First, specs can be and are often inflated. Very few people in the world possess the ability to test a bar’s tensile strength or load capacity. So we have to take the manufacturer’s word for things.

This heavy-duty bar is constructed with an American-made stainless-steel shaft that has been precision machined with a 20 Teeth Per Inch (TPI) aggressive knurl. The sleeves are hard chrome plated and machined to our smooth and jewelry-like precision standards. Folks who like to lift alone will love that this one comes with three different self-spotting options. I’ve tested almost 50 different power bars in the last 5 years alone. I can have any bar I want, and these are the bars I choose to train with in my garage gym. And ICYMI, barbells come in different sizes and vary when it comes to the amount of weight they can handle. You'll find another difference in the bar's sleeves, or the end of the bar where the plates are held, says Delgado. "Olympic barbells have two-inch, rotating sleeves; standard barbells have one-inch, non-rotating sleeves. The rotation on the sleeves create a more secure grip and reduces stress on your joints (wrists and elbows)." Got that down? Is the finish evenly applied? If it’s a bare steel or stainless steel bar are there any blemishes? How about rust?

Home strength-training equipment is having a moment. Devoted gym-goers have settled into at-home workout routines as the pandemic continues, and items like adjustable dumbbells, kettlebells, and resistance bands—after gaining unprecedented popularity and, as a result, suffering from widespread shortages—have remained hot commodities. Add a brand-new piece of equipment to the in-demand list: Bowflex’s SelectTech 2080 Barbell with Curl Bar, which debuted in June 2020 and, according to a company representative, sold out in about 24 hours. At a passing glance, Olympic barbells and powerlifting barbells can look largely similar to the standard barbells we've mentioned above. However, Olympic barbells are around seven foot in length and powerlifting barbells feature a slightly short length at five to six feet, with a higher tensile rating for heavier lifts. Similarly, there will typically be more knurling to help you shift tin more safely during your barbell workout. Trap Bars and Hex Barbells Third, more is absolutely NOT better! In fact, more is sometimes worse. Let’s look at a bar’s tensile strength as an example. This is where “sleeve play” comes in. If you go up to a cheap barbell and try to wiggle the sleeve, you’ll notice it has a ton of play in it. It will move side to side and sometimes even rattle up and down. The more play there is, the more unwanted movement and wear. Since I’ve never gone for any “premium” options in my garage gym, I decided to treat myself. (I’ve always opted for the least expensive thing that was well-made and fit my needs)

That said, you're going to want to spend your hard-earned cash on a barbell that's *actually* high quality. Wondering what that might look like? "The barbell should match your strength needs, should be strong enough to resist bending, and have a finish that will last and won't rust over time." Then, you should decide whether you're looking for a standard barbell or an Olympic one. FYI: If you're used to lifting a barbell at the gym, it's most likely an Olympic one.) The Delta Basic Bar is a high-quality, powerlifting/mixed-use barbell for lifters looking for great value and versatility. This might sound weird, but we really don’t look at them much as long as they hit some minimums we like. Here’s why… That’s why we always test every product ourselves, usually for at least 6 months, in our own home gyms before we ever review or recommend anything. I can’t tell you how many times that real-world use doesn’t agree with the specs! If you like training with barbells, don’t have space for a traditional set in your home gym, and don’t mind a potentially long wait to get it, the SelectTech 2080—which offers seven fixed-weight barbells and seven fixed-weight curl bars in one— could be for you. The system includes a straight barbell, a curl bar (distinguishable by its undulating grips, it’s designed for upper-body exercises like—you guessed it—biceps curls), 12 weight plates, and a base that rests on the floor. You adjust the desired load, which ranges from 20 pounds to 80 pounds, by turning a dial at each end of a bar.

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The best analogy I can give you is with cars. When I was growing up, we had a POS Ford Taurus. It was a terrible car. If you remember American cars in the 80’s, you know what I mean. Everything rattled. Nothing was well-made.

Why power bars and not Olympic lifting bars? I wrote an entire article about that, but the short version is that most folks shouldn’t be doing Olympic lifting movements at home, alone, without a spotter. All home gyms should start with a power bar and go from there. Lifters who have limited space to work with will love the modest dimensions of 52.4 inches wide, 71.4 inches deep, and either 96 or 103 inches tall, depending on selection. When we load a plate on the sleeve and spin it, we are looking for a smooth and consistent spin with an even deceleration as it slows and stops. I’m a big believer that “how you do one thing is how you do everything”. If a bar manufacturer can’t even apply their bar finish well, what other shortcuts have they taken? What About Specs?Anyone who likes to have a variety of barbell heights they can choose from — the Westside spacing through the bench press area allows for precision height. The bar is topped off with premium metal endcaps with unique designs. This is a powerlifting barbell that stands out from the rest.