Best Barbell Sets for Your Home Gym

The AskMen editorial team thoroughly researches & reviews the best gear, services and staples for life. AskMen may get paid if you click a link in this article and buy a product or service.

If you’re building out a home gym, a solid barbell set is a must-have — provided you have the space for it, of course. Truly, is there anything you can't do with a bar and some weight plates? From squats and deadlifts to chest and shoulder presses, you can get a total body workout with just this one piece of equipment.

Before you load up your cart, though, keep in mind that not all barbell sets are created equal. The plate and barbell style, the length of the bar, and the amount of weight included are all factors to consider when making a buying decision.

RELATED: Top Tips for Progressing With Home Workouts

Luckily, we did the groundwork for you. Ready to get the most out of your strength training? Below, we rounded up some of the best barbell sets for at-home workouts.

There are several features that make this set stand out. For one, the patented gator teeth and release design make it super easy to change weights. There's no need to painstakingly unscrew any locks: just pull the release lever and slide the plates on and off. That means you’ll waste far less time when transitioning between sets and exercises.

Not only that, but the 27 mm bar diameter reduces forearm and hand fatigue, so you can focus on maintaining proper form and activating the muscles you’re actually trying to work. And the rotating bar ends help with isolating your muscles and ensuring smoother movements.

The weight plates double as hand weights, which are ideal for chest and shoulder exercises. The textured zone ensures a secure hand grip for better lifting technique, and you can even hold two plates in one hand thanks to the ergonomic design. Due to the innovative squared-off shape of the plates, you’ll never have to worry about your bar rolling away between sets.

All that said, the barbell only weighs about 40 pounds with all the plates on it. However, you can purchase additional plates separately.

"I love how the individual weights have the center bar to help with hand grip," writes one reviewer. "I am starting to get arthritis in my hand's thumb joint and found that these weights are far more comfortable to hold than traditional weights."

$479 at LesMills.com

This ultra-versatile set has garnered hundreds of five-star reviews, and it's easy to see why.

For one, the space-efficient design makes it a perfect solution for those who have limited room to work out. By replacing seven barbells and seven curl bars, it allows you to do a wide variety of exercises with less equipment.

The bar easily adjusts between seven different weights ranging from 20-80 pounds, giving you a lot of flexibility for different muscle groups. All you have to do is turn the dial to change your weight setting, which translates to less wasted time between sets.

Reviewers also note that the bar is super comfortable to hold. One even noted that it felt like a "custom-made grip."

The design and construction here are obviously high quality — but just for peace of mind, the entire set is fully covered under a 3-year warranty.

Want an extra challenge? Opt for the SelectTech 2080 Weight Upgrade, which provides four additional weight settings for a max of 120 pounds.

$449 at Bowflex.com

Calling all heavy lifters: when it comes to bulking up, you can't beat this Olympic set, which includes 14 weight plates for a total of 300 pounds including the bar. That gives you a lot of room to work both small and large muscle groups as you progress on your fitness journey.

The 7-foot bar, which is made of high-quality steel, comes with spring clip collars for added safety. The cast iron plates, meanwhile, can be easily maneuvered during your workout. Reviewers like that the grip design makes the plates easier and more comfortable to handle.

As you’re gradually increasing your load, the included change plates — which include two 2.5-pound and four 5-pound plates — enable you to achieve more precise totals.

"Perfect addition to my home gym collection," writes one reviewer. "No gym membership needed when you have this at your convenience."

$599.99 at Amazon.com

RELATED: Best Dumbbell Sets

On a tight budget? This Olympic set offers a lot of value for the price: with a variety of different weights ranging from 2.5 pounds all the way up to 45 pounds, you have plenty to work with no matter what your fitness level or goals are.

Perhaps the only drawback, according to some reviewers, is that since the 45-pound plates are a bit smaller in diameter, certain moves — like deadlifts — may feel awkward.

That said, you can't beat this price for the value.

"I actually like the light grooves on the end where the weights sit because it helps grip the clamp and stop the weights from walking," writes one user. "I also really like how they grip weights and have the built-in hole for a handle. This definitely helps grab the big weights while loading and unloading the bar."

Note: This set also comes in another version with a max weight of 135 pounds.

$399.99 at DicksSportingGoods.com

If you’re on the hunt for a no-frills beginner-friendly option without the sticker shock that comes with some barbell sets, look no further.

This set comes with four sets of weight plates ranging from 2.75 to 11 pounds apiece, giving you 60 pounds total to work with. That might not be enough as you get into more advanced training, but it's a solid place to start.

The plates, which are made of recycled material encased in a durable HDPE shell, feature quick-release collars — meaning it's a cinch to quickly change weights as needed. What also sets these weights apart is that they’re designed like steering wheels with multiple grips, making them easier to hold and unlocking the option to do a greater variety of exercises.

As for the bar, the heavy gauge steel construction and powder coating ensure it’ll last you a long time.

"The coated finish on the bar makes for a better grip when your hands are sweaty," writes one reviewer. "So far, no flaking of the coating like I see with metallic finish bars, and I think this bar is easier on my hands than the smooth metallic bars."

Another reviewer noted that they managed to obtain additional weight plates that are compatible with the bar — so keep in mind that while it may take some searching to find the right fit, you do have the option to up the weight for an additional challenge if 60 pounds isn't cutting it.

$135.99 at Amazon.com

One of the issues with lifting heavy at home is that you can't exactly bail on a move — at least not without seriously damaging your floors. This set is made with durable rubber-coated bumper plates for a little extra reassurance. That doesn't necessarily mean you’ll want to slam the bar down the way you do at the gym (depending on the surface you’re working out on) but you won't have to be nearly as careful as you would with iron-based plates.

The product comes in a wide range of max weights, ranging from 65 pounds to 365 pounds, so there's an option for every level of strength training.

Conveniently slotted plates make it a breeze to load and unload them on the bar, and the slotted profile is super easy to grip. The bar features hard chrome sleeves with a no-maintenance snap ring lock system, and is coated with corrosion- and abrasion-resistant manganese phosphate for extra longevity and a more comfortable grip. It also boasts 10 needle bearings for a smoother, quieter spin.

It's worth noting, though, that collars are not included, so you’ll have to purchase them separately.

"I would consider myself a garage gym barbell snob and I took a chance on this bar and I’m so glad I did!" writes one reviewer. "The knurl is light-medium depth but is very grippy due to the coating and is great for high rep work but still has enough stick to do heavy deadlifts. The spin on this bar is amazing! Very smooth and consistent. The spin is also pretty dang fast which is awesome for OLY lifts (clean and jerk, snatch). If you are in the market for a really good general-purpose training bar you will be hard-pressed to find a better bar at this price point."

$694 at Amazon.com

If you need an all-in-one set with all the basics for at-home weightlifting, you can't go wrong with this set — which includes both an adjustable barbell and dumbbells for max versatility without breaking the bank.

Durable cast-iron and steel bars are backed by a 2-year warranty, and the non-slip knurled design promises better grip and handling. The weights can be stacked to reach 110 pounds, and keep in mind that you can always buy extra plates separately if you want to lift a heavier load.

Reviewers agree the quality is surprisingly good considering the price, and say it's an excellent space-saving option if you have limited room to store weights.

"This is a good set for a beginner," writes one reviewer. "The bars for the barbell and dumbells are nicely knurled for a good grip, without being too sharp, and the weights are coated, so they shouldn't rust in indoor use. The clamps to secure the weights are very simple and quick to use. Overall I think this has been a good purchase for working out at home, and I am happy to recommend it."

$149 at Decathlon.com

You Might Also Dig: