'Look What I Bought Today!' - Part Deux

[grumpytude]

Those are nice looking! That's my next purchase. I've also got some old metal Fitness Gear and Sports Authority plates I want to sell and get some matching rubber grip plates. I've always been of the mindset that weights are weights, but now my mismatched plates are just pi$$ing me off.

I do have a bit OCD with matching. But I had so many different older metal plates I wasn't using anyways I needed to clean house. I sold off a bunch and waited for sales from Rep to purchase them in two phases. I orignally bought some of the Rep rubber plates. They were fine but I wan't really happy with the finish, I kinda had buyer's remorse right away and knew I was upgrading to the Equalizers. I was lucky and found a guy who bought all the rubber plates.

[C123C]

Completed my plate collection. Final shipment of Rep Equalizers.

My OCD is thrilled to see this. Very nice and clean. All matching plates is a luxury. I have revolvers (more than enough for me and all my equipment), rogue bumpers/change plates, and some standards too. Not perfect but good enough.

[grumpytude]

My OCD is thrilled to see this. Very nice and clean. All matching plates is a luxury. I have revolvers (more than enough for me and all my equipment), rogue bumpers/change plates, and some standards too. Not perfect but good enough.

they do compliment the revolvers nicely. but who knows. maybe in the future I will sell them too and pick up three more pair of the 45lb equalizers..
I think next purchase may be Ironmaster Heavy handles. Was waiting for a labor day sale from them but doesn't look promising at this point.

[thedickus]

they do compliment the revolvers nicely. but who knows. maybe in the future I will sell them too and pick up three more pair of the 45lb equalizers..
I think next purchase may be Ironmaster Heavy handles. Was waiting for a labor day sale from them but doesn't look promising at this point.

The Heavy Handles were a must for me. I was going to sell my IMs before I bought them. They really stabilize the IMs in my hands especially at heavier weights. They do make using listing straps a little more difficult to put on for me, but well worth that inconvenience. I picked up a couple of things from IM over the 4th, I think that was their last 10% off sale.

[Deep-Voiced-One]

they do compliment the revolvers nicely. but who knows. maybe in the future I will sell them too and pick up three more pair of the 45lb equalizers..
I think next purchase may be Ironmaster Heavy handles. Was waiting for a labor day sale from them but doesn't look promising at this point.

I second what dickus mentioned, the heavy handles are well worth it for balancing the IM DBs in hand and allows you to add more weight to your set in a compact way. I particularly like to keep my IMs loaded and ready for working sets of incline bench and keep my Powerblocks for the warm ups and other movements that involve quick adjustments.

[grumpytude]

I second what dickus mentioned, the heavy handles are well worth it for balancing the IM DBs in hand and allows you to add more weight to your set in a compact way. I particularly like to keep my IMs loaded and ready for working sets of incline bench and keep my Powerblocks for the warm ups and other movements that involve quick adjustments.

Yeah, love the ironmasters but always thought the inner handles were too long/ but understand why it has to be that way. I'll give it to the end of this week just in case they announce any sale (doubtful) but you never know.

[Deep-Voiced-One]

On the subject of buying something new, both me and my girlfriend workout together in my home gym, but since we both train on the American Barbell Elite Power Bar (that's my only power bar I own since I sold my Texas Power Bar a while back at the time) she purchased "The Beast Bar" which I believe was formerly the Cap OB-86B so we can train at the same time and cut our workout time in half...just was taking way too long taking turns on the same barbell.

Edit: Just found Rep's Labor Day sale e-mail and we cancelled The Beast Bar order for the Rep Sabre Bar 20kg in black zinc for her (totaled out to only a few bucks more than The Beast and a better quality bar).

[urbanlifter]

So I went shopping in my 'Misc' bin of extra and unused equipment, bunch of spare parts I've kept over the years. Saw these super nice handles that I got with a band kit and wondered what I could do with them. In another thread we recently discussed the Vulken Tricep attachment from Amazon and how it was uncomfortable for face pulls. So piecing together a chain and a few carabiners I came up with this simple setup for facepulls. WOW, this is incredibly comfortable and felt great, might have to work this movement back into my shoulder day



Handles angled slightly down, heaven!

[radrd]

So I went shopping in my 'Misc' bin of extra and unused equipment, bunch of spare parts I've kept over the years. Saw these super nice handles that I got with a band kit and wondered what I could do with them. In another thread we recently discussed the Vulken Tricep attachment from Amazon and how it was uncomfortable for face pulls. So piecing together a chain and a few carabiners I came up with this simple setup for facepulls. WOW, this is incredibly comfortable and felt great, might have to work this movement back into my shoulder day



Handles angled slightly down, heaven!

