With an array of barbells available, you may find yourself staring at the bar storage rack in the gym, or browsing to buy one for your home gym; and you might ask yourself, 'Why this one? Why not that one?'.

Picking the most suitable bar for your needs is crucial to getting the most out of your time in the gym, from a performance, safety and technique standpoint. In this article, we will discuss the different lengths of barbells you may encounter, and which lifters they are most suitable for, so you can make the right choice.

Who Should Use a 4ft Barbell?

First up in our comparison is the 4ft Barbell. Compact and light, weighing between 4 and 7kg, these bars are great for small home gyms or compact or busy training spaces. Aimed at those who are new to lifting weights, they are great for learning and training isolation exercises such as bicep curls, triceps extensions and front raises correctly, and due to the lighter weights, they can be a fantastic tool for injury rehabilitation, too.

Who Should Use a 5ft Barbell?

Great for saving space, the 5ft bar weighs in at between 11 and 14kg, and can typically handle a bit more weight than their 4ft counterparts. This makes them a great option for beginner and intermediate lifters to perform upper body exercises (typically for fitness training or hypertrophy) such as rows, curls, raises and bench presses. They can also be used for some light squats, too.

Who Should Use a 6ft Barbell?

6ft barbells are typically seen with 2” sleeves for Olympic weight plates but can also be found with 1” standard sleeves, too. They typically weigh 7-11kg, lighter than the 6ft International barbell, and are excellent for learning technique and training strength and hypertrophy at light to moderate weights, whether you are a beginner or an intermediate lifter with limited space.

Who Should Use a 6ft International Barbell?

6ft International Barbells bridge the gap between the shorter 4 and 5ft options, and the bigger, full-sized 7ft options. They weigh between 14 and 18kg, with the Mirafit 6ft International bar weighing 14kg. These bars usually have shorter sleeves, with an extended centre section, to replicate the grip positions of a 7ft barbell and to help them fit in most power racks. They are great for honing form on bench, cleans, snatches, deadlifts, and squats, both for beginners and seasoned lifters.

Who Should Use a 6ft 6in Barbell?

A step-up barbell for those advancing towards the intermediate-advanced level, 6ft 6in barbells typically weigh around 15-18kg (Mirafit’s weighs in at 15kg). You’ll generally see bars of this length with 2” sleeves, making them great for compound movements such as squats, bench, deadlift and presses, as well as those who perform Olympic lifting exercises. They can support much bigger loads than the smaller options, making them a great option for heavy lifting. Sometimes referred to as women’s bars, there are many reasons why these bars are a great choice for any lifter.

Who Should Use a 7ft Barbell?

The 7ft Olympic Barbell is the golden standard for both Olympic weightlifting and training for powerlifting and other disciplines, geared towards serious lifters and strength athletes. They weigh in at 20kg, support 2” Olympic plates, and typically have a wider grip area and longer shaft than those of its shorter counterparts. It’s perfect for compound lifts such as bench, deadlifts, squats, as well as pressing, rows and Olympic movements. Most commercial gyms with a free weight section will have at least one 7ft barbell available for you to train with.

Who Should Use a 7ft 6in Barbell?

7ft 6in barbells are designed for serious lifters to take their deadlift game to the next level. The Mirafit Behemoth is the perfect example of this, offering a higher maximal load than standard 7ft bars, more “whip” (bar bend) when lifting heavy weights, and reduced spin in the lifting space, providing a better grip surface. Best suited for powerlifters, weightlifters and strongmen, these Deadlift Barbells will help build an even stronger deadlift, especially for those already performing at a high level. Lifting space and platform width should be considered, as these bars are long!

Who Should Use a 7ft 10in Barbell?

7ft 10 bars, such as the Mirafit Leviathan bar, are geared heavily towards getting more weight out of your squat, especially aimed at those of an advanced level in powerlifting and strongman. Their typical features include a 25kg barbell weight due to a thicker shaft and stiffer construction that reduces flex; and an extended sleeve that provides extra plate space and increases the surface area of your back that the barbell can maintain contact with. The Leviathan Squat Barbell reduces the barbell roll and "bounce" at heavier loads, helping you hit those PRs with control.

Choosing the right barbell can be challenging due to the variety of lengths, weights and purposes available. For instance, a 4 or 5ft bar might be ideal for curls in a HIIT class, while a 6ft or longer bar is better suited for heavy squatting or deadlifting. Next time you’re in the gym or looking to purchase a new bar, use your newfound knowledge to get the most out of your exercises. Choose the correct bar to perfect technique and spend more time smashing PRs than wondering which bar is best!

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Tags: Equipment > Bars and Weight Plates ; Exercise Type > Strength ; Misc > Gym Planning