Barbell Comparison Guide: How to Pick the Best Barbell

GYMSPORTZ PTE LTD | 12 Aug 2024

A barbell is a barbell, right? Not exactly.

At first glance, all barbells look the same: long, silver, shiny. Throw some plates on the sides and lift. Simple.

But start playing around with the various barbells, and you’ll immediately notice huge variations. Some are longer, thinner, lighter. On some, the plates spin when you lift. Some hurt your hands a little bit more than others, and the knurling marks are in different places. The more you lift, the more you realize the importance of having the proper barbell for the exercise you want to tackle.

With so many different options, finding the perfect barbell can feel overwhelming – even for experienced lifters. So, here’s a quick and easy comparison of REP’s straight barbells and how to pick the best bar for you.

Barbell Cheat Sheet

Don't want to read any more? Here's your CliffsNotes.

Olympic Weightlifting

If you’re new to Olympic weightlifting: Mesa Technique Bar

If you want a high-value, intermediate weightlifting barbell: Teton Training Bar (20kg or 15kg) 

If you’re looking for a high-end weightlifting bar: Alpine Weightlifting Bar

If you’re looking for a smaller, high-end weightlifting bar: 15kg Alpine Weightlifting Bar

Note: A “technique” bar is a lightweight bar designed to help you learn proper technique, whereas a “training” bar is a standard-size bar used for training (not learning) your lifts.

Power Bars

If you’re very new to powerlifting: Mesa Technique Bar

If you want an introductory mixed-use barbell that favors powerlifting: Delta Basic Bar

If you want an intermediate powerlifting barbell for squats, bench, and deads: The Badlands Bar

If you want the best bar for the big 3: Double Black Diamond Power Bar (most aggressive knurling) or Black Diamond Power Bar

If you want a specialty deadlift bar: Hades Deadlift Bar

If you want a specialty squat bar: Helios Squat Bar

Power Bars

If you want an introductory mixed-use barbell that favors powerlifting: Delta Basic Bar

If you want a high-value, mixed-use bar: Black Canyon Bar (15kg or 20kg) 

If you want the top-of-the-line, mixed-use barbell: Colorado Bar (15kg or 20kg)

Specialty Bars

In addition to the three types of straight Olympic barbells, there are also specialty bars: the Safety Squat Bar, Cambered Swiss Bar, Curl Bar, Rackable Curl Bar, Trap Bar, Open Trap Bar, Axle Bar, and Farmer's Walk Handles.

Read all about specialty barbells here: Specialty Barbells: How to Use Them -- and Why?

Want to learn more about the options? Read on.

Olympic Weightlifting Bars

If you’re new to Olympic weightlifting: Mesa Technique Bar

Use: Technique Training

Sleeves: Bushing

Knurl: Hill/light

Center Knurl: No 

Markings: Dual (IPF and IWF) 

Weight Rating: 50lbs

The lightweight Mesa Technique Bar is ideal to help you learn the proper techniques of Olympic weightlifting and powerlifting. As a training bar that’s built for beginners, the Mesa weighs just 15lbs – but it’s long enough to fit on a standard power rack. Although it’s a beginner bar, the Mesa remains high quality, with a bare aluminum shaft and steel sleeves coated with durable Duracoat® finish.

If you want a high-value, intermediate weightlifting barbell: Teton Training Bar

Use: Weightlifting

Sleeves: Needle bearing

Knurl: Volcano/medium

Center Knurl: Yes 

Markings: IWF 

Weight Rating: 1,500lbs

The Teton Training Bar is a high-value, Olympic weightlifting barbell. The 20kg bar features a 28mm diameter shaft and comes in full bright zinc or a black chrome shaft with bright zinc sleeves. It has IWF knurl markings, medium-depth knurling, ribbed sleeves keep the plates secure during explosive lifts, high-performance needle bearing sleeves for a fast, smooth, quiet spin -- ideal for Olympic-style lifts.

This also comes in a 15kg option with a bright zinc finish, a 25mm diameter shaft, IWF knurl markings, no center knurl, medium whip, and a 1,500lbs weight capacity.

If you’re looking for a high-end weightlifting bar: Alpine Weightlifting Bar

Use: Weightlifting

Sleeves: Hybrid needle bearings 

Knurl: Volcano/medium

Center Knurl: Yes (passive) 

Markings: IWF

Weight Rating: 1,500lbs

If you want the best weightlifting bar – period – the Alpine is for you. The 20kg Alpine Weightlifting Bar is fully premium, from its hybrid needle-bearing sleeves to its high-end details. The bar comes in various finishes, including fully stainless steel (swoon). You can also get it in hard chrome or with a black chrome shaft and hard chrome sleeves.

This bar is great for competitors, as it follows International Weightlifting Federation specifications, including a 28mm diameter and knurl markings to help you determine proper hand placement on the barbell. Fun, unique feature: The 20kg Alpine features a “passive” center knurl, which is smoother to accommodate high-volume training, while still providing some extra stick during back squats.

