Often overshadowed by its more popular counterparts, the deadlift bar is a powerhouse tool that can revolutionize your lifting experience. From its unique design to its specific benefits for Best Deadlift Bars, this barbell is a must-have for anyone serious about building strength and muscle. In this article, we will explore what sets the deadlift bar apart from traditional barbells and why it may just be the secret weapon you’ve been missing in your workout routine. Get ready to unlock new levels of performance and see incredible gains with the best barbell for deadlifts. Also with that you need best deadlift shoes for these exercises.

What is a Deadlift Bar ?

A deadlift bar is a specialized type of weightlifting barbell designed specifically for the deadlift exercise. Unlike a standard barbell, a deadlift bar typically has more flex or whip to it, allowing for better performance during heavy lifts. The knurling on a deadlift bar is also usually more aggressive, providing better grip and control when lifting heavy weights.

One unique feature of a deadlift bar is the longer length compared to a standard barbell. This extra length allows for more plates to be loaded onto the bar, making it ideal for powerlifting competitions where athletes need to lift maximum weights. Additionally, the sleeves on a deadlift bar often rotate more freely than those on a regular barbell, reducing strain on the lifter’s wrists and enhancing overall performance.

Overall, using a deadlift bar can greatly enhance your weightlifting experience by providing better flexibility, grip strength, and overall performance during heavy lifts. Whether you’re an experienced lifter looking to push your limits or just starting out in the world of weightlifting, incorporating a deadlift bar into your routine can make all the difference in achieving your fitness goals.

How Much Does It Weight?

Compared to a standard barbell, these bars are oftentimes longer and a bit thinner. They are usually about 7 feet long with around 27 millimeters in diameter. The usual deadlift bar weight is 44 lbs (20 kg). This is also an approved bar weight for competing in some weightlifting organizations such as the GPA (Global Powerlifting Alliance).

What are main feature of Best Deadlift Bars?

The main features of the deadlift bar are:

• a thinner bar: allows for better grip (with my child-like hands, I definitely appreciate this attribute!)
• extra length: allows you to add more weight plates (for when 8 plates per side just isn’t enough!)
• more whip: added flexibility that reduces the sticking point at the bottom of the deadlift
• aggressive knurling: for a better grip
• no center knurling: there’s no need for it in a deadlift (the center knurling can actually be more of a hindrance for deadlifting as it can scratch the legs when in close contact)

The two most common deadlift bars are the Ohio and Texas deadlift bars. These bars are exclusively designed and used for deadlifts.

The Best Deadlift Bars for 2024

Ohio Deadlift Bar

The Ohio Deadlift Bar is a barbell specially designed for deadlifts. It got its name by being manufactured in Columbus, Ohio, the sacred home of Rogue Fitness (the Ohio Deadlift Bar’s manufacturer). The weight of this bar is the same as a standard Olympic bar at 44 lbs (20 kg). But, the Ohio bar is not the same as the Olympic bar. It has a longer shaft: 56 inches, and a smaller diameter: 27mm.

With its longer length and thinner diameter compared to a standard barbell, it allows for a more optimal hand placement and grip during deadlifts. This results in reduced strain on the hands and improved performance, making it a favorite among powerlifters and gym enthusiasts alike.

One of the unique features of the Ohio Deadlift Bar is its aggressive knurling, which provides an exceptional grip even with heavy loads. This can help increase confidence and stability during lifts, ultimately leading to enhanced results. Additionally, the flexibility and whip of this specialized bar allow for better force transfer from the lifter to the weights, maximizing power output.

Overall, investing in an Ohio Deadlift Bar can significantly impact your lifting experience by improving form, increasing strength gains, and enhancing overall performance. Whether you’re a seasoned lifter looking to push your limits or a beginner seeking better results, this barbell is worth considering for taking your deadlifting game to the next level.

Texas Deadlift Bar

The Texas Deadlift Bar is another barbell most commonly used for deadlifting. It was designed in 1980 by Buddy Capps, a Texas powerlifter and expert machinist. These bars weigh the same as most Olympic-sized barbells at 44 lbs (20 kg). What makes them different is their overall length: 29 inches, and longer sleeves: 18 inches.

The Texas Deadlift Bar is for its unparalleled strength and performance, this barbell is specifically designed to optimize deadlifting movements. With its aggressive knurling and stiff shaft, the Texas Deadlift Bar offers superior grip and stability, enabling lifters to push their limits with confidence.

One unique feature of the Texas Deadlift Bar is its longer overall length compared to standard barbells. This extra length provides more room for plates, allowing lifters to load up on heavier weights and challenge themselves further. Additionally, the thinner diameter of the bar enhances the feeling of control during lifts, giving lifters a more precise and efficient deadlifting experience.

Texas Deadlift Bar is not just a piece of equipment – it’s a tool that empowers lifters to reach new heights in their training journey. Whether you’re a seasoned powerlifter or just starting out, incorporating this exceptional barbell into your routine can make all the difference in your deadlifting performance. Unlock your full potential with the Texas Deadlift Bar and redefine what you thought was possible in your strength training endeavors!

