A power bar is stiff with aggressive knurling, best for squat, bench and deadlift. An Olympic weightlifting bar is whippier and spins fast for snatches and clean and jerks. A deadlift bar is longer, thinner and whippier, so the plates leave the floor later and you can pull more.
How do power, Olympic and deadlift bars compare?
- Power bar. About 29 mm. Very little whip. Sharp, deep knurl. Center knurl to grip your back on squats. Bushings or a mix of bushings and bearings, so slower spin. Powerlifting rings at 81 cm apart.
- Olympic weightlifting bar. 28 mm men's (20 kg), 25 mm women's (15 kg). Lots of whip. Medium knurl. No center knurl on most, so cleans do not tear your neck. Bearings for fast sleeve spin. Weightlifting rings at 91 cm.
- Deadlift bar. About 27 mm. Longer shaft and lots of whip. Very sharp knurl. Usually no center knurl. Used only for deadlifts, and only allowed in some powerlifting federations.
- General-use bar. Somewhere in between. Often has both sets of rings, mild knurl and some flex. This is what most gyms buy because it does a bit of everything.
Why does bar stiffness matter?
Whip is how much a loaded bar bends and springs back. In weightlifting, whip helps. The bar flexes at the bottom of a clean and the lifter uses the rebound to stand up and drive into the jerk.
In powerlifting, whip mostly gets in the way. A bar that bounces on your back during a heavy squat feels unstable, and on the bench it can shift your groove. That is why a power bar is so stiff.
The deadlift is the exception. A whippy deadlift bar bends before the plates lift, so you get into a better position before the weight breaks the floor. Many lifters pull more on a deadlift bar for that reason. It is also why some federations do not allow it in competition. If you compete, check your federation's rulebook before training on one.
How does knurling affect grip?
Knurling is the textured pattern on the bar. Deeper and sharper knurl grips better and tears up your hands more.
- Power bars have the most aggressive knurl, because heavy deadlifts and squats need it.
- Weightlifting bars have a milder knurl, because the bar has to turn in your hands during the turnover and lifters do many reps.
- Gym bars often have a passive knurl so they do not bother casual members.
Chalk and knurling work together. A sharp knurl plus chalk grips very well. A smooth bar with no chalk is slippery. If your gym bans chalk and has a passive bar, straps may be the only fix for heavy pulls. Our guide to chalking up for deadlifts covers technique.
Bearings or bushings: which spin is better?
The sleeves, where the plates go, rotate around the shaft. Bearings spin freely and smoothly, which matters for fast lifts where the bar has to turn as you move under it. Bushings spin more slowly, which is fine and even preferred for slow lifts like the squat and bench. Many power bars use bushings.
What are bar ring marks for?
The smooth rings in the knurl tell you where to put your hands. Powerlifting marks are 81 cm apart, the maximum grip width on the bench press under most federation rules. Weightlifting marks are 91 cm apart, used as a reference for the snatch grip. A bar with both sets is a general bar.
How much do the bars weigh?
Men's power bars, men's weightlifting bars and most deadlift bars weigh 20 kg, which is about 44 lb. Women's weightlifting bars weigh 15 kg. Some cheap bars are labeled 45 lb but are not weighed accurately. Technique bars and many fixed barbells weigh less. If the number matters for your program, ask.
Which bar should you look for?
- Training for powerlifting. A stiff power bar for squat and bench. A deadlift bar is a nice extra if your federation allows it.
- Training for weightlifting. A proper weightlifting bar with bearings, plus bumper plates and a platform. See bumper plates vs iron plates.
- General strength training. A decent general bar is fine. Avoid bent bars and sleeves that do not spin.
How do you find out what bars a gym has?
Gyms that care about bars usually say so. Look for brand names and "power bar," "deadlift bar" or "competition bar" on the equipment page. If nothing is listed, ask on a tour: "Do you have a stiff power bar and a deadlift bar?" A strength gym will answer straight away.
On Chalkproof, gyms that list platforms are a good place to start. Filter for gyms with platforms or browse powerlifting gyms near me. Our checklist of what to look for in a deadlift platform gym covers the rest.
Common questions
Is a power bar the same as an Olympic bar?
No. Both fit Olympic plates, but a power bar is thicker, stiffer and has sharper knurl and a center knurl. An Olympic weightlifting bar is thinner, whippier and spins faster for the snatch and clean and jerk.
How much does a power bar weigh?
A standard men's power bar weighs 20 kg, about 44 lb.
Is a deadlift bar allowed in competition?
Some powerlifting federations allow a deadlift bar and some do not. Check your federation's rulebook before you rely on it.
Can you use a weightlifting bar for powerlifting?
You can, especially when you are starting out. Heavy squats feel less stable on a whippy bar, and the milder knurl grips less on deadlifts.