Written by Sam Coleman | Co-founder
Fact checked by Kirsten Yovino, CPT Brookbush Institute
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Weightlifting bars come in all shapes and sizes. This is something you don’t think much about, but different workouts require different pieces of equipment. Even the straight barbell used for exercises like squats, deadlifts, and bench press can have slight variations weight and dimensions. From Olympic lifters to Crossfitters, powerlifters to bodybuilders, there is a special barbell for everyone. While they may all look similar, there are subtle differences, like thickness, rigidity, knurling, and grip markings. These features are designed for specific purposes and can have a dramatic difference on the performance of a given exercise, especially for more experienced lifters. However, most barbells generally fall in the range of 7 feet in length and weighs 44 pounds.
The well-informed lifter will be able to spot these differences and know how and when to use each type of barbell. This knowledge will set you up for success in your workouts, particularly as you become more advanced, and in this you will see why.
This article will specifically define the straight barbell and its functions. Then we’ll discuss the various types of straight barbells and all their applications (there's a barbell weight & size comparison chart at the end).
Again, we’ll only be discussing straight barbells, as seen here:
What Is A Barbell?
A barbell is a straight metal bar designed to support compound movements with heavy weighted plates (deadlift, squat, OHP, bench press, snatches, cleans, etc.).
The barbell dates back to the mid-1800’s, making it a relatively recent invention compared to dumbbells and other equipment (note: forms of a "dumbbell" date back as far as 5th century BC!).
The barbell, frankly, is arguably the most versatile and valuable piece of exercise equipment, and should be suitable for most exercises and populations. As such, it's important for lifters to know as much as possible about it.
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Modern Barbells
Here are the most commonly encountered straight barbells. We’ll discuss these in detail shortly:
- Standard
- Olympic
- Multipurpose
- Powerlifting
- Deadlift bar
- Squat bar
- Women’s
The modern barbell is generally 7 feet in length and weighs 44 pounds. A barbell consists of a long, thin shaft, about 28mm (~1”) thick. The shaft has knurling, or engraved crosshatches, that increase grip, as well as grip markings which are defined to know where your hands should be for certain exercises. On either end of the shaft are two thick sleeves that hold weighted plates. The sleeves are commonly 2” in diameter and spin independently of the shaft. This spinning is intentional and allows excess torque to dissipate through the plate and not transfer to the limbs.
Barbells share similar properties, but differ in a few key areas:
- Weight: The weight of a barbell is a function of the materials from which it’s composed. The weight will impact how easily it can move as well as durability and strength. Most bars weigh 20kg (44lbs).
- Handle dimensions: The shaft is where you grip the bar. This length can differ to afford greater grip or maximize the amount of weight the bar can support. The shaft thickness often also differs across bars, but generally they will range from 28-29mm in diameter.
- Knurling: The knurling is the engraved part of the shaft that provides a rough surface to enhance grip. The pattern and dimensions of the knurling will vary across barbells (i.e. some will have knurling at the center of the handle, some will not).
- Whip: This can be thought of as up and down flex. This is important in Olympic lifts such as cleans and snatches, but not great for power lifts like squats. The greater whip adds momentum to complete the movement more cleanly.
- Grip markings: Barbells have smooth rings about 32”-36” apart on the shaft. These are to help guide the lifter for intuitive hand placement. These markings are based on Olympic and powerlifting standards and represent competition grip positions.
These attributes are not easy to spot unless you know what to look for, but they are crucial and determine a barbell’s application. You should keep in mind that, despite these differences, the sleeves remain consistent across barbells. They are all 2” and support a variety of different weight plates (iron, rubber coated, etc.). Weights are similar to barbells in that they vary in construction and materials, which has to do with the application.
Note: For beginners, pretty much any straight barbell will be suitable, but the nuances in design become more important as you lift heavy and/or explosively.
Below we will take a closer look at the above barbell types and summarize their features and uses. You can read this for a very in-depth look at different types of barbells, materials, applications, and so on. We also highly recommend reading our article on the 12 Types Of Weightlifting Bars for more information.
Standard Barbell Size & Weight
A standard barbell is the smallest and least practical barbell on the list. You will not find a standard barbell in any commercial gym. These are mainly used for beginner home gyms.
Standard Barbell Dimensions:
- Length: Between 66” and 72”; always shorter than a traditional bar at your local gym.
- Shaft dimensions: The entire bar, shaft and sleeves, is 1” thick. The sleeves do not rotate independently from the shaft as they are part of it.
- Knurling: The knurling on standard bars is similar to true weightlifting bars and is mildly aggressive.
Standard barbells cannot accommodate traditional plates (they need 1" plates), and they can only support up to ~250 pounds. They are ideal for low intensity workouts and confined spaces, but should not be used to perform complex, heavy power movements (e.g. deadlift, squat, cleans, snatches).
Olympic Barbell:
The Olympic barbell is among the most common and versatile barbells. Many smaller gyms will simply be stocked with just Olympic bars, but big commercial gyms will have a variety of barbells, of course, including plenty of Olympic barbells.
