15 Best Barbells For Home Gym (2024)

Any home gym needs three major pieces of equipment, and the barbell is one of them. A high-quality barbell will enhance your lifting experience and last a lifetime. If the barbell is of low quality, it will eventually chip, peel, become slippery, and stop spinning.

Invest in high-quality barbells instead, and your home gym will be problem-free. I’ve had mine for more than ten years, and it’s been through its fair share of abuse at my weightlifting club. Even after being dropped a lot, it’s still in excellent condition.

As a professional strength and conditioning coach, I have trained with nearly every brand of barbell. Combined with my wife’s 22 years of competing in Weightlifting at the Olympic level, we have covered every possible scenario.

Based on this expertise, I’ve chosen the top barbells for your home gym.

Best Barbell For Home Gym

Rep Fitness Colorado Bar

Specifications
Tensile Strength	190,000 PSI
Knurling	Volcano/Medium
Center Knurling	No
Knurl Markings	Dual
Shaft Diameter	28.5 mm
Coating	Hard Chrome or Ceracote
Bushing/Bearing	Composite Bushing
Spin	Smooth
Whip	Medium
Weight Capacity	1,500lbs
Warranty	Lifetime

This barbell is all-purpose and suitable for cross-training/HIIT exercises, powerlifting, and Olympic weightlifting. It has medium-deep, volcano-style knurling that provides good grip support without ripping up your hands during high-rep workouts.

The 20kg Colorado Bar was constructed with a shaft diameter of 28.5 mm and smooth sleeves for effortless loading and unloading of weights.

Durable and long-lasting, composite bushings allow for a steady and smooth spin. Additionally, the bushings reduce noise when you drop the barbell by creating a dampening effect.

Stylish metal endcaps with one-of-a-kind designs and inner sleeves with laser-etched branding complete the Colorado Bar.

The multi-purpose Colorado Bar features two sets of knurl markings—IPF and IWF—to assist with setup by showing you exactly where to put your hands.

With premium features but priced well beneath the luxury options, the REP Fitness Colorado bar is easily one of the best investments for your home gym.

Best Budget Barbell For Home Gym

Living Fit Barbell

Specifications
Tensile Strength	200,000 PSI
Knurling	Medium
Center Knurling	No
Knurl Markings	Dual
Shaft Diameter	28 mm
Coating	Chrome or Cerakote
Bushing/Bearing	Bearings
Spin	Smooth
Whip	Medium
Weight Capacity	1,500lbs
Warranty	Lifetime

The Living Fit Barbell is intended to be a versatile solution for bench press, squats, deadlifts, and Olympic lifts.

The Living Fit Chrome Barbell is designed as a multi-purpose barbell, suitable for powerlifting, Olympic weightlifting, and general strength training.

Its moderate knurling provides a grippy balance for heavy lifts but is not too aggressive for high-repetition Olympic movements.

While the chrome finish is less protective against corrosion than the cerakote option, it is more than adequate for home gyms in climate-controlled environments.

Regular maintenance, such as cleaning the barbell to prevent rust, will help extend its lifespan.

The chrome coating might show scratches on the loading sleeves, this does not affect the barbell’s performance.

Still, for the price, it’s something the vast majority of lifters will enjoy with no issues, hence why it is on our list of best budget barbells.

Best Multi-Purpose Barbell For Home Gym

TITAN Series Cerakote Olympic Barbell

Specifications
Tensile Strength	190,000 PSI
Knurling	Medium
Center Knurling	No
Knurl Markings	Dual
Shaft Diameter	28.5 mm
Coating	Cerakote
Bushing/Bearing	Bronze Bushings
Spin	Smooth
Whip	Medium
Weight Capacity	1,500lbs
Warranty	1 year

Another excellent choice for a multipurpose bar for your home gym is the Titan Cerakote Olympic Barbell.

This balanced hybrid bar is ideal for Olympic weightlifting and powerlifting, providing the proper amount of whip or flex for fluid movement throughout the lift.

This versatile barbell has a Cerakote shaft finish and either Cerakote or hard chrome-coated sleeves.

