Written by Garett Reid | NSCA, CSCS, CISSN, M.S.E.S.S
Fact checked by Kirsten Yovino, CPT Brookbush Institute
FACT CHECKED
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Weight training is a favorite pastime that's been around for ages. Since its advent in ancient Egyptian times, the pastime has become a sport, and the sport has evolved significantly. Not only has it seen the introduction of new exercises, but various new equipment and innovations have been implemented, including the modern barbell.
The barbell (and the accompanying weights) have significantly evolved, leaving us with multiple styles to choose from. Nowadays, you're met with so many choices at the gym that wanting to use a barbell requires you to pick which barbell.
You'll likely come across two of the more common barbells in that decision: Olympic and standard barbells. So we're here to dive into the differences, similarities, and all of the other details to help you pick the best one for your training style.
Table of Contents:
- What Is A Barbell?
- What Is An Olympic Bar?
- Olympic vs Standard Barbell: What Are The Differences?
- Olympic Barbell vs Standard Barbell: Which Should You Pick?
- What Is The Best Olympic Barbell?
- Olympic Weight Plates vs Standard Weight Plates
- FAQs
What Is A Barbell?
The barbell is one of the two primary pieces of equipment you use in weight lifting, the other being weight plates.
Your typical barbell will be one long piece of metal with collars on the end. These collars hold the weight plates while the center portion of the bar allows you to grip the bar. From there, you can lift, push, and pull the bar in various motions to train different muscle groups.
As you use the bar, you can alter the load used as needed and use smaller or larger loads depending on your exercise. You can then slowly add weight to implement progressive overload.
What Is An Olympic Bar?
An Olympic barbell is made specifically to perform Olympic lifts such as the snatch and clean & jerk. Both of these movements are explosive movements in which a lifter must powerfully "pop" the bar from the ground up the chest (clean) or even overhead (snatch).
To do this, both movements use powerful hip extensions to propel the bar up. As a result, inertia builds in the weight plates causing them to want to turn quickly. If the weight plates can't spin, however, the entire bar will spin to overcome inertia.
Olympic barbells will have spinning sleeves to deal with this problem.
Rather than turn with the bar, spinning sleeves can spin freely while still being attached to the barbell. This allows the weight plates to spin without affecting the hands and wrists. While this is primarily a concern for Olympic lifting, unwanted spin can cause issues with a variety of lifts.
Standard vs Olympic Barbell: What Are The Differences?
While both of the barbells can help put on muscle mass and strength, they are vastly different from one another. Here's a close look at each.
For more information on how these two barbells compare to other specialty bars, check out our article on the 12 Types of Weightlifting Bars.
1) Quality/Material:
Both bars will be made of steel, varying in the quality of steel used. Standard bars are usually made of cheaper steel that is unable to withstand a significant amount of force. These bars are significantly weaker than most Olympic barbells and max out around 300 lbs, with most having a 200-250 lb weight limit.
In contrast, Olympic barbells use much higher-quality steel with a higher loading capacity. Fortunately, we can measure the strength of barbells, and these numbers are listed on most bars and are directly related to steel and quality (see below).
2) Strength:
Even your cheapest Olympic barbells will have a considerably heavier weight capacity than your best standard barbells.
For example, your average standard barbell will have a max weight of 250-300 lbs. Most guys can lift more weight than this quite easily on both the deadlift and squat, and a lot of women can squat more than this. As such, standard barbells can limit the progression of most lifters.
On the other hand, most entry-level Olympic bars max out around 500 lbs, with only the weakest and cheapest ranging around 300 lbs of strength. However, you jump into the 1,000lb+ range once you reach the medium range. As this will cover the vast amount of lifters' needs, you don't need to worry about advanced options.
As mentioned above, the strength of a bar is measured using what's known as PSI or pounds per square inch. A PSI of 180,000+ will ensure the average lifter can lift heavy weights for a long time. That said, aim for above 200,000 PSI if your training level is intermediate or above.
To learn more about weight capacity (among other things), check out our article: What Barbell Should I Buy? The Ultimate Barbell Buyer's Guide.
3) Size:
Even though it's called the standard barbell, there is a lot more variance than expected. First, the standard barbell length is shorter than the Olympic barbell length. You'll usually find them in the 5-6ft range, but rarely, they can go up to 7ft.
