Tales of free/bargain-priced equipment

flak · 07-05-2007, 12:04 AM

This is my first attempt at starting a thread -- I tried a search, didn't see anything like this.

I love getting free stuff. I bet some of you do, too.

A couple weeks ago I was lucky enough to score a free 25-pound plate from a trash pile, but too dumb/slow to get more.

I was riding my bike to work at the university, through an area filled with run-down, old student housing. I had to detour through an alley due to road construction.

Lo and behold, someone's put two 15 kg. plates, 2 25 lb. plates, a 2 1/2 lb. plate and a couple of concrete 20 lb. "plates" piled out by a row of garbage cans. My backpack is full up with stuff (workout clothes, food for lunch) so I decided to come back later. Went jogging at lunch, checked on the plates -- still there, but I chickened out and didn't take any back with me -- figured I might end up rolling the plate if my arms got too tired.

After work, rode back over, took a 25. Wasn't real sure what I'd do with it but I figured I could make a wrist roller, use it for added weight on crunches, etc. (I don't have a home weight set-up and don't particularly want one right now).

I get home, debate and debate whether to take the car and go get the rest of the plates. Finally I decide one is enough, I shouldn't be greedy, maybe someone else would like one. If I took the other three big plates and they ended up sitting my carport for a year, it'd be just one more piece of clutter to get rid of. And we have enough of that already. Or I'd do something dumb like try doing crunches with two plates sandwiched together and one of 'em would fall on my head.

Next morning I decide I'm a hippie idiot, I want the other 25, at least. Ride my bike back to work, ready to get it. I reach the alley, there's a pick-up truck parked by the garbage cans. Old dude dumping aluminum cans out of a recycling bin into the bed of the truck. Bed of truck all full up with stuff. oh crap. Guy gets in truck as I approach, drives away, stops at dumpster at next apartment complex up the alley. I stop at trash cans. All plates gone, except the concrete ones. I don't want concrete weights, had some once, they split and made a mess.

I ride by the guy, he smiles and says hello, I do the same. I look in back of the truck, there are the plates. I have a dollar in my pocket, decide not to bother trying to buy the other 25. I go on to work. Dude looked like he needed all the spending money he could get. I wish him well.

Moral of the story is one or more of the following:

A. Strike while the iron is hot;

B. Be happy with what you get;

C. Concrete weights are not popular.

Postscript: Have used the plate a little bit, mostly for crunches. Need to do more.

So, what free or bargain-priced lifting stuff have the rest of you gotten?

SteveX · 07-05-2007, 12:10 AM

I could have gotten a free dip/pullup station.

My cousin tried calling me, but my phone was on vibrate and I was asleep. He came to get me and by the time we got there, two guys were loading it into their truck

flak · 07-05-2007, 12:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveX

I could have gotten a free dip/pullup station.

My cousin tried calling me, but my phone was on vibrate and I was asleep. He came to get me and by the time we got there, two guys were loading it into their truck

Aaargh, that sucks. sorry to hear it.

I wonder if this thread will end up having more "tragic tales of the ones that got away" than "big score that made me have a valuegasm" stories.

Dirty Holt · 07-05-2007, 02:08 AM

A. Strike while the iron is hot;

B. Be happy with what you get;

C. Concrete weights are not popular.

had i taken this approach to women in hs, i would have gotten laid ten times more

philthy · 07-05-2007, 10:57 AM

Starting next month Strengthmill.com is giving away free products to be reviewed by people, on a first come first serve basis with the only qualification being that you have to have posted a strength or fitness video prior to asking for the free product and that you agree to answer some review questions either in txt or video within 1 week of getting the free training/supplement product(if you do you can get free stuff the next month, if you don't you are not allowed to get more free stuff).

StevenCrowder · 07-05-2007, 11:14 AM

I've gotten a Dip/Pull Up station for only 30 Dollars once at Academy Sports. It was a floor model and was missing the grip/dip handles, so they slashed the price really low.

Chaghatai · 07-05-2007, 05:15 PM

I got a real nice heavy-duty oly bench with safety bars, an impex squat rack and a 7' bar w/375 lbs of oly weights all for $150 from a dude on craigslist - now I don't need a gym membership!

**Masakatsu Funaki #1** · 07-05-2007, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chaghatai

I got a real nice heavy-duty oly bench with safety bars, an impex squat rack and a 7' bar w/375 lbs of oly weights all for $150 from a dude on craigslist - now I don't need a gym membership!

WOW! Great score'

liquid! · 07-05-2007, 07:03 PM

I love finding curbside presents. My lastest was keg.

My sister would drive by to donation stand/dropoffs located at grocery stores and go thru everything, taking what she wanted. This was we'll before great deals could be had on the internet.

Keith Wassung · 07-05-2007, 07:46 PM

The last year has been been dry with regards to my favorite hobby of iron scrouning. Then about 5 weeks, I hit a lucky streak, got a rusty 30lb at goodwill for 2.00, then a pair of 70's at Play it again for about 17.00, then a loose 40lber, then the 44 bell I rescued from the thrift store, then....last saturday, i was at play it again, in search of a dumbell rack, no such luck, but I am driving out of the shopping center and I see two pieces of iron laying in the parking lot ditch. I pulled over and it was two homemade dumbell racks--at least that it what they look like to me, then, i stopped at another goodwill earlier this week and there was a new pair of 50lbs hexheads, for 2.99, the sales clerk told me they were 2.99 for the pair combined, I get to the register and they were having a half off sale, so I got 100lbs of nearly new bells for 1.25. Earlier today I was a salvation army-our church is having a sports themed vacation bible school next week and we are decorating the rooms with sporting goods, so was looking for some old helmets, hockey sticks, etc. I found a pair of 5lbs roundhead dumbells. Let me elaborate on the dumbell that I rescued from the thrift shop.

I had to meet my sales manager on a certain day as it was "my" day for him to sort of monitor me for the month. I arranged to meet him in a shopping center parking lot and got there early in order to check out a thrift store, in the event of finding some iron treasures. Sure enough, I found a 45lb welded dumbell for 2.99. It appeared to be an old plate loaded db that had been welded solid--my kind of treasure! I picked it up and headed for the counter. As I am standing in line, I see my manager pull up out in the parking lot--now dont ask me why, be is an older, no-nonsense sort of fellow, who would not understand our love of rusty iron ( actually, who does??) so I placed the dumbell back and hid it and knew I would return later. When I see a dumbell for sale at a thrift store or sale, I have the same feeling that an animal lover had when they see a stray dog on the road--they even have all kinds of "collie rescue squads" and clubs like that. I knew we would break for lunch, so I left my poor, neglected, starving dumbell. We got back for lunch and we usually meet back in about 90 minutes, but today he said, hey, lets have lunch, i have some questions I would to ask you about eating properly ( kind of like asking michael jackson for tips on child care) so we had lunch and went off in the afternoon. Then we had a client call and had to go pick up the cars and head all across town. I am sitting there with a lady talking about her life policy and all I could think of was that poor dumbell--would some maniac buy the dumbell, maybe some strange and demented grip maniac who would take it home and *gasp* cut off the end to make a blob. We finally ended the day and parted and I raced across town fighting traffic in order to get there before the store closed. I am dodging accidents, speed traps, and I showed up a few minutes after the store was closed. I pressed my face against the glass window and saw the old dumbell in the back look at me with longing eyes ---*How much is that dumbell in the window" I sadly came home with the bell, but I will be back in the am to rescue it.....or I could take my sleeping back and camp out there all night.....wouldnt you love to see that picture.

keith