All TITAN Series Barbells are made of virgin, non-recycled American steel from the United States, with a shaft rated at 190,000 PSI tensile strength, twin knurl marks, medium diamond textured knurling, and bronze bushings.

The cerakote finish lets you choose between the classic black and three other vibrant color options.

Best Premium Barbell For Home Gym

Eleiko XF Bar

Specifications
Tensile Strength	215,000 PSI
Knurling	1 mm Mild Depth
Center Knurling	No
Knurl Markings	Dual
Shaft Diameter	28 mm (men’s), 25 mm (women’s)
Coating	Chrome
Bushing/Bearing	Needle Bearings & Bushings
Spin	Fast
Whip	Whippy
Weight Capacity	Not Stated
Warranty	12 Years

Eleiko is well-known for producing high-quality weightlifting and powerlifting barbells, which are widely regarded as the best available.

However, it wasn’t until recently that they extended into hybrid barbells for home gym users. It has identical qualities to their IWF Weightlifting Training Bar but without the price tag.

That’s 7 feet long, 28 mm shaft diameter, chrome finish, and Eleiko’s legendary durability. However, this barbell is ideal for use in the home gym due to its mild knurling, dual grip markings, lack of center knurling, and bushing and needle-bearing combination.

The knurling is 1 mm deep and less aggressive than on Weightlifting barbells, and it feels much softer than their other bars, including the IWF Weightlifting Training Bar.

The lack of center knurling prevents high-rep cleans from ripping your neck. The dual grip markings allow you to weightlift and power lift with precision.

Most importantly, you have a combination of bushing and needle bearings for smooth rotation during weightlifting without sacrificing heavy powerlifting performance.

With a tensile strength of 215k PSI, it will not warp and will always rebound to its original shape, even when lifting heavy weights.

You also have a 12-year warranty, and I’ve seen several 10+ year-old Eleiko bars in excellent condition despite daily abuse in weightlifting gyms.

Best Home Gym Barbell For Beginners

Rep Fitness Black Canyon Bar

Specifications
Tensile Strength	190,000 PSI
Knurling	Volcano/Medium
Center Knurling	No
Knurl Markings	Dual
Shaft Diameter	28.5 mm
Coating	Bright Zinc or Black Chrome
Bushing/Bearing	Hybrid
Spin
Whip	Medium
Weight Capacity	1,500lbs
Warranty	5-year warranty

The Rep Fitness Black Canyon Bar is the less refined brother of the Colorado bar. This one is still a great multi-purpose bar with a 28.5 mm shaft diameter, dual knurl marks, and mildly aggressive volcano knurl.

This bar can handle all types of workouts, from cross-training HIIT stuff to powerlifting to weightlifting.

The differences with the Colorado bar come in a few areas. First, you get hybrid ball bearings in the Black Canyon, while the Colorado has superior composite bushings.

The coating of the Black Canyon is zinc, which can be considered inferior to the Colorado’s cerakote and hard chrome options.

The last place to make a sacrifice is in the warranty. The Canyon comes with 5 years, in comparison to the lifetime warranty of the other REP Fitness bar.

But these sacrifices also make the Black Canyon $50 cheaper, which may be enough for a beginner to point them in this direction.

After all, this barbell is more than enough for someone to train for years after they start with it.

Best Home Gym Barbell For Bench Press

Rogue Ohio Power Bar

Specifications
Tensile Strength	205,000 PSI
Knurling	Aggressive
Center Knurling	Yes
Knurl Markings	Single Powerlifting
Shaft Diameter	29 mm
Coating	Cerakote
Bushing/Bearing	Bushings
Spin
Whip	No Whip
Weight Capacity	Not Specified
Warranty	Lifetime Against Bending

The Rogue Ohio Power bar was explicitly designed for powerlifting movements. One of the main ones is the bench press. Here is why this bar is the perfect companion for those heavy bench presses:

• International Powerlifting Federation (IPF) knurl markings.
• Aggressive deep knurling for maximum grip.
• Bronze bushings for a smooth, consistent spin.
• 29 mm shaft diameter, as is the Powerlifting standard.

