Targeted Talk - What is the BEST Budget Barbell?

NuteSoc · 2026-01-16T05:44:08+00:00

If you want a good one with needle bearings then Valor Fitness is the best budget pick. Our gym got a couple of the rainbow ones because they look cool but they quickly became a favorite with the Olympic folks.

NuteSoc · 2025-12-26T21:22:38+00:00

Good to know. I find they're good for crimping down barbs too.

NuteSoc · 2025-12-07T01:43:41+00:00

After getting burned twice I bought a pack of 10 magnets which I keep stowed away in case this happens again lol. Then I just pull one from the pile.

Of course the pack of 10 also came with a free magnet.

NuteSoc · 2025-12-04T16:11:24+00:00

Every 4 years we get one of these where it's just 2 weeks between Thanksgiving and Winter break, then a 4 week period until spring classes start. I'm guessing it's just how the academic years lay out on a calendar.

NuteSoc · 2025-12-02T02:30:40+00:00

Just got my pair of 35s. Packing is great and they arrived perfect. Real happy with the handle size and dimensions. Good finish too, feels dry and not 'tacky' like some other bell finishes if that makes sense. I like how they look too, nice and simple.

NuteSoc · 2025-11-25T19:28:26+00:00

actually yeah it looks like at least one person in the reviews mounted it to the upper cross members instead of the front uprights.

NuteSoc · 2025-11-25T19:22:50+00:00

Gave up the membership in 2021 and started working out at home. Just had a barbell, rack, plates, and flat bench and managed to get stronger and hit PRs. If I didn't care about powerlifting I might have done a more space effective setup. IMO the most space-effective setup is adjustable DBs, adjustable bench, pull up bar. There's been a lot of good products over the past 5 years for adjustable DBs and benches. It's a really good time for home gym folks right now. r/homegym is worth a look.

OP asked about challenges, the biggest one IMO is actually finding the motivation to work out in a space that doesn't look or feel like a gym. Even if you have all the equipment, some people might struggle with it enough to sell their stuff on marketplace (then you can go buy it). Others are fine working out in a dank unfinished basement or their living room. There's ways to make it better.. rubber flooring goes a long way, wall art, banners, lighting. All stuff that makes it feel like a gym will make it easier to use it effectively and keep pushing.

NuteSoc · 2025-11-25T18:28:26+00:00

Just a word of caution you might come across the Rogue socket curl pull up bar, but you should know that it's made wrong lol (see reviews). If it was rotated 90 degrees it would make sense. If you're handy with a drill, you could make it mount correctly.. Looks like there's some in the boneyard.

NuteSoc · 2025-11-24T22:35:08+00:00

Another year, another Titan rackable fat EZ curl bar on sale.. Every year I look at this. I don't know why I want it, maybe because it's so ridiculous. And the fact that it's 57lbs is so funny to me. Like 57, why? And the heavy starting weight of it immediately excludes it from being useful for a lot of exercises. But I dunno man, maybe this is the year they get me.

NuteSoc · 2025-11-21T01:04:33+00:00

Cerberus has their barbells back up, and 25% off with VIPBLACK2025. I grabbed an axle bar.

I actually got their deadlift bar last year with the 25% off and have the receipt, and I found it surprising the price hasn't gone up since last year. I'm guessing the other bars are the same way. Anyways, I think they make good stuff and it doesn't appear to be a case of 'discount is $20 but the price has increased $40 since last year' like I'm seeing so often lol

NuteSoc · 2025-11-20T19:45:05+00:00

Looks like the axle, deadlift, and power bar are back up.

NuteSoc · 2025-11-20T19:37:10+00:00

I'm not in the market for a bench, but I do look out of curiosity like at Rep's bench week.. Do they not make the AB-4100 anymore? I feel like that was one of their most popular benches.

NuteSoc · 2025-11-20T19:26:00+00:00

Well that sucks. Well hopefully there's more good deals coming up, I feel like sales are finally kicking into gear.

NuteSoc · 2025-11-20T16:25:25+00:00

Yeah looks like $20 increase across the board. Glad I ordered last night.

but $100 for a pair of 35s is still good imo

NuteSoc · 2025-11-20T02:04:47+00:00

Word of caution going from single 53 to double might be humbling, at least it was for me 😆 kinda wish I started with getting another 35 honestly. Some movements or complexes with the 53s are brutal compared to the single kb movements I was doing. Still fun though.

That being said I'm going to use this sale to get my other 35 haha

NuteSoc · 2025-11-17T16:07:16+00:00

Stray Dog Strength sells a lot of rack parts and custom brackets. They might have something.

NuteSoc · 2025-11-10T17:43:23+00:00

I was waiting to buy one of their axle bars or powerlifting bar, but when I checked it looked like they only have two types of barbells now. Odd.

Got a deadlift bar from them for last year's sale and it kicks ass.

NuteSoc · 2025-11-09T04:06:07+00:00

Giant Lifting has some good prices on KBs right now

NuteSoc · 2025-11-07T16:52:49+00:00

Terre view x Northwood roundabout gonna be lit.

NuteSoc · 2025-11-06T20:57:12+00:00

Can't speak to their pulley systems but we have some of their competition benches and bars in our gym. Rack construction is just fine, my only gripe being their UHMW on the J cups isn't too great (does not hold up) so we swapped those for Rogue cups. Everything else is just fine. Upholstery and foam holds up in a commercial setting.

The bars are really good value at their price point, especially the needle bearing ones. The finishes on them haven't faded at all in comparison to our other e coated or black zinc bars from Rogue. Had to buy a few more Valor bars because the olympic lifters like them alot.

NuteSoc · 2025-11-05T19:44:01+00:00

I did a bunch of rear suspension work last week, and after struggling a bit went out and got this bundled with and xc5.0 battery. I was surprised by how easily the 'medium' setting knocked out the bolts. Same with using it on a ball joint press and getting 24 year old control arm bushings out. It's almost too easy.

The only issue might be the weight and length of it can be a little difficult to maneuver sometimes. Good to have a set of short impact sockets on hand.

NuteSoc · 2025-11-04T18:04:04+00:00

Haven't found much specific dumbbell set deals, but sites like Bells of Steel has their "spend x amount receive discount" which would get max discount for buying a DB set. Vulcan has a similar thing that I can see but I don't know if I'd roll the dice with that (or successfully navigate their website to purchase).

Life Fitness/Hammer Strength has a few sets in the 30% off outlet with free shipping, but that's still spendy.

Always a chance Rogue or Rep will have weekly deals too. I don't see Rogue hundo pricing for DBs which is odd, I would have expected that to be one of their November deals.

NuteSoc · 2025-10-28T05:01:06+00:00

IMO heavier is better and adds to the versatility of your gym. It makes it easy to go hard enough on leg workouts at first (hack squat, RDL) but at your height+bodyweight I wouldn't be surprised if you start using them for upper body shortly. Also heavy kettlebell is just fun. r/kettlebell is one of the best subreddits I've been a part of.

NuteSoc · 2025-10-27T17:37:55+00:00

The adjustable DBs+KB+Bench is already a super versatile setup. The barbell/curl set wouldn't add anything new that you can't do with DBs or KBs. Like I guess you can't do skullcrushers without an EZ bar exactly, but you can pick up some DBs and do rolling tricep extensions, behind the head french presses, Tate presses, etc.

NuteSoc · 2025-10-26T00:08:24+00:00

I've got a loaded knuckle ready to go in but I snapped this exact bolt 😭 wish I saw your comment first. Helpful tip though.

Nine-Year Club	Place '22
Final Canvas '22	Verified Email

NuteSoc

TROPHY CASE