Barbell Recommendations?
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Barbell Recommendations?
Looking to get more strength training in my routine and am adding a squat rack to my exercise room. Primarily looking for a bar for squatting and deadlifts at relatively light weights.
Most barbell information out there is geared towards weightlifters who squat over 400 pounds and am wondering if some other cyclists have recommendations for a 50 year old cyclist just looking to lift in support of cycling. I dont imagine I'd ever lift anything over 250 pounds.
Bar diameter/material(coating) and center knurling have got me going in circles. Any thoughts appreciated.
Most barbell information out there is geared towards weightlifters who squat over 400 pounds and am wondering if some other cyclists have recommendations for a 50 year old cyclist just looking to lift in support of cycling. I dont imagine I'd ever lift anything over 250 pounds.
Bar diameter/material(coating) and center knurling have got me going in circles. Any thoughts appreciated.
Last edited by force10; 06-03-23 at 04:05 PM. Reason: clarity
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I use fixed weight dumbbells, fast to change weight (by picking up lighter/heavier ones) and don't need as much actual movement room. There is the storage issue, but there are some adjustables, like PowerBlocks and the like, that can solve that. I'm 64 and don't lift as heavy as I did 30 years ago. However, I substitute greater range of motion to make the lighter weight more effective.
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Looking to get more strength training in my routine and am adding a squat rack to my exercise room. Primarily looking for a bar for squatting and deadlifts at relatively light weights.
Most barbell information out there is geared towards weightlifters who squat over 400 pounds and am wondering if some other cyclists have recommendations for a 50 year old cyclist just looking to lift in support of cycling. I dont imagine I'd ever lift anything over 250 pounds.
Bar diameter/material(coating) and center knurling have got me going in circles. Any thoughts appreciated.
Most barbell information out there is geared towards weightlifters who squat over 400 pounds and am wondering if some other cyclists have recommendations for a 50 year old cyclist just looking to lift in support of cycling. I dont imagine I'd ever lift anything over 250 pounds.
Bar diameter/material(coating) and center knurling have got me going in circles. Any thoughts appreciated.
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I've only lifted with regular gym equipment, meaning Olympic style bars. I like them very much. I wouldn't like center knurling for sure. My neck/back joint gets enough abuse as it is. Besides looking at bar length, you might look for sources of plates and their prices. Of course you'll need plates with a center hole size to suit your bar or vice versa. You might want collars for your bar though I don't use them. There's also bar diameter. An Olympic bar is 28mm or 1.1" in diameter, which is quite comfortable. I wouldn't like a smaller bar. I think most relatively inexpensive bars are chromed, fine. The plates will be a lot more money than the bar..
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Hit the garage sale/Craigslist/FB marketplace circuit. There's always someone getting rid of their weight set for much less than they paid.
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As you get older, wear and tear on the joints becomes more of an issue, esp. regarding the spine.
One alternative is kettlebells.
I also use monster bands that I cut. Then I stand on them for squats or deadlifts. They work quite well for pulling exercises. If you can work up a waist level attachment, you can wrap them around your hips for the last bit of a deadlift. When you get to the 2" bands, they are bulky to use with multiple bands.
https://www.performbetter.com/First-...=1&custcol29=8
One alternative is kettlebells.
I also use monster bands that I cut. Then I stand on them for squats or deadlifts. They work quite well for pulling exercises. If you can work up a waist level attachment, you can wrap them around your hips for the last bit of a deadlift. When you get to the 2" bands, they are bulky to use with multiple bands.
https://www.performbetter.com/First-...=1&custcol29=8
Last edited by late; 06-05-23 at 05:12 AM.
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At 77, the only thing that keeps me operational is strength training at a gym, with as much weight as I can handle with good form for reps. IME strength training prevents joint problems. When something hurts, my response is to work it. If course it's better to work it before it hurts, but stuff happens. Because of health issues I had to take 2 months off. Now I'm back, starting from scratch. That's how quick it goes at my age. Yesterday, I cut my squat weight down to 1/3 of what it was, still couldn't do my 3rd set because of leg cramps. I'll get it back. Next week will be better. My wife said my form was good though, full squats, bounce at the bottom. We've been working out together at the gym since '79.
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My coach has recommended using a hex bar to better target muscles used by cyclists.
I personally like the bar and use gloves to help the hands
I personally like the bar and use gloves to help the hands