There’s a unique thrill in deciding to build your own home gym. It’s a commitment to yourself, a promise of strength, and a declaration of independence from crowded fitness centers and monthly fees. I remember my own journey starting with a simple goal: find a reliable, all-in-one barbell set to serve as the cornerstone of my training. The idea is alluring—a single purchase that unlocks a universe of fundamental exercises like squats, deadlifts, bench presses, and overhead presses. This quest often leads aspiring lifters to starter sets, which promise convenience and value. The problem is, the devil is always in the details. A seemingly perfect package can harbor a fatal flaw that doesn’t just hinder your progress but can be downright dangerous. Choosing the wrong set can lead to frustration, wasted money, and an unsafe lifting environment, turning the dream of a home gym into a cumbersome reality of mismatched, unusable equipment gathering dust in a corner.
- 45 pounds set: 1x 5 feet Standard Barbell Bar (10 lbs) & Star Locks, 2x 2.5lbs, 2x 5lbs, 2x 10lbs Cast Iron Plates.
- Barbell Bar features multiple knurling positions for your convenience and safety, with a 300 pounds capacity.
- The plates are made of solid cast iron with a 1-inch center hole that fits any standard bar with a diameter of 1". They can also be used with 1" dumbbell bars.
What to Consider Before Buying a Barbell Weight Set
A barbell weight set is more than just a piece of steel and some iron plates; it’s a key solution for anyone serious about building foundational strength and muscle mass from the comfort of their home. It’s the most efficient tool for progressive overload—the fundamental principle of getting stronger by gradually increasing the weight you lift. The main benefits are unparalleled versatility and efficiency. With a single barbell set, you can train every major muscle group in your body, promoting functional strength, improving bone density, and boosting your metabolism. It’s a long-term investment in your physical well-being, offering a sustainable path to fitness without the recurring costs and logistical hassles of a commercial gym membership. For those looking to build a serious physique or simply stay strong and healthy, a quality barbell set is non-negotiable.
The ideal customer for a product like the Fitvids 45 Lbs Barbell Weight Set is typically a beginner or an early intermediate lifter. This individual is likely setting up their first home gym in a space that might be limited, such as a garage, basement, or spare bedroom. They need a straightforward, all-inclusive package to get started immediately without the confusion of buying bars, plates, and collars separately. However, this type of set might not be suitable for advanced powerlifters or Olympic weightlifters. These athletes require bars with higher weight capacities, specific knurling patterns, and 2-inch Olympic-sized sleeves for compatibility with bumper plates and their existing equipment. For them, purchasing a high-capacity standalone bar and separate plates is a much better, albeit more expensive, alternative.
Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:
- Standard vs. Olympic Sizing: This is arguably the most critical factor. Standard bars have a 1-inch diameter shaft and sleeves, while Olympic bars have a 2-inch diameter sleeve. The plates must match the bar. A mismatch is not just inconvenient; it’s extremely dangerous, as the plates will be unstable. Always double-check that the bar and plates in a set are of the same standard.
- Bar Length & Weight Capacity: A standard home-use bar is often 5 or 6 feet long, which is great for smaller spaces. A full-size Olympic bar is 7 feet. Consider your workout area. The bar’s maximum weight capacity is also vital. A 300-pound limit, like the one on the Fitvids bar, is ample for beginners but will be a limiting factor as you get stronger over the years.
- Materials & Durability: Look for plates made from solid cast iron. They are the gold standard for durability and will last a lifetime. A protective finish, like baked enamel, is a significant plus as it prevents rust and corrosion. For the bar, a knurled grip is essential for safety and performance, ensuring the bar doesn’t slip from your hands during heavy lifts.
- Collars & Security: The collars are what hold the weights on the bar. The most common types in starter sets are star-lock collars (which screw on) and spring clips. Star-locks are secure but can be slow to change. Spring clips are faster but can lose tension over time. More premium lock-jaw collars offer the best combination of speed and security but are rarely included in budget sets.
Understanding these elements is crucial to making an informed decision and ensuring your investment serves you well on your fitness journey.
