Best Barbell For Home Gym (2024)

Best Barbell For Home Gym

Eleiko XF Bar

Eleiko is known for high-end Weightlifting and Powerlifting barbells and is considered the best, period. But it wasn’t until recently they expanded into hybrid barbells for the home gym lifter. It has similar specifications to their IWF Weightlifting Training Bar without price tag.

That is 7 ft in length, 28 mm shaft diameter, chrome coating, and Eleiko’s extreme durability. But this barbell is the perfect home gym bar: mild knurling, dual grip markings, no center knurling, and bushing and needle-bearing combination.

The knurling is 1 mm deep and less aggressive than the Weightlifting barbells. It feels much softer than their other bars, even though you can't tell in the picture, compared to the IWF Weightlifting Training Bar.

There's no center knurling, so it doesn't rip your neck with high-rep cleans. The dual grip markings mean you can Weightlift and Powerlift with precision.

Most importantly, you have a mixture of bushing and needle bearings to provide smooth rotation when Weightlifting without compromising heavy Powerlifting performance.

With a 215k PSI tensile strength, you won't warp it out of shape, and it will always rebound back to its original form even when moving heavy loads.

You also have a 12-year warranty, but I've used many 10+ year-old Eleiko bars in great shape even after daily abuse in Weightlifting gyms.

Best Barbell For General Strength Training

Fringe Sport Midas Revenge Bar

Want a hybrid barbell that stands out in your home gym? The Fringe Sport Midas Revenge Barbell is black with gold titanium sleeves. But it’s not just a gimmick. It’s the perfect barbell for general strength training.

It has dual knurl markings, no center knurling, 28.5 mm diameter, and 190k PSI tensile strength. It's a great bar to dabble in the Olympic and Power lifts and even a bit of CrossFit. The Midas Revenge bar uses a pyramid knurling, so it's not as aggressive as Weightlifting and Powerlifting barbells.

Further, the bar uses bushings, so it spins smoothly but less than an Olympic Weightlifting barbell. It has a Cerakote coating on the shaft to protect it from rust.

And a major benefit is the lifetime warranty, so if it does break with proper use, you can have it replaced.

Best Budget Barbell For Home Gym

Titan Fitness Performance Series Power Barbell

Best Multi-Purpose Barbell For Home Gym

Rogue Fitness Ohio Bar

Dabbling in the Olympic lifts and power lifts? The Rogue Ohio Bar is made for this exact purpose. It is 28.5 mm in diameter, giving you the middle ground between a Weightlifting and Powerlifting barbell.

It has a 200k PSI tensile strength which is more than enough to create a durable barbell that will last being dropped repeatedly. The knurling isn't aggressive, and there's no center knurling, so you can perform high-rep movements without shredding your skin.

The Ohio bar has bushing sleeves to provide some spin for Olympic lifts but not too much for the large compound strength exercises.

It has dual markings for Weightlifting and Powerlifting and a decent whip. The stainless-steel build with chrome finish gives it a similar feel to premium Weightlifting bars and keeps it rust-resistant.

Best Barbell For Beginners

Fringe Sport Wonder Barbell V2

The Fringe Sport Wonder Bar was made for beginners. You can choose bushing or bearing sleeves depending on whether you're an Olympic or garage gym lifter. It came in a men's 20 kg and women's 15 kg option and is coated in black zinc.

Zinc offers excellent rust resistance but may wear with use. It’s 205k PSI and rated to 1,600 lbs giving you plenty of room to get stronger.

The Wonder Barbell doesn't have much whip, so Weightlifting performance will suffer, but as a beginner, it's nothing to worry about. There are dual knurl markings, so you can dabble in Powerlifting too.

The knurling is moderate for your hands to get used to, and there's a lifetime warranty against the manufacturer's defects.

These factors and the incredible price make the perfect beginner barbell for all-strength sports and general lifting.

Best Barbell For Bench Press

REP Fitness Double Black Diamond Power Bar

The REP Fitness Double Black Diamond Power Bar was specifically designed for the power movements. One of them being the bench press. What makes it so good for benching? It has:

• International Powerlifting Federation (IPF) knurl markings.
• Rough mountain-style knurling for maximum grip.
• Bronze bushings for consistent rotation but not to the level of an Olympic Weightlifting bar.
• 29 mm diameter as per Powerlifting standards.

