02-10-21 12:27 PM - Post#907651    

Right now my home gym consists of 3 kettlebells (16, 24, 32), a set of resistance bands, an ab wheel, adjustable dumbbells (10lb-50lb), a stretch strap/suspension trainer, and a Concept2 rower.

Overall this is more than enough to keep me busy, but I've been keeping my eye on barbells for the past few months. A 300lb set on Dick's/Walmart/Sears sells for $250-$300ish, but are rarely in stock in my area. When there is stock available elsewhere it usually costs roughly what I paid for my entire set up.

I have seen bars available, either new or used, so have been thinking about options for weights. Has anyone come up with a decent alternative during our time at home? The main alternative I've seen are homemade concrete plates, which seem like a lot of work/time. I did also stumble upon these circular sandbags that are used for weighing down umbrellas, etc. and come in various sizes (including 25lb and 45lb)(https://www.amazon.com/Circular-Weight-Bag/d p/B00CS8BNKS). That seems like a decent option combined with a bar, but part of me wonders if I'm just better off just waiting.

02-10-21 12:53 PM - Post#907652    

"Sandbags" bring back some memories! I did my one and only Power lifting meet in 1969 while serving in Vietnam. We had no gym. So some buddies and I made our own "gym". Our bar was a long piece of pipe - our weights were various sizes of sandbags. Our "bench was" a pile of sandbags with a board on top - we did our deadlifts standing on a 55 gallon drum. The sandbags of course hang down quite a bit - so we did everything from a dead start (sandbags on the ground) - shimmied under the bar to start with as much help as we could give to get started. I went 400# squat - 300# bench and 495# DL at around 175# BW. It can be done LOL

02-10-21 01:11 PM - Post#907656    

• Chris Rice Said:

What a great story. I'll bet you can't help but smile remembering that....

Just my 2¢

02-11-21 05:51 AM - Post#907672    

A friend of mine some decades ago, um, was serving time at her majesty's pleasure. He told me the story of how he would use a broomstick for a barbell. Onto the ends of the broomstick he would hang gallon milk containers provided by the guards. Obviously they were empty of milk, but could be filled with water. He used this to do his curls and so on. Where there is a will there is a way!

Power is nothing without control!

02-11-21 03:51 PM - Post#907690    

That broomstick and milk jug arrangement is how I started lifting, ages ago.

02-12-21 10:24 AM - Post#907708    

18 or 24 in std dumbbell handles, the spin lock ones

Barbell Alternatives?
02-12-21 11:22 AM - Post#907711    

If the $$$ piece is not a problem, just wait.

All of the homemade stuff will be less versatile than an actual bar, and is unlikely to be able to handle enough weight (milk bottle option, etc), not to mention that unless you live on a huge property with a barn or similar, these things will all just junk up your house and take up a lot of room and are then hard to get rid of (concrete setups).



Edited by BrianBinVA on 02-12-21 11:25 AM. Reason for edit: No reason given.

02-12-21 11:35 AM - Post#907712    

Pair up your 24 and 32's and have at it

02-12-21 12:02 PM - Post#907713    

• Matt_T Said:

This is another good option, although double 32s are a lot -- 28s are a very good bell combo, depending on your size and strength (not mentioned in original post).

Or just start with a second 24 (if you can find one) -- doubles work is "illuminating" in many ways, and KBs are far more space efficient than any bar or bar alternative.

02-12-21 01:25 PM - Post#907716    

If you're in the UK Strength Shop had some new stock in got my 32s from there and very happy. Bout £160.

02-12-21 01:44 PM - Post#907718    

It's that time of year when New Years' Resolution fitness equipment starts showing up on Craigslist and other sites; is this a possibility in your area?

Just my 2¢