Help, choice stress! Which barbell is right for you? 

Which barbell do I need?

In many different forms of fitness, you use a barbell. Whether it is fitness training, home workouts, personal training, Crossfit or competitive, using the right barbell with the right specifications is very important. Which barbell best suits your needs and requirements is covered and explained in this article, giving you a good idea about the different barbells and how they fit your needs. 

Different types

When talking about a barbell, there is not a specific barbell for every exercise. Each way of training needs a specific barbell in order to perform optimally. For example, there are Olympic barbells of 15kg (women) and 20kg (men) with 25mm and 28mm grip, Multigrip barbells with multiple grips, barbells for technique training and/or youth and curved barbells. These barbells are available at RXDGear in different weights ranging from 9kg to 32kg, with barbells weighing 10, 15, 18, 20 and 28kg in between. The most common, all-rounder is a 15kg or 20kg Olympic barbell. 

Specifications 

Each barbell has its own specifications, which means that each barbell can also be used for different purposes. Some specifications are explained below so you can get a better idea of the differences between barbells. 

PSI

PSI represents the pressure a barbell can handle without bending or breaking too far. 

So the higher the PSI, the more weight it can withstand before it bends or breaks too far. Most barbells range between a PSI rating of between 120000 to 230000.

ok, PSI we have explained, but what suits you:
- Less than 150000 PSI is sufficient for youth, beginners and technique training

- 150000 to 180000 PSI is reserved for most Crossfit and fitness athletes. 

- More than 180000 PSI is considered heavy load barbells for commercial, intensive use. These barbells are often used in bodybuidling, weightlifting and powerlifting. 

Bending

It can happen that a barbell bents a bit when lifting a certain weight. Because the barbells are built for this, it does not matter that this happens. Sometimes, the bending can actually provide a certain momentum for certain lifts, making it slightly easier to perform certain lifts. For bench pressing and squatting, it is actually useful to have a 'stiff' barbell, so you can also keep the most control over the weight.

Knurling

Knurling is the pattern of grooves on a barbell that you grip, giving you more grip when lifting the barbell. The dimensions of the grooves determine the level of grip on a barbell. At RXDGear, a distinction is made between centre knurling and no centre knurling. In addition, the knurling on several barbells is extra rough, which allows for more grip on the barbell when lifting heavy weights, as with the weightlifting barbell.

Maximum load

The maximum load of a barbell mainly depends on the type of barbell. If you are a serious weightlifter, crossfitter or lifter, you will logically choose a barbell with a higher maximum load. If you are just starting with barbell training or have been training for some time but have not yet made the step to the very heavy weights, then a barbell with a lower maximum load is also a great option. This is because barbells used in Olympic weightlifting require less load than barbells specifically designed for powerlifting. This is because the maximum load potential is much smaller.

With these specifications, you have a better idea of what makes these barbells so unique in their own class. By finding out what your needs and requirements are, the choice for a particular barbell is quickly made. Here is a list of the different RXDGear barbells with the different specifications to clearly show the differences.