IPF knurl markings mean you can be consistent with your bench press grip to transfer to competition. The mountain-style knurling is unique to Powerlifting barbells for added grip. Bronze bushings mean the plates don't spin wildly, making the bench press hard to control.

The bar is stiff with little whip for maximum control. The Double Black Diamond Power Bar has a tensile strength of 200k PSI making it highly deformation-resistant.

It also has a lifetime warranty when used correctly.

Best Barbell For Powerlifting

Eleiko IPF Powerlifting Training Bar

Olympic Weightlifting is where Eleiko started. But they also own the Powerlifting scene. During large international Powerlifting meets, you'll see the brand plastered over the bumper plates and equipment.

It is the top-of-the-range Powerlifting training barbell. It's 29 mm in diameter and stainless steel, so it doesn't rust. The knurling is very aggressive at 1.5 mm deep and mountain style, so be aware your hands will need to get used to it.

The sleeves use bronze bushings for optimal spin and have a 12-year warranty. But the integrated Enode sensors in the barbell caps set the bar apart from the rest.

Using the app, you can track bar velocity for every exercise and every lift. If you’re into tracking data and the minute details of lifting, this is up your alley. Why track bar velocity? In short, you can terminate sets based on velocity decrement to target various strength qualities.

For example, stopping with a 10% velocity loss is better for developing strength and power without as much fatigue than a 40% velocity loss which is better for gaining size.

Best Barbell For Deadlifts

Titan Series Deadlift Bar

What makes a deadlift bar a deadlift bar? The length and whip. The Titan Series Deadlift Bar is 4 inches longer than a traditional 7ft barbell. This means more whips off the floor and bigger weights lifted. It has aggressive knurling like all premium Powerlifting barbells, so you don't lose a heavy deadlift at the knees.

It has a 28.5 mm diameter, so it's slightly thinner than a standard Powerlifting barbell helping you pull more. It has a 200k PSI tensile strength, which is enough for heavy deadlifting. Finally, it has bronze bushings for optimal spin.

You'll be hard-pressed to find a deadlift bar with these specifications at this price.

Best Olympic Weightlifting Barbell

Eleiko IWF Weightlifting Training Bar

Eleiko make the best Olympic Weightlifting barbell hands down. I've had my bar for over 10 years, which has been abused at a Weightlifting club daily. It’s still in excellent shape and hasn’t lost any spin. You can even see it in my Eleiko IWF Weightlifting Training Bar review.

It has one of the highest tensile strengths of all barbells at 215k PSI making it more durable and less likely to break. Back by a 12-year warranty, you won’t need to worry about breaking your Eleiko bar.

The knurling is 1.2 mm deep and moderately aggressive. It is unlike the competition bar, which would shred your hands with daily use.

The spin and whip have a premium feel, especially with the needle-bearing sleeves giving optimal spin for Weightlifters. The chrome coating is the best barbell feel in my experience and is rust-resistant.

With the IWF Weightlifting Training Bar, you pay for the premium product, but it's a buy nice, don't buy twice.

Best Barbell For CrossFit

Rogue Fitness Ohio Bar Cerakote

If you’re training CrossFit, you want to use the brand recognized and used in all CrossFit gyms to participate in the CrossFit open or local competitions. It will ensure you don’t get any equipment surprises from training to competition since you already know the feel of the Rogue equipment.

If you're not a competitor, Rogue's equipment is made for CrossFit, so it makes sense to use their equipment. It's rated at 190k PSI, so while not as strong as the other bars on this list, it's still considered high tensile strength and is strong enough for CrossFit.

It has dual knurl markings and no center knurling. The knurling is moderately aggressive, providing good grip but not so sharp you rip your hands. The Ohio bar uses composite bushings, so you get a smooth spin but not to the same extent as a Weightlifting bar.

The coating is Cerakote which gives you all the color options for the shaft and is highly resistant to wear and tear.

