The Cheapo Setup

[Ramcharger310]

so a few months ago the Troy Premium Wide Flanged Plates started getting more love. these are their model HO and PO plates. dumbbell buddy has a 255# set for $416 shipped and i'm thinking these would be moving into tier 2 on the buying-new hierarchy.

I agree. In my mind, I think like this:

The DSG and SA are bottom of the bargain barrel.

One step up is the CAP Slimline plates. I would consider the CAP plates and upgrade to my DSG plates.

Midlevel plates would be the Troy Premium Wide Flange plates from Adamant.

High end starts with the deep dish Invanko OMs and the York Legacy equivalent and goes up to Revolvers and such.

[Domicron]

Another option tree to consider are hi-temp and black economy bumpers. They have added functionality, depending on your point of view. I need to test how accurate they are compared to cheap iron (better i hope) but one thing i like about them is that they have a metal hub that can't scratch the sleeves of a barbell. They also cant be chipped like paint off of plates due to the ribbed sleeves of the ob-86b

Not sure on pricing lately though.

Also what about intek and cemco? Would those be considered high end?

Actually nevermind we ain't here to discuss the good stuff

[Seatard]

The low-end USA Sports/Troy plates are worth throwing into the mix IMO. The casting on a set I have is equal (rough) or maybe a hair better than my Cap set, but are wide flange making handling a little nicer. I seem to remember seeing them on sale for ~$225 which is still cheap.

Fringesport OFW economy bumper plates are great to work with in all aspects except for the smell, which they claim to have found an improvement for on upcoming manufacturing runs. The 160 lb set goes for $235 during the seasonal sales.

I wonder what barbell would be an incremental improvement to the Cap OB86. To me how a hand tool feels when you pick it up might be the most important thing, and Cap nailed that with their knurl. Is there a bar that has the same sharp, tight knurl as the Cap but with higher quality sleeves.

[Domicron]

I wonder what barbell would be an incremental improvement to the Cap OB86. To me how a hand tool feels when you pick it up might be the most important thing, and Cap nailed that with their knurl. Is there a bar that has the same sharp, tight knurl as the Cap but with higher quality sleeves.

i'd consider the AOB-1500b the next step up, i think

[RedHazerz]

For anyone looking to pickup the PowerBlock Sport Bench, the website JET.com is offering 15% off your first order with them(using code 15now) , with free shipping. Brings the price down to 172.79 before tax

1-14-2016 7-28-06 PM.jpg

[urbanlifter]

For an FI bench of that quality it's a steal, although I have never ordered from that site before so I would be cautions given the reviews. The only other time I have seen it lower is during Black Friday two years ago when it was $150, but DSG will frequently have 15%-25% sales where Powerblock items have been included.

[Ramcharger310]

For an FI bench of that quality it's a steal, although I have never ordered from that site before so I would be cautions given the reviews. The only other time I have seen it lower is during Black Friday two years ago when it was $150, but DSG will frequently have 15%-25% sales where Powerblock items have been included.

Don't forget that DSG also has the 10% off email code making the bench $179 everyday.
http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/he...bdisplay=email
This would be a great setup when buying the weight set at the same time.

[SpotThis]

Ok so let's go through the cheapest options for new equipment that you'd be willing to use for training.

While we all dream of buying that custom built rig, or finding a solid piece of used commercial or vintage equipment to outfit your gym, many times we just want to buy something that's usable to get started.

I think the Squat Rack that's recommended the most that doesn't get bad feedback is the Powerline PPR200X

the barbell is the CAP OB-86B

Academy Sports and Outdoors 300lb Olympic Plate Set is on sale for a good price (sell the barbell on Craigslist) buy 2 and the sales of the bars should pay for most of a better barbell.

For a bench, most people only really need a flat bench and the Rogue Flat Utility Bench 2.0 is great in terms of quality and value. Most people will want to buy an adjustable bench because they think they need to do incline and decline work right off the bat. in this case, the Powerblock Sport Bench seems like the way to go.

a couple of Tractor Supply Company Horse Stall Mats is far and away the best value for flooring.

i think you can buy all this for under a grand and be set to lift for a good long time. if you have more budget, i'd spend it first on the rack (GPR378 or better, and last on the plates (just because i think most of us have access to used iron weights for cheap).

i'm more than open to discussion and corrections on the gear and what you guys think is the best entry-level setup

Crazy. This is almost the exact setup I just bought in November. I got 2 stall mats at TSC on Black Friday for $30 each. I bought the Cap 300lb Oly set off Amazon for $170 shipped (Black Friday). I wanted to get a really good flat bench, so I went with the Rogue Flat Utility Bench 2.0 ($195 shipped), and I'm soooo glad I did. The thing is just awesome -- feels like it could support an entire freaking house. I went with the PPR200X rack for $325 shipped off of eBay. Grand total was $750 and I could not be more satisfied.

