Barbells, generally speaking, are not cheap. In fact, some premium barbells cost upward of $800. And we get it — barbells are absurdly important pieces of equipment. They’ve got to support a lot of weight, and they’ve got to do it reliably. That’s no small task.

The thing is, you don’t need the very best barbells to enjoy effective workouts in your garage gym. There are plenty of barbells available that deliver quality and durability while remaining affordable for many home gym owners. After getting our hands on dozens of barbells from the best brands in home gym equipment, we’ve found the best budget barbells that offer a dang good experience without costing a fortune.  

The 10 Best Budget Barbells of 2024

• Best Overall Budget Barbell: REP Fitness Colorado Bar
• Best Budget Safety Squat Bar: Bells of Steel SS4
• Best Budget 15KG Barbell: Titan Fitness Titan Series 15KG
• Best Budget Olympic Barbell: Major Fitness Barbell
• Best Budget Curl Bar: Bells of Steel Curl Bar
• Best Budget Trap Bar: Titan Fitness Open Trap Bar
• Best Budget Barbell Under $200: Living Fit Chrome Bar
• Best Beginner Budget Barbell: Giant Fitness Basic Bar
• Best Budget Barbell on Amazon: Synergee Games Cerakote Barbell
• Best High-End Budget Barbell: Rogue Fitness Ohio Bar

Best Overall Budget Barbell: REP Fitness Colorado Bar

BarBend expert product tester and editorial team member Jake Herod calls this barbell a high-caliber, multipurpose barbell in his REP Fitness Colorado Bar review, noting that it’s an ideal pick for the strength training generalist. “The Colorado can handle whatever you can throw at it,” Herod says, and he means it — Herod put this one through a battery of testing.

Outfitted with composite bushings and both powerlifting and Olympic weightlifting knurl marks, the Colorado Bar is indeed one of the best Olympic barbells for fitness enthusiasts who like to dabble in a bit of everything. 

Our product tester, a former USA Olympian in weightlifting, says, “I especially loved the inclusion of composite bushings, which made the sleeves spin freely without hesitation while also boosting the durability during drops.” That’s exactly what you want in a home gym — a durable bar with which you can do whatever kind of training you need to do.

Available in a chrome finish along with several cerakote colors, the price point really can’t be beaten for this high-quality barbell. There used to be a slight price difference between the chrome and Cerakote options, but as of this writing, all finishes cost the same: about $300. This means that you can get the best of the best, without sacrificing your wallet.

Grab yourself a set of the best bumper plates and a power rack, and you’ll be set for life. (No, really, this barbell comes with a lifetime warranty.)

Best Budget Safety Squat Bar: Bells of Steel SS4

Safety squat bar benefits range far and wide — they make squatting easier on the shoulders, neck, and upper back. If you struggle with mobility in any of those regions or are recovering from an injury affecting those areas, a safety squat bar is worth looking into — and we think that the Bells of Steel SS4 is a great bet for you.

Kate Meier, BarBend editorial member, gym owner, and NASM-certified personal trainer, particularly enjoys using this model — so much so that she rates the overall workout experience with a perfect 5 out of 5 score. 

“One of the first things I noticed was how balanced this bar was across my frame, even after walking out from the rack,” she says. “I own other safety squat bars, and I typically need to readjust before dropping down for a squat.” With the SS4 — no such need for constant readjustment. 

Featuring a black titanized coating, this is a good barbell for withstanding the hazards of corrosion. The tensile strength is lower than what you’ll find on Olympic barbells, but it’s not something to worry about with the way the load is distributed on a safety squat bar. Regardless, it’s still capable of handling 1,500 pounds before becoming susceptible to damage. 

While a safety squat bar doesn’t replace a powerlifting bar or weightlifting bar, it is possible to do more with it than just squat. Try good mornings, lunges, split squats, step-ups — a whole array of lower-body workouts at your feet for your next leg day.

Best Budget 15KG Barbell: Titan Fitness Titan Series 15KG

Many people in the industry call 15KG bars the best barbells for women. Here at BarBend, we know that the bar that’s best for you is the bar that’s the right size and weight — regardless of your gender. If you need a barbell that’s smaller than the typical 7-foot, 20-kilogram Olympic bar, we think the Titan Fitness Titan Series 15KG fits the bill perfectly. 

Alex Polish, certified personal trainer and BarBend editorial team member, is impressed by the weight capacity and tensile strength of this barbell despite its smaller size. “Weighing 33 pounds and only measuring a little over 4 feet long, this is perfect for a home gym where you want to lift heavy but don’t have a lot of space,” they say. “How heavy? Well. This bar has an impressive 1,500-pound weight capacity and a 190,000 PSI, making it one of the strongest bars in the business.” This might be among the best compact exercise equipment pieces for those needing a barbell in an itty-bitty living space.

