Everything You Need to Know to Find the Best Budget Barbell for You in 2024

You don't need to spend a ton to lift heavy—these budget barbells are excellent choices for your home gym.

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Research suggests that you need just two strength-training sessions a week to start experiencing wellness benefits. For example, barbell exercises can help build muscle strength, improve balance and increase stability.

However, it’s not always convenient to head to the gym to work on your squats, bench presses and snatches. In fact, a 2021 review found that one of the most commonly reported barriers to a regular strength-training workout was lack of time. Adding a barbell to your home gym provides a convenient way to practice your favorite Olympic barbell, powerlifting and CrossFit exercises any time you want.

While some quality barbells can cost over $400 or $500, today, there are many highly-rated budget-friendly barbells available in 2024. Whether you are looking for a beginner barbell, an ergonomic barbell or a barbell with both IWF and IPF positioning, this list of the best budget barbells will help you find the right barbell to crush your PRs without breaking the bank.

Our Picks for the Best Budget Barbells in 2024:

• Best Budget Women’s 15kg Barbell: Force USA Freedom Barbell
• Best Value Budget Barbell: Titan Fitness Atlas Bar
• Best Budget Curl Bar: REP Fitness EZ Curl Barbell
• Best Budget Technique Bar: Rogue T-15LB Technique Bar
• Best Multipurpose Budget Barbell: Fringe Sport Wonder Bar V2
• Best Budget Powerlifting Barbell: Bells of Steel Barenaked Powerlifting Bar
• Best Budget Cerakote Barbell: Synergee Games Cerakote Bar
• Best Budget Barbell on Amazon: XMark Blackhawk 

Best Budget Women’s 15kg Barbell: Force USA Freedom Barbell

Key Features:

• Price: $244.99
• Weight: 15 kilograms (33.07 pounds)
• Length: 79.1 inches
• Material: Steel with bronze bushings and zinc coating
• Grip: Standard dimension dual knurl marks with International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) and International Powerlifting Federation (IPF) positioning

The Force USA Freedom Barbell was designed for Olympic weightlifting and powerlifting with female athletes in mind. This durable barbell has a diameter of 25 mm and 170,000 PSI tensile strength.

The 15-kilogram, 79.1-inch bar features standard dimension knurling with International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) and International Powerlifting Federation (IPF) positioning. This allows you to use the barbell for a wide range of exercises. IWF positioning provides a wider grip for exercises like barbell snatches and IPF positioning gives you a narrower grip for exercises like squats, deadlifts and bench presses.

The Freedom Bar has four needle bearings for a good amount of spin and self-lubricating bronze bushings to provide smoother movement. The barbell sleeves and shaft are zinc-plated for corrosion and rust resistance. This zinc surface also provides a comfortable grip.

Pros:

• Dual knurl marks with both IWF and IPF positioning
• Features bearings and bushings for versatility
• Corrosion and rust-resistant

Cons:

• One of the pricier budget barbells on this list

Best Value Budget Barbell: Titan Fitness Atlas Bar

Titan

Key Features:

• Price: $199.97
• Weight: 20 kilograms (44.09 pounds)
• Length: 51.75 inches
• Material: Cold-rolled steel with bronze bushing and coated with a chrome finish
• Grip: Medium diamond knurl texture

The Titan Fitness Atlas Bar is a multi-purpose Olympic and powerlifting barbell with dual knurl marks that was created for intermediate to advanced lifters. This budget-friendly durable 220,000 PSI tensile strength barbell can support up to 1,5000 pounds of weight capacity.

The barbell features bronze bushing sleeves and 10 needle bearings between the shaft and sleeve to give you a consistent roll and fluid spin. The bar also features medium diamond knurl marks in positions that make it a good fit for both Olympic and powerlifting. (There are no center knurl marks to help prevent neck scratching.) Its fast, easy-spinning design works well for moves like barbell clean and jerks or snatch lifts. This barbell is made to fit Olympic-sized weight plates and has a snap-ring end cap.

Reviewers on the Titan Fitness website give this barbell 4.7 out of five stars overall, sharing that it is a great value for the price. One reviewer says, “For the price, you can’t beat the quality.” Another reviewer shares, “Absolutely love the Atlas Olympic Barbell. Great grip, length and the overall design of the barbell is fantastic.”

