A barbell is a piece of exercise equipment used in weight training, weightlifting and powerlifting. It consists of a metal bar, one or more sets of weight plates, and a set of collars. Barbells range in length from 4 feet (1.2 m) to 7 feet (2.1 m).[1] The central portion varies in diameter, but is close to one inch (2.54 cm), and is often engraved with a knurled crosshatch pattern to help lifters get a good grip. Disc weights (plates) are slid onto the outer portions of the bar to obtain the desired total weight.[2] These weights are often secured with collars to prevent them from sliding off during the exercise (which can result in injuries) or flinging the unevenly-loaded barbell through the air.[3]
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An Olympic or weightlifting barbell consists of a bar in which the sleeves rotate. This enables the discs to spin on their own axis, which eliminates the rotational-inertia effect placed upon the lifter during such explosive lifting and enables him/her to descend under the bar with ease.[4]
A men's Olympic bar is a metal bar that is 2.2 m (7.22 ft) long and weighs 20 kg (44.1 lbs)[1]. The outer ends are 50 mm (1.9685 in) in diameter, while the grip section is 28 mm (1.1024 in). The bars have grip marks spaced 910 mm apart to allow intuitive grip width measurement. It is the standard used in competitive weightlifting where men and women compete at the highest level - the Commonwealth Games, Pan-American Games, World Championships, and the Olympics. The total weight of the barbell varies based on the type and number of plates loaded onto the ends the bar and the lift being performed and can be as much as 1,000 pounds (450 kg).[1]
In addition to regular Olympic bars, powerlifting often requires use of sturdier bars to better accommodate the heavier weights being used in the sport. These bars can be longer (to allow loading of more plates) and thicker (to deform less under load). Additionally, powerlifting bars have their grip marks spaced closer, at 810 mm. This closer spacing is used to check legal grip width in the bench press. The International Powerlifting federation does not, however, allow the use of longer or thicker bars.
A women's Olympic bar is similar to the men's bar, but is shorter (2.05 m) and lighter (15 kg / 33.07 lbs) with a thinner grip section (25 mm). Also in contrast to the men's bar, the women's bar does not sport a center knurl.
Additionally, different plates are used outside of IWF sanctioned competition, most prominently in powerlifting. These include:
Plates used in training need not conform to IWF or powerlifting specifications, and can be of any color. Weightlifting plates, which are often termed "bumper" plates, need to be able to be safely dropped from above head height and as such are made from solid rubber. Powerlifting and general purpose plates are made from cast iron to minimize cost. For training, larger 450 mm versions exist of the lighter 5 kg and 2.5 kg plates to accommodate proper lifting position for young and beginning athletes. These can be aluminum or plastic and may have rubber edges.
Standard collars can be of any material, usually metal, and they can weigh up to 2.5 kg each for both men and women.
A bar with a pair of collars, the plates not counted, can weigh as much as 25 kg for men and 20 kg for women depending on the collars.
Standard plates have a central hole that is one inch (25 mm) wide. Standard barbells are one inch wide all the way along. Standard barbells typically weigh 10 kg (22 lb). In some countries or regions, 30 mm bars are also quite common.
The EZ curl bar is a variant of the barbell that is often used for biceps curls, upright rows, close-grip bench-presses, and lying triceps extensions[5]. Its zigzag grips allow the user's wrists and forearms to take a more neutral position. This reduces the risk of repetitive stress injury in these exercises.[6]
These specialty items are designed to challenge the grip. They're also used in strongman competitions for the deadlift and overhead presses like Apollon's Axle.
Similar in function to an EZ curl bar, the triceps bar consists of two parallel handles mounted in a cage. It is used to perform triceps extensions.[7]
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