We are currently testing new equipment at PTC.
I have 2 bars from Gym Direct (site sponsor) and an incline bench.
I will be honest and brutal, just as Adrian will want me too.
First the bench.
If you are after an incline bench, I have never seen or used a better one. That is flat out the truth. As an incline bench, it is flawless. Solid, perfect height, simple adjustment.
It does have failings. If you plan to use it as a flat bench, its got issues. The main one is, its far too high. This is purely because of the mechanisms that make it best incline bench I have used. When the back is up at 80 degrees, the seat drops low. If the start point was lower, the seat would be far too low.
So in making the perfect incline bench, there had to be compromises as a flat bench. Another issue for some may be the width. As an incline bench, its perfect, as a flat bench, it tapers down to under 200mm, perfect for a seat on an incline, too narrow for a flat bench.
This bench is that good, that I would get this AND a flat bench. Its that good. If your on a budget, I wanted to give guys a heads up that unless your VERY tall, the bench is too high to use as a flat bench.
I have to be honest.
So far we have used the bars for around 10 hours. We have pulled around 20 x 200kg deadlifts with them, going up to 235kg. No grip issues, bars are still straight. With squats we have gone up to 180kg, no issues.
We have used steel Ivanko plates as well as bumpers. We have cleaned with them, pressed them out of racks. We'll keep pushing them and I'll report on their strength and integrity.
The finish is excellent. One down side is the "rings". A powerbar has ring markings 250mm from the sleeve, an Olympic bar 200mm. These are at 230mm. Not a big issue with some, just thought I should point everything out.
The sleeves are chrome, and this will eventually flake, we are seeing the start of this. Its a non issue, but I will point everything out. If you think the flaking is a problem, my $1100 ZK bar is rusting. It adds character.
Adrian sells these bars for $200 I think. We'll punish them for the next month and I'll report back here. The bars are rated at 600kg, though I'm not sure what this means.
If you have any questions or there is a test you would like me to do, please ask.
I have 2 bars from Gym Direct (site sponsor) and an incline bench.
I will be honest and brutal, just as Adrian will want me too.
First the bench.
If you are after an incline bench, I have never seen or used a better one. That is flat out the truth. As an incline bench, it is flawless. Solid, perfect height, simple adjustment.
It does have failings. If you plan to use it as a flat bench, its got issues. The main one is, its far too high. This is purely because of the mechanisms that make it best incline bench I have used. When the back is up at 80 degrees, the seat drops low. If the start point was lower, the seat would be far too low.
So in making the perfect incline bench, there had to be compromises as a flat bench. Another issue for some may be the width. As an incline bench, its perfect, as a flat bench, it tapers down to under 200mm, perfect for a seat on an incline, too narrow for a flat bench.
This bench is that good, that I would get this AND a flat bench. Its that good. If your on a budget, I wanted to give guys a heads up that unless your VERY tall, the bench is too high to use as a flat bench.
I have to be honest.
So far we have used the bars for around 10 hours. We have pulled around 20 x 200kg deadlifts with them, going up to 235kg. No grip issues, bars are still straight. With squats we have gone up to 180kg, no issues.
We have used steel Ivanko plates as well as bumpers. We have cleaned with them, pressed them out of racks. We'll keep pushing them and I'll report on their strength and integrity.
The finish is excellent. One down side is the "rings". A powerbar has ring markings 250mm from the sleeve, an Olympic bar 200mm. These are at 230mm. Not a big issue with some, just thought I should point everything out.
The sleeves are chrome, and this will eventually flake, we are seeing the start of this. Its a non issue, but I will point everything out. If you think the flaking is a problem, my $1100 ZK bar is rusting. It adds character.
Adrian sells these bars for $200 I think. We'll punish them for the next month and I'll report back here. The bars are rated at 600kg, though I'm not sure what this means.
If you have any questions or there is a test you would like me to do, please ask.