So, you chose the centerpiece to your gym, whether a Functional Trainer, Smith Machine, Power Rack, or something in between. Now you need the Best Barbell to handle the workouts.

So… how do you pick the best barbell for your home gym?

There are a couple things to consider without getting into crazy details.

You’ll want something that lasts and a barbell that meets the need of how you intend to use it. Why purchase a powerlifter’s barbell when you have absolutely no intention of lifting a car? But you also don’t want a barbell to break while a couple hundred pounds sits two feet above your chest.

For most people, a Multi-Purpose Olympic Barbell would be the appropriate option (and is what is typically found in commercial gyms). Here are those specs, and what we used to rate the best barbells below:

• Weight = 44 pounds (20kg)
• Length = 7’2″ (86″)
• Diameter = 25mm – 32mm
  • Average for women = 25mm
  • Average for men = 28mm
• Tensile strength = 150,000 – 180,000 PSI
• Material = Stainless Steel is usually the best to consider
• Knurling = etching in the bar for better grip

If a Multi-Purpose Olympic Barbell is not for you, and you instead wish to focus on powerlifting and/or CrossFit, there are additional factors to consider:

• Whip (Flexibility) = ability for the bar to give some bounce during a movement. Thinner bars typically have more whip. Not ideal for standard exercises like squats, deadlifts, or chest presses. But depending upon the lift, you may want a barbell with no whip. Hence, you may need more than one bar to meet your needs!
• Bearings = If you like to do the Clean & Snatch, then bearings will perform better than bushings.

Keep an eye on the weight, thickness, tensile strength, and whip that is right for you.

• Best Barbells: Multi-Purpose Olympic Barbells
  1. Force USA Gunner Barbell
  2. Rogue Fitness Ohio Power Bar
  3. Fringe Sport Men’s Wonder Bar Olympic Barbell
• Best Women’s Barbell: Multi-Purpose Olympic Barbells
  1. Rogue Fitness Bella Bar 2.0
  2. Fringe Sport 15kg Women’s Wonder Bar Olympic Barbell V2
  3. Force USA Freedom Barbell
• Something more modular: Adjustable dumbbells attached to a bar: PowerBlock Pro Barbell

Best Barbells: Multi-Purpose Olympic Barbells

Force USA Gunner Barbell (Allrounder) ($334.99)

This barbell may be a little more than you may need, but it will provide you with everything you’ll need from an all-around fantastic barbell. Standard knurling.

• Weight = 44 pounds (20kg)
• Length = 86.6″
• Diameter = 28mm
• Tensile strength = 235,000 PSI
• Weight Capacity = 1,500 lb.
• Whip = Perfect amount of feedback
• Bushings / Bearings = Stainless Steel / 5 x Needles per sleeve
• Shaft Coating = Black Zinc
• Warranty = Lifetime

Rogue Fitness Ohio Power Bar (Black Zinc) ($305)

This Powerlifting bar has a Center Knurl. So, if you plan to do squats with this bar, be aware that the knurl may dig into the back of your neck if you don’t use a pad around the bar.

• Weight = 45 pounds (20.45kg)
• Length = 86.52″
• Diameter = 29mm
• Tensile strength = 205,000 PSI
• Weight Capacity = 1,260 lb.
• Whip = Perfect amount of feedback
• Bushings / Bearings = Stainless Steel / 5 x Needles per sleeve
• Shaft Coating = Black Zinc
• Warranty = Lifetime

Fringe Sport Men’s Wonder Bar Olympic Barbell ($269)

Hard Chrome. Standard knurling.

• Weight = 44 pounds (20kg)
• Length = 86″
• Diameter = 28mm
• Tensile strength = 205,000 PSI
• Weight Capacity = 1,600 lb.
• Whip = Stiff
• Bushings / Bearings = Bronze Oillite Bushing Rotation. 4 x Needles per sleeve
• Shaft Coating = Black Zinc-plated alloy steel
• Warranty = Lifetime

Best Women’s Barbell: Multi-Purpose Olympic Barbells

Rogue Fitness Bella Bar 2.0 ($235)

The women’s go-to multi-purpose 15kg barbell is a versatile bar for whatever you wish to throw at it. There is some whip feedback, but overall a good rating.

• Weight = 33 pounds (15kg)
• Length = 79.13″
• Diameter = 25mm
• Tensile strength = 190,000 PSI
• Weight Capacity = Not published.
• Whip = Good
• Bushings / Bearings = Bushing.
• Shaft Coating = Black Zinc
• Warranty = Lifetime

Fringe Sport 15kg Women’s Wonder Bar Olympic Barbell V2 ($339)

The Fringe Sport Wonder Bar V2 works with you with the perfect amount of knurling to give a good grip and a stiff whip to provide enough feedback to push through your last rep.

• Weight = 33 pounds (15kg)
• Length = 79″
• Diameter = 25mm
• Tensile strength = 160,000 PSI
• Weight Capacity = 1,000 lb.
• Whip = Stiff
• Bushings / Bearings = Bronze Oillite Bushing Rotation. 4 x needles per sleeve
• Shaft Coating = All Black Zinc
• Warranty = Lifetime

Force USA Freedom Barbell (Women’s 25mm Shaft) ($244.99)

Strong, premium quality Olympic Weightlifting Barbell that won’t break the bank.

• Weight = 33 pounds (15kg)
• Length = 79.1″
• Diameter = 25mm
• Tensile strength = 170,000 PSI
• Weight Capacity = 1,000 lb.
• Whip = Standard
• Bushings / Bearings = Bronze Oillite Bushing Rotation. 4 x needles per sleeve
• Shaft Coating = Black Zinc
• Warranty = Lifetime