• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Why are weights so expensive?

Soccerman06

Soccerman06

Diamond Member
GFG a 50-100lb dumbbell set is like $500-$1000, they are just steel in block with a pole in the middle! 300lb Olympic style bar is $300. Steel is $350/ton... talk about markup.
 
Olympic barbells (the ones meant to actually be used for REAL olympic weightlifting) and power lifting bars and some other equipment costs are justifiable because they are rated to survive a certain amount of abuse (drops, weight, etc.)

Other shit like dumbbells, I think is overpriced.
 
500-1k for dumbbells? you must be talking about those bowflex ones... yeah they're absurdly overpriced, but they do look really nice if you have the cash burning a hole in your pocket. Changing weights manually on a screw-on set is a pain in the ass.
 
I always wondered the same thing. Simple cast iron barbells, even the used ones from play it again sports were expensive.

I figured must have been cuz it was a pain to ship.
 
CKent said:
500-1k for dumbbells? you must be talking about those bowflex ones... yeah they're absurdly overpriced, but they do look really nice if you have the cash burning a hole in your pocket. Changing weights manually on a screw-on set is a pain in the ass.
Click to expand...

No, just regular steel block sets, its something like $1 a pound for a 50-100 set with 5lb increments for everything, 2x100lb costs like $200 for some reason.

I would like to buy it from craigslist but there are no sets for sale that I could see.
 
Soccerman06 said:
No, just regular steel block sets, its something like $1 a pound for a 50-100 set with 5lb increments for everything, 2x100lb costs like $200 for some reason.

I would like to buy it from craigslist but there are no sets for sale that I could see.
Click to expand...

*shrug* I haven't bought iron in years, but I remember paying ~$0.50 / lb. I bought a 7' barbell a year or two ago on the internet for $40 new. All standard, IMO if you're serious enough to be using olympic you should be at a gym anyway.
 
Shipping.

I started buying dumbbells just before gas prices went up a few years ago. I could get them for about 30 cents per pound. At the peak of the gas prices, the lowest I could find new was 79 cents per pound. I did have to call every sports store in town to get those prices though as they can double from store to store. I also bought the cheap grey hex dumbbells since I saw no reason to pay double to have them look better. Also, I bought one used at a retail store at the height of the fuel price.

I saved money by buying just one of each weight. I honestly can't tell the difference if I use a 70 lb weight in one hand and a 75 lb weight in the other. I just switch hands halfway through the set.
 
CKent said:
500-1k for dumbbells? you must be talking about those bowflex ones... yeah they're absurdly overpriced, but they do look really nice if you have the cash burning a hole in your pocket. Changing weights manually on a screw-on set is a pain in the ass.
Click to expand...

I have screw ons. I figure that the 30 seconds spent screwing/unscrewing is insignificant if I spend 300+ seconds on an exerices.
I'm lucky though, I have 4 sets of screw ons. So, I plan my program to increase in weight over time on day one and the oppsite on day two.
 
I paid $150 for an Olympic 300lb weight set brand new. I don't know where you get those prices? Weights and bar included.
I never use them cause I just go to the gym.
 
You should be able to find free weights locally for as low as $0.25/lb.

A dumbbell set from 50-100 is about 1650lbs of weight. The bowflex/reebox/et al are selling convenience though.
 
I don't care about brand or looks, they're all heavy and they can all be lifted.

I bought most of my weights at Walmart in I think 1999 or 2000. I bought two identical 25 piece sets for something like $70. I picked up a bench and bars from the local thrift store.

I weighed all the pieces when I bought them and every piece was within a few ounces of the advertised weight, that's good enough for me, two or three ounces more or less is irrelevant.
 
dullard said:
I saved money by buying just one of each weight. I honestly can't tell the difference if I use a 70 lb weight in one hand and a 75 lb weight in the other. I just switch hands halfway through the set.
Click to expand...

lol, you're hurting yourself more than helping yourself.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top