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Barbell

arts Maturity 5-7 Next article →

A barbell is a tool used for many kinds of strength training.

Man lifting a heavy barbell
Man lifting a heavy barbell

People use them for bodybuilding, weightlifting, and sports like CrossFit. It is a long bar with weights attached to each end. To change the weight, you slide plates onto the outer parts. You then use collars to keep the plates from moving. This prevents uneven force while you lift.

Kuntosali
Kuntosali

There are different ways to use these bars. Olympic weightlifters use bars that have a special "whip." This means the bar can store elastic energy. The sleeves on these bars also rotate very smoothly. For powerlifting, athletes use much stiffer bars. These bars help them handle very heavy loads. Some bars, like the deadlift barbell, are long and flexible.

Bumper plates on bottom rack
Bumper plates on bottom rack

History shows how these tools have changed over time. In 1910, a company called Berg made a revolving barbell. It was designed by Veltum. This was a major turning point for the sport. After the 1928 Amsterdam Olympic Games, these bars became popular. By the 1960s and 1970s, many gyms around the world used them.

Curl-Hantel - SZ-Hantel
Curl-Hantel - SZ-Hantel

Different athletes use specific equipment with exact rules. A men's Olympic bar is 2.2 meters long and weighs 20 kg. The grip section is 28 mm wide. Women's Olympic bars are shorter and lighter at 15 kg. They have a smaller grip of 25 mm. In powerlifting, the International Powerlifting Federation sets strict rules. Their bars must be between 29 mm and 32 mm wide.

Barbell pad (cropped)
Barbell pad (cropped)

You might see different versions in a regular gym. Many gyms use hybrid barbells for many purposes. These bars often have a 28.5 mm diameter. You might also see an EZ curl bar. This bar has a curved shape for the hands. It helps your wrists stay in a neutral position. Some people even use a barbell pad for comfort.

A squat safety bar
A squat safety bar
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🖼️ Images & Media (8)
File:Man lifting a heavy barbell.jpg
Man lifting a heavy barbell.jpg
File:Kuntosali.jpg
Kuntosali.jpg
Bumper plates on bottom rack.webp
File:Barbell pad (cropped).jpg
Barbell pad (cropped).jpg
File:Curl-Hantel - SZ-Hantel.jpg
Curl-Hantel - SZ-Hantel.jpg
File:Multi grip bar.jpg
Multi grip bar.jpg
File:Trap bar (horizontal).jpg
Trap bar (horizontal).jpg
File:A squat safety bar.jpg
A squat safety bar.jpg
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