ONE YEAR Update Review of Fitness Gear 300 lb Olympic Weight Set | Plates and Bar | Home Gym Dick's

[@tbrizmusic]

Dude I wish every product review was as informative, well explained, and thorough as this one was. Awesome job thank you.

[@HowtoandReviewsOfficial]

Thanks, I really appreciate it! Glad it was helpful!

[@positivelynegative9149]

Agreed. Excellent presentation.

[@JOSHOCEANS]

This was an excellent follow up review. I just purchased this set for 400.00 along with the power cage and the bench you have. I have my first in home gym thanks to you and your reviews. Your videos are very comprehensive and straight to the point. I also purchased those stall mats that everyone recommends. 10/10. Tractor Supply Co. for the win. The mats were $52 for 4x6 feet. Thank you again for the these in-depth reviews. Have a Merry Christmas! 🎄

[@HowtoandReviewsOfficial]

Thanks, I appreciate it, and I’m so very happy that the review videos have helped you out. I have definitely purchased some products that I did not care for and got rid of them, but the cage, weight set, and bench are definitely winners without breaking the bank. Nice tip on the stall mats. I just checked them out online and that is a great option. Thanks for sharing!

[@positivelynegative9149]

Great presentation. You're well-spoken and informative. Thank you. 👍

[@HowtoandReviewsOfficial]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@miken2823]

Picked this set up a month ago for $300 on sale. The first week I used it, the coating on the sleeve flaked off. I didn't notice this and when I touched the sleeve I had a metal splinter on my thumb. Something to keep note of.

[@HowtoandReviewsOfficial]

Good to know, thanks for sharing! I thankfully have not experienced that, but I can picture it happening.

[@threefeetoffun]

Even at $400 I am very happy with this set. The handles are such a big pro. I have some 25lb plates from Titan as well and the no-handle is something I have to think about each time I use them.

[@HowtoandReviewsOfficial]

For sure! When I buy additional plates, they will definitely have handles.

[@CEMBerthoud]

I have yet to find a cheaper weight set. I've had my for 7 years now what a great value.

[@HowtoandReviewsOfficial]

I agree. And the handles are a game changer.

[@andrewlopson3394]

Thanks for the review!...When they state the 300 lb capacity on the bar does that mean 300 lb of plates added to the bar? Thanks.

[@HowtoandReviewsOfficial]

That’s correct! 300 pounds of plates on the bar.

[@Dav2]

Owned this bar for 3 ish years and have deadlifted around 395 on it, i realized today it is slightly bent. Ive had problems over the years with the bolts coming out - each time i clean them, loctite them and use an impact to put them back on.

[@HowtoandReviewsOfficial]

That’s great to know, thanks for sharing!

[@panth3r26]

Thought I'd leave my thoughts on these weights since i bought the same set. I paid 299. for my set. Thought it was a good deal. Prices are ridiculous now. I've had lots of health issues long before i started lifting but i was not even close to benching 300lbs when i started. Due to an old injury benching was hard for me but i started to to a commercial gym to workout with someone on weekends and enjoyed working on a Smith machine and had less shoulder pain. I eventually invested in a Smith machine power rack with no counter weights. The bar itself was a disappointing 37 lbs so i ordered a set of micro plates from Amazon to make the bar an even 40 lbs. So with my plates it gave me 295 lbs to work up to. It did not take long to need more. I found a set of 45 lb plates on sale and it gave me more than enough to lift with. I even have to use old 25 lb plates with a 1 in hole, they have the handle holes big enough to fit on the bar. Without putting much effort into training I've hit a Rep Max of 435 lbs. I've thoroughly enjoyed using my weight set i bought. After we move im going to focus on using the original barbell that came with the weights. But they have definitely held up with no issues. All my plates weighed what they were supposed to be as well, i as and am very happy with my purchase. I've searched several apps to buy stuff that is for sale by zip code and found this set for less than 300 bucks, some for 225 dollars. So they can be found even if with some blemishes. Thanks for the review.

[@HowtoandReviewsOfficial]

Awesome! Thanks for sharing! I also ended up getting more plates. I got another complete set from Facebook Marketplace and resold the barbell that came with the second set. My original barbell is holding up just fine with no issues. I didn’t need a second one.

