When would you recommend a Standard Barbell over an Olympic?

[blastblast]

Hi, I'm putting together a small home gym. So far I have a solid bench and an adjustable dumbbells.

I've been doing a lot of research in preparation for Black Friday (if a deal were to arise) but regardless, I'm hoping to pick up a bar this month. So in my research I see a lot of people recommend an olympic barbell almost as a default choice. It is often stated that the olympic bar won't bend and can handle a higher max capacity. Generally speaking, I came across data saying a standard usually have a max capacity at 200,250lb and an olympic at 500lb.

To be clear, I intend on using the bar to do deadlift, bench and squat.

At my fittest my max dumbbell bench was 80lb for about 4 -6 reps. Now, just getting back into things, I'm at the 50lb 3 set of 8 rep range.

I can't forsee myself really pushing 200,250lb for any exercise. So my question, or a discussion I would like to have is, would a small dude like me at 6ft 150lb really benefit from an olympic bar over a standard? What are some considerations one should take into account when deciding between the two?

Thanks

[Mech6]

To be clear, I intend on using the bar to do deadlift

I can't forsee myself really pushing 200,250lb for any exercise

You will be deadlifting more than 250lbs very very very soon. You may already be able too without knowing. Get an olympic bar.

[dumb.bell]

Are the weights you are quoting per dumbbell, or both dumbbells combined? Either way, dumbbell weight doesn't translate to barbell weight on a lb for lb comparison. If you are half way serious about working out, you will push the 200 to 250 amount within a year or so, if not, you aren't really working out. Get an Olympic bar!!

[Stasher1]

When would you recommend a Standard Barbell over an Olympic?

Me personally?



Never.

[daniel327]

Me personally?



Never.

^^^^ this

[daniel327]

About the only advantage the standard bar has is that you can use the standard plates for adjustable dumbbells, like quicklocks, as well as with the barbell. Not very practical or economic to use olympic dumbbells. So, for now it might be more economical and practical to go with a standard bar and cross the 300 lb bridge when you come to it.

I'm almost certain that my IQ decreased from having read this post.

[Detrus]

I'd recommend a standard bar when you're in a limited space and want to reuse the same plates for bar and plates. And your bar is 5 ft long. And you have no intention of using it with a rack.

Or if you have so much standard weight that buying Ivanko's B-86 for $200-300 will be cheaper than converting it all to olympics. One of the few quality standard bars still made for the USA.

Or if you're in Europe, Japan, Australia and the standard equipment there is decent quality and not forgotten by manufacturers.

Doesn't sound like your situation. You will want a bar that can take over 300 lbs. Cheapest olympic bars can do this. Cheapest standards are hit and miss because they're 25mm, while cheap olympics are 30mm. Also the cheap spinlock standard 25mm thick bar feels terrible on squats. Feels terrible for most things, too thin.

I guess if you don't know you'll stick with it, standards might be cheaper and if you get a lot, you can still get the B-86. But just stick with it and it will be simpler.

[smokeater]

Hi, I'm putting together a small home gym. So far I have a solid bench and an adjustable dumbbells.

I've been doing a lot of research in preparation for Black Friday (if a deal were to arise) but regardless, I'm hoping to pick up a bar this month. So in my research I see a lot of people recommend an olympic barbell almost as a default choice. It is often stated that the olympic bar won't bend and can handle a higher max capacity. Generally speaking, I came across data saying a standard usually have a max capacity at 200,250lb and an olympic at 500lb.

To be clear, I intend on using the bar to do deadlift, bench and squat.

At my fittest my max dumbbell bench was 80lb for about 4 -6 reps. Now, just getting back into things, I'm at the 50lb 3 set of 8 rep range.

I can't forsee myself really pushing 200,250lb for any exercise. So my question, or a discussion I would like to have is, would a small dude like me at 6ft 150lb really benefit from an olympic bar over a standard? What are some considerations one should take into account when deciding between the two?

Thanks

For my child, yes. For an adult, no. That isn't meant to be condescending so please don't take it as such. With the extensive options available for olympic weights, and considering the prices have dramatically come down in the past 15 years, itn is hard to justify not purchasing olympic sizes.

If you are at all serious about weight lifting then you will outgrow the standard weights.

[dzsquared]

I'm small. At 6ft, 150lbs- you are not.

The standard barbell has a noticably smaller diameter, which will allow your forearms to be weaker. If you plan on working out for any considerable length of time, you are going to pass the weight limits of a standard bar. Don't get me wrong, I have a standard barbell and a good stack of standard plates- but I also have olympic-sized equipment that gets used for the majority of my exercise (compound lifts). As has been mentioned previously, you can't use a standard barbell in a rack, and the smaller diameter feels like **** on your back for squats.

