So I already have an Olympic Barbell, do I need another one just for deadlifts?

A Deadlift Bar is a specialised barbell made for powerlifting, competition style deadlifts. Similar to our Power Bar, our new deadlift bar uses composite bushing to reduce the amount the centre shaft spins, in comparison to an Olympic Barbell, because spinning isn’t a desirable feature during a deadlift, whereas it is during a snatch or a clean.

During a snatch or a clean, the spin allows you to move around the weight, whilst still maintaining a strong hook grip, which is necessary because you are applying huge amounts of power through multiple angles. A deadlift only moves straight up and down and thus this isn’t an issue.

Key Features of a Deadlift Bar

27mm Shaft

Why is This Beneficial?

The thinner shaft diameter allows for a better grip on the bar because you are better able to wrap your hands and fingers around it, even if you have smaller hands.

Aggressive Knurl Depth and Pattern

Why is This Beneficial?

This increases the friction between your hands and the bar and thus reduces the chances of the bar slipping out of your hands.

Important Note: This is much more aggressive than a traditional bar and you should progressively overload how much you rely on the knurl; use straps on some of your sets and slowly reduce the ratio of straps:no straps, so your hands have time to get used to the knurl.

196k PSI Tensile Strength

Why is This Beneficial?

This allows the barbell to flex/whip more than a Power Bar. This means that when the bar is loaded with plates it bends before the plates leave the floor, putting you in a higher, stronger biomechanical position and helping you bypass a sticking point in the lift.

What Exercises Should You Use a Deadlift Bar For?

Traditional Deadlifts and Sumo Deadlifts… That is it.

What Muscles Do Deadlifts Work?

The deadlift is a predominantly posterior exercise, working the lower back, hamstrings and glutes. If you opt for the sumo deadlift you will also hit these muscles but slightly less, while working other muscles, like the adductors, more.

Is a Deadlift Bar Only for Competitions?

The Deadlift Bar is made to make deadlifting easier so that you can lift more weight in competition. Therefore, deadlifting with a Deadlift Bar should be seen as a competition-style lift.

It may be beneficial to use a combination of competition-style, Deadlift Bar training, alongside training with a power bar. The power bar training will make the deadlift harder, while the Deadlift Bar will train you in a competition specific manner. The Best of both worlds.

Why Use a Power Bar?

A Power bar is a powerlifting all-rounder. It comes with the same aggressive knurl pattern and composite bushing to reduce shaft spin. However, it has a greater tensile strength, reducing the whip/flex from the barbell.

This means that it can be used for more that just competitive deadlifts. The power bar can be used for squats, deadlifts, bench press and even accessory movements like incline bench press, barbell rows, military press or the humble barbell bicep curl.

The only exercises it is not well suited to would be Olympic lifting movements, for the reasons discussed above.

Therefore, it is recommended that you use both a Power Bar and a Deadlifting Bar, for best practice in training.

Want to see the deadlift bar used by Europe's strongest men? Check out the video below!

If you want to take Powerlifting and deadlifting to the next level you need to get yourself a Deadlifting Bar. Alongside a Power Rack, Deadlift Platform and Calibrated Cast Iron Plates, you’ll have all you need to compete and excel in your training.

Then check out our guide on the Romanian deadlift.

Written by guest author Ewan Hammond.

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Tags: Equipment > Power Racks and Cages ; Exercise Type > Strength