In the market for a barbell......

bceogirl

bceogirl

Cathlete
Hi Everybody.....
I've finally decided to take the plunge and look seriously for a barbell. Am tired of doing lunges and squats in slow and heavy with 2 20lb dumbbells on my shoulders. *ouch*
Don't think I want to order online due to the shipping costs. Also am wondering exactly what I want in a barbell. I see a really light (and brightly colored) Danskin? set at Walmart that seems too *sissy* for Cathe workouts....then they seem to jump way up in weight. Do I want a 100lb set , or less or more? Did most of you buy a complete set or put one together yourself ? and how much do they cost?
I've been resisting getting one due to ....WHERE I AM GONNA PUT ONE MORE PIECE OF EXERCISE EQUIPTMENT???!!!!!.......but finally feel maybe I really do need one especially working legs. Do you agree or do many of you not have them and feel you are getting just as good of a workout?
Sorry for all the questions. Just have nooooooo idea if I really need this or not, and if I do, what am I looking for.....
Thanks!
:)
 
Check out Walmart if you have one near you...I know online they have a pretty inexpensive barbell set that goes up to about 60 pounds I think. (They also have the Danskin one)One day when I am ready to take the plunge and purchase the barbell I will probably buy from Walmart myself.
 
I purchased a complete 100lb cast iron set for less that $50 last year at a local Walmart. I comes in pretty compact case with wheels on one end, so it's great if you are like me and lack space for extra workout equipment. Target and Kmart also carry the same types of sets. The only draw back is that instead of using spring clamps, it uses thoes stupid screw-on holders. It drives me nuts having to pause the DVD so I can have the extra time to screw thoes things on. Other than that I love the set.
 
Hello,
I have the Troy lite barbell that I bought from http://fitness1st.com/Troy-Bars.html I like the fact that the bar is shorter than most bars, and that the wts. are encassed in rubber. I think that spring collars are a *MUST* they are so much quicker. I can change my wts. quickly when I am doing a Cathe dvd. Cathe has used this barbell in some of her dvds. She also has used one that you can buy at Walmart. Do a search on barbells you will find out a lot of information:D Good Luck!!

~Nicole
 
I also have the Troy Lite barbell system and I LOVE it! I ordered mine from Fitness 1st and shipping was very reasonable - they also had it to me 2 days after I ordered, which was awesome. The rubber encased plates are just wonderful. Highly recommend! :)
 
I just got a set at Target that sounds like the one(s) described above: in case with wheels on one end, cost around $60 with tax. I don't like the screw-on end caps, though. Does anyone know if they be replaced those with a spring-type collar? I've seen them sold separately, but don't know if I could use them...

I checked out the Troy Lite but it says it can only hold up to 80 pounds - I have to share with DH, in order to justify buying 'yet another piece of exercise equipment' (his words, not mine :) ) so I needed one that could go a little higher. That's why I ended up with something else.

The plates that came with mine aren't fancy - black metal - but, currently, I'm enjoying the 'industrial' look in my home gym, so they are perfect. I call it the 'Work Zone' - lots of black and chrome with a splash of purple. It's just an unfinished basement, so there's not much to be done with it :)

As someone who used dumbells as a substitute for a VERY long time, I have to say, no matter what you get, it will be SOOOOO much better. I feel like I'm getting a much better angle and hitting a whole different part of the muscle now (when doing back and shoulder work) and I feel more balanced in leg work. Good luck, and enjoy!!
 
Thanks everybody for the help and responding so quickly! You guys are AWESOME!:D
I think I am interested in the troylite set. I do have a question though for those of you who have it......how much is the maximum weight it can hold? And what is the maximum you find yourself using for any/all of the workouts?? So far the highest I go is 40 pounds but I think that may be because I am currently using dumbbells and I may (?) go higher using a barbell.
If you aren't sick of my questions yet......I'd sure appreciate it.
Many thanks!!!:7
 
It goes up to 80 lbs. max. I've never come close to that. The most I've ever been able to handle is about 50 lbs. on my back when doing squats. I would think that 80 lbs. should be enough for most women.

Btw, since I bought the set over 2 years ago, a workout has not gone by where I haven't patted myself on the back for getting that Troy Lite set! I just love it!

-Nancy
 
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