a new opinion in Sports about York Fitness Cast Iron Spinlock Barbell/Dumbell Set

When weight training, it is vitally important you choose the right Barbell and Dumbbell set at the right price. Quality of material matters, but for me it's more about the three bars and what configuration of indentation they have to give your hands grip. I don't like using gloves when exercising, so this is always my main criterion when entering the market and attempting to find the best set for me. Here we have the 'York Fitness Cast Iron Spinlock Barbell/Dumbell Set' which I bought for just under ?150.00 - a fantastic kit with a mass of interchangeable weights at the correct scale.

The set contains a large array of compatible weights, bars and spin-locks to tie them all together. The overall weight of the collection is around 50 kg, though the weight of the bars and spin-locks isn't specified:

'6x 0.5kg discs, 6x 1.25kg discs, 4x 2.5kg discs, 4x 5kg discs, 6x Spin-lock collars, 2x 14 inch chrome spin-lock bars for barbell exercises, 1x 60' one piece spinlock bar for barbell exercises'

This is a comprehensive collection. Because the weights are completely interchangeable - there are in fact 50 different combinations - the total weight you can accumulate onto any single bar far surpasses the maximum weight any normal guy could need. It depends on the type of exercise you are undertaking, for instance when bench pressing people can usually lift more weight than when working their bicep or tricep muscles. The array of different weight sized caters for most people, only serious weight trainers should consider a different product.

Types of exercise I find rewarding:

BARBELL
- Bench Press: works the upper, lower, inner and outer pectorals depending on incline and grip used.
- Military Press: works shoulders (I find standing whilst working this works best, helped by the bars grip).
- Bicep Curl: works arms in general, but mainly the bicep (standing is once again the preferred stance).
- Tricep Extension: requires a lower weight I find (best when seated on the edge of a bench).
- Row: lie length ways down a bench with head and arms over the edge, lift the barbell up to your chest and back down 10-12 times. This is a highly effective back exercise I find.
- Squats: the bar (being solid metal) requires an additional soft coating before resting on your shoulders, available from most suitable stores - I know Amazon stocks them.

DUMBBELL
- Bench press: when using the dumbbells it is more difficult to keep stable, you use different muscles in your arms, as well as your chest.
- Shoulder press: accesses the tricep muscles as well as the shoulders.
- Bicep curls: simple exercise, only do one arm at a time to counter-balance your back and stature.
- Tricep kick-backs: done with one knee resting on a bench, reaching out the dumbbell behind you with your back almost horizontal.

The cast-iron weights connect to the bars perfectly. They sit tightly against the metal, but not tight enough for the spin-locks not to be needed. The spin-locks however, are not great. They tend to slip off and have to be tightened every now and again to prevent the weights pushing them completely off and breaking someone's toes. This is the only disadvantage with the set in my opinion.

Overall I am really pleased with this set, it contains everything you could possible want, and can be used to exercise your whole upper body and thighs well. The grip on the bars gives a safe experience. In all I would recommend this set any novice weight trainer, but not to professionals.

Summary: A good weight set, all considered.

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