Barbell Bars

Barbells are essential for everyone who wants to seriously work on muscle strength and muscle mass. With a separate bar and matching weight plates you train the largest muscle groups in your body: back, legs, chest, shoulders and arms. You easily adjust the weight by adding or removing plates, so you always keep challenging yourself.

Barbells come in different versions for different purposes. An Olympic barbell of 50mm is the most versatile choice for both home and gym use. A 30mm bar is lighter and suitable for beginners or lighter exercises. If you want to specifically train your biceps and triceps, a curl bar is the better choice. For deadlifts with less back load, a trap bar provides a solution. The main selection criteria are the type of exercise you want to do, the diameter of the bar and the maximum load capacity. Also pay attention to compatibility with your weight plates: 30mm and 50mm are not interchangeable.

Why train with a barbell?

A barbell is one of the most versatile and effective strength training tools available. Where a strength machine guides your movement, a barbell forces your muscles to provide stability and coordination themselves. That makes training with a free bar more functional: the muscles you use in daily actions such as lifting, carrying and pushing are loaded and strengthened more directly.

In addition, a barbell offers a wide range of exercises on one piece of equipment. Squats, deadlifts, bench press, rows, shoulder press and bicep curls are just a selection of the possibilities. By simply adjusting the weight or grip width you target other muscle groups or vary the training intensity. Read more about the benefits of strength training in our blog 12 benefits why strength training is important for you.

A barbell does require correct technique. Without the support of a machine you are yourself responsible for proper execution. When in doubt, consult an experienced trainer before starting with heavy weights, as this significantly reduces the risk of injuries. Also read our blog starting with strength training for practical starter tips.

Which barbell suits you?

The right choice depends on the exercises you want to do, the weight you want to use and whether you train at home or in a commercial environment. The scenarios below will quickly point you in the right direction.

You want to start at home with basic exercises such as squats, deadlifts and bench press: An Olympic barbell of 50mm is the most versatile choice and the standard in most gyms. Sturdy, suitable for heavy loads and widely applicable. Make sure you buy matching 50mm weight plates.

You train at home with lighter weights or are just a beginner: A 30mm barbell is more compact, lighter and a logical entry choice for home athletes who don't yet train with Olympic weights. Use exclusively 30mm weight plates on this bar. Also view our range of dumbbells as a supplement.

You want to specifically train your biceps and triceps with less wrist load: A curl bar is designed for that. The curved design creates a natural hand position during curls and extensions, reducing pressure on your wrists and lowering the risk of injuries.

You want to do deadlifts but have limited mobility or are recovering from an injury: A trap bar or hex bar is the better choice. You stand within the frame of the bar, which noticeably reduces the load on your lower back and hips. Also suitable for athletes who want to build up to conventional deadlifts.

You are setting up a gym, hotel or physiotherapy practice: Choose Olympic bars of 50mm that can handle heavy commercial loads. Also consider fixed-weight barbells as a supplement, so multiple athletes can train simultaneously.

What types of barbells are there?

Olympic barbells

The most used and best-known variant. Standard in gyms and suitable for the heaviest strength exercises such as squats, deadlifts and bench press. Available with a diameter of 50mm for Olympic weight plates.

Curl bars

Specially designed for bicep curls and tricep extensions. The curved design places your hands in a natural position, reducing wrist load. Available as EZ bar, super curl bar or straight curl bar, each with its own usage profile.

Trap bars and hex bars

Hexagonal bars where you as the lifter stand within the frame. Ideal for deadlifts and shrugs with less back load. Popular with athletes with mobility limitations or during rehabilitation.

Fixed-weight barbells

Barbells resemble Olympic bars, but the weight is fixed. You cannot add or remove plates. Practical in commercial environments where multiple athletes train simultaneously and no one has to wait for changing weights.

30mm or 50mm: which diameter do you choose?

The diameter format of the bar determines which weight plates you can use on it. The two common sizes are 30mm and 50mm. 30mm plates do not fit on a 50mm bar and vice versa. It is therefore important to determine which system you want to use and stay consistent.

30mm is the standard for home athletes who train with lighter weights. More compact, cheaper and widely available in entry sets.