In addition, your standard bars are generally 25mm across the entire bar. The only section that differs is at the end, where a stopper will be so the plates don't slide down. In comparison, Olympic barbells will range from 28-29mm thick, continuing down until the sleeve.
Finally, you have the weight. An Olympic barbell weight is set at either 20kg (44 pounds) for men or 15kg (33 pounds) for women. For more details, take a look at our Barbell Weight & Size Chart.
4) Sleeves:
As mentioned above, the defining difference between these two bars is the existence of spinning sleeves on the Olympic barbells. These sleeves allow the collar to spin freely during lifting exercises. On the other hand, standard bars will only allow a minimal amount of spin, but it won't be smooth at all.
In addition, these spinning sleeves add a lot of thickness to the collar. The regulation size for collar width on Olympic barbells is 2' or around 50mm. This is almost twice that of a standard bar.
The standard bar's width is the same from one collar across the middle section to the other, remaining straight all the way across, with the sleeve diameters being only 25mm. This means that the sleeves on Olympic barbells are almost 2x the diameter of the standard bar, and the weight plates aren't interchangeable between the two.
Keep in mind that because rotating sleeves require more hardware and design, they'll be a source of cost increase.
5) Cost:
In almost any situation, your standard bars will be cheaper than your Olympic barbells. They use cheaper steel, less material, and less complicated parts such as advanced knurling or spinning sleeves.
For details on individual barbell costs, including a table breaking them down by type, visit How Much Does A Barbell Cost?
Olympic Barbell vs Standard: Summary of Differences
Here's a snapshot view of the major differences between an Olympic barbell and a standard one.
|
Feature |
Standard Bar |
Olympic Bar |
|
Quality/Material |
Cheaper steel, lower quality |
Higher-quality steel |
|
Strength |
Max weight ~200-300 lbs |
Max weight ~500 lbs+ |
|
Size |
Shorter (5-7ft), 25mm diameter |
Longer (7ft), 28-29mm diameter |
|
Weight |
Varies, ~15-25 pounds |
44 lbs (men) or 33 lbs (women) |
|
Sleeves |
Limited spin |
Spinning sleeves, 50mm width |
|
Cost |
Generally cheaper |
More expensive |
Olympic Barbell vs Standard Barbell: Which Should You Pick?
When comparing the standard barbell vs Olympic barbell, the winner is the Olympic barbell. The Olympic barbell has now become the widely accepted "standard barbell" among lifters.
An Olympic bar features a length of 7 feet and a typical weight of 20kg (44 lbs) for men's bars, while women's bars are lighter at 15kg (33 lbs). A distinguishing feature of the Olympic barbell is its 28mm diameter shaft and 2-inch rotating collars.
These rotating collars make a significant difference compared to the standard bar. During lifts, the weight plates experience inertia, causing them to naturally want to rotate. With fixed collars, this rotational force is transferred to the bar, placing excessive stress on the lifter's wrists and potentially leading to dropped weights.
As a result, the lift becomes less effective and less safe when using fixed collars on a standard bar. However, with the rotating collars of the Olympic barbell, this rotational force is absorbed, allowing for smoother lifts and reducing strain on the wrists, resulting in more efficient and safer weightlifting sessions.
The Olympic bar is the best all-around barbell and is going to enable you to lift safely and effectively. And, there's no need to just take my word for it! Here's what a few lifters think when comparing the Olympic bar to a standard one.
"If you’re talking about the standard plates with small holes which can not fit the Olympic bar then yes it is definitely time to upgrade now if you have the means. A quality Olympic bar is worth it plus can buy 2nd hand plates suited for Olympic bars. With your mentioned weights your thin bar will start bending soon anyway so sell it while it is still in good condition." (source)
Another lifter added: "If you’re serious with getting stronger, you need to upgrade. If you just want to bodybuild, your standard plates are enough. Especially with the squats, an Olympic size barbell will do wonders on top of your back. An Olympic bar has less tendency to bend, while a standard stainless steel will 100% bend eventually and would cause injuries. Better to upgrade now to continuously progress, rather than always get hounded with the question if you should." (source)
What Is The Best Olympic Barbell?
