Strength of non-olympic barbells?

I've just bought a barbell for use in the garage - just wanted to do
stuff at home like cleans, HCP, and military presses. I have thought
about getting some squat racks at home, too, though.

The barbell I've bought is 5ft long, and has those spinlock collars.
It feels quite solid and strong, and with not beling too long, it
feels quite robust.

But it's not an olympic bar - and with that in mind, what sort of
weight can you realistically / safely go up to with a non-olympic bar,
before I should think about splurging on the full monty.

There's no info with the barbell at all, so no hint, there of a kind
of max safe weight - and although I've lifted for a little over 20
years, I've always really gone to gyms and used olymipc barbells.

I couldn't guess what it would take to ruin the bar in one motion, but
in my experience it's easy to put a permanent bow in a 1" bar using
approximately 175-200 lbs on relatively smooth lifts like bench. If
you're putting a lot of velocity on the weight you could probably do
it with less.

Putting a bow in the bar is probably a long way from being dangerous.
With that in mind, my answer is 10,000 lbs.

On Feb 27, 8:51 am, "Douglas Hall" <douglashall1...@yahoo.co.uk>
wrote:
> I've just bought a barbell for use in the garage - just wanted to do
> stuff at home like cleans, HCP, and military presses. I have thought
> about getting some squat racks at home, too, though.
>
> The barbell I've bought is 5ft long, and has those spinlock collars.
> It feels quite solid and strong, and with not beling too long, it
> feels quite robust.
>
> But it's not an olympic bar - and with that in mind, what sort of
> weight can you realistically / safely go up to with a non-olympic bar,
> before I should think about splurging on the full monty.
>
> There's no info with the barbell at all, so no hint, there of a kind
> of max safe weight - and although I've lifted for a little over 20
> years, I've always really gone to gyms and used olymipc barbells.

On Tue, 27 Feb 2007, Douglas Hall wrote:

> I've just bought a barbell for use in the garage - just wanted to do
> stuff at home like cleans, HCP, and military presses. I have thought
> about getting some squat racks at home, too, though.
>
> The barbell I've bought is 5ft long, and has those spinlock collars.
> It feels quite solid and strong, and with not beling too long, it
> feels quite robust.
>
> But it's not an olympic bar - and with that in mind, what sort of
> weight can you realistically / safely go up to with a non-olympic bar,
> before I should think about splurging on the full monty.
>
> There's no info with the barbell at all, so no hint, there of a kind
> of max safe weight - and although I've lifted for a little over 20
> years, I've always really gone to gyms and used olymipc barbells.

I bent one of those bars with less than 150lbs (can't remember the exact
weight). They are junk. Eventually you will outgrow the crappy bar so why
not just buy the Olympic set now? I'd imagine it retains it's value
better as well (in case you don't stick with it).

--Sir Jackery

On Feb 27, 5:40 pm, Sir Jackery <roeh...@cs.ucdavis.edu> wrote:
> On Tue, 27 Feb 2007, Douglas Hall wrote:
> > I've just bought a barbell for use in the garage - just wanted to do
> > stuff at home like cleans, HCP, and military presses. I have thought
> > about getting some squat racks at home, too, though.
>
> > The barbell I've bought is 5ft long, and has those spinlock collars.
> > It feels quite solid and strong, and with not beling too long, it
> > feels quite robust.
>
> > But it's not an olympic bar - and with that in mind, what sort of
> > weight can you realistically / safely go up to with a non-olympic bar,
> > before I should think about splurging on the full monty.
>
> > There's no info with the barbell at all, so no hint, there of a kind
> > of max safe weight - and although I've lifted for a little over 20
> > years, I've always really gone to gyms and used olymipc barbells.
>
> I bent one of those bars with less than 150lbs (can't remember the exact
> weight). They are junk. Eventually you will outgrow the crappy bar so why
> not just buy the Olympic set now? I'd imagine it retains it's value
> better as well (in case you don't stick with it).

It's not a case of not sticking with it - I've been lifting for at
least 20 years. But it's the first time I've bought a barbell for home
use.

I'll be getting an olympic set at some point, it's just that the
garage isn't fully ready yet, and I just bought something to use in
the meantime. I just really wanted to get a handle on what I could use
a modest bar with, until getting the kit that I want. I'll still be
lifting in a gym, too - this is just so that I can do some stuff that
either I don't have as much gym time for, or I can do at home, and
leave gym time for things that I can't do at home.

On Tue, 27 Feb 2007, Douglas Hall wrote:

> On Feb 27, 5:40 pm, Sir Jackery <roeh...@cs.ucdavis.edu> wrote:
>> On Tue, 27 Feb 2007, Douglas Hall wrote:
>>> I've just bought a barbell for use in the garage - just wanted to do
>>> stuff at home like cleans, HCP, and military presses. I have thought
>>> about getting some squat racks at home, too, though.
>>
>>> The barbell I've bought is 5ft long, and has those spinlock collars.
>>> It feels quite solid and strong, and with not beling too long, it
>>> feels quite robust.
>>
>>> But it's not an olympic bar - and with that in mind, what sort of
>>> weight can you realistically / safely go up to with a non-olympic bar,
>>> before I should think about splurging on the full monty.
>>
>>> There's no info with the barbell at all, so no hint, there of a kind
>>> of max safe weight - and although I've lifted for a little over 20
>>> years, I've always really gone to gyms and used olymipc barbells.
>>
>> I bent one of those bars with less than 150lbs (can't remember the exact
>> weight). They are junk. Eventually you will outgrow the crappy bar so why
>> not just buy the Olympic set now? I'd imagine it retains it's value
>> better as well (in case you don't stick with it).
>
> It's not a case of not sticking with it - I've been lifting for at
> least 20 years. But it's the first time I've bought a barbell for home
> use.
>
> I'll be getting an olympic set at some point, it's just that the
> garage isn't fully ready yet, and I just bought something to use in
> the meantime. I just really wanted to get a handle on what I could use
> a modest bar with, until getting the kit that I want. I'll still be
> lifting in a gym, too - this is just so that I can do some stuff that
> either I don't have as much gym time for, or I can do at home, and
> leave gym time for things that I can't do at home.

If you are primarily doing wide grip exercises the little bar should be
able to support a lot of weight. I would not use it for squats, closed
grip bench, or anything like that. That said, I wouldn't go benching 315,
or using it for massive shrugs, or anything like that either. These bars
are weak and it is a pain in the ass to change the weights on them. I
do not recommend them.

