Best powerlifting barbells buying guide
Powerlifting barbells are made specially for powerlifting. They are much thicker and heavier than regular barbells. This makes them more difficult to lift, but also allows you to lift more weight. They are a great choice for athletes who want to improve their strength and power. If you’re interested in powerlifting, be sure to check out some powerlifting barbells! In this Best powerlifting barbells buying guide, we will answer all your questions about powerlifting barbells and give you a few tips on how to use them.
back to menu ↑What are the Best Powerlifting barbells?
Powerlifting is a competitive sport that requires strength, size, and power. The best bar for this type of training should be able to offer you all three things in abundance so after hours and days spent researching powerlifting barbells, we have come up with our top picks in this best powerlifting barbells buying guide as we know that there are hundreds of powerlifting barbells reviews out there, but not all will be suitable for your needs. We’ve researched and analyzed each one thoroughly so that you only see what matters most!
back to menu ↑What are the types of powerlifting barbells?
These are the types of powerlifting barbells that are used by most athletes:
back to menu ↑Powerlifting Barbells
Powerlifting barbells are designed specifically for powerlifters.
back to menu ↑Olympic Weightlifting Barbells
Olympic weightlifting barbells are specifically designed for snatches and clean
back to menu ↑Power Bars
Power bars are the same as powerlifting bars, but they don’t have a center knurl. If you’re deadlifting, it’s best to use a power bar.
back to menu ↑Bumper Plates
Bumper plates are rubber or plastic weights, usually black in color.
back to menu ↑Training Barbells
Training barbells are the same as power bars but they’re thinner and smaller to accommodate new lifters. Some newer models don’t even have a center knurl. They only weigh about 20kg (45lbs) so they can’t be used for heavier sets.
back to menu ↑Trap/Hex Bars
Trap bars are designed to work your traps and lower back more effectively than traditional squats. They’re also great if you have shoulder problems since the weight is always centered. Hex bars are just like trap bars except that there’s no barbell sleeve.
back to menu ↑7GHDs
GHD stands for Glute Ham Developer. Its purpose is to strengthen primarily your hamstrings and glutes. It’s a great accessory exercise to use in a pre-exhaust workout routine.
back to menu ↑Back Extension Machines
Back extension machines are primarily used for strengthening your lower back, particularly your spinal erectors.
back to menu ↑Prowlers
Prowlers are great for building endurance, and they’re also known for developing explosiveness. They’re completely customizable, allowing you to adjust the weight. You can also attach bands or handles to it for different exercises.
back to menu ↑What are the benefits of powerlifting barbells?
Below are the benefits of powerlifting barbells
back to menu ↑Customization
The barbell is one of the most customizable pieces of weight training equipment. Barbells can be easily customized to fit any trainee based on height, body type, goals, and budget.
back to menu ↑Safety
Using a powerlifting barbell takes the guesswork out of your form. The fixed length, straight line, and rotating sleeves make it easy to achieve optimal lifting mechanics.
back to menu ↑Durable
Powerlifting bars are very durable due to their steel composition and less complex designs. The barbells are built to last and will take whatever punishment you can dish out.
back to menu ↑Weightlifting
Powerlifters often use the same type of bars that Olympic weightlifters use for their competitions. This allows them to develop strength using similar movements, which is critical for success in both sports.
back to menu ↑Affordability
Even the most elite, competition-grade powerlifting barbells are reasonably priced. Cheaper alternatives to these bars may not meet IPF standards, but they should still be very functional and won’t break your budget.
back to menu ↑Purpose
Different styles of barbells have different purposes. A powerlifting barbell is designed to be loaded with heavyweights and take a beating. A weightlifting barbell is designed for the quick, fluid movements of Olympic lifts like the snatch and clean and jerk.
back to menu ↑Training variety
Different barbells will work your muscles in different ways. A powerlifting barbell with a high tensile rating will work your muscles differently than an Oly bar with a high tensile rating, which will work differently than something like the Rogue Chan Bar.
back to menu ↑Customizable knurling
Standard Powerlifting barbells have the same knurling in the exact location on every bar. A trainee can easily adjust to this, but individual preferences for knurling exist.
back to menu ↑What exercises can you do with powerlifting barbells?
These are the exercises that you can do with powerlifting barbells
back to menu ↑Deadlift
The most basic of the exercises, and a staple in powerlifting. The deadlift should only use a conventional stance, as it is better for your hips and lower back to stay straighter throughout the lift.
back to menu ↑Lower Back
This exercise hits your entire posterior chain and especially the lower back hard. It also strengthens hamstrings, which are for better or worse underworked in the average lifter.
back to menu ↑Hip Strength
This exercise strengthens the hip extensors, which are crucial to all sports (and life activities). It also increases your grip strength due to the pronated (overhand) grip you must use. Improving these will improve your deadlift and other exercises that use this same musculature.
back to menu ↑Front Squat
These are the most used squats by powerlifters. Because of the bar position, these can be done without a spotter very easily and safely.
back to menu ↑How to choose the best powerlifting barbells?
back to menu ↑Features
There are no two ways about it, to choose the best-suiting powerlifting barbells you need to figure out your personal preferences. Some people like aggressive knurling while some prefer smooth; some hate stiff bars, and some love them.
back to menu ↑Size
If you have limited space in your gym, then consider buying a shorter bar or going with a collapsible one. Also, never forget to add some time when choosing the bar because it will require additional assembly by yourself.
back to menu ↑Weight
A good rule of thumb when choosing the right size is to consider how much weight you will be lifting on that bar. If you’re just starting out, go for a 15 kg/30 lbs bar because it will easily accommodate any amount of weight up to 150 kg/330 lbs and can also be used in CrossFit gyms.
back to menu ↑Safety
The coatings of powerlifting bars tend to be far less durable than standard weightlifting bars, this is because the latter is made with Olympic lifts in mind. They must withstand constant dropping from overhead positions.
back to menu ↑Comfort
The more aggressive the knurling on a powerlifting bar, the less comfortable it will be to lift with.
Price
There’s no way around it, good powerlifting bars are going to cost you a lot more than weightlifting bars. If you’re on a tight budget, it’s better to get yourself a standard Olympic weightlifting bar and use it for power cleans and other CrossFit exercises.
back to menu ↑Accessories
Many powerlifting bars come with little add-ons such as spring collars and/or nylon sleeves.
back to menu ↑Conclusion
The best barbells for powerlifting are those that can handle heavy weights. In the event of a competition, they must be able to hold up under pressure and not bend or break prematurely. For this reason, some people opt for steel bars as opposed to those made from other materials such as aluminum or plastic.
We hope you’ve been able to learn a thing or two about the different types of powerlifting barbells and what might be best for your needs. Hopefully, this best powerlifting barbells buying guide has helped clarify some things and given you enough information so that you can make an informed decision when it comes time to buy one.
Happy training!
Rich
Rich is an avid bodybuilder who has dedicated over 20 years of his life to the sport. He has a strong passion for health and fitness, living a clean lifestyle with a commitment to helping others educate themselves and fulfil their true potential.
