If you’re looking to get in shape, lifting weights is the best way. There are different weight lifting bars, and each has its purpose whether you like weightlifting at your home or outdoor places, every bar serve its purpose. The most important thing to consider when choosing a bar is whether it will fit your body properly. The weight on the bar should be distributed evenly across both arms and shoulders so that your body can handle the stress of lifting weights correctly.
Suppose you do not have any knowledge about dealing with different types of weightlifting bars. In that case, it might be difficult for you to choose from various options, leading to frustration and disappointment over time if not dealt with properly the first time.
Let’s see a few important weight lifting bar types and their pros and cons.
10 Weight lifting bar types
1. Olympic Weightlifting Bar
With the Olympic weightlifting bar, you can expect an increase in your performance. The center of gravity of a weightlifter is a vital part of their strength training, and the Olympic bar gives them more control over it.
The Olympic bar gives you more whip on the barbell. This means that you can lift more weight and have less chance of injury from low-quality equipment.
You will also be able to handle heavier weights for extended periods without getting tired or losing form. The diameter is also critical because it helps ensure the barbell doesn’t roll too easily when dropped on its side during a lift. It also makes it easier to spin around on the ground while warming up or practicing certain moves before they are needed in competition.
PROS —
- The barbell is easy to hold and maneuver. Olympic barbells can be adjusted by loosening or tightening the bolts and moving them up or down.
- This makes it very easy to change positions in the squat and bench press exercises and many other exercises where you want to lift the weight off the ground or move it closer to your body.
- The bar has comfortable handles that allow you to lift heavy weights without hurting your hands or wrists.
CONS —
- If you are not careful when lifting weights with this type of bar, then it could potentially cause permanent damage to your back if not handled correctly at all times.
- The price is high compared to other bars.
- Not suitable for people with smaller hands
2. Standard Weightlifting Bar
If you’re looking for a bar to lift weights in, you’ve probably already heard about the standard bar. A standard weightlifting bar is incredibly versatile because it can be used for various exercises like squats, bench presses, and deadlifts—all of which would be impossible to do without a bar.
It is the most common type of barbell. It comprises two U-shaped handles connected by a barbell sleeve. The barbell is made of steel and weighs between 33 and 44 pounds. These bars are available in various lengths, from 6 feet to 8 feet long. The standard weightlifting bar has a variety of uses in the sport of weightlifting—One can use it to do a squat or bench press or perform pull-ups or chin-ups on it.
The standard weightlifting bar has a gripping surface that helps you hold onto it during liftings. The holes in this gripping surface help you grip the bar to prevent slipping or falling off the platform. It features an easy-to-use Olympic-style grip with a large knurled handle for increased comfort and safety.
PROS —
- The standard weightlifting bar is incredibly versatile, so that you can use it for many different exercises.
- It is also relatively cheap, making it affordable to most people.
- They’re also great for beginners because they offer you a wide range of weights so you can start from the bottom up.
CONS —
- The biggest con is that the standard weightlifting bar starts bending at around 200 pounds, and weight over that could cause permanent bending. While that’s true of all bars, this one is slightly more susceptible to this than others.
- Another downside is that standard bars may start rusting after a while if they’re not taken care of properly.
3. Tricep Bar
The Tricep Bar is an excellent piece of equipment for any home gym, but it’s beneficial for those trying out some new exercises. Whether you’re an athlete or someone who wants to get into fitness, this bar is sure to help you achieve your goals.
Tricep bars are great for traditional upper body exercises like pressing, rowing, curling, and more. The bar can be used as a bench press or a seated row with additional weights.
It also greatly supplements other training methods such as dumbbells and kettlebells. This bar can be used without weights but has been designed with built-in resistance bands that will help build strength and muscle mass. Tricep bars are great for traditional upper body exercises like pressing, rowing, curling, and more. The bar can be used as a bench press or a seated row with additional weights.
It also greatly supplements other training methods such as dumbbells and kettlebells. This bar can be used without weights but has been designed with built-in resistance bands that will help build strength and muscle mass. This allows you to work out without too much strain on your shoulders or back while maintaining proper form throughout each set! The tricep bar is also very affordable compared to other equipment options, so anyone can afford it without breaking their budget!