It's near impossible to pick the "best" Olympic barbell as so many products exist, and everyone has different needs. With that in mind, I think I found one that can fit the needs of just about everyone, from first-time beginners to those pulling 600 lb+ deadlifts.
Designed specifically for Olympic weightlifting, the BoS Bar 2.0 boasts an ideal spin and rugged construction, standing out as one of the top choices in the market due to its exceptional performance across all key metrics. In addition, the barbell is crafted from high-quality steel and includes an impressive 240k PSI strength rating, enabling it to handle maximum weights of over 1500 pounds, making it a powerhouse in the weightlifting world.
Featuring four needle bearings and one stainless steel bushing on each sleeve, this barbell guarantees smooth and unrestricted rotation during lifts. Its premium design facilitates effortless sleeve rotation, giving you peace of mind during intense workout sessions.
Plus, the aggressive knurling on the bar provides a secure grip, reducing the risk of injuries, while the omission of center knurling protects the bar from unnecessary wear and tear during Olympic lifting. And, the sleeves are thoughtfully designed with machined grooves, enhancing friction to prevent plates from slipping off during dynamic lifts.
I think the BoS Bar 2.0 is undoubtedly one of the top-tier barbells available in the market today, offering exceptional performance and durability for all your weightlifting needs.
Our best-selling Olympic weightlifting barbell with a hardened chrome finish and the perfect amount of spin...
Interested in seeing more great options? Check out the 15 Best Barbells!
Olympic vs Standard Weight Plates: Key Differences
When comparing the different types of weight plates, Olympic plates and standard plates are going to be considerably different due to the size of the collars. The most obvious difference is the diameter of the hole. Your standard weight plates will be considerably smaller at just 25mm in diameter. In comparison, your Olympic weight plates will be twice that to fit over the larger collars.
Another difference is the type of weight plates available. Olympic plates seem to come with more variation in their construction.
For example, bumper plates are extremely popular, especially in garage gyms. The plates are made from hardened rubber and designed not to damage the flooring. Finding standard-sized bumper plates is very hard, and even grip plates can be tough to find for standard bars. So your flooring or plate needs may determine which type of barbell you choose.
Lastly, if you plan on joining any weightlifting competitions, you'll definitely use Olympic weights.
All this to say is that you can easily find weight plate options for an Olympic barbell, and innovation tends to be focused on Olympic weight plates, meaning cheaper plates of higher quality.
Interested in purchasing weight plates for your home gym? Check out our article on the 8 Best Bumper Plates For Home Gyms!
FAQs
The standard and Olympic bars debate is much larger than the few concepts we discussed. Therefore, here are some of the more common questions people have about these bars.
Are all Olympic bars 45 pounds?
The standard weight for Olympic bars is 20kg (44 lbs) for men. In addition, the women's bars weigh 15kg (33 lbs).
Can you use an Olympic bar for bench press?
Yes! While Olympic bars were designed for Olympic lifting, you can use them for any barbell exercises.
Is an Olympic barbell good for beginners?
Generally, yes. However, it depends on how old the person is, their skill level, and sex. For example, a full-size bar may be too large or heavy for some people to handle at first.
Do most gyms use Olympic bars?
Yes. Generally, commercial gyms will have various Olympic bars.
What is the most common barbell size?
The most common barbell is your standard men's Olympic barbell at 7ft and 44lbs.
Olympic Barbell vs Standard Barbell: Final Verdict
Let's be clear. Any bar that allows you to put weight plates on in a progressive manner will get you strong and build muscle. You can find groups of guys lifting in gyms with equipment made from concrete, coconuts, and water jugs. It works, and we love it!
That said, weightlifting innovators have gifted us with barbells that make your setup seamless and lifts snappy. When comparing standard barbells to Olympic bars, unless you have no other option, Olympic is the new "standard." Regardless of whether you're involved with Olympic weightlifting, anyone serious about lifting should opt for an Olympic barbell.
Interested in adding an Olympic barbell to your home gym? Check out the 15 Best Barbells to find your perfect fit! Or, for those interested in learning about even more types of barbells, head to our article on the 12 Types of Weightlifting Bars.
Our best-selling Olympic weightlifting barbell with a hardened chrome finish and the perfect amount of spin...
Garett Reid
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