A Guide to Specialty Barbells for Your Powerlifting Program
If you are into powerlifting, then one of the most essential equipment to use is the barbell. Most of an athlete’s weight training can be completed with the use of a simple barbell. There are many other equipment that can be used for your weight lifting routine but the barbell should be the center of any effective lifting program.
Below are some of the specialty barbells available that are designed for different skills and different athletes.
If you have a shoulder injury or poor shoulder flexibility, then the buffalo bar is for you. Its slight curve distinguishes it from the regular straight barbell but they are almost the same. This type of barbell takes the stress off the shoulder joints because the bar rests down the shoulders and allows the hands to grip lower than on a traditional bar.
If you want to have a completely different squat experience, then the cambered squat bar is for you. You can use this bar if you have perfect skills and technique. This bar is U-shaped which takes pressure off the shoulders and will change the way your perform squats. It gives variety and activates new muscle groups but it is not for beginners.
The cambered bench bar helps lifters fine tune their bench press and refine their lower and mid-sections of the lift. This bar has a straight middle section but its ends are cambered. In each press, the athlete can dip down to a lower point with this bar.
Another one for those with shoulder injury and flexibility issues is the safety squat bar. This is a cambered bar reinforced with padding around the neck and shoulders. This is a very versatile bar that can help train the lower body and back muscles. It improves both the deadlift and the squat. This needs a lot of concentration, skill and control to use properly.
If you are training deadlifts, then it is ideal to use the trap or hex bar. The design of this bar allows lifters to stand inside the weight instead of behind it. It give great relief to your back if you use this bar for deadlift.
Football -bars and swiss bars are multi-grip bars meaning they have varied grips but you still get the same benefits as using a straight bar. Football bars are straight bars with multiple 90 degree angle grips. Swiss bars also have other angled grips. Using these bars will help you perform lifts with a more neutral wrist. With these bars, stress on your shoulders are relieved.
The Axle Bar or Fat Bar is a thicker version of the standard straight barbell. In order to hold the bar stead, you need a greater grip. It increases grip strength and forearm muscles and adds a new dimension to your powerlifting routine.
If you want to be successful in your powerlifting training program, then you should use barbells more.