What is a Barbell?

What is a barbell? If you’ve been around gyms or read about lifting at all, you’ve surely encountered a barbell. There are TONS of barbells! And which barbell do you need? Which barbell is best for your goals? 

Let’s cover in detail all the different kind of barbells and what kind of goals they’ll help you reach. But first, I must warn you: barbells are addictive! Once you have one, you’ll want more! I have 6 barbells for me, alone in my home gym, for no other reason than I love them.

Don’t say I didn’t warn you! 

What is a Barbell?

A barbell is a long, straight metal bar used in strength training, often paired with weight plates to increase resistance for various compound movements like the bench press, back squats, overhead press, and deadlifts. It’s a versatile tool found in home gyms, commercial gyms, and weight rooms around the world.

Types of Barbells and Their Uses

There are different types of barbells, each designed for specific purposes and lifting styles:

Olympic Barbell

An Olympic barbell is a long metal bar specifically designed for Olympic weightlifting movements such as the clean and jerk and snatch. It adheres to International Weightlifting Federation standards and is widely used in commercial gyms, home gyms, and weight rooms across the globe.

These bars are typically 7 feet long and weigh 20 kg (44 lbs) for men or 15 kg (33 lbs) for women’s bars. A key feature of the Olympic barbell is its rotating sleeves, which use needle bearings or bushings to allow the weight plates to spin freely. This helps lifters maintain proper form and reduces strain on the wrists and elbows during fast, explosive movements.

Olympic bars are also built with high tensile strength to handle heavy loads and repeated drops—especially when used with bumper plates. The knurling on the bar provides a better grip, and may include or exclude center knurling depending on the lift.

Additionally, the barbell diameter is slightly thinner than a power bar (usually 28mm for men), allowing for a more secure grip, which is essential during high-speed Olympic lifts.

Power Barbell

A power barbell is a type of barbell specifically designed for the three main powerlifting movements: the squat, deadlift, and bench press. It is known for its high tensile strength and rigidity, making it a stiff bar that doesn’t flex under heavy loads—a key feature for maintaining control and stability during maximal lifts.

Power barbells usually include center knurling, which helps the bar grip the lifter’s back securely during back squats. They also feature aggressive knurling on the handles for a more secure grip, especially important when performing heavy deadlifts or bench presses. The diameter of a power bar is generally thicker (often 29mm) than that of an Olympic barbell, adding to its stiffness and durability.

These bars are typically used in commercial gyms, home gyms, and weight rooms, and are often approved by the International Powerlifting Federation for competition use. Unlike bars designed for Olympic lifts, power bars are not meant to rotate as freely, since explosive movement is less critical in powerlifting. If your training program is focused on raw strength and compound movements, the power barbell is one of the best tools available.

Standard Barbell

A standard barbell is a straight metal bar that is smaller and lighter than an Olympic barbell and is commonly used in home gyms for general fitness and light to moderate strength training. It typically has a 1-inch diameter, which makes it compatible with standard weights (as opposed to the 2-inch sleeves used for Olympic bars).

Unlike Olympic or power bars, standard barbells are not built for heavy weights or Olympic lifts, as they usually have lower tensile strength and are less durable.

They often lack features like rotating sleeves, center knurling, or precision knurling patterns. Because of this, standard barbells are not ideal for heavy loads, Olympic lifters, or professional lifters, but they’re a great way for beginners or casual exercisers to perform basic barbell exercises like bicep curls, overhead presses, or light bench presses.

If you’re looking for an affordable piece of equipment to help meet your fitness goals without lifting much weight, a standard barbell can be a practical and accessible choice—especially when space or budget is limited.

Deadlift Bar

A deadlift bar is a type of specialty barbell specifically designed to enhance performance in the deadlift, particularly when lifting heavy weights. It differs from a standard power barbell in a few key ways:

It’s longer and thinner, often with a smaller diameter, which gives it more flex or “whip”—meaning the bar bends slightly before the full weight plates leave the ground. This allows lifters to build momentum and pull heavier weights more efficiently.

Deadlift bars typically have no center knurling, reducing irritation to the shins during the lift.

They feature aggressive knurling on the handles for a more secure grip, which is crucial when handling heavy loads.

This bar is a favorite among professional lifters and those training for powerlifting competitions, and it’s often used in commercial gyms, weight rooms, and serious home gyms. While it may not be the best barbell for beginners or other lifts like the bench press or squats, it’s an excellent choice for maximizing performance in the deadlift.

