Fitness goals vary from person to person – some like to build endurance, get faster, or go further, and others like to build muscle and improve their strength. Strength training can be advantageous for those that play sports to improve their performance and can be useful to burn fat and tone up. Barbells are a piece of equipment that regular gym-goers will be familiar with – they can be used to lift heavy weights and to work out muscles all over your body. If you like testing your power and strength, choosing a barbell for your gym will get you the results you want to see. Read on as we look at some of the best Olympic barbells for your home gym.
Benefits of using a barbell
Barbells are one of the most popular pieces of equipment that you can use in the gym or at home – and for good reason! Introducing a barbell into your workouts means that you can reap the physical benefits of increasing your strength and working muscles all over your body, as well as improving your posture and strengthening muscles that hold your body up. You can also complete a range of workouts with a barbell to benefit various parts of the body, so you can get a full body workout, and save time – you won’t have to move from machine to machine in the gym, as you can use this one piece of equipment for a range of movements.
Strength
Improving your strength is one of the most obvious benefits that come with using a barbell in your workouts. You can work muscles in your legs, upper body, and core with various exercises. Building muscle throughout the entire body means you can burn more calories at rest, function and move more easily, and improve the way you look aesthetically.
Posture
Using a barbell to work out can help to improve your posture. Working out in proper form means you can build strength in your stabiliser muscle groups, which hold your body up and keep your torso and back straight. Improving your posture means more energy, reduced risk of injury in other sports and easier breathing.
Range of workouts
One of the main benefits of using a barbell to work out is that you can implement them into your routine for various exercises. You can isolate muscle groups and work on the areas that you think need improvement, work on the upper or lower body, as well as use them for cardio. Using a barbell for cardio will consist of lighter weights but is great for increasing muscle endurance – some gyms even have classes tailored to this. Here are a few of the best barbells you can buy to get the best workout.
Force USA Ranger Barbell
The piece of equipment is voted the best overall and is a great choice for your home gym. It is a good option for both beginners and advanced lifters – the sleeves are plated in zinc and the bar itself is coated with black zinc which helps to reduce corrosion over time, so your barbell will last, and provides the best possible grip. Like a lot of barbells, if you are lifting hundreds of pounds, you might find that the bar bends over time, but generally, the Ranger proves a good choice for most fitness fans.
REP Basic Barbell
Perfect for beginners, this basic barbell is affordable and features centre knurling and standard grip – this allows the bar to stay in place when you’re working out. This barbell is specifically designed to be used for weightlifting, so if you’re looking for weights to help you with CrossFit or cardio, choosing another model is advantageous. If you’re lifting extremely heavy weights, this basic option may not be strong enough, but if you’re just getting started, the REP basic is the one for you.
Rogue Fitness Ohio Bar
If powerlifting is your thing, the Rogue Ohio Bar is a must-have for your home gym – it is even approved by the International Powerlifting Federation. It differs from an Olympic bar as the weights do not spin, this is due to the fact you’ll need both safety and stability when lifting heavy. This bar allows you to squat, bench and deadlift your chosen amount of weight safely and securely, so you can train and not worry about if your bar is going to bend or slip. It is designed to be heavy-duty, so you can get the most from your money.
