I’ve trained with and seen the most worthwhile barbells as a professional strength and conditioning coach and lifelong strength training practitioner.
Combine this with my wife’s two decades of weightlifting training and international elite-level competition, and you can easily see why you can trust me to give you sound advice on fitness and strength matters.
In this roundup, I’ve assembled a comprehensive list of the best women’s barbells you can use or buy for your home gym, regardless of whether you are a competitive weightlifter or training for fun.
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Top Pick
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Best Budget For Women
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Best Beginner For Women
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4.8
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4.0
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3.5
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$269.99
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$225.00
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$199.99
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Tensile Strength:
190,000 PSI
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Tensile Strength:
190,000 PSI
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Tensile Strength:
190,000 PSI
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Shaft Diameter:
25 mm
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Shaft Diameter:
25 mm
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Shaft Diameter:
25 mm
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Weight Capacity:
1,500lbs
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Weight Capacity:
Not Stated
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Weight Capacity:
1,200 lb
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Warranty:
Lifetime
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Warranty:
Construction Warranty
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Warranty:
1-Year
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Best Women’s Barbell
REP Fitness Colorado Bar
- It is almost identical to the Rogue Bella Bar and Titan Women's Olympic Bar but with a different knurling texture. In terms of aggressiveness, it is more similar to the Rogue Bella bar, making it ideal for multi-purpose lifting.
- Duracoat sleeves protect them from rust and damage
- Not much to differentiate it from other bars. If you are more experienced, you may need a more premium bar like Eleiko
| Specifications | |
| Tensile Strength | 190,000 PSI |
| Knurling | Medium volcano |
| Center Knurling | No |
| Knurl Markings | Dual |
| Shaft Diameter | 25 mm |
| Coating | Cerakote OR Hard Chrome |
| Bushing/Bearing | Bushing |
| Spin | Smooth |
| Whip | Good |
| Weight Capacity | 1,500 lbs |
| Warranty | Lifetime |
You might wonder why I have chosen a cheaper bar as the number one pick. It’s because it provides the best value, and since most of you reading this will be looking for a bar for your home gym, the Colorado bar will give you everything you need at a very attractive price.
The REP Fitness Colorado bar, which has 190,000 PSI tensile strength, a 25 mm diameter shaft, and a weight of 15 kg, is equivalent to the Rogue Bella Bar 2.0.
However, it is slightly less expensive than the Rogue Bella Bar 2.0, costing less than $300 for the same specifications. It makes an excellent multi-purpose barbell.
REP Fitness’ Colorado bar features a medium-depth volcano knurling rather than a hybrid knurling. To be honest, the aggressiveness is nearly the same, and both provide tremendous grip without pulling the skin off your palms.
It features composite bushings for a smooth spin but is not as quick as the Eleiko XF bar. There are also dual knurl markings, so you may change between being an Olympian or a powerlifter.
The whip is excellent, with no center knurling, allowing you to easily complete Olympic lifts. You can choose between a Cerakote pink or black finish with Duracoat sleeves or hard chrome.
Both are fantastic options, depending on whether you like a colored shaft or a traditional chrome color.
Best Budget Women’s Barbell
Rogue Women’s B&R Bar
- A classic, clean look is always stylish
- Bare steel provides the best feeling
- You will need to maintain the bar with oil and clean it from time to time to prevent corrosion
| Specifications | |
| Tensile Strength | 190,000 PSI |
| Knurling | Rogue Standard |
| Center Knurling | No |
| Knurl Markings | Dual |
| Shaft Diameter | 25 mm |
| Coating | Bare steel |
| Bushing/Bearing | Bushings |
| Spin | Smooth |
| Whip | Good Whip |
| Weight Capacity | Not Available |
| Warranty | Lifetime |
A multi-use bar made of bare steel, the Rogue Women’s B&R Bar was designed in collaboration with Mike Burgener and Mark Rippetoe. It makes the perfect budget barbell.
The 25mm shaft and dual knurl markings of the women’s B&R Bar make it suitable for a wide range of lifts, including power lifts and Olympic lifts.
Like the rest of the bar, the shaft and sleeves are unfinished. It features grooved sleeves, bronze bushings, and a tensile strength of 190,000 PSI. The knurling is moderate, and just like all other similar bars, this one lacks central knurling.
