If you are planning on adding strength training to your workouts, Home Gym Barbell Sets will do a perfect job. With a barbell set you can do a variety of compound exercises that will get you lean and ripped in no time at all.
Body weight exercises can work for strength training but they get limited as your body adjusts to your body weight and there is no more increment. You need incremental load to fully benefit from strength training.
A barbell set consists of a metal round bar with weight plates on each end. The weight plates will be secured with spring locks so that they don’t fall off when you lift.
There are instances when you buy the bar on its own and then buy the weights separately. In this instance when we talk of a barbell set it means the bar and the weights included
As a beginner do not start with the heavy weights. Start with light weights and work on incremental loading until you can lift the bar with all the weights.
Compound exercises allow you to work several muscle groups at the same time in one workout.
Examples of compound exercises are:
- Squats
- Bench Press
- Barbell Rows
- Deadlifts
- Overhead Press
>> click here for detailed Barbell Compound Workouts <<
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What to check when buying a Barbell Set
When buying a barbell set it must meet some basic standards that will allow you to do your workouts for a reasonably long period. You would not want to buy something that breaks after a few workouts.
You can check for the following:
1. Durability
A good barbell set should last a reasonable period. First look at the reliability and reputation of the manufacturer. Has the manufacturer supplied other good products in the market before. What reputation does he have. Investigate the reliability of their after sales service department. If you develop problems will they assist you. Check if the product comes with warranty. A good warranty will be in your favor
2. Length of Bar
The bar must not be too short for good form during use. Check if the length of the bar will be enough to use with a bench if you are going to do bench presses on a bench with a rack. If the bar is too short you might have to compromise your form during training which defeats the purpose.
3. Knurling for a Firm Grip
Knurling on a bar is the whereby some crossed lines are cut into the bar. This is good for a firm grip when you are training. A knurled bar will not slip. Slipping of the bar during training is risky for your safety. If you drop the bar you might hurt yourself or damage your furniture or the floors.
4. Size of the Sleeves
A good bar should have reasonably sized sleeves. The sleeves are where you fit the weight plates. Besides fitting the supplied weights it should have a bit of extra space in case you advance to purchase additional weights. Be sure to check the maximum allowed weight on the bar though. Exceeding the max allowed might break the bar.
Set 1.
Product: CAP Barbell Vinyl Weight Set
Total Weight: 105 Lbs
Supplier: Amazon.com
Rating : 3.9 out of 5
Features
- The Set includes Steel Bar, 6 Weight Plates, 2 spring collars and a Locking Pin for the bar
- The Bar is a 5-foot hollow steel 1″ diameter
- The Bar comes as 2 pieces to be joined with a Locking Pin
- The Bar only weighs 5 Lbs
- Weights are cement filled vinyl cases
- Weight sizes are
- 2 x 25 Lbs
- 2 x 15 Lbs
- 2 x 10 Lbs Totals 100 Lbs + Weight of Bar 5Lbs = 105 Lbs
- 30 Day Limited Manufacturer’s Warranty
The Pros for Cap Barbell Set
- Perfect for beginners
- 100 Lbs weights enough for beginners
- Vinyl cased weights are rust resistant
The Cons for Cap Barbell Set
- A beginner set. Will not work for advanced trainers
- Plastic weights will not last a long time
- Some complaints of the bar pin not holding strong. When it comes off the bar breaks into to 2 pieces
- The weights are solid without handles. Not easy to work with
Set 2
Product: 4-Weight Deluxe Barbell Set by Step Fitness
Total Weight: 60 lbs
Supplier: Amazon.com
Rating : 4.5 out of 5
Features
- Consists of a Bar, 8 Weights and 2 Hinged Collars
- Bar on its own weighs 5Lbs
- Bar is 1” diameter and 54” long
- Bar comes as 3-pieces to be threaded together
- Weights are made out of recycled material encased in HDPE shell.
- Weights sizes are
- 2 x 2.75
- 2 x 5.5
- 2 x 8.25
- 2 x 11Lbs total 55Lbs plus the 5Lbs for the bar = 60Lbs
- You can buy extra weights up to 120Lbs maximum
The Pros for Step Fitness Set
- Perfect for beginners
- Steering Wheel design on weights for easy handling
- You can use the weights off the bar for other workouts as they are easy to handle. Use as dumbbells
- The Bar is powder coated for rust resistance
- HDPE weights are rust resistant
- Hinged collars are easier to lock and remove
The Cons for Step Fitness Set
- Weights only go up to 60 Lbs. You can outgrow this set although it has allowance for additional weights
- A beginner set. Will not work for advanced trainers
- Plastic weights will not last a long time
- No Locking Pins on the bar. You have to use loctite to keep the bar from unscrewing
Set 3
Product: BalanceFrom Vinyl Standard Weight Set
Total Weight: 100 lbs
Supplier: Amazon.com
Rating : 3.2 out of 5
Features
- Consists of the bar, plates weights, 2 spring locks and 2 locking pins for the bar
- Bar is 5ft long and 1″ diameter
- Weights are vinyl with cement filling
- Weights are 3 sets of 2 x 10 lbs, 2 x 15 lbs and 2 x 25 lbs
- Bar supplied as 2 pieces to be screwed and pinned together
The Pros for BalanceFrom Set
- The Vinyl – Plastic weights will not rust
- Vinyl plates are more user-friendly for workouts in the house
- Textured Bar for easy grip
- The locking pins for the bar prevent unscrewing
The Cons for BalanceFrom Set
- Complaints of the bar locking pin holes being too tight. You have to hammer the pins in
- A beginner set. Will not work for advanced trainers
- The weights are solid without handles. Not easy to handle.
In Conclusion
Strength training should be a part and parcel of your exercise program. The home gym barbell sets are excellent equipment for your workouts.
Aim to do strength training on some days and cardio on the other days. The two complement each other for your weight loss and muscle strength building workouts.
Add variety to your workouts by acquiring small home gym accessories. You will not get bored when you do different workouts some times. At the end of the day what you want is regular exercise. The accessories will spice up your workouts.
>> click here for Home Gym Accessories <<
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Cheers…….
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