Has anyone tried using PVC tubing or similar to add diameter to a standard olympic bar? I'd like to throw in some thick grip work but, as I work out in a gym, I need to be able to carry whatever I use with me. I've seen some commercial doodads for this but don't really want to spend more than a few bucks... :) Other ideas?

Kirk

Yes, take 3" PVC (thick wall) and slide over a std olympic bar, works nice, if you don't feel like carrying the pipe around, just take a bar load it up on a bench (start with 225, just to feel the weight), go over and pick up one side, leaving the other side racked, tada thick bar static holds, works nice!

: Thanks on both ideas! I hadn't thought of
: holding the plate end... Hmmm... :)

The bar end thing is good.

You can also take a thick 2' piece of galvanized pipe, fix a cap or flange on one end, load plates and lift it vertically. That's much worse than the normal way! They will probably let you carry that in. You can also put stops in the middle and use it for a dumbell as well.

Bryce

: Hmmm, I'm not sure I can grip a 2' pipe. :)
: Also, is a thick 2" pipe thicker than
: plain 2" pipe? :)Again, another option
: I hadn't considered. This one sounds easily
: doable to. Thanks!

Its the same pipe, usually its in "id" or internal diameter. Just get something you can slide plates on, thats all.

: Yep, I think making a DB like this would do the
: trick. I'd still like something else for BB
: work too so I hope the PVC idea works out.

You can use about a 4-5' lenght of pipe as a thick bar. I wouldnt' go any longer than that.

Bryce

: Thanks again,

: Kirk