Advantage vs. Disadvantages of lite barbell?

[Janis]

I have been using an old 5' weider barbell which weighs 17.5 pounds without plates. What are the advantages and disadvantages of having the lighter 4.5 pound barbell?

The only disadvantages of the barbell I am using, that I have found so far, is that I seem to be math challenged when I am pumped up on endorphins (17.5 + __= ) and I need to replace the screw cap thing-ys that hold the plates on, they do not work very well.


Janis

 

[MommaPew]

Well, one of the advantage of using your 17.5# BB is less plates to have to add on

 

[spyrosmom]

I have a 15lb screw barbell. I replaced the screw thingies with spring clips and it works fine and saves times. I occasionally blank on the math, too. I couldn't figure out why my incline presses were so light last night - I was off 10lbs. Oops!!!! Fixed it for the 2nd,3rd,4th sets. I've never thought about replacing it. The one I have worsk fine, and that's $100 I don't need to spend on a new barbell. I guess the only disadvantage is if you want to use less that than bar weight, but then you'd just have to switch to DB's.

Nan

 

[kathryn]

A couple of advantages of the Troy Lite are 1) it seems better sized for most women (petite and medium-sized ones) and 2) the rubber-coated weights that go with the system are great (won't rust).

A couple of disadvantages might be 1) the weight limit (80#, I think?) 2) having to put on more plates to get a higher weight.

 

[Janis]

I have a 15lb screw barbell. I replaced the screw thingies with spring clips and it works fine and saves times. I occasionally blank on the math, too. I couldn't figure out why my incline presses were so light last night - I was off 10lbs. Oops!!!!

Nan

Great! I had wondered if the spring clips would work, I'll look for one's that accomodate 1" diam rod. Are the spring tight- I mean, are they easy to squeeze??

I made the math error yesterday too - but in the other direction....I couldn't figure out why I went to failure so quickly. Finally during the LAST barbell exercise I put the bar down to change the weight and couldn't believe I had an additional 10 pounds!

 

[Janis]

A couple of advantages of the Troy Lite are 1) it seems better sized for most women (petite and medium-sized ones) and 2) the rubber-coated weights that go with the system are great (won't rust).

A couple of disadvantages might be 1) the weight limit (80#, I think?) 2) having to put on more plates to get a higher weight.

The better size - is there a particular exercise where this is more noticeable than others - like will I have more trouble with bench press or shoulder press or ????

Thanks for your feedback. I tussle with the pros and cons of just about anything!

Janis

 

[mgm1]

I bought the lite barbell because I had EZE curl bar with the screws and it was taking too long to change the plates. The only problem I have with the lite bar and the plates is a horrible rubber smell. I now have a headache for 3 days from this smell. I am just sensitive to certain odors, so this may not bother you. I was soaking the plates in baking soda for 2 days! but it did not help. Now the barbell and the plates are oustide and I really hope the smell will go

I did not realize that I could have just bought the clips and use my old barbell... live and learn!

 

[spyrosmom]

Great! I had wondered if the spring clips would work, I'll look for one's that accomodate 1" diam rod. Are the spring tight- I mean, are they easy to squeeze??

I made the math error yesterday too - but in the other direction....I couldn't figure out why I went to failure so quickly. Finally during the LAST barbell exercise I put the bar down to change the weight and couldn't believe I had an additional 10 pounds!

The spring clips were about $2 or $3 a pair at Sports Authority. They were a little tight at first to squeeze, but loosened up pretty quick, now they are just right.

Nan

 

[shanihib]

I have a threaded 13.5# bar and a troy lite bar. I have tried the spring clips on my bar but they do not fit and just roll around on the bar... The threads are SO long that it takes forever to tighten the weights on there (I've even thought of finding a welder that could cut off part of them since I doubt I'll ever use that much of the thread LOL).

Honestly I prefer the Troy Lite. Yes, the rubber smell is obnoxious but after 4 months or so the smell is mild and in a few months I have a feeling it will be mostly gone. For what it is worth.

 

[NancyAZ]

Yes, the rubber smell is obnoxious but after 4 months or so the smell is mild and in a few months I have a feeling it will be mostly gone. For what it is worth.

It's strange. I have had the Troylite bar and weights for a long time and I never did notice any odor. And I'm pretty sensitive to that type of thing.

 

[morningstar]

I have a 15# BB and a 13.5# BB. Who the hell makes a 13.5#BB? How am I supposed to figure that weight out in the middle of a workout? That's just laziness on the part of the manufacturer!

 

[Janis]

Thank you everyone for your responses - they helped me form a plan of action. I ordered three sets of Valeo spring clips from Amazon (Prime customer, so free shipping and I'll get them tomorrow, yeah!!!!) and I also ordered a barbell pad. My DS 11yo suggested I make a chart with all the weight combination's, smart huh!?

I am not sure if the extra foot on my bar will hinder my ability at some future date.

Plan B is I'll order the troy-lite if the spring clips do not work.

Gosh Magda I am sorry to hear about how smelly the bar bell is, and how long it could take for it to dissipate. I'm sensitive to smells too. And having this information helped me a lot.

Thanks again
Janis

 

[Janis]

FWIW the valeo spring clips arrived today, and work on my 5' barbell!

(tuning in late? the clips are replacing the old red cap with screw assembly which doesn't work very well, and is a pain when changing out weights.)

 

[ImFiddY]

I just purchased the troy light barbell (from dumbbellbuddy) and think it's a great size for me. I only had a curl bar before. I have weights from the curl bar set and the clips and weights work fine on it.