Bars

Here are the top three things to look for in a quality barbell:

1. Tensile Strength: At least 160,000 PSI
2. Sleeves: 2" Olympic sleeves with either bearings, bushings, or both
3. Endcap Construction: Snap-Ring endcap

Ensure your barbell meets these three criteria and you will have a quality bar that will last for years to come.

Best Barbells for Bench, Deadlift, and Squats

• 200k+ PSI tensile strength and less whip
• Rougher knurling with bronze bushings
• See our Barbell 2000

Best All-Purpose Barbells

• 180k-200k PSI tensile strength and moderate whip
• Lighter knurling, bushings and needle bearings
• See our Barbell 1500

Best Beginner and Lighter Weight Barbells

• 160k-180k PSI tensile strength and moderate whip
• Light knurling, bushings and bearings
• See our Barbell 1000

If you're a beginner or not planning to lift heavy, you may want to choose a 15 kg/33 lb barbell.

These regulation 2" Olympic barbells trim 11 pounds and 8" from the typical 7 foot barbell, offering increased mobility and easier handling for beginners.

Our Barbell 1000 is constructed from the same high-quality bar and sleeves as the Barbell 1500, with bronze bushings and needle bearings for gym quality performance in a smaller package.

If you're new to weightlifting, have limited space, or plan to lift light, then we recommend a 15 kg/35 lb Olympic barbell. If you're experienced or committed to weightlifting, then we recommend starting off right away with a 20 kg/45 lb Olympic barbell.

Knurl is is the textured part of the bar that increases the grip between your hand and the barbell.

Knurl Marks are the smooth, un-knurled rings around the bar that help you gauge where to grip the barbell for balanced hand placement.

Tensile strength is measured in pounds per square inch (PSI), and it refers to the amount of stress a bar can take before is breaks. This number usually ranges from 120,000-230,000 PSI.

Higher Tensile Strength bars can handle more weight and tend to be stiffer. Powerlifting bars are stiffer and should have 200,000+ PSI. All-purpose bars will have more whip and should be 165,000-200,000 PSI.

Whip is like elasticity - a bar with more whip is slightly more elastic than a stiffer bar that has less whip, and will slightly bend when the loaded barbell changes direction.

A bar with high whip is important for olympic lifts like Snatch, Cleans and Jerk. Lifters focusing on Bench and Squat will prefer a stiffer bar. Most lifters will be happy with a bar with low to medium whip.