[@biknjak]

Nice review! I bought a similar Nautilus set. I'd be willing to bet it came with the same Chinese made bar with the same 10mm hex bolt (the nicer barbells use snap rings and half moon collars to hold the sleeve on). Like you, I took it apart, greased it and applied LocTite (blue) to the threads. If you get into heavier lifting with that bar, remember that possibly the washer is the only thing holding the sleeve in place, especially if the bolt head is smaller than the bore of the sleeve. I watched a video where a guy who lifted pretty heavy actually had the sleeve slide off because the washer had "coned" over time, allowing the sleeve to slide over it and the bolt head. Another thing to consider is that bar probably doesn't weigh 44 - 45lbs like you'd expect. Mine weighted about 37lbs. That certainly throws off the poundage you THINK you're lifting. I finally got tired of trying to figure out the math on how much I had loaded on the bar and spent the money for a 20kg (44 - 45lb) Ohio bar. But, put it on a scale - maybe yours is the proper weight (I'd be surprised, though!)....😎👍

[@HowtoandReviewsOfficial]

Good points for sure. One of the first things I did was weigh my bar. It weighed in at 44.6 lbs, which was close enough for me!

[@biknjak]

​@@HowtoandReviewsOfficial Nice! I got one of the low end ones, I guess. I had no idea there was so much discrepancy in something I assumed was strictly "standardized"(including plate dimensions and weights). I've worked in the bike industry, and it's all over the place, too, on standardization. Part of the issue here in the U.S. is our refusal to let go of SAE standards. It really gets awkward when you mix that with metric. 😬

[@MOET02]

@@biknjak like you said man they’re cheap pieces of scrap metal that the factory just kinda measures and sticks some sleeves onto. I got myself an Ohio Bar as well and recently rogue was having a sale I got the all black oxide bar for $175 shipped to my door. The only reason I ever bought this set and I got mine back in the day at modells because of just the amount of weight you get back in 2015 when I got it it was $300 for the 300 lb set so 245-255 (the plates can’t all be spot on) worth of iron for roughly $325 that’s tax and I didn’t pay shipping so that’s some cheap plates for new. These days you won’t ever find that again but you’re right having a good bar makes all the difference

[@biknjak]

​@@MOET02Yep. I'm going to use my old bar for rack pulls, etc. I don't want to bugger up my nice bar if I don't have to. I bought the e-coat Ohio bar and love it!

[@greglewis3382]

I have this set and it's been great. I wanted to buy some Fitness Gear 5 pound plates for my loadable dumbbells to match the rest. They are expensive compared to cheaper brands on Amazon. Dicks charges over $2 a pound for these plates.

[@HowtoandReviewsOfficial]

Yeah, it’s been a good set. And buying them individually is very expensive. I ended up buying a second 300 pound set to get more plates. Pretty much a dollar per pound.

[@marktimmons1172]

Great review. I just got these in the other day and was wondering what to expect down the line. Thank you sir

[@HowtoandReviewsOfficial]

Nice! Glad you found it helpful!

[@FerrisWheel-i8b]

Thank you for both these informative videos! I just brought my set home last night. Do you mind telling me which rack you have? I had bought the Marcy Home Gym A-frame Organizer for 2-Inch Olympic Weight Plates and Bar, 300 lbs Capacity PT-5740 but I also need a rack. Wondering if I should return the plate organizer and just get the rack you have. Thoughts?

[@HowtoandReviewsOfficial]

Congratulations on your plates! They have held up great for me! I eventually bought a second set, so I have more plates. I built my own weight plate storage racks. The build video is here. kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z5m7aYWCrtikgbM I have many gym equipment reviews on my channel. They’re all in a “Fitness reviews” playlist. I have a review for pretty much everything in my home gym. And I have more planned. kzbin.info/aero/PLHgCPeClsLOyHP9OW_0BlltSwb2xN8-8E&si=MuqCu_wiVsuqRODj

[@CarlosBeltran-im8lz]

Thanks for the review, i've had the exact set for about 3 months, I've gotten a ton of flaking on portion of the bar the weights go on. The weights themselves have held up good. I may need to give fitness gear a call about the bar flaking off. It comes off quite a bit and gets irritating on my skin when it falls on it.