Powerlifting knurl marks allow you to be consistent with your bench press grip when transferring to competition.

Powerlifting barbells include a unique, deep, aggressive knurling that provides extra grip. Bronze bushings keep the plates from spinning uncontrollably, making the bench press difficult to control.

The bar is stiff with no whip thanks to its zero-flex steel shaft, allowing maximum control. The Power Bar has a tensile strength of 205k PSI, making it highly deformation-resistant.

It also offers a lifetime warranty if used correctly, as is customary with Rogue.

Best Home Gym Barbell For Powerlifting

Bells Of Steel Barenaked Powerlifting Bar 2.0

Specifications
Tensile Strength	210,000 PSI
Knurling	Aggressive
Center Knurling	Yes
Knurl Markings	Single (Powerlifting)
Shaft Diameter	29 mm
Coating	Bare steel
Bushing/Bearing	Bronze Bushings
Spin	Moderate
Whip	No whip
Weight Capacity	1,500 lbs
Warranty	Lifetime against bending

Bells of Steel claims the Barenaked Powerlifting Bar is the best powerlifting bar you can get for $300, and they are not far from the truth. Even better, the bar doesn’t cost 300 bucks, but $250.

This bar, designed specifically to fulfill IPF standards, will provide you with the necessary competition-like practice – allowing you to perform to your best on the platform.

This means you get single IPF knurl marks, 29 mm. shaft, and cheese grater level of aggressiveness on the knurling.

With a tensile strength of 210,000 PSI and a capacity of 1,500 pounds, bar whip is non-existent on this big boy bar.

The only thing to consider is the bare steel shaft, which requires extra care, unlike finished steel shafts. You will have to use some cleaner or oil occasionally to remove any rust.

This bar is undoubtedly the best powerlifting barbell you can buy for your home gym, meeting all the IPF criteria at a fraction of the price of other models with the same feature.

Best Home Gym Barbell For Deadlifts

TITAN Series Deadlift Bar

Specifications
Tensile Strength	200,000 PSI
Knurling	Aggressive
Center Knurling	No
Knurl Markings	Single (Powerlifting)
Shaft Diameter	28.5 mm
Coating	Bright Zinc
Bushing/Bearing	Bronze Bushings
Spin	Moderate
Whip	Whippy
Weight Capacity	2,000 lbs
Warranty	1-Year

What distinguishes a deadlift bar? The length and the whip. The Titan Series Deadlift Bar is 4 inches longer than a regular 7-foot barbell.

This results in more whips off the floor and heavier weights lifted. Like other premium Powerlifting barbells, it has aggressive knurling to prevent grip failure during a big deadlift.

Its diameter is 28.5 mm, which is somewhat thinner than a conventional Powerlifting barbell, allowing you to pull more.

It has a tensile strength of 200k PSI, suitable for heavy deadlifting. Finally, bronze bushings provide smooth spin but not enough to throw off your lift.

You’ll be hard-pressed to find a deadlift bar with these specs for this pricing.

Best Olympic Weightlifting Barbell 

Eleiko IWF Weightlifting Training Bar

Specifications
Tensile Strength	215,000 PSI
Knurling	1.2 mm Balanced
Center Knurling	Yes
Knurl Markings	Single (Weightlifting)
Shaft Diameter	28 mm (men’s), 25 mm (women’s)
Coating	Chrome
Bushing/Bearing	Needle Bearings
Spin	Fast
Whip	Whippy
Weight Capacity	1500 kg
Warranty	12 Years

Without a doubt, Eleiko produces the finest barbells for Olympic weightlifting. For more than a decade, I’ve watched as members of a Weightlifting club mercilessly abuse my bar. There has been no loss of spin, and it is still in excellent condition.

At 215k PSI, it boasts one of the greatest tensile strengths of any barbell, making it extremely sturdy and resistant to breaking.

You can rest assured that your Eleiko bar is sturdy and will last a long time thanks to its 12-year warranty.

