Anything wrong w/ non-Olympic barbells?

Mark Edwards · 08-03-2007, 01:57 PM

Hey all --

Obviously Olympic barbells are cooler and better quality and a little more convenient, but is there any real fitness disadvantage to using my old one-inch standard barbell and plates? I can't imagine there is, and couldn't find one described in the FAQs or archives, but thought I would ask. Is it an important investment and if so, why? Thanks.

Mark

Paul Findley · 08-03-2007, 02:25 PM

This came up a few months ago...from what I remember:

1. Plates need to rotate to execute lifts
2. Higher load capacity for heavier lifts.
3. Bumpers provide standard bar height, and you and can drop them safely.

If you haunt craigslist, you could probably sell your 1" and move to 2" for a minimal investment.

(Message edited by paul on August 03, 2007)

Aaron Dutton · 08-03-2007, 02:27 PM

I'm sure this has been covered before. There are a number of benefits to using a real Olympic bar, even the cheap ones. Here are some of the benefits I've found:

Olympic bar is thicker and easier to grip (you'll notice this most in the deadlift).

In the deadlift the standard bar will be much closer to the ground than an Olympic bar because the weights are typically smaller in diameter.

A standard bar is pretty much worthless for Olympic lifting because the weights don't rotate.

If you have a power rack or squat stands, most standard bars are too short to use inside.

Olympic bars are easier to load because they are longer and heavier. You can probably get by loading two 45's on one side and not have it tip over. With a standard bar it would tip and drop the weights.

Olympic bars can hold more weight than standard bars. Important when your deadlifts get over 200 lbs.

All that said, I still have standard bars although mainly I use them for one-arm lifts (dumbbells) and sumo deadlift high-pulls (so I can use my Olympic bar for something else).

A used 300-pound olympic weight set should set you back around $100-120 USD. I would consider this money well spent, unless you are going to get a rubber bumper set anyway, and then I'd just save your money for that.

(Message edited by adutton on August 03, 2007)

Matt DeMinico · 08-03-2007, 04:30 PM

Every once in a while sports stores will sell a 300lb olympic set with bar for $100. That's how I got mine. It's a cheap barbell, but it's an olympic barbell.

Lincoln Brigham · 08-03-2007, 04:39 PM

If you have one around, the unloaded one-inch standard barbell makes an okay warmup bar for the Olympic lifts.

Trevor Thompson · 08-03-2007, 05:33 PM

I tell you from experience, grab an expensive OLY bar or one on sale or an old one, i bought one of those 300lb store barbell sets, i broke 2 yes TWO collars on 2 bars successively at 375lb Deadlifting...it could be very dangerous, try and get a quality bar.

Patrick Donnelly · 08-03-2007, 09:28 PM

I still don't get why everyone calls the 1" the "standard" size...

Mark Edwards · 08-04-2007, 10:43 AM

My wife complains I never tell her what I want for Christmas. This year, no problem. Thanks guys.

Christian Salas · 01-17-2008, 12:42 PM

Does anyone know the maximum a standard bar can take? I'm only up to about 225 on mine, but I don't want it to snap over my face or something while bench pressing...
FYI Mine is a "Cap" 7' bar.

(I also have a Pendlay Bar with bumpers for olympic lifting)

Tom Fetter · 01-17-2008, 01:50 PM

I've done deadlifts with 315 on my standard bar. I suspect I'm very close to the point where the bar will develop a permanent bend.

It's far from ideal for the Oly lifts, but workable if you don't snug the collars up absolutely tight - leaving the possibility for the weights (rather than the bar) to spin somewhat.

t

01-17-2008, 12:42 PM	#9
Christian Salas Member Profile: Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Seattle WA Posts: 186	Re: Anything wrong w/ non-Olympic barbells? Does anyone know the maximum a standard bar can take? I'm only up to about 225 on mine, but I don't want it to snap over my face or something while bench pressing... FYI Mine is a "Cap" 7' bar. (I also have a Pendlay Bar with bumpers for olympic lifting)

