Barbells

A barbell is a straight metal bar used for weightlifting and strength training. It is designed to accept weight plates loaded on its sleeves and secured with collars or clips. Barbell exercises include squats, deadlifts, presses, rows, cleans, and snatches, and they are commonly used in fitness, strength training, and competitive weightlifting.

A barbell consists of a central shaft and rotating sleeves at each end to accept weight plates. The bar often features knurling along the grip area to aid secure handling, with the spacing and texture varying by model. Most barbells use standard weight plates with a through-hole for a 50 mm sleeve diameter; collars or clips hold plates in place. Typical adult Olympic bars weigh about 20 kilograms (44 pounds) for men and about 15 kilograms (33 pounds) for women, although other varieties exist. Common lengths are around 2 meters (about 7 feet). The diameter of the grip is usually near 28–29 mm for men’s bars and around 25 mm for many women’s bars.

Variants include the Olympic barbell used in international competition, powerlifting bars designed for heavy lifts and higher tensile strength, EZ curl bars for a curling motion, trap or hex bars used for different lifting paths, and specialty bars with different grips or widths. Weight plates commonly come in standard or metric sets and are color-coded by weight.

History: The modern barbell evolved from simple iron bars and weights in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with use expanding in athletics and gym culture. Standardized dimensions and competition rules were developed through weightlifting and powerlifting organizations.

Safety and maintenance: Regular inspection for straightness and scratches; use collars to prevent plates from sliding; ensure even loading; clean and dry to prevent corrosion, and store away from moisture.