Straight Barbells Explained: Types, Uses & Key Differences

At first glance, every straight barbell in the gym looks identical — long, heavy, and ready to load with plates. But any experienced lifter knows that’s far from the truth. The type of barbell you choose can completely change how a lift feels, how much weight you can move, and even how safely you train.

Olympic lifters rely on bars with whip and fast-spinning sleeves for explosive cleans and snatches. Powerlifters need rigid bars with aggressive knurling to stay locked in during squats, bench presses, and deadlifts. Even subtle differences like shaft thickness, grip markings, and knurling pattern can impact your performance more than you’d expect.

In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about straight barbells:

• The anatomy of a barbell and why each detail matters
• The differences between Olympic, powerlifting, deadlift, squat, multipurpose, standard, and women’s bars
• A side-by-side comparison chart for quick reference

Whether you’re setting up a home gym or just want to understand why the barbell at your gym feels “off,” this breakdown will help you choose the right tool for the job and lift smarter.

Again, we’ll only be discussing straight barbells, as seen here:

What Is A Barbell?

A barbell is a straight steel bar designed to hold weight plates for compound lifts such as the squat, deadlift, bench press, and overhead press. They’re also used in Olympic movements like the snatch and clean & jerk.

Barbells first appeared in the mid-1800s, making them a relatively modern invention compared to dumbbells (which date back as far as 5th-century BC). Today, they’re arguably the most versatile piece of strength equipment — suitable for nearly every lifter and training style.

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Anatomy of a Barbell

While barbells share a similar structure, the fine details separate an Olympic bar from a squat bar. Key components include:

• Weight: Most bars weigh 20kg (44 lbs), but women’s and standard bars are lighter.
• Shaft thickness: Typically 28–29mm, which affects grip and stiffness.
• Knurling: The etched crosshatch pattern for grip; can be mild, moderate, or aggressive.
• Whip (flex): The bar’s ability to bend under load. Olympic bars benefit from whip, while power bars are designed to stay rigid.
• Grip markings: Smooth rings that guide hand placement, with spacing standardized for Olympic and powerlifting competitions.
• Sleeves: The rotating ends that hold weight plates. Nearly all modern bars use 2” sleeves that spin independently of the shaft to reduce torque on your joints.

For beginners, nearly any straight barbell will get the job done. But as you lift heavier or train for competition, these nuances become increasingly important.

Below we will take a closer look at the above barbell types and summarize their features and uses. You can read this for a very in-depth look at different types of barbells, materials, applications, and so on. We also highly recommend reading our article on the 12 Types Of Weightlifting Bars for more information.

Standard Barbell Size & Weight

A standard barbell is the smallest and least practical barbell on the list. You will not find a standard barbell in any commercial gym. These are mainly used for beginner home gyms.

Standard Barbell Dimensions:

• Length: 5.5–6 ft (66”–72”)
• Weight: ~15kg (33 lbs)
• Sleeves: 1” non-rotating (requires standard plates)
• Capacity: Up to ~250 lbs

Standard bars are shorter, thinner, and less durable than gym-grade options. They’re fine for beginners training in small home gyms but unsuitable for heavy compound lifts.

Olympic Barbell:

• Length: 7’4” (86.6”)
• Weight: 20kg (men’s), 15kg (women’s)
• Shaft: 28mm (men’s), 25mm (women’s)
• Whip: High, for dynamic lifts
• Sleeves: Needle-bearing spin for smooth turnover

Designed for explosive Olympic lifts, these bars flex and whip under load. While specialized for weightlifting, Olympic bars are versatile enough for general squats, bench presses, and deadlifts.

If you'd like to see how the Olympic and standard bars compare, check out our article on the Olympic barbell vs standard bar.

Powerlifting Barbell:

• Length: 7’2” (up to 2.2m)
• Weight: 20kg (44 lbs)
• Shaft: ~29mm (extra stiff)
• Knurling: Aggressive, with optional center knurl
• Whip: Minimal (rigid design)

Made for the “Big 3” — squat, bench, and deadlift — power bars are stiff and grippy. They reduce bar whip to keep lifts stable under maximum loads.

Note: Power bars are best used for heavy squats, bench and OHP, where no flex in the bar is best, but deadlifting is actually a little different as some flex in the bar can be good for the lift (if you want to max out your PR). 

Multi-purpose Barbell:

• Length: 7’4” (2200mm)
• Weight: 20kg (44 lbs)
• Shaft: 28.5mm
• Knurling: Moderate, often no center knurl
• Grip markings: Dual (Olympic + powerlifting)

The most common bar in commercial gyms. With medium whip and spin, it balances versatility for both power and Olympic-style lifts. A true “jack of all trades.”

Squat Barbell:

• Length: 7’2”–7’8”
• Weight: ~25kg (55 lbs)
• Shaft: 28–32mm (thicker = stiffer)
• Knurling: Extended, aggressive center patch
• Whip: Low

Engineered for heavy back squats, these bars are longer, thicker, and stick to your back thanks to extra center knurling. They minimize whip for stability.

Deadlift Barbell:

• Length: ~92.5” (longer than power bars)
• Weight: 20kg (44 lbs)
• Shaft: 27–28mm (thinner, easier to grip)
• Knurling: Very aggressive, no center knurl
• Whip: High, flexing under load

Deadlift bars bend earlier, effectively raising the starting height of the plates and shortening the pull. The aggressive knurling helps maintain grip under max loads.

You can learn all about deadlift bars here.

Women's Barbell:

• Length: 6.5 ft
• Weight: 15kg (33 lbs)
• Shaft: 25mm
• Knurling: Same as men’s, but no center knurl

A scaled-down Olympic bar, ideal for smaller lifters or anyone who prefers a lighter, thinner grip. Despite the name, these bars aren’t limited to women.

Safety Bar:

• Length/Weight: Varies (~20–25kg)
• Design: Padded yoke with forward-angled sleeves
• Purpose: Safer grip, reduced spinal stress, greater ROM

A specialty bar often found in powerlifting and athletic facilities. The handles and cambered sleeves change the load distribution, making squats easier on the shoulders and back.

Straight Barbell Weight & Size Comparison Chart

This summarizes the different types of barbells and their uses. The multi-purpose bar is sufficient for most lifters and is the one you’ll find in most gyms. Olympic and power lifting require specialized equipment designed to maximize form and economize range of motion. You will find these types of bars at specialty gyms.

That said, all of these barbells will work with a squat rack. 

Which Barbell Should You Use?

• Beginners: Multipurpose or Olympic bar — versatile and forgiving.
• Strength athletes: Power bar, squat bar, or deadlift bar for max effort lifts.
• Olympic lifters: True Olympic barbell with whip and fast sleeves.
• Smaller lifters: Women’s barbell for easier handling.
• Injury-prone/rehab: Safety squat bar for joint-friendly training.

Best Barbell

Force USA Gunner Barbell

The Gunner Barbell is a weightlifting, Olympic weightlifting, powerlifting, and multipurpose barbell ideal for moderate and experienced lifters. The 1,500 lb. weight rating gives you confidence...

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Final Thoughts

Barbells may look the same, but their differences matter. From whip to knurling to shaft diameter, these details affect performance, safety, and results. For most lifters, a solid multipurpose barbell is more than enough. But if you’re chasing strength records or mastering Olympic lifts, investing in the right specialty bar is worth it.

No matter your choice, every barbell shares one thing in common: it’s the cornerstone of serious strength training.

Related: What Barbell Should I Buy? The Ultimate Barbell Buyer's Guide

Learn more about the Smith machine barbell in our article: Understanding Smith Machine Bar Weight.