How to use the star collar locks

[OITW]

I picked up two of these 2.5kg star locks with a batch of plates. I've tried to use them many ways, all of which failed until I started using them the way shown in the video. I suppose the correct answer to "How do you use them... " is "Whichever way works best," and my way works, but I wonder what the prescribed way is.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Df6NBfOaEhE

[toddmr]

The video is pretty much correct.

Place the collars on the bar close to the plates, with the spin-lock on the inside, closest to the plates.

Tighten down the wingnuts.

Spin the star to tighten against the plates.

I usually don't bother tightening against the plates too much.

[OITW]

toddmr, thanks, I only use them for DL and PCs, they work so much better than clips for keeping the weights in place.

[toddmr]

Truth be told, I own a pair of them just because they look cool.

[MazdaMatt]

Truth be told, I own a pair of them just because they look cool.

Almost bought some for that reason myself. I'm sure I will once I'm cleaning 100kg+

[Jason B]

I have a pair that came with some plates I bought second-hand, but I never use them.

I prefer these:

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1...atalogId=10053

I use new ones for deadlifts and shit where I'll be dropping the bar, using two if needed, and as they wear and loosen I use them for things like squats and presses. They last a long time, are easy as hell to take on and off, and are dirt cheap.

[MazdaMatt]

I'm shocked that that works.

Perhaps you should do a sanity check... put a pair of plates on one end of the bar and clamp them, then lift the other end of the bar. See if the bar can stand on its end with that clamp holding 2 plates. More if you're stronger.

[OITW]

I'm not at all surprised they work. New, they certainly have more tension than those rinky-dink "wire" clamps, and just like them they'll hold for a few reps until the plates get momentum.

[Jason B]

I'm shocked that that works.

Perhaps you should do a sanity check... put a pair of plates on one end of the bar and clamp them, then lift the other end of the bar. See if the bar can stand on its end with that clamp holding 2 plates. More if you're stronger.

Have you ever squeezed of those? We've dropped axles and logs with over 300lbs loaded on them from overhead and they barely slide down the sleeve. And I've done deadlift reps with over 500 and they don't budge. I'm pretty sure they could hold a shit-ton of weight the way you're describing your test.

[MazdaMatt]

I guess they are a great value for 99 cents. I wouln't have expected that much strength. The wire clamps have the advantage of being all around the bar, instead of just two point of contact. I wouldn't go stupid heavy with wire clamps anyway, hense the conversation about the star collars.