Olympic vs. Standard Weights
So you're not sure what to go with, Olympic or Standard (sometimes called Regular) weights. Here's everything you need to know.
Standard weights are often found in home gyms. The most basic difference is the bar diameter, or thickness. Both Olympic and Standard bars are about 1" diameter, or slightly more, in the middle section, but the bar diameter differs on the ends where you slide weights on.
Olympic bars are 2" diameter on the ends (actually 1 31/32"). As such, they will only take Olympic weight plates, which have 2" diameter holes.
Standard bars are 1" in diameter on the ends, ie: the entire bar is about 1" diameter. They are made to take Standard weight plates with 1" holes. They will also take Olympic weight plates, but Olympic plates will fit loosely as their holes are larger, so in such a case it's recommended you purchase Olympic Adapter Sleeves so that the Olympic weights fit snugly on the Standard bar.
Olympic Weights Advantages:
- Strength - Standard bars will start bending somewhere over 200 lbs, whereas even cheap Olympic bars can take more than that, and high quality Olympic bars are made to hold up to just about anything.
- Accuracy - Certain models of olympic weights are quality controlled for precise weight. A small inaccuracy isn't likely to matter much with a single plate, but with several plates loaded on one side of a bar, those differences can add up. And it's nice to be able to have an accurate log from one day to the next of how much you're really lifting.
- Stability. Olympic bars are thicker and heavier on the ends and are much more difficult to tip over due to unbalanced weight when loading heavy plates.
- No torque - Olympic bars have revolving ends so that there is no added torque while performing certain exercises such as snatches or cleans where the bar needs to rotate quickly. It even helps for curls.
- Rack compatibility. Power racks and olympic width bench racks are made to take 7ft bars. Standard bars in most prepackaged weight sets are only 5 ft or 6 ft long.
- Thickness - The middle portion of the bar is a slightly larger diameter on Olympic bars. A standard bar is typically 1", while Olympic bars can range from 25mm (1") to 32mm (1 1/4"). Some women like thinner bars. Most men prefer 28mm or larger.
- Bumper Plates - Bumper plates are generally only available in olympic. They are all-rubber plates that can handle being dropped to the floor unlike iron plates, and they are all about the same 18" diameter. They are popular for CrossFit and other people doing deadlifts, snatches and cleans.
- Other Options - Grip plates have built-in handles that make the plates much easier to carry safely. Rubber or urethane encased plates combat paint chipping, noise and rust. Olympic plates have the best variety of these options.
Standard Weights Advantages:
- Price - Standard bars are more cheaply made and are lighter to ship. The weight plates themselves often cost about the same for basic cast iron models.
- Light Weight - Lighter bars mean a lighter starting weight for people new to lifting weights.
- Dumbbell Handles - Most Standard dumbbell handles (14in) are shorter than Olympic (18in), and many people prefer shorter ones for dumbbell exercises.
- Spin-Lock Collars - Also called star lock collars. Some Standard bars come with threaded sleeves to accommodate spin-lock collars to secure the plates, rather than the traditional collars that slide on and lock in place by compression. Spin lock collars may not even be an advantage, as they take a moment to spin on and off a long bar, but some people like them, so it's worth mentioning. Note that whether spin-lock or not, all Standard bars use the same Standard plates.
Olympic weights are by far the most commonly used by gyms, pro athletes, powerlifters, bodybuilders, and schools, as well as a large number of casual home users.