If you’re looking for a smaller, high-end weightlifting bar: 15kg Alpine Weightlifting Bar

Use: Weightlifting

Sleeves: Hybrid needle bearings 

Knurl: Volcano/medium

Center Knurl: No

Markings: IWF

Weight Rating: 1,500lbs

The 15kg Alpine Weightlifting Bar is ideal for lifters looking for a smaller bar (25mm shaft diameter, 15kg) that complies with International Weightlifting Federation’s specifications for female lifters. Although it’s smaller, it’s no less tough than the standard size; it can handle 1,500lbs and the shaft and sleeves are coated in durable hard chrome.

The 15kg Alpine is high-quality, too – featuring top-of-the-line, ultra-smooth, hybrid needle-bearing sleeves; laser etchings of the barbell name and weight on the inside of the sleeves; and metal endcaps featuring unique designs. Medium-depth, volcano-style knurling provides a solid grip during lifts, but not so much that it will destroy your hands during high-volume training.

Want to Learn More About Olympic Weightlifting Barbells?

Check out these resources:

Best Barbells for Olympic Weightlifting

Different Barbells for Different Types of Lifts

Power Bars

If you’re very new to powerlifting: Mesa Technique Bar

Use: Technique Training

Sleeves: Bushing

Knurl: Hill/light

Center Knurl: No

Markings: Dual (IPF and IWF) 

Weight Rating: 50lbs

The lightweight Mesa Technique Bar is ideal to help you learn the proper techniques of Olympic weightlifting and powerlifting. As a training bar that’s built for beginners, the Mesa weighs just 15lbs – but it’s long enough to fit on a standard power rack. Although it’s a beginner bar, the Mesa remains high quality, with a bare aluminum shaft and steel sleeves coated with durable Duracoat® finish.

If you want an introductory mixed-use barbell that favors powerlifting: Delta Basic Bar

Use: Powerlifting/mixed-use 

Sleeves: Brass bushings

Knurl: Volcano/medium

Center Knurl: Yes

Markings: Dual (IPF and IWF) 

Weight Rating: 700lbs

The Delta Basic Bar is a high-quality, powerlifting/mixed-use barbell with slower-rotating, strength-focused, brass bushing sleeves, perfect for powerlifting. But dual knurl markings make the bar versatile enough for whatever kind of lifting you’re doing. It has a bright chrome coating on both the shaft and sleeves, and the sleeves are smooth for the easy loading and unloading of weight plates.

If you want an intermediate power bar for squats, bench, and deads: Badlands Bar

Use: Powerlifting

Sleeves: Bronze bushings

Knurl: Mountain/aggressive 

Center Knurl: Yes

Markings: IPF

Weight Rating: 1,500lbs

The Badlands Bar is a great powerlifting barbell for lifters who want a bar for all three powerlifting lifts. It features aggressive, mountain-style knurling to provide maximum grip support for heavy deadlifts, although the bar can also be used for bench press, and its center knurling helps keep it in place during squats. The steel Badlands Bar is offered in two different options: with a black chrome shaft with bright zinc sleeves, or a bright zinc shaft and sleeves.

If you want the best bar for the big 3: Double Black Diamond Power Bar or Black Diamond Power Bar

Use: Powerlifting

Sleeves: Bronze bushings

Knurl: Double Black Diamond: deep mountain/aggressive. Black Diamond: Aggressive, deep, volcano-style.

Center Knurl: Yes

Markings: IPF

Weight Rating: 1,500lbs

If you’re looking for the king of power bars that you can use with all three lifts, go with the Double Black Diamond Power Bar or Black Diamond Power Bar. These are REP’s top-tier powerlifting barbells with very aggressive, mountain-style knurling for your deads, as well as center knurling to keep the bar locked onto your back during squats.

Another cool thing about the Double Black Diamond and Black Diamond is how you can customize them. They come in six styles:

• fully stainless steel;
• a stainless-steel shaft with hard chrome sleeves;
• or a black, blue, green, or red Cerakote shaft with Duracoat® finish sleeves. Duracoat® finish is a chemical process that hardens the outside of the steel, making it more corrosion resistant than other finishes.

The Double Black Diamond and Black Diamond also have IPF-standard knurl markings and a 29mm diameter to comply with IPF standards. But the sleeve construction is as good as it gets for a power bar – high-end bronze bushings allow for consistent rotation, while ensuring incredible strength and stiffness to withstand heavy loads. This bar can handle up to 1,500lbs. And if you’re maxing that out, message us immediately because we want an autograph.

As a premium option, these bars are topped off with beautiful, metal endcaps with unique designs.

If you want a specialty deadlift bar: Hades Deadlift Bar

Use: Powerlifting/deadlifting 

Sleeves: Bronze bushings

Knurl: Mountain/aggressive 

Center Knurl: No

Markings: General powerlifting 

Weight Rating: 1,500lbs 

If you compete in an association (such as the USPA or WRPF) that uses a deadlift bar in comp – or you just love pulling on a deadlift specialty bar – check out the Hades Deadlift Bar. This premium barbell features aggressive, mountain-style knurling to provide maximum grip support for heavy deads and no center knurling.

