Olympic Vs Standard Weights & Bars
This question crops up a lot in our stores and via Live Chat on our website… so just what is the difference between Olympic and standard weights? And why do you need to know? Well, whether you’re looking to buy some weights for the first time, or want to add to your existing collection, you want to buy what’s right for you, and want to avoid making any purchasing blunders. So, read on for everything you need to know…
As their name perhaps suggests, standard weights are ideal for many people, typically anyone who isn’t looking for massive gains as part of their body building goals. Olympic weights, on the other hand, offer a higher weight capacity and are therefore ideal for those who have progressed beyond the capabilities of standard weights.
THE PHYSICAL DIFFERENCES
If you place a standard and an Olympic bar side by side, you’ll be able to tell the difference as Olympic bars have thicker ends, where you put the weight plates. Standard weight plates and bars: Bars are 1” in diameter on the ends and the middle shaft. They are made to take standard weight plates, which have a 1”/25mm diameter hole. This means they fit snugly and will not wobble about. A standard bar will typically have a limited weight capacity. Olympic weight plates and bars: Bars are just under 2” in diameter (1” 31/32 to be exact, or 55mm) on the ends. They are made to take Olympic weight plates, which have holes just under 2”/55mm in diameter. You don’t want to buy standard weights and an Olympic bar, or vice versa as the weight plates won’t fit the bar. And that’s just plain annoying. It’s worth knowing that, although you can buy adaptor sleeves to transform standard into Olympic or vice versa, this is for static machines such as leg developers. They cannot be used on bars.THE PERFORMANCE DIFFERENCES
Advantages of standard bars and weights- Standard bars are lightweight in comparison to Olympic. This is great if you’re starting out, or if you don’t plan to train too heavy. (However, you can buy lighter weight Olympic bars too).
- Standard bars tend to be cheaper, and understandably given their lower maximum weight capacity.
- Bars can withstand a whopping maximum weight load of 750kg. Although they may bend under a heavy load, they will return to straight.
- Olympic weight plates are available in heavier sizes, ranging from 1.25kg, right up to 50kg.
- Many Olympic weights are precision-tested. Basically, this means the accuracy of weight is very close; the accuracy of standard plates, especially cheaper ones, can fluctuate. However, this can be avoided, as long as you choose good quality products from trusted brands.
- Olympic bars are far more stable than standard bars when loading weights. This is due to their added thickness. This makes plate loading far safer and convenient.
- Olympic bars usually have rotating ends. This allows for a smoother lift so the bar can spin inside the weight. This helps reduce strain and injury. It also reduces torque on the bar in certain lifts where the bar needs to rotate quickly.