The only thing I missed out on was the $99 Flash Sale on the CAP OB-86B. My current bar sucks, but I'll upgrade it to the OB-86B soon and sell this junk one on CL or just give it away to the neighborhood kids.

If you're in the market for that rack, just search "PPR200X" on eBay, Fitness Factory is selling it on there for $325 shipped ($75 cheaper than what they have it listed for on their website)

[RedHazerz]

The PowerMax flat utility bench is on sale on Wayfair.com for 110.99 with free shipping(not sure if this is a normal price?). Its got an 800lb capacity and seems to get generally good reviews. The pad width is a little narrow for my liking (10") but this seems like a good price for a pretty solid flat bench.

I think there are sometimes 10% off codes for wayfair too which makes it an even better deal

wayfair.com/PowerMax-Flat-Utility-Bench-WE100-PMY1010.html?ds=26366

[splitsquat]

The PowerMax flat utility bench is on sale on Wayfair.com for 110.99 with free shipping(not sure if this is a normal price?). Its got an 800lb capacity and seems to get generally good reviews. The pad width is a little narrow for my liking (10") but this seems like a good price for a pretty solid flat bench.

I think there are sometimes 10% off codes for wayfair too which makes it an even better deal

wayfair.com/PowerMax-Flat-Utility-Bench-WE100-PMY1010.html?ds=26366

If you can't find a Wayfair 10% off code, Staples sells a lot of Wayfair items, including weight equipment. And Staples online coupons, available on ebay, will work for that stuff.

[hockeyplayer45]

Any recommendations for a budget barbell that doesn't have the ribbed collars/sleeves that will chip away at the lower quality Olympic weights from the 300lb sets big box stores sell?

[Domicron]

rogue echo bar appears to have smooth sleeves, but imo spending an extra money on a barbell for the purpose of protecting your low quality plates is kind of like spending money on car cover for an 85 Civic...

if money is an issue, i definitely recommend the CAP bar; if you have more to spend, i'd go with something nice like an OPB or TPB

[anthony6377]

rogue echo bar appears to have smooth sleeves, but imo spending an extra money on a barbell for the purpose of protecting your low quality plates is kind of like spending money on car cover for an 85 Civic...

if money is an issue, i definitely recommend the CAP bar; if you have more to spend, i'd go with something nice like an OPB or TPB

It's not just saving your plates, though. Those metal shavings love to embed themselves deep in your hands. I get new splinters everyte I lift and I'm not even sure if my plates are considered "cheap."

That leads me to a question. Did you ever have any issues getting metal splinters from the OB-86? I also get them just from handling the bar (i.e. In addition to the splinters I get from the shavings). I've been more diligent about wiping it down and that's helped a ton, but it was awful for the first few weeks.

[Domicron]

It's not just saving your plates, though. Those metal shavings love to embed themselves deep in your hands. I get new splinters everyte I lift and I'm not even sure if my plates are considered "cheap."

That leads me to a question. Did you ever have any issues getting metal splinters from the OB-86? I also get them just from handling the bar (i.e. In addition to the splinters I get from the shavings). I've been more diligent about wiping it down and that's helped a ton, but it was awful for the first few weeks.

that sounds awful and no never.

i wiped down the bar when i first got it with a cloth rag, and the sleeves maybe twice ever. they had some metal dust maybe, but the paint on the inside of the cheap plates i had (troy boss-300) scratched the sleeves, as opposed to the sleeves knocking off paint/metal.

i sold my boss-300 and went with bumper plates. they have a steel shank (is that the appropriate term) on the inside that makes the ribbed sleeves a non-issue.

[Stasher1]

It's not just saving your plates, though. Those metal shavings love to embed themselves deep in your hands. I get new splinters everyte I lift and I'm not even sure if my plates are considered "cheap."

That leads me to a question. Did you ever have any issues getting metal splinters from the OB-86? I also get them just from handling the bar (i.e. In addition to the splinters I get from the shavings). I've been more diligent about wiping it down and that's helped a ton, but it was awful for the first few weeks.

Don't take this the wrong way, but you must have the the thinnest, most delicate hands I've ever heard of on a guy.

[Domicron]

Don't take this the wrong way, but you must have the the thinnest, most delicate hands I've ever heard of on a guy.

i have soft, delicate hands and i've noticed metal splinters. do you have to use tweezers to extract them from your palms?

[anthony6377]

No, I just tore them out with my fingers.

And as far as I know, my hands are anything but soft and delicate. When I first started noticing the splinters, I searched for it on Google. It seems to be relatively common.

[Domicron]

to be clear, in my op i specifically said this was the CAP ob-86B barbell.

you don't mention a B in your post, are you referring to the Bodysolid OB86 barbell? cuz that's cheap chrome which has been known to splinter like you're talking about.

