The Cheapo Setup

[Pnw0067]

So do I have everything I need to pull the trigger? I'll be getting matts locally obv. I'm gonna be running SS. I think I got everything covered.

[Domicron]

while you're buying from rogue, i'd throw in some collars. i have a pair of their lockjaws and they're cheap and do the job just fine. i think the OSO collars are getting good press but i don't know how they compare. either one is going to be 1billion times better than the spring locks that come with the plates.

i'd still consider check craigslist for a set of weights; you're going to be paying less money for the same thing, or potentially better. if the market is truly dry, then go for it.

and yeah, cap-ob86b, worth it but not necessary if budget is tight.

[Pnw0067]

Can anyone comment on the hole spacing on the Powerline rack? I've been reading the 3" spacing makes it difficult to bench.

I was considering the Atlas one on Amazon for 229 + 100 shipping.

Or the SuperPower Rack from NYB off Amazon for 300 shipped.

[Domicron]

i don't think you're going to be able to do the "inflate your chest so it's over the safeties, deflate your chest if you fail and it's under the safeties" magic trick on this rack. my safeties are set so when i bench, my chest is above my safeties but my throat is protected by them. my bench is pushed as far back as possible against the crossbar and my head is mostly between the uprights.

when i fail, i have to drop the bar to my chest and move it down to my stomach (no shame in the roll of shame) and slide myself out.

if that makes sense.

[1Lee1]

Nice idea actually

[Pnw0067]

Which rack do you use, Dom?

[Pnw0067]

And are you saying the 3" spacing works because if you're benching correctly with your chest up you won't hit the bar, but if you need to bail you just relax back down and the rack catches it?

[Domicron]

And are you saying the 3" spacing works because if you're benching correctly with your chest up you won't hit the bar, but if you need to bail you just relax back down and the rack catches it?

in a perfect world where you have a monster chest, yes that will work. i suppose if you have a strong back arch that would do it also. i don't have either so i just do what i described if needed.

and i have a PPR200X that's been cut to fit my low ceiling basement

[Pnw0067]

Do you know anytging about the Titan power rack (first result on amazon)?

[urbanlifter]

Do you know anytging about the Titan power rack (first result on amazon)?

If you are referring to the $349 Titan, take a look at the j-hooks and then move on. PPR200X or even the REP Fitness rack should be considerations for a beginner rack, having owned the BodySolid myself (an old version) I'm inclined to trust what I know. I like gusseted corners better, but the REP rack has some nice features as well.

[Mech6]

take a look at the j-hooks and then move on

LOL. On spread.

[SpotThis]

Can anyone comment on the hole spacing on the Powerline rack? I've been reading the 3" spacing makes it difficult to bench.

I was considering the Atlas one on Amazon for 229 + 100 shipping.

Or the SuperPower Rack from NYB off Amazon for 300 shipped.

Go PPR200X at minimum. I have used those Atlas/Titan/etc racks (there are a few out there with different names based on that design) and they simply aren't as sturdy and rigid as the gusseted design of the PPR200X. It's a proven rack that will hold it's resale value remarkably well, and it even has a 10-year warranty. Don't depend on Amazon reviews, as someone here just said, you can find crap Marcy benches with 5-star reviews, so that should tell you how much stock to put in them. I think the biggest knock on the PPR200X is that paint scrapes off of the safety bars, but it's a structurally sounder piece of equipment.

As far as hole spacing, even with 2" spacing you can still fall into the bench press "dead zone," so it's a crap shoot. It's not a big issue, just throw another stall mat under your bench until you get a bigger chest.

[Pnw0067]

Go PPR200X at minimum. I have used those Atlas/Titan/etc racks (there are a few out there with different names based on that design) and they simply aren't as sturdy and rigid as the gusseted design of the PPR200X. It's a proven rack that will hold it's resale value remarkably well, and it even has a 10-year warranty. Don't depend on Amazon reviews, as someone here just said, you can find crap Marcy benches with 5-star reviews, so that should tell you how much stock to put in them. I think the biggest knock on the PPR200X is that paint scrapes off of the safety bars, but it's a structurally sounder piece of equipment.

As far as hole spacing, even with 2" spacing you can still fall into the bench press "dead zone," so it's a crap shoot. It's not a big issue, just throw another stall mat under your bench until you get a bigger chest.

Great answer. You've convinced me on the PPR.

