One important decision you’ll need to make as you design your home gym is which type of barbell to invest in. The main choice is barbells is between a standard barbell and an Olympic barbell. Standard barbells and weights may seem like a cost-effective option. But, before you decide, it’s important to understand the key differences between the two types of barbells. In this article, we’ll explore the differences in design, construction, and functionality between standard and Olympic barbells. By the end, you’ll have a clear understanding of which type of barbell is best suited for your home gym, and why investing in an Olympic barbell is the smarter choice for your long-term fitness goals. So, let’s compare standard vs. Olympic barbells and determine which type of barbell is right for your home gym
The Difference Between Standard and Olympic Barbells Explained
A standard (1″) barbell is shown on the left, while an Olympic barbell loaded with Olympic bumper plates is on the right.
Barbell Length of Standard and Olympic Barbells
One of the most prominent differences between standard barbells and Olympic barbells is the bar length. Olympic barbells, including powerlifting and weightlifting bars, are typically 86.25-86.75″ in length for 45 lbs (20 kg) bars. Women’s bars are slightly shorter, at 79″. Speciality bars, like deadlift bars and training bars, can be slightly longer or shorter than traditional Olympic barbells.
On the other hand, standard barbells have considerable variability in their lengths. Some standard barbells are 60″, while others may be up to 84″ in length – quite the spread in possible lengths.
The shorter length of standard barbells may make them seem more manageable for home gym use, especially in confined home gyms, but it also means that they may not work with most squat racks or power racks. Our analysis of the size of 130+ squat and power racks found that most racks are 49″ wide. This means that standard barbells may have as little as 5.5″ of loadable space at each end of the bar, compared to 15.5″ or more of loadable space on Olympic barbell sleeves.
When deciding between standard and Olympic barbells, the length of the bar is an important factor to consider. If you use a squat rack in your home gym, or plan to at some point, then an Olympic barbell is the better option as racks are built to the length specifications of Olympic bars. However, if space is limited and you don’t plan on using a rack, a standard barbell may be a suitable option for your fitness needs.
Olympic vs. Standard Barbell Diameter
Standard barbells have a shaft diameter of 25mm (1”) for both the shaft and the loadable sleeves. In contrast, Olympic barbells have a shaft diameter of 25-29 mm depending on the bar’s intended use and whether it’s a men’s or women’s bar. All Olympic bars have 2” sleeves.
In my opinion, standard barbells feel cheap and unbalanced compared to Olympic barbells. Despite the fact that standard barbells have the same diameter shaft as women’s (35lbs/15kg) Olympic barbells, there is still a difference in their feel.
The smaller diameter of a standard barbell’s sleeve (1″ vs. 2″ for Olympic bars) means that standard barbells can’t fit normal Olympic weight plates – either the steel or rubber bumper versions. Instead, there are weight plates specifically for standard barbells. These plates are typically of lower quality and may not withstand being dropped in the event of a missed lift. There is also the option for special inserts for Olympic plates to convert them to fit on the 1″ diameter sleeves found on standard barbells.
In contrast, there are a wide variety of Olympic weight plates available, including metal or rubber plates, from many retailers. Olympic weight plates are available at all budgets – from the most budget friendly Amazon options to the highest quality competition-level, calibrated bumper plates from Eleiko that are manufactured to within +/- 0.05% of their claimed weight.
Additionally, the thin sleeves of standard barbells prevent their use in power rack accessories like landmine attachments, which require a thicker sleeve to fit properly.
Weight Capacity of Standard and Olympic Bars
When it comes to weight capacity, Olympic barbells outshine standard barbells by a significant margin. The 2” sleeves of Olympic bars allow for more weight to be loaded onto the bar, with maximum weight capacities of up to 1500 lbs or more. On the other hand, standard (1”) barbells are generally limited to maximum weight capacities of around 250 lbs, making them unsuitable for serious powerlifting or weightlifting.