--Sir Jackery

In article <1172590266.442325.70180@v33g2000cwv.googlegroups. com>,
"AnonymousJ" <craigs.list.jason@gmail.com> wrote:

> I couldn't guess what it would take to ruin the bar in one motion, but
> in my experience it's easy to put a permanent bow in a 1" bar using
> approximately 175-200 lbs on relatively smooth lifts like bench. If
> you're putting a lot of velocity on the weight you could probably do
> it with less.
>
> Putting a bow in the bar is probably a long way from being dangerous.
> With that in mind, my answer is 10,000 lbs.
>
> On Feb 27, 8:51 am, "Douglas Hall" <douglashall1...@yahoo.co.uk>
> wrote:
> > I've just bought a barbell for use in the garage - just wanted to do
> > stuff at home like cleans, HCP, and military presses. I have thought
> > about getting some squat racks at home, too, though.
> >
> > The barbell I've bought is 5ft long, and has those spinlock collars.
> > It feels quite solid and strong, and with not beling too long, it
> > feels quite robust.
> >
> > But it's not an olympic bar - and with that in mind, what sort of
> > weight can you realistically / safely go up to with a non-olympic bar,
> > before I should think about splurging on the full monty.
> >
> > There's no info with the barbell at all, so no hint, there of a kind
> > of max safe weight - and although I've lifted for a little over 20
> > years, I've always really gone to gyms and used olymipc barbells.
>
>

Actually it is dangerous - on your wrists if you do cleans.

Which is the problem with cheap olympic bars as well. Get yourself a
decent bar and bumpers if you can afford it.

--
Keith

On Feb 27, 10:51 am, "Douglas Hall" <douglashall1...@yahoo.co.uk>
wrote:
> I've just bought a barbell for use in the garage - just wanted to do
> stuff at home like cleans, HCP, and military presses. I have thought
> about getting some squat racks at home, too, though.
>
> The barbell I've bought is 5ft long, and has those spinlock collars.
> It feels quite solid and strong, and with not beling too long, it
> feels quite robust.
>
> But it's not an olympic bar - and with that in mind, what sort of
> weight can you realistically / safely go up to with a non-olympic bar,
> before I should think about splurging on the full monty.
>
> There's no info with the barbell at all, so no hint, there of a kind
> of max safe weight - and although I've lifted for a little over 20
> years, I've always really gone to gyms and used olymipc barbells.

My first bar start to bend elastically at 170-200 lbs, and got a
permanent bend at 225.

On Feb 27, 1:51 pm, "Douglas Hall" <douglashall1...@yahoo.co.uk>
wrote:
<snip>

Thanks for everybody's feedback.

>From the sounds of things, a barbell like this is going to have very
limited use, then - given the weights people have said they've
encountered similar bars bending.

I will be getting an olympic bar at some point - and to explain a
little about my questioning - when you've spent a couple of decades in
gyms, using fairly good quality kit, and only ever done any serious
lifts with olympic bars, you've got no frame of reference for the more
domestic equipment, nor what it's capable of.

I'll certainly not be doing much in the way of deads or squats with
it, then.

And for the things that it would likely be suitable for - weight wise
- like curls, I'm not so overly interested in barbell work for, when a
couple of heavy dumbbells will do the trick.

Anyways, it (the barbell) didn't cost me much... ;-)

Thanks to all who responded.

On 27 Feb 2007 12:21:53 -0800, "Douglas Hall"
<douglashall13th@yahoo.co.uk> wrote:

>On Feb 27, 1:51 pm, "Douglas Hall" <douglashall1...@yahoo.co.uk>
>wrote:
><snip>
>
>Thanks for everybody's feedback.
>
>>From the sounds of things, a barbell like this is going to have very
>limited use, then - given the weights people have said they've
>encountered similar bars bending.
>
>I will be getting an olympic bar at some point - and to explain a
>little about my questioning - when you've spent a couple of decades in
>gyms, using fairly good quality kit, and only ever done any serious
>lifts with olympic bars, you've got no frame of reference for the more
>domestic equipment, nor what it's capable of.
>
>I'll certainly not be doing much in the way of deads or squats with
>it, then.
>
>And for the things that it would likely be suitable for - weight wise
>- like curls, I'm not so overly interested in barbell work for, when a
>couple of heavy dumbbells will do the trick.
>
>Anyways, it (the barbell) didn't cost me much... ;-)
>
>Thanks to all who responded.

Didn't you get a tolerance during the purchase? Most of the weight
sets I was looking at gave a tolerance with the bars. The sets with
heavier weights came with a better bar.

On Feb 27, 9:43 pm, Shute <S...@nowhere.com> wrote:
> On 27 Feb 2007 12:21:53 -0800, "Douglas Hall"
> <douglashall1...@yahoo.co.uk> wrote:
> >On Feb 27, 1:51 pm, "Douglas Hall" <douglashall1...@yahoo.co.uk>
> >wrote:
> ><snip>
>
> >Thanks for everybody's feedback.
>
> >>From the sounds of things, a barbell like this is going to have very
> >limited use, then - given the weights people have said they've
> >encountered similar bars bending.
>
> >I will be getting an olympic bar at some point - and to explain a
> >little about my questioning - when you've spent a couple of decades in
> >gyms, using fairly good quality kit, and only ever done any serious
> >lifts with olympic bars, you've got no frame of reference for the more
> >domestic equipment, nor what it's capable of.
>
> >I'll certainly not be doing much in the way of deads or squats with
> >it, then.
>
> >And for the things that it would likely be suitable for - weight wise
> >- like curls, I'm not so overly interested in barbell work for, when a
> >couple of heavy dumbbells will do the trick.
>
> >Anyways, it (the barbell) didn't cost me much... ;-)
>
> >Thanks to all who responded.
>
> Didn't you get a tolerance during the purchase? Most of the weight
> sets I was looking at gave a tolerance with the bars. The sets with
> heavier weights came with a better bar.

No - and it wasn't with a set, I just bought a bar - I have some free-
weight dumbbells already. Compared to some of the non-olymipc bars
I've seen in gyms, over the years, it appears and feels (weight wise)
quite sturdy, but I only really bought it as a stop-gap.

On 27 Feb 2007 05:51:51 -0800, "Douglas Hall"
<douglashall13th@yahoo.co.uk> wrote:

>I've just bought a barbell for use in the garage - just wanted to do
>stuff at home like cleans, HCP, and military presses. I have thought
>about getting some squat racks at home, too, though.
>
>The barbell I've bought is 5ft long, and has those spinlock collars.
>It feels quite solid and strong, and with not beling too long, it
>feels quite robust.
>
>But it's not an olympic bar - and with that in mind, what sort of
>weight can you realistically / safely go up to with a non-olympic bar,
>before I should think about splurging on the full monty.
>
>There's no info with the barbell at all, so no hint, there of a kind
>of max safe weight - and although I've lifted for a little over 20
>years, I've always really gone to gyms and used olymipc barbells.