The knurling is moderately aggressive and 1.2 mm deep. It’s unlike the competition bar, which will rip your hands to shred if you use it daily.

The whip and spin offer a high-end feel, and weightlifters will love the needle-bearing sleeves that provide the best spin. In my experience, barbells with a chrome coating have the best feel and are also rust-resistant.

Although the IWF Weightlifting Training Bar is expensive, it is well worth it.

Best Home Gym Barbell For CrossFit 

Rogue The Ohio Bar Black Zinc

Specifications
Tensile Strength	190,000 PSI
Knurling	Rogue Knurl (Moderate)
Center Knurling	No
Knurl Markings	Dual
Shaft Diameter	28.5 mm
Coating	Black Zinc
Bushing/Bearing	Bronze Bushings
Spin	Light
Whip	Good Whip
Weight Capacity	Not Available
Warranty	Lifetime Against Bending

If you’re training in CrossFit, you’ll want to use a brand that is well-known and used in all CrossFit clubs while competing in CrossFit open or local championships.

It will ensure you do not have any equipment surprises during training or competition because you are already familiar with the Rogue equipment.

And if you aren’t a competitor, using Rogue’s equipment still makes sense because it is designed for CrossFit.

This bar is rated at 190k PSI, and while it is not as strong as some other bars on our list, it is still considered high tensile strength and suitable for CrossFit.

It features twin knurl marks but no center knurling. The knurling is too soft for my liking but is good for high-rep CrossFit training without shredding your hands.

The Ohio bar uses composite bushings, which results in a smooth spin but not the same level as a weightlifting bar.

The issue is with use, the spin becomes sticky, which I don’t like.

You can choose the Ohio bar in multiple coating options. The cheapest one is the black zinc version, but you can also spend a few more dollars for cerakote versions if you need a bit more rust resistance and a colorful look.

The Ohio bar has a 28.5 mm diameter shaft, larger than a 28 mm weightlifting barbell. This can make Olympic lifts more difficult.

You can read our in-depth breakdown in our Rogue Ohio Bar review.

Best Home Gym Barbell For Women

Rep Fitness Colorado Bar 15 kg

Specifications
Tensile Strength	190,000 PSI
Knurling	Volcano/Medium
Center Knurling	No
Knurl Markings	Dual
Shaft Diameter	25 mm
Coating	Hard Chrome or Ceracote
Bushing/Bearing	Composite Bushing
Spin
Whip	Medium
Weight Capacity	1,500lbs
Warranty	Lifetime

Of course, the best barbell for women is the female equivalent of the finest barbell on this list. It has the same specifications: medium volcano knurling, dual knurl marks, no center knurling, composite bushings, and the choice between hard chrome or cerakote coating.

But instead of being 28 mm in diameter, it’s 25 mm like all women’s barbells, and it’s 15 kg in weight.

These are the competition specifications for CrossFit and Olympic Weightlifting. Plus women will be able to hook grip the barbell easier if they have smaller hands.

Best Technique Barbell For Home Gym

Rogue 10 kg Junior Bar

Specifications
Tensile Strength	190,000 PSI
Knurling	Rogue Knurl (Moderate)
Center Knurling	No
Knurl Markings	Dual
Shaft Diameter	25 mm
Coating	Black Zinc
Bushing/Bearing	Bronze Bushings
Spin	Moderate
Whip	N/A
Weight Capacity	Not Available
Warranty	Construction Only

Why would someone need a technique barbell? Young lifters learning the snatch and clean and jerk aren’t strong enough to lift a standard 15 or 20-kg barbell. Instead, they utilize a technique bar weighing 5 kg.

I like the Rogue Fitness Technique Bar since it comes in three different weights: 2.5 kg, 5 kg, and 10 kg.

How do you know which one to choose? A technique barbell typically weighs 10 kg. Despite their reduced diameters, the 2.5 and 5 kg technique bars are too narrow for many kids to snatch with.

However, a 5 kg technique bar may be appropriate if they are very young. The 10-kilogram Junior Bar has a 25 mm diameter, which is ideal for little hands. It has 190k PSI with Olympic and Powerlifting knurl marks.