01-17-2008, 01:50 PM	#10
Tom Fetter Member Profile: Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Fredericton New Brunswick Posts: 643	Re: Anything wrong w/ non-Olympic barbells? I've done deadlifts with 315 on my standard bar. I suspect I'm very close to the point where the bar will develop a permanent bend. It's far from ideal for the Oly lifts, but workable if you don't snug the collars up absolutely tight - leaving the possibility for the weights (rather than the bar) to spin somewhat. t

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Kettlebells vs. Barbells	Erik Preston	Equipment	16	05-12-2006 10:44 PM
Dumbbells and/or Barbells	Mike Yukish	Exercises	1	09-14-2005 03:01 PM
Dumbells vs. Barbells	Neill S. Occhiogrosso	Exercises	5	03-01-2004 05:30 AM
Mirrors and Barbells	Roy	Exercises	4	12-28-2003 01:35 PM
Collars for barbells	TJ Cooper	Equipment	2	09-24-2003 10:57 AM

08-03-2007, 01:57 PM	#1
Mark Edwards Member Profile: Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: St. Paul MN Posts: 13	Hey all -- Obviously Olympic barbells are cooler and better quality and a little more convenient, but is there any real fitness disadvantage to using my old one-inch standard barbell and plates? I can't imagine there is, and couldn't find one described in the FAQs or archives, but thought I would ask. Is it an important investment and if so, why? Thanks. Mark

08-03-2007, 02:25 PM	#2
Paul Findley Member Profile: Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Longmont CO Posts: 1,258	This came up a few months ago...from what I remember: 1. Plates need to rotate to execute lifts 2. Higher load capacity for heavier lifts. 3. Bumpers provide standard bar height, and you and can drop them safely. If you haunt craigslist, you could probably sell your 1" and move to 2" for a minimal investment. (Message edited by paul on August 03, 2007)

08-03-2007, 02:27 PM	#3
Aaron Dutton Member Profile: Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bellingham WA Posts: 24	I'm sure this has been covered before. There are a number of benefits to using a real Olympic bar, even the cheap ones. Here are some of the benefits I've found: Olympic bar is thicker and easier to grip (you'll notice this most in the deadlift). In the deadlift the standard bar will be much closer to the ground than an Olympic bar because the weights are typically smaller in diameter. A standard bar is pretty much worthless for Olympic lifting because the weights don't rotate. If you have a power rack or squat stands, most standard bars are too short to use inside. Olympic bars are easier to load because they are longer and heavier. You can probably get by loading two 45's on one side and not have it tip over. With a standard bar it would tip and drop the weights. Olympic bars can hold more weight than standard bars. Important when your deadlifts get over 200 lbs. All that said, I still have standard bars although mainly I use them for one-arm lifts (dumbbells) and sumo deadlift high-pulls (so I can use my Olympic bar for something else). A used 300-pound olympic weight set should set you back around $100-120 USD. I would consider this money well spent, unless you are going to get a rubber bumper set anyway, and then I'd just save your money for that. (Message edited by adutton on August 03, 2007)

08-03-2007, 04:30 PM	#4
Matt DeMinico Affiliate Profile: Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Sterling Heights MI Posts: 1,919	Every once in a while sports stores will sell a 300lb olympic set with bar for $100. That's how I got mine. It's a cheap barbell, but it's an olympic barbell.

08-03-2007, 04:39 PM	#5
Lincoln Brigham Member Profile: Join Date: May 2003 Location: Sedona AZ Posts: 2,714	If you have one around, the unloaded one-inch standard barbell makes an okay warmup bar for the Olympic lifts.

08-03-2007, 05:33 PM	#6
Trevor Thompson Departed Profile: Join Date: Dec 1969 Posts: 267	I tell you from experience, grab an expensive OLY bar or one on sale or an old one, i bought one of those 300lb store barbell sets, i broke 2 yes TWO collars on 2 bars successively at 375lb Deadlifting...it could be very dangerous, try and get a quality bar.

08-03-2007, 09:28 PM	#7
Patrick Donnelly Banned Profile: Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: College Park MD Posts: 1,162	I still don't get why everyone calls the 1" the "standard" size...

08-04-2007, 10:43 AM	#8
Mark Edwards Member Profile: Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: St. Paul MN Posts: 13	My wife complains I never tell her what I want for Christmas. This year, no problem. Thanks guys.