A barbell is one of the most versatile fitness equipment in both commercial and home gyms. And with the exponential growth in barbell training and home gyms, hundred of different barbells appear.
The great thing is that you have numerous options to choose from to improve your deadlift, bench press, Olympic lifts, and general training movements. But with so many types of the barbell, choosing the best value barbells is becoming tricky.
Olympic bars are designed for the two main Olympic lifts: the snatch and clean & jerk.
The main difference between standard bars and Olympic bars falls in diameter. The Olympic bars are around 2” in diameter and only take Olympic Weight Plates (made with 2-inch diameter holes), while the standard bars are 1” in diameter throughout the whole length and only take standard weight plates.
Also, the standard weight barbells have more aggressive knurling than Olympic barbells. Another advantage offered by Olympic barbells is an effective bearing of loads, even the heavy ones. You can get the best out of your fitness sessions with these versatile tools.
This guide will help you to find the best Olympic barbells for under $200.
In a hurry? Here are our top 9 picks of the best budget Olympic barbells under 200 bucks.
- RAGE Fitness Olympic Training Barbell
- Yaheetech Exercise Olympic Barbell
- Body-Solid Weightlifting Olympic Bar
- CAP 7-Foot Olympic Bar (OB-86B)
- Rogue Junior Bar—Best Value Olympic Barbell
- Titan Fitness Bar
- REP SABRE
- FRINGE SPORT WONDER BAR V2
- Synergee Regional Olympic 20kg Men’s Barbells
Table of Contents
Things to Consider Before Buying a Budget-Friendly Olympic Barbell
Price
The more features, the higher are the price. For the best-in-class barbells, you will surely need to pay a reasonable amount. Those barbells are high in quality, durability, non-corrosive, and other aspects come with expensive price tags. But they are worth buying.
Strength
The strength of any Olympic barbell is best to determine by two elements – tensile strength and yield strength.
Tensile strength is the amount of longitudinal stress that a barbell can bear. In simple words—how much force will break the steel apart. Tensile Strength is rated in pounds per square inch (PSI).
Mostly, barbells score high in tensile strength with the range of 130k-220k PSI (pounds per square inch). And 165,000 PSI is a good minimum to look for when purchasing a budget Olympic barbell.
High tensile strength barbells are best suited for powerlifting as they have less whip (whip is a combination of how much and how easily a barbell will flex under load without permanently bending), while low tensile strength is still good for weightlifting.
Yield strength is the quantity of stress a barbell can bear without bending. But tension strength is more accurate for subjecting any barbell to a highly durable standard.
Knurling
Barbell knurling is the crosshatch pattern on the shaft of Olympic Barbells intended to increase friction between your hands and the bars. The barbell knurling is grouped into three categories that are light, medium, or aggressive. Depending upon the extent of knurling, their category is decided.
Aggressive knurling favors heavier lifts but is cautious enough as it may rupture your hands.
You might look for center knurling while choosing the Olympic barbell. Usually, barbells oriented for males have gotten knurling in the center, whereas females don’t. Here are the lists of the barbells with center knurling.
But it is suggested that using a barbell pad when you perform lifts with a centrally knurled barbell. By doing so, you are minimizing the risk of tearing your neck and chest parts.
Coating
The main points of difference among different coating materials are listed below.
- Zinc—best guard for corrosion, knurling texture varies, and costly.
- Black oxide—comfortable knurling, repels corrosion, and cost-effective.
- Chrome—best against corrosion, elegant look, but most expensive.
- Steel—not so effective with corrosion and cheapest of all.
- Manganese phosphate—It’s a better corrosion resistance compared to steel with comfortable knurling.
Bearing Barbells
Bearing barbells are typically used for Olympic lifting or other fast lifts. The bearings are meant for efficient spins. Checking the bearing capacity is crucial because if the bearings break, the sleeves will fall off too. And you certainly don’t want that to happen. The wisdom impels us to look for good bearings permitting a greater weight limit.
