When stripping a workout down to the basics, there’s one piece of equipment that reigns over all, the barbell. But did you know that there are different variations of a barbell? Although we could describe all of the variations, we thought we’d pick two of the most common types and give you some insight into their differences and which is right for you.

A Standard Barbell is commonly used by beginners and in home gyms as they are smaller and useful for entry level training. An Olympic Barbell on the other hand is generally used in commercial gyms and for Olympic lifting. But what’s the difference? And which one should you be using to optimise training performance?

What's the difference between a standard and an Olympic barbell?

They may only be subtle, but there are some differences between a standard and an Olympic barbell.

Length:

Standard Barbell: 4-6ft

Olympic Barbell: 4-7ft

Weight:

Standard Barbell: 5-20kg

Olympic Barbell: 15-20kg

Weight Taken:

Standard Barbell: 100-150kg

Olympic Barbell: 300-680kg

Sleeve Diameter:

Standard Barbell: 1 inch

Olympic Barbell: 2 inches

One of the most notable physical differences between a standard and an Olympic barbell is the diameter of the sleeve. This is the two ends of the barbell where the weights are placed. Although it may not seem like much, the thicker diameter means that more weight can be placed on the barbell.

As well as this, the sleeves at the end of an Olympic barbell freely rotate. This may not seem important, however it can make Olympic lifts easier to perform. When the sleeves rotate it reduces the level of torque that is created by the plates and therefore reduces the strain. This can make a big difference to how much you lift.

Benefits of a Standard Barbell

The main benefit to purchasing a standard barbell is that they are usually more affordable and so more suitable for those on a budget, beginners or people that do not need the specifics of an Olympic barbell.

As well as this, a standard barbell is a useful piece of kit if you want to interchange between equipment. If you have Standard Dumbbell Bars, you can share the weight between the two. This is especially useful if you have a home gym and you want to save on space and equipment.

Benefits of an Olympic Barbell

On the other hand, if you practise Olympic lifting on any level, then you are best using an Olympic barbell because they have to be standardised across the board. This means that the barbell that you train with will be the same as the barbell you compete with in terms of weight, thickness and length.

Likewise, Olympic barbells are also more suitable for advanced lifters that want to pack more weight onto the barbell. The sleeve being wider in diameter means that the bar is able to take more weight than a standard bar.

Which Barbell is Right for You?

There’s no right or wrong answer to this question, however there are some key points to take into consideration that might help you to make your decision:

What is Your Experience Level?

For people looking to lift a lot of weight, an Olympic bar is designed for heavier lifts, whereas a standard bar is suitable for lifting 150kg and under. Therefore, if you are a beginner, or you aren’t planning on lifting over 150kg, a standard barbell might be a more practical decision.

What is Your Budget?

If you’re on a tighter budget then choose a standard bar, they are cheaper, great quality and suitable for most people. However, if you want to spend a little more on a more versatile bar, then choose an Olympic barbell.

There may only be subtle differences between a standard and an Olympic barbell, but depending on your budget and experience level, this can have a big impact on your training. Take a look at our full range of standard and Olympic barbells and see which one is right for you.

Written by guest author Eryn Barber.

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Tags: Equipment > Bars & Weight Plates ; Exercise Type > Strength