Olympic bars are designed specifically for Olympic lifting, like the clean & jerk or snatch. They are designed to provide greater-than-average whip and fast-moving sleeves.
That said, unless you are lifting quite heavy, an Olympic bar will be perfectly fine for the general population who do exercises like deadlifts, bench press, and squats. Most people won't be able to notice any whip as they simply aren't lifting heavy enough for it to come into play.
Olympic barbell specs:
- Weight: Men’s – 20kg (44 pounds); women’s – 15kg (33 pounds)
- Length: 86.6” (~7’4”)
- Shaft length and diameter: 51” (male and female); diameter – 28mm (men’s); 25mm (women’s)
- Knurling: 4” (men’s); no center knurling on women’s bars
- Grip markings: 910mm (36”)
- Whip: High, to preserve momentum for dynamic lifts
- Sleeve spin: Olympic bars have sleeves with smooth, fast bearings (often called needle bearings), which allow the bar to spin rather than getting caught by the momentum of the plates
Make note that a lot of people just call any straight barbell with 2" sleeves an Olympic barbell, as opposed to the 1” sleeve of standard bars. This isn't technically true as an Olympic bar will have the specific weight, dimensions, knurling and whip mention above. There are other types of barbells with 2" sleeves as you are about to read.
If you'd like to see how the Olympic and standard bars compare, check out our article on the Olympic barbell vs standard bar.
Powerlifting Barbell:
Powerlifting barbells are designed specifically for powerlifting, e.g. deadlift, squat, bench press (the “Big 3 Lifts”). Power bars resemble Olympic bars, but there are a few important differences for powerlifting. Powerlifting bars are manufactured to adhere to guidelines set by the International Powerlifting Federation. The following specs are based on those guidelines:
- Weight: 20kg, or 44 pounds
- Length: No more than 2.2 meters, or 7’4”
- Shaft dimensions: The shaft will be between 1.31 and 1.32 meters (51”-52”)
- Shaft thickness: Between 28.5mm-29mm (usually 29mm though)
- Knurling: Some powerlifting bars have center knurling for back squats. Deadlifting bars do not. The length of center knurling may vary but is usually 4”. The knurling on powerlifting bars is generally aggressive, as lifters must maintain a firm grip throughout a long, slow lift
- Ring markings: On the shaft are two smooth markings that indicate official positions for certain lifts. These will be 810mm apart. This is not important for basic lifting
- Whip: Power bars have minimal whip. They are designed to be rigid so they can support weight without transferring momentum
The key differences between Olympic and powerlifting bars are the whip and sleeve properties. These allow the lifter to generate and use momentum to lift effectively and safely.
In reality, beginners and even intermediates will use an Olympic bar or power bar to the same effect. So, it's not going to be a big deal if you pick up an Olympic bar for lifts like squats. That said, pay attention to how the whip feels when doing exercises like squats and if you notice the bar is bouncing too much as you rep, it's time to find that powerlifting bar.
Note: Power bars are best used for heavy squats, bench and OHP, where no flex in the bar is best, but deadlifting is actually a little different as some flex in the bar can be good for the lift (if you want to max out your PR).
Multi-purpose Barbell:
A multi-purpose (MP) barbell is actually the most common and versatile barbell in gyms. It is based on the Olympic barbell dimensions and is the most common barbell stocked by local gyms. The stiffness, knurling, and sleeve rotation are in the middle performance range - meaning, it's sort of like a hybrid of the power bar and Olympic bar.
Multi-purpose Barbell Specs:
- Length: 2200mm (86”, or 7’4”)
- Weight: 20kg (44 pounds)
- Shaft: 28.5mm (1.1”) in diameter; 1310mm (51.6”) long (sleeve to sleeve)
- Knurling: Moderate, usually no center knurling; although you will find some with center knurling for use during squat movements
- Grip markings: 910mm (36”)
Multipurpose barbells have medium flex, so they are strong and sturdy when needed yet can also accommodate some more dynamic exercises like snatches. They also have bushings for the sleeves that allow them to work well for both fast and slow lifts. On top of that, they usually have double grip markings, meaning they will have the powerlifting grip markings and the Olympic bar grip markings. This is the easiest way to spot a multipurpose barbell - it will have double rings on both sides of the handles.
Squat Barbell:
Squatting is a movement that requires a longer and more rigid than normal barbell. Olympic bars are suitable for squatting, but new bars have emerged that are more suitable for the squat.
On squat barbells, the biggest enhancements are the knurling and shaft diameter. In combination, these create a stiffer, more stable bar.
Squat barbell specs:
- Shaft diameter: Between 28”-32”. This is to reduce whip. The squat movement is prone to generating excess momentum, which manifests as the up and down movement of whip. The thicker shaft is also more comfortable across the back
- Knurling: Squat bars have moderately aggressive center knurling between 4”-6” for grip across the shoulders
- Length: Squat bars will be between 86” and 90”
Deadlift Barbell:
As with squat bars, deadlift bars come in a few different varieties, of which we’ll focus on two common types.