If we compare deeper, needle bearings are superior to ball bearings as they take up load efficiently. So, you can do faster lifts in a better way.
All bearings required oiling in a timely fashion. But don’t fall for cheap bearings for the sake of a few dollars. You will regret this later!
Bushing Barbells
Bushing barbells are often used for a deadlift, powerlifting, and other heavier, slower lifts. They are responsible for the smooth motion of the sleeve and are assigned the role of reducing friction.
And friction, as you know, can cause wearing and tearing of parts when not taken care of. Bushing barbells are good in the sense that they neither require maintenance nor are they initially costly.
Rather, they are long-lasting and prove to be a smart bet. People intending to do slower lifts should not chase anything other than this.
Warranty
Products with a lifetime warranty are the ultimate symbol of durability and reliability. Many Olympic barbells come with a competitive warranty for 2-5 years, which is pretty good.
Top 8 Best Olympic Barbells Under $200
Here’s our compilation of the finely sorted Olympic barbells. All of them fall under 200 dollars. They are best-in-class provenly without fluctuating your budget.
1. RAGE Fitness Olympic Training Barbell—Best Budget
If you are a beginner trainer interested in learning the technique of Olympic weightlifting, the RAGE Fitness equipment is the right choice.
RAGE is a brand that’s passionate about manufacturing the most durable and sturdy fitness equipment.
Their Olympic barbells are built for the strongest people who have the burning desire to sweat, repeat, and don’t rest until their goal is met.
The bar is made from high-quality aluminum, is the perfect choice for basic weightlifting.
This affordable Olympic barbell has rotating sleeves that are provided with bushings that guarantee moderate rotation.
This is optimal for fitness-seeking individuals as the fast rotating bushing sleeves in the equipment guarantee a smooth weightlifting experience without many jerks.
The bar comes with a neat medium diamond center knurling and weighs around 15 lbs, making it lightweight but durable.
The equipment can withstand a maximum weight of up to 300 lbs that’s pretty decent.
Pros
- Great grip strength provided with the help of diamond-patterned knurling, which helps the user experience a stronghold on the bar even when he/she sweats hard
- Durable and lightweight
- Made of high-quality aluminum
Cons
- Suitable for beginner trainers only
- One year warranty but guaranteed replacement of equipment when it doesn’t function as promised
- Can be used with Olympic steel plates with a 2-inch hole only
2. Yaheetech Exercise Olympic Barbell
As the company’s tagline suggests, this barbell has been designed with the utmost care and construction to make your exercise experience as comfortable as possible.
Choose the Yaheetech barbell to strengthen your core, arms, legs, glutes, and back.
Made of premium-quality iron and coated with anti-rust paint, this budget Olympic barbell guarantees rust-free performance for years to come.
The knurling is perfect here—diamond-shaped texture on the handles is present to help the user with the maximum grip possible during a workout.
Besides offering varied-weight plates, the product also comes with a set of star lock collars, which help fix the plates in your desired place securely and safely.
Pros
- The knurling offers superb grip with an anti-slip tread design
- Star lock collar with rubber o-ring prevents the plates from falling off, keeping you safe
- The W-shaped bar is a clever design from the manufacturer as it is comfortable and steady to hold
Cons
- The bar might produce a sound while lifting
3. Body-Solid Weightlifting Olympic Bar
This weightlifting and weight training Olympic Bar from Body-Solid is made with the utmost care and great design to take your weightlifting workouts to the highest level possible.
All the equipment made by this manufacturer promise ease of use and durability, and this Olympic bar is no different.
The equipment is longer than most bars measuring 7-foot long, making it the ideal choice for weight lifting, powerlifting, CrossFit training, and more.
The bar is made of the highest-quality materials and comes with a black-oxide finish. This makes it untouchable and free from rusting, peeling, scarring, or chipping.
The bar weighs around 44 pounds but has a maximum weight plate capacity of up to 600 pounds.
The barbell is equipped with a shoulder bolt collar bolt built with a 33mm diameter.
Pros
- Sturdy and durable
- Ideal for bodybuilders and championship lifts
- Excellent for CrossFit training and weightlifting
- Protection against rusting and corrosion
- It helps you take your weightlifting experience a notch higher as the bar can support high-weight plates
Cons
- Bolts often loosen
- Aggressive knurling
4. CAP 7-Foot Olympic Bar—OB-86B
CAP OB-86B is a budget-friendly Olympic barbell and best suited for beginners. It has a corrosion-resistant black oxide with a silver zinc coating. The looks are sharp enough to cast a spell on you and will make you work out every single day of your life!
Since it has a weight capacity of 1000 pounds, the name ‘Beast’ was given. This beast has a diameter of 28.5 mm with a smooth surface at the center. If you want the best Olympic barbell under 200 dollars, then this beast should be on your gym essentials list.
The knurl markings provide a perfect grip for your palms and enough comfort to make your exercise more comfortable.
It will deliver satisfying workmanship during Olympic and other powerlifting movements. You can use this barbell for your garage or home gym/
There are single-ring hash marks on it, but it has no central knurl. And it has a medium-depth diamond knurling. The total length of this barbell is 86 inches.
It has a black phosphate finish, so you can trust it to be built from solid cold-rolled steel.
Pros
- Affordable to your pocket
- Sturdy design
Cons
- The spin may be weak.
- There could be scratches formed easily on the bar.
- You might have to watch your spins
5. Rogue Junior Bar—Best Value Olympic Barbell
While the Rogue Junior Bar might be a beginner’s bar, it is designed and manufactured with the same care, quality, and standards as Rogue’s other bars, including the competition bars.
This is the perfect bar for both men and women, irrespective of their age.
That’s mainly because of the reduced sleeve length that keeps the total weight of the bar lower comparatively—almost 11lb lower than a typical women’s bar and only about half the total weight of a men’s bar.
The sleeves are made of zinc, and the shaft comes with a black zinc coating with a 190,000 PSI tensile strength.
The Rogue Junior bar provides users with the highest quality possible. The equipment has bronze bushings that offer optimal spin equivalent to most competition bars sold in the market.
The dual knurl marks without center knurl offer an average grip without being rough on the hands.
Pros
- Good whip
- The steel and zinc coating makes the bar extremely resistant to oxidation
- Excellent durability
- Bushings provide reliable spin
- Apt for beginner trainers belonging to any gender and of any age
- Made in the U.S.A.
- Passive knurling
Cons
- No center knurl
6. Titan Fitness Bar
Don’t ever worry about unnecessary strain, back pain, or shoulder aches, as the Titan Fitness Bar is here to prevent this all even when you lift heavy weights.
The Titan bar is black oxide-coated and is 6 inches long with a curved design to help you avoid any pain in the shoulders while squatting or doing other exercises.
The barbell is made of heavy-density steel that helps you pull easily through any tough workout session as easily as possible.
Above all, the Titan fitness bar has the highest weight-bearing capacity of 2000lb compared to other products from the manufacturer, making it a versatile choice for all types of trainers.
Pros
- The oxide coating is an excellent choice from the manufacturer, as this ensures that the equipment is rust- and corrosion-resistant. The black coating makes the Titan bar elegant to hold and is a treat to the eyes.
- Durable and solid
- Center knurling and knurls present across the handle promise a good grip against sweat.
- Prevents any sorts of pain while exercising
- Passive knurling
Cons
- Not enough grip strength
7. REP SABRE
With a tensile strength of 150,000 PSI, this power bar has been holding the charts since 2012. It comes with a lower price as compared to Rogue bars.
Best suited for powerlifting, bench press, squats, CrossFit training and workouts, weightlifting, and deadlifts.
The bronze bushing used for this barbell offers smooth sleeve rotation for weightlifting. The bushing design comes with snap rings.
The coating used to make this barbell is zinc, so it will not rust very easily and demand low maintenance.
It consists of dual knurl markings and does not have a central knurl, which turns out best for high-rep clean workouts. The diameter of this barbell is 25 mm.
