How to choose a barbell - components of the apparatus
So, any barbell consists of three main components - a bar, hanging plates and a fixation system.
At the same time, the bar can be purchased either as a ready-made kit or separately, selecting components according to your tastes and needs. In the first case, you will receive a ready-made projectile without unnecessary headaches, but in the second, you will be able to save money and assemble a more functional kit without purchasing anything extra. The most important thing here is to take into account what standards the rod components have, and what is compatible with what. Barbell plates differ from each other in size, weight and material of manufacture, but the most important difference lies in the internal diameter of the disk - the size of the mounting hole. It is this parameter that determines the compatibility of the plates with the hyphae of the barbell
If you already have dumbbells with a good set of plates, you can try to match the barbell to the diameter of their holes. If you don’t have plates, it’s worth purchasing a bar with the most standardized fit diameter. Today, the most popular mounting diameters for “home” rods are 26mm and 30mm.
For this size you can choose pancakes of any price category weighing from 0.5 kg to 20 kg. These pancakes can be painted, chrome-plated, rubberized, or even enclosed in a plastic shell. There is also an Olympic barbell standard, in which the sleeve has a diameter of 51mm, for which corresponding plates with a seat diameter of 52mm are selected.
As for the vultures, their main difference is their shape, which determines their purpose. The standard straight bar is the most versatile and can be used for most exercises, from bench presses and bicep curls to back squats. Of course, the neck must be of an acceptable length. Vultures with lengths of 1.5, 1.8 and 2.2 meters are usually found on sale.
Custom bars are made by giving them a curved shape to change the grip angle. There are so-called W and EZ-shaped bars, as well as trap barbells for a parallel grip. They are designed to more effectively perform exercises such as French presses, bicep curls, shrugs, etc.
It is also worth talking about the various systems for fixing plates on a barbell. This is a very important element that largely determines both the convenience and safety of working with the barbell. For bars with a seat diameter of 26mm and 30mm, threaded fasteners with special nuts are often used, and in Olympic bars, spring clamp rings are more popular, which allow you to change plates very quickly and conveniently, as well as clamp locks and classic ring locks with a screw clamp. In general, choosing the type of fastening is a matter of taste, as long as the fixing method is reliable.
Having chosen a barbell that suits your weight and design, do not forget to also purchase a weightlifting belt, fitness gloves, bandages and other bodybuilding accessories that will make your workout safer and more enjoyable.
Probably every athlete has had the desire to create his own personal home gym. This question arises for certain reasons, the basis of which is the catastrophic lack of time to visit a collective gym. Again, there may be a spare room in the apartment, which can be used for home training - why not take advantage of such a wonderful moment, equip it for yourself and practice whenever you want?
The minimum set of equipment for bodybuilding is not that big. For home workouts, you will need a bench, a horizontal bar, dumbbells and, of course, a barbell. In this article, you will learn how to choose a barbell for your home gym. Choosing a barbell, at first glance, does not seem such a difficult matter, but there are some nuances that every bodybuilder should know about!
Powerlifting bar
Powerlifting bar
Such a bar can rarely be found in an ordinary gym, unless he has a specialization in powerlifting. A powerlifting bar has greater rigidity compared to an Olympic bar, so it allows you to work with heavier weights.
Weight : 20–22 kg
Length : 2.2 m
Diameter : 29–30 mm
The maximum weight for such a bar is 500–600 kg. It is used to perform the three basic powerlifting exercises: back squats, bench presses, and barbell rows.
How much do barbell plates weigh?
An individual load for an athlete is made up of rubberized plates of different colors; they come in red (25 kg), blue (20 kg), yellow (15 kg) and green (10 kg). This color coding allows you to select the required weight without interrupting your activities. In addition to large discs, there are small discs of lighter weight: 5, 2.5, 1.25, 1, 0.5 and 0.25 kg. They are used as additional weight, with a gradual increase in load.
The outer and inner diameters of the discs may be different, depending on which bar will be used for the job. The outer diameter of the fitness discs is 37 cm, they can be used both for the Olympic barbell bushing (51 mm) and for the standard diameter of the twenty-five millimeter bushing.
Strength sports are quite traumatic and the main requirement for a weight lifting machine is its safety for the athlete.