PROS —
- It’s also very affordable, which means that it can be used by people who don’t have much money to spend on the fitness equipment.
- This bar reduces shoulder strain by allowing you to maintain a neutral grip on the bar.
- The tricep weightlifting bar can also be used for other upper body exercises such as pushups, bench presses, and dips.
- It’s easy to store away because it’s small enough to fit most closets.
CONS —
- The only downside is that this tricep bar isn’t designed to hold much weight—it’s perfect for smaller weights, but not much more.
4. EZ Bar or Curl Weightlifting Bar
EZ bar or curl weightlifting bar is a barbell designed for curls bars exercises and other exercises requiring a wide grip. It can be easy to handle and provide a comfortable hold. The curl bar has a fixed handle with a knurled knob on top that can be used for curls, snatches, and other exercises.
The handle has a channel that allows you to grip the bar tightly without having to wrap your hands around it, so you can perform more repetitions before your hands start to fatigue.
PROS —
- They’re easy to use: The grip is angled, so you don’t have to wrap your hands around a standard straight bar. This means getting good form on your curls is much easier because you don’t have to contort your wrists into unnatural positions.
- They’re less expensive than other types of bars: Ez bars are often sold as cheaper alternatives than Olympic-style weightlifting bars because they don’t require costly Olympic plates or accessories like collars and sleeves.
- They’re portable: You can take them anywhere! They fold up into a compact size so that they can be stored easily in your car or gym bag. And because they’re made of metal, they won’t break if you try to put them in a suitcase or carry them through airport security.
CONS —
- The main problem is that it may not be suitable for heavy lifting because of its low weight capacity, which limits the weight you can lift on your shoulders while doing squats and bench press exercises.
5. Hex Bar or Trap Weightlifting Bar
The hex bar or trap bar is a better training bar for performing entry level deadlifts. The six-sided hex bar has a diamond shape which is more ergonomic and easier on your back. This bar might be the better choice if you have issues with your lower back.
At the same time, the four-sided trap bar has a hexagon shape. It’s ideal for training conventional deadlifts and helps you take pressure off your lower back. A bonus of using a hex bar is enabling new muscles to engage during deadlifts, making them more effective at building muscle mass overall.
PROS —
- The hex bar can help take pressure off your lower back during the lift because it allows you to use your hips and other leg muscles to help push the weight up.
- The hex bar enables new muscles to engage during deadlifts, which can help you achieve greater results than you would without a weightlifting bar.
- A hex bar is also an excellent tool for helping to improve your deadlift strength, as well as your overall pulling power.
CONS —
- The only disadvantage is that hex bar will not help you improve your powerlifting strength. If you want to use this bar for competitive lifting events like powerlifting competitions or Olympic weightlifting, it won’t help.
6. Cambered Weightlifting Bar
This bar is for you if you’re a lifter who has spent years perfecting your squat form. It will help you improve your form and build overall core strength. It’s one of the most versatile weightlifting bars on the market. Cambered bars have an angled face that creates a more natural curve with the weight lifter’s body.
This allows them to lift more weight while preventing injury and improving their form. The Cambered Bar is a great way for lifters to improve their form and maximize their squat. The Cambered Bar emphasizes the glutes and hamstrings for the entirety of the squat, forcing you to perfect your squat form.
PROS —
- The bar can hold a lot of weight, making it great for those suffering from knee, hip, or shoulder pain.
- It can also help strengthen core muscles and build overall core strength.
- It can also help lifters improve their form by providing a stable platform to perform squats.
CONS —
- The price tag for this bar is a little high compared to some other options out there.
- This bar is expensive for a limited-use bar that only works in one exercise—the squat—so it might not work well if you’re looking for other types of exercises.
- It can also be dangerous for inexperienced lifters because of its weight distribution and swinging weights.
7. Powerlifting Bar
A powerlifting bar is a great tool for serious lifters. It’s designed to hold a tremendous amount of weight, which means it can handle much more than the average barbell. This allows lifters to lift heavier weights and build up their strength.
Powerlifting bars are made of high-quality steel that’s less flexible than regular bars, which helps them hold more weight without bouncing or rotating.
