Barbells

Introducing Barbells

The barbell is an essential part of any strength routine and a pillar of any home gym. Whether you’re doing bench presses, squats, deadlifts, or curls, barbells are a critical tool for getting results. However, with so many different shapes and styles of barbells, it can be difficult to know what to choose and why. Let us guide you through selecting a barbell that’s right for you.

What to Consider when Buying a Barbell

So you’re investing in a new barbell. Where do you start? Olympic or standard? Straight bar, EZ bar, or multi-grip? Is it fixed or free? It all starts with your goals. If you’re just getting started with strength training or working on a budget, a standard bar is a great place to start. If you’re already familiar with lifting, then Olympic bars will be much more to your taste.

Olympic or Standard Barbell?

The first thing to consider is the diameter of the bar sleeve. Standard barbells fit 1” diameter weight plates, whereas Olympic bars hold 2” diameter plates. This distinction will inform which weight plates you choose to work with. Standard bars are more affordable but do not have the maximum weight capacity of Olympic bars. Standard barbells tend to have fixed sleeves, which does not allow the plates to turn on bearings. The spinning capabilities of the Olympic bars make exercises such as deadlifts safer by lowering the torque of the plates and reducing the potential for stress and injury on the wrists and elbows.

Barbell Shape

Straight bars, such as the Taurus Elite Olympic Barbell, are the most versatile, allowing for the entire range of lifts. Bars like the Taurus EZ Curl Bar or Taurus Open Hex Bar are better suited for more specific techniques, though they lack versatility. Curl bars are ideal for bicep curls and tricep extensions, though specific tricep bars are also available. The hex bar, on the other hand, is designed to facilitate deadlifts and shrugs.

Fixed Bars or Selectabells?

Fixed bars, such as the Taurus Fixed Barbell, are perfect for studio gyms and home gyms with limited space. Weights range from 5kg up to 40kg, giving them a wide range of usability for each step of your fitness journey. The downside of fixed bars is that you cannot adjust the weights without choosing a new bar; that is where the selectabell comes in. Selectabells, such as the BowFlex Selectech Barbell, have space-saving qualities of the fixed bars and allow you to change the weight easily.

Maximum Weight Capacity

When considering a barbell's maximum weight capacity, consider your current ability and the fitness goals you wish to achieve. The quality of the barbell naturally affects its price point. Starter barbells such as the BodyMax 7ft Spinlock Barbell have a maximum capacity of 80kg. Premium barbells such as the Taurus 7ft Elite Olympic Barbell have a maximum capacity of 700kg, which will be more than enough for the majority of even the most serious powerlifters.

Barbell Length

The most common length for barbells is 7 feet. If you are a gym user and use free-weight barbells on the squat racks or benches, you will likely be using a 7-foot barbell. However, when considering a barbell for home use, a 7-foot barbell may be too long for your space, and 5-foot bars such as the BodyMax 5ft Olympic Barbell are more appropriate.

Barbell Weight

As with barbell weight capacity, a barbell’s weight will be tied to the quality of the barbell you choose. Starter barbells will generally weigh around 7.5kg to 8.5kg, whereas Olympic barbells tend to be 20kg, though 15kg options such as the Taurus 15kg Slim Barbell are also available. Specialist bars tend to have variable weights due to the nature of the exercise; for example, the Taurus EZ Curl Bar is 10kg, whereas the Taurus Open Hex Bar is 24kg.

Barbell Width

Olympic bars are standard with a 28mm grip width, which suits most grip lengths. However, some users may feel more comfortable with a slimmer or thicker grip. The Taurus 15kg Slim Barbell has a 25mm grip. Similarly, standard bars have a thinner diameter as they have a lower maximum weight capacity than Olympic bars.

Knurling

Knurling is the texturing applied to the grip of the barbell. The depth or heaviness of this knurling varies from brand to brand, but its purpose is to the surface area of the bar for a stronger grip. Some bars, especially 7-foot Olympic bars, have unknurled strips to guide finger position during exercises such as bench presses.

Fitshop Recommends

Now that you have all the information about the various features of barbells, the Fitshop team has put together some recommended buying guides to help you choose the right bar for your needs.

Starter Barbell
BodyMax 7 ft Standard Spinlock Barbell
✓ Standard 1” barbell
✓ 7ft long
✓ 80kg maximum weight load
✓ Includes spinlock collars
✓ 8.5kg barbell weight
✓ Accessible price point

Space Saver Barbell
BowFlex SelectTech 2090 Barbell with Curl Bar
✓ Selectabell with a range of weight plates
✓ Comes with a straight bar and a curl bar
✓ Includes 36kg of weight plates
✓ Upgradable to 54k
✓ On-demand strength classes with the JRNY app

Studio Barbell
Taurus Fixed Barbell
✓ Fixed barbells
✓ Ranges from 5kg to 40kg
✓ Protective polyurethane coating

Intermediate Barbell
BodyMax 7' Olympic Bar
✓ Olympic 2” barbell
✓ 7ft long
✓ 20kg barbell weightg
✓ 180kg maximum load

Expert Barbell
Taurus 7ft Pro Olympic Barbell
✓ Olympic 2” barbell
✓ 7ft long
✓ 20kg barbell weightg
✓ 700kg maximum load

Luxury Barbell
Gungnir Allrounder 20 Barbell
✓ Olympic 2” barbell
✓ Integrated magnetic collars
✓ 7ft long
✓ 20kg barbell weight
✓ 680kg maximum load
✓ Lifetime guarantee

Accessories for Barbells

Accessories for barbells, whilst not mandatory, can enhance your experience and safety whilst working out.

Collars and Clips

Collars and clips ensure that your weight plates stay in place whilst you lift. Weight plates slipping off your barbell is a serious safety concern and can lead to injury to yourself and others around you. Whilst not functionally mandatory for using a barbell, they are an essential addition to any plate-loading barbell. Clips and collars come in a variety of styles and price options. Clips such as BodyMax Olympic Barbell 2" Spring Collars/Clips are the most accessible price points. However, they do not have the robustness of lockjaw clips such as the BodyMax Olympic Lockjaw Collars Set. The Taurus Olympic Magnetic Collars are the highest price but have the convenience of magnetically sticking to power racks and benches for ease of access and organisation.

Barbell Pad

The Taurus Barbell Pad is a great accessory for newcomers to barbell squats or gym-goers who do a lot of squats in their routine. The pad protects your skin from the metal bar, which can get uncomfortable during heavier lifts or repetitive squat sessions.

Weight Plates

Of course, weight plates are essential to plate-loading barbells and your progression through your fitness journey. We have a dedicated page for our weight plates to help you choose the right plates for your barbell.

Storage Options

Fitshop also offers a number of options for storing your barbells. The Taurus Elite 5 Barbell Storage Rack is a great choice for gyms and studios with fixed bars. For home use, wall mountings such as the Taurus 3 Olympic Bar Vertical Hanger are a great way to save space. Alternatively, the Taurus 5 Olympic Bar Floor Stand is a great option if you have the ceiling height available to store the bars vertically.