Best Budget Barbell

Besides being a challenging and fun hobby, barbell exercises are incredible for your health. It improves your strength and endurance, lowers inflammation and regulates insulin, boosts fat loss and metabolism, keeps your bones healthy and strong, and improves your posture and sleep. 

The list just goes on and these benefits are not even from the physical standpoint only but mentally and emotionally too. Unfortunately, many people think that barbells are expensive. We’re here to prove to you that you can purchase a good-quality barbell without breaking your bank.

If you’re interested to know more about the best Budget Barbell, keep reading. We’ve put together this guide of the top budget-friendly barbells available in the market today to get you started.

Top 5 Budget Barbell

1. RAGE Fitness Olympic Training Barbell 

RAGE Fitness Men's Elevation Men's Barbell : Sports & Outdoors - Amazon.com

Product Description

The RAGE Fitness Olympic Training Barbell is built on some of the most durable and strongest functional fitness equipment in the market today, ideal for those who are still learning the weightlifting basics. With 300lbs weight capacity and an overall length of 6ft, it will help increase your cardiovascular endurance, stamina, and strength. 

The 6’ grip area of this power bar is another feature that is worth mentioning. This area makes it easier for you to take in and out of the cage or you may just easily prefer the handle. With this rough area on the bar, you will have a high-friction surface so you can grip it securely during a lift. 

Aptly named, the Rage Fitness Olympic Training Barbell is about burning desire, furious intensity, and explosive force. This RAGE Fitness bar is also designed for use with Olympic weight plates with 2” center holes. With these plates, they offer more stable weight on the lifting bar compared to standard plates.

Pros

  • Affordable
  • Easy to use
  • Suitable for Beginners
  • Spin freely
  • Can be used as a scaled weight for full-throttle lifting
  • Aluminum barbell
  • With center knurl

Cons

  • Moderate center knurling not ideal for experienced lifters who prefer a more aggressive knurl

Amazon Ratings

This power bar’s fitness score on Amazon way above average, check it out for yourself.. 

2. CAP Barbell Classic 7-Foot Olympic Bar 

Amazon.com : CAP Barbell Classic 7-Foot Olympic Bar, Black : Weight Bars : Sports & Outdoors

Product Description

You don’t have to sacrifice quality to save money in buying an Olympic bar. This 37 pound CAP Barbell will get you started on your weightlifting and powerlifting technique. It is also an appropriate bar for intermediate athletes and it can bear a maximum of 500 pounds of weight and high tensile strength of 63,800 PSI. 

This Olympic barbell is made from solid cold-rolled steel with an improved surface finish. In general, cold rolled steel has better mechanical properties compared to hot rolled.  This budget-friendly bar also features a 30mm medium-depth diamond center knurling that ensures a non-slip and tight grip with lifting while its sleeves with bushings prevent the barbell from warping and lessens the pressure on the forearm.

It has a 15.3-inches loadable sleeve, which is enough space to load Olympic bumper plates with 2-inch center holes. Honestly, though, searching for a used Rogue Ohio Power Bar isn’t a bad idea too.

Pros

  • Decent knurls for the price
  • Reasonably durable
  • Very affordable
  • Serviceable
  • With center knurl
  • Precision-engineered bar

Cons

  • Can bear only up to 500 pounds weight 
  • Lower PSI tensile strength if compared to other barbells in this list

Amazon Ratings

Achieving an above average Amazon user rating, this power bar has been ranked a top product in the Strength Training Bars category.

3. Yaheetech Olympic 7 feet Weight Bar

Amazon.com : Yaheetech Olympic 7 feet Weight Bar with Two Collars Solid Iron Weighted Workout Bar Barbell Weight Straight Bar for Home Gym Exercises : Sports & Outdoors

Product Description

You can add this powerlifting bar to your home gym without spending a large sum of money. The Yaheetech Olympic weight bar is made of high-grade metal construction and is designed for long-lasting performance and balance with a compact design perfect in any gym or home.

Its 1.2” grip area can fit 2-inch weight plates and has a knurled area to prevent slipping when lifting the bar. You can find the knurl at the center of the spectrum, providing enough support without being painful or sharp. This wonder bar is ideal for overhead pressing, bench work, rows, and deadlifts.

As one of the high-quality Olympic barbells in this list, the Yaheetech 7′ Olympic can provide the perfect combination of construction, knurl, spin, sleeve space, and value.

Pros

  • Budget-friendly bar
  • Works Well for CrossFit and Other Low-weight Workout
  • Can be used with or without weights
  • Dual knurl marks for safety grip
  • Great for muscularity building and bone health

Cons

  • Prone to rusting
  • Can only handle 330 pounds of weight

Amazon Ratings

The Yaheetech Olympic 7 feet Weight Bar is Amazon’s highly recommended product for the “Olympic Bar.” The overall feedback is stellar, indicating buyers’ high trust in the bar.

