looking for bands and chains

[mightygirl]

Hi gang! I was told at the gym where I work today that they would go ahead and buy the bands and chains and anything else that would give our powerlifting area everything it needs. Is there any place special that I should order the bands and chains from? How many different sizes are there? What else do I need? We have a brand new York power cage and chalk bend. I've been making do with a Reebok step for a box. Thanks-mg.

 

[zackdarnell]

Bands- from www.elitefts.com or www.jumpstretch.com Go ahead and get all the sizes.

Chains- might be able to find them locally at a hardware store, machine shop, crane company, or something like that, but the 5/8" chains are VERY hard to find. Or you can order them from www.toppersupply.com, I think.

 

[mightygirl]

Thanks, Zack. How much longevity should I expect from the bands, do they wear out? as for the chains, is 5/8 the only size I should look for?-mg

 

[IrishPower]

the bigger bands will last at least a year before they are very worn, probably longer.

the minis will last for a bit, but they fray more easily.

if you see a band start fraying, get rid of it.

/irish
www.growordie.com

 

[redleg]

jumpstretch is where i got mine haven't heard of any complaints from anyone who bought theirs there. got my chains at the local hardware store last time i do that they where pretty expensive, but if the gym is flipin' the bill... as for longevity, you can make your bands last longer if you pad the friction points on them when you lft. i get cheap sports tape and put it on the D/B's i use to anchor them in place. the B/B's are pretty smooth so really not friction there besides they spin.

 

[zackdarnell]

as for the chains, is 5/8 the only size I should look for?-mg

You will also need 1/2" chain and (I believe) 3/8" chain. Check some of the articles at elitefts for the setup. I only mentioned the 5/8" because it is VERY hard to find.

 

[IJ26]

elitefts bands are great we have them at my school gym

 

[DOM]

No reason to use anything less than 5/8" chain in my opinion... unless you're benching less than 100 lbs. 5/8" is the standard for PLers. It's hard to find -- and you'll find it in weird places if you do and they probably normally don't sell it. Tractor supply, Marine supply, industrial supply, metal supply -- you can try hardware stores but I wouldn't keep your hopes up.

If you can't find a local place to buy it -- then go to www.thomasregister.com and search for chains, then click on "chains: alloy" and a bunch of industrial suppliers will come up. Maybe you can find one nearby but you'd still have to buy it probably in 100 ft. quantities which is way more than you need.

 

[mightygirl]

How many feet of chain will I actually need? - mg

 

[BigWh1tey]

i asked my local independent hardware store to get me 5/8inch chain, also heavy construction supply places get it ( industrial equipment in the yellow pages ) .