The only issue I have with the Ohio bar is that it has a 28.5 mm diameter shaft that is slightly larger than a 28 mm Weightlifting barbell. This can make it slightly more challenging to perform Olympic lifts.

Best Barbell For Women

Eleiko Women’s XF Bar

Of course, the best barbell for women is the women's version of the best barbell on this list. It’s made with the same specs: 1 mm knurling depth, dual knurl markings, no center knurling, needle bearings and bushings, and chrome coated.

But instead of being 28 mm in diameter, it’s 25 mm like all women’s barbells. The Women's XF Bar is designed for hybrid training so you can perform your regular strength movements and the Olympic lifts without compromising performance.

It makes it an excellent bar for CrossFit because of this. The 12-year warranty is a bonus, but the bar will last much longer.

You can see my complete list of the best barbells for women here.

Best Technique Barbell For Home Gym

Rogue Fitness 10 kg Junior Bar

Why does anyone need a technique barbell? Youth lifters learning the snatch and clean & jerk aren't strong enough to use a regular 15 or 20-kg barbell. So instead, they use a technique bar that weighs 5 kg.

I love the Rogue Fitness Technique Bar because they have a range of loads, including a 2.5 kg, 5 kg, and 10 kg technique bar.

How do you know which one to pick? 10 kg is the typical weight of a technique barbell. While they have smaller sizes, the 2.5 and 5 kg technique bars are too narrow for many kids to snatch with.

But, if they are very young, a 5 kg technique bar may be warranted. The 10 kg Junior Bar has a 25 mm diameter, perfect for smaller hands. It boasts 190k PSI with Olympic and Powerlifting knurl markings.

Tensile strength is less important since such light loads will be lifted, but it's impressive Rogue has used their typical steel shaft for it. There’s no center knurling that will scratch the skin. It also has the same bronze bushings as the Rogue and Bella bar.

There is no lifetime warranty like other Rogue bars, but you're not dropping a technique bar repeatedly like other barbells.

Best Barbell On Amazon For Home Gym

Synergee Regional Barbell

There aren’t many (if any) decent barbells sold on Amazon. The Synergee Regional Barbell is the best of them. It has a hard chrome coating and needle bearings making it perfect for Weightlifting and CrossFit.

However, they use a 1.2 mm deep diamond knurling that is less grippy than the Eleiko knurling and may cause problems when pulling heavy deadlifts. The shaft is 28 mm, rated to 1500 lbs, with a tensile strength of 190k PSI.

Be aware that if you get the Synergee barbell with the black phosphate coating, it will likely start to fade and come off.

Best EZ Curl Bar For Home Gym

Rogue Fitness Rackable Curl Bar

EZ curl bars are an excellent addition to your garage gym barbell repertoire. Curling or performing skull crushers can be uncomfortable on the wrists and shoulders. I’ve gone through periods where I couldn’t do these exercises with a straight bar because of injuries.

The EZ bar changes the grip slightly neutral making it friendly on the wrists and shoulders. What makes the Rogue EZ bar the best option is it's rackable. Training in a garage gym doesn't give you the luxury of multiple fixed-weight EZ bars to choose from.

You need to load the EZ bar yourself. Loading it on the floor is a pain. I do it often, and I'd much rather load it on a rack.

So, Rogue extended the standard EZ bar to over 6 ft so it can be racked and loaded. It weighs 35 lbs demonstrating its high-quality build since many EZ bars are under 25 lbs. It's 28.5 mm in diameter, so it's not too thin like many other EZ bars.

Best Trap Bar For Home Gym

Eleiko Oppen Bar

The trap bar is highly versatile, allowing you to deadlift, loaded carry, and jump. But you can make the trap bar more versatile by removing one end. Eleiko did this by creating the Oppen Bar. Now you have the freedom to lunge and split squat.

The open end means it can stand up for easy loading and unloading. It also makes storage more space efficient since it can stand instead of lying flat.

Eleiko has perfectly counterbalanced the open end with counterweights. These are also used to stand the Oppen bar upright.

You have low and high-handle options for different exercises, and the handles have the same knurling as their Weightlifting training barbell. It’s a 28 mm shaft diameter for easy gripping.