Bare steel naturally is the most cost-efficient “finish” for a barbell, so manufacturers can ramp up the other features and keep the price low.
The big benefit of bare steel is that it gives you the best natural feeling, matched only by stainless steel shafts, but the price is a few times higher.
The Rogue B&R bar offers top-quality features and a bare steel feel for budget-conscious lifters.
Best Multi-Purpose Women’s Barbell
REP Fitness 15 kg Black Canyon Bar
- Amazing price for the specification
- Hybrid bearings make this bar excellent for Olympic lifts
- Knurling is just the right aggressiveness
- Objectively, a few of the other bars are better in terms of specs
| Specifications | |
| Tensile Strength | 190,000 PSI |
| Knurling | Medium volcano |
| Center Knurling | No |
| Knurl Markings | Dual |
| Shaft Diameter | 25 mm |
| Coating | Bright Zinc |
| Bushing/Bearing | Hybrid |
| Spin | Smooth |
| Whip | Medium |
| Weight Capacity | 1,500 lbs |
| Warranty | 5-year warranty |
The Black Canyon Bar is a high-value, multi-purpose barbell ideal for powerlifting, Olympic weightlifting, and cross-training/HIIT workouts.
Its shaft and sleeves are coated with bright zinc, a better finish than cheap chrome finishes, providing further resistance to wear and corrosion.
The 15kg bar has a 25mm diameter shaft, which meets the standards for female lifters in the International Weightlifting Federation and numerous functional fitness contests.
You also get dual knurl markings and medium-aggressive volcano knurling, which is gentle but provides a solid grip.
A combination of high-performance ball-bearing sleeves and slower-rotating bushings allows for controlled sleeve rotation, ideal for weightlifting and powerlifting activities.
Supporting loads of up to 1,500 pounds, this bar features a mild whip and has no central knurl.
For $220, the Rep Fitness Black Canyon bar is a steal and provides amazing value. Of course, there are downsides, like the lack of color options and the 5-year warranty, but otherwise, this bar can be your best companion for years.
Best Premium Women’s Barbell
Eleiko XF Women’s Bar
- The highest tensile strength of any women's bar ensures an outstanding lifespan.
- Balanced knurling is less aggressive than the other bars on the list.
- 12-year warranty that will last a lifetime.
- A combination of bushings and bearings ensures smooth spin and excellent performance for Olympic lifts and strength routines.
- As a premium product, this bar costs twice as much as the others on the list
| Specifications | |
| Tensile Strength | 215,000 PSI |
| Knurling | 1 mm Balanced Knurling |
| Center Knurling | No |
| Knurl Markings | Dual |
| Shaft Diameter | 25 mm |
| Coating | Hard Chrome |
| Bushing/Bearing | Bushings & Bearings |
| Spin | Fast |
| Whip | Good |
| Weight Capacity | Not Available |
| Warranty | 12-Years |
If you want the best possible lifting experience, nothing is second to Eleiko equipment. Especially if you are a competitive Olympic lifter, you may want to invest in the best and buy Eleiko. Their XF women’s bar is the best multi-purpose barbell suitable for various exercises.
It uses a unique blend of bushings and needle bearings to deliver a smooth spin for snatches, cleans, and jerks without sacrificing heavy strength training performance.
The XF women’s bar, like all women’s barbells, has a 25 mm shaft diameter, weighs 15 kg, and has no center knurling, which prevents irritation on the neck when racked.
Meanwhile, the dual knurl marks provide clear hand placement guidelines for Olympic and powerlifting routines.
What I like about the XF bar is the 1 mm balanced knurling, which is far less aggressive than their weightlifting training bars.
It means you can do high-rep movements without damaging your hands while maintaining a solid grip.
Like most premium barbells, they have a hard chrome finish, which is exceptionally rust and wear-resistant.
We’ve had our Eleiko bars for over a decade without any maintenance and have had no rust or peeling issues.
With a tensile strength of 215,000 PSI and excellent whip, your XF women’s bar will never deform or shatter as cheap barbells do.
Finally, Eleiko’s 12-year warranty demonstrates their trust in the XF bar’s durability and strength.