Other Types of Bars for Deadlifts and Their Weight

As you can imagine there are numerous types of barbells that can be used for deadlifting, although most aren’t specifically designed for it. Step into just about any gym (besides a Starting Strength gym) and you’re likely to deadlift with every bar other than a deadlift bar. Consider how much deadlifting goes on in CrossFit and how none of the bars on our best barbells for CrossFit list are dedicated deadlifts bars.

Let’s take a look at some of the other barbells commonly used for deadlifting.

Power Bar

The power bar (short for “powerlifting” bar) is a standard barbell found in most gyms. It can be used for just about any barbell movement, although it doesn’t “excel” in any of them. It usually weighs about 45 lbs (20.45kg) for men and 33 lbs (15kg) for women. It generally has a center knurl, and knurl rings 32 inches apart. These bars are not very flexible and don’t create much whip, making them less than ideal for weightlifting (specifically the clean and snatch) movements. They also rarely have much “spin”, making them feel rather “clunky” when attempting weightlifting exercises.

Olympic weightlifting Bar

Olympic weightlifting bars are commonly used for cleans, jerks, and snatches. This bar usually weighs 44 lbs (20kg) for men and 33 lbs (15kg) for women. They have more whip compared to a power bar and don’t have a center knurl (like the deadlift bar, a center knurl for weightlifting movements, particularly the clean, is likely to scratch the legs and shins). Also, the knurl rings are wider apart than at the power bar – 36 inches. This wider knurling is present to help “guide” the lifter’s snatch grip.

Hex Bar

A hex bar, also called a trap bar, is a hexagonal bar designed to allow you to lift more weights while putting less stress on your lower back. There are different types of hex bars, and they all have different average weights:

• Standard hex bar: 45 lbs
• Raised handle hex bar: 50-55 lbs
• Heavy duty hex bar: 60 lbs
• Multi-handle hex bar: 60-65 lbs
• Open back (walkthrough) hex bar: 50-75 lbs

Deadlift Bars vs “Standard” Olympic Bars

The main difference between a deadlift bar and a standard Olympic bar lies in their flexibility.

The deadlift bar has more whip, which means it bends more under heavy weight. This also means you are able to lift more weight than with a stiff bar. Most Olympic-sized barbells are more rigid and have less whip, which makes them suitable for other exercises such as bench presses (where you definitely do not want much whip!) Of course, Olympic weightlifting barbells generally have a lot of whip.

The second difference is in the knurling of the bar. The deadlift bar has more aggressive knurling, which provides better traction and makes it easier to hold in the hands. Also, they don’t have a central knurling. A central knurl is not needed for deadlifts since you don’t need to grip the barbell on your back (like you would while squatting). As previously alluded to, a center knurl can actually make deadlifting less comfortable as the rougher material can scratch up the legs.

Another difference is the length. Deadlift bars are typically a little longer than standard Olympic bars. The average length of a deadlift bar is 90 inches, while a stiff bar is usually 86 inches long.

Deadlift bars have thinner shafts than Olympic bars. The usual shaft thickness of a deadlift bar is 29 mm, while a stiff bar’s shaft is 27 mm thick. This means that a deadlift bar can bend more. Also, a thinner shaft allows you to grip the barbell more easily and therefore makes it easier to lift more weight.

Finally, deadlift bars have less tensile strength. Tensile strength is the maximum load per unit area your bar can withstand before breaking apart. This allows the deadlift bar to bend more than a standard Olympic bar. But it doesn’t mean that the deadlift bar is necessarily “weaker” than a stiff bar. However, it influences the amount of weight you can load on your barbell. Deadlift bars generally have between 165,000-190,000 PSI (pounds of force per square inch), while other bars have 195,000-205,000.

Because they have less tensile strength, deadlift bars also have smaller loadable sleeves than Olympic bars. Loadable sleeves on deadlift bars are usually 15 inches, and on stiff bars, they are 16-17 inches. This means you can add more weight plates on standard Olympic bars than on a deadlift bar. However, you can compensate for this by using thinner plates.

Keep in mind that different competitions use different kinds of bars. Power bars are used in the International Powerlifting Federation (IPF) and USA Powerlifting (USAPL) meets while the United States Powerlifting Association (USPA) uses dedicated deadlift bars for deadlift competitions. If you are preparing for a competition, always check the bar requirements before hand.

FAQ’s

Conclusion

The deadlift bar is an essential tool for anyone looking to maximize their deadlifting performance. With its specialized design and durability, it provides the perfect balance of grip and flexibility needed to lift heavy weights safely and efficiently. Its knurled grip and optimal weight distribution make it ideal for serious lifters aiming to push their limits in the gym. Investing in a high-quality deadlift bar can significantly enhance your strength training routine and help you achieve greater gains over time. So why wait? Upgrade your equipment today and experience the difference for yourself!