Barbells

Which barbell is right for me?

We make bars for every kind of lifting: weightlifting (Alpha), powerlifting (Beta and Gamma), all-around training (Delta, Omega, Sigma), compact bars for small spaces, technique bars, and lighter bars for women and beginners (Kappa, Yota, Zeta, Theta).

What’s the difference between a weightlifting bar and a powerlifting bar?

A weightlifting bar is built for the Olympic lifts. It spins more — quality bearings or bushings let the plates rotate freely, which takes strain off your wrists and forearms in the clean and snatch. It also has more whip, a controlled flex that helps the bar move with you through the lift.

A powerlifting bar is deliberately stiff. In the squat, bench, and deadlift you want the bar to stay put under maximum load, and less flex means more stability. The aggressive knurling locks the bar into your hands — on a heavy attempt that’s a safety feature, not a comfort one.

What lengths do you offer?

Men’s bars: 87" | Women’s bars: 79" | Compact bars: 59–71", for small training spaces or lighter loads, like the Zeta.

How much does a barbell weigh?

A men’s bar weighs 20 kg (44 lb), a women’s bar 15 kg (33 lb). For complete beginners we make the Theta, an aluminum technique bar at just 16.5 lb (7.5 kg) — the easiest way into barbell training.

What shaft diameter should I get?

Standard is 28 mm or 25 mm. Thinner suits smaller hands, thicker suits larger hands.

What is knurling for?

Grip. The knurl keeps the bar from slipping in your hands. A center knurl gives extra grip against your back during squats.

What knurling do you use?

A medium volcano knurl on every bar — secure grip without shredding your hands. The exception is our powerlifting bars, which get an aggressive knurl.

What bearings do you use?

Our premium and all-around bars run on ball and needle bearings from NSK of Japan, for smooth spin on dynamic lifts.

What’s the best material and finish?

Hard chrome for the best grip and rust protection. Cerakote ceramic coating on the colored bars — it won’t fade or rust.

What does the PSI rating mean?

PSI tells you the bar’s tensile strength and how it flexes. Weightlifting bars like the Alpha flex more, to cushion the catch on the shoulders in the clean and jerk. Powerlifting bars like the Beta and Gamma are stiffer, so they hold extreme loads without bending.

How should I store my barbell?

Horizontally, on a wall mount like our Blade, or in the J-hooks of a power rack. Don’t leave it loaded on the floor.

Which weight plates do I need?

For weightlifting, bumper plates — you can drop the bar safely. For regular strength training, gripper plates, which are easy to handle thanks to the grip holes.

Get a mix of small and large plates so you can load in fine steps. A 245 lb set is plenty for most beginners.

What can I train with a barbell?

Almost everything. The barbell is the foundation of strength training: squats, deadlifts, bench press, and overhead press build functional strength, coordination, and muscle more efficiently than anything else. It’s been the standard in competitive and recreational lifting for a century, and there’s no end to what you can do with one.

What is “whip”?

Whip is how much the bar flexes under load. On an Olympic weightlifting bar you want it — it helps the bar move with you in the snatch and clean and jerk. On a powerlifting bar you want as little as possible, because a stiff bar transfers force better.

How do I take care of my barbell?

Wipe off sweat and chalk regularly. Bare-steel and lightly coated bars may need an occasional coat of oil or rust protectant to keep surface rust away. Check the bearings now and then and lubricate if needed.

Do I need a specialty bar?

Not to start. An all-around bar like the ATLETICA Delta covers everything a beginner needs. Specialized bars — a powerlifting bar, say — are built for the specific demands of that sport (stiffer steel, particular knurling and markings) and mostly make sense once you’re competing or lifting heavy.