Polish points out that this bar — like others on our list — might not be the most comfortable for heavy back squatting, since it doesn’t have center knurling. However, “for pretty much anything else you’re doing, this bar is a rockstar,” Polish says.

A bonus: This bar comes standard with a cerakote finish, a type of coating that tends to be low in VOCs (volatile organic compounds, which can increase air pollution). This is good news for environmentally-conscious shoppers.

“They’re generally considered to be non-toxic after curing, too, and the curing process for cerakote requires a lower baking temperature, meaning less energy goes into its production,” Polish explains. “They also tend to be thinner than competitive coatings, meaning they use less material — also good for the planet.”

If you tend to shop with the planet in mind, this Titan Fitness bar could be the right choice for your home gym.  

Best Budget Olympic Barbell: Major Fitness Barbell

BarBend editorial team member, triathlete, and expert tester Bojana Galic says the Major Lutie Major Fitness Barbell “ticks all the boxes” for her as someone who lifts weights to support general fitness and endurance performance. 

“I’d compare it to a barbell you might find in your gym,” Bojana says. “I can tell it apart from higher-end bars, like an Eleiko barbell. But for most athletes, I think this is a solid choice.” It’s a bit like the best high-end treadmills — you can tell if you’re on a fancy one, but there’s absolutely nothing wrong with your standard model. Sure enough, this multi-use barbell features dual knurl marks and lacks center knurling, making it a choice barbell for fitness generalists. 

“I liked the knurling for my purposes,” she says, noting that she’s able to get a good, secure grip during deadlifts without feeling like her hands are being cut up. Nodding to the medium-depth knurling, she adds, “When I’m lifting for weight, not reps, I do think I’d prefer some more aggressive knurling.” Bojana also feels that the Major Fitness Barbell has a nice, smooth spin. 

This barbell is available in two finishes — chrome and black — though it’s not clear what specific finish, such as oxide or zinc, the black color option is.

While the tensile strength isn’t disclosed, this barbell can support a maximum of 750 pounds. That’s not the most impressive amount of weight, but it’s more than sufficient for most recreational lifters. (If you’re out there squatting more than 750, go try out for a team somewhere!)

Best Budget Curl Bar: Bells of Steel Curl Bar

Even the best adjustable dumbbells can cost a pretty penny. Another option is sticking to a barbell, of sortsl — the curl bar. A curl bar, like this one from Bells of Steel, is uniquely designed to target the biceps without excess strain on the shoulders, wrists, or forearms. 

Alex Polish, certified personal trainer and BarBend editorial team member says, “The curvature of the bar is just right for many people’s hands and wrists to stay in a more neutral position than having to keep them completely straight — that can put a lot of strain on your joints.” That can help you maximize gains while minimizing potential pains and strains. 

Another advantage of adding this curl bar to your repertoire? It’s easy to stash away, given that it’s much shorter than the standard 7-foot bar. At 47 inches long, this is much easier to stash in a corner or closet until you’re ready to crank out more reps.

That’s not all, Polish explains. “The black phosphate coating makes this bar look pretty sexy, and it helps protect from corrosion and rust.” Polish also likes that black phosphate coating is generally thought to be less hazardous to the environment than black oxide coatings. “It’s also thicker than other coatings, which your hands may appreciate during heavy use,” they note. 

Weighing just 22.5 pounds but capable of carrying 500 pounds, the Bells of Steel Curl Bar is a real contender for anyone looking to beef up their biceps. You can also use it for various pressing and tricep exercises. That said, you won’t be using this for squats, deadlifts, and other big lifts that you typically associate with barbells — so you might want to take a pass if you’re looking to support massive compound lifts.

Best Budget Trap Bar: Titan Fitness Open Trap Bar

While even the best trap bars may not be as versatile as Olympic barbells, they offer an excellent solution for individuals who find pulling exercises — think, deadlifts — uncomfortable with a straight barbell. This particular model from Titan Fitness features an open hex design, meaning you don’t have to step over the bar to correctly position yourself: Just walk up to it like you would any regular barbell. 

The open design also makes it much more versatile than a standard trap bar with a closed hex design. With this Titan Fitness model, you can do lunge variations and even step-ups and Bulgarian split squats. This also may make this model more inviting to higher-weight athletes who want to mix up their routine with a less conventional bar.

According to our expert tester, the fact that this bar has medium knurling on all of the various handle options (dual knurled 32-millimeter- and 38-millimeter handles) makes it a standout trap bar. “Other trap bars are typically sharp and aggressive, whereas this one is much more comfortable,” they say. “Still, though, I had no concerns about dropping the weight — you definitely get that locked-in feel.”