I bought a standard, high-strength, 7', 23 lb bar at Weightlifter's
Warehouse. http://www.wwfitness.com/stdpltsbars.html
I called to ask what weight it could hold without permanently warping.
I forget the exact figure because it was far more than I'll ever lift.

Before I purchased this bar, I asked a number of gym equipment dealers
what weight a regular, chromed standard bar could stand before
permanently warping/bending. The answers I received varied greatly,
with some of the variance having to do with bar length - 5', 6' and 7'
Still, all were in the global neighborhood of 200-300 pounds. I
wouldn't doubt that they all might permanently bend at under 200 lbs.

My bar is holding up quite nicely, but it really hasn't been tested
much.

"Douglas Hall" <douglashall13th@yahoo.co.uk> wrote in message
news:1172584311.646893.53100@h3g2000cwc.googlegrou ps.com...
> I've just bought a barbell for use in the garage - just wanted to do
> stuff at home like cleans, HCP, and military presses. I have thought
> about getting some squat racks at home, too, though.
>
> The barbell I've bought is 5ft long, and has those spinlock collars.
> It feels quite solid and strong, and with not beling too long, it
> feels quite robust.
>
> But it's not an olympic bar - and with that in mind, what sort of
> weight can you realistically / safely go up to with a non-olympic bar,
> before I should think about splurging on the full monty.
>
> There's no info with the barbell at all, so no hint, there of a kind
> of max safe weight - and although I've lifted for a little over 20
> years, I've always really gone to gyms and used olymipc barbells.

A starter Olympic weight set is one of the best values around. A 45 lb.
(20 kg) bar plus weights to bring the set total up to 300 lbs., and you
can find them for as little as $99. I paid $179 for mine here in metro
NYC. Unless your garage lacks room for a 7 foot bar right now, I don't
see a compelling reason for you _not_ to get this set right away. If
bar length is an issue, good but shorter Olympic bars can be had for
relatively little money, e.g., my wife deadlifts using a 6 ft., 25 lb.,
700 lb. test bar we mail-ordered from Jesup Gym. See

http://www.jesupgym.com/products.htm?cid=12

The grip area is narrower but it accepts Olympic weights, and suits
perfectly my wife who has very small hands, and we don't need to bother
to keep 1" standard weight plates around. This is but one example -
there are plenty of 6' and 5' Oly bars with full sized grip areas, I
suspect.

-S-
http://www.kbnj.com

On Wed, 28 Feb 2007 10:09:23 -0500, "Steve Freides"
<steve@fridayscomputer.com> wrote:

>"Douglas Hall" <douglashall13th@yahoo.co.uk> wrote in message
>news:1172584311.646893.53100@h3g2000cwc.googlegro ups.com...
>> I've just bought a barbell for use in the garage - just wanted to do
>> stuff at home like cleans, HCP, and military presses. I have thought
>> about getting some squat racks at home, too, though.
>>
>> The barbell I've bought is 5ft long, and has those spinlock collars.
>> It feels quite solid and strong, and with not beling too long, it
>> feels quite robust.
>>
>> But it's not an olympic bar - and with that in mind, what sort of
>> weight can you realistically / safely go up to with a non-olympic bar,
>> before I should think about splurging on the full monty.
>>
>> There's no info with the barbell at all, so no hint, there of a kind
>> of max safe weight - and although I've lifted for a little over 20
>> years, I've always really gone to gyms and used olymipc barbells.
>
>A starter Olympic weight set is one of the best values around. A 45 lb.
>(20 kg) bar plus weights to bring the set total up to 300 lbs., and you
>can find them for as little as $99. I paid $179 for mine here in metro
>NYC. Unless your garage lacks room for a 7 foot bar right now, I don't
>see a compelling reason for you _not_ to get this set right away. If
>bar length is an issue, good but shorter Olympic bars can be had for
>relatively little money, e.g., my wife deadlifts using a 6 ft., 25 lb.,
>700 lb. test bar we mail-ordered from Jesup Gym. See
>
>http://www.jesupgym.com/products.htm?cid=12
>
>The grip area is narrower but it accepts Olympic weights, and suits
>perfectly my wife who has very small hands, and we don't need to bother
>to keep 1" standard weight plates around. This is but one example -
>there are plenty of 6' and 5' Oly bars with full sized grip areas, I
>suspect.
>
>-S-
>http://www.kbnj.com


What is the grip area/circumference of an OL bar?

<gedaloda@thisguy.com> wrote in message
news:g22cu2tkcuok5iubl6vv5mnog5tc006omo@4ax.com...
> On Wed, 28 Feb 2007 10:09:23 -0500, "Steve Freides"
> <steve@fridayscomputer.com> wrote:
>
>>"Douglas Hall" <douglashall13th@yahoo.co.uk> wrote in message
>>news:1172584311.646893.53100@h3g2000cwc.googlegr oups.com...
>>> I've just bought a barbell for use in the garage - just wanted to do
>>> stuff at home like cleans, HCP, and military presses. I have thought
>>> about getting some squat racks at home, too, though.
>>>
>>> The barbell I've bought is 5ft long, and has those spinlock collars.
>>> It feels quite solid and strong, and with not beling too long, it
>>> feels quite robust.
>>>
>>> But it's not an olympic bar - and with that in mind, what sort of
>>> weight can you realistically / safely go up to with a non-olympic
>>> bar,
>>> before I should think about splurging on the full monty.
>>>
>>> There's no info with the barbell at all, so no hint, there of a kind
>>> of max safe weight - and although I've lifted for a little over 20
>>> years, I've always really gone to gyms and used olymipc barbells.
>>
>>A starter Olympic weight set is one of the best values around. A 45
>>lb.
>>(20 kg) bar plus weights to bring the set total up to 300 lbs., and
>>you
>>can find them for as little as $99. I paid $179 for mine here in
>>metro
>>NYC. Unless your garage lacks room for a 7 foot bar right now, I
>>don't
>>see a compelling reason for you _not_ to get this set right away. If
>>bar length is an issue, good but shorter Olympic bars can be had for
>>relatively little money, e.g., my wife deadlifts using a 6 ft., 25
>>lb.,
>>700 lb. test bar we mail-ordered from Jesup Gym. See
>>
>>http://www.jesupgym.com/products.htm?cid=12
>>
>>The grip area is narrower but it accepts Olympic weights, and suits
>>perfectly my wife who has very small hands, and we don't need to
>>bother
>>to keep 1" standard weight plates around. This is but one example -
>>there are plenty of 6' and 5' Oly bars with full sized grip areas, I
>>suspect.
>>
>>-S-
>>http://www.kbnj.com
>
>
> What is the grip area/circumference of an OL bar?

