Written by Garett Reid | NSCA, CSCS, CISSN, M.S.E.S.S
Fact checked by Kirsten Yovino, CPT Brookbush Institute
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Along with your squat rack, a barbell will be the centerpiece of your home gym. That means it's crucial to research various barbells to find the best one.
As a part of that research, you not only want quality, but you're going to need one that fits your budget and best suits your lifting-style needs.
To help you with this purchase, we're going to go over just exactly how much a barbell costs so that you can make the best decision for your home gym.
Table Of Contents
- What Is A Barbell?
- Features That Will Affect Barbell Pricing
- How Much Does A Barbell Cost?
- Barbell Price By Type
- Costs Of Specialty Barbells
- How Much Do Weight Plates Cost?
- FAQs
What Is A Barbell?
A barbell is generally the primary apparatus used for free weight lifting. It's composed of a solid piece of straight steel used to hold weight plates to adjust a load for weight lifting.
This straight bar will have various forms of knurling to help with grip. Sometimes a bar will have aggressive knurling across the whole bar, while others may have light knurling on small sections.
On both ends, the barbells will be collared. These collars allow you to load weight plates to barbells to adjust the load.
On most barbells, these collars will also spin to prevent the bar from wanting to spin due to inertia built up from the weight plates. This is especially true on Olympic bars and a big factor behind why they're used when Olympic lifting.
Features That Will Affect Barbell Pricing
Barbells are relatively simple pieces of equipment—a piece of metal to hold weights. However, there are actually quite a few different factors that can affect the price range of a barbell. Here's a list of some factors to look out for.
1) Quality And Craftmanship:
Quality simply refers to how well the barbell has been constructed. You could be dealing with a budget bar that may fall apart before a year but only cost $150. On the other hand, you could buy a top-quality barbell with a lifetime warranty that costs over $600.
The good thing is that the quality barbells are generally worth it if you're a serious lifter. We always recommend you buy the best quality barbell you can afford.
2) Material:
This isn't much of an issue anymore, as most barbells are made out of steel now. You might be able to find an iron bar if you really try, but just stick with steel.
3) Finishing:
A bare steel bar is going to be your cheapest option. However, most barbells will come with some sort of finish to help fight off corrosion. The three main options in cheapest to most expensive are:
- Zinc
- Oxide
- Cerakote
- Stainless Steel
The price range can be up to $70-$100 when comparing the zinc to stainless steel options.
4) Types:
Different barbells come with different costs based on their purpose, and some require greater quality or craftsmanship. For example, a power bar is built to withstand excessive force over and over.
In comparison, let's say you buy a general lifting bar. While it can still take some abuse, it won't be built for that specific reason. It's important to first figure out what type of barbell to buy and then find one within your category that aligns with your price point.
How Much Does A Barbell Cost?
To answer this question, you must define what you need in a barbell. Price ranges are as follows:
- Budget Bar: <$300
- Mid Range Bar: $300-$600
- High Range Bar: $800-$1200
- Elite Bar: $1200+
The barbell is just like any other machine or craftsmanship in that you can find low-quality and very high-quality bars. I believe the mid-range bar will suffice for the average lifter.
What Are The Best Barbells & Their Costs?
Let's get into pricing for some of our favorite barbells. Head into this with an idea of the different barbell's weight and size, as it will help you determine which type is ideal for your lifting needs.
1) Best Olympic Barbell:
Olympic weightlifting bars tend to be lower cost as they are extremely common, giving you various choices.
If you're looking for a quality, cost-effective Olympic weightlifting bar, check out the BoS Bar 2.0. It is made of high-quality steel and includes 4 needle bearings and 1 stainless steel bushing per sleeve, ensuring the barbell rotates freely.
And the best news? The Olympic barbell cost comes in under $300 at $289.99.
Our best-selling Olympic weightlifting barbell with a hardened chrome finish and the perfect amount of spin...
2) Best Overall Barbell For A Home Gym:
When I'm talking about a barbell for a home gym, I'm looking for a quality barbell that can do everything. For that, I highly recommend Gunner Barbell made by Force USA. Right off the bat, Force USA barbells have some of the best reputations in the gym, so you already have the assurance you're getting quality.
The Gunner Barbell is ultra-durable, withstanding heavy loads up to 1500 pounds, and with 16 inches of loadable sleeve length, it's perfect for Olympic lifts and powerlifting.
The Gunner Barbell's cost is $269.99.
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...
