Jackson 5 lb Dumbbells

After picking up a pair of 2 lb Jackson dumbbells from Robert Sully earlier this year for $75 shipped, I decided to go ahead and take these off of Benjamin Beaulieu's hands for $140 plus $16 shipping.  The price is fair and the 5 pound Jackson dumbbells are more distinctive than the 2 lb dumbbells.  I have no delusions of completing a pair of smalls, but I am still very interested in Jackson items if and when they pop up.  I am not ready to pay the $500+ and $1000+ some folks are asking for plates, but I am willing to pay for odds and ends.

Ivanko Chrome OMC

Ivanko had NOS (new old stock) listed on their website for quite some time, but I was struggling to pay $13/pound for modern plates.  I finally broke down and grabbed these and they do not disappoint.  I would love to have a 175 set of these (45-45-25-25-10-10-10-10-5-5-2.5-2.5) but that is not in my future.

I posted on the Facebook Group and got a lot of responses.

EliteFTS American Gridiron Bar

Brandon Williams listed this bar for $125 and I passed on it.  When he dropped the price to $75, I decided to reach out.  Unfortunately, Brandon's brother passed away and he was clearing out some of his stuff.  He apparently has (13) bicycles he is trying to figure out what to do with.

This bar is in like new condition and I am looking forward to giving it a spin.  It is currently on the EliteFTS website for $339 and on sale for $289.

Published weight is 40 pounds.  Mine weighs in at 38.5 pounds.

Ivanko OMC-2.5 lb

I finally broke down and bought a pair of these 2.5 pound plates for $65.  It absolutely stings to pay $13/pound for plates especially when I have no hope of owning the set.

However, these popped up over a year ago and I have been as patient as humanly possible.

ViPR Pro

Retail Prices

Yellow - 4kg - $226

Grey - 6kg - $248

Orange - 8kg - $286

Green - 10kg - $335

Red - 16kg $410

ViPR Pro has an exercise library, but in all likelihood these would collect dust.

More Grip Toys

Ironstogies (Alan) had a handful of grip items listed for sale.  I passed on the Arm Assassins Stubby 2-3/8" bar for $50.  Certainly a good deal, but not worth driving to Louisville, but then I bit on an Arm Assassins GRABHOLD Ingot and a Robert Baraban 3" Cannonball.

• The Grabhold retails for $75.
• The Robert Baraban has been out of production and no estimate of what it may have cost.
• I would also like to grab the EliteFTS grenades if they are still available.  Only as they are out of production.  I don't need them.  Internet says they were between $20 and $25 each.

With an asking price of $40 for the grabhold and cannonball, I am happy to make a drive up to Superior.  It is also nice just meeting other grip folks.

Alan was a really nice guy and we chatted at length about his climbing and strongman background.  He is rightsizing as they are going to be moving soon. He is keeping some strongman gear, a sport climbing rack, BLOB50, Fatman and other grip toys.  He did offer me some weights and sledgehammers.  Hopefully those find good homes as well.

Bench Skinz

I am not sure how I feel about this product.  $24-$36 and it seems like it is just a thin piece of rubber flooring with a logo stenciled on.  Maybe it works great and this guy is a genius.  Alternatively, I should buy some scrap 3/8" (6mm) flooring and play with it.

Misc Gym Items

Bailey Green listed a few items that her and her husband Brett were getting rid of.  Despite not knowing exactly what I was looking it, I hustled over based on the very reasonable $165 asking price.

The metal plates were 2x45 branded Ivanko plates - Well worth $90 anytime

The Eleiko 2x15kg plates were a little beat up, but I really like Eleiko equipment - $60

The barbell was a beater that I could not identify.  The sleeves are pinned in place - $20

The squat stands are a bit of wildcard.  I think they are a little flimsy for use, but could sell for $20.

I decided to make a full price offer of $165 and now have a few decisions to make.

Ivanko Chrome Dumbbells

These dumbbells are being offered by Grant Suggs in Centennial, Colorado for the amazing price of $500.  It includes the following pairs with either contoured (heavier) or straight (lighter) handles.

• 3 pound
• 5 pound
• 8 pound
• 10 pound
• 12 pound
• 15 pound
• 20 pound
• 25 pound
• 35 pound
• 45 pound
• 50 pound 

My math puts that at 456 pounds at just $1.10 per pound.  The 50's can retail for $500 alone.  ebay has several pairs listed at $3/pound.  For the lighter ones, the sold price on eBay is even stronger.

