Iron Tribes: Barbell Users

People have a range of goals that require different training styles, to retain gym members it's important to have the right equipment to serve their varied needs.

Satisfying the needs of a variety of members is a key success factor for most modern gyms. People come in with a range of goals that require different training styles. To retain them, you must have the right equipment to serve their wide variety of needs. How exactly can you accomplish this? Begin to understand what your members are training for and learn how different types of equipment can help or hurt their goals.

One piece of equipment, the barbell, is an essential tool in accommodating a variety of training styles. The barbell allows gyms to attract members with different motivations, training preferences, and levels of experience.

Why The Barbell?

A barbell is perhaps the most fundamental of strength training equipment. Many different exercises can be performed with a barbell – everything from maximal strength work such as deadlifts to explosive weightlifting movements. It can be loaded to any weight, so one bar can help members back squat triple digits, simultaneously allowing someone brand new to begin squatting with an empty bar. The different loading patterns and repetition schemes accommodate people of varying strength and ability levels.

Not just any barbell will do. If you want to limit maintenance and you need high-quality bars and plates. Even with daily wear and tear, the proper bars and plates will last for a very long time. In addition, if they are used appropriately, very little maintenance will be required meaning ongoing costs are very low.

We know how beneficial barbells and plates can be, but how do they fit into your unique facility and training environment?

Creating Ideal Environments

If you are going to use barbells you should start with platforms. It is important to understand that the first impression of a gym will be generated by how it is laid out. Choice of platforms can be critical in this. Dedicated platforms with sufficient space for undistracted training will make those who want to do powerlifting and weightlifting feel at home. Options such as Sound and Vibration Reduction (SVR) Platforms ensure a quiet experience for neighbouring members and make it easy to incorporate barbells into a mixed gym environment.

The next impression will be the equipment. If it is similar to what elite athletes use in competition (for example, colour-coded weight plates), members will feel like they are emulating their role models in every training session. Understanding what members are aspiring to is crucial in order to give them the best possible experience. If emulating elite athletes is not a concern for your customers, black rubber plates can be an ideal solution - knowing members’ aspirations is an important decision factor.

Barbell Training Styles

While the majority of potential gym members are not elite athletes, they may be inspired by what they have seen the elite do and aspire to move towards that level of performance. They want to train with similar movements and use the same equipment. Each of the training styles we will look at comes from competitive sport and the training high-level athletes do.

While these training styles all use the barbell, they do have different requirements in terms of equipment and environment. If you want to cater to each of these training styles, it makes sense to dedicate areas of your space to each of them. Later in this article, we will look at options for combining them if space is limited.

Powerlifting

The three competition movements in powerlifting – the back squat, bench press and deadlift, are used as foundational strength training exercises across many sports. This is with good reason, there is a mass of evidence that these compound movements are highly effective at triggering beneficial adaptations. While high-level powerlifting has a significant skill component, the basic lifts are easy to learn.

Equipment for Powerlifting

Powerlifting requires a bar and weight plates, along with a rack for squats, bench for pressing and a platform for deadlifting. In competition, there are strict specifications for the equipment, but much more variety is seen in gyms.

If you want to cater to competitive powerlifters, then an IPF specification kit is a good choice as it is the biggest international federation. An ideal setup for serious competitors would include competition-spec bars, which are relatively stiff, have aggressive knurling and are designed to control the spin of the plates. A regulation height bench, rack and plates will also be appreciated by these members.

Not everyone needs to train with competition equipment though. In fact, recreational lifters will probably prefer to use a bar that is easier on their hands. The Eleiko Rack Bar is designed to suit these members, as well as reduce wear and tear on the bar. It is common to use rubber bumper plates, which are easier to handle and can be shared with members doing weightlifting movements.

Most powerlifters, competitive or not, prefer to squat in a power rack or half rack with safety arms, even though these are not used in competition. Weightlifting-style squat stands tend to be less popular with powerlifters, although their portability makes them versatile.

