I’m a total cheap bastard.
So when it came time to invest in a good barbell, I had to mentally retool and learn what I’m going to say here.
If I can buy something in a way that saves me money, I will. Used, B-stock, broken, whatever.... I’ll buy it, fix it up, and feel great about the money I saved.
Buy the highest quality new barbell you can afford, and you’ll never regret it.
Typically this will lead you to an USA made barbell, with the likes of Rogue, American Barbell, Texas Power Bar, and Wright-Equipment.
There are high quality imported barbells, but there are tons more crappy ones with excellent marketing skills. It’s tough telling the difference.
Sticking with these USA manufacturers will basically ensure that you’re getting a barbell that greatly enhances your lifting experience.
No. I don’t make any money from them....yet.
I just want you to use your barbell 4 times a week. Having a barbell you love will stack the odds in your favor of sticking with your program.
Another point to consider, you’re not just buying the barbell, your also buying the quality control and the customer service. That’s no small potato.
All right, the first categories we need to consider are gender:
Men’s, Women’s, and Junior.
Men’s barbells are 44-45lbs, about 7’ long, 28-29mm in diameter, and sleeve length of 16.5”.
Women’s barbells are 33 lbs, about 6.5’ long, 25mm in diameter, and sleeve length of 13”.
Junior bars are 22 lbs and about 5.5’ long, also 25mm in diameter, but sleeve length of 6-7”.
Even though the overall lengths get shorter, the shaft lengths are the same. This means even the Junior bars fit on a power rack.
The weight goes down as the bar sheds steel from a thinner shaft diameter and shorter sleeves.
All three of these categories will have a PSI tensile strength ranging from 160K - 200K. This is all strong enough, so no worries of overloading them. Even the Rogue Junior Bar is 190K PSI.
It’s typically good to stay in your gender category for the best fitting barbell, but.....
I want to buck the system here and say forget about the label of “Men’s, “Women’s”, or “Junior” bars.
We’re not competing our way to the Arnold Classic, we just a want a barbell that fits us perfectly regardless of how it’s labeled.
If you think a Women’s or Junior bar fits your space and needs better, go for it. If you’re a woman and you want a Men’s bar, go for it.
The bar label doesn’t define you. Heck, if using a Junior bar turned me into a kid, that’s all I would ever use!
Besides, your first barbell will probably not be your last.
As you get stronger and develop as a lifter, you’ll be looking at different barbells to buy. You may want different specs, or just want a different experience for the fun of it.
If you go through years of weight training and resist buying another bar, then my hat goes off to you.
OK, let’s talk reality.
We’ll always have plenty of reasons NOT to work out, so we need to stack up reasons to strength train on a regular basis.
You’ll want to use your barbell if it feels and performs great in your hands, looks awesome, is hassle-free, and has excellent customer service if the rare situation arises.
Getting your barbell from the companies mentioned above basically ensures this.
When you buy your barbell, splurge! You deserve it for the commitment you’re making.
Then go back to being a cheap bastard.
Get strong as hell,
Coach Ken
We’re moving on to types of barbells. Let’s go.....