Olympic Barbell Tips

Check out our series on Olympic Barbells on our YouTube page and see the list of tips below for some pointers when shopping for your next barbell!

1. Pay attention to the barbell coating

The coating of a barbell is important because it protects it from rust, damage, and sweat. There are a ton of different coatings on the market, from stainless steel and zinc to phosphate and ceramic coatings. Choose wisely, as some coatings tend to fill the knurling of the barbell (the part you hold onto), making it harder or easier to hold onto the barbell securely.

The better the coating on the barbell, the better it will resist oxidation. If you have a local used gym or second-hand fitness equipment store near you, you can walk in and try out a few barbells in person.

You can also check out different barbells on our website.

2. Weight ratings are important

Some barbells are only rated to a certain number of pounds. A barbell like the one from Fitness Gear is rated at 300 pounds, which sounds high, but you’ll find out that the weight rating of the barbell is “static load,” meaning that the 300-pound rating only applies if the barbell doesn’t move. If the barbell moves, the weight rating goes down. So in many cases, the barbell will start to bend at less than 300 pounds, maybe 200 or 250 pounds, depending on how fast the barbell moves.

The higher the weight rating, the better the steel, and the better the barbell. A barbell with a high “PSI” rating isn’t necessarily better, but any commercial barbell is usually rated for far more weight than the average person can lift. Looking for a good used commercial barbell? Check out your nearest fitness equipment supplier.

3. Knurling is important

The “grip” on the barbell, or the jagged markings on the barbell where you place your hands, is called the knurling. This allows you to hold the barbell firmly and prevents it from slipping out of your hands. The more powerful the knurling, the more secure the grip. Some people like very passive knurling that doesn’t cause as much tearing on your hands, while others like very powerful knurling that sticks and digs into their hands to keep their grip.

There are various degrees of knurling on the market, from passive to active, and various different types of knurling, from “volcano” to “diamond” and everything in between. Choose a knurling that you feel is appropriate for most lifts. As you continue to lift weights, you may decide to choose a more passive or active barbell, but you can always upgrade later.

4. Ribbed sleeves help prevent plates from sliding off

Some barbells have ribbed sleeves instead of smooth sleeves to prevent plates from sliding off. This provides a little friction when placing Olympic plates on the barbell.

While this is not completely necessary, it does provide a little extra security to prevent Olympic plates from sliding off the barbell when using locking collars on the sleeves. For most lifters, you will want a locking collar on the end of the barbell anyway to prevent plates from sliding off. Do not lift without a locking collar unless you know what you are doing as this can be dangerous, especially during squats or overhead presses.

5. Power Barbells Are Different Than True Olympic Barbells

A power barbell is a barbell that typically has very aggressive knurling, a center knurl for squats, bushing bearings in the sleeves (for slow-rotating bars), and a 29mm shaft. An Olympic barbell is a barbell that typically has relatively passive knurling, no center knurling, needle bearing sleeves (for fast-rotating bars), and a 28mm shaft.

Olympic barbells also have markings for competition placement that are not in the same position as power bars. Olympic weightlifting markings are closer to the sleeves than power bars, so Olympic athletes can perform clean and jerk and overhead movements within the legal markings on the barbell.

Here are some quick tips when you shop for your next barbell, and if you have any questions, contact us!