Homemade caveman weights!

**MiniHulk** · 29-10-2011 02:22 PM

Okay, so I have been looking at ways to save some money because of the insane amount of money that traditional weight plates cost...

I think I have finally cracked it, I will be giving this a go in a couple of weeks as I can't even spare money for concrete and the bucket yet lol.

Firstly, take a look at this: 20L Flexi-Tub [BF20] - £3.50 : CMT Group

This is the instructions, you might wanna give it a go - it SEEMS flawless this time.

1. cut a piece of pvc pipe so it's the same depth as the bucket (the pipe needs to be thicker than your barbell so it can slot over it easy enough) and stand it up in the middle of the bucket.

2. Now pour in a cement mix around the pipe, but not inside it (You will probably need someone to hold the pipe in place at first until it can stand up on it's own)

3. Let it dry.

4. Turn it upside down (if it falls out of the bucket, that's great, but I don't think it will) If the bucket cannot be removed then you will need to poke a hole in the pipe underneath so it can be slot onto the barbell. Also, if you can't get the bucket it off, you will need to buy another obviously to make more - if you can reuse the bucket, that will be great.

I am guessing that 2 of these cement filled buckets could weigh upto 100kg. There are bigger buckets if you are similar to he-man... I will try this size first and then if it's successful, I will go for 2 40 litre ones. Saying that, there may be room for 2x20 litre ones each side of a big enough barbell!

If someone wants to give this a go and give me a heads up on their progress with it, I would be very grateful. Like I say, nothing seems to be ill-placed with this idea.

Good luck (pictures welcome if you do it)

**Big Lench** · 29-10-2011 02:45 PM

Just did a quick google and apparently 1 litre of concrete (guessing similarish density to cement) weights 2.4kg so you're looking at 48kg per tub. Not bad lol.

**MJ.23** · 29-10-2011 02:47 PM

What you might benefit from MH is some atlas stones. You can buy fiberglass molds for cheap and you fill them with concrete. One of my favourite training tools are the atlas stones. They are also incredibly cheap to make and will last forever!

**MiniHulk** · 29-10-2011 03:05 PM

Yeah, I did consider them a while back and forgot about them - thanks for the reminder. Looks like my money is going on cement, and not gym membership in the future lol.

I also like them concrete shields that they lift in strongman events.

Do you reckon it is possible to fill the inside of a scaffolding pole with cement or would it be too thick to pour in? That way I could use a thick scaffolding pole to use as a barbell, surely this would make it strong enough for heavy lifting.

**MJ.23** · 29-10-2011 03:20 PM

I do not see why you couldn't. It would be like an axle bar then.

The shield is the husafelt stone carry. They come in all shapes and sizes now depending on the location of the event but the original shape was a coffin shape; like in this video:

Could be made of concrete.

Not sure what your surrounding area is like; but visiting creeks or rivers can lead to finding some large natural stones which can be carried or pressed overhead. Not to mention they are free

I found this good link a while back; cannot find the original article but here is the mirrored information from another website. It might give you some good ideas

Cheap Strongman Equipment!!
By Dane Garreau

Farmers Walk

I don’t really recommend the wooden ones, but they do work.
Pipe Farmers Walk with No Welding- TITEFW
Wooden Farmers- http://img141.imagevenue.com/view.ph...homefarmer.jpg
My Wooden Farmers- http://img138.imagevenue.com/img.php...Farmers_Walk17. JPG

Sled

-The easiest way I know how to make a sled is by using the bottom of a wheelbarrow. Just drive down the street and you are to sure to find one on the side of the road, or you may have one in my backyard.
-I am not sure how it will hold up on concrete because I use mine on grass. You may want to bolt an old car tire or a thick piece of rubber on the bottom to protect the barrow and reduce noise.
-The best thing about this kind of sled is you can fill it up with anything; stones, kegs, weights, people, ect.
My Homemade Sled- http://img42.imagevenue.com/img.php?...5_PICT0416.JPG
Wheelbarrow Sled- http://img142.imagevenue.com/view.ph...47870_Drag.jpg

-Here is another great way to make a cheap sled. It works perfectly if you drag your sled on concrete or asphalt. The tire reduces the noise and it doesn’t scratch up the ground. The rubber tire also makes the sled much more difficult to drag.
Tire Sled- http://img142.imagevenue.com/view.ph..._Tire_Sled.JPG

Keg

-Try a local bar or package store, they will probably give one to you or sell one for up to 30 dollars. Or you can just buy a full one and invite a few friends over.
-If you want to get it really heavy just go to a tire shop and ask for some old lead tire weights, they will give them to you for free.

