Weight Bars, Weight Lifting Bars, Olympic Bars and Collars

Weight Bars, Weight Lifting Bars, Olympic Bars and Collars Buyers Guide

Weight Bars, Barbells, Dumbbell Rods, Weight Collars and Machine Bar Cable Attachments

There are many different types of weightlifting bars available on the market. When considering buying weight bars, Olympic Barbells, Dumbbell bars or any other types of weight lifting bars, it is important to understand the different types available.

In the UK there are two common sizes of weightlifting Barbells and dumbbell rods. 1 inch Standard barbell or (approximately 24.7mm in diameter) and 2 Inch (50mm) Olympic Barbell.

Standard 1 inch weight bars can come with a smooth end (not threaded), in which case you will need standard 1inch collars, which safely keep the weights from sliding off the end of the barbell whilst in use . 1 inch standard weight bars are also available with a threaded end - these are known as Spinlock Bars, or Standard 1 inch spinlock weight bars. 1inch Spinlock Bars should always come with a pair of collars which tighten on the two threaded ends of the bar and (sometimes with a spring washer) will safely keep weights from sliding off the ends of a bar.

You can buy various sizes of 1inch bars and 1 inch spinlock bars. Typical sizes of Barbells are 5 ft Spinlock Barbell, 6 ft spinlock barbell and 7 ft spinlock barbell.

Other types of 1 inch standard weight bars are EZ Curl bar or easy curl bar as some people refer to it. This is in effect a biceps curl bar or an arm curl bar that is designed to help build the biceps muscles. Standard 1 inch EZ curl bars are very popular. A variation on the is the EZ Super Curl bar, or EZ combo bar. This looks similar to the standard EZ Curl bar except it has a U shape in the middle of the bar to position the grip in a way that helps with Triceps exercises, this is why it is also known as a EZ Combo bar or EZ super curl bar. All bars are available with smooth end or spinlock ends, so common titles are EZ Spinlock curl bar and E-Z Spinlock Combo Curl weight bar. Another popular type of bar is the 1 inch Standard Tricep Bar or Spinlock Triceps Bar. Spinlock Triceps Bars are use for exercising the Triceps muscles.

Dumbbell bars (Dumbbell rods) are available as a Standard 1 inch Dumbbell Bar with smooth end or 1 inch Spinlock Dumbbells bars with collars. Most 1 inch standard dumbbell bars come in pairs and spinlock dumbbell bars are normally supplied with collars.

Olympic Barbells are available in various lengths and are tested to varying load bearing capacities. Typical olympic barnell lengths are: 5 foot Olympic Barbell, 6 ft Olympic Barbell, and 7 ft Olympic Barbell (7 ft bars are used in olympic weight lifting and power lifiting) . Olympic Barbells are also available as Olympic EZ Curl Bar, Olympic Super Combo Bar and Olympic Triceps bar. You can also buy an Olympic Shrug Bar. Some refer to this as an Olympic Hex bar. As the name suggest the Olympic Shrug bar is ideal for shoulder shrug exercises. Olympic Dumbbell Rods are normally sold in single units although they are sometimes available in pairs. If you are buying Olympic Dumbell bars, be sure to check whether they are priced in singles or pairs.

Weight Collars are available for both 1 inch Standard bars and Olympic Barbells. There are various types available. The simplest to use are spring collars adn these are available in both 1 inch Spring Collar and 2” Olympic Spring collar. Also available are T Bar Collars or L Screw Collars, this type of collar tightens a screw against the bar securing the collar to the barbell. These are known as T bar collars or Olympic L Screw Collars. A more sophisticated design (and more expensive) is the Olympic Clamp collar and Olympic Spinlock collars are worth considering. Unlike Spinlock barbells, Olympic Spinlock collars are only suitable for Olympic Barbells. The Spinlock mechanism helps secure the plates against one another.