While I do not need these, I am tempted to pick them up.

Torque Tank Straps

 

Torque Tank V-Strap Black ($55)

Keeper 1" x 10' Lift Slings ($10)

Deka.Fit Sled Pull.  I want to get a set of straps for the sled pull, but am struggling to pay the $55 for the Torque Tank Straps.  Especially when a $10 alternative exists.  I will probably just buy the $10 straps and if they are really not working out, I will buy the Torque branded straps which come with a carabiner and more comfortable handles and it seems like a longer length.

USAWA Club Build Out - UPDATE 2026.03.09

High Country Vigour (HCV)

HCV has made a very good start, but is about $2,000 (and 400 square feet) away from being capable of hosting all lifts.

• Basic Equipment - YES - May need some thin iron plates for heavy bar lifts
• Fulton Bar - YES - Generic
• Ring for Finger Lifts - YES - Michael Black
• Heavy Bar Lifts - 
• Heavy Lift Bar - YES - Arm Assassin
• Hip Belt - Hip Lift, Carter Lift, Phumchaona Lift - YES - homemade
• Hand & Thigh - Hand & Thigh, Deanna Lift - YES - Arm Assassin
• Harness/Handrails - Harness Lift - YES - homemade
• Neck Harness - Neck Lift - YES - Ironmind
• Travis Lift Attachment - Travis Lift - YES - homemade
• Vertical Bar Lifts - YES - 2" and 1" FBBC v-bars
• Roman Chair - YES - custom fabricated
• Back Extension - NO - I do not have space for this
• Dumbbells - 
• 1.9 inch Fulton - YES - Nemesis
• 2.5 inch Inch - YES - Nemesis
• 3.5 inch - YES - Arm Assassin Strength Shop
• Weaver Stick - YES - homemade
• Saxon Plank - NO - DIY
• Commercial Vertical Leg Press - NO - I do not have the space for this
• 3" Barbell - YES - Titan Fitness
• Trap Bar - YES - Gerard
• Dinnie Handles - YES - Cerberus
• Custom Short Bar for Rim Lift - YES - Works with stubby axle bar, Dino Gym has 20" spacing on an axle

Progression

• As it stands, HCV could contest 215/219 
• Saxon Snatch Plank ($50) 216/219
• Back Extension ($250) 217/219
• Vertical Leg Press ($2000) would add Foot Press and Back Lift 219/219

Purchasing a Back Extension would not be difficult, but they do take up a large footprint as the most reasonable solution is a modern glute ham device. $$*

Making a Saxon Plank will be difficult requiring a 3" wood plank, plate holders and a means of securing them. Reviewing the Clark's Gym set up:  Double Thick 2x6 ($10) with flanges ($7 each) for 1 inch pipe and 1 inch pipes ($13 each) for loading pin.  $, *** Jarrod made one of these and brought it over.

Back Lift/Foot Press apparatus are not likely for a completely different reason, space..  These could be fashioned from a commercial vertical leg press, but they take up a lot of real estate, especially in a home gym. $$$$**

A Custom Short Bar I CAN CONTEST THIS LIFT ON A STUBBY AXLE BAR. I could also fabricate a bar with 18" collar to collar distance and 12" of loadable sleeve (42" total length) $**

$ - low cost, $$ - mid, $$$ - high, $$$$ prohibitive

* - buy easily, **fabricate easily, ***fabricate hard, ****fabricate prohibitive

Circus Dumbbell and Power Bar

TR Manthe has been liquidating some amazing items ahead of a move.

Bumper plates and Iron plates.  Cerberus bar listed as a deadlift bar, but was actually a power bar, axle bar, slam balls, med balls, parallettes, platform, reverse hyper, GHD, Dumbbell Set and chrome Ivanko Pro Style dumbbells 55-100

The dumbbells were amazing.  Originally listed at around $2/lb at $3000 and dropped to $2300.

The circus dumbbell was listed as "Used for Strongman training! The empty bell weighs #65, you can add normal size small plates, and normal size collars will keep the weight on!" and for $50 I had to take a look.  The barbells were not as good a deal, but at $250 for the pair worth checking out.

