Loadable Dumbbell or Weightlifting Technique Bar

thingiverse

My pandemic gym equipment purchases have been getting expensive, so I decided to see what I could make myself. This bar sleeve is sized for standard olympic plates and can be used to make either loadable dumbbells or technique bars. The dumbbell weighs about 2 pounds and has some spin. My wife described it as "pretty redneck, but ok I guess." Materials needed: length of 1 inch EMT conduit (about 14 inches for a dumbbell, or 60 inches for a technique bar. 2 - 5/16" x 1 1/4 bolts (slightly longer ok) grip tape Assembly instructions: 1. IMPORTANT - cut both ends of your conduit with a tubing cutter (like: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001P81OK6/) that leaves a bur that slightly narrows the ID - do NOT ream the conduit or use a factory cut end. The bur is what holds on the sleeve. 2. push on sleeves 3. thread in bolts until they bottom out - the bolts spreads inner jaws locking on the sleeve 4. once the bolt is in place, pull sleeve as far out as it will go. 5. use grip tape to wrap conduit, preventing the sleeves from moving back in and providing a better grip surface (yes - the tape is structural) 6. put on some plates and shake to test - if you are not confident they will stay, attach the sleeves with epoxy. It is better to loose the spin than have your equipment fall apart in the middle of a workout.