Types of vultures
There are many necks: straight, curved (E-neck, T-neck). They differ in their purpose and technical design (weight, diameter). Beginners coming to training do not always understand which of the available equipment they need for training.
Without a bar, it is impossible to efficiently work out large muscle groups, so its use is necessary in many basic exercises: bench press, standing press, chest row, deadlift and others. Therefore, it is necessary to know how much the bar of an Olympic barbell and others weigh, study the types of this equipment and be able to choose it correctly.
Landing diameter
You can buy a rod with a mounting hole of 25 mm, 30 mm and 50 mm for plates with a hole of 26 mm, 31 mm and 51 mm, respectively. Entry-level amateur bench press bars are usually purchased with a diameter of 25 mm. These are inexpensive bars with a maximum load capacity of 100-120 kg. Rods with a sleeve diameter of 30 mm are capable of more; their maximum load capacity is in the range of 120-140 kg.
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The most powerful and load-bearing bars are those with a socket diameter of 50 mm, this is the Olympic standard. Their load capacity lies in a wide range from 200 kg to 600 and even more, depending on the grade of steel, metal additives and purpose. Such bars are somewhat more expensive than amateur ones. More experienced comrades and trainers recommend equipping the barbell with 50 mm, since beginners progress quite quickly and a bar with a load capacity of, for example, 100 kg will soon have to be changed, and along with it the entire set of discs. It is much more reasonable to purchase a bar with a 50 mm “for growth” fit, with a margin of load capacity. This will save you from further hassle.
Trap neck
Trap neck
An unusual diamond-shaped bar, which is used to perform basic barbell exercises, including for beginners: it is considered safer to do deadlifts with it, since due to its shape the load on the lumbar region is reduced. You can also perform shrugs with it, that is, lifting the shoulders to work the trapezius muscles, and the “farmer's walk” exercise – moving the barbell from one place to another.
Weight : 15 kg
Length : 1.6 m
Diameter : 28 mm
Instructions
When choosing a rod, you should consider several points that significantly affect the price of this projectile and, of course, ease of use! 1. The dimensions of the bar play a big role when choosing, and affect the amount of money spent on the purchase. A barbell for a home gym should have a voluminous weight so that you can perform more exercises on different muscle groups.
The best option would be a barbell weighing 100 kg. For initial training, this weight may not seem liftable, but this is from the beginning, and with constant training, you will need this weight for training your chest, back and legs. The length of the bar and the dimensions of the weights for the barbell will also play a significant role in the choice, since in an ordinary apartment it will be difficult for you to turn around with a large barbell. 2
When choosing weights for a barbell, you should pay attention to their weight and diameter! In one set, there should be several weight plates for basic loads, the weight of one being 20 kilograms, then the weights are supplemented with weight plates of 10, 5, 2.5 and 1 kg. Provide yourself with a set of plates that allows you to gradually increase or decrease the weight of the barbell
Buy pancakes weighing 1 kg. Several pieces on one edge of the neck. The price of pancakes will also be influenced by the material from which they are made. The most practical option would be rubberized plates for the barbell, but it should be remembered that this option has not only a high cost, but also low wear resistance if they are not used correctly 3.
The barbell for home bodybuilding should be quite rigid and in no case spring when lifting heavy weights! In principle, this is what distinguishes a barbell for bodybuilding from barbells for weightlifting in other areas. In addition to all of the above, you need to choose the right bar diameter for your barbell.
The barbell should fit well in your hand! For such purposes, there are bars with special notches on the handle, which allow you not only to clearly hold the barbell in your hands, but also to accurately grip the barbell. 4. Locks for the barbell should be quick-release, like “Olympic” ones, otherwise, with different exercise systems, you will need to spend more time changing weights, and this, as is known, affects the quality of the exercises. 5.
When choosing a barbell, it is quite difficult to get around the price of the entire set, and today the prices for barbells are not as low as they were in the distant Soviet times. A complete set of barbells for bodybuilding, the weight of which must be at least 100 kg. It can cost you from 5500 to 7500 rubles. You can, of course, order the production of a rod in a metalworking shop, the price can be reduced by almost 2 times compared to store-bought options, but again, not every person can afford this, and in many cities of our country such enterprises have not operated for a long time.
In conclusion, it should be noted that you should not buy a barbell that is made specifically for any specific group of exercises, for example, with a “W” shaped bar. You can perform some exercises with such a barbell, but with a regular, straight barbell, you can perform any technique and train all muscle groups!
