Need Opinions on Eleiko Equipment and Stones

[Kyle]

I'm looking to set up a quasi home gym this summer. However, instead of decking it out with a power rack, benches, and everything else, I'm looking to put in an olympic lifting platform (may build one on my own), a full set of bumper plates, and strongman implements. Since I pay less than a dollar a day to go to the gym right now, I'm just going to keep my membership and do basic stuff there (squats,benches,deads,etc.). With this in mind, I have a couple of questions.

1. I want to get a good set of olympic bumper plates and bar. If I choose to not make money an issue, would you choose an Eleiko set over a brand like York or Chapman? I basically want to buy a good set and have it last a lifetime. I'm more than willing to shell out the money if it is worth it. I figure I might as well get the best the first time.

2. Where can I go to get stones? I can build a platform and get other implements from Pitbull, but I need stones. Nobody in my area does strongman, so I figure I'll need to make my own. How do I go about this?

Thanks for any advice/suggestions.

[benjamin d. moore]

How far are you from DC?

[Kyle]

Ben, I live about 2.5-3 hours from D.C. I'm actually looking to transfer to George Washinton University in D.C. next semester.

[Matt Nickerson]

I not an expert on weight sets, so I really can't anwser that part of your question.
There a bunch of great online sites that make OLY platforms (I just can't think of any of them but I'm sure somebody will post one or two). Ironmind teaches you how to make your own off their website.
As far as stones go, you have a couple of choices. You can either google how to make Atlas Stones and you'll get a bunch of "do-it-yourself" websites. You can go to one of a couple of websites (atomicathletic.com) and buy premade stones, but they cost a poop load before shipping is factored in.
Or, you can buy the molds from slaterstone.com, which has online clips on how to make the stones once you buy all the nessesary items.

Hope this helps.

[benjamin d. moore]

Once you get closer to DC, I have some guys you could hook up with. Until then, you may have to make your own stones.

[Barry Perkins]

hey Kyle..

for stones ..try slater's hardware...they have a website and sell molds n stuff... and if you get closer to DC..or want to make a road trip...I may be able to help you out...

[benjamin d. moore]

Barry, do you train with Grant?

[Matt Meinrod]

Kyle - I'm thinking about doing the same thing in the next 6 months or so. From the research I've done I think it's best to get the best bar possible and that means getting an Eleiko Bar. Then for plates I would get whatever is cheapest. You can get the classic Olympic plates (Red, Blue, Green, Yellow, white, silver, black) or you can get fancy all one color plates and even get your own personal graphics on them (see my power clean video). Now as far as building your own platform or buying one for yourself I guess depends on two things: 1st - how "Bob Villa" are you? if you're not good with your hands in terms of construction than forget about it; 2nd - is the platform going in your house or garage? if it's going in your house get a custom built ready made, if it's in your garage I'd make it yourself if you can...I've priced them out and you can get a premade platform for $700-800 before shipping.

[Steve Pulcinella]

try www.werk-sansport.com for bumper plates. VERY good quality internationally certified bar and plates. Prices are steep but not as much as Elieko. I'm getting set soon at Iron Sport.

[MarkSikora]

Kyle,

Cheapest platform ever: go to a feed store. Get a stall mat. Solid ass rubber, made for dairy cows/horses etc to walk on. Done.

If you want a "real" platform, get a couple of sheets of 3/4" plywood. Cut the mats (hard) for the sides, cut a nice piece of plywood for the middle. Glue down the rubber, screw down the middle, all on the second whole piece of 3/4" ply. Done.

Or, since you are willing to spring for an Eleiko set, by yourself a nice custom platform w/ a custom logo.

I personally would put a photo of Dan Harrison (Strongman Hero of Team Big Sac, WWDHD?) in the center.

1. It would motivate you.

2. You could stomp his photo hard w/ your oly shoes if you wanted. :LOL:

good luck and post some pics when you get all set up

Mark

[David standifer]

Kyle
Do exactly like what Mark said I own a training facility for athletes and we made our platforms and they look exactly like the ones from other companies and cost 1/3 and not to mention the shipping will kill you. When you make it just make sure you paint the middle with some kind of texture or you will be slidding especially on snatches.
David

[Patrick McGuffin]

Kyle,

Cheapest platform ever: go to a feed store. Get a stall mat. Solid ass rubber, made for dairy cows/horses etc to walk on. Done.

If you want a "real" platform, get a couple of sheets of 3/4" plywood. Cut the mats (hard) for the sides, cut a nice piece of plywood for the middle. Glue down the rubber, screw down the middle, all on the second whole piece of 3/4" ply. Done.

