Lastly, many gyms have trap bars, also called hex bars, which aptly look like a giant hexagon (you can see one here). These are all the same height, no matter the weight, ensuring that you never have to sink down crazy far to reach the barbell.) “Deadlifts are particularly awkward with pre-loaded barbells because the plates are usually smaller, so you have to go down really far to pick the bar up off the floor, which can lead to some form issues.” (Note: When deadlifting from the floor, it’s important to use rubber bumper plates-they look like this-on the sides. “Pre-loaded barbells are OK for exercises like biceps curls and overhead presses, but they’re not usually great for the main powerlifts like the squat, bench, and deadlift,” says Pak, noting that they are too short to fit in safety-bar clad power racks.
Fixed, or pre-loaded, barbells (like this one) are also convenient because they are even shorter and easier to move around, you don’t have to put weights on each side, and some are as light as 35 pounds or less.
Lighter options include a women’s Olympic bar, which weighs 35 pounds (~15 kg), is shorter, and has a smaller diameter compared to standard Olympic bars, making them easier to grip if you have small hands. “If that’s too heavy, then see if the gym has a lighter one.” “If you are able to comfortably use this for exercises like squats and presses, have at it,” says Swisher, explaining that you can then add weight plates to each side to further increase the weight. The most standard barbell in gyms-the one you will find in most power racks, called an Olympic barbell-weighs 45 pounds (~20 kg).
Fortunately, there are multiple kinds of barbells out there, so you’re bound to find one that works best for you. Of course, when deciding to start using barbells, your current strength comes into play. A breakdown of the different types of barbells