bench press bar

brethforme.DeleteThis@yahoo.com wrote:
> hey everyone,
>
> i'm starting out in doing bench presses. my friend suggested to get a
> 5ft bench press bar but i looked around the internet and found 5-7ft
> bars. which one should i get? i'm 5'7 and 125 lbs.
>
> thanks--
>
> -Jerome
>

Get a 7 foot standard (sometimes called "Olympic") bar. It weighs 45
pounds and I am sure you can bench 45 pounds. That way, when your bench
improves, or you want to use the bar for other exercises such as
deadlifts where you can handle a heavier weight, you'll already have it.

Larry
 >> Stay informed about: bench press bar 

brethforme wrote:
> rutabaga22 wrote:
>>brethforme wrote:
>>
>>>hey everyone,
>>>i'm starting out in doing bench presses. my friend suggested to get a
>>>5ft bench press bar but i looked around the internet and found 5-7ft
>>>bars. which one should i get?

>>Get a 7 foot standard (sometimes called "Olympic") bar. It weighs 45
>>pounds and I am sure you can bench 45 pounds. That way, when your bench
>>improves, or you want to use the bar for other exercises such as
>>deadlifts where you can handle a heavier weight, you'll already have it.
>>Larry

> thanks Larry for the info! i can't afford the Olympic bar at the moment
> (i know that your point is it's an investment). would another 7ft
> generic bar, ..

Most bars are olympic type. They have sleeves for 2 in diameter weights.
Availability of the standard 1 in diameter sleeve bars is less. The
olympic type weights are far more common too. Also, the 7 ft bars are
by far the most common straight bars. A 5 ft bar won't fit in regular
benches.

You should be able to find a decent bar at one of these sites.
http://www.newyorkbarbells.com/bars&handles.html
http://www.jesupgym.com/bars.htm
http://www.fitnessfactory.com/Category.aspx?CategoryID=15&ItemLabel=Ba...%26+Col
 >> Stay informed about: bench press bar 

<brethforme RemoveThis @yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1120624154.838499.123780@g43g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
> thanks Larry for the info! i can't afford the Olympic bar at the moment
> (i know that your point is it's an investment). would another 7ft
> generic bar, though it won't last long but just temporary, do just as
> well?
>
>
These things show up in the paper all the time. Go to garage sales. Check
the shopper papers. Look on http://www.craigslist.org/ , etc.
 >> Stay informed about: bench press bar 

<brethforme.TakeThisOut@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1120624154.838499.123780@g43g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
> thanks Larry for the info! i can't afford the Olympic bar at the moment
> (i know that your point is it's an investment). would another 7ft
> generic bar, though it won't last long but just temporary, do just as
> well?
>
any 5.5' or 6' bar will do. will last a lifetime.


>
>
> rutabaga22 wrote:
> > brethforme.TakeThisOut@yahoo.com wrote:
> > > hey everyone,
> > >
> > > i'm starting out in doing bench presses. my friend suggested to get a
> > > 5ft bench press bar but i looked around the internet and found 5-7ft
> > > bars. which one should i get? i'm 5'7 and 125 lbs.
> > >
> > > thanks--
> > >
> > > -Jerome
> > >
> >
> > Get a 7 foot standard (sometimes called "Olympic") bar. It weighs 45
> > pounds and I am sure you can bench 45 pounds. That way, when your bench
> > improves, or you want to use the bar for other exercises such as
> > deadlifts where you can handle a heavier weight, you'll already have it.
> >
> > Larry
>
 >> Stay informed about: bench press bar 

"Jeff Finlayson" <finlayson.TakeThisOut@hiwaaay.not> wrote in message
news:11cmuak50ienid6@corp.supernews.com...
> brethforme wrote:
> > rutabaga22 wrote:
> >>brethforme wrote:
> >>
> >>>hey everyone,
> >>>i'm starting out in doing bench presses. my friend suggested to get a
> >>>5ft bench press bar but i looked around the internet and found 5-7ft
> >>>bars. which one should i get?
>
> >>Get a 7 foot standard (sometimes called "Olympic") bar. It weighs 45
> >>pounds and I am sure you can bench 45 pounds. That way, when your bench
> >>improves, or you want to use the bar for other exercises such as
> >>deadlifts where you can handle a heavier weight, you'll already have it.
> >>Larry
>
> > thanks Larry for the info! i can't afford the Olympic bar at the moment
> > (i know that your point is it's an investment). would another 7ft
> > generic bar, ..
>
> Most bars are olympic type. They have sleeves for 2 in diameter weights.
> Availability of the standard 1 in diameter sleeve bars is less. The
> olympic type weights are far more common too. Also, the 7 ft bars are
> by far the most common straight bars. A 5 ft bar won't fit in regular
> benches.
>
> You should be able to find a decent bar at one of these sites.
> http://www.newyorkbarbells.com/bars&handles.html
> http://www.jesupgym.com/bars.htm
>
http://www.fitnessfactory.com/Category.aspx?CategoryID=15&ItemLabel=Ba...%26+Col

plenty of good solid benches suit a domestic bar 5'5 or 6' - you don;t need
'Olympic' unless you are competing and save $$
 >> Stay informed about: bench press bar 

