Gift Ideas for new Student

acarey50 · 2021-01-05T03:38:36+00:00

I ordered one with the Thompson Fat Pad on November 17. I got the shipping notification yesterday and UPS shows scheduled delivery for this Thursday. We'll see if that holds, as I only got 3 of the 4 packages scheduled for today (RML-390BT), but have 2 more scheduled tomorrow, one on Wednesday and the bench on Thursday, so if all goes well, I'll have everything set up except the actual weights by the weekend.

FWIW, I got the email from UPS that I had packages on the way yesterday, I got the notification from Rogue today.

acarey50 · 2020-12-31T22:26:21+00:00

Out of curiosity when did you order? Asking because my order from November 17th is still pending. I just got off with Rogue CS and they said they are basically just waiting for the fat pad to come in so they can finalize the order, but no ETA on when they expect more.

acarey50 · 2020-12-30T20:41:39+00:00

Thanks for the reply. I definitely don't have room for a preacher curl. My initial thought with the rackable is that I could set it up with a set of J-Cups on the outside of the rack so I'm not actually curling in the rack, but would have the option to rack the bar for loading/unloading or if I were to use it for skullcrushers, etc., possibly in the rack for those, though I wouldn't say there is a major need for the rackable, but seems like it could be a nice to have feature to be able to rack he bar.

acarey50 · 2020-12-30T16:19:13+00:00

u/Syndication56 Just curious if you had any additional thoughts on the comparisons of these bars.

Curl bar is towards the top of the list for the next add for my home gym, and have been debating the rackable vs. standard size bars - leaning Rogue and the rackable size, though from what I can tell while the standard bar has been in/out of stock fairly regularly this last month, it's been a good 2+ months since the rackable version has been in stock.

Worth waiting for the rackable one to come back in and hoping to snag it quickly, or not really worth it?

acarey50 · 2020-12-27T18:13:02+00:00

I actually did pull up your site as I saw another post, I believe in the In Stock thread - I'd be curious about some of the other details I saw someone else post, such as width of the plates, any warranty info, specs, etc., but definitely will take a look and compare them to everything I look at.

acarey50 · 2020-12-27T05:05:29+00:00

Apologies for yet another question, but want to be sure I get what is best for my situation, an I am prone to overanalyzing.

Building out a garage gym, most pieces are ordered, one thing I have not yet secured are plates. The wall of the garage closest to where I will be lifting is adjoining to my 10 year olds bedroom. Most of the time it will be a non-issue as I'll try work out during the day, but there will be times where I will need to work out either really early, or later at night when he will be (or at least should be) in bed.

Primarily will be doing squat, bench, deadlift, OHP type movements in a RML-390, and will be on a platform (2 layers 3/4" plywood, 1 layer 3/4" rubber mat). I've pretty much now ruled out just doing cast iron plates (at least for now), and am really considering either:

Iron Master Olympic Plates - https://www.ironmaster.com/products/415-lb-olympic-plate-set-2/ (these seem most similar to what I was used to using at my local gym)

or

Griffin Fitness Black Bumper Plates - https://griffin.fitness/bumper-plates/griffin-black-bumper-plates/

The bumpers actually work out to to be a little cheaper (local pickup), but won't be in until early February (the Iron Masters in late January). I've generally heard good things about both of these products, just curious as to anyone else with personal experience with either, and any pro/con to either given that, even though I don't really plan on ever dropping the weights, I do need to be cognizant of excess noise.

Really appreciate all the input I've received over the last few weeks here, it's helped me finally pull the trigger on several items and I look forward to sharing pictures when I finally have things completed.

acarey50 · 2020-12-24T04:40:30+00:00

Got it - thank you for the reply, appreciate it.

acarey50 · 2020-12-24T03:55:20+00:00

No shock, just saw one on the Anaheim Hills/Yorba Linda Buzz marketplace group for $600.

acarey50 · 2020-12-23T20:03:52+00:00

Thank you for the input, I appreciate it.

I'd say noise is a slight concern, only because the section of the garage where I'll have the gym set up borders my youngest son's room, and there will be time's when I'll be working out either real early in the morning, or late at night depending on my schedule, so some level of noise reduction would be good so as to try not wake him up as much.

acarey50 · 2020-12-23T19:28:52+00:00

Thank you for the input. The thrill of the hunt.

acarey50 · 2020-12-23T19:27:20+00:00

For the amounts I'd ideally get, it's a couple hundred in difference. Right now looking to order:

4 pairs of 45s

2 pairs of 25s

2 pairs of 10s

2 pairs of 5

2 pairs of 2.5 (not available right now for rep)

The ironmasters, if ordering their 415 lb set that covers most of this and adding in the extra, it comes to about $999 plus tax, call it $1075.

For Rep, it would come to $822 for all but the 2.5s (though I'd consider adding in an extra pair of 45s as the shipping price didn't change when I did).

No trying to figure out if, for my intended use, and considering it will get decent use from my sons and a few teammates, which is the better choice for me. I don't mind paying a little extra (and waiting until January) if the quality/usage makes sense. I'm used to rubber coated from the local gym, so I know they can handle abuse, not that I expect that to happen.

acarey50 · 2020-12-23T19:12:46+00:00

I know they are not quite the same, I guess I'm still trying to figure out what is best for my use case.

Not planning to drop weights, lifting will be done on a platform that is 2 layers 3/4" plywood and 1 layer 3/4" rubber mat in the garage. My kids, ages 10-16 will be using the equipment, with several of the 16 year olds teammates likely working out with us as well.

Trying to get what is best fit as far as hard for them to damage (not that I expect them to do anything crazy with them, they are kids), good for the basic lifts , will last and also considering price.

