For those of you who are diligent in lifting weights, usually there will be a desire to increase the weight you use when training. When talking about barbells, there are two types of barbells that can be used, namely standard barbells and olympic weight plates or olympic barbells.
However, is there a striking difference between these two types of barbells? Then, which one is the most suitable for you to use? Because each barbell has its own purpose. Before knowing the difference between standard and Olympic barbells, let's first discuss what a barbell is and its purpose.
Barbells are very important tools in weightlifting, barbells are useful for building muscle and strength in the body. Barbells are sports equipment in the form of iron rods with added iron plates at both ends. These iron plates have a certain weight, and can be removed or changed as needed.
You can do various intense movements with the help of barbells, such as squats, deadlifts, bicep curls, shoulder presses, and many more. The use of barbells provides the additional load needed to “challenge” the muscles and make them stronger.
Standard barbell
Standard barbells are a common piece of exercise equipment used for weightlifting and other strength training. Barbells can help you improve your overall muscle development and strength.
Unlike specialized barbells, such as Olympic barbells, standard barbells can be used for a variety of exercises. They are typically best suited for compound exercises, such as squats, deadlifts, and bench presses.
Standard barbell weight training can help improve posture and target multiple muscle groups at once. In terms of price, standard barbells are usually more affordable, they are also more space-saving than Olympic barbells, making them suitable for both home gyms and commercial gyms.
Standard barbell plates generally have a hole diameter of 18–32 mm which fits the standard barbell bar diameter. This means that only bars of the same size can be paired with standard plates.
Benefits of using standard barbells
Using a standard barbell in your regular weightlifting workout can offer many benefits, for example you can perform a wide variety of forms and types of exercises to improve your body's muscles and strength.
Standard barbell training can provide you with a diverse training experience, targeting different muscle groups. You can focus your training on specific muscles with the use of standard barbells. Whether you want to build core strength, increase muscle mass, or improve your overall balance and stability, you can rely on standard barbells.
A sturdy standard barbell is also good for long-term use, making it one of the tools for your body's health investment. Choosing a barbell with high-quality material will also provide the advantage of being more comfortable when used in weightlifting sports.
Olympic barbell
Olympic barbells are barbells that are specifically designed for use in professional weightlifting competitions. For this reason, the quality of Olympic barbells must be higher compared to standard sized barbells.
The size of the Olympic barbell is set by the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) so that it can meet the standard requirements for competition. This is also the reason why Olympic bumper plates are available in a variety of colors, as this is a requirement of the IWF, and is an internationally recognized color coding system.
One of the main advantages of this Olympic barbell is its ability to accommodate more barbell plates. This allows for progressive increase in weight and body strength to lift it.
Olympic plates have steel rings to allow for easier attachment and removal of the barbell. Olympic bars also have a larger steel core compared to standard bars, to provide extra protection in the event of a fall.
The steel core is encased in a rubber coating to protect the barbell plates and floor from damage. Olympic barbells are made with a high-quality Polyurethane coating, which is designed to reduce bounce when thrown to the floor.
Olympic barbells usually have a diameter of around 28–32 mm. The overall length of this barbell is usually around 2.13 meters, making it sufficient to accommodate many plates at once.
Benefits of using Olympic barbells
Olympic barbells can not only be used during competitions, but also for training. The advantage of using Olympic barbells during training is that you can perform weightlifting movements effectively and remain stable during weightlifting exercises.
Using Olympic barbells for weightlifting regularly can not only improve muscle development, but also ensure more accurate and maximum lifting techniques. Olympic barbells are also excellent for use in several forms of exercise movements, such as squats, deadlifts, and bench presses.
The Olympic barbell design with standardized length and weight distribution can further ensure stability and balance. This can be beneficial in minimizing the risk of injury during your lifting movements.
Olympic barbells that can hold a lot of weight also allow you to increase the weight gradually, making your weight training more progressive. This will ultimately have a big impact on your overall fitness.
Also read: Home Weightlifting Exercise Tips to Achieve Body Goals
Which barbell is best for you?
After knowing what standard barbells and Olympic barbells are, as well as the benefits of both of these barbells, then you can choose, which barbell is most suitable for you?
When choosing the right barbell for your workout routine, consider a number of factors such as your training goals, your level of experience in weightlifting, and the type of exercise you want to do to optimize your selection of the exercise equipment you will use.
Choosing between standard and Olympic barbells will greatly affect the results of your physical training. For beginners, standard barbells may be more suitable to use, because of their lighter weight and simpler design. Using standard barbells also makes it easier for beginners to understand the basic techniques and forms of weightlifting exercises.
On the other hand, if you are already more advanced in weightlifting or maybe even a professional who wants to increase strength and flexibility in training, then you can choose the Olympic barbell.
This is because Olympic barbells are heavier in weight, so they can provide a greater challenge and opportunity for you to improve your weightlifting training.
The bottom line is, it all comes down to yourself and your level of experience in weightlifting. When you are new to barbell training, then standard barbells are more recommended, but if you want to improve your weightlifting training, then Olympic barbells are the choice.
In addition, both standard and Olympic barbells are available for you to take home at SVRG. The barbells available at SVRG are guaranteed to be of high quality and have met IWF quality standards, so you don't need to worry anymore. Let's get fitter and stronger with SVRG!