I would recommend the 'Olympic' style set also. I have used the
smaller bar weight sets and they just aren't as good a buy even though
they are cheaper. I "outgrew" my small bar set when I was 16. If
there is any way you can get an Olympic set I would recommend it above
a smaller bar set. I would even borrow money from your parents and pay
them back so that you can get the higher quality set, they don't wear
out.

James
 >> Stay informed about: bench press bar 

Jerome,
A set that allows you to adjust to do the incline press would be a
good thing also. I have switched to primarily doing incline presses
and they are easier on my shoulders. I do bench press about every
third chest workout or so to lessen the wear and tear on my shoulders.
James
 >> Stay informed about: bench press bar 

<brethforme.RemoveThis@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1120601415.506473.67730@g49g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
> hey everyone,
>
> i'm starting out in doing bench presses. my friend suggested to get a
> 5ft bench press bar but i looked around the internet and found 5-7ft
> bars. which one should i get? i'm 5'7 and 125 lbs.

If you're just starting out lifting weights, consider starting out with
something other than the bench press.

What most folks I know have done is get a complete 300 lbs. weight set
for about $150. It's everything you'll need for a long time and
includes a 45 lb. bar and 255 lbs. of plates, and it's a much better
value than buying the pieces separately.

-S-
http://www.kbnj.com
 >> Stay informed about: bench press bar 

David wrote:
> Jeff Finlayson wrote:
>>brethforme wrote:

....
>>>thanks Larry for the info! i can't afford the Olympic bar at the moment
>>>(i know that your point is it's an investment). would another 7ft
>>>generic bar, ..
>>
>>Most bars are olympic type. They have sleeves for 2 in diameter weights.
>>Availability of the standard 1 in diameter sleeve bars is less. The
>>olympic type weights are far more common too. Also, the 7 ft bars are
>>by far the most common straight bars. A 5 ft bar won't fit in regular
>>[common] benches.
>>
>>You should be able to find a decent bar at one of these sites.
>>http://www.newyorkbarbells.com/bars&handles.html
>>http://www.jesupgym.com/bars.htm
>>http://www.fitnessfactory.com/Category.aspx?CategoryID=15&ItemLabel=Bars+%26+Collars
>
> plenty of good solid benches suit a domestic bar 5'5 or 6' -
-- Yea, but I mentioned 5 ft bars.

> you don;t need 'Olympic' unless you are competing and save $$
-- OK, but there happens to be cheap 7 ft bars that cost the same
or less than 5 ft and 6 ft bars on the fitness factory site.
http://www.fitnessfactory.com/Category.aspx?CategoryID=15
 >> Stay informed about: bench press bar 

"Jeff Finlayson" <finlayson.RemoveThis@hiwaaay.not> wrote in message
news:11cpc6bg95bkr66@corp.supernews.com...
> David wrote:
> > Jeff Finlayson wrote:
> >>brethforme wrote:
>
> ...
> >>>thanks Larry for the info! i can't afford the Olympic bar at the moment
> >>>(i know that your point is it's an investment). would another 7ft
> >>>generic bar, ..
> >>
> >>Most bars are olympic type. They have sleeves for 2 in diameter
weights.
> >>Availability of the standard 1 in diameter sleeve bars is less. The
> >>olympic type weights are far more common too. Also, the 7 ft bars are
> >>by far the most common straight bars. A 5 ft bar won't fit in regular
> >>[common] benches.
> >>
> >>You should be able to find a decent bar at one of these sites.
> >>http://www.newyorkbarbells.com/bars&handles.html
> >>http://www.jesupgym.com/bars.htm
>
>>http://www.fitnessfactory.com/Category.aspx?CategoryID=15&ItemLabel=Bars+%
26+Collars
> >
> > plenty of good solid benches suit a domestic bar 5'5 or 6' -
> -- Yea, but I mentioned 5 ft bars.
>
> > you don;t need 'Olympic' unless you are competing and save $$
> -- OK, but there happens to be cheap 7 ft bars that cost the same
> or less than 5 ft and 6 ft bars on the fitness factory site.
> http://www.fitnessfactory.com/Category.aspx?CategoryID=15

I s'pose - one day he will deadlift more than 500 lbs so will need the extra
length
 >> Stay informed about: bench press bar 

thanks guys for the information. really appreciate the fast responses!
i found all of your opinions helpful.

i'll post again on my progress with the weights.

take care and good waves>>

Jerome
 >> Stay informed about: bench press bar