In the realm of strength training equipment the basic Olympic barbell stands out as possibly the most valuable of all. Whether you're focusing on powerlifting, weightlifting or CrossFit, at home, in a PT studio or in a commercial gym, with just the right barbell, some weight plates and collars you can effectively train every major muscle group.

Barbells come designed in both length, thickness and shape to cater for different goals, training styles and spaces. Owning one in your home or garage gym is absolutely essential, as is choosing the right selection of weight bars for your commercial training facility.

Our aim for this barbell buying guide is to help you determine the best Olympic barbell for you or your gym based on your needs, what you must consider when purchasing a barbell and how to choose a bar based on the very material it is made from.

Key components of an Olympic Barbell:

Bar Shaft: The long, central part of the barbell, usually made of steel. It's the section you grip during exercises.
Sleeves: The ends of the barbell where weight plates slide on. Sleeves rotate to allow smoother movements during lifts.
Collars: These are at the end of the sleeves and secure the weight plates in place. They can be spring collars, clips or other locking mechanisms.
Knurling: The textured pattern on the bar shaft that provides grip. Knurling will vary in aggressiveness to affect how "sticky" the bar feels.
Centre Knurling: Some barbells also have knurling in the centre to provide extra grip - especially useful during squats.
Whip: The barbell's ability to bend slightly during lifts, affecting the feel and control. The higher its tensile strength, the greater the whip.
Bushings or Bearings: These allow the sleeves to rotate. Bearings offer a smoother spin and are often found in more expensive competition weightlifting style bars.
End Cap: A circular piece of plastic or metal found at the end of the sleeve.
Shoulder: Found at the end of the sleeve, this is the bit of steel that your discs rest against.

Types of Olympic Barbell:

With a variety of bar types and specifications available, it's essential to understand the differences between them. We'll briefly walk you through the various types of barbells to help you make an informed purchase.

Powerlifting Barbells:
For powerlifters honing the squat, bench press and deadlift, dedicated powerlifting barbells are essential. Most lifters use a generic Powerlifting bar which has a 29mm Shaft and centre knurling. The overall length of the bar is 2200mm. The extra steel on the bar is there to take the larger loads that Powerlifters can lift. A good tip here is to look for a bar that meets the IPF specification.

A squat bar typically has a 32mm diameter shaft and is 2440mm long. The extra diameter is to cope with the extra length which has been designed to give lifters more of a curve when squatting. This extra length will, when timed right, give the lifter more bounce once they hit bottom and start to stand-up again. Its knurling is more aggressive, ensuring a secure grip on the back of your shoulders during squats.

A deadlift bar features a narrower 28mm shaft with aggressive knurling for a firm grip. It also has more flexibility, bending as the lifter pulls so that with the extra length (2300mm) weights come off the floor more gradually.

Powerlifting bars typically have bronze bushings in their sleeves as these are more robust to support the heavier lifts involved in Powerlifting.

VIEW POWERLIFTING BAR RANGE

Olympic Weightlifting Barbells:
Olympic weightlifting bars are designed for lifters focussing on the Clean and Jerk or the Snatch.

These bars feature bearings or bushings inside the sleeves for enhanced spin during lifts. The Clean & Jerk and Snatch both require an explosive lift off the floor which a spinning weight can assist with. Combined with the whip in the bar this is what experienced Weightlifters and CrossFit athletes can feel between a good and an excellent bar.   While Olympic weightlifting bars may have less aggressive knurling than that of powerlifting bars, they still offer a secure grip for the lifter.

Whip
Bar whip, also known as bar flex, refers to the temporary bending or flexing of a barbell during a lift, particularly in weightlifting and powerlifting. A bar with high whip exhibits significant deformation, bending and then springing back to its original straight position. This can have strategic advantages for the lifter. During dynamic movements like the clean and jerk or the deadlift, the bar whip assists in the initial phase of the lift by allowing some energy to be stored in the bar as it bends. This stored energy aids the lifter in moving heavier weights, providing a mechanical advantage. Skilled lifters often leverage the bar whip, especially in competitive settings where every bit of assistance matters.



Weightlifting bars come in two configurations as defined by the IWF (International Weightlifting Federation):
• Mens 20kg bar – 2200mm long with a 28mm shaft
• Womens 15kg bar – 2010mm long with a 25mm shaft

Besides the weight differences the different diameters of the bars have been specified to assist lifters with smaller hands get the right grip for their lifts.

Weightlifting bars typically have needle bearings in their sleeves which will spin faster than bronze bushings, a feature that an experienced weightlifter will appreciate during their lifts.