Best Women’s Barbell For CrossFit
Rogue Bella Bar 2.0
- The same brand is utilized in CrossFit competition, so you get the same experience from training to competing.
- The knurling is aggressive enough for those looking for more grip during sweaty WODs.
- Good whip for quick movements.
- The more severe knurling is not for everyone, and some women may find it excessively abrasive
- The less expensive alternative has a black zinc coating that requires more care and wears with usage
| Specifications | |
| Tensile Strength | 190,000 PSI |
| Knurling | Rogue Hybrid Knurling |
| Center Knurling | No |
| Knurl Markings | Dual |
| Shaft Diameter | 25 mm |
| Coating | Cerakote OR Black Zinc |
| Bushing/Bearing | Bushings |
| Spin | Smooth |
| Whip | Whippy |
| Weight Capacity | Not Available |
| Warranty | Lifetime |
Training with the same brand used in all CrossFit competitions makes sense if you compete in CrossFit. This will provide you with an identical experience, whether competing or lifting in a CrossFit facility, with no surprises.
Because of the color, the Bella bar 2.0 with a pink Cerakote shaft is an instant buy for many women. But it does help that this coating is also highly rust-resistant.
Aside from esthetic improvements, the 190,000 PSI, 25 mm shaft is identical to the Rogue Ohio bar due to its high durability in CrossFit.
Furthermore, the Bella bar features a hybrid knurling pattern that is less aggressive than specialist training or competition barbells but more aggressive than the Eleiko XF bar.
It has bronze bushings and dual knurl marks, so while it does not spin as quickly as a pure Olympic bar, it provides enough spin to perform weightlifting routines confidently.
A CrossFit bar must have some whip, which the Bella bar provides. It’s not as stiff as a powerlifting barbell.
The Bella Bar 2.0 is priced around $300, the standard price range for barbells. However, check the Rogue Boneyard, and you might find it considerably cheaper.
However, boneyard bars do not have a lifetime warranty like the regular brand-new Bella Bar.
Best Women’s Olympic Weightlifting Barbell
Eleiko Women’s IWF Weightlifting Training Bar
- Top of Top-of-the-line weightlifting barbell used in international contests.
- One bar will last you a lifetime
- Calibrated to exactly 15 kg
- Not ideal for CrossFit or Powerlifting.
- The most expensive barbell on this list
| Specifications | |
| Tensile Strength | 215,000 PSI |
| Knurling | 1.2 mm Balanced Knurling |
| Center Knurling | No |
| Knurl Markings | Single (Weightlifting) |
| Shaft Diameter | 25 mm |
| Coating | Hard Chrome |
| Bushing/Bearing | Needle Bearings |
| Spin | Fast |
| Whip | Lots of whip |
| Weight Capacity | Not Available |
| Warranty | 12-Years |
Eleiko produces the best women’s barbells for weightlifting. They are created using the same method and manufacturing quality as men’s barbells but with women’s competition specifications.
This means a shorter sleeve (12.6 inches), shorter length (79.13 inches), smaller bar diameter (25 mm), and no center knurling.
It boasts a tensile strength of 215,000 PSI, making it one of the most durable barbells available. The knurling is 1.2 mm deep and balanced, unlike the competition barbell, which is like a cheese grater.
There is no center knurling, so it will not irritate the skin on your neck. The chrome finish is rust-resistant and will never flake. It does not require as much maintenance as other coatings.
The barbell is IWF-approved and has an extremely accurate calibration of 15 kg.
The Eleiko Women’s IWF Weightlifting Training Bar features needle bearings for excellent spin during Olympic lifts, protecting your wrists and providing a flawless bar path.
They even provide a 12-year warranty, but the barbell will last a lifetime if you care for it properly.
Mine has lasted decades, and I’ve used many Eleiko bars that are several decades old and still in fantastic condition.
This is a high-end barbell that will cost you more than $1,000. However, it is definitely worth it if you are a competitive weightlifter.
Best Beginner Women’s Barbell
Titan Series Women’s Olympic Barbell
- It is almost identical to the Rogue Bella Bar but with a different textured knurling that is less harsh, making it ideal for beginners.
