Cheap Olympic Barbells from GymDirect

[RecordBox]

Hi all, I'm looking into buying an olympic barbell and some plates as it just isn't safe or viable for me to use a standard barbell any longer, and I was hoping to get some opinions or suggestions. I know I should just make the initial investment in a good bar that will last a while but I cannot afford it at the moment, and it isn't practical for me to wait any longer to upgrade from a standard bar. So i'm looking at something around the $200 mark

I'm looking at purchasing a bar from GymDirect as I can pick up it up and not pay any shipping. I just wanted to know how long I can expect these cheap olympic barbells to last, assuming I treat them fairly well, don't drop them onto the safeties of my rack or put them under any serious dynamic load. And also what kind of weight can I expect them to hold without permanently bending?

My three options seem to be

http://www.gymdirect.com.au/shop/weights-bars-dumbbells/bars/olympic-size/220cm-olympic-barbell-700lbs/

http://www.gymdirect.com.au/shop/weights-bars-dumbbells/bars/olympic-size/220cm-olympic-barbell-1500lbs/

http://www.gymdirect.com.au/shop/weights-bars-dumbbells/bars/olympic-size/220cm-black-oxide-olympic-needle-bearing-barbell-rated-600kg/

Are these weight ratings an accurate reflection of the bars capacity or just advertising gimmick? I noticed the muscle motion 600kg rated bar advertises a tensile strength of 200,000psi, which is pretty similar to high grade bars such as ivanko, eleiko etc. How can this even be possible at such a price difference? Is it simply a lie?

I'm really just looking for some insight into what I can expect out of a cheap barbell, any information or alterntives would be much appreciated. Thankyou

 

[jj80]

Check out cyberfit, I got one from them for around $100 delivered a couple of years ago.

 

[Kyle Aaron]

I don't recommend the 700 or 1,500lb bars, as they are thick (30 and 32mm) and the second one is overweight (20.9kg). They are made of cheaper steel, which is why they're cheaper overall.

I have this bar from gymdirect. It is fairly stiff and has a tight knurling, so is good for presses and deadlifts, it's not suitable for cleans and snatches, you'd want the black one for that, since the knurling is less aggressive. Mine has been dropped from shoulder height with 180kg (high-bar squatter dumped it at the top, he was not asked back), from hip-knee height with 200+kg of bumpers on it a number of times, and 100+kg countless times and has not bent.

 

[RecordBox]

I don't recommend the 700 or 1,500lb bars, as they are thick (30 and 32mm) and the second one is overweight (20.9kg). They are made of cheaper steel, which is why they're cheaper overall.

I have this bar from gymdirect. It is fairly stiff and has a tight knurling, so is good for presses and deadlifts, it's not suitable for cleans and snatches, you'd want the black one for that, since the knurling is less aggressive. Mine has been dropped from shoulder height with 180kg (high-bar squatter dumped it at the top, he was not asked back), from hip-knee height with 200+kg of bumpers on it a number of times, and 100+kg countless times and has not bent.

Is there a difference in the knurling between the black oxide and the chrome finished bars? I thought the difference was just the finish?

 

[Kyle Aaron]

As I said, the knurling on the black oxide bars is less aggressive. The bar is slightly whippier, too.

 

[Aimee]

Hi all, I'm looking into buying an olympic barbell and some plates as it just isn't safe or viable for me to use a standard barbell any longer, and I was hoping to get some opinions or suggestions. I know I should just make the initial investment in a good bar that will last a while but I cannot afford it at the moment, and it isn't practical for me to wait any longer to upgrade from a standard bar. So i'm looking at something around the $200 mark

I'm looking at purchasing a bar from GymDirect as I can pick up it up and not pay any shipping. I just wanted to know how long I can expect these cheap olympic barbells to last, assuming I treat them fairly well, don't drop them onto the safeties of my rack or put them under any serious dynamic load. And also what kind of weight can I expect them to hold without permanently bending?