Keep in mind that this barbell weighs 65 pounds as opposed to the standard 45 pounds on an Olympic bar. It can hold up to 1,500 pounds, which should be more than adequate even for advanced lifters. With a built-in loading jack and raised sleeves, sliding weight plates onto the Titan Fitness Open Trap Bar is a breeze. 

While it’s only available in one coating option — chrome sleeves with a black powder coat on the main frame — it’s a durable, corrosion-resistant coat that should hold up even in humid home gym environments.  

Best Budget Barbell Under $200: Living Fit Chrome Bar

Finding a high-quality barbell for under $200 might’ve seemed impossible — but we’ve done all the research and testing for you, and we unearthed a real gem. As Jake Herod, NASM-CNC and BarBend product expert, points out in his full Living Fit Barbell review, this Olympic barbell from Living.Fit spins smoothly, features excellent medium knurling, comes in two durable finish options, and can handle up to 1,500 pounds with a tensile strength of 200,000 PSI. 

“The knurling on this barbell is more moderate to accommodate a wider range of lifts, like cleans or snatches, which involve the bar rotating within your hands,” Herod says. “We’ve tested plenty of other multi-use barbells like this one, and we found the knurling to be serviceable for movements like hang cleans, but not too slippery for bench presses and shoulder presses. It was refreshing to find that this bar worked across all our lifts without compromising any part of our workouts.” 

Additionally, since the Living.Fit Barbell uses a combination rotation system (brass bushings and ball bearings) in each of the loading sleeves, “you’re getting the best of both worlds,” according to Herod. While it might not spin as speedily as a premium barbell with solely needle bearings, Herod points out that bushings are less expensive and tend to degrade slower than bearings. “Plus, they provide enough spin for you to practice your Olympic lifts without spinning on their own during power lifts like back squats.”

And if you’re worried about the weight rating of such a low-priced barbell, don’t be: Its rating of 1,500 pounds means it can handle more than the world record deadlift. 

Best Beginner Budget Barbell: Giant Fitness Basic Bar

The Giant Fitness Basic Bar is just that: basic. In a good way, we promise! According to our expert product tester, this barbell is an excellent option for working out in multiple disciplines. With it, you can practice and progress in everything from squats, cleans, jerks, deadlifts, presses, and accessory work like hamstring exercises and row variations.

Our tester gives this bar a score of 3 out of 5 points for durability just because the weight rating is 700 pounds. While this is lower than many other barbells, a higher weight rating generally equates to a higher cost. And if you don’t plan on lifting more than 700 pounds (I’d venture to say most beginners are not!), then this bar will be more than strong enough for you.

“The tensile strength is pretty low at 100,000 PSI, too — but again, for a beginner, these things aren’t going to matter,” our tester says. “And while I wouldn’t consider myself a beginner, the bar felt more than adequate for my average workouts.”

While our tester rates the knurling with a score of 3.75 out of 5 stars because it is more gentle than what they prefer, they note that “a gentle knurling may well score a 5 out of 5 for beginners, so that can be great news for you.”

At a list price of just $160 (and often on sale for as low as $120), this multipurpose bar is really tough to beat for a strength training newbie. 

Best Budget Barbell on Amazon: Synergee Games Cerakote Barbell

Synergee Games Cerakote Barbells are common in CrossFit gyms thanks to their low cost and durability. For under $250 — available quickly and easily on Amazon — you get a colorfully coated barbell with a respectable tensile strength of 190,000 PSI and a weight rating of 1,500 pounds, which is in line with other budget picks. 

This barbell features a bearing rotation system, meaning it spins ultra-fast. In fact, that’s one of the main draws to this bar, according to our expert tester. “The spin is phenomenal and effortless,” they say. “I wouldn’t recommend this for slower lifts like squats or deadlifts, but for dynamic exercises, it’s a true winner.”

We love the cerakote coating for its colorfulness and resistance to corrosion, but we do have one callout: “Because of the coating on the sleeves, you might notice some aesthetic wear and tear after a few uses,” our tester points out. “It doesn’t bother me, but if you don’t love it, you might want to either choose another bar or just load your plates with care.” To further extend the life and aesthetics of your barbell, you might also want to brush up on how to clean a barbell.

If you generally care about the air you breathe and tend to like your purchases being eco-friendly, you’ll love this: “Cerakote coatings tend to be considered more environmentally friendly than other types of barbell coatings because they require less materials and energy to make, are non-toxic after curing, and are typically low in VOCs (volatile organic compounds), which aren’t great for the atmosphere,” says Alex Polish, certified personal trainer and BarBend editorial team member.