I've thought about trying this but never did. I have Rogue handles that I love and would work similar to your setup. I wonder if Prime ROT8 handles could work too? I have them and have never found a perfect application. I'm in the midst of revamping my routine and might play around with it this week. Facepulls with band, ropes, and straps haven't ever felt good. Maybe chain and handles could be the ticket? Thanks for the inspiration.

https://www.roguefitness.com/single-...ble-attachment

https://dev.primefitnessusa.com/prod...ro-t8-handles/

I bet chaining the Prime ROT8 handles together would also be amazing for seated rows.

[urbanlifter]

I wonder if Prime ROT8 handles could work too?

Can't imagine why not. Like you I've tried face pulls in the past and they just didn't feel all that great, but something about the handles kicked it up a notch. Could feel it in my shoulders more this time than in the past. I've seen people using extra long tricep ropes but that just seemed like another method that would be uncomfortable.

[MajorTendonitis]

Completed my plate collection. Final shipment of Rep Equalizers.

Really liking those plates and the wall rack . As a matter of fact I’d buy those plates of I wasn’t done .
I built my own system for holding plates many years ago with floor flanges and gas pipe .
Works well for me

[grumpytude]

Really liking those plates and the wall rack . As a matter of fact I’d buy those plates of I wasn’t done .
I built my own system for holding plates many years ago with floor flanges and gas pipe .
Works well for me

great job. the PRX version works well, I needed something off the floor for the smaller room section of my gym.

[mgftp]

Never knew something like this existed, hate the length of my SelectTechs

[Deep-Voiced-One]

Made my quota on flipping and had some gift money and bought the Powertec leg press machine (my gym needed a leg machine to compliment the upper body machines...either that, or I'm just justifying that I wanted one lol). Once it gets delivered and assembled I'll make a thread with a detailed review on it.

[Mech6]

Made my quota on flipping and had some gift money and bought the Powertec leg press machine (my gym needed a leg machine to compliment the upper body machines...either that, or I'm just justifying that I wanted one lol). Once it gets delivered and assembled I'll make a thread with a detailed review on it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGn-z90SzVU

this will help for assembly. It's very straightforward. Only used manual for bolt lengths.

[grumpytude]

Made my quota on flipping and had some gift money and bought the Powertec leg press machine (my gym needed a leg machine to compliment the upper body machines...either that, or I'm just justifying that I wanted one lol). Once it gets delivered and assembled I'll make a thread with a detailed review on it.

looking forward to the review

[Deep-Voiced-One]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGn-z90SzVU

this will help for assembly. It's very straightforward. Only used manual for bolt lengths.

Thanks for the link, the vid breaks it down easily.

[Deep-Voiced-One]

looking forward to the review

Thanks, I've been wanting a leg press in my home gym for a long time and haven't come across any reviews for it directly on the forum, so I think it'll be a good piece to take on and contribute on here.

[grumpytude]

Thanks, I've been wanting a leg press in my home gym for a long time and haven't come across any reviews for it directly on the forum, so I think it'll be a good piece to take on and contribute on here.

comparing the two powertec presses. always been curious about the smaller versions from powertec and bodysolid.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OxJGBkrhlNo

[Deep-Voiced-One]

comparing the two powertec presses. always been curious about the smaller versions from powertec and bodysolid.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OxJGBkrhlNo

Home Gym Hacks was the youtuber that helped with my decision on the leg press, answered a lot of my questions along with Mech.

I almost caught a deal on the Powertec portable leg sled last year in my area (thanks to Asjogren for looking out for me), but it was close to Christmas at that time so had to replenish my funds.

I heard the portable leg sled has a capacity of 700 lbs, but the resistance is cut quite a bit (not really a big deal if you're using it for high volume training, or as an accessory movement), I also heard there's a spring on the back that scratches the back portion of the frame and is of an annoyance on some people's Powertec leg sleds.

Here's a review focused directly on the portable leg sled from Home Gym Hacks...

https://youtu.be/qphb_jwJk2w

As for the Body-Solid version, I haven't heard any personal reviews on it aside from a few amazon ones which could be hit, or miss...at the price of the previous deal that slipped through for me on the Powertec portable leg sled, I would've gotten it, but at its current price I would be on the fence unless there was some nice improvements on it.

Another system of interest to me is either the Powertec, or Body-Solid Squat/Calf Machine...but similar to every other piece, the price jumped quite a bit.

[Deep-Voiced-One]

The Powertec leg press was expected to arrive tomorrow, but I went ahead and picked it up freight company since it was just a few towns over...loaded it up in my Mazda 6 lol. I brought it down in the basement and will be in the process of building it within the next few days when I find some time and will update the thread.

Ironically it was leg day today too, once it's all set I'm sure it will be an awesome addition to leg day.

