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Barbells & Plates: barbells and weight plates for progressive strength training
Barbells are long bars that are loaded with weight plates to adjust the training weight. They are essential for squats, deadlifts and bench press and allow progressive strength training. At PRFRM you will find barbells and weight plates from METCON and Steelstorm Studio, from the METCON Powerlifting Bar and the METCON Oly Weightlifting Barbell 25 mm to the Calibrated Steel Plates and the coloured Sakura weight plates.
With the right combination of bar and plates you build a setup that grows with you: from your first squat with light weight to heavy sets in powerlifting. On this page you will learn how the bars differ, which plates you need and how to increase the weights sensibly.
Powerlifting Bar 2.2 m, 20 kg
Oly Weightlifting Barbell 25 mm, 15 kg
Metcon Olympic Barbell 20 kg
Steelstorm Studio Barbell 20 kg Beige
Steelstorm Studio Barbell 15 kg Beige
Steelstorm Studio Barbell 15 kg Panther
Calibrated Steel Plate 0.25 kg (set)
Calibrated Steel Plate 0.5 kg (set)
Calibrated Steel Plate 1.25 kg (set)
Calibrated Steel Plate 2.5 kg (set)
Sakura weight plate pink 5 kg
Energy weight plate orange 5 kg
Mystery weight plate purple 5 kg
Mocha weight plate green 5 kg
Steelstorm Studio barbell collarThe most important points at a glance
- Powerlifting Bar, Oly bars and Steelstorm barbells for different disciplines
- Calibrated Steel Plates for the smallest increases, 5 kg plates colour-coded
- Olympic sleeves with a 50 mm bore on the Calibrated Plates
- 15 kg and 20 kg bars, depending on body size, hands and exercise
- Matches weight benches, racks and dumbbells
Our barbells at a glance
| Model | Features | Well suited to |
|---|---|---|
| METCON Powerlifting Bar | 2.2 m long, 20 kg, alloy steel, rated for up to 900 kg, powerlifting knurling, chrome and Cerakote Red coating | Squats, bench press, deadlifts, powerlifting |
| METCON Oly Weightlifting Barbell 25 mm | 2 m, 15 kg, 25 mm shaft diameter, whip for dynamic lifts, smoothly rotating sleeves, silver finish | Weightlifting, snatch, clean & jerk, smaller hands |
| Metcon Olympic Barbell 20 kg | 20 kg, spring steel, rotating sleeves, grippy knurling | Home gym, studio and CrossFit boxes, versatile training |
| Steelstorm Studio Barbell 20 kg Beige | 20 kg, spring steel, rated for up to 330 kg, 8 needle bearings and 2 brass bushings, Vulcan knurling, beige design | Designer home gym and studio, clean, snatch, press |
| 15 kg Panther | 15 kg, rated for up to 220 kg, panther pattern in UV print, 8 needle bearings and 2 brass bushings, sleeves in black chrome | Home gym with a design focus |
| 15 kg Beige | 15 kg Olympic barbell in beige from the Steelstorm Studio collection | Matches the studio look, lighter training |
You will find the technical details on dimensions, weight and equipment on the respective product pages.
Weight plates and plates at a glance
| Type | Features | Well suited to |
|---|---|---|
| Calibrated Steel Plates | Precisely calibrated micro plates in 0.25, 0.5, 1.25 and 2.5 kg, 50 mm bore, thin profile, raised weight markings | Smallest increases, powerlifting, breaking through plateaus |
| Sakura weight plates, Energy, Mystery and Mocha | 5 kg plates with colour coding and recyclable material, as a set of 2 | Quick weight recognition, functional training, home gym |
| Steelstorm Studio barbell collar | Collar from the Steelstorm Studio collection | Secures the plates on the bar |
The Calibrated Steel Plates are made of extremely dense steel and are therefore much thinner than classic bumper plates. That leaves plenty of room on the bar for additional plates. Each plate is machine-calibrated so that the loaded weight is reliably accurate.
Powerlifting Bar, Oly bar or Steelstorm: which suits you?