Tensile strength is less important in this case because the bar won’t be loaded with big weights, but it’s still impressive that Rogue used their standard steel shaft for this.

There is no center knurling that can scratch the skin. It also features the same bronze bushings as the Rogue and Bella bars.

There is no lifetime warranty, as with other Rogue bars, but you will not drop a technique bar as frequently as with other barbells. 

Best Barbell On Amazon For Home Gym

Synergee Regional Olympic Bar

Specifications
Tensile Strength	190,000 PSI
Knurling	1.2 mm Diamond
Center Knurling	No
Knurl Markings	Dual
Shaft Diameter	28 mm
Coating	Chrome
Bushing/Bearing	Needle Bearings
Spin	Moderate
Whip	Light Whip
Weight Capacity	1,500 lbs
Warranty	Unknown

To be honest, you won’t find many good barbells on Amazon. Without a doubt, the finest among them is the Synergee Regional Barbell.

The combination of its needle bearings and durable chrome plating makes it a solid tool for CrossFit and weightlifting.

On the other hand, the 1.2 mm deep diamond knurling isn’t as rough as the REP Fitness knurling, so it may be hard to pull serious deadlifts with this bar.

A 28 mm shaft, tensile strength of 190,000 PSI, and a rating of 1500 lbs are all solid attributes for a barbell.

The black phosphate coating of Synergee barbless looks nice when new, but keep in mind it will start to wear off with use.

Best EZ Curl Bar For Home Gym

Rogue Rackable Curl Bar

Specifications
Tensile Strength	110,000 PSI
Knurling	Rogue Knurling (Moderate)
Center Knurling	No
Knurl Markings	None
Shaft Diameter	28.5 mm
Coating	Black E-Coat
Bushing/Bearing	Bronze Bushings
Spin	Moderate
Whip	N/A
Weight Capacity	Not Available
Warranty	5-Years

EZ curl bars are a great addition to any garage gym barbell collection. Curling or practicing skull crushers can be painful for the wrists and shoulders. I’ve had periods where I couldn’t do these exercises with a straight bar due to injuries.

The EZ bar makes the grip somewhat more neutral, making it easier on the wrists and shoulders. The Rogue EZ bar’s rackability is what makes it the best option.

Training in a garage gym usually does not allow you the luxury of selecting various fixed-weight EZ bars.

You have to load the EZ bar yourself, and loading it on the floor is not fun. I do that frequently and would much prefer to load stuff into a rack.

So Rogue stretched the regular EZ bar to nearly 6 feet so it could be racked and loaded. It weighs 35 pounds, proving its high-quality construction when most EZ bars weigh less than 25 pounds. Its diameter is 28.5 mm, which is not as narrow as most other EZ bars.

Best Trap Bar For Home Gym

Rep Fitness Open Trap Bar

REP Fitness’ open-ended trap bar has a unique design. While standard trap bars are versatile, open-ended trap bars are a whole new level above and allow you to do lunges, split squats, and even upper body exercises.

Only a few open-ended trap bars can be used as cambered bars in a rack for squats and good mornings like the REP Fitness trap bar.

Because of the round metal tube, the trap bar can be utilized as a thick cambered bar, even for pressing. The added center knurling prevents it from slipping off your traps when used as a cambered bar.

The next distinguishing features are the handle options and grip sizes.

For most people, the standard 25″ handle width is the standard for trap bars. In addition, there is a narrow (23″) option for more slim men and women, as well as a wide (27.3″) option for heavier lifters.

There are spinning handles of conventional width, but the manufacturer additionally provides three handle diameters.

However, the rotating handles only come in one height, whereas the other options provide both low and high-handle options.

These handles are also removable, allowing you to purchase additional handles and swap them if you want more options. Alternatively, you can remove them while performing cambered bar squats or bench presses.

The REP Fitness trap bar has a weight capacity of 1350 pounds, allowing you to load it heavy.

I appreciate how they designed the deadlift jack with a plastic liner to protect your platform. This model is nicely priced at $400.