[@HowtoandReviewsOfficial]

Sorry to hear that, but good to know. Thanks for sharing! I bought my set about a year and a half ago. Manufacturing changes. There are sometimes bad runs, and also process changes because people are always trying to save money.

[@elijahsoper339]

I really like the clinking noise the weights make I'm no sure why

[@HowtoandReviewsOfficial]

Me too!

[@jeffreybabino8161]

It's the sound of lifting weights

[@curtisbrosious8360]

Do you think it could safely hold up to 405 pounds without bending bad?

[@HowtoandReviewsOfficial]

I’ve done it for maxing out deadlifts with no issues, but don’t have any long term experience. I don’t mess around with 1 rep maxes anymore and workout with 300 and under.

[@DavidRoush1689]

Great value, great review

[@HowtoandReviewsOfficial]

Glad it was helpful!

[@mirrorsbrightly]

Solid long term review.

[@TCAPRecipes]

Just got this set a couple months ago. $299. I plan to upgrade the barbell at some point. But not right away. Will definitely grease it up.

[@HowtoandReviewsOfficial]

Awesome!

[@DadBodFitness]

Awesome review dude thank you so much. So would you feel comfortable adding another 45lb of weight to the bar to hit the 300lb capacity? I'm Torin. I've always trained with dumbbells but I'm reaching some plateaus because I can't get much heavier with dumbbells. Been looking at this as an option to start with but I do forsee eventually breaking the 300 pound weight limit. But it would probably get me a ways.

[@HowtoandReviewsOfficial]

I personally feel confident in meeting or slightly exceeding the advertised 300 lb capacity. At the time that I bought this it was $250, so it was a no brainer (I really wish I had bought 2 sets at that time, currently hunting for more Fitness Gear plates on FB marketplace for a good price). Now that it’s $400, there may be better options if capacity is a concern. Costco has a set for $500. The plates are rubberized and the bar has a 700 lb capacity. May be something to consider. Link below. But yes, I plan meet and exceed the 300 lb capacity with no worries. And if it is an issue, I’m ok with purchasing a better bar. www.costco.com/inspire-fitness-rubber-300-lb-olympic-weight-set.product.100712037.html

[@DadBodFitness]

@@HowtoandReviewsOfficial Ok awesome thanks so much, I really appreciate it. Yeah that does sound like a good deal too. Yeah the set I'm looking at a guy bought, never opened, and is getting rid of for 375 but the capacity I know eventually will be an issue. Really appreciate your info!

[@HowtoandReviewsOfficial]

@@DadBodFitness no problem, glad it helped

[@andres0833]

Even with the 45s being smaller cant you slap a bumper on each side then add the smaller 45s and be fine?

[@HowtoandReviewsOfficial]

That would definitely work well. The 45 being smaller is a benefit in that situation because you don’t need to lift the bar up with a 45 already on it to slide on a second 45. It will slide right on with dragging on the ground since it is smaller.

[@mrod3526]

What's the torque spec on the hex bolts? I can't get mine to budge even with leverage.

[@HowtoandReviewsOfficial]

There may be thread locker on the bolts which would make it difficult to remove. I initially removed them nearly 2 years ago and I don’t recall. Use a ratchet with a longer handle or put a pipe or something on the handle to get some more leverage. It’ll come off. I just re-tightened them muscle tight with no issues. The sleeves are still completely secure, but the published torque spec for these grade 8.8 M12 SHCS is 60 ft*lbs

[@mrod3526]

@@HowtoandReviewsOfficial Thanks! I was thinking thread locker also.

[@excurrahee]

Have you upgraded yet? Any bumper plates?

[@HowtoandReviewsOfficial]

I have not. I actually purchased another set so I have more plates. If I could start over, I would go for rubber coated plates with handles. Maybe I’ll switch someday if I have money to throw away, lol. But, these do the job. I like them.

[@jeffreybabino8161]

Hi what rack are you using for the video thanks

[@HowtoandReviewsOfficial]

It is the Fitness Reality 810XLT Super Max Power Cage. I have done a full review video on it, and many other review videos for equipment using this cage. Take a look at the Fitness Reviews playlist on my channel if interested.

