About Staniewicz Strength Equipment (SSE)

Hi, my name is Zach Staniewicz. I started SSE to get the equipment that I wanted and knew other folks wanted. SSE makes old school American made strength equipment. I have been strength training since I was in high school and have always had a interest in old school strength equipment. Right now we have Thomas Inch dumbbells/circus dumbbells in various sizes, Inch dumbbell training handles, blobs/block weights, and a anvil horn trainer. All of the castings are poured at a foundry in Jacksboro, TN. The inventory of equipment is actively being added to.

Wood Blanks

Dumbbell patterns start as wood blanks before they are turned on a lathe

Dumbbell Patterns

The 75lb , 50 lb, and 25 lb Inch dumbbell wood patterns finished for the foundry

Hand Turned Patterns

The 185 lb Inch dumbbell pattern shown to the left. I turn these Inch dumbbell patterns for the foundry in my garage. The wood for the patterns are made with local red oak from a sawmill in the upstate of South Carolina.

Steel Pipe Handle Insert

As of 12/25/2025 all dumbbell handles will have a steel 2.375" OD steel pipe for your Thomas Inch dumbbell handle. The steel pipe handle offers a more consistent handle with less defects. The steel handle will season very well with chalk and sweat. As cast handles have seam's that can be inconsistent and cause defects that add to operation cost.

SSE Inch Training Handle

The SSE training handle simulates the same fell as a globe Inch Dumbbell. It has the same diameter and length as the original, but is adjustable. They take 1" hole standard plates that are generally $1/lb on used market and and consolidated enough that they are not too bulky when building a dumbbell. The bolts lock the plates into the handle and simulate the same spin/roll as a solid casted dumbbell. If you can lift 172lb on the trainging handle you can lift a 172 lb inch dumbbell.

Georner / Apollon barbell's

Goerner barbell: 2.375" diameter, 52" long, 22 lbs

Inspired by Herman Goerner's globe 331 lb barbell

Apollon barbell: 1.9" diameter, 51" long, 15.5 lbs

Inspired by Luis Uni's/ Apollon's 366 lb railroad axle bar

Weight loading details

Weights are bolted onto barbell with a 1"-8 bolt.

Bar acts as a solid piece, with a tendency to roll more, vs a bar with rotating sleeves, or loose plates

Blobs

the original York "fatman" blob nex to the SSE 53 blob replica, and the 47 lb blob

Seasoned Blobs

the SSE 53 lb blob next to the SSE 47 lb blob. The texture on these blobs holds chalk well, and is very consistent.

The SSE Anvil

The SSE Anvil with the fixed adapter. The anvil horn was casted to replicate a 100 lb anvil horn. The anvil is set up with a fixed adapter to simulate the tilt of a anvil as it is when lifting a actual anvil. You can get your loading pin from Luke at Arm Assassin Strength Shop.

The Jowett Anvil

The 172 lb anvil that George Jowett supposedly cleaned and pressed with one hand. It currently resides at the Stark Center in Autsin, TX. Anvil lifting dates back 100's of years as a test of strength.

Anvil loading options

Fixed Adapter- set up to simulate angle of actual anvil

Swivel D-ring- uses a bearing to prevent torque when lifting

Eye Bolt- uses a SS traditional eye bolt to attach a loading pin

SSE hat. Made with a Richardson 112 hat, black mesh, grey fron panel. The patch is heat pressed and sewn on, made to last.

Coming soon, traditional globe dumbbells with a 1.125" steel handle, 4.5" long. 10lb 15lb and 20 lb bell patterns shown.

Hermann Goerner Barbell

Hermann Goerner Barbell replica coming summer 2026

331 lbs, 2.375" diameter handle, solid globe ends

Hermann routinely power cleaned and push jerked the barbell overhead.

Clinch River Castings

Clinch River Castings, Jacksboro, TN USA

They are a big reason for the success for this project. I was shot down by many foundries before finding Clinch River, and they have been great to work with since day one. They were established in 1988 by John Froning in the Tennessee Valley region of Jacksboro.

COMING SOON

-10 LB, 15 LB, AND 20 LB TRADITIONAL GLOBE DUMBBELLS WITH A 4.5" LONG 1.125" THICK STEEL HANDLE

-25LB AND 50 LB INCH STYLE DUMBBELLS

-230 LB GLOBE DUMBBELL WITH A 5" LONG HANDLE, AND 2.375" THICK

-331 LB GOERNER BARBELL REPLICA WITH A 2.375" BAR AND 150 LB SOLID CAST IRON GLOBES

-8 LB GLOBE DISC PLATES TO BE USED WITH THE INCH HANDLE TO SIMULATE GLOBE BELLS IN THE GRIP AREA VS A FLAT VERTICAL PLATE

-59 LB BLOB WITH THE SAME WIDTH AS THE ORIGIAL FAT MAN BLOB

Venmo

Zelle

PayPal

a 3% charge will be added to invoice for paypal payments

FAQ’s

What is the ordering process?

