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Some advice on new plates and a bar

D1cko

Extra Large Member
Well after nearly 2 years of training, I'm more serious than ever and it's not something I'll ever give up. Having also shacked up with a woman who has the same passion for lifting, I'm going to splash out a bit and upgrade all our gear.

Bars:
I'm thinking an ABC power bar, but maybe a deadlift bar :)
I already have a reasonable bar that I can leave in the rack for squats and bench.

Plates must be rubber coated. And I'm not sure whether to go bumpers?

Bumpers:
I've taken an interest in the just the Iron Edge standard bumpers, as most of my lifting will be non-olympic. But god their shipping cost is a hike...

I have heard good things about the Pendlay V2's, but I don't know how thick they are...

The Force USA ones are everywhere and look nice but, are they?

Any other recommendations here?

Rubber coated
The only ones I've seen that take my fancy are the 7 hole Iron Edge ones, but again the shipping....

Need some suggestions....thanks
 
Last edited:
I really like calibrated plates. I got some Pendlay bumpers (coloured) and they're good. Always good to know you're lifting what you actually are.
 
Dicko... Trial the bars at PTC and get one of those... They can prolly get you a better deal too..

Can't go wrong then...
 
Yeah I might try asking Dan. I've been in a couple times, and could handle training with an ABC power bar, knowing that come comp day, the deadlift bar will get me an extra few kg's
 
Yeah I might try asking Dan. I've been in a couple times could handle training with an ABC power bar, knowing that come comp day, the deadlift bar will get me an extra few kg's

The ABC bop220 in black nitrate is my favourite atm...

I thing PTC Sydney just picked up another 5 of them...
 
Yeah I might try asking Dan. I've been in a couple times could handle training with an ABC power bar, knowing that come comp day, the deadlift bar will get me an extra few kg's

Edit: double posted

One key thing is to get the knurling right..


You'll fucking hate life if you get a shit knurling!!!
 
I have a Texas power bar and its pretty good.

I would get a brutal knurling. The Texas is pretty good but I would like it harsher.

Plates.
I have bumpers but I'm not a fan. Too expensive, too thick, not very tough. Mine are a couple years old and starting to fall apart. Unless you are going full on into Olympic lifts they are not worth it in my opinion.

I would go rubber coated or I really like my ivanko calibrated plates.
 
I have a Texas power bar and its pretty good.

I would get a brutal knurling. The Texas is pretty good but I would like it harsher.

Plates.
I have bumpers but I'm not a fan. Too expensive, too thick, not very tough. Mine are a couple years old and starting to fall apart. Unless you are going full on into Olympic lifts they are not worth it in my opinion.

I would go rubber coated or I really like my ivanko calibrated plates.

Hey Bazza, thinking about getting a Texas bar. How stiff are they? I have a thicker force USA bar and my deads are noticably harder at home than at camp (where they have an ABC bar). Not that it's a bad thing, but just wondering how much weight you put on it before you notice a bit of whip...
 
Hey Bazza, thinking about getting a Texas bar. How stiff are they? I have a thicker force USA bar and my deads are noticably harder at home than at camp (where they have an ABC bar). Not that it's a bad thing, but just wondering how much weight you put on it before you notice a bit of whip...

They are pretty stiff. Not going to get any noticeable whip with under 300.
 
Well after nearly 2 years of training, I'm more serious than ever and it's not something I'll ever give up. Having also shacked up with a woman who has the same passion for lifting, I'm going to splash out a bit and upgrade all our gear.

Bars:
I'm thinking an ABC power bar, but maybe a deadlift bar :)
I already have a reasonable bar that I can leave in the rack for squats and bench.

Plates must be rubber coated. And I'm not sure whether to go bumpers?

Bumpers:
I've taken an interest in the just the Iron Edge standard bumpers, as most of my lifting will be non-olympic. But god their shipping cost is a hike...

I have heard good things about the Pendlay V2's, but I don't know how thick they are...

The Force USA ones are everywhere and look nice but, are they?

Any other recommendations here?

Rubber coated
The only ones I've seen that take my fancy are the 7 hole Iron Edge ones, but again the shipping....

Need some suggestions....thanks
It's good that you have a woman that also likes to lift
Can't help you with the bars and plates, I still use cheap bars and plates that I bought 30 years ago. :eek:
 
Cheapest prices I can find on the Texas bar is on Gym and Fitness. There's a Troy Texas Power Bar, and a Buddy Capps Texas power bar. Both are $599...what's the difference?
 
Cheapest prices I can find on the Texas bar is on Gym and Fitness. There's a Troy Texas Power Bar, and a Buddy Capps Texas power bar. Both are $599...what's the difference?

From memory the Capps one is the proper one but double check that before you buy anything.
 
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