- This is an entry-level barbell; if you are more experienced, lifting bigger weights, or training for Weightlifting or CrossFit competitions, get a higher-quality bar
| Specifications | |
| Tensile Strength | 190,000 PSI |
| Knurling | Medium diamond |
| Center Knurling | No |
| Knurl Markings | Dual |
| Shaft Diameter | 25 mm |
| Coating | Cerakote |
| Bushing/Bearing | Bushings |
| Spin | Smooth |
| Whip | Good |
| Weight Capacity | 1500 lbs |
| Warranty | 1-Year |
The Titan Series Women’s Olympic Barbell is designed primarily for beginners and intermediates who train at home gyms. The one disadvantage of Titan products is the short warranty period of only 1 year.
As a beginner, you’re unlikely to lift too heavy or do something insane enough to destroy a barbell.
Nevertheless, the construction of this bar is comparable to the Rogue Bella Bar and the REP Fitness Colorado Bar and is built to last.
The Titan Series Bar has a tensile strength of 190,000 PSI, weighs 15 kg, 25 mm shaft diameter, bronze bushings for smooth rotation, and a Cerakote finish for color and corrosion protection.
Titan uses a medium diamond textured knurling, which is the most significant difference from the Rogue bar.
Diamond knurling is often the least aggressive and smoothest, but this Titan version is somewhat deeper, providing a good grip that is not overly harsh.
There’s also no central knurling, which protects your neck and collarbones from scratches and bruising. The price varies depending on the color coating you select, but it can range between $250 and $290.
Best Women’s Barbell On Amazon
Synergee Regional 15 kg Barbell
- Amazon Prime offers fast shipping
- Needle bearings provide quick spin, which is ideal for Olympic lifts
- It's Amazon, so there's no warranty, only a return period.
- The manganese phosphate coating wears quickly and does not prevent the barbell from rusting.
- Requires regular maintenance
| Specifications | |
| Tensile Strength | 190,000 PSI |
| Knurling | 1.2 mm diamond knurling |
| Center Knurling | No |
| Knurl Markings | Dual |
| Shaft Diameter | 25 mm |
| Coating | Black Phosphate OR Hard Chrome |
| Bushing/Bearing | Needle Bearings |
| Spin | Fast |
| Whip | Moderate |
| Weight Capacity | 1,500 lbs |
| Warranty | None |
If I had to give you one piece of advice for buying gym equipment, it would be to avoid Amazon. You receive the lowest grade equipment, which will break or damage over time. It also presents a safety risk. I’ve seen some horrific footage of lifting accidents caused by inexpensive equipment.
But if you’re determined to shop on Amazon, the Synergee Regional Olympic Women’s Bar is your best bet.
Choose the strong chrome coating over the black phosphate. Black phosphate is the lowest-quality coating, requiring extensive care to prevent rusting and wearing quickly.
But now, onto the good stuff. It has a tensile strength of 190,000 PSI, giving it decent whip and high resilience.
Synergee has a 1.2 mm diamond knurling, similar to the other bars on this list, but significantly more aggressive than the Eleiko XF bar.
One redeeming feature is the needle-bearing sleeves, which provide quick spin for Olympic lifts. This barbell isn’t a good choice if you don’t do these lifts. Everything else is identical in terms of weight and shaft diameter.
One major issue is the lack of a warranty. Because it is sold on Amazon, you have a limited time to return it.
Synergee claims that if there are any issues when your bar is delivered, they will give you a new bar, but this will not be valid a year or more later.
How To Choose The Best Women’s Barbell
Shaft Diameter & Weight
Women’s barbells are thinner than men’s and have a diameter of 25 mm or 1 inch, whereas men’s bars are between 28 and 29 mm. This is because women typically have smaller hands, so women’s competition bars in CrossFit and Weightlifting are thinner.
Women’s barbells weigh 15 kg or 35 lbs, which is 25% lower than the standard 20 kg barbell.
These dimensions and weight were created specifically for Olympic weightlifting, where the diameter is crucial for the grip of the explosive lifts. CrossFit also utilizes Olympic-style lifts, so women there use the 25 mm,15 kg barbell.
