Equipment opinions

Vikings

Just looking for some opinions on the best route to go down to get some weights into the house.

Space is limited so need to keep that in mind, and obviously I would like to keep costs down also!

Going to go for a full olympic set:

€289.99 from Irish Lifting
or
€285.99 from Argos.

Looking to build some strength and tone at the same time so aiming for deadlift, bench and squat as the main lifts so I will also need a bench and rack:

€119.99 Squat stands from Argos - space wise these would be perfect, could be stowed away in the corner when not being used
€59.99 Cheap enough bench from Argos - can't see much of a downside to that bench (does this one look any better for the money?)

Or then from Irish Lifting I was looking at the following:

€129.99 Narrow Bench - But wouldn't be easy to get squats out of that!
or
€129.99 Light Squat Rack - this looks ideal but now also need a bench
€139.99 Flat Incline Bench - obviously going to be better quality than the cheaper Argos stuff but the initial expense is a little off putting.

Benefits of ordering from Irish Lifting is that I could collect the stuff myself and probably have it a lot sooner and without the hassle of waiting for Argos delivery drivers, but then again I could save quite a bit by going down the Argos route - especially if that equipment I linked to would get me going for a while.

So im looking for opinions on the Argos stuff basically, is that equipment ok or would I be wasting my money on it? I'll probably get the weights themself from Irish Lifting either way so any thoughts on the Argos bench/rack combo?

Thanks!

brianthebard

You don't have to have a bench, it would save money and space if you went without. Shoulder press or push press, along with floor presses and a few other lifts (floor flyes, pull over, and push ups) would probably do you fine imo.

edit: the Irish lifting squat rack looks to be better quality imo so I'd go with that.

BrianD3

Re: keeping costs down and concerns about wasting money - if you buy good equipment it could potentially last you a lifetime and end up being passed on to the next generation Also IMO spending money on something that allows/encourages you to exercise is investing in your health. Therefore I wouldn't consider spending hundreds or even thousands on decent equipment to be extravagent.

rubadub

brianthebard wrote: »

You don't have to have a bench,

Yes, I have a bench and no longer use it. I do weighted dips on gymnastic rings, and inclined pushups. and also on some places around me area with railings. You can do them on railings that meet like this in a corner.


The ones near me have thick round bars.

I did weighted ones on the rings in a different position yesterday and have quite bad(good;)) DOMs in my chest this morning.

I would go for the irishlifting bar. AFAIK they his & the Macys are out of the same factory, but with the irishlifting one you get 4x5kg plates, useful for dumbells.

Also the oly bars are 7ft which takes up a fair space, I wish I had gotten a 5ft bar now rather than my 6ft.

Vikings

Thanks for the opinions guys, I had a cheap bench from Argos years ago that ended up being a close horse alright which is kind of why I didn't want to go spending over €100+ on getting another one of those!

An eventual goal of mine will be to get my bench to over 100kg so I might go for the cheap bench from Argos to get me on my way to that, have some dumbells here already and about 50kg worth of plates for them so should be all set if I get the rest above.

Must invest in a set of those gymnastic rings also..

Zamboni

Vikings wrote: »

An eventual goal of mine will be to get my bench to over 100kg so I might go for the cheap bench from Argos to get me on my way to that, have some dumbells here already and about 50kg worth of plates for them so should be all set if I get the rest above.

Must invest in a set of those gymnastic rings also..

Hey Vikings,

Hold off buying that cheap bench for the moment if you want to bench over 100kgs.
There is a poor weight limit on it (a mate has the same bench).
If you want I will find out exactly what the limit is tonight and let you know.
There is no point in buying it if your own bodyweight + the plates exceed its capacity.
Personal Safety first

brianthebard

Also if the bench is flimsy you are't going to be able to set up right or feel stabile on it, so you won't be able to lift with the most efficency.

Roper

Yeah and Mick will deliver from Irish lifting in his Hummer. Beat that Argos truck.

Zamboni

Zamboni wrote: »

Hey Vikings,

Hold off buying that cheap bench for the moment if you want to bench over 100kgs.
There is a poor weight limit on it (a mate has the same bench).
If you want I will find out exactly what the limit is tonight and let you know.
There is no point in buying it if your own bodyweight + the plates exceed its capacity.
Personal Safety first

Hey Vikings,

That weight bench for 59 yo yo's in Argos has a Maximum weight limit of 120Kgs including user and weights.
So if you are planning on benching a 100Kgs get something more sturdy/solid.
(unless of course you only weigh 20Kgs )
I am sure Mick could tell you what the maximum capacity is of his benches.

Vikings

Zamboni wrote: »

Hey Vikings,

That weight bench for 59 yo yo's in Argos has a Maximum weight limit of 120Kgs including user and weights.
So if you are planning on benching a 100Kgs get something more sturdy/solid.
(unless of course you only weigh 20Kgs )
I am sure Mick could tell you what the maximum capacity is of his benches.

Thanks for checking that for me. While googling it earlier I came across an actual picture of it and not the Argos "make it look better than it is" picture and saw just how flimsy it really is. And i'm around 105/110kg myself so that 120kg limit wouldnt even do me and my dumbells!!

Good point on the length of the bar rubadub, im just after taking out the measuring tape and a 7ft bar would not give me much room for any sort of movement with it! (not necessarily a bad thing but rather have that comfort) - apart from being lighter is there a drawback of say a 5ft bar rather than 7?

After actually getting down to it, that squat rack from Irish Lifting will take some furniture rearranging, and possible some DIY to get it in a workable place, and a bench is almost out of the question! Thankful I found that measuring tape now

brianthebard

Pretty sure Mick's 5ft bars are still 20kg, you should check that out on the website. Only drawback I can see if that a 5ft is less likely to start bending when you put some serious weight on it...and we all know how important it is to look hardcore when lifting.

rubadub

brianthebard wrote: »

Pretty sure Mick's 5ft bars are still 20kg, you should check that out on the website. Only drawback I can see if that a 5ft is less likely to start bending when you put some serious weight on it...and we all know how important it is to look hardcore when lifting.

the 5ft is 15kg http://www.irish-lifting.com/product_info_equipment.php?cPath=1_9&products_id=237

didnt even know they sold short oly bars. You could ask if he will swop it for the 140kg kit's bar.

To be the same 20kg it would really have to get thicker.

It might not fit on some racks though. Like the white squat ones you showed, but it might be better on the york squat racks, since they are going to be closer together, not sure though.

Roper

5 foot bars are junior bars 15kgs