where i can buy the MAC barbell bench which is recommended in Starting Strength

maradona10

does anyone know where i can buy the MAC barbell bench which is recommended in Starting Strength as the bench to use.

if not what other bench would be of a similar standard, preferably with the following dimensions

Hooks 19in above bench surface if fixed
Auto seat fabric
48in wide uprights
Width of bench 12 in
Height 17in from ground
Length 48in
Maybe safety hooks for benching alone

I was also considering buying this rack http://www.hfhomefitnesscentre.com/view_details.php?rid=293 and combining it with this free bench below http://www.hfhomefitnesscentre.com/view_details.php?rid=274

I would like to know what are peoples opinions on this equipment and if there are better products around?

Hanley

Giving us an idea of what your budget is might help with the recommendations.

If I was in your position, and I had the room, I'd get a good power rack and a solid flat bench. There's pretty much nothing basic and important that couldn't be done with some imagination with that set up.

maradona10

i was hoping to get a bench, power rack, power bar and a set of olympic plates for somewhere between 500-1000euros.

the rack and the bench in the previous post were the sturdiest i could find between argos, irish lifting, vjs and h&f. what do you make of them and is there better out there. i seen the bar below on irish lifting. is it good value?

http://irish-lifting.com/product_info_equipment.php?cPath=1_9&products_id=233

rubadub

maradona10 wrote: »

i seen the bar below on irish lifting. is it good value?

http://irish-lifting.com/product_info_equipment.php?cPath=1_9&products_id=233

Well you can get a 140kg oly set including a 7ft bar for €250 so I would not think it is a great idea to buy separate. Dunno what the real difference would be between the 2 bars, probably rated to a higher spec, but I imagine the standard sets bar is rated to a high loads anyway.

maradona10

sorry to bump the thread but can someone advise on whether the equipment im considering buying in the original post is of good standard or if they know of better equipment elsewhere. thanks

Mickk

maradona10 wrote: »

sorry to bump the thread but can someone advise on whether the equipment im considering buying in the original post is of good standard or if they know of better equipment elsewhere. thanks

The problem with racks like that is often they look great in a picture and then you get them and they are much smaller than they looked. Usually only 3ish foot wide and 5 foot high with the top bar support a further 6 inches down the frame. Measure on a bar how wide you like to grip it for benching and chances are it will be around 3ish feet wide, right where the uprights are. Also why buy a flat bench only? An adjustable bench would allow so many more uses and would still work just the same as a flat bench.

maradona10

thats a good point about the size of the rack. do you have one that is 48in wide and the correct height?

the reason for a flat bench is that I dont use incline or decline presses so why not keep keep the price down

Mickk

maradona10 wrote: »

thats a good point about the size of the rack. do you have one that is 48in wide and the correct height?

the reason for a flat bench is that I dont use incline or decline presses so why not keep keep the price down

What about shoulder pressing, chest supported rows, chest supported curls, incline bicep curling, seated bicep curls (back pad helps stop you cheating), one arm preacher curls the list goes on and on...

This rack is good an a budget
http://irish-lifting.com/product_info_equipment.php?cPath=1_11&products_id=199

maradona10

" What about shoulder pressing, chest supported rows, chest supported curls, incline bicep curling, seated bicep curls (back pad helps stop you cheating), one arm preacher curls the list goes on and on..."

i use the standing press, the exercises used above arent necessary and are mostly used by posers who dont want to work on the heavier/harder lifts.

that rack seems good alright. can the height be adjusted so that it is suitable for benching also

AlphaMale 3OO

Sorry to hijack the thead but it saves starting a new one. Does anyone know where to get a decent but portable squat rack like this:

http://www.atomicathletic.com/store/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=AR006

I've looked everywhere for one and can find one. Most have real low weight capacity and I'm looking for one which will be able to handle 200kg+. The guy in VJ's says they can't be gotten here and I dont believe that for one minute but so far he's being proved right.