15 Best Barbells Of 2022 For Strength Training At Home

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Is strength training a part of your fitness routine? Atta girl. Then we're here to tell you that a barbell is a piece of home gym equipment that's worth the investment. A standard barbell will help you customize your strength-training workouts by allowing you to modify the weight you're lifting to focus on different muscle groups, says Maria Delgado, a CPT at Blink Fitness. "Barbells allow you to load the body's normal movement patterns with heavier weights, making you stronger over time. They can help you produce greater muscle mass and strength than [resistance bands or free weights]."

That said, you're going to want to spend your hard-earned cash on a barbell that's *actually* high quality. Wondering what that might look like? "The barbell should match your strength needs, should be strong enough to resist bending, and have a finish that will last and won't rust over time." Then, you should decide whether you're looking for a standard barbell or an Olympic one. FYI: If you're used to lifting a barbell at the gym, it's most likely an Olympic one.)

And ICYMI, barbells come in different sizes and vary when it comes to the amount of weight they can handle. You'll find another difference in the bar's sleeves, or the end of the bar where the plates are held, says Delgado. "Olympic barbells have two-inch, rotating sleeves; standard barbells have one-inch, non-rotating sleeves. The rotation on the sleeves create a more secure grip and reduces stress on your joints (wrists and elbows)." Got that down?

Once you've found the perfect barbell for you, make sure you choose an appropriate weight load, says Delgado. You don't want to go too heavy and risk injury. "Start light with good form and increase over time. If the load compromises your form, decrease the load. Remember it's always form over load and reps." If you need help figuring out proper form, seek help from a trainer.

Before you get started, you need to get your hands on a barbell first. So, here's a list of the best barbells of 2021 based on user reviews.

If you're looking for a super standard barbell, this steel, heat-treated option is for you. It weighs 44 pounds on its own, is about 87 inches in length, can hold up to 1500 pounds in weight (that's a lot!), and fits standard 2-inch diameter plates.

If you're looking for an all-in-one situation when you're buying your barbell, try gifting yourself this adjustable dumbbells and barbells set. It's on the expensive side, but in it, you'll get a whole lot: dumbbell handles, two dumbbell rods, a barbell connector, heavy plates, and clips.

If you don't feel like messing around with clipping in super heavy plates (understandable), try opting for a pre-weighted barbell instead. Made of steel and available in a bunch of different weight sizes, this bar is only 70 dollars and will totally amp up your at-home barbell routine.

In case you don't feel like committing fully to a barbell situation, these threaded 14-inch dumbbell handles are a good place to start. They're only 10 dollars (yup), and you can practicing switching out weights and doing at-home lifts before you go all the way to the full-on barbell length. (And price.)

If you want a barbell without having to mess around with clunky plates, this total body workout weighted bar might just be for you. Ridding of the added difficulty of plates or the heaviness of a typical barbell, this bar instead comes in a bunch of different weights ranging from five to 3o pounds.

For those of you who want a lighter (and much cheaper) barbell, this one-inch diameter barbell is perfect for adding to your at-home set up. (*And* won't make as much of a dent in your bank account.) Made of steel and 60 inches long, you can secure your plates on the ridged barbell ends with the collard that come with your order.

So you want to focus on movements like deadlifts, bent over rows, and squat jumps while using your barbell. In that case, order this hex-shaped weight bar with a raised grip, which allows for an easier, sturdier weight distribution as you move up and down during sets. Made entirely from steel, this 44-pound bar holds your standard Olympic-sized plates.

Are you planning to focus primarily on chest presses and other pressing-heavy upper body movements during your workouts? This 82-inch long barbell is definitely for you, then, as it has four alternative grips and angled handles to reduce stress on the wrist and shoulders.

For those of you who want to add a smidge of color to your at-home gym situation, this 33-pound barbell made of alloy steel comes in pink, black, and red. This barbell is also about 79 inches in length and has diamond-shaped knurling along the entire base so that it's easier to grip during all your workouts.

About 47 inches in length, this at-home barbell has a wavy handle design for a more seamless grip when you’re doing curls, squats, and the like. Plus, it comes with two circlips that tightly hold Olympic-sized plates in place as you pack in the weight.

An Amazon's Choice best seller, this seven-foot Olympic barbell has almost 1,400 positive reviews from people who love that the bar can handle heavy weight. It's designed with 15 inches of loadable sleeve length in case you were really interested in piling on the weight plates, though you'll have to purchase them separately.

This weight set is actually a pair of adjustable dumbbells you can convert into a barbell. How cool is that?! Once you've used the connector to build your barbell, you can pile on any of the 12 weight plates included in this set. The connecting rod on the bar is covered in foam for extra cushion, and its handles are rubber coated to provide a firm grip.

A good choice for people just building their home gym, this barbell's versatile enough to help you target all major muscles groups since it can handle all kinds of lifting exercises from squats to bench presses. But the best part: It's more compact than a normal Olympic barbell, making it ideal for apartments or smaller workout spaces.

Using the connecting bar included, you can transform these dumbbells into a barbell in just seconds. The barbell can be adjusted from 1.1 pounds (no weights plates) to 55 pounds and is made with anti-slip material that makes it easier to get a tight grip while you're lifting. Normally, a barbell weighs about 45 lbs. without weight plates, so this setup is ideal for people who are new to lifting. The loads are lighter so you can focus on your form.

Invest in this barbell weight set set to complete your home gym. The seven-foot barbell and 14 weight plates that range from from 2.5 pounds to 45 pounds make this particular piece of equipment well worth the splurge. The barbell is made of solid cast-iron that makes it extremely durable.

Jasmine Gomez is the Commerce Editor at Women's Health, where she cover the best product recommendations across beauty, health, lifestyle, fitness, and more. When she's not shopping for a living, she enjoys karaoke and dining out more than she cares to admit. Follow her @JazzeGomez.

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