A men's Olympic barbell weighs 20 kg (about 44 lb), is about 2.2 m long and has a shaft around 28 to 29 mm thick; a women's bar is 15 kg with a 25 mm shaft. Olympic plates have a 2-inch center hole; older standard plates fit 1-inch bars. Bumper plates are full-size rubber plates made to be dropped, and iron plates are thinner and cheaper. Most home gyms are best served by an Olympic bar and plates.
The bar and plates decide what lifts you can do and how hard you can train them.
Barbells
| Bar | Weight | Shaft | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Men’s Olympic | 20 kg (about 44 lb) | About 28 to 29 mm | General strength, Olympic lifts |
| Women’s Olympic | 15 kg (about 33 lb) | 25 mm | Smaller hands, Olympic lifts |
| Power bar | Usually 20 kg | About 29 mm | Squat, bench and deadlift |
| Standard bar | Varies | 1 in sleeves | Older and light home sets |
Spinning sleeves (bushings or bearings) reduce wrist strain on fast lifts. Power bars favor stiffness and aggressive knurling; Olympic weightlifting bars favor sleeve spin and some whip.
Plates
| Plate | What it is | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Bumper | Full-diameter rubber or urethane | Dropping, Olympic lifts, deadlifts |
| Iron | Thin cast iron | Strength training, more weight on the bar |
| Change plates | Small increments | Steady progress |
| Standard (1 in) | Small center hole | Only for 1-inch bars |
What to buy first
An Olympic bar, a set of bumpers or iron plates to your working weights, collars and small change plates. Add a rack (power rack guide) and flooring (home gym flooring).
Common questions
How much does an Olympic bar weigh?
A men's Olympic bar weighs 20 kg, about 44 lb. Women's bars weigh 15 kg, about 33 lb. Many US bars are listed as 45 lb.
Can I drop iron plates?
Dropping iron plates can damage them, the bar and your floor. Bumper plates are designed to be dropped from overhead.
What is knurling?
The textured pattern on a barbell's grip. More aggressive knurling grips better but is rougher on the hands.