[@Jim5pt7v8]

Just curious why you put the 2.5 lb weight plate on the inside of the stack? Great review and follow up!

[@HowtoandReviewsOfficial]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it! Putting the 2.5 plates on first is just a habit. I always leave them on for 2 reasons. 1. It makes the bar 50 lbs, and I suppose I think it makes the math easier. I’m just used to it. 2. Once upon a time, I benched 295 for a PR . Would have been 300 if I had the 2.5s on. So, I just always leave them on.

[@jeffreybabino8161]

So what do you think after one year iam thinking about getting one not sure

[@HowtoandReviewsOfficial]

Quality cast iron plates. The handles are great. The pant is very nice and durable. The bar is cheap, and only has an advertised 300 lb weight capacity, but it has held up fine with no issues and is fine for home bench press and squat use. Definitely not suitable for dropping though.

[@MOET02]

Guys for the weight you get this set is worth it for the money but get yourself a decent Olympic bar which doesn’t have to break the bank even a titan Olympic bar is 28.5 MM with actual bushings and real steel

[@HowtoandReviewsOfficial]

For sure!

[@GregSkinner]

this is a great review! thanks

[@HowtoandReviewsOfficial]

Thanks, I appreciate it! Glad you found it helpful!

[@Max-ju6be]

Why do you have the 2.5 on the inside? Btw I deduced that you were an engineer within the first minute if the video lol.

[@HowtoandReviewsOfficial]

Back in the day, a lifting partner and I used to leave them on to make the math easier; 50 lb bar instead of 45 45 lb. I tried doing it again for a little while, but saw no value. Numbers are numbers and math is math. I’m not currently doing that anymore.

[@Nick1253]

I bought two of these sets and hopefully it will last me forever. Going to get a nicer bar, however cause mine is in my garage and stainless steel is ideal

[@HowtoandReviewsOfficial]

I’m right there with you! My biggest regret is not buying two of these sets when they were $250. I’ve been hunting Facebook Marketplace for more matching plates. And with more plates, I plan on a better bar at some point if necessary. Eventually I’ll have to give up on FB Marketplace and buy another set.

[@hunterXhamster]

Want this set but wish it didn't go up to $400

[@HowtoandReviewsOfficial]

Me too! I wanted a second set for more plates. Really wished I had bought a second set before the price went up. I ended up getting a second set from Facebook marketplace, but I searched daily for months! Saving $150 was not worth the time I wasted searching every day, lol!

[@hardbodytraining100]

Great buy for $400 and under

[@GunnerStrauser]

Just bought these for $200 on sale

[@HowtoandReviewsOfficial]

Awesome! I recommend considering if you will want a second set. If so, now maybe the time to buy it. I bought that set for $300. By the time I realized I needed a second set, they had increased the price to $400.

[@HeavyDuty608]

I broke this bar deadlifting… only had around 365lbs on it😂

[@HowtoandReviewsOfficial]

Oh, wow! Well, I’m sure they’re not all made equal, especially over the range of several years. I hope you didn’t get injured!

[@maddyg282]

Do you have a link to the power cage?

[@HowtoandReviewsOfficial]

No problem. A product link is below, as well as a link to a review video that I did for it. I have also done reviews on several accessories for this cage. amzn.to/3iw3rjW Review video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nnvPZoF5pMmFnpo

[@jeffreybabino8161]

So this bar wouldn't be able to hold 400 pounds

[@HowtoandReviewsOfficial]

It only advertised for 300 lbs, so officially I won’t recommend exceeding 300 lbs. But as a mechanical engineer, I’ll say that it should have been designed with a safety factor and should be capable of at least double. But I did not personally design it and cannot recommend exceeding the advertised 300 lbs weight capacity.

[@lukeparsons1158]

Anyone ever told you that you sound like Joe Pera lmao

[@jeffreybabino8161]

This set is 399.00 currently

[@HowtoandReviewsOfficial]

That’s correct. Used to be $250. Currently $400. I wish I bought two sets when it was $250! I could use some more plates! Keeping an eye out on FB Marketplace…

[@jeffreybabino8161]

So did it live lol 😂

[@HowtoandReviewsOfficial]

Nope. It exploded. JK.

[@jeffreybabino8161]

Ok lol great review thanks for your time and help