This makes them particularly good for powerlifters who want to keep their Focus on lifting heavy weights without worrying about how much pain they’ll feel later on. Another benefit of powerlifting bars is that they can hold much more weight than regular bars—so no matter how much you weigh, these will still support your lift!
PROS —
- They’re made of high-quality steel that won’t bend or bounce when loaded with a lot of weight.
- They also don’t rotate, which can help powerlifters stay in their groove and maintain their grip throughout their lift.
CONS —
- The disadvantage to powerlifting bars is that they’re not cheap.
- The other downside would be how rough the knurling on the bar feels on your hands after using it for a long time. This can lead to painful calluses and blisters on your hands which can hurt if you aren’t careful when lifting heavy weights!
8. Deadlift Bar
The deadlift bar is a beast. Deadlift Bar is 45 lbs, 1 inch in diameter, and has more rigid knurling than the power bar to allow for better grip control. This means you can lift more weight with less effort and whip the bar off the floor faster than ever before.
The increased whip maximizes speed from the floor, which means that your lifts will be deadlier and more effective. The deep knurling on this bar allows for better grip control, meaning you’ll be able to hold onto it longer without losing control over your form or strength.
PROS —
- The knurling also helps keep your hands from slipping when performing these lifts because there’s less friction between your hands and the surface of the bar than there would be if there weren’t any knurling present!
- It’s made specifically for the deadlift and has been designed with a whip, making it easier to pull off the floor quickly and effectively.
CONS —
- The only downside here is that this particular item may be too expensive for some people who aren’t looking for something that will be useful for other types of lifts besides deadlifts.
9. Safety Squad Bar
The Safety Squat Bar: A safer option for squatting and other lower body exercise The squat safety bar is a type of barbell originally made by powerlifters who wanted to make the traditional barbell safer for their backs.
The bar is designed with a center of gravity so that it has less tendency to roll out of your hands as you squat down—more like a dumbbell or kettlebell. It also helps with your shoulder and thoracic spine mobility because it places more weight on your shoulders than a traditional 45lb barbell does. Remember to always wear specially made shoes for squats while doing squat workout to avoid any accidents.
PROS —
- This barbell is engineered to keep you safe and in control during squats, deadlifts, and other lower body movements.
- The standard 45-pound barbell is excellent for beginners and those who want basic strength training.
- One of the most significant advantages of the safety squat bar is its versatility. There are simply no limitations to the moves you may do with this bar.
CONS —
- The Safety Squat Bar is, on average, 15-20lbs heavier than the traditional 45lb barbell, so you need to be careful when lifting with this equipment. However, we think it’s worth it if you want to train harder and safer!
10. Swiss Weightlifting Bar
The Swiss Weightlifting Bar is a great tool for lifters of all levels. In addition to being versatile and functional, the bar can be used in several different exercises, making swiss bar a great addition to your workout routine. Swiss bars are shaped like a rectangle with multiple grip widths connecting the long sides of the rectangle.
This design allows you to play with different grip widths while maintaining a comfortable, neutral grip during your exercise. Swiss bars are particularly effective in relieving wrist, elbow, and shoulder pain during pressing movements. They also force lifters to maintain neutral positions throughout their lifts which helps them work more effectively on specific muscles.
PROS —
- They are much more comfortable than other options because they don’t require a lot of pressure from your hands and wrists.
- Swiss bars are particularly effective in relieving pains and maintaining neutral positions throughout their lifts which helps them work more effectively on specific muscles.
CONS —
- The most significant disadvantage to using a Swiss bar is that they are relatively expensive compared to other types of weightlifting equipment.
- They don’t hold as much weight, so it might be best to use them only once or twice per week instead of daily.
- They aren’t used in any strength competition, so there isn’t any reason not to have one!
Frequently Asked Questions
Conclusion
Weight bars are a must-have for any serious weightlifter, but finding the right one can be tricky. We, hope, our list on 10 types of weightlifting bars helped you understand different weight lifting bar types. There are so many different styles and barbells available today that it can be challenging to know which one is right for you. But keeping a few things in mind can help you reach your goals. You’ve taken the first step towards creating the body you’ve always wanted. It’s time to build muscle.