4. Body-Solid Tools Olympic Straight Bar (OB86) 

Body Solid OB86 7' Chrome Olympic Bar

Product Description

Squat, lunge, and barbell press with this sturdy Body-Solid Tools Olympic Straight Bar (OB86). With a 600 weight plate capacity on its 11. 25-inches sleeves, this equipment is perfect for different forms of powerlifting, cross-training exercises, bench press, and weight lifting.

The OB86 Olympic bar is ideal for light commercial use and professionals. The 29MM shaft of the Rogue Ohio Power Bar has become a standard in barbells but you may be surprised that the OB86 bar has a 51. 5″ shaft length, included in its overall bar length of 86”.

The ends spin freely and weigh exactly 37.0 pounds. The bar also has knurled grips, ensuring a safe hold. The hard triple-plated chrome finish protects against peeling, scarring, chipping, and rusting.

As for its tensile strength, it only has 130,000 PSI but the low price for its quality is the biggest benefit of this bar.

Pros

  • Low price
  • Shoulder Bolt Collar Mount
  • 7ft Chrome
  • Excellent budget bar
  • Sturdy and well-built 
  • Doesn’t slip (knurled grip type)

Cons

  • No center knurl 
  • Low tensile strength if compared to today’s standards

Amazon Ratings

This 7ft Chrome bar has earned very good feedback. The majority (80%) of these consumers even rated the product with a top score. Some highlighted how they are a big fan of the color of this bar and that it’s a good bar for its price.

5. Synergee Games Barbell 

Synergee Games Barbell | Synergee Fitness USA

Product Description

For lifters who wanted to replicate their workout experience using the Rogue Ohio Power Bar, they may try the Synergee Games Barbell.

This steel bar is Synergee Games athletes’ most favorite as it can match the lifting needs of both new and experienced lifters. With a weight capacity of 1,500 lb and a tensile strength rating of PSI 190,000, you can depend on this barbell for all lifting without worrying that it will bend.

Finished with a Cerakote coating, this bar is resistant to corrosion, abrasion, wear, and chemicals. You may get tired of lifting but this bar won’t. Just choose the color of your choice (red or pink) that fits your style.

This steel bar is also equipped with 10 needle bearings, allowing for quick and smooth turn-overs for your lifts. This is one of the best barbells today.

Pros

  • Non slip and cerakote grip bar
  • Superior construction
  • Good for multidisciplinary training and Olympic lifting
  • High tensile strength
  • Comes with needle bearings

Cons

  • The color of the bar may slightly vary from the photo

Amazon Ratings

This is Amazon’s Choice for Synergee Barbell, having one of the best scores out of all the bars reviewed here. 

Best Budget Barbell – Buying Guide

cheap barbells

1. Price

Don’t be fooled by the idea that you will have to pay more to get a higher quality barbell. An inexpensive but good quality barbell is just fine and can handle much more weight than you may think. 

Always consider how much you are willing to pay and if it’s worth as much. However, when the price is low enough, try to test first if it’s in good working condition. Price can also vary with plates.

2. Yield and Tensile Strength

The strength of the bar is considered in two areas: yield and tensile strength. The first one determines the amount of weight allowed to bend the barbell while the tensile strength is the breaking point of the barbel or the maximum load it can hold without breaking or fracturing.

3. Barbell Sleeves

Usually, barbell sleeves are constructed with width bearings or bushings for a smooth rotation and fast spin. Most general-purpose and power bars use bushings in the sleeves but bearings are often found in more expensive and high-end Olympic barbells.

4. Barbell Whip

Every barbell comes with a different whip, which allows the user or lifter to introduce momentum into their lifts caused by the Olympic bar and not by them. It is that bounce that happens when you stop moving but the momentum of the Olympic or power bar just continues. The amount of whip ranges from a lot to almost none. If you are into weightlifting, choose a power bar with a good amount of whip as it will be useful during clean and jerk and snack. Yet, if you’re into powerlifting, choose bars with little to no whip.

5. Load Capacity

FAQ

How heavy should I lift?

Begin by just lifting the bar and eventually add about 5 to 10 increments each time you do your workout. 

The weight that is heavy enough for your body to get stronger but light enough that will not deteriorate your form is one that enables you to have 3 reps left in the tank each time you finish.

Should I purchase iron plates or bumper plates?

It depends on the type of lifting you are planning to do. If you prefer deadlift, bench press, and squat (powerlifting), then using iron plates is just fine. 

Yet, if you plan to do Olympic weightlifting, then you will need bumpers.

Final Verdict: Which One is Better?

budget barbells

Without a doubt, building a home gym can be expensive in the beginning. But just because other fitness enthusiasts spend a lot to install a gym in their home or apartment doesn’t mean it’s a good idea or you should do the same. 

To get started, you only need a few essential types of equipment and one we highly recommend is the Body-Solid Tools Olympic Straight Bar (OB86). 

It’s a low-cost bar, made of high-quality material with a chrome finish, handles multiple exercises, well-made, and will not cause damage to your apartment. 

This wonder bar is truly designed to take your weightlifting workouts to the next level.

If you like this article, please check out our other articles at Dumbbellsreviews.com.