If memory serves, 1.25 inches. One can look this up on the web sites
that have the various federations rules and specifications.

-S-
http://www.kbnj.com

On Wed, 28 Feb 2007 21:00:51 -0500, "Steve Freides"
<steve@fridayscomputer.com> wrote:

><gedaloda@thisguy.com> wrote in message
>news:g22cu2tkcuok5iubl6vv5mnog5tc006omo@4ax.com.. .
>> On Wed, 28 Feb 2007 10:09:23 -0500, "Steve Freides"
>> <steve@fridayscomputer.com> wrote:
>>
>>>"Douglas Hall" <douglashall13th@yahoo.co.uk> wrote in message
>>>news:1172584311.646893.53100@h3g2000cwc.googleg roups.com...
>>>> I've just bought a barbell for use in the garage - just wanted to do
>>>> stuff at home like cleans, HCP, and military presses. I have thought
>>>> about getting some squat racks at home, too, though.
>>>>
>>>> The barbell I've bought is 5ft long, and has those spinlock collars.
>>>> It feels quite solid and strong, and with not beling too long, it
>>>> feels quite robust.
>>>>
>>>> But it's not an olympic bar - and with that in mind, what sort of
>>>> weight can you realistically / safely go up to with a non-olympic
>>>> bar,
>>>> before I should think about splurging on the full monty.
>>>>
>>>> There's no info with the barbell at all, so no hint, there of a kind
>>>> of max safe weight - and although I've lifted for a little over 20
>>>> years, I've always really gone to gyms and used olymipc barbells.
>>>
>>>A starter Olympic weight set is one of the best values around. A 45
>>>lb.
>>>(20 kg) bar plus weights to bring the set total up to 300 lbs., and
>>>you
>>>can find them for as little as $99. I paid $179 for mine here in
>>>metro
>>>NYC. Unless your garage lacks room for a 7 foot bar right now, I
>>>don't
>>>see a compelling reason for you _not_ to get this set right away. If
>>>bar length is an issue, good but shorter Olympic bars can be had for
>>>relatively little money, e.g., my wife deadlifts using a 6 ft., 25
>>>lb.,
>>>700 lb. test bar we mail-ordered from Jesup Gym. See
>>>
>>>http://www.jesupgym.com/products.htm?cid=12
>>>
>>>The grip area is narrower but it accepts Olympic weights, and suits
>>>perfectly my wife who has very small hands, and we don't need to
>>>bother
>>>to keep 1" standard weight plates around. This is but one example -
>>>there are plenty of 6' and 5' Oly bars with full sized grip areas, I
>>>suspect.
>>>
>>>-S-
>>>http://www.kbnj.com
>>
>>
>> What is the grip area/circumference of an OL bar?
>
>If memory serves, 1.25 inches. One can look this up on the web sites
>that have the various federations rules and specifications.
>
>-S-
>http://www.kbnj.com


http://www.powerlifting-ipf.com/IPF_rulebook_2007.pdf
Diameter of the bar is not to exceed 29 mm or be less than 28 mm.

http://www.shoppingsense.ca/convert_mm_to_inches.htm
28 mm = 1.1024"
29 mm = 1.1417"


Diameter x 3.1416 = Circumference

1.1024" X 3.1416= 3.463" circumference
1.1417" X 3.1416 = 3.587" circumference

Correct?




>

<gedaloda@thisguy.com> wrote in message
news:afgcu25qndq7vvskvmnkfe26nbcdrgorf9@4ax.com...
> On Wed, 28 Feb 2007 21:00:51 -0500, "Steve Freides"
> <steve@fridayscomputer.com> wrote:
>
>><gedaloda@thisguy.com> wrote in message
>>news:g22cu2tkcuok5iubl6vv5mnog5tc006omo@4ax.com. ..
>>> On Wed, 28 Feb 2007 10:09:23 -0500, "Steve Freides"
>>> <steve@fridayscomputer.com> wrote:
>>>
>>>>"Douglas Hall" <douglashall13th@yahoo.co.uk> wrote in message
>>>>news:1172584311.646893.53100@h3g2000cwc.google groups.com...
>>>>> I've just bought a barbell for use in the garage - just wanted to
>>>>> do
>>>>> stuff at home like cleans, HCP, and military presses. I have
>>>>> thought
>>>>> about getting some squat racks at home, too, though.
>>>>>
>>>>> The barbell I've bought is 5ft long, and has those spinlock
>>>>> collars.
>>>>> It feels quite solid and strong, and with not beling too long, it
>>>>> feels quite robust.
>>>>>
>>>>> But it's not an olympic bar - and with that in mind, what sort of
>>>>> weight can you realistically / safely go up to with a non-olympic
>>>>> bar,
>>>>> before I should think about splurging on the full monty.
>>>>>
>>>>> There's no info with the barbell at all, so no hint, there of a
>>>>> kind
>>>>> of max safe weight - and although I've lifted for a little over 20
>>>>> years, I've always really gone to gyms and used olymipc barbells.
>>>>
>>>>A starter Olympic weight set is one of the best values around. A 45
>>>>lb.
>>>>(20 kg) bar plus weights to bring the set total up to 300 lbs., and
>>>>you
>>>>can find them for as little as $99. I paid $179 for mine here in
>>>>metro
>>>>NYC. Unless your garage lacks room for a 7 foot bar right now, I
>>>>don't
>>>>see a compelling reason for you _not_ to get this set right away.
>>>>If
>>>>bar length is an issue, good but shorter Olympic bars can be had for
>>>>relatively little money, e.g., my wife deadlifts using a 6 ft., 25
>>>>lb.,
>>>>700 lb. test bar we mail-ordered from Jesup Gym. See
>>>>
>>>>http://www.jesupgym.com/products.htm?cid=12
>>>>
>>>>The grip area is narrower but it accepts Olympic weights, and suits
>>>>perfectly my wife who has very small hands, and we don't need to
>>>>bother
>>>>to keep 1" standard weight plates around. This is but one example -
>>>>there are plenty of 6' and 5' Oly bars with full sized grip areas, I
>>>>suspect.
>>>>
>>>>-S-
>>>>http://www.kbnj.com
>>>
>>>
>>> What is the grip area/circumference of an OL bar?
>>
>>If memory serves, 1.25 inches. One can look this up on the web sites
>>that have the various federations rules and specifications.
>>
>>-S-
>>http://www.kbnj.com
>
>
> http://www.powerlifting-ipf.com/IPF_rulebook_2007.pdf
> Diameter of the bar is not to exceed 29 mm or be less than 28 mm.
>
> http://www.shoppingsense.ca/convert_mm_to_inches.htm
> 28 mm = 1.1024"
> 29 mm = 1.1417"
>
>
> Diameter x 3.1416 = Circumference
>
> 1.1024" X 3.1416= 3.463" circumference
> 1.1417" X 3.1416 = 3.587" circumference
>
> Correct?