Type Of Lifting
How you use the bar determines what type you need. Here are the main types of barbells:
- Olympic weightlifting bar: Perfect for snatches and clean and jerk
- Powerlifting: Made for heavy squats, bench presses and deadlifts
- Multi-purpose bar: Aims to be the best of both worlds
This separation is valid for all bars, both women’s and men’s. However, women’s barbells are used in competitive weightlifting and CrossFit. In the general fitness room and for every other kind of strength development, women can use the regular 20 kg bar.
Female powerlifters also use 20 kg bars. So, if you are not into competitive Olympic weightlifting or CrossFit, you can buy a regular bar for your home gym.
Knurling Aggressiveness and Marking
The etches on the shaft of a barbell providing better grip are called knurling. They can vary in type, depth, and markings to show where you should grip the bar.
Most women’s barbells don’t have center knurling because they want to accommodate Olympic weightlifting, where the center knurling can be uncomfortable on the collarbones or neck.
At the same time, center knurling is beneficial when doing back squats because it prevents the bar from slipping.
The knurling aggressiveness also fluctuates depending on use. The two types of knurling are volcano and mountain.
Volcano knurling is usually moderately aggressive and does not tear up the skin. Deep and aggressive knurling is more appropriate for powerlifting, where the extra grip is worth the abrasiveness.
For most women, a gentler knurling is preferable, and the majority of women’s barbells are made accordingly.
Finally, the marks are the small smooth rings in the knurling. The two types of marks are powerlifting for squats, bench presses, and deadlifts, and Olympic for snatches and cleans. All hybrid barbells have both types of knurl marks.
Sleeve Rotation
You should consider the kind of lifting you’ll be doing while deciding between a bushing or a bearing barbell.
You should get a bar with needle bearings if you do the Olympic lifts frequently because of the faster spin.
Bushings offer a slower spin and are found in multi-purpose bars for hybrid lifters who want to use a single bar for all their lifts and powerlifters.
Premium bars like the Eleiko XF combine bushings and bearings for the best possible experience.
Tensile Strength
The durability of the bar can be determined by its tensile strength. It is a method for determining the maximum load that a barbell can withstand before breaking.
To support heavy weights, all bars should flex partially, but they must return to their original shape once the weight is unloaded.
The metric for tensile strength is pounds per square inch (PSI), and bars with over 180,000 are considered to have high tensile strength.
Coating
The coating on the steel determines how well the barbell will resist rust and how it looks and feels. The highest quality possible is stainless steel, which has the most tensile strength, is completely rust-resistant, and provides a natural feel.
Cerakote is a newer type of coating, which is the second best in terms of durability. It also allows manufacturers to color the bars, giving you some lovely color palettes.
The downside of cerakote is that it takes away some of the feel and makes the knurling a tad softer.
A hard chrome finish provides similar corrosion resistance to cerakote while not taking away as much from the feel. Finishes like black zinc, black oxide, and bright zinc provide some safeguards for your bar.
Bare steel bars have no finish whatsoever. This means you will have to take care of them to keep them fresh and without rust.
If you wonder why you would choose this option, it’s because it is still the best connection and grip to the bar.
Price
Price is usually indicative of quality. This is why the budget choice often has the lowest tensile strength, whereas the best premium women’s barbell, the Elieko XF bar, is the most expensive but of the highest quality.
For most lifters, a bar at around the $300 mark will provide everything they need. Premium bars are usually worth it only for serious competitors or if you have a lot of extra cash to spend.
Frequently Asked Women’s Barbell Questions
Summary
Picking the best barbell for you depends on multiple factors. The REP Fitness Black Canyon offers the best value of the bunch. Hence, I’ve chosen it as the first choice.
But if you want the truly best bar, Eleiko is the way to go. Or if you are into CrossFit, it’s always best to use Rogue equipment, as they are the same as those utilized in competition.
- It is almost identical to the Rogue Bella Bar and Titan Women's Olympic Bar but with a different knurling texture. In terms of aggressiveness, it is more similar to the Rogue Bella bar, making it ideal for multi-purpose lifting.
- Duracoat sleeves protect them from rust and damage
- Not much to differentiate it from other bars. If you are more experienced, you may need a more premium bar like Eleiko
