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A 'barbell' is a piece of exercise equipment used in weight training, weightlifting and powerlifting. It consists of a steel bar that is 5 to 7 feet (approx. 2 metres) long. The central portion varies in diameter, but is close to one inch (2.54 cm), and is engraved with a knurled crosshatch pattern to help lifters get a good grip. Cast iron disc weights (plates) are slid onto the outer portions of the barbell to obtain the desired total weight. These weights are often secured with collars to prevent them from sliding off during the exercise (which can result in injuries).

Contents

Olympic Barbells

Men's bar

Women's bar

Plates and collars

Other types

Standard Barbell

EZ Curl Bar

See also

Olympic Barbells

An Olympic or weightlifting barbell consists of a standardized bar, plates and collars. In contrast to powerlifting barbells, Olympic barbells must have rotating outer ends to prevent the bar from twisting the lifter's arms and wrists.

Men's bar

A men's Olympic bar is a steel bar that is 2.2 m long and weighs 20 kg. The outer ends are 50 mm in diameter, while the grip section is 28 mm. It is the standard used in competitive weightlifting sports where men and women compete at the highest level - the Commonwealth Games and the Olympics. The maximum weight of these barbells varies based on the type of metal used in the bar, and is often near 450kg(1000lbs).

Women's bar

A women's Olympic bar is similar to the men's bar, but is shorter (2.05 m) and lighter (15 kg) with a thinner grip section (25 mm). Also in contrast to the men's bar, the women's bar does not sport a center knurl.

Plates and collars

Olympic plates are color coded according to weight, and the plates that are 10 kg or heavier are 450 mm in diameter with a center hole of 51 mm, while those lighter than 10 kg can vary in diameter. Competition plates are milled to strict tolerances, and are calibrated to spin evenly on the bar. The larger plates are also constructed with rubber bumper edges to allow safer dropping of weights.
The plates are colored as follows:

★ 25 kg: red

★ 20 kg: blue

★ 15 kg: yellow

★ 10 kg: green

★ 5 kg: white

★ 2.5 kg: red

★ 2 kg: blue

★ 1 kg: green

★ 0.5 kg: white
Standard collars can be of any material, usually steel, and they weigh 2.5 kg each for both men and women.

Other types

Standard Barbell

Standard plates have a central hole that is one inch (25 mm) wide. Standard barbells are one inch wide all the way along. Standard barbells typically weigh 10 kg, roughly equivalent to 22 lb.

EZ Curl Bar

The EZ curl bar is a variant of the barbell that is often used for bicep curls, upright rows, and lying triceps extensions exercises. Its zigzag grips allow the user's wrists to take a more natural orientation. This reduces the risk of repetitive stress injury in this exercise.
In addition to the standard Olympic bar, now an Olympic Curl bar (along with other varieties) also exists. Also referred to as an "EZ Bar," a curling bar is shorter and lighter than an olympic bar at a standardized 48" and 18lbs and has two indentations for hand placement while curling. Some believe the curl bar is more efficient to build upper-arm and forearm muscles than the traditional straight bar.
Barbells can be used Olympic lifts such as the Clean and jerk and several others.

See also

★ Dumbbell

★ Kettlebell

★ Trap bar