How to Choose Right Collars for Your Barbell

A barbell collar is a small piece of equipment that any gym should have. There are many different types of barbell collar, each with advantages and disadvantages, so which is the best barbell collar? By understanding the advantages and disadvantages of these barbell collars, you will easily know how to choose the one that best suits you.

Which is the Best Barbell Collar?

There are several types of barbell collars on the market. They all serve the same primary purpose (securing the plates to the barbell), but they may differ in how easy they are to use. 

1. Spring Clip Collars

These are the most common barbell covers. They are a round spring that fits over the sleeve of the barbell. The spring is opened by squeezing the protruding handles. The spring tightens when released. They are inexpensive and very simple, but the clamping force is uneven and/or not always perfect. They tend to break over time.

Spring covers (often called clamp covers) get their name from their spring-like structure. To secure a spring cover to the barbell, simply apply pressure to the handles on either side of the spring to increase the diameter of the cover. Once the size has increased, you can easily move the cover around the bench until the metal is flush with the plate, then release the handles to secure the cover in place.

Pros of Spring Collars

You can buy a quality pair of snap-lock collars for around a few bucks, which is very convenient for those on a budget. Spring-lock collars can also be easily slid onto the end of a bar.

Spring Collars – Cons

If you’re adding weight or doing a lot of intense exercise (like Olympic lifting or CrossFit), you may want to consider a quality pair of snap-lock collars. That being said, spring collars are fine for most regular gym-goers and simple home setups.

2. Quick Release Barbell Collars

These snap-lock collars are round and have a clip that opens and closes to secure the collar to the bar. There are also compression collars, which work the same way but have a handle instead of a clip to tighten the collar.
These collars are bulkier and heavier, but easier to use. The spring clip can be a little hard to squeeze if you don’t have a very strong grip. This quick-release barbell collar is easier to bench and easier to lock. You just turn the bar and it’s done. These collars also have a stronger clamping force, so they’re more secure.

Pros of Quick Release Barbell Collars

Quick-Lock Collars attach to the end of a barbell quickly and easily. Simply loosen the clamp, slide the collar on, and tighten the clamp again. This makes it a convenient option for workouts that require constant adjustment of the weight you lift.

Cons of Quick Release Collars

While you can buy a nice set of Quick-Lock Collars for a fairly low price, I recommend buying something sturdier, especially if you’re using them for Olympic lifts or CrossFit. The price may be prohibitive at first, but I promise you that you won’t be disappointed if you invest in a solid pair of Quick-Lock Collars.

3. Spinlock Barbell Collars

It goes on the end of a threaded bar. Almost all barbells with threaded ends come with a set of collars.
A twistlock collar works like a nut and bolt, with the collar being the nut and the rod being the screw. When you tighten the collar, it puts pressure on the plate and the end of the rod, which in turn puts pressure on the rope of the collar and holds them firmly in place.

Advantages of spin lock collars

Spin-lock collars are great to have as part of a set and are generally very affordable. They work well with lower weights and are best suited for a home set-up. They are easy to use and if they get loose you will feel the weight plates start to slip, which means you can safely lower the bench and adjust the collar to avoid any accidents.

Disadvantages of spin lock collars

A common complaint about spin lock collars is that people can’t get them tight enough. This can be very frustrating, especially if the collar slips often, which can cause your weight to walk around on the end of the bar. , if you want to learn how to avoid this, read our article on how to properly tighten a twist lock collar.

So you can see there are no rules specifically dictating which type of collar it should be, but in reality, they are all quick release collars.

Why do you need a barbell collar

Doesn’t the barbell work perfectly without a barbell collar? Of course, in many cases, it is perfectly fine to lift weights without a barbell collar. Barbell collars help to secure the plates to the barbell and prevent them from falling off. Some barbell collars are also used to secure the chains, but this is rare. Especially if you lift heavy weights, it is very likely that you will not be able to do a rep at some point. Usually, when you can’t do it, you don’t stop working “symmetrically”. Usually, a muscle on one side will cause the chain and the can’t do to react, causing you to fall. This means that one side of the barbell starts to touch the ground.

Without a barbell collar, the plates will start to fall off. When this happens, the weight will suddenly become very unbalanced. This can cause injury because your body will suddenly be carrying an uneven amount of weight.

If the barbell is still on you, the light side will suddenly be pulled up. And the heavy side will fall down, causing some damage to the other side.

So without a neck brace, things can get very bad very quickly. Adding a neck brace is a small insurance policy that doesn’t cost much time or money but can prevent some injuries.

Another reason to utilize barbell clamps is bar bend. If you’re lifting hefty, barbell collars are an outright need.
Does having collars on bench make complex changing the weight on the barbell? Yes, it requires an extra step. There are various kinds of collars that include different levels of difficulty.
Barbell collars are a needed accessory to make your gym much safer. Plates diminishing can be dangerous. Quick release collars are the most effective selection for the majority of people because they are easy to use as well as have excellent securing force. Likewise, barbell collars aren’t needed on every exercise. In some cases you could even wish to prevent them.

If you’re lifting heavy, barbell collars are an absolute requirement.
Does having collars on the bar make complex transforming the weight on the barbell? Barbell collars are a required accessory to make your gym safer. Barbell collars help to maintain the weight plates safely on the barbell.