Body bars vs. barbells

[FitChick21]

Originally Posted by KickDancer

Don't forget to check out the $23 barbell set that antbuko posted about at Amazon! Then there's also the $33 mini-barbell at Wal-Mart and Amazon. So many choices...

I actually looked on amazon.com for it and couldn't find it, did you have any luck?

[KickDancer]

Originally Posted by FitChick21

I actually looked on amazon.com for it and couldn't find it, did you have any luck?

Hmm, I can't find it either! Better ask antbuko for the URL...

I did see the Cap Barbell/Dumbbell set that I bought at Dick's, though. But I think Amazon's listing has an error-- I don't believe the unloaded barbell weighs 25lbs. I think it's actually 15lbs. (either that or I'm much stronger than I thought!). Amazon's listing it for $55:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...goods&n=507846

[antbuko]

Originally Posted by FitChick21

I actually looked on amazon.com for it and couldn't find it, did you have any luck?

Here it is. It's been in my shopping cart since January.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...2GHI9&v=glance

[KickDancer]

Originally Posted by KickDancer

Then there's also the $33 mini-barbell at Wal-Mart and Amazon. So many choices...

I managed to talk to a CS rep (800/704-5561, EM Fitness) about both the Danskin and the Danskin Now barbell sets. I was told that both barbell sets are safe for adding plates with weights of up to 30 lbs. Here are the differences:

Danskin 4-in-1 barbell set (available at Amazon):
- unloaded padded bar unscrews in middle and weighs 6 lbs.
- 1 pair of green vinyl-coated plates weighing 3 lbs. each
- 1 pair of blue vinyl-coated plates weighing 5 lbs. each
- patented spring-loaded collars for changing plates quickly

Danskin Now 4-in-1 barbell set (available at Wal-Mart):
- unloaded padded bar unscrews in middle and weighs 5 lbs.
- 1 pair of orange vinyl-coated plates weighing 2 lbs. each
- 1 pair of purple vinyl-coated plates weighing 4 lbs. each
- different kind of collars (wouldn't comment on which was better/worse)

Hope that might help anyone else who's considering these barbell sets! I myself am undecided, since I'd prefer the 6-lb bar but want the 2- and 4-lb plates (and really should just stick to my current barbell set anyway). And I can't decide between the collars without trying them both. Has anyone else had the opportunity to compare them?

[FitChick21]

Thanks antbuko!!

[KickDancer]

So what did you end up getting (if anything)? And how do you like it so far?

[bzar]

Originally Posted by KickDancer

I managed to talk to a CS rep (800/704-5561, EM Fitness) about both the Danskin and the Danskin Now barbell sets. I was told that both barbell sets are safe for adding plates with weights of up to 30 lbs. Here are the differences:

Danskin 4-in-1 barbell set (available at Amazon):
- unloaded padded bar unscrews in middle and weighs 6 lbs.
- 1 pair of green vinyl-coated plates weighing 3 lbs. each
- 1 pair of blue vinyl-coated plates weighing 5 lbs. each
- patented spring-loaded collars for changing plates quickly

Danskin Now 4-in-1 barbell set (available at Wal-Mart):
- unloaded padded bar unscrews in middle and weighs 5 lbs.
- 1 pair of orange vinyl-coated plates weighing 2 lbs. each
- 1 pair of purple vinyl-coated plates weighing 4 lbs. each
- different kind of collars (wouldn't comment on which was better/worse)

Hope that might help anyone else who's considering these barbell sets! I myself am undecided, since I'd prefer the 6-lb bar but want the 2- and 4-lb plates (and really should just stick to my current barbell set anyway). And I can't decide between the collars without trying them both. Has anyone else had the opportunity to compare them?

REVIVING....this super OLD Thread.....

i found yet another Danskin weight set from Craigslist. It differs in design compared with the ones described in KickDancer's post. the seller *thinks* she got it from Sam's Club about 2-3 years ago. it sounds plausible since Sam's and Walmart carry similar brands but the actual product might differ.

Danskin barbell and adjustable dumbbell set + bench ...from Sam's Club ?? :
- unloaded padded bar* unscrews in middle and weighs 5.5 lbs.
- 2 unloaded padded dumbbell handles** and each handle weighs 2 lbs.
- 4 pairs of purple vinyl-coated plates weighing 1 lb. each
- 2 pairs of green vinyl-coated plates weighing 3 lbs. each
- 1 pair of blue vinyl-coated plates weighing 5 lbs. each
- 3 pairs of collars*** 1 pair for each dumbbell and padded bar
- adjustable bench with 4 levels of incline (including declining backwards)

* bar can hold up to 3 danskin plates on each side and with the given plates in this set, can create a bar with max weight of 22# + 5.5# = 27.5# (5#, and 2, 3# plates on each side, 5.5# bar).
** dumbbells can hold up to 2 plates on each side, thereby making a max 18# dumbbell (or even a 12#, something i've wanted!).

***collars have these pins + clip design for super quick release; no springs in this design

i have been studying KickDancer's post over the past several days, trying to figure out which set was being sold based on kick's post. the seller had a picture and it didn't look like anything i saw on the web under the danskin brand.

the bench looks like most of the danskin benches on the web, except that it has a metal coil (near the back on the bottom) for holding the plates for storage, a wire "tray" for holding the 2 dumbbells, and a coupling for holding the padded bar in a vertical position. the coil holds the loose plates in a vertical position. the bottom coil and tray form a "V" shape, making the base of it compact.

when you want to fold the bench up, you simply pull it in the upright position and there's a safety lock/spring pin that keeps it from falling down. in the storage / unused position, it is ~ 44".

now for the punchline: i got it for $40 !!!!

i paid what she was asking. i don't know what sam's had sold it for. she barely used it, and she looks like she works out.

count this as another craiglist victory!

EDITED TO ADD:
i e-mailed the seller about how much she paid, and she said it costed her around $120.

[LAC]

bzar - sounds like you got a very good deal! I'm jealous I don't understand why Danskin has discontinued their barbell and wish they'd bring it back (I want one for myself!)