It can bear a weight capacity of up to 1000 pounds. It has a medium-depth knurl and consists of dual knurl markings that can help very well in powerlifting and weightlifting exercises.
It does not have a sharp tooth knurl that will hurt your palms. If you are a beginner and want to try cross-training style workouts, this barbell is a good choice.
Pros
- Best suited for CrossFit type workouts.
- The revolving feature is smooth for the palms.
- Extremely solid construction
Cons
- Some customers claim the knurls are not too aggressive
8. FRINGE SPORT WONDER BAR V2
The barbell comes with a bundle of promising construction features that suggest both durability and versatility. The bushing version of this Wonder Bar makes it come under $200.
The whip is stiff, the spin is moderate, and the weight capacity is 1,000 pounds.
The killer all-black zinc plating over the bar is a durable finish. It will not get slippery when you get sweaty. A little of the knurling makes it have a smooth, easy feel on your palms.
The bushing used for this bar is bronze oil-lite, which can self-oil and prove to be of standard quality. These bushing barbells are best suited for heavy or slower lifts, such as powerlifting.
Don’t worry about the quality, as you get a lifetime worth of warranty for any defect or design issue! They are easy to disassemble, clean, and reassemble.
With a tensile strength of 205,000 PSI, this one is the strongest there is.
Pros
- Great grip for the bench press at the dual knurl marks
- A thinner shaft that allows better grip and better form in transition and overhead positions
Cons
- The black zinc finish over the bar may fade over time.
- The coating may eventually lead to being scarred easily.
9. Synergee Regional Olympic 20kg Men’s Barbells
This Synergee Olympic bar is a great option if you’re searching for a low-cost barbell for weightlifting. Professional trainers, athletes, and powerlifters will benefit from it.
This bar, designed for hard exercises, has virtually all of the features you’d expect from a piece of professional-grade equipment, such as the spin, knurling, and weight-bearing capability.
It outperforms nearly every barbell below $250 and many others above $250, according to numerous purchasers.
95 percent of customers gave it five stars or above. Hundreds of people have said that the Synergee Olympic barbell is one of the best purchases they’ve made for their home gym. If you want to enhance your beginning bar, your search may come to an end here.
What Is the Value of a Good Barbell?
Some claim that if inferior barbells are loaded too excessively, they will shatter in half. I’d recommend watching this video to observe what occurs when a cheap barbell gets broken.
So, the most crucial aspect of acquiring a barbell is that you get one!
Make sure it’s 7 feet tall and can accommodate Olympic-sized plates. If you’re on a tight budget, a used Barbell from Facebook Marketplace or Craiglist is a good place to start.
If you have the funds, invest in a good barbell.
If you have the funds, invest a little extra and purchase a bar that has been well-reviewed and will not bend under typical use. You don’t have to go all out and get a $300 bar. We’ve identified a few good alternatives for around $100.
Our reviews may be seen below. We’ve sorted them from most recommended to least recommended. For those who want to invest a little more money, we’ve included a few mid-range barbells.
Conclusion
During the pandemic, the tendency of setting up a home gym has accelerated. As more individuals purchase home gym equipment, the demand for these items has skyrocketed.
To meet the rising demand, a slew of new businesses have sprung up overnight. As a result, you now have a variety of alternatives from which to pick. However, the bewildering array of choices has only added to your perplexity.
We understand your worry because we spend weeks analyzing hundreds of alternatives before suggesting items that deliver the best value.
We also personally test the majority of them so that we can provide you an honest first-hand account. As a result, our suggestions are trustworthy and worth trying.
This article will offer you a selection of the top Olympic barbells for home gyms that we strongly suggest. Our team spent weeks assessing each one for weight-bearing capability, tensile strength, knurling, spin, finish, whip, warranty, durability, pricing, and various other variables.
Except for powerlifters and those who participate in competitive sports, which definitely require high-quality barbells to be on top of their game, this wide selection of best Olympic barbells is acceptable for nearly everyone.
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