I've used all the top Weightlifting barbells, and the Eleiko IWF Weightlifting Training Bar is one of my favorites. So much so that I've owned one for over a decade. It's been abused daily at a Weightlifting club and is still in excellent condition.
It spins well, hasn’t rusted, and the knurling is still good for performing the Olympic lifts. But you’re here wondering if you should invest in an Eleiko IWF Weightlifting Training Bar and if it’s worth it. So, I’ll break it down for you and show you the ins and outs of this barbell.
Eleiko IWF Weightlifting Training Bar Review
Tensile Strength
Tensile strength is measured in pounds per square inch (PSI) and reflects the maximum weight the bar can handle before it becomes permanently bent or deformed. A bar with high tensile strength will be more durable and less likely to break or bend over time.
Eleiko IWF Weightlifting Training Bars have a tensile strength of 215,000 PSI, among the highest tensile strengths of all barbells. For example, the Rogue Pyrros Bar has a tensile strength of 200,000 PSI.
Weight Tolerance
Because this is an IWF-certified barbell, it has the tightest weight tolerance of ± 0.5%, like their bumper plates. These are well-calibrated to be as accurate as possible for competitive lifting.
Whip
The barbell is made from proprietary steel from Sweden, allowing perfect whip when lifting. You can see an example of the whip below:
Because of the extreme tensile strength, it bounces back into place quickly. Further, the Eleiko IWF Weightlifting Training Bar is 86.61 inches in length which is standard. The sleeves are 16.34 inches allowing 215 kg and 270 kg total load for women's and men's bars, respectively.
Knurling
The reason this is a training barbell and not a competition one is because of the knurling. The Eleiko IWF Competition Bar has very aggressive knurling, while the IWF Training Bar has a balanced knurling. It means you can lift with it often without ripping calluses.
This is what you want in a training barbell. Save the aggressive, sharp knurling for competition only to spare your hands.
Spin
Eleiko bars have excellent spin. It’s important for Weightlifters that barbells spin to spare the wrists during the snatch and clean & jerk. You can see the IWF Weightlifting Training Bar spin below:
The superior spin is from the needle bearings inside the sleeves. Cheap Weightlifting bars will use brushing bearings that don't spin as well. Some people find the Eleiko spins too much and prefer other barbells. I've used all major brands and never felt this issue.
Coating
Eleiko uses a chrome finish on the IWF Weightlifting Training Bar, making it highly rust-resistant. I've had my bar for over 10 years, which has been used daily within a Weightlifting club, and it's in excellent condition to this day.
Warranty
Eleiko used to provide a lifetime warranty on all their barbells when they were handmade. Recently, they have taken the same process and automated it with machines.
While the quality is still outstanding and considered the gold standard, Eleiko now offers a 12-year warranty on their IWF Weightlifting Training Bar. The IWF Weightlifting Competition Bar has a lifetime warranty.
Price
The Eleiko IWF Weightlifting Training Bar is $1,024 and is one of the more expensive barbells available. But for a good reason. They have lasted the test of time with a perfected manufacturing process and quality.
All top Weightlifting barbells are in this price range. For example, the ZKC Training Bar is $1,000, and the Ivanko OBSNB Olympic Bar is $1,275. They are at this price because of the superior craftsmanship compared to a standard Olympic barbell.
Who Is The Eleiko IWF Weightlifting Training Bar For?
The Eleiko IWF Weightlifting Training Bar is for serious Weightlifters. If your number one goal is to improve your total with the snatch and clean & jerk, this is the barbell you need. If you are performing general strength training, you don't need a specialist barbell like the Eleiko bar.
However, a high-quality bar like the Eleiko IWF Weightlifting Training bar can be a great addition to your garage gym because of the 12-year warranty and superior quality.
Summary
The Eleiko IWF Weightlifting Training Bar is an epic barbell to have in your collection. It's designed for the serious Weightlifter, so this is the bar for you if you're competing.
If you training just to be in shape, it may not be worth investing in the superior quality of Eleiko and instead shopping for a regular Olympic barbell.