50mm is the Olympic standard. Suitable for heavier training, higher loads and professional use. The bars are more robust and the plates are often more precisely machined for better balance. View our full range of weight plates for the right plates for your bar.

What to look for when buying?

Type of bar

Determine in advance which exercises you want to do. An Olympic bar is the most versatile, a curl bar is more specialised. Choose the type that matches your training approach.

Maximum load capacity

Every bar has a maximum load capacity. Always choose a bar that is well above your current and expected training weight. A bar that is overloaded can bend or snap, which is dangerous.

Knurling

Knurling is the ribbed section on the bar that provides grip. Good knurling is fine but not aggressive: sufficient grip without your hands being damaged after every set. Check when purchasing how coarse the knurling is and whether that suits your training preference.

Length of the bar

Longer bars offer more room for a wide grip and fit on most squat racks and weight benches. Shorter bars are more practical in limited spaces but less suitable for wide grips. Always check whether the bar length fits your setup.

Diameter and compatibility

Always check that the diameter of the bar matches the weight plates you already have or want to buy. 30mm and 50mm are not interchangeable.

Our advice: If you are just starting with barbell training, choose a bar with a generous maximum load capacity, even if you are training light now. You develop faster than you think and a bar you outgrow after a few months is ultimately a missed investment. Want to fully equip your home gym? Read our blog build and set up your own home gym for inspiration.

Who are barbells suitable for?

Barbells are widely applicable and suit almost everyone who wants to work seriously on strength:

• Beginners who want to learn the basic movements of strength training and build functional strength.
• Advanced athletes and powerlifters who want to train heavy with maximum freedom in movement and weight build-up.
• Athletes in rehabilitation who want to build strength in a controlled way with a trap bar or lightweight bar.
• Home athletes who want to expand their home gym with a versatile and long-lasting strength tool.
• Gyms and commercial users who want to serve multiple athletes simultaneously with a wide weight range.

Barbells are less suitable for athletes who are just starting and don't yet have basic knowledge of correct execution. In that case, starting with a strength station or under guidance of a trainer is wiser.

Want to expand your training further?

A barbell becomes even more versatile in combination with a weight bench. That way you can add bench press, incline press and many more exercises to your programme. Want to go even further? A power rack offers the most complete and safe setup for heavy barbell training.

Frequently asked questions about barbells

What is the difference between a barbell and a fixed-weight barbell?

A barbell has a variable weight: you hang weight plates on the bar yourself and adjust the weight as desired. A fixed-weight barbell has a fixed weight and is immediately ready for use, without plates. Fixed-weight barbells are practical in commercial environments, Olympic bars are more flexible for home use.

Which weight plates fit on my bar?

That depends on the diameter of the bar. A 30mm bar uses 30mm plates, a 50mm Olympic bar uses 50mm plates. The two sizes are not interchangeable. Always check the diameter of your bar before buying plates.

Do I need a spotter when training with a barbell?

With heavy sets, especially bench press and squat, a spotter is strongly recommended. Without a machine or the safety arms of a power rack, a failed rep can be dangerous. If you train alone at home, consider a power rack with safety arms or keep the weight manageable.

What is the difference between an EZ bar and a straight curl bar?

An EZ bar has a wave-shaped design that places your wrists in a semi-rotated position, which is more comfortable during curls and extensions. A straight bar places your wrists in a fully supinated position, which is more intense but puts more pressure on the wrist joints. For beginners and athletes with wrist complaints, an EZ bar is generally more pleasant.

Is a trap bar better for deadlifts than an Olympic bar?

Not better, but different. A trap bar reduces the load on the lower back and is more accessible for beginners and athletes with mobility limitations. A conventional deadlift with an Olympic bar is more functional and trains the posterior chain more intensively. Which you choose depends on your training goal and physical situation.

Should I use collars on my barbell?

Yes, always. Collars lock the weight plates on the bar so they don't shift during exercise. Without collars, plates can slide off, which is dangerous. This applies especially to dynamic exercises such as squats and deadlifts.

Need help with your choice?

Still in doubt about which barbell suits you best? We will be happy to help you further with targeted advice. You can reach our fitness specialists by phone on +31 (0)413-256800, send an email or visit our showroom in Volkel, the Netherlands.