Or, since you are willing to spring for an Eleiko set, by yourself a nice custom platform w/ a custom logo.

I personally would put a photo of Dan Harrison (Strongman Hero of Team Big Sac, WWDHD?) in the center.

1. It would motivate you.

2. You could stomp his photo hard w/ your oly shoes if you wanted. :LOL:

good luck and post some pics when you get all set up

Mark

But then you would have Dan Harrison looking up your shorts.
:disgust:
Does anyone know how well Ivanco plates would fit well on a eliko bar?? I was thinking of going that way when I am older (so what if I would have to take out a loan haha, at least I would have calibrated bumpers without the eliko price). I figured it out and you should be able to put on around 900#s if you used 50kg bumpers on it, heheh no need for iron plates.

[Eric Johnson]

Kyle,

Cheapest platform ever: go to a feed store. Get a stall mat. Solid ass rubber, made for dairy cows/horses etc to walk on. Done.......

Mark

Mark, would this allow you to safely drop normal iron plates onto it or would they have to be bumper plates?

[Cory Strack]

I built a platform out of 2 sheets of plywood on top of each other, and then 1/2" rubber mats on top. It's worked great so far, although it's only 4'x8' but that's all the room i have right now. When i put my stone platform on the other side of the gym, i'll expand it out to 8x8. The best part was it didnt cost me anything-we went to a local quarry and got some used rubber from their conveyor belts, and the plywood we had here. Cheap is the way to go, spend the money on a bar and plates.

[David standifer]

Eric
You Can Drop The Metal Plates Onto The Horse Mats The Only Concern Would Be If They Bounce Alittle Bit And Hit The Wood. When We Made Our Platforms We Used 2 Sheets Of 1/2 Inch Plywood On The Bottom And Then We Used 1 Sheet Of 3/4 Mbx Wood For The Top And It When You Center It On Top Of The 1/2 Inch Sheets It Gives The Right Amount Of Space On The Side To Lay Down The 3/4 Horse Mats. We Used Liquid Nails To Hold The Mats Onto The Wood.
D

[Joshua Davis]

Mark, would this allow you to safely drop normal iron plates onto it or would they have to be bumper plates?
Quality iron plates won't damage the mats unless they are dropped off-kilter (making a sharp edge). Crappy uneven plates will. Dropping bars without bumpers, at least dropping good bars without them, can damage the sleeves of your bars and alter their rotation eventually.

You could make a deadlift platform, taking two sheets of 1/2" particle board, criscrossing it with two sheets of 1/2" plywood, and then putting stall mats on top of that. It would be bulletproof. I dropped 300 from overhead yesterday on our deadlift platform at the gym. Besides getting some major stares, it didn't seem to be an issue.

[Ian MacFayden]

If your looking for good bumper plates then eleiko is hands down the best you can possibly buy. A 180Kg set (bar included) will run you around $3500 though, so keep that in mind. Also, if your not doing any actual Olympic Lifting, then the money spent on them will be unnecessary. If your dropping the weights from a decent height on a regular basis, then get a good quality set, Chapman maybe, but dont bother with eleiko. Theres no need for the weights to be DEAD on, a few ounces off wont make a difference, and the ball bearings in the end of the bars are there to save your shoulders with cleans and snatches. One plus of an eleiko bar that WILL carry over to non-OL is that it wont bend nearly as much as a cheaper made bar. So ya, all things to take into account. Basically, if your training the O-lifts and have the money, then get eleiko! if not, think about what i said... About the platform, ya its easy to make one, the other guys have already told you that though.

Ian-

[Cassidy Drake]

For the price of 3500 bucks on a Eleiko set I could buy 8 solid bars from www.biggerfasterstronger.com along with 1000 pounds in bumper plates, a platform, a squat rack, and plyo boxes. Just thought.

[Eric Johnson]

Thanks for the info guys. So using that method for a platform wont hurt the iron plates or my garage cement floor, but may damage my bar.


Thanks.

[Mac Smith]

I really don't see the purpose of spending that much money on a top of the line olympic set (unless of course you have the money). New York Barbells has incredible prices on their bumper weights as well. When I open my gym, I will be ordering most of my stuff including the bumper plates from Bigger Faster Stronger. Good luck

[David Voth]

Rent a U-Haul and drive to Mn, 6 stones (225 250 270 300 335 370), platform, tire, and Herc Hold, even a keg or two. See my post under Members Media.

[Joshua Davis]

I don't know about Elieko, I am sure they are the best, but I use a 20/30-year-old York bar at the gym (with the old two-part sleeves), and I positively love the whip, rotation, and balance of the thing.