Pros:

• Supports a weight capacity of 1,500 pounds
• Dual knurl marks
• Designed for smooth, quiet spin
• One-year warranty included

Cons:

• One reviewer says lack of center knurling is good for some exercises but not for narrow grip work
• Some reviewers say knurling texture could be better

Best Budget Curl Bar: REP Fitness EZ Curl Barbell

REP Fitness

Key Features:

• Price: $149.99-$269.99
• Weight: 13.6 kilograms (30 pounds)
• Length: 55 inches
• Material: Stainless steel
• Grip: Medium depth knurl

The REP Fitness EZ Curl Barbell is an ergonomic barbell with a bent shaft to help prevent joint strain by reducing stress on wrists and elbows. The 55-inch, 30-pound barbell features one needle bearing and one bushing bearing per sleeve to offer both stability and spin. It has a diameter of 30 mm and features medium-depth knurling.

You can get this curl bar with either a hard chrome coating or matte finish (which is more durable). The hard chrome style bar has a tensile strength of 190 KSI, while the stainless steel matte finish version has a 200 KSI.

While this bar is a good option for those looking to reduce common injuries, keep in mind that this barbell’s dimensions are not compatible with standard-size power racks.

Reviewers on the Rep Fitness website give this curl bar 4.9 out of five stars overall, and say that this is a high quality bar. One reviewer says, “The chrome on this is very nice. It looks like stainless steel and feels great.” Some reviewers share that though the stainless steel version is more expensive, it’s worth the price. One reviewer comments, “I love the quality and feel of this bar. I splurged for the stainless steel version and have zero regrets!”

Pros:

• Bent shaft reduces joint strain
• Available in hard chrome matte and full stainless steel
• Hybrid needle bearing and bushing sleeves

Cons:

• Not compatible with standard-size power racks

Best Budget Technique Bar: Rogue T-15LB Technique Bar

Rogue

Key Features:

• Price: $165
• Weight: 6.8 kilograms (15 pounds)
• Length: 69.50 inches
• Material: Bare aluminum shaft coating and bright zinc sleeve coating
• Grip: Dual knurl marks

Made in Columbus, Ohio, this budget barbell is designed for the amateur or youth athlete learning technique. It is created to be a stepping stone that will help you achieve the correct form safely. It is also a good fit to use after recovering from an injury and getting back into lifting.

This 28 mm diameter, 69.50-inch bar features dual knurl marks for Powerlifting or Olympic lifting spaced at IWF standards to help you achieve proper grip position and refine your technique.The knurl marks provide a firm, but non-abrasive grip. The bar also features durable plastic bushings for a smooth spin. These Rogue barbells have a tensile strength of 42,000 PSI and sleeves give you an eight-inch loadable length.

Reviewers on the Rogue Fitness website give this technique bar 4.8 out of five stars overall, saying this lighter barbell is good for getting into training or for those in recovery. One reviewer says, “Perfect for snatch squats, reverse lunges, hip thrusters, etc., when you want lighter weight or recovery.” Another reviewer shares, “As a 60+ year old woman just getting into strength training, the standard barbell is just too heavy for me to safely learn clean, snatch, overhead press. This bar made all the difference. I can work on technique and once it's fully loaded to its 45-pound capacity, time to move to my Olympic bar. The grips are comfortable, length good, beautifully balanced.”

Pros:

• Good for beginners, amateurs or use as a rehab bar
• Dual knurl marks
• Sleeves are compatible with most standard size bumper plates

Cons:

• Not built for loads with heavy weights over 45 pounds or 20 kg

Best Multipurpose Budget Barbell: Fringe Sport Wonder Bar V2 

Fringe Sport

Key Features:

• Price: $269-$289
• Weight: 20 kilograms (44 pounds)
• Length: 86 inches
• Material: Alloy steel and black zinc-plated
• Grip: Dual knurling with IWF or IPF knurling

Fringe Sport shares that this 20 kilogram Wonder Bar V2 Olympic barbell was designed to provide a commercial gym quality product at an affordable home gym price for beginners to advanced lifters. The barbell is available with a bushing ($269) or bearing ($289) format. Needle bearing barbells provide faster spin and a smoother rotation while bushing barbells provide moderate spin, are easier to maintain and are more durable.

This 28mm, 86-inch steel bar, nicknamed “Black Magic,” is made from alloy steel and is black zinc-plated. It offers 1,600 pounds of weight capacity with a tensile strength of 205,000 PSI and a yield strength of 160,000 PSI. It also features dual knurling with double ring IWF and IPF knurling and no center knurl.