While the Fitvids 45 Lbs Barbell Weight Set is an option for those starting out, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:
- CONSTRUCTION – Made from solid cold rolled steel with a chrome finish; Accommodates Olympic weight plates (with 2-inch center hole); 30-day warranty*
- 95 pounds set: 1x 5 feet Standard Barbell Bar (10 lbs) & Star Locks, 2x 2.5lbs, 2x 5lbs, 2x 10lbs, 2x 25lbs Cast Iron Plates.
- SPECS – 110, 000 PSI tensile strength Japanese cold rolled steel; 15-inch loadable sleeve length; The shaft length (inside length between the sleeves) is 51. 5 inches; Handgrip diameter 28. 5 mm;...
First Impressions: Unboxing the Fitvids 45 Lbs Barbell Weight Set
Upon arrival, the Fitvids 45 Lbs Barbell Weight Set comes packaged as you would expect for heavy, rugged equipment. The cast iron plates were neatly packed, exuding that classic, old-school gym aesthetic. The black baked enamel finish felt smooth and durable, suggesting it could stand up to years of use and resist the inevitable clanging and scraping. The plate distribution—two 10s, two 5s, and two 2.5s—is a smart, versatile combination for beginners, allowing for gradual and consistent weight increases.
The 5-foot barbell felt light at just 10 pounds, appropriate for an entry-level standard bar. The knurling provided a decent grip without being overly aggressive on the hands. However, as we laid out the components, a glaring and deeply concerning issue became immediately apparent—an issue that user feedback online has also highlighted. The product is marketed as a cohesive, 1-inch standard set. Yet, upon inspection, the cast iron plates had center holes that were clearly much larger than 1 inch; they were 2-inch Olympic-sized holes. Attempting to slide one onto the 1-inch bar was alarming. The plate wobbled excessively, with a massive gap that the star-lock collar could never hope to secure. This wasn’t a minor imperfection; it was a fundamental mismatch that rendered the entire set unusable and unsafe as delivered.
What We Like
- Solid cast iron plates offer excellent long-term durability.
- Baked enamel finish effectively prevents rust and corrosion.
- Versatile plate combination (10, 5, 2.5 lbs) is perfect for progressive overload.
- The 5-foot bar is a space-saving solution for smaller home gyms.
Drawbacks
- Critical Defect: A high potential for receiving 2-inch Olympic plates with a 1-inch standard bar, making the set unstable and dangerous.
- Included star-lock collars are slow to use and can loosen during workouts.
A Component-by-Component Breakdown: Where the Fitvids Set Shines and Fails
To give a fair assessment, we have to evaluate this product in two ways: as the cohesive set it’s advertised to be, and as the mismatched collection of parts we experienced. The disparity between these two perspectives is vast and is the central story of the Fitvids 45 Lbs Barbell Weight Set. While some components have merit on their own, their inability to function together is an unforgivable failure in a product sold as an all-in-one package.
The 5-Foot Standard Barbell: A Decent Bar in Search of a Home
Let’s isolate the barbell first. On its own, the 5-foot, 10-pound bar is a perfectly adequate piece of equipment for a beginner. Its shorter length makes it far more manageable in tight spaces than a traditional 7-foot Olympic bar. You can perform overhead presses in a room with a standard ceiling height or execute bicep curls without worrying about knocking over a lamp. The 1-inch diameter is comfortable for most hand sizes, and the knurling, while not as refined as on premium bars, provides a secure enough grip for the weights this bar is intended to handle.
The manufacturer states a maximum weight capacity of 300 pounds. For the vast majority of people starting their fitness journey, this is more than enough. You can load it up for squats, bench presses, and deadlifts for a significant period before you even begin to approach that limit. If you were to purchase this bar by itself to use with a set of 1-inch standard plates you already owned, it would likely serve you well. It’s a functional, no-frills tool. The tragedy is that it’s bundled with plates that it simply cannot be used with safely, making its individual qualities almost moot. It feels like getting a high-quality engine for a car that has no wheels.
