The barbell is a fundamental piece of workout equipment. It’s versatile, practical, and fits into almost every training style. For this reason, a high-quality barbell is an excellent investment for a home gym. If you are in the market for a 15KG barbell, you have come to the right place.
To most people, a barbell is a barbell. However, to the experienced eye, that couldn’t be further from the truth. Every barbell has unique features and benefits. The key is finding the perfect one for you.
The trouble is, with so many options, it is hard to know where to begin.
In this article, we will cover:
- Differences between a 20kg and a 15kg barbell.
- What to look for in a barbell.
- Two personal factors to consider when buying a 15kg barbell.
- The best 15kg barbells.
Differences Between a 20kg and 15kg Barbell
One of the many characteristics that differentiate barbells is weight. A standard Olympic barbell is 20kg/44 lbs. This is by far the most common barbell in gyms across the country. However, women’s barbells are lighter at 15kg/33lbs.
In addition to being lighter, women’s barbells are shorter and have a smaller diameter. Although they are called “women’s barbells,” they are also an excellent option for youth athletes.
There are two main benefits to a 15kg barbell. The smaller diameter makes the bar easier for people with smaller hands to grip. This is especially useful on Olympic lifts and deadlifts, where grip strength can be a limiting factor.
Secondly, the shorter length can be beneficial for tight spaces. A standard 20kg Olympic barbell is 86in/7ft long, whereas a 15kg barbell is 79in/6 ½ ft. A shorter barbell will fit better if your home gym is in a spare bedroom, shed, or small garage.
What to Look For in a Barbell
As long as it is taken care of, a high-quality barbell is a piece of equipment you will have for a long time. Not to put too much pressure on you, but this is an investment you want to get right. Since not all barbells are created equal, here are a few general characteristics to consider.
Strength
Barbell strength primarily comes down to the quality of steel used in the manufacturing process. It is expressed in two ways, tensile strength, and yield strength.
Tensile strength, rated in pounds per square inch (PSI), is the amount of weight that can be loaded on a barbell before it breaks. A high tensile strength value is one of the best indicators of a high-quality barbell.
Yield strength is the amount of weight it would take to bend the bar permanently. Not all companies list yield strength, but that is okay because a barbell with high tensile strength will not have any durability concerns.
Knurling
Knurling is the etching on the barbell that gives you a better grip. Think of knurling like sandpaper. It varies from light to aggressive and everything in between.
Powerlifting bars typically have an aggressive knurl, while Olympic lifting bars have a lighter knurl to protect your hands from tearing.
Bushing or Bearing Sleeve
The sleeve of the barbell, where the plates go, comes in two different types – bushing and needle-bearing. For most people, this is an easy decision. A bushing sleeve is best for everyone except Olympic lifters.
Two Personal Factors to Consider When Buying a 15kg Barbell
Before we review the best 15kg barbells, we must talk about you. Beyond a barbell’s general characteristics, two personal factors will shape your decision: price and training style.
Price
Unfortunately, most of us don’t have an unlimited budget to spend on a barbell. Some high-end barbells cost well over a thousand dollars. Don’t worry. Unless you train for the Olympics, you don’t need to dish out that kind of cash.
All of the barbells listed in this guide are under $300.
Training Style
Training style might be the most important of all the factors to consider before buying a barbell. Olympic weightlifting, powerlifting, CrossFit, and general gym movements have different needs. How you train will dictate what barbell is best for you.
The Best 15kg Barbells
Here we go, the moment you have been waiting for—the best 15kg barbells on the market in 2022.
Olympic Weightlifting: Synergy Regional Barbell
First up is Synergy’s best-selling bar, the Regional Barbell. With a needle-bearing sleeve and a tensile strength rating of 190,000 psi, it is an excellent option for Olympic lifting. The needle-bearing allows the sleeve to spin freely without friction, which is perfect for the clean, jerk, and snatch.
The best part about this barbell might be the price. At $189.95, this is an excellent value.
The downside is that this bar is not as versatile as others on the list because of the needle-bearings.
Powerlifting: Texas All American Bar 33
Texas Power Bar is one of the biggest names in barbell manufacturing. Some of the most significant lifts in powerlifting history have been done on Texas Power Bars. And in 2018, they entered the 15kg barbell market.
Why is it great for powerlifting? It’s the only barbell on the list with a knurl in the middle of the bar. A center knurl has a couple of advantages. When squatting heavy, the center knurl helps prevent the bar from sliding. It also ensures the bar is perfectly centered on your back.
The one downside is the price. At $265 plus shipping, it is one of the more expensive bars on the list.
CrossFit: REP Fitness Excalibur Barbell
Look up the definition of functional fitness in the dictionary. There should be a picture of the REP Fitness Excalibur bar. This bar features a unique hybrid bearing and bushing sleeve system. As they put it, “The bushing design provides stability for powerlifting movements, while the bearing allows plenty of spin for Olympic-style lifts.”
Although this feature makes it great for CrossFit, the downside is that the bar is a Jack of all trades, a master of none.
It is a little pricy at $289 but comes with free shipping.
Budget Option: REP Fitness Sabre Barbell
Staying with REP Fitness, the best budget bar is the Sabre Barbell. It is a well-rounded bar at a great price and is perfect for beginners. This is an excellent option if you have a limited budget but still want a quality barbell. For only $149.99 and free shipping, it is hard to find a better barbell for that price.
One downside is it only has a tensile strength of 150,000 psi.
The Best Overall Bar: Rogue Bella Bar 2.0
The Rogue Fitness Bella Bar 2.0 is the gold standard of 15kg barbells. If you came here looking for one recommendation for a 15kg barbell to buy, this is it.
The Rogue Bella Bar 2.0 is a versatile bar you can do anything with. It has a tensile rating of 190,000 psi, tons of finishing options, and is backed by Rogue’s stellar reputation.
For $235, you can’t go wrong.
Final Thoughts
Buying a suitable barbell is critical in your home gym-building process. You will use a barbell nearly every time you train, so it makes sense to do your research and find something that meets your needs. Hopefully, this article sets you up to make a great decision you are happy with for years to come.
Author Kyle Hunt:
Instagram: @huntfitness
YouTube: @HuntFitnessTV
Hire Kyle as your coach: http://www.kylehuntfitness.com/services/
