What is a Barbell

What is a Barbell?

A barbell is an essential piece of exercise equipment that helps you lift weights. However, there are many different types of barbells and their features differ, so it’s important to understand how to choose a good one for your needs.

A barbell consists of a long shaft, knurled to increase grip, and two sleeves that hold weight plates on either end. The sleeves spin independently from the shaft. This rotation dissipates excess torque without transferring it to the body.

The Shaft

A barbell is a long piece of metal that can be used to lift weights. It consists of many parts, each with their own specific purpose.

The shaft is the longest part of a barbell and is what you use to grip it. It's usually 2.2m (7.2ft) in length and is 20kg or 45lbs in weight.

It has sleeves that are 2'' in diameter and is designed to hold plates.

These sleeves are slid onto the shaft and held in place by either bushings or bearings.

Bushings provide a smooth rotation, while bearings offer faster spin.

If you're lifting for a competition, or doing powerlifting, then you'll want to look for bars with bearings in the sleeves.

The Sleeves

Barbell sleeves are the part of the barbell that connects the shaft and the weight plates. They also help stabilize the barbell and prevent it from moving during use.

Sleeves are usually made of a metal that can withstand high levels of pressure and wear, like steel or chrome. They can also be coated with a protective coating such as black oxide, Cerakote or zinc to enhance durability and prevent corrosion.

The diameter of a Barbell sleeve varies from 25mm for standard bars to 50mm for Olympic and powerlifting bars. The diameter is important because it determines how many standard 2-inch plates can fit onto the sleeve.

The sleeves of a barbell also have grip markings. These smooth rings sit about 36 inches apart on Olympic bars and 32 inches for powerlifting barbells to indicate where lifters should place their hands.

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The Collar

Barbell collars are a critical part of any commercial or home gym, or crossfit facility. They keep weight plates from sliding off of the barbell sleeve and help lifters focus on their workout.

The collars can come in many shapes and sizes and are made of a variety of Gym Equipment materials, including ABS plastic, aluminum, Kevlar, steel, and more. They can also vary in weight.

Spring collars, also called clamp collars, are an affordable option for securing weight plates on barbells. However, they lose their strength over time and require regular replacement.

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The Knurling

Barbell knurling is a rough crisscross pattern that helps you grip the shaft better than smooth metal like Kettlebell it varies in depth, pattern and aggressiveness, depending on the type of barbell you are buying.

There are many different types of knurl patterns, so it is important to understand what each one offers. Some are designed to provide more aggressive knurl for more competitive lifters, while others offer a balance of comfort and grip.

In addition to the pattern, knurling also varies in depth and finish. Stainless steel barbells will have as deep of a knurl as you can get, while chrome or cerakote barbells will have less.

A barbell’s knurl will affect your hand placement, as well as your ability to push and pull weight. The strategic placement of the knurl will help to assure that your hands are in the correct position when you are working out, and this is especially important for Olympic lifting and powerlifting.