Are you in the market for a new barbell? With so many options and variations, it can make buying barbells difficult. Here are some quick tips on what to look for so you can buy the barbell that best fits your needs!
Type of Bar
Not all barbells are created equal. When buying barbells, consider what you will be using them for. Depending on the kind of powerlifting, there are variations in knurling, grip space, length, spin, stiffness and more.
For example, Olympic lifters generally use a bar like the Legend Fitness Olympic Bar which has less aggressive knurling and more bend than the average barbells found in your local gym. Also, a women’s barbell may have slightly less length, diameter or weight than a men’s barbell or a training barbell.
Bar Strength
Yield strength, tensile strength and test are factors to research before buying barbells. It is important to have a bar that supports the amount of weight you are lifting. While having some bend is good, be sure to look for bars that are not permanently bent. Barbells that don’t revert to their original position suggest they do not have enough strength for the weight.
Broken or bending barbells are a common problem if the bar is not high quality or doesn’t fit your weights. Manufacturers do not always advertise yield strength, so don’t be shy to ask about these extra details.
Cost
Barbells come in a range of prices, but you get what you pay for. There is nothing worse than buying cheaply manufactured workout equipment. Prepare to spend extra on quality equipment and appropriate features that are worth the money in the long run.
For example, gym owners can order barbells with different types of bushings and bearings on the sleeve to impact the amount of spin the bar will have. Generally, the faster the bearings can spin, the more expensive they are too. Likewise, bare steel bars will be less expensive than barbells coated with a protective zinc finish because bare bars are prone to rusting. And aside from specific bar details, consider saving part of your budget for a barbell rack.
Research
Gym owners will learn many barbell buying do’s and don’ts just from reading and researching different brands. For those who can’t test the barbells in person, reviews and videos are a great alternative.
At the end of the day, a high-quality barbell is most suitable for training and will last a long time. If you’re interested in buying one, feel free to reach out today. Or for more tips on what to buy for the weight room, check out our blog post about seven items for high school weight rooms on a budget.