However, rotating handles increase the price to $470. It’s worth it, in my opinion. REP Fitness offers a lifetime manufacturer defect warranty.

It’s a wonderful choice for home gym owners who value adjustability in their gym equipment. This trap bar can become your new best friend in the gym.

How To Know Which Type Of Barbell To Get For Your Home Gym?

There are three major types of barbells to consider for your home gym, excluding specialty bars. These are Olympic weightlifting, powerlifting, and multi-purpose barbells.

Olympic Weightlifting Barbell

Weightlifting barbells often have more whip and faster spin thanks to needle bearings, less aggressive knurling, and shaft diameters of 28 mm for males and 25 mm for women. They are specifically developed for the snatch and clean and jerk.

The fast spin allows you to turn the bar over into the catch position without injuring your wrists. The increased whip helps bounce out of the hole, while the less harsh knurling aids in everyday training.

If you plan to train a lot of Olympic weightlifting, go with a Weightlifting barbell.

Powerlifting Barbell

The squat, bench press, and deadlift are the three main exercises powerlifting bars are made for. With a thicker shaft measuring 29 mm in diameter, more aggressive knurling, slower spinning, and less oscillation, these tools provide greater control.

These barbells are intended for competitive powerlifters.

Multi-Purpose Barbell

For most of you, this is the best choice for a home gym. Whether you’re into CrossFit, weightlifting, or powerlifting, a multi-purpose barbell is an excellent investment. Shaft diameters vary from 28 to 28.5 mm, knurling is less aggressive, and whip and spin are moderate.

This combines the other two types of barbells into one, allowing you to do more workouts with just one tool.

How To Pick The Best Barbell For Your Home Gym

Olympic vs. Standard

Always go with an Olympic barbell. Standard barbells are unsuitable for home gyms. An Olympic barbell is designed to accommodate Olympic-sized plates with a 2″ central hole. Standard barbells are designed to hold standard plates with a 1″ center hole.

Furthermore, the shaft diameter is smaller between regular and Olympic bars. Standard bar sleeves do not spin, are lighter, are made of inexpensive steel, and bars bend easily. Just make sure to pick Olympic barbells instead of standard bars.

Knurling

How well you train often depends on the knurling. Has the barbell at your local commercial gym ever been beaten down so much that it’s smooth? It’s terrible and limits your lifting. Some inexpensive barbells have smoother knurling that feels oily, which is just as bad.

Typically, you have two types of knurling:

• Volcano Knurling – This pattern is primarily utilized on Olympic Weightlifting barbells due to its high friction surface, which provides good grip. Even so, It is less likely to dig into the skin or develop calluses than aggressive knurling.
• Mountain Knurling – This pattern is mainly used on Powerlifting barbells, which are more aggressive.

The depth and intensity of these two knurling patterns might vary. For example, knurling depth commonly ranges between 1 mm and 1.5 mm. Deeper knurling is typically found on Powerlifting bars. Manufacturers usually specify whether the knurling is soft, moderate, or aggressive.

Another feature to look out for is center knurling. Powerlifting and men’s Olympic Weightlifting bars include center knurling for grip when stacked in the front or back. However, the center knurling of a weightlifting bar is not sharp.

Some multi-purpose and CrossFit bars lack a center knurling to make them more suitable for high-rep lifts or weekend warriors. Women’s weightlifting bars also lack a central knurling.

Center knurling is best, in my experience, but it comes down to personal preference.

Coating

The coating determines the feel and rust resistance of your barbell. Most quality bars are either chrome-coated or bare stainless steel. However, there are additional options to consider:

• Chrome: Chrome has a bright, lustrous surface and is exceptionally rust-resistant. Chrome coating quality varies, with cheaper bars potentially chipping and peeling, whereas premium bars do not.

• Stainless Steel: Stainless steel bars provide great corrosion resistance and a natural feel, similar to bare steel. Stainless steel is more expensive than other finishes, but it can be worth it if you want a low-maintenance bar with a raw steel feel.

