Fixed barbells...please advice

Suzd1976

Hi everyone,
I am going to start SL from this week.my gym doesn't have any Olympic bar...insted it had fixed barbells starting from 20 kilos to 140 kilos and a smith machine.So what do u think is a better option? Is there really a difference in a Olympic bar and a fixed barbell if it has the same weight?I am sorry if this seems like a silly question but I am really new to weight training so please bear with me
Thank u

randomtai

I started with the fixed barbells because I couldn't lift the empty bar yet. They are shorter than an olympic one but should be good for the time being.

catfive1

Stay away from the smith machine.

randomtai

Stay away from the smith machine.

Oh yeah and this for sure.

Leadfoot_Lewis

The only issue you're going to run into with Fixed Barbell is with Deadlifts. You will need to find a way to have the barbell elevated to about 8.5" (which is the standard starting height which is the same height as it would be if you were to use an Olympic Bar w/2 45lb weight plates on it)

...and yes NO Smith Machine!

Suzd1976

Thank you yr responses
Reg the deadlifts, can I stack the fixed barbells on some plates raise the height?the gym also has a stepper ( where u can do step aerobics) so can I stack it on the stepper to increase the height?

Leadfoot_Lewis

Thank you yr responses
Reg the deadlifts, can I stack the fixed barbells on some plates raise the height?the gym also has a stepper ( where u can do step aerobics) so can I stack it on the stepper to increase the height?

Yep, either of those will work. Steps are better because they're a flatter surface than most weight plates are.

flannery2012

I've only done one day so far and I did use the Smith because I was alone and nervous about lifting with no spotter...
please tell me why the Smith machine is no good and do you think it's safe to go it alone?