Evaluate how well a Barbell meets your needs and compares to competing products
If you've completed step one you've identified what you need in a barbell and you've learned about the different features of barbells. While you were doing your research, you probably started the process of determining which features - and thus which type of barbell - will best meet your needs. Now you are going to continue that process, but in greater detail.
In this step you will
evaluate the barbells available on the market to determine how well they meet your personal needs and establish, by a process of elimination, an initial short-list of contenders. Then you will compare these short-listed barbells to find out which ones stand out from the competition.
Evaluate how well a Barbell meets your needs
Your priority at this point in your evaluation is to find the available barbells in the market that best meet your needs. You can save a lot of time during this activity by quickly eliminating any barbells that are unsuitable because they don't meet your key requirements. For example, if you have a limited budget for this purchase then you can ignore any barbells that clearly exceed your price limit.
Most barbells are made of steel or iron, however there are less expensive options designed with a plastic shell and sometimes filled with sand or concrete. There are a variety of weight options available with the standard running between 5 and 50 pounds. Of course, weights can be combined on a bar to create an infinite number of lifting options.
When purchasing a barbell you will find that there are a variety of considerations. First you must decide what type of exercise you will be performing with the apparatus. When in doubt, purchase a simple straight bar or a curl bar. This is especially important if you are just starting out. Remember, your can add tricep, trapezoid and the long Olympic models to your equipment store later.
Barbells consist of three items, the bar, plate and collar. Olympic bars are 2 inches wide, 7 feet long and 45 pounds, while a standard straight bar is 1 inch wide, 7 feet long and 22 pounds. Along with the weight of the bar, the plates provide the bulk of the mass on the barbell.
Tip:
When first learning to use a barbell, consider lifting only the bar to get a feel for the size of the unit and to learn how to balance it.
In order to hold the plate on to the bar, you must install a collar at the end of the weight. Barbell collars come in screw-on, pressure or spring clamps. Each is manufactured from steel or rubber and typically come in black or chrome finished.
Tip:
If you don't have a strong hand grip, spring clamps can be very hard to use. Screw-on or pressure clamps are easier to use but take a few seconds longer to get on and off the bar. Try to buy your clamps when you buy the bar so you can make sure they work together smoothly.
A barbell allows the user to perform a variety of exercises to tone and strengthen several areas of the body. Many of these exercises are completed using a standard flat, incline or decline weight bench. When using a barbell with a bench you will also want crutches to rest the bar on (see Buying an Exercise Bench or Buying a Bench Press).
If you wish to increase the weight you are lifting without moving to the next five-pound weight increment, microloading add-on plates can be used. These weights, which are typically one or two pounds, are magnetized and simply attach right to the end of the barbell.
To keep your body safe during a workout session, consider using a weight belt to protect the lower back, as well as knee, wrist and elbow supports. In addition, for increased grip and reduced calluses, many individuals choose to use weight lifting gloves. It is also important to keep your workout area neat and prevent trip hazards and falls. To accomplish this, consider using a storage rack to hold bars, weight plates and collars.
A barbell offers the user a number of exercise options to increase muscle mass, help create healthy bones, and burn fat. They are flexible in their uses and can recreate many of the exercise performed using expensive home gyms.
When you were considering your requirements in a barbell it's likely that you singled out certain factors such as steel or plastic plates, size, bar type and cost as being of major significance. As with so many other products, the more features offered, the higher the price.
