Survey Barbells | Garage Gym Lab

What's Your Lifting Purpose?

Multi-purpose
Powerlifting
Olympic Weightlifting

Multi-purpose bars are great for general training, Crossfit, etc... They generally have a thinner shaft diameter and dual knurl rings, which makes it possible to perform a variety of lifts. They spin using bushings, bearings, or a combination of both depending on your preferences. For example, someone who mainly uses the bar for olympic weightlifting may prefer a 28mm shaft with bearings. Someone who mainly uses the bar for powerlifting may prefer a 28.5mm shaft with bushings.

Power Bars are made specifically to perform powerlifting movements, including the squat, bench, and deadlift. They may also be used for other movements like the overhead press. These bars typically have a 29mm shaft, which creates a very rigid bar, but some offer a 28.5mm shaft. They also include a more aggressive knurling, single powerlifting knurl rings, and they use bushings to spin.

Olympic Weightlifting Bars are made specifically to perform Oly movements like the snatch, clean & jerk, etc... They generally include a 28mm shaft diameter, which generates more whip (flex). They include single weightlifting knurl rings and they use bearings, bushings, or a combination of both to spin.

Is this Bar for a Male or Female?

Male
Female

Male barbells are heavier than female bars, weighing either 20kg or 45lbs. They include thicker shaft diameters and have longer sleeves to accommodate heavier weights.

Female bars weigh 15kg and have 25mm shaft diameters. They also have shorter sleeves, which makes the overall barbell shorter and lighter.

Do You Want Bearings or Bushings?

Bushings
Bearings
Show Me Both

Bushings and bearings work to reduce friction between a barbell's outer and inner sleeves to create a smooth & controlled spin.

Bushing systems tend to produce a slower spin than bearings, making them ideal for slower lifts such as power lifts, overhead press, etc... They generally come in bronze, but you will also find composite, brass, and even stainless steel bushings. They are generally less expensive than bearings.

Bearings produce a faster spin than bushings, making them ideal for quicker lifts like Olympic weightlifting movements. Needle bearings are the most common barbell bearing application. They are generally more expensive than bushings. Sometimes a barbell will include both bearings and bushings.

How Do You Like Your Knurl?

Aggressive
Medium
Show Me Both

A barbell's knurling is one of the most important considerations when selecting a barbell. Knurling feel is largely a subjective measure, but there are a few things to keep in mind.

Aggressive knurling is generally characterized by a mountainous pattern or, in some cases, a deep volcanic pattern. You will normally find aggressive knurling on powerlifting bars and competition Olympic Weightlifting Bars. If you're looking for a barbell to use on heavier lifts in the lower rep ranges, aggressive knurling may an attractive option.

Less aggressive knurling is generally characterized by shallower volcanic patterns or what is referred to as a 'hilly' pattern, where the raised sections are flat. Multi-purpose bars and Olympic training bars commonly use a medium knurl pattern, although there are a few powerlifting bars that also use a less pronounced pattern. If you're looking for a bar to perform higher volume sets or if you simply want something a little lighter in the hand, a medium knurl may be an attractive option.

Do you Want a Center Knurl?

Yes
No
Show Me Both

Center knurling is a very important consideration when selecting a barbell. Generally speaking, Olympic weightlifting bars and multi-purpose bars can be purchased with or without a center knurl, while a powerlifting bar will always include one.

The biggest benefit to having a center knurl is for additional grip on the back when squatting. Specifically, if you squat with the bar lower on the back, a center knurl could be very helpful. Center knurling can sometimes be offered in the same pattern as the outer knurling, but it may also come in a less aggressive pattern. This way you get some tactile grip on the back, but not as much as you would in the hands. It can also be useful on a bar that has a colored coating (Cerakote, Black Oxide, etc...) because it can help you easily identify true center when lining up under the bar.

The biggest benefit of not having a center knurl is comfort. If you're a high bar squatter, for example, the extra grip from the knurling may not be that beneficial. If you perform a lot of front squats or other movements that require a front rack position, a smooth center will also tend to be more comfortable.

How Important is Oxidation/Rust Resistance to You?

Very Important
Somewhat Important
Not Important at All

A barbell's finish is a very important consideration for two main reasons: oxidation/rust resistance and the overall feeling of the bar.

In terms of this survey question, selecting "Not Important at All" will default to show you all available barbell finishes. On the results page you will be able to filter to include/exclude any finishes.

If you live in or train in a very humid environment, having a barbell finish with strong rust resistance qualities can be a good thing. These would be finishes like stainless steel, Cerakote, and electroless nickel.

In addition to the strongest rust fighters, there are other finishes like hard chrome, bright zinc, etc... that do a good job of limiting rust but that also may require a little more maintenance. These finishes are generally less expensive than the high-end finishes. They also tend to be applied coatings, which may affect the barbell's feeling. For example, a hard chrome barbell will not give you the same raw feeling as a stainless steel barbell.

Lastly, you have finishes that aren't well known for fighting rust. Bare steel and black oxide would be two examples. These finishes can sometimes be the least expensive, but they also tend to provide some of the best feel because there isn't a coating to interfere with your grip. They also require the most maintenance to limit oxidation.

Is Made-in-the-USA a Requirement for You?

Yes
No

What's Your Budget?

Please enter a number greater than or equal to 1.

You can adjust your budget on the results page to narrow or expand your search.

NewsPaper

Garage Gym Lab

Barbell Finder

Pick a Topic

About GGL

Connect with Us

<img class="tdb-logo-img" src="https://garagegymlab.com/wp-content/uploads/Garage-Gym-Lab-Web-Logo-5.png" alt="Garage Gym Lab" title="Garage Gym Reviews, Advice, & Inspiration" width="256" height="189" />NewsPaper

Barbell Finder

Pick a Topic

About GGL

Connect with Us

NewsPaper