Looking for barbell for home gym setup

[tmp_banjo]

Hi All

 

Apologies if this has been asked a million times, I searched the forums, read the first three pages of results and didn't find an answer.

 

As the title says, I'm looking for a barbell for a home gym setup but struggling to find anything to buy in NZ.

 

I've been training at a commercial gym for about 5 years and for the last 2 years I've been focusing on the Powerlifting lifts (plus Military Press).

I was going pretty well with Squat (245kg) and Deadlift (270kg) but circumstances have changed and I would like the convenience of training at home.

 

I managed to track down an Ivanko dealer at Blue Fitness and I have seen Eleiko bars in a couple of places but there's not a lot of choice.

I got a quote for the Ivanko OBXS-20KG-29MM barbell which I think is IPF approved of around $1250.

 

I'm after a lifetime bar really (spend once, spend right) and I am prepared to pay for it... but,

I'm new to NZ and NZ Powerlifting so I'm looking for advice on what to buy and from where to get the best bang for buck.

 

It doesn't have to be perfect (or IPF approved), it just has to be a strong, reliable, stainless steel(?), bushing bar for powerlifting.

 

Is it worth looking at importing bars from Aussie (Awesome As), America (Rogue) or the UK (Watson)?

Are Leoko, Pallini, Uesaka or Werksan barbells available from anyone in NZ?

What are your experiences?

 

Thanks

 

 

 

 

[M.T]

We have all this in our own back yard. Check out Powerfit NZ. His bars and probably the best value for money imo. Powerhouse Gym in Welly has about 4 of them I have one perfect for home use and comp spec.

 

Plates are from there too.

[maccaz]

IF I were you, I'd price up some options from australia, see how much shipping is going to cost you and decide from there if you wanna buy in nz or not.

 

Here are the best ones im aware of. im buying the top one from aussie barbell co soon.

 

australia barbell co have a good power bar for $440 AUD + shipping. It comes in a fine and coarse knurling. im told the fine is the one to go for.

 

http://www.australianbarbellco.com.au/australianbarbellco/catalogue/?detail&ItemID=2645&SZIDX=11&CCODE=BOP220DF&QOH=0&CATID=400&CLN=2

 

 

 

Valhalla strength have the same power bar as above but with better knurling for $550 AUD + shippin

https://www.valhallastrength.com.au/the-store/

 

Rogue have two good bars:

 

Rogue ohio power bar $550 AUD

https://www.rogueaustralia.com.au/rogue-ohio-power-bar-20-kg-au

 

"the ohio bar"  $450 AUD

https://www.rogueaustralia.com.au/the-ohio-bar-au

 

[Bigken1985]

I have the powerlifting bar from solid strength equipment. It's solid, I know other gyms that have them with no complaints. Moderate bar whip but still 29mm so doesn't flap around too much. Around 400 bucks 

[tmp_banjo]

Thanks for the leads everyone. I'll check them out.

 

@M.T. - If they're good enough for the Powerhouse, then I doubt I'd break them. I must pop in there some day.

 

@Maccaz - Given the exchange rate, shipping costs and GST, are the Aussie bars any better than what I can get in NZ?

 

@BigKen - I'd seen the SolidStrength barbells online but had no idea about their quality. It's good to get a real world opinion before dropping hard earned cash. Thanks

 

I'm getting a welder friend of mine to build one of these http://startingstrength.com/files/starting_strength_rack.pdf for the backyard in the next week or so need to get a bar and plates so I can try it out.

 

Cheers

[maccaz]

tthats the thing mate. id work it all out and go from there. aussie may or may not be cheaper. hard to say without knowing exchange and shipping prices.