A deadlift-specific straight bar is based on a traditional powerlifting bar, with some key differences for deadlifts, primarily the knurling and shaft length and thickness.
Deadlift bar specs:
- Shaft dimensions: Between 27-28mm thick. This is thinner than a power bar and makes for a better grip. They are also longer than a traditional bar, ~92.5” long.
- Knurling: Deadlift bars have substantially aggressive knurling to aid in grip. They also lack knurling in the center of the bar. This is to prevent excess rubbing on the lifter’s shins and upper legs. Deadlift bars
- Whip: Deadlift bars flex under a high load, so they are designed to generate high whip. This also creates a higher starting point, which reduces the range of motion.
You can learn all about deadlift bars here.
Women's Barbell:
Any women’s barbell is a shorter, lighter version of the men’s Olympic multi-purpose bar. The knurling pattern and shaft length generally remain the same. Women’s Olympic bars do not have center knurling.
Women’s bars measure 6.5 feet long and weigh 15kg (33 pounds) and have a 25mm diameter shaft. These are not as common as men’s bars even at your local gym, so inquire with staff if you require a smaller bar.
Women’s bars are not made exclusively for women; they can be used by individuals with smaller stature or mobility issue.
Safety Bar:
The safety squat bar is a modified barbell designed to support the shoulders and provide a more secure grip. This bar will have handles at shoulder length that protrude perpendicular from the shaft. They are usually thickly padded. This helps the lifter achieve a better grip and more stability across the shoulders. It also reduces sheer forces on the spine and increases range of motion.
Another modification is the cambered ends (sleeves). This feature pushes the weight slightly forward. This changes the center of gravity and effectively promotes a better range of motion.
Straight Barbell Weight & Size Comparison Chart
Let’s summarize what we’ve discussed. There are several types of straight barbells - standard barbell, Olympic, powerlifting, deadlift, squat, and women’s sized barbells.
Since some of these are specialized, you’re not likely to find them all at your local big-box gym. Most gyms will have multipurpose, Olympic and power bars (or just multipurpose barbells exclusively). That said, most will have safety bars and hex bars. Very few, and typically only private or specialty gyms, will have women's, deadlifting and squat bars - the latter are specialized bars that are expensive and require a certain skill to use.
That said, here is a breakdown of the bars we discussed:
- Olympic: This bar is designed for Olympic-style lifting. These typically have no center knurling, a lot of whip, and very fast sleeve bearings.
- Power: Designed for power lifting movements but suitable for general weightlifting. These have very aggressive knurling to ensure maximum grip. They have whip that varies from low (squat bar) to moderate (deadlift).
- Multi-purpose: The most common bar you’ll encounter. These are based on Olympic barbell dimensions and combine all the features to accommodate general weightlifting. They are ~7’4” with moderate knurling and medium whip.
- Squat: Similar to power bars. Squat bars often have a longer than normal patch of center knurling for grip across the back and shoulders. They have a thicker shaft, up to 32mm, for increased rigidity and comfort.
- Deadlift: These bars are similar to power bars, but have thinner shafts, no center knurling, and are slightly longer than normal power bars. The hex bar is another deadlift-specific bar in the shape of a hexagonal cage that aids with range of motion and form.
- Women’s: Modeled after Olympic-style bars, these are shorter than men’s bars (6.5’), have a thinner shaft (25mm), and are lighter (15kg).
Note: Barbells within the same category will also come with different coatings (or no coating at all), but that doesn't change any of the above weight or dimensions.
| Weight | Total Length | Sleeves | Handle Diameter | Whip/Flex | |
| Olympic | 44lbs (20kg) | 7.2 feet | 2 inch | 28mm | High |
| Power | 44lbs (20kg) | 7.2 feet | 2 inch | 29mm | Low |
| Multipurpose | 44lbs (20kg) | 7.2 feet | 2 inch | 28.5mm | Medium |
| Squat | 55lbs (25kg) | 7.2-7.8 feet | 2 inch | 28-32mm | Low |
| Deadlift | 44lbs (20kg) | 7.5 feet | 2 inch | 27mm | Medium-High |
| Women's | 33lbs (15kg) | 6.5 feet | 2 inch | 25mm | High |
| Standard | 33lbs (15kg) | 5.5-6 feet | 1 inch | 25mm | n/a |
This summarizes the different types of barbells and their uses. The multi-purpose bar is sufficient for most lifters and is the one you’ll find in most gyms. Olympic and power lifting require specialized equipment designed to maximize form and economize range of motion. You will find these types of bars at specialty gyms.
That said, all of these barbells will work with a squat rack.
The Gunner Barbell is a weightlifting, Olympic weightlifting, powerlifting, and multipurpose barbell ideal for moderate and experienced lifters. The 1,500 lb. weight rating gives you confidence...
Related: What Barbell Should I Buy? The Ultimate Barbell Buyer's Guide
Learn more about the Smith machine barbell in our article: Understanding Smith Machine Bar Weight.
Sam Coleman
Author