What is a barbell and what is it used for?

The barbell is one of the essential tools for anyone who trains seriously in the gym. Whether you practice powerlifting, Olympic weightlifting, or bodybuilding, there's a barbell designed to meet your specific needs.

Over the years, the evolution of materials and design has led to the birth of numerous variations, each designed for a specific purpose.

First, a linguistic curiosity: the word "barbell " begins with an "i." It's a steel barbell loaded with weight plates of varying weights, secured with special collars to ensure stability and safety during training.

The primary goal is strength training and muscle development, especially in the upper body. However, the barbell is an extremely versatile piece of equipment: it can also be used for exercises targeting the legs, glutes, and core, making it an essential part of any comprehensive workout program.

Types of barbells: which one is right for you?

When buying a new barbell, you should consider several factors such as the type of training you want to do and your level of experience.

Weightlifting

These are classic gym barbells, designed to support heavy loads and ensure smooth rotation during lifts, thus offering a stable and controlled training experience.

The men's and women's versions differ mainly in weight, 20 kg and 15 kg respectively, and in the diameter of the handle, 28 mm for men and 25 mm for women, so as to adapt perfectly to the grip of each athlete.

The material used is an elastic yet highly resistant steel, capable of withstanding the stresses typical of explosive movements without deforming. To complete the high-level performance, the rotation of the sleeves is ensured by precision bearing systems, which allow for a smooth load transition even during the most dynamic phases of the lift.

Powerlifting

For those who practice powerlifting, it is essential to use barbells designed specifically for this discipline, capable of ensuring maximum rigidity, precision and safety under extreme loads.

These barbells stand out for their particularly solid construction, designed to prevent any bending of the bar during exercises. The knurling on the handle is more aggressive than other models, ensuring a firm grip even with sweaty hands or under strain. The international standard measurements are: 220 cm in length, 20 kg in weight, and 29 mm in grip diameter .

These characteristics make them ideal for the three fundamental powerlifting exercises: squats, bench presses and deadlifts.

Cross Training

Designed for multifunctional use, these barbells are ideal for both functional training and weightlifting exercises. Made of high-strength steel, they are often equipped with bronze bushings or needle bearings, ensuring smooth rotation during movements.

Unlike weightlifting barbells, these models are generally more rigid: a feature designed for static or strength exercises such as deadlifts and squats, where flexibility is not essential.

They are designed to withstand frequent drops from great heights and feature robust finishes and highly resistant materials, perfect for intense and varied use, such as that typical of Cross Training or high-intensity circuits.

Special balancers

These barbells have unique shapes and features, designed for specific purposes, and have characteristics that set them apart from more traditional ones. Some examples:

• Safety Squat Bar
• Trap Bar
• Swiss Bar
• Hex Bar
• Multi Grip Bar

Each of these tools is designed to optimize a particular type of training or reduce stress on certain joints.

Preloaded balancers

Convenient, practical and ready to use, preloaded barbells are very common in both gyms and home gyms.

They are available in various sizes and do not require additional discs. Some models have a polyurethane (PU) coating that makes them more durable and wear-resistant.

Technical learning

Technical barbells are lighter and designed for those new to lifting. With lower maximum loads (30-50 kg), they allow you to focus on technique rather than strength. They're also ideal as a support during warm-ups or for recovery exercises.

For the little ones

There are also versions designed for children: they are shorter, lighter, with smaller diameters (22 mm) and adapted loads. Perfect for a safe start, with a splash of color to make training more fun.

How to choose the right barbell?

If you're just starting out, it's best to focus on technical or learning models, ideal for safely acquiring good technique. If you're already experienced, the choice will depend on your goals: lifting heavy loads? Functional training? Daily versatility?

Always consider these factors:

• Experience level
• Training goals
• Available space
• Frequency of use
• Type of exercises planned

We've shown you all the Ironside Armour barbells, along with their features and differences. Now it's up to you to decide which one will be perfect for your gym.