Currently, the range of barbells in sports stores is particularly diverse. Therefore, making the right choice can be quite difficult. Let's try to figure out what parameters matter when choosing a barbell.
Universal neck
For home training, a universal training apparatus is also made, which looks very similar to the classic one. The differences are in weight and strength. Accordingly, the price of the neck is lower. It is considered a budget option and is of low quality.
It is impossible to attach a lot of weight to a home universal bar; the projectile will not support it. The length can vary: from 1.25 meters to 2 meters. The diameter is the same as the classic one - 28 millimeters.
Options for combining the length of the bar and its weight:
- 2 meters - 10 kilograms;
- 1.8 meters - 8.2 kilograms;
- 1.5 meters - 6.7 kilograms;
- 1.25 meters - 5.8 kilograms.
How to choose the right barbell?
When purchasing a barbell, you should consider a number of parameters:
- the weight of the weights for sports equipment, the material from which they are made, the diameter of the disks;
- neck design, its diameter, presence of notches;
- the maximum weight that the barbell can support, the strength of the structure.
A properly selected strength training device, as well as its weight, play a big role in the training process. In addition to the main indicators, the barbell should be comfortable for the athlete himself. The choice of barbell is also made taking into account whether it is intended for home training, or whether it will be used for training in the gym. Professional rods have more weight, can withstand significant loads and have a higher percentage of wear resistance.
Tips for beginners
When you come to the gym for the first time, under no circumstances should you grab the first equipment you come across; you need to ask the coach for advice. But, first of all, you need to decide for yourself the purpose of training and develop a training plan. This will help avoid injuries and funny situations.
Don't be afraid to ask. But it is important to understand what you are asking! That is, you should not ask the question: “How much does a standard barbell weigh?” This formulation is incorrect and amateurish.
So different
For weightlifters, Olympic professional barbells are heavier than those used by powerlifters. This is understandable - in order to develop the strength of the muscular frame, the loads must be appropriate. Therefore, in weightlifting, 20-kilogram bars are 2200 mm long, 28 mm in diameter, and the locks weigh 5 kg.
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The manufacturer offers chrome locks:
- screw;
- in the form of a nut;
- spring.
A barbell of this lifting capacity is best used together with a bench press
They also receive a lot of attention from bodybuilders. Since exercises with a barbell are included in the mandatory program
Weightlifters train with barbells with a short bar to pump up their arm muscles. For squats, choose a long bar, for bench press and deadlift too. Each athlete builds his own program for the muscles of the back and chest, shoulders, biceps, and legs.
In powerlifting they also train with such barbells. They are made of durable metal, such as tungsten steel, as they must withstand a lot of weight. By the way, there are also barbells for non-standard weights. All of them necessarily comply with the requirements of the International Powerlifting Federation.
In athletics, they train with the so-called Kraevsky barbell, the father of Russian athletics. It is distinguished by more than one center mark. There are two more at the edges. In addition, the gradation of disc weights is from 1 to 4.5 kg.
Deadlift develops and strengthens the muscles of the back, buttocks, and tendons. It can be difficult for beginner athletes to train with a straight bar. There is not enough experience for competent technology. In such cases, a trap bar - a hex or octagon - comes to the rescue.
It provides a position that is safe for the back and lower back, and indeed the entire spine, from which the barbell is lifted from the floor. It is similar to a squat, when you need to keep your back straight and lower your pelvis as low as possible. The emphasis is on the hips and knees. The weight pressure is distributed rationally.
All muscles on the “far side of the moon” are involved, that is, those on the back of our body. By straining, the muscles strengthen, become strong, and the muscle frame grows. Such exercises are good prevention for the back. That's the whole secret. And there you can move on to traditional exercises with a straight bar without fear of breaking your back.
As you can see, the range of opportunities to develop your body in any individual situation is so wide that sometimes not all gyms have all types of equipment. Be interested, look for your own paths, as Vysotsky advises, “choose your own path.”
And remember, no matter what your problem worries you, in bodybuilding you will always find ways to use it, overcome it, and move on.
Invite friends from social networks to discuss and exchange opinions. Health to everyone!
