Stuart 1 There's no inner rubber coating to the weights.. The rubber bands do go around the weights but they are a bit difficult to get on and rather thin. They have already started to disintegrate. The long metal bar came very oilly and needed a good clean.After a month of careful use. The metal bar has started to rust and has actually chipped showing its not a solid piece of metal but actually just a coating over an iron bar.After two months. The weights themselves have started to rust.STAY CLEAR!