My three options seem to be

http://www.gymdirect.com.au/shop/we...rs/olympic-size/220cm-olympic-barbell-700lbs/

http://www.gymdirect.com.au/shop/we...s/olympic-size/220cm-olympic-barbell-1500lbs/

http://www.gymdirect.com.au/shop/we...e-olympic-needle-bearing-barbell-rated-600kg/

Are these weight ratings an accurate reflection of the bars capacity or just advertising gimmick? I noticed the muscle motion 600kg rated bar advertises a tensile strength of 200,000psi, which is pretty similar to high grade bars such as ivanko, eleiko etc. How can this even be possible at such a price difference? Is it simply a lie?

I'm really just looking for some insight into what I can expect out of a cheap barbell, any information or alterntives would be much appreciated. Thankyou

Hi RecordBox,

It really depends on what types of exercises you want to perform with the barbell.
http://www.gymdirect.com.au/shop/we...rs/olympic-size/220cm-olympic-barbell-700lbs/
This is a great barbell for general purpose lifting.
It’s got a good knurling and a combination of bushing and bearings so that the end sleeves rotate smoothly with no unnecessary lateral movement.

http://www.gymdirect.com.au/shop/we...s/olympic-size/220cm-olympic-barbell-1500lbs/
This is another general purpose bar, same construction as the bar above, but with a thicker Ø32mm shaft size.
Good for pressing movements, but probably not so good for pulling or cleaning, unless you are trying to work on your grip strength.

http://www.gymdirect.com.au/shop/we...e-olympic-needle-bearing-barbell-rated-600kg/
This would have to be the best bar to cover all bases.
It’s the bar we supply for use with bumpers and propose it for the quick lifts/Olympic lifts.
And it’s also good for all other general barbell exercises, but not as stiff as a power bar under heavy loads.
At just under $200 with the AUSBB discount, it’s the bar we would highly recommend if you have the budget to allocate towards a good barbell.

Check out this drop test below which we recently performed with the chrome version of this barbell:

If you can come into the store and see the bars first hand, you’ll see the quality difference between all the bars, which is not always so evident via online photos.
You may simply like the feel of one bar over another.
Let me know if you need any more information.

I don't recommend the 700 or 1,500lb bars, as they are thick (30 and 32mm) and the second one is overweight (20.9kg). They are made of cheaper steel, which is why they're cheaper overall.

I have this bar from gymdirect. It is fairly stiff and has a tight knurling, so is good for presses and deadlifts, it's not suitable for cleans and snatches, you'd want the black one for that, since the knurling is less aggressive. Mine has been dropped from shoulder height with 180kg (high-bar squatter dumped it at the top, he was not asked back), from hip-knee height with 200+kg of bumpers on it a number of times, and 100+kg countless times and has not bent.

Hi Kyle,

Good to hear the bar has held up after being repeatedly dropped.
The chrome and black version are actually the same steel, and the knurling should be the same.
There may be some variation between different batches, but apart from surface coating they are an identical bar.

Is there a difference in the knurling between the black oxide and the chrome finished bars? I thought the difference was just the finish?

As above.
Since the black oxide coating is thinner than the chrome coating, the black bar knurling tends to be slightly more grippy.

As I said, the knurling on the black oxide bars is less aggressive. The bar is slightly whippier, too.

It’s possible there has been a slight difference in the bars over the years, as the barbell construction has changed and been improved 2 or 3 times up till our most recent current model.
However, both current versions of this bar are identical apart from the surface finish.

I hope this information is helpful. I can be contacted directly if anyone has any further questions at 1300 488 866 or Aimee@gymdirect.com.au

Aimee @ Gym Direct

http://WWW.GYMDIRECT.COM.AU

 

[Aimee]

P.S Also here is a pretty cool shot of the drop test in action using the Chrome Needle Bearing Barbell!

 

[White_Lie]

Jeebus! [emoji33]

 

[kramer1]

how much do plan on squatting