The Dark Lord's Reviews (125)


(3.67)
4/8/2026
Received as a gift from well-intentioned family member, would not have chosen to purchase. It worked OK as a kettlebell, did not feel like a medicine ball; the weight movement within the sphere (unless you have it completely full) makes the center of gravity change constantly with motion. That makes for interesting dynamics, could be used to do rotational resistance; but not a good substitute for a medicine ball. Unfortunately, it also doesn't stand up to Newfoundland puppy attention... so this contraption is no longer with us.
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Value
Build Quality

(5.00)
4/8/2026
After several hundred hoists and drops from shoulder height, this bag is holding up perfectly. No looseness in the stitches. Velcro is tight and has never come undone. Main zipper is very strong. The weight is readily adjustable by just slipping an interior bag or two out. Useful and rugged sandbag.
Performance
Value
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(4.33)
4/7/2026
This is a decent bar for tricep pushdowns and cable curls, but lacks the end ROM you can get with ropes for things like facepulls and overhead extensions. Probably holds up well in a home gym setting, but the one at my local Y gym has rapidly shown the effect of heavy use, with fraying rubber ends, so not durable in commercial setting.
Performance
Value
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(5.00)
4/3/2026
Shiny little standard plates. They work the same as black iron, and shouldn't cost you more... they are commonly found on the used market and generally aren't worth more than $1/lb.
Performance
Value
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(5.00)
4/2/2026
Largely indistinguishable from all the other vulcanized rubber bumpers, but well made nonetheless. I picked mine up years ago at the Camp Lejeune BX and put them through heavy use for years. There's no looseness around the hubs, no significant wear on the rubber. They lived outdoors year round in the Southern heat and humidity but there's no sign of cracking or chipping (they were under a canopy, so no direct sunlight). Inexpensive but tough. Hard to beat that.
Performance
Value
Build Quality

(5.00)
4/2/2026
Thick, robust old standard plates, usually heavier than face value. Commonly available in old garage sales and marketplace listings on the East Coast. They have a much smaller diameter than most modern Olympic equivalents, so if you bore them to 2" they are great for deficit DLs, RDLs and BB rows, giving you room for extra stretch in the eccentric phase. Mild collector value due to their age, but still pretty easily available for entry level prices.
Performance
Value
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(4.00)
4/2/2026
For something that is over 100 years old, the build quality is superb... but it doesn't stand up to modern versions if you're looking for something to use aggressively for kinetic movements. I am confident the value of these will only continue to climb in the future, as they are a foundational part of the modern Strength Culture movement, iconic in many ways. If you're into early Iron Game history and equipment, a Milo KB is a must have. Alan Calvert, found of the Milo Barbell Company, is widely thought to be the "father" of the modern, plate loading barbell. Vintage Milo barbell equipment is in very limited supply; the prices reflect that scarcity and the desire among collectors to hold these pieces. I don't really use mine for too much lifting, just some gentle stuff. But it sits on display in the gym, emanating over a century's worth of Iron Game vibe.
Performance
Value
Build Quality

(2.33)
4/2/2026
I have this in my gym but I plan to get rid of it and get a more stable power tower. I picked it up used for dirt cheap off marketplace but I still feel like the money wasn't super well spent. This thing is wobbly and just feels cheap in every aspect. It has filled a need for a while but it won't be a permanent gym fixture. I weigh 250 and when I try to do dips or pullups, there is a ton of lateral back and forth motion; it always feels like the thing is about to tip over. This is only made nominally better by keeping a couple sandbags and 120 lb DBs across the base stabilizers in back and a 100 lb plate on the front to hold it to the ground. If you weigh 150 or less, perhaps you'd have a better experience with it... but if you're full grown, get something more solidly built.
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125 total