Traditional or Olympic Weight Set?

megsi474

I'm new to lifting and have been using dumbbells for the past couple of months but I'd like to make the transition to also having a barbell to use but am uncertain which to invest in. I won't be using it for bench press, if that makes any difference in the recommendation. I do have the space to store a larger bar but we're not talking kung fu grip with the hands here.

mdizzle99

Unless there is a compelling reason not to, I would definitely go with an Olympic barbell. And I'm curious, why no bench press? What do you plan on using it for?

missmegan831

Invest in an Olympic barbell well worth the price... and its weight itself is a good starting point to transition from dumbells.

willdob3

Definitely Olympic.

jimmmer

Olympic - with a decent bar, you'll have much more room for expansion later. Buy a crappy bar now and you'll only need to buy a better bar later. Also, you'll never have a problem using the bar with any rack/cage.

Buy the best olympic bar you can currently afford and it'll probably last you a lifetime.

If you're not planning on benching, are you planning on doing olympic lifts? If so, you'll definitely want a decent olympic bar with good rotating sleeves.

AnitraSoto

Olympic - with a decent bar, you'll have much more room for expansion later. Buy a crappy bar now and you'll only need to buy a better bar later. Also, you'll never have a problem using the bar with any rack/cage.

Buy the best olympic bar you can currently afford and it'll probably last you a lifetime.

If you're not planning on benching, are you planning on doing olympic lifts? If so, you'll definitely want a decent olympic bar with good rotating sleeves.

^^^^yep^^^^ Invest in an Olympic bar now, or chances are you will just be upgrading to one in the near future...

Capt_Apollo

what jimmer said.

and do your bench press. your boobies will thank you.

megsi474

what jimmer said.

and do your bench press. your boobies will thank you.

The boobies are not real, hence the inability to do dedicated chest exercises such as benching as it can cause muscle distortion. Wish I had a magic 8 ball to go back and do the placement differently, but...

I would be using it for DL, squats, rows, etc.

bumblebums

what jimmer said.

and do your bench press. your boobies will thank you.

The boobies are not real, hence the inability to do dedicated chest exercises such as benching as it can cause muscle distortion. Wish I had a magic 8 ball to go back and do the placement differently, but...

I would be using it for DL, squats, rows, etc.

Get a proper Olympic bar. You need something that can support a decent amount of weight for deadlifts.

megsi474

Thanks, guys. I appreciate the help!

Capt_Apollo

what jimmer said.

and do your bench press. your boobies will thank you.

The boobies are not real, hence the inability to do dedicated chest exercises such as benching as it can cause muscle distortion. Wish I had a magic 8 ball to go back and do the placement differently, but...

I would be using it for DL, squats, rows, etc.

ah, gotcha. okay then... HOORAY FOR BOOBIES!!!

v70t5m

I've got a standard set that came with my old bench. When I tossed the bench and bought a squat rack, I lived with the short bar on the rack for half a year.

I recently bought a 6' standard bar with collars that rest outside the squat rack, hurray! Much easier to use and maneuver.

Standard weights are smaller, taking up less space, than olympic sets. In my home setup, space is a consideration, and the main reason I decided not to upgrade to an olympic option. Not to mention, my local fitness businesses don't carry shorter bars.

I can't, at this point in time, see needing more than my bodyweight in plates with the lifts I do, so a standard set works well for me ... granted, I need to purchase another set of "heavy" plates now.