Reviewers on the Fringe Sport website give the Wonder Bar V2 4.9 out of five stars overall, saying that this is an attractive, high-quality bar. One reviewer comments, “This barbell is smooth and quiet. Looks great and the grip is just right.” Another says, “Spins great. Solid knurling. Been able to handle all my uses so far. Also, it looks so purrrty.”

Pros:

• Available with choice of bushing or bearings
• High weight capacity
• Lifetime warranty against manufacturer’s defects

Cons:

• Some reviewers say that after heavy use it rusts and the black zinc peels

Best Budget Powerlifting Barbell: Bells of Steel Barenaked Powerlifting Bar

Amazon

Key Features:

• Price: $199.99
• Weight: 19.95 kilograms (44 pounds)
• Length: 86.61 inches
• Material: Alloy steel with chrome finish
• Grip: Aggressive “cheese grater” Knurling

This affordable powerlifting bar is created to meet IPF standards, ideal for bench presses, squats and deadlifts. The barbell features a “cheese grater” knurling designed to give you a reliable grip to help you keep up with your deadlift PRs. It also features a ribbed chrome sleeve to help hold grip plates in place.

The Bells of Steel Barenaked Powerlifting Bar is 86.61 inches long with a 29 mm diameter and 1,500 pound weight capacity.

Reviewers on Amazon give this powerlifting bar 4.2 out of five stars overall, saying that it is durable and a good quality for the price. One reviewer says, “This bar is so well-made, sturdy and durable. The grips make it so easy to hold and it doesn't slip at all. I am very impressed with the construction of it! I have been using it for about a month now and have had no issues at all. 5/5 Highly recommend!”

While reviewers say this is a quality bar overall, some say their only complaint is that it is too greasy. One reviewer comments, “It took a long time and a lot of effort to get the grease off the grip of the bar. Other than the grease, I love this bar.”

Pros:

• “Cheese grater” knurl offers a reliable grip
• Designed with thinner collars to maximize the weight that can be added
• Meets IPF specs

Cons:

• Some Amazon reviewers say it is excessively greasy

Best Budget Cerakote Barbell: Synergee Games Cerakote Bar

Synergee

Key Features:

• Price: $183.83-$259.95
• Weight: 15 kilograms (33.07 pounds) or 20 kilograms (44.09 pounds)
• Length: 79.13 inches or 86.36 inches
• Material: Steel finished with Cerakote coating
• Grip: Standard knurling

The Synergee Games Cerake Bar is a durable steel barbell designed to help you reach your fitness goals.

The barbell can support up to 1,500 pounds of weight capacity with a tensile strength of 190,000 PSI. It features a Cerakote coating and is available in 15 kilograms or 20 kilograms in three colors: black, red and pink. (Pink is only available in 15 kilograms.) The 20 kilogram bar has a 28 millimeter diameter and the 15 kilogram bar has a 25 millimeter diameter. The bars have 10 bearings each with five bearings per sleeve. Synergee Games Cerakote Bars also come with wrist wraps and lifting straps.

Reviewers on the Synergee Fitness website say that this is a quality barbell and they like the choice of colors. One reviewer says, “Love my new Synergee games bar. The grip is not too aggressive, good whip, the spin is smooth and the color looks really nice. Great for the type of workouts I like to do!! Highly recommend.” Another reviewer shares, “I absolutely love my pink bar! So much that I ordered a second. The ladies that I train in pairs were fighting over it lol! Awesome quality, I’m super happy! Plus fast shipping.”

Pros:

• Choice of 15 or 20 kilogram bars
• Choice of three colors
• Comes with complimentary pack of wrist wraps and lifting straps

Cons:

• No bushings option (bearings only)

Best Budget Barbell on Amazon: XMark Blackhawk

Amazon

Key Features:

• Price: $164
• Weight: 20.41 kilograms (45 pounds)
• Length: 51.75 inches
• Material: Steel
• Grip: Medium depth fine knurling

The XMark Blackhawk is a versatile budget-friendly barbell with 1,500 pounds of weight capacity. It features both IWF and IPF knurling marks and no center knurling to allow you to perform a wide variety of movements. The medium knurling features a black phosphate coating for a firm but comfortable grip that won’t tear up your hands. The 51.75 inch, 28 millimeter diameter bar also features chrome sleeves with 10 needle bearings for a smooth and quiet spin.