Please contact me by email or social media. Dumbbells are made to order at this time. After the dumbbell is paid for the order will go in to the foundry. It takes 6-10 weeks to have the dumbbell made. After the dumbbell is made it will be put on a pallet and a shipping rate will be billed to the customer. After the freight shipping is paid the dumbbell will be sent to the customer.

The Inch training handle, blobs, anvils and t shirts are shipped through ups or usps the same week the order is put in.

Dumbbells are shipped out from the foundry from Jacksboro, TN. Dumbbells can be picked up from the foundry to waive any shipping cost. Dumbbells are shipped by a freight shipping company on a pallet. Dumbbells are typically shipped to the customers closest service center for pickup to waive a $100 plus charge for a truck with a lift gate. Below or actual shipping cost from recent dumbbell orders to give you a idea of the cost to ship dumbbells.

$262 – 172 lb,125 lb dumbbells Jacksboro, TN to Indianapolis, IN

$260- 125 lb dumbbell, Jacksboro, TN to Golden, CO

$200 – 172 lb dumbbell, Jacksboro, TN to Philadelphia, PA

$425- (2) 110 lb, (2) 125 lb (2) 138 lb, Jacksboro, TN to St. Paul, MN

$270 110 lb, 125 lb, 138 lb dumbbells, Jacksboro, TN to San Antonio, TX

How do your blobs compare to original blobs?

The texture of SSE castings have a good texture that hold chalk very well. So the biggest difference between original blobs and SSE blobs is the gritty texture. The width and slopes of SSE blobs were replicated after the original width and slope of the original ½ of the 100 lb dumbbell.

What size bolts do I need for the Inch training handle or the Goerner/Apollon barbell?

I suggest getting your standard 1" hole plates first to figure out how tall they stack up when laying on there flat side. If you are trying to make a 100 lb Inch training handle, I would stack up you (5) 10lb plates flat on the ground that you are going to use, measure how tall/thick they are and add 1/2"

minimum and that is how long of a bolt you will need. You only need about 2 full turns on the bolt to lock the plates in tightly to the handle/barbell.

NOTE: Castings have natural imperfections in the production process. The surface of castings are determined by the surface of the sand in the mold. Castings will have small imperfections like grinding marks on the parting seam where the mold is split, and also between the globe and the dumbbell handle. Castings vary in weight from one pour to another. I list weights as the average weight of the product, but the final product weight will vary. If you have any concerns please reach out to me.

Staniewicz Strength Equipment

SSE Inventory (updated 6/22/2026)

Thomas Inch Dumbbells

25 lb $105 *invt

50 lb $175 *invt

78 lb $240 *mto

100 lb $305 *mto

110 lb $330 *mto

120 lb $375 *mto

138 lb $405 *mto

153 lb $460 *mto

160 lb $480 *mto

169 lb $505 *mto

172 lb $515 *mto

188 lb $570 *mto

197 lb $600 *mto

210 lb $630 *mto

230 lb $690 *mto

Traditional Globe Dumbbells (steel 1.125" dia handle 4.5" long)

10 lb TBD

15 lb TBD

20 lb TBD

Globe ends for Inch Hanlde, Apollon/Goerner Barbell

150 lb TBD

Barbell's

Goerner barbell $175

Apollon barbell $165

Inch Training Handle etc.

Inch Training handle $70

8lb globe disc plates TBD

4” bolts pair $12

6” bolts pair $16

8” bolts pair $18

9” bolts pair $20

Blobs

47 lb blob $150 *invt

53 lb blob $165 *invt

Anvil

Anvil “Stanvil” horn $110 *invt

Fixed adapter for anvil $50

Swivel D ring for anvil $15

Eye bolt for anvil $5

Fixed loading pin for anvil https://www.armassassinstrengthshop.com/products/loading-pin-grabhold?_pos=1&_sid=c38832cca&_ss=r

Apparel

SSE t-shirt $23

SSE hat $25

*invt- This signifies a inventory item. I preordered these items and pickup up at the foundry and then sent from me to the customer in a day or two. All other cast iron products are sent directly from the foundry to the customer. If you want a inventory item sent on the same pallet as a non inventory cast iron product there will be a delay in the order being fullfilled.