Powerlifting Competition Platforms are 3 m by 2.5 m but gyms don’t often have that much space available. Much smaller platforms are sufficient for deadlifts, such as the Eleiko SVR Deadlift Platform.

A strong powerlifting environment usually consists of a series of power racks, each with a platform area in front of it, a bar, plates and a bench. If limited space means that only a small number of power racks can be installed, it is a good idea to separate racks and platforms so that the platforms can be used separately for deadlifts.

Weightlifting

The sport of weightlifting consists of two movements. In the snatch, the bar is lifted overhead in a single movement. In the clean and jerk, it is first lifted to the shoulders and then overhead. The sport is best known as part of the Olympic Games but is growing outside of elite competition and becoming more popular among recreational gym users.

Weightlifting can be intimidating to those not familiar with it due to the loud sound of barbells being dropped on traditional platforms. Sound and vibration-reducing (SVR) platforms help address this.

Weightlifting is not only performed by those who compete in it, but these movements and variations of them are also commonly used to train athletes for other sports. Weightlifting is great for anyone who wants to challenge themselves and develop abilities such as coordination, mobility and explosive force production.

Weightlifting Equipment

Performing the weightlifting movements requires a bar, weight plates and a platform. Unlike powerlifting, a single federation (the International Weightlifting Federation: IWF) governs the rules for the entire sport of weightlifting.

Anyone doing weightlifting movements will want to use a bar that is sport-specific. This means a thinner, more flexible bar than those used for powerlifting and sleeves that will rotate more freely. Competition weightlifting bars have relatively aggressive knurling, so a popular choice is to use a bar, such as the Eleiko Performance range, which is friendly on the hands for everyday training.

In competition, platforms are large solid wood platforms, but very few gyms have the space for that! Training platforms tend to be much smaller and consist of a wooden deck with rubber tiles on either side. Sound and vibration reduction platforms like the Eleiko SVR Weightlifting Platforms are designed for facilities looking to address issues with noise and vibration.

Squat racks are used for several weightlifting assistance exercises. The usual approach is to use portable squat stands that can be moved on and off a platform.

The desired weightlifting environment will include multiple platforms positioned so that they do not directly face each other but close enough for a single coach or trainer to be able to interact with multiple athletes. A typical weightlifting-style training session will involve the bar being loaded to a variety of weights, so allow for storage of weight plates close to each platform.

Functional Training

One of the largest changes in gym use over the last decade has been the growth of functional training. It offers more variety than either powerlifting or weightlifting, mixing barbell movements with endurance training and skills inspired by gymnastics. Functional training has a long history but was significantly popularized by CrossFit®.

Although functional training is not solely focussed on barbell movements, they generally form a core part of the workouts that participants complete. Squats, presses, deadlifts, snatches, cleans, jerks and many variations of them are all used. Loading is generally lower than that used in powerlifting or weightlifting, with more repetitions and shorter rest between movements. For accommodating functional training, the key is flexibility. Since the barbell movements used will combine elements of powerlifting and weightlifting, it makes sense to use hybrid bars, such as the Eleiko XF bars, which have knurl markings for both sports and come in both 15 kg and 20 kg weights.

A good functional training area in a gym will have a large open area where a variety of exercises can be performed. This must have a rubber floor suitable for dropping bars loaded with bumper plates. A rig will provide racks for barbells as well as enabling gymnastic movements. The Eleiko range of rigs is flexible enough to work in any space.

Athletic Strength and Conditioning

There has been a growing recognition in the last few decades that athletes from all sports can benefit from gym training to improve their strength, power, mobility and other sport-specific attributes. Sports coaches now know that this kind of training will increase performance and reduce the incidence of injury.

However, a more recent development is the desire of recreational gym users to ‘train like an athlete’, even if they are not competing at a high level. Amateur sports enthusiasts now take their training more seriously than ever before and that includes gym work.