The thinner shaft (27mm) and longer total length (7.9’) allows for more flex and whip. An earlier bar bend allows the lifter to gain momentum and speed before the weight leaves the ground, which can especially benefit sumo pulls and potentially contribute to heavier lifts. All measurements of the Hades bar adhere to powerlifting standards for associations that use a deadlift bar. Knurl markings help with proper hand placement.

But what makes the Hades really stand out from other deadlift bars is:
• Its 15.75” loadable sleeve length is longer than most other deadlift bars, which means space for more weight plates on the bar.
• The bar is steel and offered in a sleek black Cerakote shaft with durable, smooth Duracoat® finish sleeves.
• The bar is topped off with premium metal endcaps featuring unique designs and laser etchings of the barbell name and weight on the inside of the sleeves.

If you want a specialty squat bar: Helios Squat Bar

Use: Powerlifting/squatting 

Sleeves: Bronze bushings

Knurl: Mountain/aggressive 

Center Knurl: Fully knurled bar 

Markings: General powerlifting marks with center ring

Weight Rating: 1,500lbs

The squat bar is another specialty barbell used by some associations (including the USPA) for some lifters. Squat bars have a thicker diameter (32mm) to add rigidity to the bar and minimize whip/flex during heavy loads for a more stable squat. If this is what you’re after, then make friends with the Helios Squat Bar. 

The Helios is a top-tier barbell with premium details and finishes; bushing sleeves; and a 1,500lb rating. As a squat bar, it also features a longer length (94.5" or 7.9’) to keep you and the weight plates from hitting the power rack uprights while racking or unracking the bar. And it’s heavier, weighing 25kg (55lbs). 

If the DIMs of a squat bar aren’t bonus enough, the Helios has a fully knurled shaft, which ensures maximum points of contact to create a secure connection to the bar. All the knurling! It’s deep knurling is cut into a mountain pattern (that’s the most aggressive style). General powerlifting knurl markings and a center mark make it easy to line up your position the same for every squat. And like the deadlift bar, the squat bar comes in a black Cerakote shaft with Duracoat® finish sleeves, making it truly the most stunning – and tough – squat bar possible.

Want to Learn More about Power Bars?

Check out these resources:

Best Barbells for Powerlifters

Gifts for Powerlifters

Mixed-Use Bars

If you want an introductory mixed-use barbell: Delta Basic Bar

Use: Powerlifting/mixed-use 

Sleeves: Brass bushings

Knurl: Volcano/medium

Center Knurl: Yes

Markings: IPF and IWF

Weight Rating: 700lbs

The Delta Basic Bar is a versatile, good-value powerlifting/mixed-use bar with slower-rotating brass bushing sleeves. Dual knurl markings add versatility, and medium-depth knurling gives good grip assistance without tearing up your hands during high-rep training. The Delta has bright chrome coating on both shaft and sleeves, but as a basic bar, its weight capacity tops out at 700lbs – lower than the more premium options.

If you want a high-value mixed-use bar: Black Canyon Bar (15kg or 20kg)

Use: Mixed-use

Sleeves: Hybrid

Knurl: Volcano/medium

Center Knurl: No

Markings: IPF and IWF

Weight Rating: 1,500lbs

The Black Canyon Bar is a high-value, mixed-use bar for all kinds of training. The 20kg bar comes with a bright zinc shaft and sleeves, or a black chrome shaft with black chrome sleeves. Dual knurl markings, medium-depth knurling, and hybrid sleeves (ball bearing with slower-rotating bushings) add tons of versatility. 

The 15kg Black Canyon Bar is coated with bright zinc and features a 25mm diameter shaft. It also has dual knurl markings, medium-depth knurling, and hybrid sleeves.

If you want the top-of-the-line, mixed-use barbell: Colorado Bar (15kg or 20kg)

Use: Mixed-use

Sleeves: Composite bushing 

Knurl: Volcano/medium

Center Knurl: No

Markings: IPF and IWF

Weight Rating: 1,500lbs

If you want the best mixed-use barbell out there, the Colorado Bar is your pick. This bar -- great for cross-training, HIIT-style workouts, powerlifting, and weightlifting -- comes in both 15kg and 20kg. All versions feature medium-depth, volcano-style knurling with no center knurl.

What really makes the Colorado Bar stand out is its customization options. Its Cerakote shaft comes in a ton of different colors: pink or black for the 15kg, or black, blue, green, red, or white for the 20kg. Both sizes of the Colorado bar are also available in a hard chrome finish (shaft and sleeves).

Top that off with highly durable Duracoat ® finish sleeves, composite bushings that reduce noise if you drop the bar, dual knurl markings, and premium details, like laser-etched branding on the inner sleeves, and you’ve got a barbell that can handle whatever you throw at it.

Want to Read More About Mixed-Use Bars?

Check out these resources:

The Best Bars for Functional Fitness 

How to Build a Functional Fitness Gym

Gifts for Functional Fitness Athletes

Learn Everything About Barbells

We love barbells. Like an awkward amount. We want you to love them as much as we do. Here are some more resources to help you get to know your barbell better:

Barbell Guide

Barbell Dictionary

What are the Qualities of the Best Barbell?

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