a commercial FID on Kijiji if I was going to spend that much.

The Amstaff Commercial seems to have crush bent tubing and ugly plastic end caps too. I think the Amstaff Competition looks pretty good honestly, hard to tell because it's a small picture and it might not even be a photo. I'm not sure if 11 gauge and 55lb is adequate, I suspect it is. I'm pretty sure, I'd buy that one of the four listed

[TipsyBanker]

I hate all the bolts on the Pendlay and XTC. The XTC has ugly plastic caps on the feet too. Pendlay is too expensive, I'd wait for a commercial FID on Kijiji if I was going to spend that much.

The Amstaff Commercial seems to have crush bent tubing and ugly plastic end caps too. I think the Amstaff Competition looks pretty good honestly, hard to tell because it's a small picture and it might not even be a photo. I'm not sure if 11 gauge and 55lb is adequate, I suspect it is. I'm pretty sure, I'd buy that one of the four listed

Thanks! Still on spread but will get you.

Pendlay is a bit high because he includes free shipping, I think the actual price is a bit less if I go pick it up

[iwillbecomeFIT]

thanks! would u consider buying this bench? international shipping to a total of $190.33 http://www.wayfair.com/PowerMax-Flat...0-PMY1010.html .. i read around the forum and sum1 posted this bench. not sure if its good tho (trying to understand whats good and not as i put together my own home gym lol)..

what kind of floor matting have u decided on? couldn't find any horse stall mats ... any other cheaper options?

[TipsyBanker]

thanks! would u consider buying this bench? international shipping to a total of $190.33 http://www.wayfair.com/PowerMax-Flat...0-PMY1010.html .. i read around the forum and sum1 posted this bench. not sure if its good tho (trying to understand whats good and not as i put together my own home gym lol)..

what kind of floor matting have u decided on? couldn't find any horse stall mats ... any other cheaper options?

Since you knew about XTC I am guessing you are in the GTA ... XTC, Fitness Depot, and TSC (farm stuff) all have stall matts for around 50-60 bucks for 8'x6'x3/4''... I am getting those and building an 8x12 platform with some plywood ... total cost will be around 200-300 depending on how nice i want the top wood to be

As for the bench, the dimensions arent very good if you are looking for an IPF spec bench ... its high and narrow...also a bit light ... you can get a lot more value for 190.

[ASOUL]

Will look into that, I was in the XTC store the other day and I think they had a couple York benches on sale (cheaper than on the website)

If you go with York, you want to get their STS line. That is suppose to be their "commercial" line.

[TipsyBanker]

FWIW I ended up buying these plates, pretty happy

I ended up weighing them on my scale, all were within -0.2 to +0.6, with quite a few spot on. Oddly enough, the Cap and Standard were the most accurate overall. Personally. I think the Standard one looks the nicest.

2x45, 2x35, 2x25 York Calibrated Plates (I think, they match the look anyways)
1x45 "Standard Barbell"
2x10 Cap Barbell
4x5 Cap Barbell

Price per lb = $0.51

[TipsyBanker]

anyone heard of landmark athletics? looks like a steal for the price...

http://www.landmarkathletics.com/tra...half-rack.html

[CliveWarren]

anyone heard of landmark athletics? looks like a steal for the price...

http://www.landmarkathletics.com/tra...half-rack.html

At $499 it certainly is affordable. However, my Powertec rack was about that much and I still think a full rack is better for the most part. 112" isn't going to fit in many basements.