It is better to use a barbell of this lifting capacity together with a bench press. They also receive a lot of attention from bodybuilders. Since exercises with a barbell are included in the mandatory program.
Straight training bar
Straight training bar
There are several main varieties of this neck:
- Length – 200 cm, weight – 10 kg.
- Length – 180 cm, weight – 8 kg.
- Length – 150 cm, weight – about 7 kg.
- Length 120–125 cm, weight – about 6 kg.
The diameter of all bars is the same as the Olympic bar. In contrast, they are more compact, which allows them to be used for home training.
Two-meter bars are used for basic barbell exercises. Bars 150–180 cm long are suitable for various types of presses, lunges, and bent-over rows. Occasionally they are used to perform isolated exercises on the arm muscles.
Small bars are used for exercises that work one muscle, such as the biceps.
Determining whether you need such a bar for training or an Olympic one can only be done experimentally.
Lock design
At first glance, a barbell may seem like an extremely simple sports device, both in its design and in use. This opinion is especially common among newcomers to the iron sport. In fact, the barbell is a whole world in a huge weightlifting universe, with its own characteristics and laws.
It is almost impossible to build large and defined muscles without a barbell. And why try to do this? Even if you have health problems, you can always choose a compromise, gentle option for performing exercises with moderate weights, which in the end will only strengthen both your body and your spirit.
General description of the vultures
The vulture bird does not look very attractive. These creatures have long but completely naked necks, a large hook-shaped beak and a huge crop. Their wings are wide and large, rounded at the edges. The tail is hard and has a stepped structure. The legs of vultures are quite strong and massive limbs, however, the toes are weak, and the claws are blunt and short.
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Exercises with a curved bar at home
To pump up your body using a curved bar, the following exercises are perfect for you:
- lifting the barbell with a narrow grip - this exercise must be performed standing. Thanks to a narrow grip, you can better pump up your biceps muscles. The curved model of the barbell can significantly reduce the load on your back and wrists. Perform this exercise in 4 – 5 sets of 15 repetitions. You can increase the weight yourself as soon as you feel that the approaches are easy for you;
- French bench press - to complete this task at home, you need to have a bench, or place several simple chairs nearby. The approach is performed while lying on a bench, the curved bar is taken with a pronated grip, and it must be held by the inner part. Starting position of your arms: extend straight so that the bar is perpendicular to the floor. Then smoothly and slowly, while inhaling, lower the barbell down, while bending your arms at the elbow joint until it touches the top of your head. Then return your hands back to the starting position. Weight can be gradually added for each set;
Important! Experienced trainers can tell you which bar to choose for practicing at home. If you doubt the correctness of your choice, contact a specialist with this question before purchasing it yourself
swing the barbell forward - this task must be performed while standing. Bend your elbows slightly. In order to place more load on the deltoid muscle, you can grab the barbell with an underhand grip. The principle of the exercise is that you need to slowly raise it to shoulder level, or a little higher, fix it at the top point of the arm for a few seconds, and then return it to the starting position again. The weight for the barbell should be such that you can do at least 10 repetitions correctly. Try to increase your loads each time.
With this simple sports equipment, you can easily achieve stunning results from home workouts after just a short period of time. The best barbell exercises at home will give you the definition you want.
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The main principles of your home workouts should be: avoiding laziness, perseverance, setting goals, believing in your own strength, including cardio exercise in your program and proper nutrition. Only in this case, even without visiting a sports club and following the instructions at home, will you be able to bring your body back to normal and achieve the desired shape.
Lack of free time in the rhythm of your life should not be an excuse for exercising.
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Powerlifting bar
This type of bar was originally designed for training professional athletes who literally “live” with weights. For such bison, a weight of up to 100 kg may seem ridiculous. The bar is much stiffer than the classic Olympic “rod”. It is not surprising that with the help of such a bar you can “string” pancakes with a total weight of up to 500 kg. The main thing is that the athlete is able to move it all. The instrument itself weighs 30 kg, which is also an excellent indicator for those who want to try their hand a little at the initial level of training.
Characteristics of a powerlifting bar | |
Weight | 30 kg |
Length | 205 cm |
Diameter | 30 mm |
Fastenings
The locks deserve special attention when choosing a neck. Currently, several types of fasteners are common for fixation: a nut, a smooth sleeve and a spring.