It weighs 25 kg, is 7 ft wide like a barbell, and has a 5-year warranty. What's not to like?

How To Know Which Type Of Barbell To Get For Your Home Gym?

There are three main barbell types you'll be considering for your home gym, not including specialty bars. These are Olympic Weightlifting, Powerlifting, and multi-purpose barbells.

Olympic Weightlifting Barbell

Weightlifting barbells typically have more whip, faster spin using needle bearings, less aggressive knurling, and a 28 mm shaft diameter for men’s and 25 mm diameter for women’s barbells. They are designed specifically for the snatch and clean & jerk.

The fast spin allows you to turn the bar over into the catch position without damaging your wrists. The increased whip help bounce out of the hole, and the less aggressive knurling helps with daily training.

Opt for a Weightlifting barbell if you will be training high volumes of Olympic Weightlifting.

Powerlifting Barbell

Powerlifting bars are designed for the big three: squat, bench press, and deadlift. They are stiffer to minimize oscillation for more control, slower rotation, more aggressive knurling, and have a thicker shaft at 29 mm diameter.

These bars are for competitive Powerlifters.

Multi-Purpose Barbell

This is where most of you will sit. A multi-purpose barbell is for a variety of training, such as CrossFit, Weightlifting, and Powerlifting. The whip and spin are moderate, the knurling is softer, and the shaft diameter ranges between 28 – 28.5 mm.

This gives you the best of both worlds, so you can perform various exercises with one barbell.

How To Pick The Best Barbell For Your Home Gym

Olympic vs. Standard

Always go with an Olympic barbell. Standard barbells have no place in a home gym. An Olympic barbell is made for Olympic-sized plates with a 2" center hole. Standard barbells are made for standard plates with a 1" center hole.

Further, the diameter of the shaft is thinner between standard and Olympic bars. The sleeves don't spin, they are lighter, and the steel is cheap, with standard bars prone to bending. Just avoid standard bars and use Olympic barbells.

Knurling

Knurling will make or break your training. Ever been to a commercial gym, and the barbell is smooth from years of abuse in the rack? It's horrible and significantly hinders your lifting. Some cheap barbells have smoother knurling that feels oily, which is just as bad.

But typically, you have two types of knurling:

Within these types of knurling, the depth and aggressiveness can vary. For example, knurling depth typically varies between 1 – 1.5 mm. Deeper knurling is usually present on Powerlifting bars. The manufacturers often tell you whether the knurling is soft, moderate, or aggressive.

Center knurling is another thing to be aware of. Powerlifting and men’s Olympic Weightlifting bars have center knurling to provide grip when racked in the front or back. However, the center knurling on a Weightlifting bar is not sharp.

Some multi-purpose and CrossFit bars don't have a center knurling to make them more comfortable for high-rep lifts or weekend warriors. Women's Weightlifting bars also don't have a center knurling.

It's preferable to have center knurling, in my experience. But it’s down to personal preference.

Coating

The coating will dictate the feel and rust resistance of your barbell. Most premium bars are either chrome-coated or uncoated stainless steel, like the Eleiko bars. But there are more options to consider below:

I recommend going with a chrome or stainless steel finish. These give the best feel and rust resistance. If you want something colorful, then Cerakote is the choice.

Tensile Strength

Tensile stress measures the force required to pull a barbell to where it breaks or permanently deforms. High tensile strength is categorized above 180k PSI. The higher the PSI, the more durable the barbell is.

All the barbells on this list are over 180k PSI, except for the budget option.

Bushing vs. Bearings

Bushings and needle bearings are used in the rotating sleeves. Powerlifting and power bars typically use bushings, Olympic Weightlifting bars use needle bearings, and multi-purpose bars have a combination.

Bushings are typically made of bronze or brass and provide a moderate level of spin. This is sufficient for most general lifting and powerlifting, where a fast spin is less critical.

Bushings are simpler, more durable, and less expensive to manufacture and maintain than needle bearings.

Needle bearings are small, cylindrical components that provide a smooth, fast spin to the sleeve. This is particularly useful in Olympic weightlifting, where the speed of the bar's rotation can influence the performance of lifts like the snatch and the clean and jerk.