Weightlifting Technique bars also exist to provide the opportunity for inexperienced or junior lifters to learn these lifts or for lifters trying to refine their lift in a more controlled manner. Typically these bars weigh less, between 5kg and 8kg so that with some technique discs lifters can start to lift from around 10kg total weight.

Often these bars have a much lower maximum load which reflects the thinner bar and the material the bar is made from.

VIEW WEIGHTLIFTING BAR RANGE

Cross-over or Hybrid Bars:
These bars select some of the key features from both Powerlifting and Weightlifting bars to create a multi-purpose bar for all types of lifts.

Most of these bars have 28mm shafts with knurling and hand marks for both Powerlifting and Weightlifting disciplines. They tend to use bronze bushings in their sleeves to make the bar more robust.

If you are a gym owner or train at home and are looking for an all round bar then this is the route to take.

Shorter Olympic Bars – 5’ or 6’
Where space is limited, more often than not in a home gym or PT studio then a shorter bar is the solution.

Care needs to be taken when going down this route as the distance between the sleeves and the length of the sleeves is often reduced. The former needs to be checked if you train off a fixed rest such as a Power Rack or Bench Press bench but if you are using squat stands that can be moved around then you can get by with the shorter distance. The length of the sleeve will affect the max load of the bar so take care here.

Specialist Bars:
Specialist bars serve unique functions and are designed for highly specific needs. Examples include Trap bars or Öppen Deadlift Bars, Tricep bars, Cambered bars, Safety Squat bars and the EZ curl bar.

While a general purpose barbell is crucial for home or garage gyms, investing in a quality speciality bar can maximise your training potential and provide some welcome variety if budget allows.

Trap Bar – Ideal for neutral grip deadlifts, shrugs
Open Deadlift Bar – Ideal for neutral grip deadlifts, shrugs and lunges
Tricep Bar – Ideal for tricep curls with a neutral grip
Cambered Bars – Perfect for bent over rows or bench pulls
Safety Squat Bars – Great for squatting where your upper body mobility is restricted or for lifters who prefer to train with the load more central to their body.
EZ Curl Bar – Ideal for standing or seated curls

VIEW SPECIALIST BAR RANGE

Critical factors to consider when choosing the best barbell for your needs:

Diameter:
Weightlifting bars for men: 28mm, for women: 25mm. Powerlifting standard: 29mm.

Cheaper bars often have a 30mm grip, indicating a lower quality steel has been used as it takes a better grade of steel and engineering to have thinner steel with the same strength. Training with the right diameter bar is essential if you intend to compete as all competitions or events will use this approved standard.

Length and Weight:
Standard length for men: 2200mm, weight: 20kg. Women: 2010mm, weight: 15kg.

Knurling:
Quality bars have well designed knurling for a secure grip without discomfort, cheaper bars have rough or sometimes sharp knurling that can cause pain during lifts.

Sleeve Rotation:
Sleeves should rotate smoothly to reduce strain during lifts. Over the lifetime of a bar being used this rotation can become uneven and less smooth, the better quality of bearings used, the longer the sleeves will continue to smoothly rotate.

Bearings:
Quality bearings are crucial, especially for weightlifting bars which can be subjected to drops. Cheaper bars may develop uneven rotation or even break.

Sleeve Attachment:
Quality bars have tight tolerances and engineered fits while cheaper weight bars may use bolts that can work loose when you least expect it.

Tensile Strength:
PSI (pounds per square inch) indicates strength. Quality Bars such as those made by Eleiko or Ivanko use steel rated in excess of 200,000 PSI. The average Olympic bar is made and sold as "1,000 pound test" and usually runs about 130,000 to 150,000 PSI. Almost all of them are 130,000 PSI.

Straightness:
Of course a bar must be straight to begin with, but will it stay that way? Eleiko tests bars with a 1.5-tonne load, ensuring a return to within 0.5mm to pass.

Coating:
Barbells come with various coatings to protect against corrosion and improve grip. Did you know that chrome plating on some bars can actually weaken the steel? Premium bars use coatings like black oxide or more expensive stainless steel which requires no coating.

Long-Term Use:
Cheaper bars are suitable for light training, but serious lifters and commercial gyms benefit from investing in quality bars to avoid any accidents and enjoy a lifetime of lifting.

While a novice might see a barbell as just that, seasoned lifters understand these nuances. Tailoring your barbell choice to your strength sport is key; For Olympic weightlifting or powerlifting, a bar that suits the specific demands of that type of training is required, while other athletes might opt for a different bar to accommodate their varied training.

In conclusion, investing in the right barbell is crucial for a safe and effective lifting experience - especially for serious lifters and commercial training facilities.

If you need further help choosing your barbell, please contact us. We'll be happy to help.