Beats me. I just lift the things.

-S-
http://www.kbnj.com

On Thu, 1 Mar 2007 10:30:46 -0500, "Steve Freides"
<steve@fridayscomputer.com> wrote:

><gedaloda@thisguy.com> wrote in message
>news:afgcu25qndq7vvskvmnkfe26nbcdrgorf9@4ax.com.. .
>> On Wed, 28 Feb 2007 21:00:51 -0500, "Steve Freides"
>> <steve@fridayscomputer.com> wrote:
>>
>>><gedaloda@thisguy.com> wrote in message
>>>news:g22cu2tkcuok5iubl6vv5mnog5tc006omo@4ax.com ...
>>>> On Wed, 28 Feb 2007 10:09:23 -0500, "Steve Freides"
>>>> <steve@fridayscomputer.com> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>>"Douglas Hall" <douglashall13th@yahoo.co.uk> wrote in message
>>>>>news:1172584311.646893.53100@h3g2000cwc.googl egroups.com...
>>>>>> I've just bought a barbell for use in the garage - just wanted to
>>>>>> do
>>>>>> stuff at home like cleans, HCP, and military presses. I have
>>>>>> thought
>>>>>> about getting some squat racks at home, too, though.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> The barbell I've bought is 5ft long, and has those spinlock
>>>>>> collars.
>>>>>> It feels quite solid and strong, and with not beling too long, it
>>>>>> feels quite robust.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> But it's not an olympic bar - and with that in mind, what sort of
>>>>>> weight can you realistically / safely go up to with a non-olympic
>>>>>> bar,
>>>>>> before I should think about splurging on the full monty.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> There's no info with the barbell at all, so no hint, there of a
>>>>>> kind
>>>>>> of max safe weight - and although I've lifted for a little over 20
>>>>>> years, I've always really gone to gyms and used olymipc barbells.
>>>>>
>>>>>A starter Olympic weight set is one of the best values around. A 45
>>>>>lb.
>>>>>(20 kg) bar plus weights to bring the set total up to 300 lbs., and
>>>>>you
>>>>>can find them for as little as $99. I paid $179 for mine here in
>>>>>metro
>>>>>NYC. Unless your garage lacks room for a 7 foot bar right now, I
>>>>>don't
>>>>>see a compelling reason for you _not_ to get this set right away.
>>>>>If
>>>>>bar length is an issue, good but shorter Olympic bars can be had for
>>>>>relatively little money, e.g., my wife deadlifts using a 6 ft., 25
>>>>>lb.,
>>>>>700 lb. test bar we mail-ordered from Jesup Gym. See
>>>>>
>>>>>http://www.jesupgym.com/products.htm?cid=12
>>>>>
>>>>>The grip area is narrower but it accepts Olympic weights, and suits
>>>>>perfectly my wife who has very small hands, and we don't need to
>>>>>bother
>>>>>to keep 1" standard weight plates around. This is but one example -
>>>>>there are plenty of 6' and 5' Oly bars with full sized grip areas, I
>>>>>suspect.
>>>>>
>>>>>-S-
>>>>>http://www.kbnj.com
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> What is the grip area/circumference of an OL bar?
>>>
>>>If memory serves, 1.25 inches. One can look this up on the web sites
>>>that have the various federations rules and specifications.
>>>
>>>-S-
>>>http://www.kbnj.com
>>
>>
>> http://www.powerlifting-ipf.com/IPF_rulebook_2007.pdf
>> Diameter of the bar is not to exceed 29 mm or be less than 28 mm.
>>
>> http://www.shoppingsense.ca/convert_mm_to_inches.htm
>> 28 mm = 1.1024"
>> 29 mm = 1.1417"
>>
>>
>> Diameter x 3.1416 = Circumference
>>
>> 1.1024" X 3.1416= 3.463" circumference
>> 1.1417" X 3.1416 = 3.587" circumference
>>
>> Correct?
>
>Beats me. I just lift the things.
>
>-S-
>http://www.kbnj.com

I only asked because I wanted to know whether my standard bar has a
full-sized grip area. It does. Actually, it's a little bigger

In article <54mqemF2186olU1@mid.individual.net>,
"Steve Freides" <steve@fridayscomputer.com> wrote:

> <gedaloda@thisguy.com> wrote in message
> news:g22cu2tkcuok5iubl6vv5mnog5tc006omo@4ax.com...
> > On Wed, 28 Feb 2007 10:09:23 -0500, "Steve Freides"
> > <steve@fridayscomputer.com> wrote:
> >
> >>"Douglas Hall" <douglashall13th@yahoo.co.uk> wrote in message
> >>news:1172584311.646893.53100@h3g2000cwc.googlegr oups.com...
> >>> I've just bought a barbell for use in the garage - just wanted to do
> >>> stuff at home like cleans, HCP, and military presses. I have thought
> >>> about getting some squat racks at home, too, though.
> >>>
> >>> The barbell I've bought is 5ft long, and has those spinlock collars.
> >>> It feels quite solid and strong, and with not beling too long, it
> >>> feels quite robust.
> >>>
> >>> But it's not an olympic bar - and with that in mind, what sort of
> >>> weight can you realistically / safely go up to with a non-olympic
> >>> bar,
> >>> before I should think about splurging on the full monty.
> >>>
> >>> There's no info with the barbell at all, so no hint, there of a kind
> >>> of max safe weight - and although I've lifted for a little over 20
> >>> years, I've always really gone to gyms and used olymipc barbells.
> >>
> >>A starter Olympic weight set is one of the best values around. A 45
> >>lb.
> >>(20 kg) bar plus weights to bring the set total up to 300 lbs., and
> >>you
> >>can find them for as little as $99. I paid $179 for mine here in
> >>metro
> >>NYC. Unless your garage lacks room for a 7 foot bar right now, I
> >>don't
> >>see a compelling reason for you _not_ to get this set right away. If
> >>bar length is an issue, good but shorter Olympic bars can be had for
> >>relatively little money, e.g., my wife deadlifts using a 6 ft., 25
> >>lb.,
> >>700 lb. test bar we mail-ordered from Jesup Gym. See
> >>
> >>http://www.jesupgym.com/products.htm?cid=12
> >>
> >>The grip area is narrower but it accepts Olympic weights, and suits
> >>perfectly my wife who has very small hands, and we don't need to
> >>bother
> >>to keep 1" standard weight plates around. This is but one example -
> >>there are plenty of 6' and 5' Oly bars with full sized grip areas, I
> >>suspect.
> >>
> >>-S-
> >>http://www.kbnj.com
> >
> >
> > What is the grip area/circumference of an OL bar?
>
> If memory serves, 1.25 inches. One can look this up on the web sites
> that have the various federations rules and specifications.
>
> -S-
> http://www.kbnj.com
>
>