3) Best Powerlifting Barbell:
If you are a powerlifter, you need a specifically made powerlifting bar. Good powerlifting bars will be made to handle a beating while maintaining high quality. Being so, they will cost a bit more.
The Force USA Pro Series is an excellent choice for lifters. Made with aggressive knurling that ensures you'll get a good grip during heavy lifts, the Force USA barbell has a tensile strength of 190k PSI, making it extremely durable.
And while powerlifting barbells often cost you around $400, the Force USA Pro Series is priced under $279.99.
A full commercial grade barbell for the HEAVY powerlifter. Ideal for lifting heavy at home or in commercial gym environments. With a massive 2,000LB weight rating...
4) Best CrossFit Barbell:
When buying a CrossFit bar, you're looking for a bar that can withstand high repetitions through a wide range of uses. For that, I recommend The California Bar from the American Barbell, which was specifically made for functional fitness.
Its knurling provides a strong, comfortable grip and it features sturdy collars that result in a consistent, smooth spin. Many real users have stated that this is their favorite barbell for Crossfit.
The California Bar comes in at $395.
The California Bar is our first dual-ring barbell built specifically for functional fitness athletes. It has the nuances and sought after specifications of a top-quality 28MM weightlifting bar...
5) Best Barbell for Deadlift:
In order to deadlift a ton of weight, you need a specifically designed deadlift barbell. My favorite is the Conventional Deadlift Bar by Strongarm.
Not only is it reasonably priced, but it has a tensile strength of 110,000 PSI. It's a thinner bar, meaning it has more flex and a better whip. When we're talking about more flex, think of it as giving the bar more momentum on the way up. It's very likely that the extra movement will help you increase your max weights.
Strongarm's deadlift bar has a single knurl mark and no center knurl, a 1,500 pound weight capacity, and comes in at $379.99.
Thinner, longer, and whippier — the Conventional Deadlift Bar by StrongArm is built for the competitive powerlifter and is your shortcut to new conventional deadlift PRs...
Looking for more great deadlift bar options? Check out our article on the 6 Best Deadlift Bars!
6) Best Budget Barbell:
If you're looking for a quality barbell that won't break the bank, I suggest you look at the Body-Solid Extreme Olympic Bar.
With a tensile strength of 205,000 PSI and a weight capacity of 1,500 pounds, this is a durable and long-lasting barbell that can handle a lot of weight. Plus, its medium knurling ensures you get a good grip.
Made of high-quality materials and a black oxide finish, this bar looks great, is protected from rust and corrosion, and comes in at $249.
Needle Bearing Sleeves! A hardy 1,500lb. weight capacity with a tensile strength of 205,000 PSI, this bar is perfect for competition training...
Barbell Price By Type
It's important to remember that barbells' cost can vary widely depending on the type, materials used, and weight capacity. Here's a summary of the barbell types we just covered, along with their costs.
|
Barbell Type |
Best Bar |
Price |
|
Olympic |
$289.99 |
|
|
Overall |
$269.99 |
|
|
Powerlifting |
$279.99 |
|
|
CrossFit |
$395.00 |
|
|
Deadlift |
$379.99 |
|
|
Budget |
$249.00 |
For more details on the different types of barbells and pricing, check out our article: 12 Types of Weightlifting Bars: Which Is Best For You?
Costs Of Specialty Barbells
In addition to your traditional barbell, you will also come across some specialty bars. These bars can vary widely depending on what they are.
For example, an axle bar is an extremely simple design. It's a fixed bar and sometimes even partially hollow. You can easily find a quality axle bar for less than $100, like the Titan Axle Barbell.
In comparison, safety squat bars are not only significantly more material, but the design of the bar is also much more complex. Your budget bar will likely cost at least $250. If you buy a more premium safety squat bar, you'll pay well over $600, like in the case of this Marrs Bar, which while pricey has a unique design and high-density foam harness.
For more great safety squat bar picks, check out our article on the 6 Best Safety Squat Bars.
Other popular specialty bars are Swiss Bars and trap bars as their unique shapes change the way you can do common lifts. Swiss bars come with multiple angles for handles, and as such can be tricky as they do have more intensive construction. However, you can still find a decent bar in the $200 range, like the Body-Solid Extreme Olympic Bar.
The trap bar also has a distinct shape: a hex design that allows you to step inside the bar to lift, which aligns the weight more with your center of gravity. This set-up makes deadlifting with it easier on the low back, wrists, elbows, and shoulders when going a deadlift.
