From My Own Two Hands

**bgates1654** · 09-15-2007, 11:46 PM

What do you guys think?

I ordered a "crossfit special" bar and a pair of 45lb bumper plates from wfwclub.com. Thanks again Ruthenian for the hookup. Unfortunately I could not convince the wife to let me get the package 25s/35s/45s/bar.

There is a local school that has bumper plates though. I have been told that no one uses them so I am gonna head down there and ask if they will sell them to me.

The bar arrived yesterday and looks great. I will get some pics of it shortly.

I have to wait until next month to order the powertech power rack and the month after that to order a bench... wife's orders.

**TunnelRat** · 09-16-2007, 08:40 AM

She-Who-Must-Be-Obeyed...!

When your wife is not happy -- nobody is happy...

**bgates1654** · 09-16-2007, 12:11 PM

I have to make her happy enough so that she will film me for some form checks. That way you guys can watch me break my ass trying to snatch way more than I can do

imported_etothepii · 09-16-2007, 03:41 PM

I need to make on of those. Thanks for the inspiration!

**DanOz** · 09-17-2007, 09:33 AM

Happy wife = happy life...

**bgates1654** · 09-17-2007, 10:49 AM

It was a little more expensive than I figured it would be. I had no idea 3/4" plywood was that expensive. I saved 1 4'x8' sheet by making it 8'x6' instead of 8'x8'. All together it was $251.

2 4'x6' rubber horse stall matting: $85
Cheapest 3/4" plywood $24x5
Nice 3/4" plywood top layer $36
wood glue $5
1-1/4" coarse drywall screws $5

**bgates1654** · 10-08-2007, 09:01 PM

I just picked up a powertec power rack from www.fitnesszone.com for $350 shipped and a powertec flat bench PF-B at www.amazon.com for $130 shipped. The bench supports 600lbs, which will be plenty for me for quite a while, and has adjustments for incline/decline despite being described as a flat bench.

Also the bumper plates finally arrived and I did the inaugural power clean and dropped it from my shoulders. It bounced up past my waist! Super awesome... So once these arrive my gym should be complete. The next thing is jsut add on weights and stuff. The next for me to pick up is a set of 25lb bumper plates. Ill try and post some pics of the stuff and a vid of me power cleaning.

**Lol** · 10-08-2007, 09:45 PM

Excellent! I need to make one of those lifting platforms but I have to lay a concrete floor first. I can't wait to be able to use my bumpers properly. I tested the existing suspended flooring by dropping a 15kg bumper plate on it from about knee height - it knocked a hole right through it! *

So, I've temporarily laid a sheet of ply over it which has helped for the time being but I'm not risking dropping a loaded bar from shoulder height.

One piece of advice is get a really good bar. I got a 700lb rated bar that bent after only very little use. I think it was the 600lb rack pulls that did it. Having to use a bent bar is really annoying for lots of exercises.

Edit: Ah, just realised you've already got your bar! Hope it stays straight.

**quadancer** · 10-11-2007, 08:28 AM

My load broke the floor doing 400+ deads. Fortunately I'm a carpenter and have some spare lumber to build one with, but time is my problem: too many hunnydoos!!!

**bgates1654** · 10-11-2007, 02:02 PM

The platform should dissipate the pressure. That 35lbs had maybe a 4in-sqr contact area. Just laying there it is exerting 6.25psi. With the platform it would have a much lower pressure on the floor due to a 6'x8' platform having a 6912in-sqr contact area. I think you could be fine with the platform, unless it overloads the subflooring.

I cant use enough weight on the bar to bend it yet. I still have my cheapo dicks sporting goods 300lb set bar and I probably wont blow that one up even.