The Best Adjustable Barbells

The Best Adjustable Barbells
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Adjustable barbells are weight-training equipment used to add resistance to exercises and help you build strength, power and muscle mass. Completing strength-training exercises with barbells requires more coordination and balance than doing the exercises on machines. The barbells can be used for a variety of exercises. Fixed barbells are set at a specific weight, but adjustable barbells allow you to change the weight to change for different exercises or for different people.

Adjustable Barbells

Adjustable barbells feature a bar, from 5 feet to 7 feet long and typically made from iron, and a variety of weighted plates. These weighted plates are interchangeable with the bar and allow you to adjust the amount of resistance that you want to work out with. The plates are secured onto the bar with clips or collars. Adjustable barbells can be used to complete a number of weight-training exercises, including squats, lunges, deadlifts, military press, bench press, biceps curls and lying triceps extension.

Top-Quality Adjustable Barbells

The Iron Grip Barbell Company is a leading adjustable barbell provider, used in many fitness facilities and by professional, college and top high school programs. The big benefit of the Iron Grip equipment is the Urethane-coated plates. This coating, which most brands don't feature, increases safety of use, prevents scratching and scuffing surrounding items, and helps to increase the plates' durability. The plates range in weight from 2 1/2 to 100 lbs. The Iron Grip bars are 7 feet long and are made using hard chrome plating but finished with a satin chrome to prevent flaking. The equipment is made for long-term use.

Benefits of Adjustable Barbells

Adjustable barbells are a great option both for gym and for home use, as they give access to a variety of weights, but without having to have a significant amount of storage room. It takes little time to change out the weight, so people of all strengths and abilities can find a resistance that works for them.

Considerations

Completing weight-training exercises with adjustable barbells improves strength and coordination. It's beneficial to also incorporate some dumbbell training within a barbell workout. Using barbells for upper body exercises involves both arms working together to lift the weight, but dumbbells require each limb to lift independently. Incorporating dumbbells will prevent muscle-strength imbalances.

References

Article reviewed by Helen Covington Last updated on: Jun 14, 2011

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