Trap Bar (Hex Bar)

A trap bar, also known as a hex bar, is a specialty barbell with a unique shape—it forms a hexagon (or sometimes an open design) that you stand inside while lifting. Unlike a straight barbell, the trap bar places the weight around your body’s center of gravity rather than in front of you. This helps to reduce stress on the lower back, making it a safer and more joint-friendly option, especially for beginners or those managing injuries.

The trap bar is commonly used for deadlifts, shrugs, and farmers carries, allowing for a more upright posture and better grip due to its neutral handles. It’s a great way to build strength safely and effectively and is often found in both home gyms and commercial gyms. The trap bar is also a smart addition to any training program focused on general fitness, compound movements, or injury prevention.

EZ Curl Bar / EZ Bar

An EZ curl bar is a shorter, specialty barbell designed with a zigzag or curved shape to provide a better grip angleduring arm exercises. Unlike a straight barbell, the EZ curl bar allows your wrists and elbows to stay in a more natural, semi-supinated position, which helps reduce wrist strain and joint stress—especially during bicep curls, triceps extensions, and other barbell exercises targeting the arms.

It’s compatible with either standard weights or Olympic plates, depending on the type of barbell. The EZ curl bar is often used in home gyms, commercial gyms, and weight rooms as a versatile tool for lifters focusing on general fitness, arm strength, or specific fitness goals. It’s an excellent choice for anyone who experiences discomfort using a straight barbell for curls or pressing movements.

Swiss Barbell (Multi-Grip Bar)

A Swiss bar, also known as a football bar, is a specialty barbell designed with multiple parallel or angled neutral grips instead of the traditional straight bar grip. This unique shape allows lifters to hold the bar with their palms facing each other, which reduces strain on the shoulders, elbows, and wrists.

The Swiss bar is commonly used for barbell exercises like the bench press, overhead press, rows, and triceps extensions. It’s a popular choice in both home gyms and commercial gyms, especially for athletes recovering from injury or those who need to protect their shoulder joints. Because of its versatility and joint-friendly design, the Swiss bar is a great way to train for general fitness, strength, or specific purposes within a training program.

Cambered Bar

A cambered bar is a specialty barbell with a unique shape—it features a deliberate bend or curve in its shaft or loading arms. This design shifts the center of the bar lower or further from the lifter’s grip, changing the way the weight loadsthe body during lifts. It’s often used in strength training and powerlifting programs to challenge stability, improve form, and target specific muscles differently than a straight barbell.

Cambered bars come in several variations, each with specific purposes:

The safety squat bar (SSB) is a type of cambered bar with padded handles, great for reducing shoulder stress during back squats.

The cambered bench bar challenges shoulder and chest stability during the bench press due to its swinging weight.

The low camber squat bar shifts the weight slightly forward, demanding more from the lower back and core.

These bars are commonly found in commercial gyms, home gyms, and training programs for professional lifters. A cambered bar can be an excellent choice for lifters recovering from injuries or seeking variety in their barbell exercises. While not typically used for Olympic lifts, cambered bars are a versatile tool for building strength through compound movements and improving overall lifting mechanics.

Major Differences & Considerations

The main differences between barbells include factors like barbell weight, length, tensile strength, knurling (grip texture), and load capacity. Some barbells, such as women’s bars, have a smaller diameter to allow for a better gripand more comfortable handling.

Olympic lifting bars are designed with rotating sleeves to absorb shock and maintain stability during fast, explosive lifts. The materials used can also vary—stainless steel, for example, is valued for its durability and corrosion resistance, making it a long-lasting option in both home gyms and commercial gyms.

Choosing the Right Barbell

Finding the right barbell is essential because it directly impacts your performance, safety, and progress toward your fitness goals. Different types of barbells are designed for specific purposes, such as Olympic lifting, powerlifting, or general strength training, and choosing the wrong one can limit your effectiveness or increase your risk of injury.

For example, an Olympic barbell with needle bearings and high tensile strength is ideal for fast, explosive movements like the snatch or clean and jerk, while a power barbell with a stiff bar and center knurling is better suited for back squats, deadlifts, and bench presses.

Using a standard barbell for heavy weights can be dangerous due to its lower durability, and choosing a specialty bar, like a trap bar or EZ curl bar, may provide a better grip or reduce strain on the lower back and wrists depending on your needs.

The major differences in features—such as bar length, diameter, knurling, and sleeve rotation—can significantly affect your form, comfort, and lifting efficiency. Selecting the best barbell for your training program, equipment setup (like squat racks or bench press stations), and exercise style is a great way to ensure long-term success, prevent injuries, and enjoy a more effective and rewarding workout experience.