[Domicron]

If you are referring to the $349 Titan, take a look at the j-hooks and then move on. PPR200X or even the REP Fitness rack should be considerations for a beginner rack, having owned the BodySolid myself (an old version) I'm inclined to trust what I know. I like gusseted corners better, but the REP rack has some nice features as well.

you telling me this isn't a beautiful weld?



(i bought 2 pairs of titan j-hooks for my rack)

[rollerball]

If you add up the PPR200X $329 + CAP barbell $137 + Rogue bench $215 (approx with shipping) + 300lb barbell set $200 = you get $881ish
Starting to risk sounding like a shill but this rep fitness package seems to have some nice stuff for $899 free shipping: http://www.repfitness.com/5x5-starter-gym.
As I've had pretty good experience with their bench I'm inclined to think this might be a decent alternative. It'd be nice to have bumper plates instead of the cheaper iron plates. Not sure how that Sabre bar holds up but overall the deal seems legit for a consolidated option.

[Domicron]

If you add up the PPR200X $329 + CAP barbell $137 + Rogue bench $215 (approx with shipping) + 300lb barbell set $200 = you get $881ish
Starting to risk sounding like a shill but this rep fitness package seems to have some nice stuff for $899 free shipping: http://www.repfitness.com/5x5-starter-gym.
As I've had pretty good experience with their bench I'm inclined to think this might be a decent alternative. It'd be nice to have bumper plates instead of the cheaper iron plates. Not sure how that Sabre bar holds up but overall the deal seems legit for a consolidated option.

strongly disagree. 160 pounds isn't enough for someone who wants to squat.

[rollerball]

strongly disagree. 160 pounds isn't enough for someone who wants to squat.

Oh sh*t, you're right on the weight part. I kinda skimmed over and the bumper thing caught my eye first. I guess the additional bumpers would add make this significantly more expensive than the cheapo set.

[Ramcharger310]

If you add up the PPR200X $329 + CAP barbell $137 + Rogue bench $215 (approx with shipping) + 300lb barbell set $200 = you get $881ish

Don't forget to sell the cheapo bar for $50, plus if your patient, you can scoop a OB86B on lightning deal for $99. Plus, I would go with the powerblock sportbench over the rogue flat bench. Rogue kills it in Cali with shipping and tax. Actually, I would have gone with the 3x3 rolling flat bench that drrickso got for $120.

So now your down below $700. Ymmv, if you have an particular need to have a certain angle to bench at, your gonna pay extra.

Starting to risk sounding like a shill but this rep fitness package seems to have some nice stuff for $899 free shipping: http://www.repfitness.com/5x5-starter-gym.
As I've had pretty good experience with their bench I'm inclined to think this might be a decent alternative. It'd be nice to have bumper plates instead of the cheaper iron plates. Not sure how that Sabre bar holds up but overall the deal seems legit for a consolidated option.

This pic is misleading since you don't get kettlebells, plyobox, wall ball, slam ball, roller, dip rings, bands, etc.


This is a better pic


Plus, why is it called 5x5? I think of stronglifts when I hear this and this is not a good package for stronglifts.

Also, an FID is not needed in a starter setup.

[MonkeyTamer]

The bench it actually comes with is flat, too. The pic is a little misleading. Damn near tempted me. Yay marketing.

[Ramcharger310]

The bench it actually comes with is flat, too. The pic is a little misleading. Damn near tempted me. Yay marketing.

Oh really? See it even looks more like this...

[rollerball]

Oh really? See it even looks more like this...

I think it looks pretty good actually.

[Pnw0067]

How many stall mats do you guys think are necessary for the cheapo setup?

[Mechanon84]

How many stall mats do you guys think are necessary for the cheapo setup?

Well that depends. Are you going to use them on the walls and ceiling? Or just the floor?

[dukenukem7777]

Regarding the 5x5 package-- Don't get so caught up on "it only comes with 160 lbs." You can click a button on the page and add as much weight as you want. For women and beginners ordering this package, we'd rather them be able to add weight than be stuck with more than they need and not order because of that. For the price point, I don't think there's much better out there.

Regarding the pics-- we may change them to just show what it comes with rather than what is possible. The video and other pics show what it comes with, as well as the description.

We'll be adding an option for iron plates in a couple of months in case people are considering it that don't have a need for bumpers.

[Pnw0067]

Well that depends. Are you going to use them on the walls and ceiling? Or just the floor?

What possible reason would you have to put stall mats on the ceiling? They're mats, they go on the floor sir.

Also tbe Rep stuff looks pretty good, and it about $100 cheaper than the Powerline + Rogue setup. I've been doing a lot of research and am starting to lean that way.

