Equipment in UK?

[yam]

Any top tips for retailer for weight plates and/or a rack in UK

Have just got a fairly decent barbell, and looking to add a set of Olympic weights.
I don't like bumpers (at least the ones I have seen seem too big in 'volume' for the individual weight) and don't plan on doing anything that involves dropping them in a concrete floor garage, but I like the covered ones at gyms for noise and being more tactile.

I found strengthshop & powerhousefitness through google, any other retailer headsup would be much appreciated before I get the wallet out. It'll be an internet purchase.

(I'm gravitating to having a home set up to do the basic lifts, as the 'big box' gym is kind of annoying and the only 'proper' gym anywhere local, is worrying full of shaven folk with false tans)

[hni]

I bought a pair of shoes, two belts, plates and chalk at strengthshop.co.uk over the last year and am very happy with their customer service.

[JohnW]

Watson gym equipment make good racks and will customise on request

[yam]

Thanks all, I'm north of the border. Checked gumtree but nothing near enough.

Trying to do this on a budget so got a decent starter set of iron plates,125kg, to go with the barbell, you were on the mark for prices per kilo

I am starting with squat stands as have limited garage space, these are cheap, stable and relatively small

http://www.bodymax-fitness.com/bodym...-catchers.html

Next step cancel gym membership, I got everything including the barbell for about 11months worth of membership, should have done this years ago...

[DCM]

Pullum Sports (http://www.pullum-sports.co.uk/) are also really good. My old and current gym have loads of their racks and equipment in them, and I buy all my chalk, shoes, straps, belts etc. from them. I'd phone them up and chat to them if you're making big-item purchases, maybe they'll do some sort of discount.

[Piers Finlayson]

To OP - what barbell did you go for?

[OITW]

I bought a pair of shoes, two belts, plates and chalk at strengthshop.co.uk over the last year and am very happy with their customer service.

I bought rubber plates from them and other kit, no complaints at all. I also got good kit off of Ebay, you just have to be patient. I got a rack from one gym, took it to the local trade school and had it modified to suit at no cost. Got a GHD from the Doncaster rugby league club for a steal (lost the auction but dropped a line to the seller anyway, and when the original winner didn't claim it there I was). Got an Eleiko bar, entirely rusted over and very mildly bent, from a guy in London (watch Ebay and you'll figure out who the guy is quickly, he's always buying/selling lifting kit), for a song and a lot of elbow grease. Got a very well-made prowler knock-off from someone near Birmingham, luckily had friends who could pick it up and get it to me (shipping would have killed on that). The only ones I would buy new from are Strength Shop, for the rest just be patient.