How to choose a barbell

Gaining muscle mass is impossible without performing basic exercises – deadlifts, squats and bench press, in which a barbell acts as a projectile with a set of pancakes of the corresponding weight. Careful attention should be paid to the correct selection of the barbell and its main elements in order to enjoy the exercise and grow on yourself.

The best manufacturers of barbells and bodybuilding equipment

The barbell is a projectile, the name of the manufacturer of which and his fame play no role in the training process. Naturally, it is much more pleasant to work with equipment from world-famous manufacturers, however, the name has no influence on the effectiveness of training and progress. The rods of the following manufacturers are popular:

1. Protrain

2. Fora

3. Vimpex

4. Eleiko

5. Regal

6. HMS

Operational nuances and subtleties are best explored based on feedback from athletes, as well as on all kinds of discussions. You can find them on the Internet on thematic forums and in publics on social networks dedicated to bodybuilding.

What are barbells? Main types

Despite the fact that at the mention of a sports equipment, the imagination draws an exclusively straight Olympic bar, the matter is not limited to them. There are several basic types of barbells.

Classic straight neck

A universal device for working out all muscle groups. Allows you to do both basic exercises with free weights and isolated exercises for local muscle groups. The length of this neck is 180 centimeters, and the diameter is 25-30 mm, which is enough for a comfortable grip. The bar's own weight is 20 kilograms, which means that he alone is already a very good shell for working out the biceps, triceps, shoulders and traps.

Advantages

• Versatility;

• Ability to perform both basic and isolated exercises;

• Compatible with all types of modern 'pancakes';

disadvantages

• A body weight of 20 kilograms can be overkill for untrained beginners;

• “Olympic” models from well-known manufacturers are expensive;

W-shaped neck

Compact neck with a length of 120 centimeters, the diameter of which is still the same 25-30 millimeters for a comfortable grip. Its middle part has a broken shape and represents the Latin letter W. It is widely used to perform isolated exercises and local workout of small muscle groups – biceps, triceps, shoulder girdle. It is a great option for morning exercises and home workouts.

Advantages

• Length 120 centimeters;

• Suitable for working out isolated muscle groups;

• Comfortable grip;

• Light weight – suitable for beginners;

disadvantages

• You cannot do basic exercises;

• Not suitable for bench press;

EZ neck

An alternative version of the W-shaped neck, which has a pronounced curve in the middle of it. This makes it suitable for biceps exercises with a wide variety of grip and width, which allows you to work out the given muscle. Its length is also 120 centimeters, and its diameter at the grip is 2.5-3 centimeters.

Advantages

• Length 120 centimeters;

• Low cost;

• Suitable for working out isolated muscle groups;

• Comfortable grip regardless of hand position;

• Light weight – suitable for beginners;

disadvantages

• You cannot do basic exercises;

• Not suitable for bench press;

The main criteria for choosing a rod

Barbell Length

1. For those who choose a barbell for performing isolated exercises for biceps, triceps, compact barbells should be selected, the length of which does not exceed 120 centimeters;

2. If training of back muscles is added to the exercises, as well as in the case when the bar is selected for a teenager, you should stop your choice on models whose bar is 150 centimeters long;

3. In the case when it is planned to work out all the muscles and perform not only isolated, but also basic exercises, there is no alternative to the Olympic bar 200 cm long;

'Pancakes'

Pancakes are special disks-weights that allow you to gain the necessary weight on the bar. When choosing a set of disks, you should take into account your own power indicators, the optimal set is almost always 'pancakes' weighing from 2.5 to 25 kilograms, and each weight should be a pair.

Fasteners – locks

These are special devices designed to fix the discs on the bar and prevent them from falling and moving along the bar during exercise. The design of the locks can be spring-loaded or mechanical. In the first type, the pancakes are fixed using a special spring clip, in the second they are pressed with a mechanical lock of the rotary structure.

Presence of 'knurling'

Under this name, sportsmen mean special grooved inserts in the places of contact of the bar with the hands. They provide maximum grip during exercise and prevent the bar from slipping. The disadvantage is the formation of calluses during training, but this can be avoided by using special training gloves.

In the following articles, our experts will tell you how to choose a gainer, the secrets of choosing a protein, recommendations for choosing amino acids for sports, and the features of choosing dumbbells for fitness and sports.

Attention! This material is the subjective opinion of the authors of the project and is not a purchase guide.