For instance, the Sunny Health & Fitness standard bar and the CAP Barbell 84″ Standard Barbell has a weight capacity of 250 pounds. The safe weight capacity of Olympic barbells can vary depending on the specific model and manufacturer. However, most standard Olympic barbells have a weight capacity of at least 700 lbs or more. For example, the Rogue Ohio Power Bar has a weight capacity of 1260 lbs (source), while the Eleiko Performance Power bar has a claimed weight capacity of 3300 lbs.
It’s important to note that using a barbell beyond its weight capacity is extremely dangerous and can result in serious injury or even death. Olympic barbells are designed to withstand heavy loads and are the safe choice for anyone looking to lift substantial weight in their training.
In addition to weight capacity, it’s also worth considering the unloaded weight of the barbell itself. Olympic barbells are typically either 20 kg (45 lbs) or 15 kg (35 lbs) when unloaded, while standard barbells can weigh as little as 12 lbs. The heavier weight of an Olympic barbell can provide additional stability and balance during lifts, making them a better choice for serious lifters.
Olympic Gold Medalist Lasha Talakhadze showing what an Olympic weightlifting bar can withstand (258kg/568lbs). (Fernando Frazão/Agência Brasil)
Other Notable Differences
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Olympic barbells have bushings or bearings in their collars to allow the sleeves to spin freely. This feature is essential for high-quality barbells, especially those used for Olympic weightlifting and CrossFit. The spinning sleeves allow for smoother and more natural movement during lifts, reducing the risk of injury. In contrast, standard barbells do not have spinning sleeves, making them unsuitable for Olympic lifts or CrossFit.
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Standard bars have twist lock collars that prevent weight plates from sliding towards the center of the barbell where your hands are placed. However, a common complaint is that these locks can get loose, causing the weights to move around during exercises. Olympic bars have collars that are fixed, ensuring that the weights will never move closer to your hands, even during intense lifts.
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The knurl of the barbell is another consideration when searching for bars. The knurl can significantly affect your grip and overall barbell experience. You can check out our full explanation of barbell knurling here to learn more about the different types of knurling and their effects on grip and performance.
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Is a Standard Barbell Good Enough for a Home Gym?
While Olympic barbells are the superior choice for any serious lifter, there are some rare cases where a standard barbell might suffice for a home gym setup.
One such scenario is if you are in a space that cannot accommodate a full-sized barbell. In this case, a standard barbell may be preferred due to a shorter length. Though, Rogue’s “Stump” bar could also be a viable alternative, as it has 2″ sleeves for Olympic plates and can handle 500 lbs.
Another situation where a standard barbell may be suitable is if you are new to working out at home and want to test it out inexpensively. While it’s usually wise to invest in higher quality equipment upfront, purchasing a standard barbell and a few weight plates for around $100 can be a reasonable entry point.
Finally, if gym equipment is hard to come by due to supply chain issues or pandemic-related disruptions, a cheap standard barbell from Amazon might be the only option available to you.
However, in general, I would still recommend investing in a solid Olympic barbell for your home gym. The build quality, craftsmanship, and versatility of Olympic bars are unmatched. Some affordable do-it-all home gym bars can be found online (I highlight my favourites here), and shopping for second-hand equipment can also lead to great deals.
With a good barbell in hand, you can gradually add weight plates or bumpers to your collection and transform your space into a fully functional home gym. For tips on how to design your home gym, check out my tutorial here.
Final Thoughts on Standard vs. Olympic Barbells
After a comparison of standard vs. Olympic barbells, it is clear that Olympic barbells are the superior option for most home gym setups. Olympic barbells are designed to handle serious weight, have rotating sleeves for smoother lifts, and are built with higher quality materials. Additionally, Olympic barbells are versatile enough to be used for a wide range of exercises, from deadlifts to Olympic weightlifting.
While standard barbells may be a cheaper option and suitable for some circumstances, such as limited space or budget constraints, it is important to keep in mind their lower weight capacity and lack of rotating sleeves which impact a standard barbell’s functionality.
Ultimately, investing in a solid Olympic barbell is a wise choice for anyone serious about building a home gym. By choosing a high-quality barbell, you are not only investing in your workouts but also in your safety and long-term fitness goals. With an Olympic barbell and some weights, you can create a fully functional home gym that will last you for years to come.