Coronavirus gyms: Sydney’s gym junkies using concrete dumbbells and wooden benches
After the shelves containing exercise equipment were swept clean Sydney's second-hand market places have been flooded with makeshift kettlebells, concrete dumbbells and wooden gym benches.
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Sydney's second-hand market places have been flooded with makeshift kettlebells, concrete dumbbells and wooden gym benches as people desperately search for home workout equipment.
Exercise equipment sections at Rebel Sport and Kmart have been stripped bare following the Australia-wide closure of gyms on March 23.
The closure and mass sellouts forced would-be weightlifters to look online for second-hand options.
Uel Lim, 31, from Sydney, struggled to find some equipment so he decided to build a gym bench for himself.
After the success of the first one, he advertised his wares online.
"Made-to-order custom flat or adjustable benches. Doesn't come with padding but I can include a yoga mat with the purchase for an additional $20. That said, pain is a good thing, it's weakness leaving your body," the ad said.
"These benches are beautiful and solid, just like you want to be. Use them to work out or hang out your choice. Life is too short to be small. Turn your isolation into iSWOLEolation."
Mr Lim told The Daily Telegraph he had sold 12 of the benches before getting requests for other items.
“I now have had orders for punching bags and surfboard racks,” he said.
“I’ve joked about starting a new brand called “Iswoleation nation” in light of the success. The first bench I posted was a bit of a joke to give people a laugh in these tough times. I had no idea people would take me seriously.
Other craftsmen have built chin-up bars, squat racks and weights.
One of the most popular options has been the sales of makeshift dumbbells and kettlebells.
"Concrete dumbbells -$2.5 per kilo. Rubber sealing an extra $15 per set," one advert said.
"Way cheaper than anything on the market right now, relatively strong, great for home exercise and made to order, if you have any other weights you would like let me know. "