Cast Iron Plates: The Good, The Bad, and The Incompatible
The weight plates are, in many ways, the highlight of the package from a material standpoint. Cast iron is the undisputed king of weight plates for a reason: it’s incredibly dense and virtually indestructible. Unlike cheaper, sand-filled vinyl plates, these won’t split or leak over time. The baked enamel finish is a fantastic feature at this price point. We simulated some rough use, and the coating held up well, resisting chipping and scratching. This means they’ll look good for years and, more importantly, won’t rust and degrade if you’re working out in a humid garage or basement. The weight increments of 10, 5, and 2.5 lbs are perfectly chosen for a starter set, allowing for small, manageable jumps of 5 pounds at a time. This is a crucial feature for ensuring consistent progress.
But this is where our evaluation took a sharp and disappointing turn. As mentioned, the plates we received had 2-inch center holes. The product description clearly states they are 1-inch standard plates. This is not a small discrepancy. When you place a 2-inch plate on a 1-inch bar, the result is chaos. The plate slides, tilts, and rattles with even the slightest movement. Imagine trying to perform a bench press while the weights on either side are shifting and clanging unpredictably. It’s not just distracting; it’s a recipe for disaster. An imbalanced load can easily lead to a failed lift, muscle strain, or a serious accident. The star-lock collars are rendered completely useless, as they have nothing to brace against. This single flaw, whether it’s a persistent quality control issue or a misleading product listing, completely negates the value of the entire set. You can see the potential for a great product here, but the execution falls critically short.
Collars and Security: An Outdated System
Even if the bar and plates were perfectly matched, the included star-lock collars would still be a point of minor frustration. This style of collar, which screws onto threaded bar ends, is a classic design but has been largely surpassed by more modern solutions. Their primary drawback is speed and convenience. Unscrewing and rescrewing them every time you want to change the weight is a tedious process that can break the flow of a workout, especially if you’re doing drop sets or quickly moving between exercises.
Furthermore, they have a tendency to work themselves loose during a set, particularly with exercises that involve a lot of movement or vibration. We’ve all had that experience of having to pause mid-set to re-tighten a spinning collar. While they are generally secure for slow, controlled movements, they don’t inspire the same confidence as a pair of spring clips or, even better, modern lock-jaw collars that clamp down firmly in an instant. In the context of the Fitvids 45 Lbs Barbell Weight Set, the collars are the least of its problems, but they are another area where the set shows its budget-oriented, somewhat dated design philosophy.
What Other Users Are Saying
Our findings of a critical mismatch between the bar and plates are not an isolated incident. They are strongly corroborated by feedback from other buyers, which points to a significant and potentially widespread quality control problem. One user’s experience perfectly encapsulates the core issue we identified. They stated, “Please read this! it’s not the wright bar for the plates. Bad match, the weight plates holes are 2 inches and the bar is really thin and plates won’t stay in place.”
This feedback is incredibly telling. The buyer, like us, received what should have been an integrated system, only to find the two key components were fundamentally incompatible. They were left with a collection of parts rather than a functional tool, forced to consider selling the bar just to recoup some of their loss. This isn’t a minor complaint about a cosmetic scuff or a missing screw; it’s a report of a product failing its primary purpose right out of the box. For a product marketed as a convenient “set,” this is an unacceptable flaw that potential buyers must be aware of before making a purchase.
How Does the Fitvids Set Compare? Three Alternatives to Consider
Given the significant potential for receiving an unusable, mismatched product with the Fitvids 45 Lbs Barbell Weight Set, it’s essential to look at other options. The following alternatives cater to different needs, from those looking to build a more serious Olympic-style setup to those needing specialty equipment for targeted training.
1. CAP Barbell 7 ft Olympic Barbell
- CONSTRUCTION – Made from solid cold rolled steel with a chrome finish; Accommodates Olympic weight plates (with 2-inch center hole); 30-day warranty*
- SPECS – Measures 2185mm in length; Shaft length of 51.75”; Loadable sleeve length of 15.3”; Handgrip diameter of 30mm; 63,800 PSI tensile strength steel; Weighs 16KG; Center knurl 4.75”; Side...
