A men’s Olympic weightlifting bar has a 28 mm shaft, while a women’s Olympic bar has a 25 mm shaft. Both use sleeves that are about 50 mm in diameter for Olympic plates. Power bars, multipurpose bars, deadlift bars, squat bars, and other specialty bars use different shaft diameters, so the exact number depends on … Read more

The barbells versus machines debate are as old as the gym itself. It’s a classic standoff, like Batman versus Superman or the Beatles versus the Rolling Stones. Each side has its loyalists and its detractors, and each has its unique strengths and weaknesses. But which is truly better for muscle building and strength training? Let’s … Read more

A barbell can start flexing long before it is permanently bent. Normal flex or whip under a heavy load is not the same thing as damage. A healthy bar should return to straight after the load is removed. There is no universal weight where every bar permanently bends. Shaft diameter, steel, tensile strength, bar length, … Read more

A barbell’s spin can be both a curiosity and a conundrum to the uninitiated. Even some experienced lifters may find themselves questioning why barbells are designed to spin. The reasons behind the spin range from technical mechanics to the evolution of lifting techniques. This article will take you on a deep dive into the world … Read more