Gym training for athletes from non-gym-based sports usually includes a mix of movements from the training styles we have already looked at, often adapted to suit the athletes. The best way to accommodate them is to provide great environments for powerlifting, weightlifting and functional training.

Provide A Great Environment for Everyone

To accommodate the needs of all members, facilities may need to make compromises. Fortunately, the versatility of the barbell can help to make great use of even relatively small spaces and deliver a wide range of experiences for members.

Racks with attached platforms can work well for both weightlifters and powerlifters. Functional training rigs can be configured to provide racks for squatting and attach to walls to optimise available floor space. For general use and functional training, the XF or Performance Bars are a good option. A sensible approach is to have several of these bars in addition to a few powerlifting and weightlifting bars for those who are more serious about a strength sport.

Additional items to consider are light Technique Bars, available at 5 kg and 10 kg. An athlete can use these for a small period, developing the proper technique and skill eventually progressing to a full-size bar. Once ready, a Performance Weightlifting Bar will give a feel similar to the bars used in competition and is a logical progression from the technique bars. No matter what bars you choose, it is important to provide both 15 kg and 20 kg bars, accommodating both women and men.

The following summarises the recommended bars for the training styles we have looked at:

Purpose: General use / Functional Training Recommended Bars: XF Bar – 15 kg/XF Bar – 20 kg Markings: IPF + IWF Knurling: 1.0 – Medium Sharp Notes: A good all-rounder

Purpose: Powerlifting – recreational Recommended Bars: Rack Bar – 20 kg Markings: IPF Knurling: 1.2 – Balanced Notes: Designed for high-volume rack use

Purpose: Powerlifting – competitive Recommended Bars: Performance Powerlifting Bar – 20 kg Markings: IPF Knurling: 1.5 – Aggressive Notes: Best grip for deadlifts

Purpose: Weightlifting – Beginners Recommended Bars: Weightlifting Technique Bar – 5 kg/Weightlifting Technique Bar – 10 kg Markings: IWF Knurling: 1.0 – Medium Sharp Notes: Use with technique bumper discs

Purpose: Weightlifting – competitive Recommended Bars: Performance Weightlifting Bar – 15 kg/Performance Weightlifting Bar – 20 kg Markings: IWF Knurling: 1.0 – Medium Sharp Notes: Needle bearings for smooth rotation

Overcoming Challenges

The main objection raised to including barbell training areas in a gym is the risk of noise and vibration being disruptive. Weightlifting movements and deadlifts by their nature indeed involve dropping heavy weight. Fortunately, platforms are now available to combat noise and vibration that may affect neighbouring businesses and even other members. The Eleiko SVR (Sound and Vibration Reduction) platform range reduces noise by 50% while maintaining the feel of lifting on a regulation platform.

Another concern for those unfamiliar with barbell training is safety. Dynamic movements with heavy weights can look dangerous but in fact, are very safe when performed correctly in an appropriate environment. Ensuring there is adequate space and that equipment is stored correctly when not in use aids in proper safety etiquette. To address this perception of danger, provide effective coaching, especially for beginners. This can be a huge opportunity for gyms – introductory barbell classes are popular and can provide a good additional revenue stream.

Reaping the Rewards

All of the styles of barbell training offer natural routes into competing – powerlifting, weightlifting and functional fitness all have vibrant competitive scenes from local open competitions to international events. While competing is certainly not required in order to benefit from these training styles, many people find preparing for competition a source of motivation. Having competing athletes in a gym can be good for promoting it and building an inspiring environment.

Whether you are a large or small facility you can benefit from having the almighty barbell in your facility. Given all the scenarios laid out in the article, the biggest strength of barbell training is found in the unlimited progression it supplies to members. Members can always add another kilo, move to a bigger bar or change the movement to a harder progression. This versatility and progression keep members engaged, increasing retention rates.

At the end of the day, it all comes back to the member. Whether you have highly competitive athletes or fitness enthusiasts the barbell has the ability to cater to their performance needs. Helping members achieve their goals is a core feature of any successful gym, so the barbell should be too.