Atlas Stones

-This is a hard technique to use but it works great if you do it right. I have made 4 stones this way. It is much cheaper than the alternative.
How to build an Atlas Stone- http://www.tc.umn.edu/~keen0018/makeastone.htm
Original Stone Making Article- http://www133.pair.com/iain/vault/ho...onemaking.html
Homemade Fiberglass Stone Mold- http://www.ontariostrongman.ca/Resou...ld_how-to.html

Thick Bar

THICK

Tires for Axle Press (Strongman Bumper Plates)

-Make sure you use the old Iron plates, not the newer graphite ones.
Strongman Bumper Plates- http://img131.imagevenue.com/img.php...6_DSC00854.JPG
Strongman Bumper Plates (2)- http://img135.imagevenue.com/view.ph...0_DSC00855.JPG

Super Yoke

-This is the cheapest way to build a yoke I have found. It is made out of pipe that you can get from your local Home Depot; it should cost under $50.
-The only problem with this yoke is that it is not adjustable. So if you train with people of different heights, this may not be for you.
-Just an FYI, this is the hardest yoke I have ever used, by far.
-Home Depot will cut and thread the pipe for you, they only charge like $0.25 a cut/thread.
Pipe Yoke W/ No Welding- http://img101.imagevenue.com/img.php...8_PICT0379.JPG
Floor Flange- http://img105.imagevenue.com/img.php...5d146_tt40.jpg

Adjustable Super Yoke

-I haven’t made one of these personally, but it looks like it would work pretty well and it doesn’t require any welding.
-I imagine that a Floor Flange could be used for the bottom piece to keep the weights on.
Adjustable Yoke (behind the guy)- http://img142.imagevenue.com/view.ph..._aab.sized.jpg
Floor Flange- http://img105.imagevenue.com/img.php...5d146_tt40.jpg

Stone Platforms

-Here are some pretty self explanatory images of some cheap stone platforms.
50 Gallon Drum- http://img140.imagevenue.com/img.php...g_the_235_ston e@MusicCity16.JPG

Log

-Most logs have 24’’ between the handles.
-If you make a log out of a tree, be sure to treat it with some type of sealer.
-Be aware that a tree log will lose a lot of its weight in a few weeks after it is cut, due to the drying out process.

How to Make a Metal Log- http://www.ontariostrongman.ca/Resou.../overhead.html

Log Handles- http://img40.imagevenue.com/view.php...8b_0980809.JPG

Handles (View 2)- http://img130.imagevenue.com/img.php..._345435435.JPG

Handles (View 3)- http://img133.imagevenue.com/view.ph..._546564564.JPG

Natural Stones

-The cheapest strongman equipment there is. Just go to a creek and look around.
River Rock
http://img148.imagevenue.com/img.php...dering_rock_in _creek16.JPG

Arm Over Arm Pull

Using Cement Parking Lot Thingy- http://img21.imagevenue.com/img.php?..._truck_pull.jp g

Using a log and 2 Tires- http://img132.imagevenue.com/img.php...s_3_27_010.jpg

Other Great Cheap Equipment Resources
Ontario Strongman-Cheap Equipment
http://www.geocities.com/fightraining/
joshua-davis.com

**MiniHulk** · 29-10-2011 03:31 PM

Great post, thanks... will keep me busy lol

I did go through a phase of lifting rocks overhead - but I once tried a big rock which was wet, it nearly slipped onto my head and put me off a little bit. I want some decent gloves that can protect my hands, give me grip - but not be too bulky, hindering my lifting.

**MJ.23** · 29-10-2011 03:34 PM

You could always use some stickum spray. It also works when wet. Assists grip in a similar way to chalk but with a more tacky feel.

For gloves; perhaps something like this:

Inzer Advance Designs: Fitting Gloves-Save your fingers when handling and fitting gear on workout partners or yourself!<BR>The Atlas Fitting Gloves also work great in strongman events!

Spiderdan uses gardening gloves I believe.

*EDIT* I just noticed none of the links seem to be working. Here is the place I got the info from. They seem to work on there:

http://www.krachtsporten.com/forum/s...ead.php?t=1298

**MiniHulk** · 29-10-2011 03:39 PM

Them gloves look pretty cool. The spray won't do because I am always cutting my hands up and getting stung by various nettles and thorns - it don't bother me pain-wise per se, it just makes lifting uncomfortable.

Some of the images don't work on that previous post, but one did give me something to try. I have a broken wheelbarrow in my garden - will be perfect for dragging around with a keg and some sandbags thrown in it. Looks like I will be training today now lol.