Barbell length

1mumrevolution
1mumrevolution Posts: 269 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I'm quitting my gym (long story, unhappy experience) and although I train a lot aerially, I'm missing my weight lifting. I've seen a second hand set locally, for the price of 3 months in said gym. It's 75kgs of plates (10, 5, 2.5, etc) with a barbell. There are three sizes of barbell 4.5, 5, 6 foot.
I'm a 5'8" lady, squatting about 20kg at moment. What size bar would be best?

Replies

  • ash_law
    ash_law Posts: 70 Member
    A standard barbell is usually about 7 feet long, with some even longer ones like Texas Squat Bars. I would say if you are already planning to buy one of those barbells, get the one that is 6 feet long so it is at least the most similar of the three to a standard barbell length.
  • rick_po
    rick_po Posts: 449 Member
    You want a bar that fits in whatever squat rack you will be using. Even if you're not using a rack now, you'll need one soon, so plan ahead. I would shop around and see what's available to you, and get out your measuring tape. Budget for the future. If you can't find a rack that works with those bars, you might need to reconsider.
  • nordlead2005
    nordlead2005 Posts: 1,303 Member
    edited March 2016
    ash_law wrote: »
    A standard barbell is usually about 7 feet long, with some even longer ones like Texas Squat Bars. I would say if you are already planning to buy one of those barbells, get the one that is 6 feet long so it is at least the most similar of the three to a standard barbell length.

    A standard bar (for plates with a 1" hole) is typically 6'. A standard olympic bar (for plates with 2" holes) is typically 7'.

    Honestly, buy the bar length that works with the equipment you will use. A 4.5, 5, and 6' bar will not work with my half rack and I have no need for them, so I wouldn't buy any of them. However, a 6' or 7' bar (standard or olympic) would work on the bench I have in my basement, but a 4.5 or 5' bar wouldn't.

    Either way, how seriously do you intend to lift? 20kg isn't a very big squat, and even 75kg isn't a ton. You may want to check out the brand/model of the bar and figure out how much it can actually hold. Many 6' standard bars only really go up to 90kg, and some can go up to 110kg, which may be enough for you or may not. EDIT: of course, you could go with this set and just accept that some day you may have to sell it and upgrade.
  • 1mumrevolution
    1mumrevolution Posts: 269 Member
    Thanks for the replies. Yep, 20kg is nothing I know, but I had fully intended to weight up incrementally in my gym, though those plans are somewhat shot to *kitten* now. I was pretty serious but now need to find my plan B. I think I'll have to rethink the set because I've no squat rack and can see that being a bit of a problem from the off.

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