Something else I did, Eric. I went to Home Depot and got about 6 feet of 3/4" galvanized pipe--stuff's cheap--and 2 tiny C clamps. I started with two 10lb plates on the end, just enough to feel like something was on the bar and worked up to 2 25lb plates on the bar then went to the regular bar. Hope this helps, see you in Trumbull in August.