Description

Looking for Olympic Weightlifting Barbells, you may hear people talk about bushes, bushings and bearings, linear bearings, and/or needle bearings.  Are you wondering what they’re talking about?

In short

In short, barbells with bearings have a smooth rotation so are better for Olympic style lifts – they’re also more expensive. Barbells with bushings are cheaper, but have poorer rotation, which make them suitable for lower weights and most home gyms.

A little more detail

Bushes and bearings refer to the mechanism on which the ends of the bar spins. So, for a 20kg bar, we create a 7ft bar at 28mm-32mm diameter. We create an outer steel sleeve that is slipped onto each end of the bar and is either bolted or clipped on. The outer sleeve then spins around the inner sleeve creating a rotating end.

Left with just an outer sleeve and inner sleeve, the spin will be very poor, and the elements will wear out very quickly. The outer steel sleeve will be rubbing directly on the inner bar creating too much friction. This is where the bushes and bearings come in – they sit between the bar and the sleeve, allowing the sleeve to spin more freely around the bar, reducing friction and wear.

Bushings tend to be brass, or bronze (the latter being a better quality as it self-lubricated). They simply fit between the bar and the sleeve either at just the inner and/or outer edges of the sleeves.  This reduces friction between the outer and inner sleeve, making the spinning movement smoother.

Brand: Mayhem Strength

Options: 

4-Needle Bearing (1500lb Rated)

8-Needle Bearing (1500lb Rated)

Cosmetic Defect 4-Needle Bearing (1500lb Rated)-used for a photoshoot, only has a few small scratches

Need plates? Visit Plates Archives – Gym Bro Fitness

Cosmetic Defect Barbells have minor/small scratches on the bar-does not affect the bar, it is only cosmetic.