1.125 I think. Powerlifting bar is 1.25.

--
Keith

On Thu, 01 Mar 2007 13:26:36 -0600, Hobbes <khobman800@yahoo.com>
wrote:

>In article <54mqemF2186olU1@mid.individual.net>,
> "Steve Freides" <steve@fridayscomputer.com> wrote:
>
>> <gedaloda@thisguy.com> wrote in message
>> news:g22cu2tkcuok5iubl6vv5mnog5tc006omo@4ax.com...
>> > On Wed, 28 Feb 2007 10:09:23 -0500, "Steve Freides"
>> > <steve@fridayscomputer.com> wrote:
>> >
>> >>"Douglas Hall" <douglashall13th@yahoo.co.uk> wrote in message
>> >>news:1172584311.646893.53100@h3g2000cwc.googlegr oups.com...
>> >>> I've just bought a barbell for use in the garage - just wanted to do
>> >>> stuff at home like cleans, HCP, and military presses. I have thought
>> >>> about getting some squat racks at home, too, though.
>> >>>
>> >>> The barbell I've bought is 5ft long, and has those spinlock collars.
>> >>> It feels quite solid and strong, and with not beling too long, it
>> >>> feels quite robust.
>> >>>
>> >>> But it's not an olympic bar - and with that in mind, what sort of
>> >>> weight can you realistically / safely go up to with a non-olympic
>> >>> bar,
>> >>> before I should think about splurging on the full monty.
>> >>>
>> >>> There's no info with the barbell at all, so no hint, there of a kind
>> >>> of max safe weight - and although I've lifted for a little over 20
>> >>> years, I've always really gone to gyms and used olymipc barbells.
>> >>
>> >>A starter Olympic weight set is one of the best values around. A 45
>> >>lb.
>> >>(20 kg) bar plus weights to bring the set total up to 300 lbs., and
>> >>you
>> >>can find them for as little as $99. I paid $179 for mine here in
>> >>metro
>> >>NYC. Unless your garage lacks room for a 7 foot bar right now, I
>> >>don't
>> >>see a compelling reason for you _not_ to get this set right away. If
>> >>bar length is an issue, good but shorter Olympic bars can be had for
>> >>relatively little money, e.g., my wife deadlifts using a 6 ft., 25
>> >>lb.,
>> >>700 lb. test bar we mail-ordered from Jesup Gym. See
>> >>
>> >>http://www.jesupgym.com/products.htm?cid=12
>> >>
>> >>The grip area is narrower but it accepts Olympic weights, and suits
>> >>perfectly my wife who has very small hands, and we don't need to
>> >>bother
>> >>to keep 1" standard weight plates around. This is but one example -
>> >>there are plenty of 6' and 5' Oly bars with full sized grip areas, I
>> >>suspect.
>> >>
>> >>-S-
>> >>http://www.kbnj.com
>> >
>> >
>> > What is the grip area/circumference of an OL bar?
>>
>> If memory serves, 1.25 inches. One can look this up on the web sites
>> that have the various federations rules and specifications.
>>
>> -S-
>> http://www.kbnj.com
>>
>>
>
>1.125 I think. Powerlifting bar is 1.25.

PL bar is very close to my standard bar.

On Thu, 1 Mar 2007, Hobbes wrote:

> In article <54mqemF2186olU1@mid.individual.net>,
> "Steve Freides" <steve@fridayscomputer.com> wrote:
>
>> <gedaloda@thisguy.com> wrote in message
>> news:g22cu2tkcuok5iubl6vv5mnog5tc006omo@4ax.com...
>>> On Wed, 28 Feb 2007 10:09:23 -0500, "Steve Freides"
>>> <steve@fridayscomputer.com> wrote:
>>>
>>>> "Douglas Hall" <douglashall13th@yahoo.co.uk> wrote in message
>>>> news:1172584311.646893.53100@h3g2000cwc.googlegrou ps.com...
>>>>> I've just bought a barbell for use in the garage - just wanted to do
>>>>> stuff at home like cleans, HCP, and military presses. I have thought
>>>>> about getting some squat racks at home, too, though.
>>>>>
>>>>> The barbell I've bought is 5ft long, and has those spinlock collars.
>>>>> It feels quite solid and strong, and with not beling too long, it
>>>>> feels quite robust.
>>>>>
>>>>> But it's not an olympic bar - and with that in mind, what sort of
>>>>> weight can you realistically / safely go up to with a non-olympic
>>>>> bar,
>>>>> before I should think about splurging on the full monty.
>>>>>
>>>>> There's no info with the barbell at all, so no hint, there of a kind
>>>>> of max safe weight - and although I've lifted for a little over 20
>>>>> years, I've always really gone to gyms and used olymipc barbells.
>>>>
>>>> A starter Olympic weight set is one of the best values around. A 45
>>>> lb.
>>>> (20 kg) bar plus weights to bring the set total up to 300 lbs., and
>>>> you
>>>> can find them for as little as $99. I paid $179 for mine here in
>>>> metro
>>>> NYC. Unless your garage lacks room for a 7 foot bar right now, I
>>>> don't
>>>> see a compelling reason for you _not_ to get this set right away. If
>>>> bar length is an issue, good but shorter Olympic bars can be had for
>>>> relatively little money, e.g., my wife deadlifts using a 6 ft., 25
>>>> lb.,
>>>> 700 lb. test bar we mail-ordered from Jesup Gym. See
>>>>
>>>> http://www.jesupgym.com/products.htm?cid=12
>>>>
>>>> The grip area is narrower but it accepts Olympic weights, and suits
>>>> perfectly my wife who has very small hands, and we don't need to
>>>> bother
>>>> to keep 1" standard weight plates around. This is but one example -
>>>> there are plenty of 6' and 5' Oly bars with full sized grip areas, I
>>>> suspect.
>>>>
>>>> -S-
>>>> http://www.kbnj.com
>>>
>>>
>>> What is the grip area/circumference of an OL bar?
>>
>> If memory serves, 1.25 inches. One can look this up on the web sites
>> that have the various federations rules and specifications.
>>
>> -S-
>> http://www.kbnj.com
>>
>>
>
> 1.125 I think. Powerlifting bar is 1.25.

