Lightweight bars for gneral lifting

[CliveWarren]

I'm looking for opnions on a lighter bar for my wife and kids to use. Generally, a 45lb bar is a bit much for my 105lb wife and my kids ages 8, 10, and 12. None have started lifting yet, I'm hoping they follow my example in the near future, but I could see them not being able to lift the bare bar for anything other than squats initially. Something that's still rackable is still essential. I probably would find myself using it for OHP, curls, or lighter accessory work.

I have the typical low ceiling in my basement that keeps me from overhead pressing while standing, so I haven't used any olympic lifts in my routine or built a platform for such. I've been eyeing the 29lb OB-73UL and 15lb OB-73AL on Amazon. I may order one of these two lightweight bars when I buy the OB-86B. Are either of the two lightweight bars a quality product? I know it can be hit or miss with CAP.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[Northernmoris]

Rogue sells a Bella bar. I believe it's 35lbs.

[dumb.bell]

Rogue sells a Bella bar. I believe it's 35lbs.

It is a great bar for Olympic lifting and even deads, but I would be careful with it in a rack since it is only 25mm.

The bar is great for someone with smaller hands.

[Synthetickiller]

What about Rouge's 10kg Junior Bar?
Link

22 lb is nice since you can just start a good deal lower & it's significantly less weight than a typical oly bar. It should also fit in a rack easily (same distance between collars as a competition bar, as per rouge's site)

There's also a bunch of lighter bars as well:
5kg (11lb) Aluminum Tech Bar
15lb Aluminum Tech Bar


Amazon has this bar: (Not sure what amazon.ca has)
6' Technique Bar (about 16.5 lbs)

[rthawker]

Here's a thread I started last year asking about technique bars. Might be of some help. http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showth...=technique+bar

[dumb.bell]

What about Rouge's 10kg Junior Bar?
Link

22 lb is nice since you can just start a good deal lower & it's significantly less weight than a typical oly bar. It should also fit in a rack easily (same distance between collars as a competition bar, as per rouge's site)

I think this bar is similar to the Bella and may only be 25mm. Don't get me wrong, I like the idea of 25mm, but I wouldn't be dropping it in the rack much. Nevertheless, I've deadlifted 405lbs with the Bella on several occasions with a hard descent.

[rlundregan]

I think this bar is similar to the Bella and may only be 25mm. Don't get me wrong, I like the idea of 25mm, but I wouldn't be dropping it in the rack much. Nevertheless, I've deadlifted 405lbs with the Bella on several occasions with a hard descent.

I'm dying to make a crack about you using a lightweight women's bar, but I'll refrain since you can bench about 80 lbs more than I can deadlift.

[dumb.bell]

I'm dying to make a crack about you using a lightweight women's bar, but I'll refrain since you can bench about 80 lbs more than I can deadlift.

LOL. I'm the last one to get offended by jokes, so feel free.

[Keetman]

I'm dying to make a crack about you using a lightweight women's bar, but I'll refrain since you can bench about 80 lbs more than I can deadlift.

Yes. It is somewhat embarrassing to have a "lightweight women's bar" wrapped around your neck.

[CliveWarren]

Thanks guys. I think I'll compare the Rogue 5kg and 15lb bars. The Bella may be a little too spendy.

The Canadian Rogue site has those bars, so I'll watch them to see if there's ever a sale. I might be able to get by with my old 6ft standard bar and plates. It's not rackable in the strictest sense, but I could put some shaft collars to reduce the threaded to outside the rack uprights.

[AttyGuy]

Yes. It is somewhat embarrassing to have a "lightweight women's bar" wrapped around your neck.

Only if I run out of ammunition before the other guy gets to me. . . . Just sayin'.

[Keetman]

Only if I run out of ammunition before the other guy gets to me. . . . Just sayin'.

If you run out of ammunition before he gets to you.... then when he does get to you he's able to wrap the women's bar around your neck....... wouldn't it be even more embarrassing?

You can't shoot worth a damn and you have a bar wrapped around your neck.

[cmarti063]

I have the 5kg Rogue technique bar (got it for my wife). Bear in mind that it is aluminum, not steel. Is for technique, not heavy lifting. I believe it is important to have a steel bar for them as well. I got her the B&R bar, but I was also considering the Bella bar. Basically, as soon as they are strong enough to move to the steel bar, you have them do their sets on that and use the technique bar for warm ups. Once they can warm up with an empty steel bar, have them use that exclusively. Just some food for thought.

[Northernmoris]

Thanks guys. I think I'll compare the Rogue 5kg and 15lb bars. The Bella may be a little too spendy.

The Canadian Rogue site has those bars, so I'll watch them to see if there's ever a sale. I might be able to get by with my old 6ft standard bar and plates. It's not rackable in the strictest sense, but I could put some shaft collars to reduce the threaded to outside the rack uprights.

I believe it will be a cold day in hell before Rogue does a sale like that..

[Stasher1]

It's not a technique bar, but Hampton has a rackable 6' bar that weighs 30lbs (IB-72CE). The sleeves are shorter than those of a 7' bar, but your wife and kids aren't likely to be moving enough weight to even notice.

[irongrandpa]

It's not a technique bar, but Hampton has a rackable 6' bar that weighs 30lbs (IB-72CE). The sleeves are shorter than those of a 7' bar, but your wife and kids aren't likely to be moving enough weight to even notice.

It will still hold four 45's on each side.

[AttyGuy]

If you run out of ammunition before he gets to you.... then when he does get to you he's able to wrap the women's bar around your neck....... wouldn't it be even more embarrassing?

You can't shoot worth a damn and you have a bar wrapped around your neck.

Hah!

OP, what about going with a 6' bar that is rackable? In addition to the Hampton bar, York and Ivanko make/made 6' bars. I did a review of the York and Ivanko bars a while back.

[CliveWarren]

Hah!

OP, what about going with a 6' bar that is rackable? In addition to the Hampton bar, York and Ivanko make/made 6' bars. I did a review of the York and Ivanko bars a while back.

Actually every bar I've looked at has been a six footer. I will look for that review. I don't think I would have any problem finding the York locally. I have never seen a retailer around here that caries Ivanko :-(

[AttyGuy]

Actually every bar I've looked at has been a six footer. I will look for that review. I don't think I would have any problem finding the York locally. I have never seen a retailer around here that caries Ivanko :-(

Order online for Ivanko or through York's cyber rep, Allison Foreman, for York. Or better yet, check with GI. Bb.com may also sell bars, so check them out and Wayfair.com may have something at a good price. Assuming they ship to the Great White North.

[thejosef]

What about Rouge's 10kg Junior Bar?
Link

22 lb is nice since you can just start a good deal lower & it's significantly less weight than a typical oly bar. It should also fit in a rack easily (same distance between collars as a competition bar, as per rouge's site)

I bought this one for my wife a year ago and she loves it. I highly recommend the 10kg. It's rackable for sure.. She uses it for squats, deads, press, and bench press. It can handle as much weight as you can fit on it (as per Rogue's email response). I've had 200 on it with no issue (when I was w/o a bar for a week).

[GarageIron]

Actually every bar I've looked at has been a six footer. I will look for that review. I don't think I would have any problem finding the York locally. I have never seen a retailer around here that caries Ivanko :-(

You will find the York bars at a good price locally because they are made in Oakville, and there are several bars to choose from. Send me a PM if you like and I can direct you to a few options.