How much better is an O-Lifting bar, really?

Patrick Donnelly · 03-04-2008, 05:29 PM

So... I've been looking into weightlifting shoes recently... Probably going to buy a pair of Do-Wins from Glenn Pendlay... And it made me wonder: "Should I buy a bar too?"

I'm going to be needing another one for group training in a few weeks (in addition to my 45# chrome bar and 275# of bumpers), so I can either buy another chrome bar for about $25 off Craig's List, or a $159 Pendlay CrossFit Bar. (That price does not seem to include shipping... That'll hurt.) Is it worth getting the more expensive bar? Take note that I'll be leaving for college in mid-August, leaving nearly all of my equipment behind. It'll still be around for vacations and after college, but it won't be getting any use in the meanwhile.

I've got a goal of hitting a BW snatch this year, which I plan on starting toward soon, but I'm currently only doing about 75% BW... So I'm not going heavy by any means, but would it help? $159 worth of help?

Joe Hart · 03-04-2008, 06:25 PM

A good OLY bar is well worth the money. I have a Pendlay Men's bar and love it. I would save your money and get the 20KG Penlay bar or better work a deal for xmas or bday. You can work the poor college student angle.

Get a good bar and it will last a long time and it will help your technique ( atleast it did for me).

Patrick Donnelly · 03-04-2008, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe Hart

or better work a deal for xmas or bday. You can work the poor college student angle.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAAAA!!!!

Not in a bazillion years.

While I bet that the Pendlay bar is well-made, that's beyond my wallet and my needs right now. When I've got my own home, that'd be a nice addition to the gym, but I'd have to be C&J'ing 350 pounds before I would even think of rewarding myself with that.

John Seiler · 03-04-2008, 08:21 PM

I think Randy Strossen said it best in an old IronMind catalog:

If you're weak and plan on staying that way, a cheap bar will do just fine. If you plan on getting strong you'll want to invest in a quality bar.

Seriously, though, if are going for a BW Snatch you'll need something with some whip.

Allen Yeh · 03-05-2008, 02:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patrick Donnelly

So... I've been looking into weightlifting shoes recently... Probably going to buy a pair of Do-Wins from Glenn Pendlay... And it made me wonder: "Should I buy a bar too?"

I'm going to be needing another one for group training in a few weeks (in addition to my 45# chrome bar and 275# of bumpers), so I can either buy another chrome bar for about $25 off Craig's List, or a $159 Pendlay CrossFit Bar. (That price does not seem to include shipping... That'll hurt.) Is it worth getting the more expensive bar? Take note that I'll be leaving for college in mid-August, leaving nearly all of my equipment behind. It'll still be around for vacations and after college, but it won't be getting any use in the meanwhile.

I've got a goal of hitting a BW snatch this year, which I plan on starting toward soon, but I'm currently only doing about 75% BW... So I'm not going heavy by any means, but would it help? $159 worth of help?

If you go with the Do-win's I'd check out the Rogue Fitness Do-win's they look pretty sweet and have a little bit less of a heel than the blue/red Do-win's I've heard. I think I saw pictures over at the Crossfit Equipment Board.

P.S. I returned Good Calories/bad Calories so you should be one more person up on the waitlist. I didn't get to finish it as I was trying to read another book at the same time that I got on hold at the same time.

sarena kopciel · 03-05-2008, 04:22 AM

and check out those botev shoes over at this site, they look awesome!

wfs

Patrick Donnelly · 03-05-2008, 09:33 AM

I forgot to mention:
Near the end of the summer, I plan on doing a big group-buy for any of my clients who want to begin a home gym, with the goal to being to save them some money on shipping. So, that would be a decent time to put in an order for an expensive bar of my own, but I don't think it'd be worth the wait.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Allen Yeh

If you go with the Do-win's I'd check out the Rogue Fitness Do-win's they look pretty sweet and have a little bit less of a heel than the blue/red Do-win's I've heard. I think I saw pictures over at the Crossfit Equipment Board.

They look cool, but I don't pay extra for style. Are you sure about the heels?

Quote:

P.S. I returned Good Calories/bad Calories so you should be one more person up on the waitlist. I didn't get to finish it as I was trying to read another book at the same time that I got on hold at the same time.

I bought my own copy. I've been getting at it, but it's a slooooow, read.

Re: John
Good point. But how good should I go?

Allen Yeh · 03-05-2008, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patrick Donnelly

I bought my own copy. I've been getting at it, but it's a slooooow, read.

That is what I thought so the other book I had gotten "The World is Flat" received the majority of my attention.

RE: Heel on the do-wins

That is what I have read here:
http://board.crossfit.com/showthread.php?t=28230

It was mentioned on the P&B board also in the Oly section.

Having never worn any other Oly shoes other than the Do-win's I don't know anything different since before I was lifting in wrestling shoes.

There are also 2 shorter straps on the new Rogue Do-wins. At a 10 dollar bump had I known about these prior I might have just waited. An issue with the Do-wins now is the strap seems to be excessively long.

John Seiler · 03-05-2008, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patrick Donnelly

Re: John
Good point. But how good should I go?

Well, you already stated the Pendlay bar is too pricey to be an option. In which case try to swing the Economy bar. Ahmik Jones might still have some of the unfinished (lacking black oxide) bars for $159, I believe. Not having the finish won't affect the performance of the bar but it will rust up a bit.

I thought I read that the CrossFit bar and the economy bar are the same. I don't know if that's true. Either one should be a really big jump from a cheapo generic bar. You might just want to give Glenn a call. I've spoken to him -he's super nice, obviously knows his sh-t, and is genuinely interested in making sure you get the right bar for you.

BTW, I'm really glad I chimed in or I wouldn't have noticed the Rogue shoe comment about heel height. I bought some Do-Wins last year that were too high fo my taste. I was contemplating getting some Adistars but was also thinking about waiting until later this year when the Nike Titan's will (hopefully) be released. Problem solved.

Yuen Sohn · 03-05-2008, 10:20 AM

Patrick,
I've lifted on the Pendlay bar (at CrossFit NYC) and like John mentioned, you'll definitely feel the difference from a regular barbell. The knurling seemed to beat up my hands a bit more than the Eleikos, so make sure you've got some tape handy if you decide to get it. Other than that, they felt great.

I realize you're on a budget for the time being. Whether you should spend money on shoes or a barbell is a tough call, as both are pretty vital pieces of equipment. I will say, however, that I train with 2 guys who snatch over bodyweight while lifting in combat boots and/or dress shoes. One guy actually prefers his dress shoes over lifting shoes. Something to think about.

Good luck with the bodyweight snatch! Definitely a great goal for the summer.

Edit: Forgot to add...by dress shoe I mean an Oxford-style shoe with a hard heel and rubber (NOT leather) sole.