Barbells

Barbell buying guide: How to choose the right barbell for home, clubs and gyms

Barbells are among the classic strength-training tools. They’re ideal for basic strength exercises as well as demanding muscle-building, maximum-strength and athletic training. Depending on the model, barbells differ in length, weight, sleeve diameter, grip feel and load capacity. Your choice should always match your training goal and where you’ll be using it. Our buying guide gives you an overview of all key criteria.

1. What is a barbell and is it worth it?
2. How many kilos should a beginner’s barbell have?
3. How long is a 20-kg barbell?
4. Straight barbell or curl bar (EZ bar)?
5. Plate sleeve: 30 mm or 50 mm?
6. Types of collars

1. What is a barbell and is it worth it?

Barbells consist of an extra-sturdy bar onto which you load weight plates. Thanks to the long bar, they are more stable than dumbbells and can handle heavier loads. That’s why they’re a favourite in bodybuilding for maximum-strength training. Classic barbell exercises include bench press, squats and deadlifts. Almost all dumbbell exercises such as biceps curls can also be performed with a barbell. A barbell is a great choice if you want to build strength in a structured way, train several muscle groups at once and increase the training weight flexibly. It’s important not to overload yourself. Unlike dumbbells, barbells are always held with both hands.

Barbells are ideal for:

• Muscle building
• Maximum-strength training
• Strength endurance training
• Functional strength training
• Key athletic exercises such as squats, deadlifts, bench press, shoulder press, barbell rows, biceps curls, hip thrusts

 

2. How many kilos should a beginner’s barbell have?

For beginners, it’s not just the weight of the bar that matters, but the entire training setup. A lighter or standardised barbell is often the better choice when you first want to master technique and movement patterns. The starting weight must be manageable and suitable for the exercise. Especially at the beginning, it can make sense to use a lighter, shorter training bar and/or less additional weight.

Practical tip: If you buy bar and plates separately, always check the maximum load specified by the manufacturer.

3. How long is a 20-kg barbell?

A 20-kg barbell is typically around 220 cm long for classic Olympic bars. However, this can vary depending on the model. Always refer to the product specifications for the exact length.

 

4. Straight barbell or curl bar (EZ bar)?

In addition to straight barbells, there are also curved bars – most commonly the curl bar (EZ bar). These change the hand position, which can make some arm exercises more comfortable. Which option is better depends on how you’ll use it. A straight barbell is more versatile and particularly suitable for compound lifts such as squats, deadlifts, bench press or rows. A curl bar is often used for arm exercises or specific push and pull variations.

• Straight barbells are very versatile and ideal for full-body basics, strength building and athletic training.
• Curl bars (EZ bars) offer a different grip angle and are therefore often perceived as more comfortable for arm exercises such as biceps curls and triceps work.

5. Plate sleeve: 30 mm or 50 mm?

An important buying criterion is the sleeve diameter for the weight plates. The most common are 30 mm and 50 mm. If you already have plates, the bar’s sleeve must match them. For a new setup, the choice also depends on how expandable you want your system to be. 30-mm sleeves are common in home gyms and more compact systems. 50-mm sleeves are standard for Olympic barbells and are widely used in professional and performance-oriented training.

6. Types of collars

Not only the bar itself matters, but the complete system. The collar must sit securely, be easy to use and match the bar’s sleeve diameter. Especially if you change plates frequently, a practical collar type can make everyday training much easier. The most common types are:

Practical tip: If the barbell is used regularly by multiple people, collars, sleeves and grip areas should be checked at fixed intervals.

 

In the Sport-Thieme online shop you can configure your own barbell or choose from great-value barbell sets. These include a barbell, plates in various weight classes and matching collars. Do you have questions about a specific barbell or want to equip a training area perfectly? Feel free to contact us by phone or send us an email via our contact form.