At $50, the circus dumbbell was a great deal and "completes" my strongman equipment.  They usually run $200 new and $100-$150 on the used market.

The power bar has great knurling and was well worth the $130 she accepted.  These currently sell for $350 and most name brand barbells sell for between $100 and $200 on the secondary markets.  The axle bar was bent, so I had to pass on that.  I like Cerberus stuff and will certainly own this bar for a long time.

Marc Grip Tools

Marc Brotherson listed some grip tools on the discord February 23, 2026

First Gen Rolling Thunder (current retails for $120) - $60

Sorinex Might Mitts Pinch Block (retail $24) - $0 (included with Rolling Thumber)

Rolling Thumber 2" (retail $120) - $80 

Golden Potato (retail $30/pair)

Wrist Wrench (retail $120)

I purchased the rolling thumber and pinch block for $80.  I am definitely getting greedy about stuff.

Pistol Grip Tool

Pistol Grip Tool.  This is the third design I have developed under the banner of Colorado Grip Tools.  

The first concept was a silver dollar key pinch specifically to train for Rolling Hills.  I worked with Iron-Fly Fabrications that was able to laser cut and weld the assemblies at a reasonable price point.

The second concept was the railroad spike vertical lift.  This continued a Western theme, but sought to develop a vertical bar lift at a lower price point.  Railroad spikes can be purchased for about $1 each and eye bolts are not much more.  The prototype went together well and I am in the process of making an initial run.

The third concept is the pistol grip.  While the design seems simple, it is not something that can be machined or fabricated easily.  That is until I tried some grip implements from Grenade-Grips.  They use a resin molding practice and were willing to do custom orders.  I reached out, sent them the design and they are willing to make it.  We verbally discussed doing an initial run of (20) units, half in ivory, half in brown that I could buy at a discount and sell.  Anything they produce after that will be completely manufactured, marketed, sold and invoiced by them royalty free.  Jeremy Maples did agree to note in the description that "The Pistol Grip was developed in collaboration with Colorado Grip Tools."  Shared marketing benefits both of us and best case scenario if he sells 100 of these for $50 each, he deserves every penny of the $5,000 for the work he puts in.

22nd Special Tactics Squadron

Every time PowerLift sends out an update, I hop on their website.  This time I was excited to find a pair of 35 pound Uesaka Plates with 22nd Special Tactics Squadron Branding for $87.50 each.  It is a high side price at $2.5/lb plus $96 shipping plus $13 tax which puts me at $284 to my door.

I am looking $4/lb for plates that I don't need, but will really enjoy owning.  They will pair well with the 45s I bought back in October of 2023 for $322 all in.

UPDATE 2/13/2026 - These were unfortunately out of stock.  My credit card will be credited.

Vintage Weights & Physical Culture

Swap 2/12/2026

Iron Grip Army Black Knights - $400 for pair of 45's; $150 for single

Jackson 10s Gen-3 - $600

York NFL 45's - $400

Railroad Spike Grip Tool

Railroad Spike Grip Tool

The railroad spike grip tools continues my journey into grip implements with an old west theme, starting with the silver dollar.  This prototype was constructed at a more reasonable price point.

(20) railroad spikes - $27.16

(20) 1/4-20 eye bolts - $18.97

Materials = $2.30 per unit

The prototype took me a while to build and also secure some tools.  

Drill press - $60.  I had a wire brush that I could attach to the drill press, but may get a bench grinder, with wire brush

Had 13/64 drill bit, but may buy a few more

Tap and Die Set - $24.14

The process was pretty simple.  I brushed off a lot of the rust with a wire wheel.  Hit it with some PB Blaster.  Lined up the spike in the vice under the drill press, drilled a 1.25" deep pilot hole, drilled a 1" deep 13/64 hole, and then tapped it and secured the eyebolt.  The first one took me 1.5 hours, but it should go faster in the future.  (1) I will have a better grinder to clean it off.  (2) I will do a better job of cleaning up the hole before utilizing the tap.  The metal shavings slowed the process down quite a bit.  (3) I may chased the hole with a 1/4 bit for 0.25 inches so I am not cutting threads for the entire length.

• Cleaning the spikes should take 1-2 hours.
• Drilling the holes should take 1-2 hours.
• Tapping the holes may take 2-3 hours.

On a high side of (7) hours labor x $20 per hour = $140 + $50 in material = $10 each production cost and should sell for $25 each.