The Force USA Walkthrough Trap Bar is my favorite trap bar for plenty of good reasons, including the rotating handles, open-bar design, and rigid materials. You can find more great options in our article on the 9 Best Trap Bars.
|
Bar Type |
Price Range |
|
Axle bar |
$60-$100 |
|
Safety squat bar |
$250-$700 |
|
Swiss bar |
$200-$400 |
|
Trap bar |
$90-$600 |
Please note that the prices provided are approximate and may vary depending on the specific brand, quality, and retailer.
How Much Do Weight Plates Cost?
If you're buying your first barbell, there's a very good chance you'll also need to buy some weight plates. Depending on how much weight you lift, the cost of weight plates can get high fast. Therefore, we'll go over several types of plates.
Weight Plate Material
When looking at plates, there are two major categories. The first will be material, and there are generally four material types.
- Rubber
- Steel
- Iron
- Urethane
Iron plates used to be the standard weight plate. As the name implies, these weight plates are made of iron. They tend to be a bit more costly but also provide that clanking sound real gym goers are addicted to. These will cost you, on average, $1.50-$2.00/pound, with steel plates costing slightly more.
Urethane plates are the newest material and the most expensive. They are high-quality condensed rubber, making them more compact than rubber but less "damaging" than metal. They're awesome, but stay away unless you have plenty of extra cash, as you could spend $3-$6/pound.
I recommend most home gym owners purchase rubber bumper plates due to their cost and the fact they will cause less damage in a home setting. My personal favorite are the Fringe Sport Bumper Plates, which are extremely durable and come with a great warranty.
Extremely durable, and will last for years in a garage gym or affiliate. Expertly designed "hooked" stainless steel insert that remains firmly seated...
For more great bumper plate options, check out our article: 8 Best Bumper Plates For Home Gyms.
Other Plate Considerations
You can also choose from calibrated or uncalibrated plates. A calibrated plate is simply a plate that has been fine-tuned to weigh an exact amount. Compare these to non-calibrated, which will weigh close to the ascribed weight.
Obviously, the calibrated plates will cost more. There's little reason for most people to buy these for home use.
When buying plates, ALWAYS buy in bulk because it will be cheaper. Many companies will have packages such as 200 pound or 500 pound sets.
Other accessories might include:
- Barbell clips: $20-$50/pair
- Chalk: $10-$20
For a more in-depth comparison, check out our article Types of Weight Plates for Lifting & Which is Best?
FAQs
In case we left anything out, here are some answers to popular questions about the price of a barbell.
Are all barbells 45 pounds?
Most standard barbells are 45 pounds. However, a women's barbell will weigh 35 pounds. Specialty bars will have different weights as well.
Why are barbells so expensive?
Barbells may be more expensive than you expect, but they are worth the price. While simple, the quality of material and craftsmanship requires a ton of experience and skill. When you consider a quality barbell that will last you years, you'll realize the price is well worth paying for if it's something you're considering.
What barbell features are worth paying extra for?
Barbells can come with a wide range of features. Some are worth it, and some aren't. Here's a list of what is worth spending a few extra dollars: any type of anti-corrosive finish, self-lubricating bushings, and appropriate knurling.
How much does it cost to ship a barbell?
For more expensive barbells, the manufacturer will offer free shipping. If not, shipping can be pretty costly and may cost around $50, so it's definitely something to consider when looking at prices.
Where can I buy barbells?
Most barbells will be purchased online. Most quality barbells must be purchased directly from the manufacturer or through a 3rd party such as Amazon. There are very few brick-and-mortar stores.
How Much Does A Barbell Cost? It Depends
Like any piece of equipment, the price range of weightlifting bars can vary widely depending on a person's particular needs. You could spend anywhere from $150-$1000+. Avoid cheap bars as they're cheap for a reason, but there's little need to buy an ultra-high-quality barbell.
That said, most lifters will be in the $250-$600 range. And honestly, there is little reason for most people to spend more than this.
If this is your first purchase, Olympic barbells should be first on your radar due to their lower price tag yet versatility. I highly encourage you to spend in the upper range of your budget as barbells with a higher price tag will be more durable, last longer, and have fewer issues.
Now that you know how much a barbell costs, it's time to find the one that best fits into your budget! Check out our article on the 15 Best Barbells For Home Gyms to find one that fits your lifting needs and aligns with how much you want to spend!
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...
Garett Reid
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