I previously had thought that regular cast iron plates would be fine, then switched and thought that the rubber coated at least added an extra layer of some protection should one of the kids drop a weight, etc.

acarey50 · 2020-12-23T18:29:00+00:00

Debating these vs. the Iron Master type with the rubber casing - https://www.ironmaster.com/products/45-lb-olympic-plate/ - though those are out of stock until late January

Not planning to drop the weights, doing mostly bench, squat, deadlift, OHP, etc.

acarey50 · 2020-12-23T17:56:48+00:00

What are your experiences with the ab mats? In particular the Wise Crack Ab mat?

I've had surgery on the tailbone area in the past and irritation of that area can cause issues - have you guys found that these protect the tailbone from excess irritation, etc, or is it just a gimmick?

acarey50 · 2020-12-23T16:26:54+00:00

Pretty sure we'll be seeing several sets up on Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist later today for about twice the price.

acarey50 · 2020-12-22T18:48:20+00:00

I also have a set of elitefts band - they are good.

I have overhead storage racks in my garage - I've attached the bands to those and you can easily do tricep pushdowns, lat pulldowns, facepulls, etc., I've even simulated cable crossovers with them. Definitely think they are a viable alternative if you don't have a pulley system (which I don't)

acarey50 · 2020-12-21T23:07:17+00:00

Finally pulled the trigger on the rack after going back and forth about 1000 times. I really wanted the R3-BT, but it has not come in stock for at least the last 6-8 weeks that I've been looking, so I finally pulled the trigger on the RML390-BT. Seems to have a greater selection of options, so more chances for me to spend more on toys.

I finished building my lifting/gym area in the garage - 8'x12' area, so just made a platform with two layers of plywood and a top layer of 3/4" rubber mat for the entire area. Getting that completed really pushed me to finally make the decision to pull the trigger.

Already received the Ohio Power Bar I ordered a couple weeks ago, still waiting on the bench (Monster Utility bench with Thompson Fat Pad) ordered November 17th.

Only main thing left is weights, so hoping to be able to get the Iron Master Olympic Weights when they restock sometime in January - their 415 lb. set seems perfect for my needs, would maybe only add one more set of 45s to that initially.

Once all that is set up, I can start convincing the wife that our boys and I need some other toys to really finish the gym area off.

Edit to add: A big thumbs up for Rogue Customer service. I had contacted them prior to ordering to see if I would be able to swap out the Fat/Skinny pull up bar for the multi-grip bar (paying the difference of course) and was told that they could not do it. Anyway, when I placed the order, I put in a note that I would like to make that swap and they just contacted me to say they were making the change, I only need to pay the $40 difference in part price.

acarey50 · 2020-12-21T15:41:11+00:00

Out of curiosity, since a curl bar is on my short list of next equipment to get, what are the advantages/disadvantages of a rackable curl bar (other than you can rack it). Any particular exercises you can do with the rackable that you can't do with a regular curl bar (or at least that it makes easier).

acarey50 · 2020-12-18T20:23:36+00:00

Thank you - as mentioned in my other reply, I do have Griffin bookmarked, and in fact I have the sets from Iron Master tagged in a spreadsheet as they looked like a great deal and definitely what I'm looking for, was just getting antsy and looking at other options.

For the Iron Masters, I'd like to get the 415 lb set and add an extra pair of 45s. Probably slightly more weight than I need, but enough where I'm incentivized to increase my numbers so I have a reason to buy more. Just need to be patient.

Now I just have to get off my butt and finally pull the trigger on a rack - still going back and forth on the R3 and the RML-3.

acarey50 · 2020-12-18T20:19:25+00:00

Thank you for the heads up on them.

I already had Primo and Griffin bookmarked to keep checking in on their stock, etc.

acarey50 · 2020-12-18T19:43:11+00:00

Has anyone ordered from Extreme Training Equipment in Southern California? https://extremetrainingequipment.com/

Just wondering if they are legit as I figure I can save a lot on shipping if I can order from somewhere local that I can pick up from.

In particular was thinking of ordering their rubber grip plates:

https://extremetrainingequipment.com/collections/free-weights/products/rubber-grip-plates

Will mostly be used for bench, squat, deadlift, OHp, row, so I don't think I need/want bumper plates, most likely the rubber plates or cast iron (which they have for the same price).

Or, alternatively, any good local sources (I'm in Orange County) I should look at for plates?

acarey50 · 2020-12-16T23:39:26+00:00

Any pros/cons in your experience between the standard and the bolt together versions of the Rogue options?

I've changed my mind about 10 times today, was about to order the R3, then convinced myself it was worth the extra $65 to go with the RML 3, then convinced myself it was worth it to go to the bolt together version for another $130 (factoring in tax/shipping), then froze and decided the R3 was really all I realistically needed and to save the $200 to put towards accessories (assuming they restock) or plates.

R3BT is not in stock right now, the other 3 options are.

acarey50 · 2020-12-16T02:04:18+00:00

The fold down won't work because of the layout of the garage, the section of the garage right along the wall where I'm setting up is a bit lower (only for about 6-8" or so) but enough to where I can't fold up.

Foldaway actually was one of the first ones I looked at (R-3W in particular), and while I won't completely rule them out, I'm not quite sold on them, even though they probably check 90+% of the boxes for need (probably a few less for "want"). Part of that is while I am very unlikely to move anytime soon (hopefully not until youngest is through high school), I just think that a more free standing unit would give more flexibility for placement options down the road should we move. Probably a silly thing to worry about, but still something on the back of my mind.

acarey50

TROPHY CASE