• Black Oxide: Black oxide is a conversion coating that does not add considerable layer thickness to the bar, allowing the steel to retain its inherent feel. It has moderate corrosion resistance but still requires maintenance to prevent rusting. The black color may also degrade over time, particularly in the regions with knurling.

• Zinc: Zinc coatings can be black or bright zinc and provide good rust protection. They require less care than bare steel and black oxide. However, they may not have the same raw feel as bare steel. Over time, the zinc coating can wear, particularly in high-contact areas.

• Cerakote: Cerakote is a ceramic coating widely utilized in various industries due to its great resistance to wear, abrasion, and corrosion. It’s relatively new to the barbell market and comes in a range of colors. However, it may slightly reduce the raw sensation of the bar’s knurling.

I recommend choosing a chrome or stainless-steel finish. They offer the best feel and rust resistance. Cerakote is the best option for a colorful finish.

Tensile Strength

Tensile stress is the force required to pull a barbell until it breaks or permanently deforms. High tensile strength is defined as exceeding 180k PSI. The higher the PSI, the more durable the barbell is.

Bushing vs. Bearings

The spinning sleeves feature bushings and needle bearings. Bushings are commonly used in powerlifting and power bars, Olympic weightlifting bars rely on needle bearings, and multi-purpose bars use a combination of the two.

Bushings are often constructed of bronze or brass and offer moderate spin. This is adequate for most general lifting and powerlifting when a quick spin is less important.

Bushings are less complex, more robust, and less expensive to make and maintain than needle bearings.

Needle bearings are small cylindrical components that allow the sleeve to spin smoothly and quickly.

This is especially beneficial in Olympic weightlifting, where the speed of the bar rotation can affect the performance of exercises such as the snatch and clean and jerk.

Needle bearings are more sophisticated, sensitive to dust and chalk, and cost more to manufacture and maintain.

The sleeve components you need are determined by the amount of lifting you will be doing. Choose bearings for speed and bushings for slow lifting.

Diameter

Barbell diameters commonly range from 28 to 29 millimeters. It may not seem like much of a difference, but even half a millimeter is noticeable.

Olympic weightlifting uses 28 mm bars. 28.5 bars are used for multi-purpose training, and 29 mm bars for powerlifting.

Not every barbell follows these principles. Some multi-purpose bars are 28 mm, while others are 28.5 mm. Unless you’re a competitive lifter, the diameter isn’t particularly important.

Whip

Whip is crucial in Olympic weightlifting but not in other strength sports. This is why Olympic Weightlifting bars are so flexible under big loads, allowing lifters to bounce out of the hole. On the other hand, power bars are rigid and provide maximum control during large compound strength lifts.

Spin

The amount of spin you desire is determined by the type of exercise you do, exactly as when selecting between bushings and bearing sleeves. Needle-bearing sleeves offer more spin and are ideal for Olympic weightlifting.

Less spin is preferable for Powerlifting. If you do CrossFit or intend to do a little of everything, multi-purpose barbells provide a good balance of the two.

Price

Barbells are one of three key home gym equipment worth investing in. The remaining two are a power rack and bumper plates. Skimping on certain pieces of equipment will result in higher long-term costs when you replace them.

A high-quality barbell will last you a lifetime even if you regularly drop it from overhead with bumper plates onto a lifting platform.

Warranty

While not always true, warranties frequently reflect the quality of the barbell. Many companies have lifetime guarantees when used properly. Dropping your barbell onto concrete or without bumper plates may quickly void the warranty.

To extend the life of your warranty, drop the bar only with bumper plates and onto a sturdy platform. Also, make sure to read the fine print. Some companies provide a lifetime warranty, but it only covers manufacturing defects.

Frequently Asked Barbell Questions For Home Gym

Summary

The finest barbell for your home gym is determined by the type of exercise you do. The Rep Fitness Colorado bar allows you to do equally well in weightlifting, CrossFit, and general strength training without spending a fortune.

If you are a competitive lifter, choose a weightlifting or powerlifting barbell, depending on your discipline. It’s always best to pick a multi-purpose barbell for general strength training.