These weightlifting bars require minimal maintenance, but XMark recommends wiping down the bar regularly with a three-in-one oil for upkeep.

Reviewers on Amazon give this bar 4.7 out of five stars overall, saying it is a good value for the affordable price. One reviewer says, “I bought this for my home gym. Was looking for a good balance of quality and cost. This bar has met my expectations. It seems like a quality item. The bearings are smooth and operate well. Knurling seems nice. I would recommend it.” Another reviewer shares, “Best needle bearing barbell for the money. Very happy with my purchase. Would definitely recommend this barbell.”

Pros:

• Dual IWF and IPF knurling
• Snap ring lock system requires less maintenance
• 10 needle bearings provide smooth, quiet spin

Cons:

• Needle bearings only (no bushings option)

Why Buy a Budget Barbell?

If you are looking for an affordable way to lift heavier weight, a budget barbell may be a good home gym equipment option for you. Budget barbells can be used for a wide variety of weightlifting exercises including squats, deadlifts, lunges, jerks and more. Purchasing a budget barbell for your home gym equipment provides a convenient alternative to visiting your local gym, allowing you to work on your technique any time you want.

How to Choose the Best Budget Barbell for You

Intended Use:

It’s important to keep your intended use in mind when selecting a barbell because certain features can make a barbell a better fit for specific moves. For example, if a bar has IWF (International Weightlifting Federation) positioning, it will have a wider grip that is a good fit for exercises like barbell snatches and clean and jerks. A barbell with IPF (International Powerlifting Federation) knurl marks has a narrower grip that works well for exercises like squats, deadlifts and bench presses. Some barbells have both IWF and IPF features.

Additionally, whether a barbell has bushings or bearings is also something you should consider with your intended use. If you are planning on doing fast lifts or Olympic style lifting, you may want to select a barbell with bearings because it will have a smoother rotation.

Weight

Most of the barbells on this list are 15 kilograms and 20 kilograms which are standard amounts of weight for barbells. There is also a 13.6 kilogram option and 6.8 kilogram option on this best budget barbells list.

Length

Length of barbells will vary by barbell. Many of the barbells on this list are around Olympic barbell length, 86 inches (7 feet 2 inches).

Material

Most barbells are made of steel, but their coatings will vary. Examples of coatings include bronze, zinc, chrome, black oxide and Cerakote.

Grip

The barbells on this list have knurl mark grips, which means that they are textured for a more sturdy hold. Barbell grips range from light knurling to more aggressive knurling like “cheese grater” knurling. Knurl marks can also be used to help indicate IWF and IPF positioning.

Cost

The barbells on this list range from $149.99 to $289. Cost will vary based on materials and whether the barbell features bushings or bearings. Usually, bushing barbells are cheaper than those with bearings.

FAQs

Is it worth having a barbell at home?

Having your own barbell at home can provide a convenient way for you to get in your strength or weight training any time that is convenient to you. Weight training can help improve strength, stability and balance. One study found that you need just 30-60 minutes of strength training each week to experience health benefits. Other weight training equipment that may be useful to add to your home gym repertoire include kettlebells and dumbbells.

Why are some barbells so expensive?

Higher end barbells can cost over $400, with some priced over $1,000. There are several reasons why some of the best Olympic barbell options may be more expensive. Expensive barbells usually feature higher quality materials, including high quality finishes like Cerakote or stainless steel. They also have capacities for a higher amount of weight with and high tensile strength. Additionally, barbells made with bearings are more expensive. Some expensive barbells may be made with unique exclusive technology or features.

While many high-quality barbells cost over $400-$500, today there are a variety of highly-rated options available at budget-friendly price points under $300.

What is a good price for a barbell?

A good price for a barbell will depend on what features you want and your budget.

This list of budget-friendly barbells includes options with a price range from $149.99 to $289, with many receiving reviews that say they are a good price for the barbell.

What should I wear to lift weights?

While most people choose athletic wear specifically designed to wick sweat and move with you, you can wear almost any clothing that you can move freely and comfortably in. Make sure that you are wearing appropriate footwear—a pair of dedicated weightlifting shoes is the best option. It’s also a good idea to wear a weightlifting belt to help you brace your core.

Final Thoughts

You don’t have to spend a fortune to add a good barbell to your home gym. Many quality, highly-rated barbell options are available for under $300 to help you enjoy the benefits of a strength training workout at an affordable price.

Prices are accurate and items in stock as of publish time.