[SpotThis]

If you add up the PPR200X $329 + CAP barbell $137 + Rogue bench $215 (approx with shipping) + 300lb barbell set $200 = you get $881ish
Starting to risk sounding like a shill but this rep fitness package seems to have some nice stuff for $899 free shipping: repfitness.com/5x5-starter-gym.
As I've had pretty good experience with their bench I'm inclined to think this might be a decent alternative. It'd be nice to have bumper plates instead of the cheaper iron plates. Not sure how that Sabre bar holds up but overall the deal seems legit for a consolidated option.

You're still getting an inferior rack and inferior bench (sorry, but they are) and about 95lbs less weight. I have no experience with that Sabre bar, but it doesn't seem like an upgrade over the OB-86B. Will that Rep setup work for you? Yes, I'm certain it will. Is it the best quality gear you can get for the money? No, it isn't.

[Mechanon84]

What possible reason would you have to put stall mats on the ceiling? They're mats, they go on the floor sir.

Well that's good news for you. It means you only need to measure your floor. :P

[dukenukem7777]

You're still getting an inferior rack and inferior bench (sorry, but they are) and about 95lbs less weight. I have no experience with that Sabre bar, but it doesn't seem like an upgrade over the OB-86B. Will that Rep setup work for you? Yes, I'm certain it will. Is it the best quality gear you can get for the money? No, it isn't.

I disagree:

1) The Rep Fitness rack has 2 pullup bars (1.25" and 2") and UHMW j-cups, weight storage, and 2" spacing. It's objectively better in a lot of ways. What are you seeing as inferior to the PPR200? The rigidity and/or the front-facing pins?

2) The bench is excellent. Look at the reviews on Amazon. Have you used our bench? I would be really surprised to hear that someone thought Rogue's is worth the price difference considering the specs are almost identical. I've used both.

3) The Sabre bar's specs are better than the OB-86b. 28mm, hard chrome coating (if you prefer less maintenance), 150k tensile, 1200 lb rated. Where are you seeing that it is not an upgrade? It's more expensive than the OB-86 and not really meant to compete directly with it because the price reflects the upgrade.

I respect anyone that points out where we can improve and love the feedback we get here, but in this particular instance I don't think the opinion is supported by facts.

[Domicron]

How many stall mats do you guys think are necessary for the cheapo setup?

1 is bare minimum you can center the rack on top of it and remove the safeties to deadlift/clean, but i would recommend you get 2. put one in front of the other and the rack at one end to give you room in front to deadlift.

i'll end up buying a couple more sooner or later at least, maybe 6 more if i can get away with it.

Regarding the 5x5 package-- Don't get so caught up on "it only comes with 160 lbs." You can click a button on the page and add as much weight as you want. For women and beginners ordering this package, we'd rather them be able to add weight than be stuck with more than they need and not order because of that. For the price point, I don't think there's much better out there.

i think i'd like that setup better if there were 250# of iron instead of 160 in bumpers, but that's just my opinion; i understand you have a business to run and am just sharing my point of view as a consumer. also i don't appreciate that the first picture is showing accessories worth more than the initial set itself in it. i'd like to see it first as it is, nothing that's not included already. again, i understand marketing, just not something i like. i said it before: i recommended the ppr200x because of reputation and personal experience. between it and the fitness gear rack and your rack and titan and whatever else there's what, maybe $20-50 difference? it doesn't matter! we're not going to set world records on this thing; if we take care and lift smart most of us will move on from these racks long before they fail i don't plan to pass on my ppr200x to my son (unless he turns out to be a real *******).

What possible reason would you have to put stall mats on the ceiling? They're mats, they go on the floor sir.

Also tbe Rep stuff looks pretty good, and it about $100 cheaper than the Powerline + Rogue setup. I've been doing a lot of research and am starting to lean that way.

Spiderman can lift on the ceiling, did you think of that?

like i just said you're looking to spend at least that much ($100) if you want enough weight to progress past a couple of months, but if you go that way you'll probably be just fine. unless you're really stupid about it i doubt that stuff will fail and you can make gains. i will honestly be looking forward to reviews of it for my own curiosity.

i have no stake in powerline, i don't get money if you buy from them, i'm just making recommendations based on my own experience. just make an informed decision and go from there; as fun as it is to buy gear, the lifting is more important.

[Ramcharger310]

Spiderman can lift on the ceiling, did you think of that?

lol