What to Consider When Buying Barbells

Know what to get so you’ll be ready to train

There are many costs you have to consider when buying barbells. You have to purchase a bar, weight plates, clamps or collars and possibly even a barbell pad. It doesn’t mean you have to break the bank though, if you stick to what you need barbells can be very affordable.

A standard bar with collars starts at about $30, while plates can be as much as $150 for 100 lbs. But you can also get a basic set that includes 100 lbs of plates for around $50 or one that has only 25 lbs of plates for $20. Sometimes it’s best for beginners to start small and get additional plates if needed. If it’s certain pieces in the set that concern you, remember it can be cheaper to buy a bargain barbell set and upgrade to better collars or even a better bar.

• Comfort - Because most barbell bars are made for wider male palms they can be uncomfortable for women with small hands. Bars with a smaller grip circumference (25 mm) can help. Some bars have handles coated with rubber or foam or are knurled to aid in gripping. Bar length and hand grip spacing is also important, as some bars are longer than others, and even bars of the same length may have more or less space between the inside collars. If all else fails, consider buying weight lifting gloves.

If you plan to use the barbell for squats or good mornings, a barbell pad will prevent shoulder pain. If you have wrist problems but enjoy doing curls and upright rows, a curl bar might be up your alley.

• Convenience - For women who enjoy doing superset workouts (moving immediately from one exercise to the next without resting) it’s important to have a barbell with easily changeable plates. This means clamps and collars that can be removed and fastened back on quickly. While better collars cost more, it’s often worth it for a smooth-paced strength training session. For some people it might be more convenient to own two bars, so they can set up different weight loads ahead of time.
• Weight range - You need to know what amount of weight you plan to lift so you know how many weight plates you’ll need. Most beginners won’t even come close to using a 100 lb weight plate set. Remember, the bar itself will weigh up to 25 lbs.
• Durability - Rubber bumper plates or rubber-encased weight plates protect the floor and keep weights from smashing together and chipping.
• Storage - Where do you plan to keep your barbells, stored-away between uses out in the open? Some sets come with carrying cases, while other don’t. You may want to purchase a weight rack to store your bar and plates on.