The standard barbell is good for:
- doing exercises at a weight that my grip on the full-sized barbell wouldn't allow me to (certain rows, for example)
- barbell-weighted situps

The standard barbell is not good for:
- barbell bench press
- barbell squat
- barbell deadlift

[mochakaboom]

For benching, nothing wrong with using standard. I use standard for benching, you can put olympics/standards onto a standard bar unlike an olympic barbbell. Not like you'll be dropping it like deadlifts so it wouldn't matter. And I guess if you have a small place? I believe the standard length of a standard bar is like 6 feet and an olympic bar is 7ft? I don't use all 6ft of the bar just like no one uses all 7ft of the olympic bar.

As for going over 200/250lb limit. I'm not worried. The worst that can happen is the bar bending, it's not going to magically snap in half lol so not that dangerous. I was benching with a bent standard bar for four years in high school. Nothing bad will happen

[unilx]

I wouldn't even consider using a standard barbell, waste of money.

[TheScrawnyDude]

Standard weights can make adjustable dumbbells. They are a waste of money for regular lifting IMHO.

[backmarker]

Go Olympic and never worry again

[michaelstone]

When it's time to make a kijiji/craigslist ad.

[-Ironside-]

...never

[Domicron]

For my child, yes. For an adult, no. That isn't meant to be condescending so please don't take it as such. With the extensive options available for olympic weights, and considering the prices have dramatically come down in the past 15 years, itn is hard to justify not purchasing olympic sizes.

If you are at all serious about weight lifting then you will outgrow the standard weights.

you can buy a lightweight technique bar or a woman's bar that's lighter and has a smaller diameter for smaller hands. it still holds olympic weight and still fits into a rack for safety

For benching, nothing wrong with using standard. I use standard for benching, you can put olympics/standards onto a standard bar unlike an olympic barbbell. Not like you'll be dropping it like deadlifts so it wouldn't matter. And I guess if you have a small place? I believe the standard length of a standard bar is like 6 feet and an olympic bar is 7ft? I don't use all 6ft of the bar just like no one uses all 7ft of the olympic bar.

As for going over 200/250lb limit. I'm not worried. The worst that can happen is the bar bending, it's not going to magically snap in half lol so not that dangerous. I was benching with a bent standard bar for four years in high school. Nothing bad will happen

250 pounds on a barbell is more than enough to kill you if you're not benching with a rack. no thanks.

[KeithTheSnake]

I was about to post that budget might be a good reason to buy standard over olympic, but Black Friday deals will get you an olympic set pretty cheap.

Of course, nobody's going to break your legs if you pick up a standard set. I still have a few hundred pounds of standard weights laying around for machines, light barbell work and travel. I wouldn't invest too much in that, though; and if I had to choose one over the other, I'd just get an olympic set.

[mochakaboom]

you can buy a lightweight technique bar or a woman's bar that's lighter and has a smaller diameter for smaller hands. it still holds olympic weight and still fits into a rack for safety



250 pounds on a barbell is more than enough to kill you if you're not benching with a rack. no thanks.

When I said dropping it, I didn't mean on yourself I meant on the floor lol

[Domicron]

When I said dropping it, I didn't mean on yourself I meant on the floor lol

you can do what you want, i'm just saying olympic trumps standard in every metric that matters

[biganthar]

Without question, go with an Olympic bar. From time to time, Sears will have great package deals that can't be beat anywhere.

[thegoldfinger]

you can do what you want, i'm just saying olympic trumps standard in every metric that matters

I would say that the only metrics that matter, on an individual level, is the ability of the bar to accommodate the maximum weight expected, and lifts to be performed. The rotating sleeves on olympic bars have no function when doing benches, squats, and deadlifts, since the bar is not rotated along its longitudinal axis when these lifts are performed. On the other hand the sleeves are essential for the olympic lifts.

From a beginner standpoint, a 300 lb olympic set leaves you high and dry if you want to use the plates on standard dumbbell handles, as well as the bar.

[Synthetickiller]

I would say that the only metrics that matter, on an individual level, is the ability of the bar to accommodate the maximum weight expected, and lifts to be performed. The rotating sleeves on olympic bars have no function when doing benches, squats, and deadlifts, since the bar is not rotated along its longitudinal axis when these lifts are performed. On the other hand the sleeves are essential for the olympic lifts.

From a beginner standpoint, a 300 lb olympic set leaves you high and dry if you want to use the plates on standard dumbbell handles, as well as the bar.