All things considered, the Synergee Games Cerakote Barbell is an excellent choice for novice and intermediate lifters alike, particularly for those who do a lot of dynamic movements like clean & jerks and thrusters. 

Best High-End Budget Barbell: Rogue Fitness Ohio Bar

Our expert product tester calls the Rogue Ohio Bar a “do-it-all” barbell, and they’re not kidding. After a lot of tough workouts with this classic barbell, our tester calls out its ability to handle both heavy power lifts (like a deadlift max) and explosive Olympic lifting (like a snatch double). Whatever your preference, “it does the trick,” our tester says, putting this bar up there in the running for some of the best home gym equipment.

As with other multipurpose barbells, this one lacks center knurling, which our tester calls out for fans of heavy back squats. “It doesn’t have a center knurling, so even though I could back squat with this, it felt a bit less secure than bars with that center knurling,” they say. Still, they award the Ohio Bar a score of 5 out of 5 points for versatility. 

While our tester says the volcano-pattern knurling is a bit too passive for their liking, they realize knurling ultimately comes down to preference, and still gives the Ohio Bar 4 out of 5 points for that category. This barbell also scored highly in the durability department, with our tester awarding it 4.75 out of 5 points —just taking off that 0.25 because the stainless steel version is incredibly susceptible to corrosion and rust. We recommend opting for the zinc finish, Cerakote, or E-Bar option. 

“If your program has you performing tons of deadlifts and bench presses, I think the Rogue Ohio Bar is one of the best investments you could ever make for your home gym,” says our tester. And with pricing starting under $300, we think it’s a solid option for those looking to keep their wallets padded. 

Read our full Rogue Ohio Bar Review.

How We Tested and Chose the Best Budget Barbells

At BarBend, our team members know more about barbells than they might be willing to admit to the average passerby. While our Jeopardy-level knowledge of steel shafts and sleeves might raise an eyebrow or two, it’s great news for you. Our roster of certified personal trainers, CrossFit coaches, and athletes has spent years working out with dozens of different barbells, rating them according to our equipment testing methodology to bring you the best possible recommendations, ranking top criteria on a scale from 1 (yikes) to 5 (buy immediately).

• Price: For our guide to budget barbells, price held the highest priority in our search. We looked for reasonably priced barbells that still offer quality features and protection from manufacturer defects.
• Durability: Despite looking for lower-priced barbells, we still prioritized durability, choosing models with high tensile strengths and moderate to high weight ratings. 
• Performance: During testing, our product reviewers took note of things like spin, knurling, grip, and generally how the bar felt during use. This largely informed our final product selection.
• Coating Options: A barbell’s coating heavily impacts durability, maintenance, and longevity. We chose barbells with a variety of coatings, including several that are available in multiple coating options. 

Benefits of the Best Budget Barbells

The benefits of budget barbells are, by and large, the same as those of more expensive barbells. They enable you to lift weights, thereby improving your strength and fitness. 

• Cost: The primary benefit of a budget barbell over a more premium one is, clearly, the cost. Oftentimes, budget-friendly barbells last as long as more expensive options, given they are properly cared for. 
• Versatility: Barbells are impressively versatile. You could train solely with a barbell and weight plates and adequately engage every muscle group in the body to improve your fitness. 
• Progression: Barbell workouts offer a lot of room for improvement. Most people will never reach the point of maxing out the length of a barbell’s sleeves, so training with one provides virtually endless opportunities for progressive overload. 

How Much Do the Best Budget Barbells Cost?

Depending on the type of barbell you want — curl, trap, Olympic, etc. — expect to pay within the range of $120 to $400. Though that price range may still seem steep, it’s a far cry from the $400 to $1,000 price range on higher-end barbells. 

What to Consider Before Buying the Best Budget Barbell

Not so fast! Before typing in your credit card number, here’s how to choose a barbell, making sure your purchase aligns with your priorities in these three key areas. 

Price 

Obviously, cost is a major factor for those who are looking for a budget barbell. For most searchers, it’s probably the primary factor. While having a little wiggle room in your budget can lead you to a potentially better product, it’s wise to get clear on your price range before starting your search. 

Durability 

Even though you’re looking for a budget model, don’t let yourself be skimped on the durability factor. A budget barbell can still last you many years. Look at factors like tensile strength (at least 150,000 PSI) and weight rating (at least 700 pounds) to get an idea of the bar’s durability. Reading customer reviews can also be helpful. 

Knurl Marks 

Many, if not most, general-use barbells come with dual knurl marks these days. That is, they have both Olympic weightlifting and powerlifting knurl marks to make the bar more versatile. Depending on what you plan to do with your barbell, look for dual marks or exclusively weightlifting or powerlifting knurl marks. 

Best Budget Barbells FAQs

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