[urbanlifter]

Good to hear, hope it works out! On the topic of leg press machines, I've seen some interesting stuff lately on Amazon. There is a brand called Signature Fitness that looks nuts, then I saw this one today on sale for $1,974. Can get 5% rewards back with my chase, which would make it relatively affordable considering the options. Not that I need one, pretty much set for leg day.

https://a.co/d/4ITJgAu

[thedickus]

Good to hear, hope it works out! On the topic of leg press machines, I've seen some interesting stuff lately on Amazon. There is a brand called Signature Fitness that looks nuts, then I saw this one today on sale for $1,974. Can get 5% rewards back with my chase, which would make it relatively affordable considering the options.

https://a.co/d/4ITJgAu

That does look beefy. I like the extra plate storage and the linear bearings. The foot plate looks large also.

[urbanlifter]

That does look beefy. I like the extra plate storage and the linear bearings. The foot plate looks large also.

It does, reminded me of the older Cybex leg press. It's twice the weight of the Powertec and on a smaller footprint, VERY interesting! The Signature Fitness one goes for $2299 regularly, if it's truly commercial quality that's not hateful.

Edit: Maybe not a smaller footprint, that was package size I think.

https://a.co/d/eBh59XY

[Deep-Voiced-One]

Good to hear, hope it works out! On the topic of leg press machines, I've seen some interesting stuff lately on Amazon. There is a brand called Signature Fitness that looks nuts, then I saw this one today on sale for $1,974. Can get 5% rewards back with my chase, which would make it relatively affordable considering the options. Not that I need one, pretty much set for leg day.

https://a.co/d/4ITJgAu

Thanks! That leg press looks nice and well thought out...the only thing that would be less ideal in my case is the extra space it eats up (it says 7' for the length compared to the Powertec) and the price difference (I was able to use my dad's veteran's discount for an additional 10% off with their code).

On the subject of SB Fitness, I went on their site and found a version of their leverage squat/calf machine at a competitive discount price for today's prices (depending on what the shipping charge is). Not sure how it stands up to the other ones on the market (the foot plate seems a bit small), but here's the link...

https://www.sbfitnessequipment.com/s...f_Raise.html#/

[mgftp]

Love these things




Highly recommend for anyone looking for a set of adjustables.

[grumpytude]

bought the heavy handle kit from Ironmaster. Not immediately falling in love with them.
Yes dumbells are more compact now when using heavier dumbells, I know thats part of the reason for them.
Maybe because I am so used to not having them on the dumbell, but felt a bit awkward and weird performing incline presses yesterday. I think I was just used to moving my hands a bit further to one side when doing this now it feels a bit out of sorts, with the handles attachments jamming into the side of my hands now with the much smaller space for your hands.
I'll give it some more time.

[Deep-Voiced-One]

bought the heavy handle kit from Ironmaster. Not immediately falling in love with them.
Yes dumbells are more compact now when using heavier dumbells, I know thats part of the reason for them.
Maybe because I am so used to not having them on the dumbell, but felt a bit awkward and weird performing incline presses yesterday. I think I was just used to moving my hands a bit further to one side when doing this now it feels a bit out of sorts, with the handles attachments jamming into the side of my hands now with the much smaller space for your hands.
I'll give it some more time.

That's unfortunate that the HH kit didn't meet your expectations (I guess nothing's a one size fits all solution). My experience with the HH kit has been positive as far as balance on pressing which was a huge selling point in my opinion with the bonus of getting more compact heavier dumbbell increments.

Incidentally I have an older model of the IM 5-75 lb kit and the HH kit is still compatible (main difference is that my older plates finish is a bit less refined than the new ones and the diameter on the new plates are just a hair larger than the older plates), I also own the 120 lb add-on kit and the newer plates fit with the older ones too.

[murphyreedus]

That's unfortunate that the HH kit didn't meet your expectations (I guess nothing's a one size fits all solution). My experience with the HH kit has been positive as far as balance on pressing which was a huge selling point in my opinion with the bonus of getting more compact heavier dumbbell increments.

Incidentally I have an older model of the IM 5-75 lb kit and the HH kit is still compatible (main difference is that my older plates finish is a bit less refined than the new ones and the diameter on the new plates are just a hair larger than the older plates), I also own the 120 lb add-on kit and the newer plates fit with the older ones too.

The HH kit is my favorite upgrade for the Ironmasters. The wide stock grip always felt too easy to get a little off balance. The HHs make the grip about the same length as roundheads.

HH kit, 120 kit, and microplates here, and I like them all.

[grumpytude]

I'll give it some more time, like I said most likely because I am so used to them without it.
I did have a more positive experience today doing an arm workout. Dumbell and hammer curls I did like. I'll make a more balanced judgement after a few workouts