With nuts everything is very clear. All you have to do is put on the pancake and tighten the lock. The only inconvenience is the need to twist and screw the mount if you need to change the weight.
Spring locks are much easier to handle. If it is necessary to fix the plates, they are simply slightly squeezed, the weight is applied, and then released. However, such a fastening is not capable of withstanding a significant load for a long time when moving the rod to a vertical position.
If we talk about locks in the form of a smooth sleeve, the latter are instantly put on the bar, are easily fixed and help secure the plates firmly. Stoppers in the form of bolts or spring latches can be used here as additional reinforcing elements. Such solutions are often resorted to when it is necessary to ensure safety during the organization of serious competitions.
We live in times of frantic pace of life, most of us cannot afford to workout in the gym, and often it’s not even a matter of money, but the availability of free time, or rather, the lack thereof. But there is a way out! You just need to organize the training process at home, for this you need to buy a barbell with weights.
This article is about how to choose and buy the right barbell assembly - barbell and discs (plates) for home. The barbell is the main equipment for weight training. With the help of a barbell, absolutely all muscle groups are trained, from the upper deltoids to the calf muscles. This projectile is difficult to overestimate. The barbell is indispensable for gaining muscle mass and increasing the strength and endurance of the body.
W-shaped neck
Its design allows you to perform a French press with a neutral grip. This grip provides maximum load on the triceps.
- Length 1.2 m
- Weight - 6-8 kg
Thus, the main types of bars were considered, with the help of which you can perform both basic exercises and special ones aimed at individual muscle groups.
However, you should not strictly tie different types of barbells to different exercises; the main thing is convenience for the athlete, and I advise you to follow this first and foremost.
Form
Not so long ago, exclusively straight bars were used, since manufacturers did not attach decisive importance to the shape. The first thing they decided to change was the length of the barbell, since many athletes needed compact equipment for training in cramped conditions. Today, straight bars are available in a wide variety of lengths, designed for use in combination with separate stands.
The EZ-shaped barbell is in quite high demand. This shape makes it easy to perform bending movements by placing your arms in a natural position. During training with such a projectile, the wrists are in the anatomically correct position.
The W-shaped barbell is a modified version of the previous solution. This design is distinguished by an impressive bend, which opens up wide possibilities for holding the projectile with various grips. Numerous athletes note an increase in natural performance during training with bars of this shape.
Neck material
For electric guitar manufacturers, there are three standard types of wood from which guitar necks are made: maple, mahogany and rosewood. At the same time, they are divided into several breeds, each of which is slightly different from each other.
Maple
Eastern Hard Maple is characterized by its density, which gives the guitar powerful sustain and sharp tone.
Western hard maple is inferior in hardness to its eastern counterpart and is also lighter. With it, the guitar acquires a bright sound and good attack.
Mosaic maple is loved, first of all, for its extremely unusual pattern. If a guitar is made from it, then most often it is not varnished.
Curly maple also has an unusual pattern. It is worth saying that the difference between this type of wood and the previous one is only in aesthetics; in terms of their properties, they are absolutely identical.
Bird's eye is actually a maple disease. It also only has aesthetic value, and many guitarists avoid this material because they believe that the holes in the wood have a negative effect on the sound.
Mahogany (mahogany)
This is the most popular type of material among guitarists. Due to its heaviness and density, it provides powerful sustain and sound power, as well as long-lasting resonance. There are two types of mahogany:
African mahogany
Honduran mahogany
Rosewood
This type of wood is characterized by greater midrange readability, as well as slightly muted highs. It is not very popular among mass producers and is most often used in original projects.
Shape and size of bars
The device is characterized by two main forms:
- Standard. It's a round design that's great for playing chords and strumming, making it great for styles like blues and classic rock. It takes hard work to develop the technique on it. The standard type includes FENDER and GIBSON.
- With changing radius. The main part of the device, which has a rounded shape, becomes flatter closer to the deck. Installed on specific guitars - Gibson 60'slim taper models. Their price is higher than usual.
Each type of guitar has specific neck dimensions.
The width of the neck of an acoustic guitar reaches 4-3 cm. The width of the neck of a classical model guitar is 5-6 cm. If the electric guitar has a Floyd Rose, then the width will be 4.3 cm. If it is missing, it will be 4.4 cm. The width of the neck of a seven-string guitar is 5 .4 cm.