Your numbers are diameters right? 1.25" is around the circumference of a
marker.

--Sir Jackery

In article <cpbeu2p5bqego8o02ovip6urpl5bvamj4e@4ax.com>,
gedaloda@thisguy.com wrote:

> On Thu, 01 Mar 2007 13:26:36 -0600, Hobbes <khobman800@yahoo.com>
> wrote:
>
> >In article <54mqemF2186olU1@mid.individual.net>,
> > "Steve Freides" <steve@fridayscomputer.com> wrote:
> >
> >> <gedaloda@thisguy.com> wrote in message
> >> news:g22cu2tkcuok5iubl6vv5mnog5tc006omo@4ax.com...
> >> > On Wed, 28 Feb 2007 10:09:23 -0500, "Steve Freides"
> >> > <steve@fridayscomputer.com> wrote:
> >> >
> >> >>"Douglas Hall" <douglashall13th@yahoo.co.uk> wrote in message
> >> >>news:1172584311.646893.53100@h3g2000cwc.googlegr oups.com...
> >> >>> I've just bought a barbell for use in the garage - just wanted to do
> >> >>> stuff at home like cleans, HCP, and military presses. I have thought
> >> >>> about getting some squat racks at home, too, though.
> >> >>>
> >> >>> The barbell I've bought is 5ft long, and has those spinlock collars.
> >> >>> It feels quite solid and strong, and with not beling too long, it
> >> >>> feels quite robust.
> >> >>>
> >> >>> But it's not an olympic bar - and with that in mind, what sort of
> >> >>> weight can you realistically / safely go up to with a non-olympic
> >> >>> bar,
> >> >>> before I should think about splurging on the full monty.
> >> >>>
> >> >>> There's no info with the barbell at all, so no hint, there of a kind
> >> >>> of max safe weight - and although I've lifted for a little over 20
> >> >>> years, I've always really gone to gyms and used olymipc barbells.
> >> >>
> >> >>A starter Olympic weight set is one of the best values around. A 45
> >> >>lb.
> >> >>(20 kg) bar plus weights to bring the set total up to 300 lbs., and
> >> >>you
> >> >>can find them for as little as $99. I paid $179 for mine here in
> >> >>metro
> >> >>NYC. Unless your garage lacks room for a 7 foot bar right now, I
> >> >>don't
> >> >>see a compelling reason for you _not_ to get this set right away. If
> >> >>bar length is an issue, good but shorter Olympic bars can be had for
> >> >>relatively little money, e.g., my wife deadlifts using a 6 ft., 25
> >> >>lb.,
> >> >>700 lb. test bar we mail-ordered from Jesup Gym. See
> >> >>
> >> >>http://www.jesupgym.com/products.htm?cid=12
> >> >>
> >> >>The grip area is narrower but it accepts Olympic weights, and suits
> >> >>perfectly my wife who has very small hands, and we don't need to
> >> >>bother
> >> >>to keep 1" standard weight plates around. This is but one example -
> >> >>there are plenty of 6' and 5' Oly bars with full sized grip areas, I
> >> >>suspect.
> >> >>
> >> >>-S-
> >> >>http://www.kbnj.com
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > What is the grip area/circumference of an OL bar?
> >>
> >> If memory serves, 1.25 inches. One can look this up on the web sites
> >> that have the various federations rules and specifications.
> >>
> >> -S-
> >> http://www.kbnj.com
> >>
> >>
> >
> >1.125 I think. Powerlifting bar is 1.25.
>
> PL bar is very close to my standard bar.

A high-end powerlifting bar has knurling so sharp you can darn near
shave with them. Olympic bars are slightly slimmer, more flex and the
good ones have high-end bearings so the collars spin very easily.

--
Keith

In article <Pine.LNX.4.64.0703011206530.8344@pc30.cs.ucdavis. edu>,
Sir Jackery <roehrig@cs.ucdavis.edu> wrote:

> On Thu, 1 Mar 2007, Hobbes wrote:
>
> > In article <54mqemF2186olU1@mid.individual.net>,
> > "Steve Freides" <steve@fridayscomputer.com> wrote:
> >
> >> <gedaloda@thisguy.com> wrote in message
> >> news:g22cu2tkcuok5iubl6vv5mnog5tc006omo@4ax.com...
> >>> On Wed, 28 Feb 2007 10:09:23 -0500, "Steve Freides"
> >>> <steve@fridayscomputer.com> wrote:
> >>>
> >>>> "Douglas Hall" <douglashall13th@yahoo.co.uk> wrote in message
> >>>> news:1172584311.646893.53100@h3g2000cwc.googlegrou ps.com...
> >>>>> I've just bought a barbell for use in the garage - just wanted to do
> >>>>> stuff at home like cleans, HCP, and military presses. I have thought
> >>>>> about getting some squat racks at home, too, though.
> >>>>>
> >>>>> The barbell I've bought is 5ft long, and has those spinlock collars.
> >>>>> It feels quite solid and strong, and with not beling too long, it
> >>>>> feels quite robust.
> >>>>>
> >>>>> But it's not an olympic bar - and with that in mind, what sort of
> >>>>> weight can you realistically / safely go up to with a non-olympic
> >>>>> bar,
> >>>>> before I should think about splurging on the full monty.
> >>>>>
> >>>>> There's no info with the barbell at all, so no hint, there of a kind
> >>>>> of max safe weight - and although I've lifted for a little over 20
> >>>>> years, I've always really gone to gyms and used olymipc barbells.
> >>>>
> >>>> A starter Olympic weight set is one of the best values around. A 45
> >>>> lb.
> >>>> (20 kg) bar plus weights to bring the set total up to 300 lbs., and
> >>>> you
> >>>> can find them for as little as $99. I paid $179 for mine here in
> >>>> metro
> >>>> NYC. Unless your garage lacks room for a 7 foot bar right now, I
> >>>> don't
> >>>> see a compelling reason for you _not_ to get this set right away. If
> >>>> bar length is an issue, good but shorter Olympic bars can be had for
> >>>> relatively little money, e.g., my wife deadlifts using a 6 ft., 25
> >>>> lb.,
> >>>> 700 lb. test bar we mail-ordered from Jesup Gym. See
> >>>>
> >>>> http://www.jesupgym.com/products.htm?cid=12
> >>>>
> >>>> The grip area is narrower but it accepts Olympic weights, and suits
> >>>> perfectly my wife who has very small hands, and we don't need to
> >>>> bother
> >>>> to keep 1" standard weight plates around. This is but one example -
> >>>> there are plenty of 6' and 5' Oly bars with full sized grip areas, I
> >>>> suspect.
> >>>>
> >>>> -S-
> >>>> http://www.kbnj.com
> >>>
> >>>
> >>> What is the grip area/circumference of an OL bar?
> >>
> >> If memory serves, 1.25 inches. One can look this up on the web sites
> >> that have the various federations rules and specifications.
> >>
> >> -S-
> >> http://www.kbnj.com
> >>
> >>
> >
> > 1.125 I think. Powerlifting bar is 1.25.
>
> Your numbers are diameters right? 1.25" is around the circumference of a
> marker.
>
> --Sir Jackery

Right. Diameter. You do the math!

