1. Barbell Weights are for Belles (and Guys)
Barbell weights consist of a bar between 5 and 7 feet long and circular metal plates that come in a variety of weights. Barbell weights are popular because they utilize full body movements and develop core muscle groups. Athletes from a wide variety of different sports use barbell weights as part of their weight training. Barbell weights are the preferred way to build strength because they engage the major muscle groups in natural movements.
2. Bars That Don't Involve Alcohol
Not all bars are created equal. Olympic bars are used in Olympic-style weightlifting, and the men's bar is a little heavier than the women's bar. Olympic plates are color-coded according to weight. Standard bars are one-inch wide, and EZ curl bars are specialized bars used for certain bicep and tricep exercises.
3. Raise the Bar With Barbell Weights
Basic movements to perform with barbell weights consist of the bench press, squat, clean and jerk, snatch, shoulder shrug, military press and bicep curl. Be careful that you balance the movement evenly. For example, when you do a bench press, focus on pressing the bar up evenly. You can incorporate dumbbell exercises into your fitness routine to remedy any weaknesses you have on one particular side of your body.
4. Advantages of Barbell Weights
Barbells weights have several advantages over machine weights. You can use the same set of barbell weights to perform a wide variety of exercises. A resistance machine usually is designed for 1 specific task, so you typically need multiple machines to accomplish your fitness goals. Buying multiple machines is more expensive, and the machines also take up a lot of space. Barbell weights can be stored easily out of sight, unlike fitness machines. Also, barbell weights last for a very long time and require no maintenance, but fitness machines can break and require more maintenance. Also, fitness machines can put added stress on the body because of the way they isolate muscle groups.
5. Maintaining Safety With Barbell Weights
The downside to barbell weights is that they present a safety issue not present with fitness machines. If you're lifting heavy weights, don't lift alone. Have a fitness partner present in case you drop the weights. This is particularly true for bench presses. Always use clamps on each end to keep the plates in place. Also, double check that you've loaded your bar properly and have the same amount of weight on each side.
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