IWF Approval

[agc8]

Can anyone tell me why the IWF specified raw steel bars for competition and not any other materials used in consumer bars (e.g zinc, SS, cerakote. .)?

Eleiko's competition bar is raw steel..A $1400 bar.

[MGM711]

I think you're confusing IWF with IPF. Most every IWF bar is some type of chrome. The Eleiko PL Bar is/was bare steel, I believe it may have a coating of some sort now though.

[gym62richard]

I think you're confusing IWF with IPF. Most every IWF bar is some type of chrome. The Eleiko PL Bar is/was bare steel, I believe it may have a coating of some sort now though.

I agree with MGM, I think you may be confused, I haven't read the IWF rule book for a while, but I don't recall there being any specific mention of bar finish in the specifications.

I've been involved with weightlifting under IWF rules since 1976, during this period I haven't come across an IWF approved bar that didn't have a Chrome finish.

[Jason2459]

I think you're confusing IWF with IPF. Most every IWF bar is some type of chrome. The Eleiko PL Bar is/was bare steel, I believe it may have a coating of some sort now though.

Comp bar is still bare steel. The training bar was chrome, then zinc, and now the next gen version, performance bar, says galvanized.

And I don't believe the IPF specifies.

Edit: IPF rule book just specifies the bar can't be chromed. Doesn't say it has to be bare steel.

Edit edit: At least in the US the Eleiko PL comp bar is $950 not $1400

[agc8]

Comp bar is still bare steel. The training bar was chrome, then zinc, and now the next gen version, performance bar, says galvanized.

And I don't believe the IPF specifies.

Edit: IPF rule book just specifies the bar can't be chromed. Doesn't say it has to be bare steel.

Edit edit: At least in the US the Eleiko PL comp bar is $950 not $1400

Yes. According to the IPF rule book (2016) "..knurling can't be chromed..". So that sort of implies the shaft can't be chromed since no manacturer is going to mix chome/SS on the shaft or sleeve. Just one kind of coating. Well, actually American Barbell HAS with their "Mammoth bar" which is a combo of cerakote/SS.

My question is just WHY bare steel bars as the bar of choice for competition (over SS, Zinc...etc.). I know the IWF does use chromed bars. Don't know if that's a rule. I heard the feel is the best on a bare steel bar vs any bar with any kind of plating. But the CON is they oxidize quickly if there's too much temp change in the room where the bar is stored (some garage gyms where there's humidity for example).

I currently have a cheap CAP bar. Is used indoors. Not sure what material was used. Was my first bar (non-OLY)...no rust. Might be chromed. Not sure. I think it was under $100.00. About to buy my first OLY bar/plate set. Because my bar is limiting me...rated for a max of 250-lbs. ) Live in a condo...don't want the bar to snap in two and having two 100 pound masses of iron hitting the floor or me.

[MGM711]

Comp bar is still bare steel. The training bar was chrome, then zinc, and now the next gen version, performance bar, says galvanized.

And I don't believe the IPF specifies.

Edit: IPF rule book just specifies the bar can't be chromed. Doesn't say it has to be bare steel.

Edit edit: At least in the US the Eleiko PL comp bar is $950 not $1400

Yeah, I sort of lost track with what Eleiko kept doing with the PL bar. Isn't galvanized still a type of zinc finishing process?

[BYOBB]

Yes. According to the IPF rule book (2016) "..knurling can't be chromed..". So that sort of implies the shaft can't be chromed since no manacturer is going to mix chome/SS on the shaft or sleeve. Just one kind of coating. Well, actually American Barbell HAS with their "Mammoth bar" which is a combo of cerakote/SS.

My question is just WHY bare steel bars as the bar of choice for competition (over SS, Zinc...etc.). I know the IWF does use chromed bars. Don't know if that's a rule. I heard the feel is the best on a bare steel bar vs any bar with any kind of plating. But the CON is they oxidize quickly if there's too much temp change in the room where the bar is stored (some garage gyms where there's humidity for example).

I currently have a cheap CAP bar. Is used indoors. Not sure what material was used. Was my first bar (non-OLY)...no rust. Might be chromed. Not sure. I think it was under $100.00. About to buy my first OLY bar/plate set. Because my bar is limiting me...rated for a max of 250-lbs. ) Live in a condo...don't want the bar to snap in two and having two 100 pound masses of iron hitting the floor or me.

As long as you maintain the bar, oxidization isn't that big of a deal. I'm probably not alone in thinking an oxidized bar (not rusty) has a certain weathered aesthetic which looks better than a shiny bar. As for the rule, it's likely an old rule that no one has thought to change. Eleiko basically runs the show for IPF international meets and if they're not fighting it then no one else will.

[olyw8lifter]

As far as I know, the IWF does not specify a coating on the bar. The only specs I know of are the weight of the bar, diameter of the sleeves, length of sleeves and overall length of bar, and length of knurling along with where the rings are to be located. No specification as to number of bearings or finish.

I have no idea about IPF specs related to comp bars. Also keep in mind that IWF has a very expensive certification process for barbells and bumper plates. Although they don't specify performance characteristics, they're tested when getting certified.