However, needle bearings are more complex, more sensitive to dust and chalk, and more expensive to produce and maintain.

The sleeve components you want depend on the lifting you're doing. Bearings for speed, bushings for slow lifting.

Diameter

Barbell diameters typically range between 28 – 29 mm. It doesn't sound like you'd notice any difference, but even half a millimeter is easily noticeable. 28 mm bars are for Olympic Weightlifting. 28.5 bars are for multi-purpose training. 29 mm bars are for Powerlifting.

Not every barbell adheres to these guidelines. Some multi-purpose bars are 28 mm, and some power bars are 28.5 mm. The diameter doesn't matter so much unless you're a competitive lifter.

Whip

Whip is important for Olympic Weightlifting but isn't for other strength sports. It's why Olympic Weightlifting bars are so flexible under heavy loads so lifters can bounce out of the hole. But power bars are stiff for maximum control during the big compound strength exercises.

Spin

The amount of spin you want is dictated by the type of training you perform, just like when choosing bushing or bearing sleeves. Needle-bearing sleeves provide more spin and are suited for Olympic Weightlifting.

Less spin is better for the Powerlifts. Multi-purpose barbells give you a mix of both if you do CrossFit or plan on doing a bit of everything.

Price

Barbells are one of three essential pieces of home gym equipment you should spend more money on. The other two are a power rack and bumper plates. Skimping on these pieces of equipment will cost you more money in the long run as you replace them.

A good quality barbell will last you a lifetime. And that’s with dropping them from overhead with bumper plates onto a platform.

Warranty

While not in all cases, warranty often reflects the quality of the barbell. Many companies offer lifetime warranties when used properly. Dropping your barbell onto concrete or without bumper plates is a quick way to void it.

So, drop your bar using bumper plates and a well-built platform to keep your warranty life. Also, ensure to read the fine print. Some companies offer a lifetime warranty, but it's only for manufacturing defects.

Instead, they'll offer a 365 money-back return policy.

Frequently Asked Barbell Questions For Home Gym

What Is The Best Barbell Size For Home Gym?

The best barbell size is 7ft long with a 28 – 29 mm diameter, depending on your training style. If you spend most of your time training the Olympic lifts, you'll want a 28 mm barbell. If you are a hybrid athlete who trains for multiple strength sports or general strength training, a 28.5 mm barbell works best.

You'll need a 29 mm barbell if you are a competitive powerlifter. However, if you're a woman training the Olympic lifts, you'll want a 25 mm women's barbell.

Is It Worth Buying A Barbell For Home?

It is more than worth having a barbell for your home gym. It is a versatile staple piece of equipment, allowing heavily loaded compound exercises and lighter multi-joint movements. Whether your goal is to gain muscle, burn fat, or get strong, the barbell can do it all.

Is A 7ft Barbell Too Long?

7ft barbells are the standard size and are not too long. You'll find 6ft barbells are too short, and you can't load enough weight on them.

Are Barbells 45 or 55 lbs?

Barbells are typically 45 lbs when they are Olympic-sized. Women's barbells are 35 lbs. Some bars are in kilograms, so it will be 20 kg for men's and 15 kg for women's bars. However, some specialty bars like fat bars, safety squat bars, and trap bars may be heavier, weighing 55 lbs.

What Size Barbell Should You Start With?

As a male, start with a 20 kg, 7 ft barbell. Your training determines the type of bar you get. Most people will be best suited for a multi-purpose barbell. As a female, you can go for the same bar for general strength training.

You'll want a 15 kg barbell with a 25 mm shaft diameter if you're training CrossFit or Weightlifting.

Can You Build Muscle With Just A Barbell?

You can build muscle with just a barbell; many old-time physical culturists have done so for decades. Focus on large compound exercises and supplement with single-joint isolation exercises with the barbell.

Summary

The best barbell for your home gym depends on the type of training you perform. The Eleiko XF bar gives you the best of all worlds, from Weightlifting to CrossFit to general strength training. If you’re a competitive lifter, opt for a Weightlifting or Powerlifting barbell.

You'll want a multi-purpose barbell if you're doing general strength training.