The use of free weights, specifically barbells, allows you to lift large amounts of weight while engaging several stabilizer muscles that improve balance and overall strength. Standard barbells come in different lengths and with different weight capacities that are dependent upon where they will be used and whether for competition or training purposes.
Significance
The maximum capacity on a barbell is reached by the addition of weight plates. These circular plates made of steel or iron generally come with outer ridges that act as handles to allow you to add them safely to the ends of the barbell. Weight plates are made with 1-inch or 2-inch inner diameter holes for use with different size bars. Plates come in 45 lbs., 35 lbs., 25 lbs., 10 lbs., 5 lbs. and 2.5 lbs. and are held onto the ends of the barbell with metal collars.
Types
The Olympic barbell, or power bar, weighs 45 lbs. without any plates. It can be as short as 4 feet, although 7 feet is generally the standard for a professional bar. The 1-inch barbell can be found in home gyms and smaller community gyms. It uses the standard-size weight plates that won't fit on Olympic barbells because of the plates' smaller inner diameter holes. The 1-inch barbell is 5 to 6 feet long and may be smooth or have knurled hand grips. The-2 inch bar is similar in weight and length to the 1-inch bar. It differs from the 1-inch bar in that it can accommodate Olympic weight plates that have 2-inch diameter openings. An EZ curl bar is cambered rather than straight and accepts standard weight plates.
Features
Olympic barbells are manufactured depending upon whether they will be used for official competitions or informal meets. The bars used for meets are stiff, while the competition bars contain a high degree of flex, or "whip." EZ curl bars are designed to allow you to load more weight onto them in comparison to a straight bar when doing curling exercises. This is due to the cambered grips, which reduce wrist strain.
Function
Certain barbells are better than others for use in specific exercises. The EZ curl bar works well if you are concentrating on bicep and forearm curls, thanks to its ergonomic design, which comfortably distributes weight. Chest and overhead presses are best done on a stiff Olympic bar and the 1- and 2-inch bars where absolute control over the weight and balance can be achieved. Clean and jerk exercises are often done using an Olympic competition bar that possesses flexibility. This allows you to better manage the weight as you lift it overhead.
Considerations
The weight capacity of standard barbells can vary significantly. Consider where you intend to lift, how much weight and which plates you will use. Olympic bars typically can hold over 1,000 lbs., although some Olympic bars are manufactured to handle weights of up to 2,000 lbs. Weight capacity on the home gym friendly 1-inch bar can vary from 200 to 250 lbs. The 2-inch bar can carry double the weight of the1-inch bar, up to 500 lbs., and can share the same plates as the Olympic bar. The EZ curl bar has a weight capacity of 200 lbs.
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