Barbell
Bars of this kind must have suitable "whip" (ability to store elastic energy) and sleeves which rotate smoothly, as well as the capacity to withstand dropped lifts from overhead.
General strength training or powerlifting plates are made from cast iron and are considerably cheaper.
Currently, the following colour code is required by International Weightlifting Federation:[4] 50 kilograms (110 lb) green bumper plates were only officially approved for use by IWF from 1976 to 1980,[5] Montreal being the only Olympic venue where they were deployed.
As a general rule, powerlifting requires use of stiffer bars to better accommodate the heavier weights being used in the sport.
[citation needed] The deadlift barbell is usually the longest, thinnest and the most flexible, thus allowing more weight to be lifted.
[6] The total weight of the barbell varies based on the type and number of plates loaded onto the ends of the bar and the lift being performed, and easily can be 540 kilograms (1,190 lb) or more with a squat dedicated bar (which itself can weigh up to 29 kg (65 lb) and have up to 35 mm (1.4 in) grip section diameter).
Additionally, differently coloured plates are or were used outside of IWF sanctioned competition, most prominently in powerlifting.
[8] Weight plates used outside of competition need not conform to IWF or powerlifting specifications, and can be of any colour.
Standard collars can be of any material, usually metal, and they can weigh up to 2.5 kilograms (5.5 lb) each for both men and women.
Critics, however, argue that the depth of the pad means the bar is held in a less stable position which actually increases the overall pressure on the neck.
[9] Hip thrust exercises, where the bar rests across the front of the pelvis, standardly use a barbell pad.
In contrast with the rotating sleeves and uniform sizes of Olympic bars, which mount plates with a fixed size centre hole; the ends of standard bars do not rotate, and commonly mount plates with centre hole diameters of 27 millimetre (1.06 in) through to 31 millimetre (1.14 in).
Alternatively a larger hole plate may rattle or spin on the smaller diameter "standard" bars unless very securely collared.
Small circular spring clamp collars are most often used to secure the weights though more permanent fixings are available.
The thickness of the grip section is most commonly 1+1⁄16 inches (27 mm) in the United States or 28 millimetres (1.1 in) in Europe, but can be thicker or thinner, depending on quality.
The bar itself can weigh anything from 4kg to 10kg The main advantages of "Standard" or "One Inch" barbells and weight plates are that they are often easier to store and take up less room; the bars may come apart into two or three sections, weigh less, may also be convertible to dumbbells, and are usually much less expensive than Olympic weights for those on a budget.
The curved profile of the bar in the grip region allows the user's wrists and forearms to take a more neutral, less supinated position.
They can also provide an easier starting point for beginners before moving on to using the full olympic bars.