| Criterion | Powerlifting Bar | Oly bar | Steelstorm Studio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight and length | 2.2 m, 20 kg | 2 m, 15 kg (25 mm) | 15 kg or 20 kg, Olympic |
| Focus | Squat, bench press, deadlift | Snatch, clean and jerk, dynamic training | Studio training with a design focus |
| Knurling | Powerlifting knurling, deep | Designed for dynamic lifts | Vulcan knurling |
| Sleeve rotation | Sleeves for plates | Smooth spin | 8 needle bearings and 2 brass bushings |
| Suitability | Maximum strength | Technique and dynamics | Home gym with a living-space feel |
Why barbell and plates are the foundation of strength training
- Progressive load: with plates you increase the weight in small steps
- Basic exercises: squat, deadlift, bench press and overhead press all work with one bar
- Space-saving: one bar with plates replaces many fixed weights
- Flexible: one piece of equipment for beginners and advanced users
- Durable: robust material withstands intense use
- Expandable: new plates extend your setup at any time
These are the muscles you train with the barbell
| Exercise | Main muscles | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Squat | Thighs, glutes, trunk | Rack with safety catches recommended |
| Deadlift | Back, glutes, hamstrings | Keep a neutral spine |
| Bench press | Chest, shoulders, triceps | With bench and rack or spotter |
| Overhead press | Shoulders, triceps, trunk | Brace your core |
| Snatch and clean & jerk | Full body, explosive strength | Technique before weight |
| Bent-over row | Upper back, biceps | Keep your back straight |
How to calculate your training weight
The total weight is the bar plus the plates on both sides. Always load evenly left and right so that the bar stays balanced.
| Bar | Plates per side | Total weight |
|---|---|---|
| 20 kg | 1 x 5 kg | 30 kg |
| 20 kg | 2 x 5 kg | 40 kg |
| 20 kg | 2 x 5 kg + 0.25 kg | 40.5 kg |
| 15 kg | 2 x 5 kg + 1.25 kg | 42.5 kg |
| 15 kg | 1 x 5 kg + 2.5 kg | 30 kg |
With the Calibrated Steel Plates you can also reach intermediate steps, for example 0.5 kg more per set, without changing your technique.
What to look out for when buying
| Criterion | What to look out for |
|---|---|
| Bar weight | 15 kg and 20 kg are common, choose according to body size and exercises |
| Shaft diameter | 25 mm for smaller hands, 28 mm as the standard for many lifters |
| Load capacity | It should be well above your planned weight |
| Knurling | Deeper knurling offers more grip for heavy lifting |
| Bearings | Needle bearings and bushings provide a smooth spin in Olympic lifts |
| Plates | 50 mm bore for Olympic bars and micro plates for fine steps |
| Accessories | Collars secure the plates on the bar |
Barbell training for beginners
Start with the empty bar and learn the technique before adding weight. Increase the weight in small steps, only when all repetitions go cleanly.
| Week | Sessions | Content |
|---|---|---|
| 1 to 2 | 2 per week | Empty bar: squat, deadlift, overhead press, 3 sets of 8 to 10 repetitions |
| 3 to 4 | 2 to 3 per week | Increase the weight in small steps, add bench press |
| 5 to 6 | 3 per week | 3 sets of 5 repetitions at target weight, micro plates for fine increases |
The plan is an example. Adjust weight and volume to your level and plan rest days.
Care and maintenance
- Wipe the bar and plates down after training
- Store the bar horizontally or in a suitable holder
- Keep the knurling clean, for example with a brush
- Check the sleeves for play and the plates for damage
- Protect the bar from moisture
Avoiding typical mistakes
- Too heavy too soon: technique comes before weight
- Loading unevenly: always load both sides equally
- No safety: use a rack, spotter arms or a spotter for heavy sets
- Wrong bar: choose the bar to suit the exercise and your hand size
- Plates not secured: use collars so that nothing slips
Combining barbells
A barbell needs a stable weight bench or a rack. As a complement we recommend dumbbells and Functional Training. You will find more equipment in the Strength training category and matching accessories in Training accessories.
FAQ: frequently asked questions about barbells and plates
What is the difference between a 15 kg and a 20 kg bar?
The 20 kg bar is the classic men's bar, while the 15 kg bar is lighter and thinner. The choice depends on body size, hand size and exercises.
How much load can the METCON Powerlifting Bar take?
According to the specification the maximum load capacity is 900 kg.
What is the advantage of the 25 mm Oly bar?
The thinner shaft diameter is matched to smaller hands and provides a secure grip in the snatch and clean & jerk.
What do I need Calibrated Steel Plates for?
They are precisely calibrated micro plates for the smallest increases. Ideal if you want to break through plateaus in small steps.
What bore do the Calibrated Steel Plates have?
The bore is 50 mm and corresponds to the Olympic standard.
How much load can the Steelstorm Studio bars take?
According to the specification up to 330 kg for the 20 kg version and up to 220 kg for the 15 kg Panther version.
Do I need collars for the bar?
Collars secure the plates and prevent slipping, especially in dynamic exercises.
Which weight bench suits the bars?
A stable weight bench or a rack, for example from the Weight benches category.
Are the bars suitable for beginners?
Yes. Start with the empty bar, learn the technique and increase the weight in small steps.