- FEAUTRES – Medium-depth knurling and center knurling for a secure grip; Rotating sleeves with bushings to reduce pressure on forearms
For the lifter who is serious about building a proper home gym and wants to avoid the compatibility gamble, the CAP Barbell 7 ft Olympic Barbell is an excellent starting point. This is a bar only, meaning you will need to purchase 2-inch Olympic plates separately. However, this approach guarantees compatibility. This is a full-sized, 7-foot bar, which is the standard for compound lifts like squats and deadlifts in commercial gyms. It provides more space for grip adjustments and is more stable in a rack. It’s the logical step up for anyone who anticipates lifting heavy in the future and wants equipment that will grow with them, representing the kind of bar the plates from the Fitvids set should have been paired with.
2. LIONSCOOL 7FT Olympic Barbell
- Incredible Durability: Our goal is to design a best home gym Olympic barbell at an affordable price. Precision-engineered high-grade steel (130,000 PSI tensile strength) supports 700LBS capacity. We...
- Ultra-Smooth Spin: Needle bearing and bushing hybrid Olympic bar delivers effortless rotation with zero maintenance. Snap-ring design guarantees lifelong stability.
- Optimal Grip & Control: 1.5mm medium-depth diamond knurling with flattened top for a secure and non-slip grip while not being too aggressive. Features a 4.7” center knurl to grip your back during...
The LIONSCOOL 7FT Olympic Barbell is another high-quality alternative for the dedicated strength athlete. It is offered in various versions with impressive weight capacities ranging from 700 to 1500 pounds. This is far beyond what a beginner set can offer and is designed for serious powerlifting and weightlifting. With features like high-tensile strength steel, precision knurling, and smooth-spinning sleeves, this bar is built for performance and durability under extreme loads. Someone choosing this bar is not just starting a fitness hobby; they are investing in a top-tier piece of equipment for a dedicated strength training regimen. It’s in a completely different league than the Fitvids bar.
3. CAP Barbell Standard Threaded 34″ Triceps Bar
- Solid Steel w/ Chromed Finish
- Threaded Ends w/ Star Lock Collars
- 30 Day Manufacture's Warranty
This CAP Barbell product offers a different kind of alternative. It’s a specialty bar, not an all-purpose one. Importantly, it uses the 1-inch standard sizing, making it compatible with standard plates (assuming you can find a set that actually has 1-inch holes). Its unique shape with parallel grips is specifically designed to target the triceps (with overhead extensions or “skullcrushers”) and biceps (with hammer curls) more effectively and with less strain on the wrists. This would be an excellent supplementary piece of equipment for someone who already has a straight bar, or for someone whose primary goal is arm development rather than full-body compound lifts.
Our Final Verdict: A Promising Concept with a Critical Flaw
On paper, the Fitvids 45 Lbs Barbell Weight Set has all the makings of an ideal starter kit. It combines durable cast iron plates, a versatile weight selection, a rust-resistant finish, and a space-conscious 5-foot bar. The concept is sound, and the price point is attractive for anyone looking to dip their toes into the world of strength training at home. The individual components, when viewed in isolation, are of decent quality for their intended audience.
However, a product sold as a “set” has one fundamental job: its parts must work together. Based on our own evaluation and corroborated by user reports, the Fitvids set fails this primary test spectacularly. The shipment of 2-inch Olympic plates with a 1-inch standard bar is not a minor inconvenience; it is a critical defect that renders the product unsafe and unusable. This potential for a complete mismatch transforms what should be a convenient purchase into a frustrating gamble. Because of this significant quality control lottery, we cannot recommend this product. The risk of receiving a useless collection of mismatched parts is simply too high. We advise buyers to invest in a bar and plates separately to guarantee compatibility or to seek out other starter sets with more reliable track records.
If you still wish to take the risk, or want to examine the product listing and latest user feedback for yourself in the hopes that this critical issue has been rectified by the manufacturer, you can see the full product details and check current availability here.
Last update on 2025-11-22 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API