[anthony6377]

to be clear, in my op i specifically said this was the CAP ob-86B barbell.

you don't mention a B in your post, are you referring to the Bodysolid OB86 barbell? cuz that's cheap chrome which has been known to splinter like you're talking about.

Nope, I'm referring to the renown Cap. Sorry, should have made that clear.

FWIW, this isn't a huge issue. Like I said, it rarely happens now that I've wiped it down a few times. I was just wondering if you (or anyone else) had a similar experience.

[Ramcharger310]

My CAP OB86B never gives me splinters. I have the most craptastic plates from DSG's and while the grey enamel finish has rubbed off the center, I have never gotten splinters.

[Domicron]

Nope, I'm referring to the renown Cap. Sorry, should have made that clear.

FWIW, this isn't a huge issue. Like I said, it rarely happens now that I've wiped it down a few times. I was just wondering if you (or anyone else) had a similar experience.

oh it's fine, i just have done a bunch of reading and posting about this bar and never heard of splinters (except for in the rebuild thread inside the sleeves)

how old is your bar? i know it's been renamed "the Beast" lately (dumb) and someone said they think the production has changed somewhat.

[Seatard]

The chrome flaked off the sleeves on my Cap bar for a while when it was new and would leave little slivers. I haven't touched the sleeves in forever because of it. I seem to remember it was a common complaint when they first became extra popular.

[anthony6377]

oh it's fine, i just have done a bunch of reading and posting about this bar and never heard of splinters (except for in the rebuild thread inside the sleeves)

how old is your bar? i know it's been renamed "the Beast" lately (dumb) and someone said they think the production has changed somewhat.

I bought it through the Amazon Lightning Deal on BF.

It's not a bad bar, but the splinters, especially on the sleeves, are an annoyance. But for $100, I can't complain too much.

[anthony6377]

The chrome flaked off the sleeves on my Cap bar for a while when it was new and would leave little slivers. I haven't touched the sleeves in forever because of it. I seem to remember it was a common complaint when they first became extra popular.

This explains it much better than I could. I was hesitant to mention the fact that I don't even like touching the sleeves because of the sharp flaking. I didn't want the delicacy of my hands brought to attention again

[Domicron]

This explains it much better than I could. I was hesitant to mention the fact that I don't even like touching the sleeves because of the sharp flaking. I didn't want the delicacy of my hands brought to attention again

i never noticed splinters but the ribbed sleeves love to collect dust and paint flakes from my old plates. i try not to touch them because they're dirty. if i ever cleaned them, that'd be a different story, but i don't so...

[urbanlifter]

'Cheapo' price change alert, the Powerblock Sport Bench has dropped down to $185 on Amazon (free shipping).

[Ramcharger310]

'Cheapo' price change alert, the Powerblock Sport Bench has dropped down to $185 on Amazon (free shipping).

That's a great price. I think I may get one if I can't get my cybex.

[Pnw0067]

Love this thread, props for making it! I'm a total novice looking to pull the trigger on some equipment today. Here's what I've got so far...

Power Rack - Powerline PPR200X
Bench - Rogue Flat Utility Bench 2.0
Barbell/plate set - CAP Barbell 300-Pound Olympic Set

I'm not 100% sure on the bar/plates so I was looking for some input. Are they decent enough for a beginner on a budget? I realize the barbell is the weak point, so should I buy another one right away, or could I get by with what comes with it until the weight start getting a lot heavier?

[RedHazerz]

Love this thread, props for making it! I'm a total novice looking to pull the trigger on some equipment today. Here's what I've got so far...

Power Rack - Powerline PPR200X
Bench - Rogue Flat Utility Bench 2.0
Barbell/plate set - CAP Barbell 300-Pound Olympic Set

I'm not 100% sure on the bar/plates so I was looking for some input. Are they decent enough for a beginner on a budget? I realize the barbell is the weak point, so should I buy another one right away, or could I get by with what comes with it until the weight start getting a lot heavier?

I would definitely suggest upgrading the bar. You should be able to sell the bar that comes with the set on craigslist for 50$ (I know because I just did about a month ago) and then id buy the Cap OB86B. I think Wayfair has the best price on it currently at 134.95

wayfair.com/Cap-Barbell-Solid-7-1000-lbs-Test-Bar-Black-OB-86B-L3546-K~CBB1047.html?refid=GX83188700940-CBB1047_3073071&device=c&ptid=18283950120&PiID[/url][]=3073071&gclid=CK6989eVzcoCFYEfHwod_TQAfQ

[Domicron]

if you order it through staples.com (which is partnered with wayfair) you should be able to apply staples coupons (if you have any).

it was really abusable early on, but i think they fixed it to protect their profit margins. still worth giving a shot maybe