I got my new equipment!

[mariep]

I just received my new Troy Lite barbell and Power Systems stability ball the other day--I love them both!

I have a question for anyone who switched from a padded barbell (like the Firm one) to the TL barbell--do you find that it actually seems lighter? I used it for the first time last night. On deadlifts, I usually try to do 35lbs, and that's a struggle for me. Well, it actually seemed almost easy with the new barbell! I had to keep adding up the pounds I had on each side to make sure I figured it out correctly! This new barbell is only 5lbs by itself, and my Firm one is 10lbs, so I had to really think about how much weight I was putting on it. I'm guessing it's because my hands and forearms aren't straining so much from trying to hold on to the thick padded barbell--it was great! I'm actually going to try to go a little heavier next time and see how it goes!

And the stability ball is great, too! What a difference a good quality, burst-resistant ball makes. It feels much firmer and more stable than the one I've been using. The stability ball work is still definitely a challenge for me (especially in PLB for some reason), but it was definitely a little better with this good quality ball.

Now I really, really can't wait for the new vids!

Marie

 

[kelley111]

Hi Marie, It is definitely not your imagination about the weight thing. I owned the Firm barbell years ago and then bought the Troy Lite barbell set and could not believe the difference. I can lift much heavier with the Troy barbell and I love it.

 

[runathon]

Good for you! My TL is supposed to get here on Monday...now, I can't wait!!!! Thanks for letting us know!

Blessings from our home to yours...Runathon http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/lach.gif[/img]

 

[Carol122201]

Hi Marie! If it is your imagination, then it's mine too! I had one of those original Firm padded barbells, and bought a more conventional one a few weeks ago, right after I started doing Cathe's videos for the first time. I'm able to do squats and dead lifts with 30 or 35 pounds now (depending on the video and how strong I'm feeling that day), and I was never able to do that with the other barbell. I don't know if it's just the way Cathe's workouts are designed, as opposed to the way the Firm and FitPrime designed their workouts, but mine feels "lighter" too, even though I know they weigh the same. I think it's just the idea of having a longer one, which for me anyway makes it feel more stable. Also, with the pad being gone, I feel like I have a much better grip on it.

Carol

 

[kathryn]

I LOVE my Troy barbell (did you get extra plates with it? I got a couple of 10's and some 1.25's when I ordered). It does seem to feel lighter than the Firm barbell at the same weight. Maybe it has something to do with how the weight is distributed? With a lighter bar, the weight would be mostly towards the ends where the plates are, while with a heavier bar, there would be proportionately more weight in the center where the bar is. I haven't used my FIrm bar for a while, but isn't it also a bit shorter? That would also put more weight toward the center. I have absolutely no idea if I'm on the mark or not, but I felt the urge to theorize!