What?

You're kidding me? Right? Have you ever watched anyone lift using an oly bar? The plates do move & do rotate. And yes, that can & does effect the movement, any movement. I've felt the effects using a cambered squat bar & safety squat bar. Neither have rotating sleeves. The plates don't have to spin like a tire to screw up a lift. Only a little plate movement can create enough inertia & more importantly, torque, that the weight is uncontrollable. This is why powerlifting bars also have sleeves that spin.

Watch this video carefully. You'll see the plates spin after he walks out & sets up before squatting. I do NOT want even 300 lbs spinning on a bar. It will rip right off your back.




As for handles, just buy olympic handles & a quality collar like the Ivanko COT-1.25/2.5. I've used this set up for years with fat grip handles & it's solid.

Spin lock collars take forever to change & do not lock into place as well as a quality collar. Unless you're buying from a high end brand like Ivanko (not sure who else makes standard dumbbell handles), you'll have the typical crappy non-consistent knurling, chrome coating flake in your eye, low quality tool that will break if you actually dump your dumbbells during heavy presses.

[thegoldfinger]

What?

You're kidding me? Right? Have you ever watched anyone lift using an oly bar? The plates do move & do rotate. And yes, that can & does effect the movement, any movement. I've felt the effects using a cambered squat bar & safety squat bar. Neither have rotating sleeves. The plates don't have to spin like a tire to screw up a lift. Only a little plate movement can create enough inertia & more importantly, torque, that the weight is uncontrollable. This is why powerlifting bars also have sleeves that spin.

Watch this video carefully. You'll see the plates spin after he walks out & sets up before squatting. I do NOT want even 300 lbs spinning on a bar. It will rip right off your back.




As for handles, just buy olympic handles & a quality collar like the Ivanko COT-1.25/2.5. I've used this set up for years with fat grip handles & it's solid.

Spin lock collars take forever to change & do not lock into place as well as a quality collar. Unless you're buying from a high end brand like Ivanko (not sure who else makes standard dumbbell handles), you'll have the typical crappy non-consistent knurling, chrome coating flake in your eye, low quality tool that will break if you actually dump your dumbbells during heavy presses.

There are some differing opinions. Here's an article by one of the top names in the strength field, Ken Leistner. It's an interesting discussion about the pros and con if the two types of bars. For what it's worth, here is Mr Leistner final comment on the subject:

"For bar control, why would any rotation be sought? Thus Joe Weider’s original question, “does one need to use an Olympic (or later, a powerlifting) bar for the three powerlifts?” is easily answered and that answer is “No.” "


To find the article go to titansport.com and then look up "history-of-powerlifting-weightlifting-and-strength-training-part-41/". Google "squats using standard bars" and the link will pop up.

Just pointing out differing opinions.

[daniel327]

Just pointing out differing opinions.

Opinions are like a$$holes. Everybody has one, and most are full of sh!t.

[thegoldfinger]

Opinions are like a$$holes. Everybody has one, and most are full of sh!t.

Danny, I couldn't agree with you more. That's is why I suggest Googling "ken leistner" before taking his word on anything to do with strength training.

[Cleveland33]

Danny, I couldn't agree with you more. That's is why I suggest Googling "ken leistner" before taking his word on anything to do with strength training.

he's a chiropractor. So for me, his opinion is full of sh!t.

[djslik916]

From a beginner standpoint, a 300 lb olympic set leaves you high and dry if you want to use the plates on standard dumbbell handles, as well as the bar.

That is a weak argument for a standard barbell. Buy a $20 set of spin lock dumbbells and use standard weights for that. Olympic barbell set for the big 3 how hard of a choice is this? Don't even use space as an excuse either, my standard dumbbell handles and plates occupy a footprint of 12x24 inches. Why limit yourself to standard barbells, I see NO advantage.

Olympic Barbell Pros
-more barbell options
-arguably better knurling options due to more choices
-better quality for the price due to more options ($100 OB-86B)
-compatible with bumper plates
-Olympic plates used with Olympic barbell can be used with specialty bars (SSB,TRap,Swiss) if you choose to purchase later on
-Olympic lifting in general
-Olympic plates owned can be used with commercial plate loaded machines in the future
-better 2nd hand resale market if you choose to sell later

Have fun with your standard barbell I have one too, I use it to hold Olympic plates while repainting them.

[Synthetickiller]

he's a chiropractor. So for me, his opinion is full of sh!t.

Physics is opinion now. LOL. Chiropractors... smh.. not even once.

Trolls gonna get banned.