:^)

--
Keith

On Thu, 01 Mar 2007 16:04:48 -0600, Hobbes <khobman800@yahoo.com>
wrote:

>In article <cpbeu2p5bqego8o02ovip6urpl5bvamj4e@4ax.com>,
> gedaloda@thisguy.com wrote:
>
>> On Thu, 01 Mar 2007 13:26:36 -0600, Hobbes <khobman800@yahoo.com>
>> wrote:
>>
>> >In article <54mqemF2186olU1@mid.individual.net>,
>> > "Steve Freides" <steve@fridayscomputer.com> wrote:
>> >
>> >> <gedaloda@thisguy.com> wrote in message
>> >> news:g22cu2tkcuok5iubl6vv5mnog5tc006omo@4ax.com...
>> >> > On Wed, 28 Feb 2007 10:09:23 -0500, "Steve Freides"
>> >> > <steve@fridayscomputer.com> wrote:
>> >> >
>> >> >>"Douglas Hall" <douglashall13th@yahoo.co.uk> wrote in message
>> >> >>news:1172584311.646893.53100@h3g2000cwc.googlegr oups.com...
>> >> >>> I've just bought a barbell for use in the garage - just wanted to do
>> >> >>> stuff at home like cleans, HCP, and military presses. I have thought
>> >> >>> about getting some squat racks at home, too, though.
>> >> >>>
>> >> >>> The barbell I've bought is 5ft long, and has those spinlock collars.
>> >> >>> It feels quite solid and strong, and with not beling too long, it
>> >> >>> feels quite robust.
>> >> >>>
>> >> >>> But it's not an olympic bar - and with that in mind, what sort of
>> >> >>> weight can you realistically / safely go up to with a non-olympic
>> >> >>> bar,
>> >> >>> before I should think about splurging on the full monty.
>> >> >>>
>> >> >>> There's no info with the barbell at all, so no hint, there of a kind
>> >> >>> of max safe weight - and although I've lifted for a little over 20
>> >> >>> years, I've always really gone to gyms and used olymipc barbells.
>> >> >>
>> >> >>A starter Olympic weight set is one of the best values around. A 45
>> >> >>lb.
>> >> >>(20 kg) bar plus weights to bring the set total up to 300 lbs., and
>> >> >>you
>> >> >>can find them for as little as $99. I paid $179 for mine here in
>> >> >>metro
>> >> >>NYC. Unless your garage lacks room for a 7 foot bar right now, I
>> >> >>don't
>> >> >>see a compelling reason for you _not_ to get this set right away. If
>> >> >>bar length is an issue, good but shorter Olympic bars can be had for
>> >> >>relatively little money, e.g., my wife deadlifts using a 6 ft., 25
>> >> >>lb.,
>> >> >>700 lb. test bar we mail-ordered from Jesup Gym. See
>> >> >>
>> >> >>http://www.jesupgym.com/products.htm?cid=12
>> >> >>
>> >> >>The grip area is narrower but it accepts Olympic weights, and suits
>> >> >>perfectly my wife who has very small hands, and we don't need to
>> >> >>bother
>> >> >>to keep 1" standard weight plates around. This is but one example -
>> >> >>there are plenty of 6' and 5' Oly bars with full sized grip areas, I
>> >> >>suspect.
>> >> >>
>> >> >>-S-
>> >> >>http://www.kbnj.com
>> >> >
>> >> >
>> >> > What is the grip area/circumference of an OL bar?
>> >>
>> >> If memory serves, 1.25 inches. One can look this up on the web sites
>> >> that have the various federations rules and specifications.
>> >>
>> >> -S-
>> >> http://www.kbnj.com
>> >>
>> >>
>> >
>> >1.125 I think. Powerlifting bar is 1.25.
>>
>> PL bar is very close to my standard bar.
>
>A high-end powerlifting bar has knurling so sharp you can darn near
>shave with them. Olympic bars are slightly slimmer, more flex and the
>good ones have high-end bearings so the collars spin very easily.

I'm not sure I've ever seen an OLY bar. Nautrally, the collars on my
bar don't spin. I only use it - when I use it - for deadlifting. My
bar has 4 sections of knurling. It feels good in my hands.

In article <k4keu2t0u1u3uoqfdqv2m4nnendd66k5id@4ax.com>,
gedaloda@thisguy.com wrote:

> On Thu, 01 Mar 2007 16:04:48 -0600, Hobbes <khobman800@yahoo.com>
> wrote:
>
> >In article <cpbeu2p5bqego8o02ovip6urpl5bvamj4e@4ax.com>,
> > gedaloda@thisguy.com wrote:
> >
> >> On Thu, 01 Mar 2007 13:26:36 -0600, Hobbes <khobman800@yahoo.com>
> >> wrote:
> >>
> >> >In article <54mqemF2186olU1@mid.individual.net>,
> >> > "Steve Freides" <steve@fridayscomputer.com> wrote:
> >> >
> >> >> <gedaloda@thisguy.com> wrote in message
> >> >> news:g22cu2tkcuok5iubl6vv5mnog5tc006omo@4ax.com...
> >> >> > On Wed, 28 Feb 2007 10:09:23 -0500, "Steve Freides"
> >> >> > <steve@fridayscomputer.com> wrote:
> >> >> >
> >> >> >>"Douglas Hall" <douglashall13th@yahoo.co.uk> wrote in message
> >> >> >>news:1172584311.646893.53100@h3g2000cwc.googlegr oups.com...
> >> >> >>> I've just bought a barbell for use in the garage - just wanted to do
> >> >> >>> stuff at home like cleans, HCP, and military presses. I have thought
> >> >> >>> about getting some squat racks at home, too, though.
> >> >> >>>
> >> >> >>> The barbell I've bought is 5ft long, and has those spinlock collars.
> >> >> >>> It feels quite solid