First things first, I need to hook it up to a loading pin and see if it is any good.

UPDATE: 2/11/2026

The grip tool worked great.  I had a top lift of 145 pounds and it felt challenging in terms of grip strength and not strictly pain tolerance.  My daughter tried it and was able to lift 50 pounds with her dominant hand.  I intend to continue the build out.

UPDATE: 2/13/2026

Cleaned all of the spikes with bench top grinder/wire brush.  Worked really well, but tedious and messy.  Took about an hour.  Drill bits ordered from Amazon and will do phase 2 on Sunday.  A couple of the spikes were bent more than the others and a couple had sharp points that I filed down.

UPDATE:  3/15/2026

I finally finished drilling and tapping all of these and installing eyebolts.  It was an excruciating exercise that I will not be repeating.  These will be sold for $10 or $20 a piece and when they are gone, they are gone.  I will happily send anyone the instructions on how to make there own.  Labor was close to an hour each so even at $25 each, I am just breaking even.

Fairbanks Scale Weight

Another fun toy found its way to my gym via Charlie Watts on Facebook Marketplace who listed this little guy for $60 and we met up at El Tapatio on the same day.  

I am starting to build a little collection and this fits in well with my HOWE and BUFFALO scale weights.

2 Pound Jackson Dumbbells

Robert Sully has been trying to unload these for the past 6 months on eBay and the Vintage Weights & Physical Culture Swap page.  Originally asking $120, then $100 and now down to $75 plus shipping.

While the price is likely fair, it is tough for me to add these just based on the handle shape and the lettering.  It is not that I do not trust Rob.  However, when selling, buyers should have the same suspicions that I do.

The bun head Jacksons are more distinctive.  

Decision time.

UPDATE: 3/6/2026

I eventually offered him $75 (including shipping) and he agreed.  We had some more exchange on how to tell if these are Jackson Dumbbells.

from Iron History

Dumbbells offered for Sale

Dumbbells offered for Sale

Dumbbells offered for Sale

Representative 3 pound Jackson Dumbbells

Representative 1 pound Jackson Dumbbells

Advertisement highlighting distinctive shape

"Hi, Sanjiv. Thanks for the offer. Yes, I can do that. First, let me show you how I came to the conclusion that these were Jackson.

If you’re on Iron History, you can go to Noam’s everything about Jackson globes post and see the write up. It’s extensive and wonderful. Noam is a solid researcher!

If you look at the smaller dumbbell on bottom right, it has the distinct features of the pair of 2s

Also in the post, Noam shares pictures of Jackson 1s and 3s from Efren.

Again the distinctive flared (some might say ergonomic) handle.

The saucer like heads and extreme flare of the handle aren’t a common feature of small buns in general, so in my best opinion, the 2s are Jacksons.

With 1-4 Jackson dumbbells, it’s very tough for 100% certainty. The 5s have the mushroom head and are easy. Higher globes are lettered and very easy haha. But given the distinct shape, I feel comfortable with these 2s.

Give it a look compared to my pics of the 2s and let me know if your offer holds. You’d asked before about them so I wanted to give you some background."

I decided to keep my maintain my offer and completed purchase. As more research is done and more collectors publish their holding, it will be easier to figure this out.

Roman Chair

I have bought ab chairs in the past and sold them.  Usually because the bench is at an angle and they take up space.  The closest I have come to a legitimate set up is "The Answer" paired with a utility bench which works fine and takes up a small footprint.  

Today, Facebook Marketplace served up something interesting.

Orlando Rudley described this as a Hyper Chair and Ab Machine and went on to say "Super solid adjustable metal frame ab and hyper chair. Great for ab work and turn over and it’s a hyper chair for your back. Also has adjustable dip station as well. Great for sit-ups as well using padded foot rests. Cushion is in great shape and has no tears or scratches. Ideal for 6ft or shorter. I’m six two and it’s just to short for me."

As long as it fits in my SUV it is definitely coming home with me and I look forward to giving it a try.  It should be more stable than my past efforts.  The foot print is a concern.  I am hoping it is about 2 feet wide by 4 feet long.  It does not appear to have many adjustments, but for $75, I can take a chance.  Worst case scenario, I sell it for $50 and take the loss.  Best case, I find a home for it and have a stable spot for future USAWA Roman Chair Lifts.