Buyz123 has created a checklist containing examples of major features; you can work from this checklist when evaluating how well various barbells meet your personal needs:
Features Checklist
Materials
- Steel, iron
- Plastic, sand, concrete
Size and weight
- 5 to 7 feet long
- 20 to 45 lbs
Types
- Olympic
- Standard
- Curl, Ezy
- Tricep
- Trapezoid
- Straight
- Specialist
Exercise Types
- Bench press
- Incline press
- Close grip bench press
- Standing curl
- Reverse curl
- Wrist curl
- Overhead press
- Shrug
- Bent over row
- Upright row
- Deadlift, stiff legged deadlift
- Squat, hack squat
- Calf raise
Bar Considerations
- Ergonomic grip
- Steel, iron, chrome, black
- End caps - black, chrome, steel, iron
- Olympic - End width 2 inches x 7 feet Long; 45 lbs
- Standard - End width 1 inch x 7 feet Long; 20 lbs
- Ezy curl
Collar considerations
- Spring loaded
- Clamp
- Pressure ring
- Chrome, black, steel, iron
Plate Considerations
- Steel, iron, plastic, sand, concrete
- Chrome, black, rubberised
- 5 to 50 lbs
Warranty
Miscellaneous options
- Storage rack
- Micro-loading add on plates
- Weight belt
- Lifting mat
- Wrist, elbow, knee support
- Weight bench
- Lifting gloves
- Barbell pad
There are a lot of features listed here, and some of them may not be relevant to your particular requirements. So, work your way through the list and assess how each of these features impact on your barbell needs. You can then create a personalized checklist of the features you really require in a barbell.
Once you have finished evaluating the barbells available for sale in the light of your personal needs and arrived at a short-list of 'possibles' you are ready to progress to the next stage. This involves comparing the barbells one-on-one in order to find those that really stand out.
Evaluate how well a Barbell compares with competing Barbells
Comparing the items on your interim short-list, one to another, is an important part of the purchasing process - we all want to buy the best product we possibly can. So once you have established a short-list of barbells that meet your needs it is time to evaluate how well they compare in fine detail. This way you can assemble a select list of barbells that stand out from the crowd.
Questions to ask yourself:
Which barbell on my short-list offers the best value for money?
Which of these barbells best meet my needs?
Which of my short-listed barbells has the best warranty?
Which barbell is the easiest to use?
Which of the barbells seems of the highest quality?
Which barbell best suits my level of experience?
Which of these barbells will suit my needs as I improve my strength?
Which barbell do I like best?
By answering these simple questions, you are actually eliminating barbells that aren't absolutely right for you. This is an excellent time - if you haven't done so already - to evaluate how well your short-listed products measure up in the following areas: Physical Quality, Warranty Conditions and Accessories & Extras.
Physical Quality
Regardless of the method you use when purchasing the barbell, you need to find an opportunity to examine the product to evaluate how well it is made, and to check that it is truly suitable for you and your purpose. This is the time to examine the quality of the materials, and how well the barbell is put together. Check the assembly - is the barbell solidly constructed? It's also important to examine the barbell from the perspective of ease of use. How easily can you change plates on the bar? Make sure the barbell fits you physically, and that it is user-friendly - some barbells look great on paper, but unexpected problems will show up when you finally get your hands on them.
Physical Inspection Checklist:
- Materials - quality, appearance
- Assembly - all parts held together securely, good quality fittings
- Solidly constructed - stable, no loose components
- Proper fit of removable parts - easy to remove and replace, fit snugly
- Size - appropriate for surroundings and purpose - fits user correctly
- Appearance - well finished, appropriate color, neat fittings etc
- Easy and comfortable to use
Warranty Conditions
Similar products may be available with significantly different terms and conditions, and you want to get the best deal you can. Parts and labor are often covered under separate warranties, for different time periods; sometimes there can be a significant difference in the warranty offered with one model compared to that offered with the next model up. It is particularly important to investigate any conditions that might void a warranty, such as using heavier weights than those recommended.
Warranty Checklist:
- Duration - check the specifics
- Parts, Labour
- Exactly what is covered
- Exactly what is excluded
- Conditions or actions that may void the warranty
Accessories and Extras
When evaluating similar products, it is a good idea to include accessories in your assessment. You need to be clear about exactly what accessories are necessary to run the product to its full capacity, and whether these are included with the purchase. What other extras are required - do you need lifting gloves, for instance?
Accessories Checklist:
- Accessories - included or extra cost?
- Compatibility issues - will it work with your existing products?
- What else will you need to fully utilize this product?
Once you've worked through the Evaluation step you will have a final short-list of barbells that meet your needs and stand out from competing products on the market. It's time then to move on to the third and final step: Purchase.
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