*mto- This signifies the item is made to order. They are not kept on a shelf. Currently it takes about 10 weeks to have items made at the foundry

Contact information

email: zstan3@aol.com

Facebook: StaniewiczStrengthEquipment

Instagram: StaniewiczStrengthEquipment

FIXED ANVIL LEADERBOARD 6" LIFT

TOP 10 MEN'S (LBS)

LUKE RAYMOND 289.64 ('26 WWGB)

JEDD JOHNSON 265.48 ('26 WWGB)

ISAAC PITT 231.6 ('26 HH)

DONNY VIERSTRA 231

https://youtube.com/shorts/S_2N9cp9X60?si=napyWUy89uoEDrtf

ZACH STANIEWICZ 220 ('25 GG)

CHRIS TRACEY 220 ('25 GG)

HUNTER HEATH 220 ('25 GG)

JACK PALMER 215 ('25 GG)

NATE POWELL 210 ('25 GG)

CHRISTO SWART 209.55 ('26 HH)

TOP 10 WOMEN'S (LBS)

ELLA CROCOMBE 121.36 ('26 HH)

ALISON DANN 121.36 ('26 HH)

SIERRA POWELL 110 ('25 GG)

KATIE BARRON 99.32 ('26 HH)

LAURA PALMER 95 ('25 GG)

KIM VAN WAGNER 71 ('26 WWGB)

EYE BOLT SSE ANVIL LEADER BOARD

TOP 10 MEN'S (LBS)

Dylan Hebert 195

https://youtube.com/shorts/YLvYUqJ4Pxo?si=jmyYJ64V99Xc4sEC

Adam Cohen 190

https://youtube.com/shorts/2djlk2EDdJo?si=GP9hAmQAGm_BuL3S

Jono Pritchard 183

https://youtube.com/shorts/a8uTeSMNSrA?si=n9gxXnoDOeNi46_o

Hunter Heath 180

( https://youtube.com/shorts/vcDgCWdcRYc?si=JPr_deCoXhSqdGhB)

Zach Staniewicz 180

https://youtube.com/shorts/dZJNqntk3EM?feature=share

Donny Vierstra 176

https://youtube.com/shorts/1QW0brcjnkA?si=R3YZGy12FdhToS0c

Josh Johnson 176 ('26 GBC)

Chris de Stefano 165 ('26 Armlifting UK Qual.)

Maksims Popovs 165 lbs ('26 Armlifting UK Qual.)

Matt Stewart 160 lbs ('26 Armlifting UK Qual.)

Ikram Khan 160 lbs ('26 Armlifting UK Qual.)

TOP 10 WOMENS (LBS)

Sarah Madeley 99 lbs ('26 Armlifting UK Qual.)

Lauren Evans 80 lbs ('26 Armlifting UK Qual.)

RULES:

INTEGRITY: I CAN'T BE THERE TO WATCH YOUR LIFT, SO PLEASE RESPECT THE SPORT AND COMPETITORS AND SHOW INTEGRITY, SPORTSMANSHIP AND RESPECT. THE SPORT IS ONLY AS GOOD AS THE ATHLETE'S TREAT IT.

COMPETITION RESULTS I DO NOT NEED VIDEO SUBMISSION, UNLESS THEY SEEM SUSPICIOUS OR TAKE TOP 3 OF THE LIST. I AM TRUSTING THE INTEGRITY AND KNOWLEDGE OF THE ORGANIZER OF THE EVENT.

FIXED EDITION- 12" - 15" FIXED LOADING PIN. LIFT TO A 6" CROSS BAR. GRIP SPORT INTERNATIONAL RULES FOR SINGLE ARM LIFTS

EYE BOLT EDITION: LOADING PIN 15" OR LESS. THIS LIFT IS TO LOCKOUT, LETS NOT GET CARRIED AWAY WITH THE SUMO DEADLIFT. SAME AS ARMLIFTING USA RULES.

VIDEO SUBMISSION: PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR VIDEO ONLY IF YOUR WEIGHT WILL PUT YOU ON THE TOP TEN FOR EITHER LIFT. DETAILS SHOWING THE HEIGHT OF THE LOADING PIN AND THE FIXTURE USED FOR THE LIFT. THE LOADING PIN W/WEIGHTS SHALL WE WEIGHED ON A SCALE AFTER THE LIFT (PLEASE WEIGH IN POUNDS LBS). PLEASE UPLOAD THE VIDEO TO YOUTUBE AND SEND LINK TO ZSTAN3@AOL.COM FOR SUBMISSION.

ARMLIFTING RULES

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1u_D5KQJtSHvJUmUSgtIQRzeKqC1oG-NL/view

GRIP SPORT INTERNATIONS VIDEO DEMO W/ERIC ROUSSIN @5 MIN 30 SEC

https://youtu.be/46_AD_ZchP0?si=eoIMHKLqM8WrmhAQ

HAVE FUN, AND TRAIN HARD!

INCH DUMBBELL HISTORY

If you are interested in taking a deep dive into the history of the Inch dumbbell and dumbblle's like it, i highly recomend checking out David Horne's volume 7 of the Gripopedia. There is a link below where you can purchase it.

INCH DUMBBELL HISTORY BY DAVID HORNE GRIPOPEDIA VOLUME 7 $11.50 USD

https://www.davidhorne-gripmaster.com/shop.html