With the rise of mass fitness and the popularity of specialized sports like powerlifting and weightlifting, barbells (especially professional Olympic barbells) have become a central topic of discussion when purchasing core training equipment, whether for individual trainers or commercial facilities. Choosing the right Olympic barbell for your needs has become a crucial question for many, whether upgrading or purchasing for the first time.
Here we first introduce two standards: the IWF (International Weightlifting Federation) and IPF (International Powerlifting Federation) competition barbell rules. IWF (International Weightlifting Federation) competitions are divided into men’s and women’s barbell.
IWF men’s club standards:
l Chrome-plated steel
l Knurled grip
l Weight: 20 kg
l Length: 2.2 m
l End sleeves: 5 cm diameter, 41.5 cm long
l Barbell handle: 2.8 cm diameter, 1.31 m long
l Two grips: 44.5 cm each, including a 0.5 cm non-knurled band (19.5 cm inside the sleeve)
l Center knurl: 12 cm long
IWF women’s club standards:
l Chrome-plated steel
l Knurled grip
l Weight: 15 kg
l Length: 2.01 m
l End sleeves: 5 cm diameter, 32 cm long
l Barbell handle: 2.5 cm diameter, 1.31 m long
l Two grips: 42 cm each, including a 0.5 cm non-knurled band (19.5 cm inside the sleeve)
——Source: IWF Guidelines Sport Equipment Licensing
The differences between IWF men’s and women’s clubs: weight, length, grip diameter, whether there is a knurled band in the middle of the club, and different lengths of sleeves at both ends.
IPF (International Powerlifting Federation) competitions do not distinguish between men and women
Chrome plating is prohibited on all IPF competition barbell knurling. Barbells must be straight, with good knurling and grooves, and meet the following dimensions:
1. Barbell length not exceeding 2.2 meters
2. Distance between the inner edges of the sleeves at both ends is 1.31-1.32 meters
3. Barbell diameter is 2.8-2.9 cm
4. Competition barbells weigh 20 kg, with two competition clips weighing a total of 5 kg
5. Sleeve diameter is 5.0-5.2 cm
——Source: IWF Guidelines Sport Equipment Licensing
The above are the international standard specifications for weightlifting and powerlifting bars respectively.
If we describe the barbell rod according to its “anatomy”, it is generally divided into material, knurling, bearings and coating (surface treatment). Let’s analyze them one by one below.
Materials: Materials are generally divided into alloy steel and stainless steel. Alloy steel has an anti-oxidation coating, while stainless steel does not. Stainless steel is a grade higher than alloy steel in terms of hardness, price, and surface treatment.
According to IWF and IPF standards, weightlifting bars are generally made of alloy steel with a chrome-plated finish. Powerlifting bars are either made of alloy steel with a non-chrome-plated finish or made of stainless steel.
Weightlifting bars require a certain degree of elasticity, and alloy steel offers greater elasticity than stainless steel. Furthermore, alloy steel is easier to coat (surface treat), so alloy steel is often used.
Knurling: The knurling process is generally divided into knurling depth, diamond size and knurling tip (“crater”) treatment.
Powerlifting bars require greater friction and grip, so the knurling is larger, deeper, and sharper. Weightlifting bars tend to be softer while maintaining grip, so the knurling is not particularly “obvious.”
Bearing: There is a bearing between the rod and the sleeve to keep the sleeve from rotating independently. Bearings are generally divided into: needle roller bearings, graphite bearings and copper sleeve bearings.
Plating (surface treatment): IWF competition regulations require chrome plating, and there are other electroplating surface treatment processes, such as zinc plating, other black oxide plating, etc.
IWF competition poles require chrome plating for both aesthetic appeal (chrome is brighter and more aesthetically pleasing) and a softer feel, making them suitable for weightlifting competitions. IPF competition poles do not require chrome plating, but powerlifting requires greater grip strength, so other coatings or stainless steel are used.
Other Types of Pole: Multi-purpose poles are suitable for both weightlifting and powerlifting training. Their material and workmanship are somewhere in between, making them suitable for comprehensive training facilities. If you’re looking to develop specialized sports, we recommend purchasing specialized training poles.
The deadlift bar has a longer sleeve than the standard one (to accommodate more plates) and a rougher surface to generate greater grip.
Why Choose Baopeng?
At Nantong Baopeng Fitness Equipment Technology Co., Ltd., we combine over 30 years of experience with cutting-edge manufacturing techniques to produce top-tier fitness equipment. Whether you need CPU or TPU dumbbells, weight plates, or other products, our materials meet global safety and environmental standards.
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Post time: Sep-26-2025
