Standard vs Olympic: What’s the Difference?
Standard weight lifting bars are what most beginners start with. They're simple, affordable, and perfect if you don't plan on lifting extremely heavy weights anytime soon. Standard bars are one inch (25mm) in diameter on the ends and the middle shaft and take standard weight plates, which have a 1"/25mm diameter hole. This means they fit snugly and will not wobble about. A standard bar will typically have a limited weight capacity.
Olympic bars on the other hand are built for heavier lifting and more serious training. Olympic bars are one and 31/32 inches (50mm) in diameter and while the ends of are two inches in diameter (50 mm) and the centre portion can range from 28mm to 32mm or one and a quarter inches. They are more durable, stable, and precise, making them ideal for long-term strength training.
Important tip: never mix Standard and Olympic plates or bars as they won’t fit together.
Advantages of Standard Barbells and Weights
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Affordable - easier on the budget for beginners.
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Good for light to moderate lifting - perfect for starting out.
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Compact and easy to store - fits most home gyms.
Things to know: Standard bars can bend under very heavy loads (around 200 pounds or more), so they’re not ideal for advanced lifting. If you’re just starting, a standard set is enough to build strength safely while saving up for heavier gear later.
Advantages of Olympic Barbells and Weights
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High load capacity - bars can handle heavy weights (up to ~750kg) and return to shape.
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More stable & safer - thicker construction and rotating sleeves make lifting smoother.
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Balanced loading - harder to tip over when adding plates, especially when training solo.
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Accurate weight - precision-tested plates offer more consistency than cheaper standard plates.
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More plate options - bumper plates, grip plates, rubber/urethane-coated plates, and heavier sizes.
Olympic bars are designed to last and are especially good if you plan on lifting seriously over the long term. They’re stable when loading heavy plates and allow safer one-sided loading, which is useful if you’re training alone.
Beginner-Friendly Equipment Picks
We no longer sell the 28mm standard barbells or weights alone, due to higher interest and demand for olympic barbells over time, however, we do offer them in the Armortech 50KG Barbell & Dumbbell Set below.
Armortech 50KG Barbell & Dumbbell Set:
Designed to offer a full-body workout, this set provides a range of weights for various dumbbell and barbell exercises. Easily adjust your workouts as you progress, and store your equipment efficiently with its portable design. A budget-friendly addition to your home gym or studio.
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Essential Weight Plates: A variety of weight plates (4x 5KG, 6x 2.5KG, and 6x 1.25KG) allowing you to customise your workouts to your fitness level and goals.
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Barbell: Standard 28mm Barbell
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Dumbbells: Standard 28mm Dumbbells
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Secure Collars: The included collars keep your plates firmly in place during your lifts, ensuring safety and stability.
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Convenient Carry Case: Easily transport and store your equipment with the included carry case.
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Robust steel construction and non-slip knurling ensure a secure grip
Note: Due to its shorter, more compact design, this barbell isn’t suitable for squat racks.
80kg Oly Tri Grip & Barbell Package:
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All‑in‑one Olympic‑style set: includes a 7‑ft (≈ 2.2 m) Olympic‑size barbell (20 kg), a full complement of tri‑grip rubber Olympic weight plates totalling 80 kg, plus a pair of quick‑lock collars.
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The tri‑grip plates have ergonomic handles and a durable rubber coating - this helps for easier handling, safer loading/unloading, less noise, and reduced floor impact compared with bare‑metal plates.
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The barbell is rated to handle heavy loads (up to roughly 318 kg / 700 lb), making the set suitable for serious strength training, not just light pump or circuit sessions.
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Because it’s Olympic specification (50 mm sleeve diameter for plates), it’s compatible with standard Olympic plates or future weight upgrades - gives flexibility as you get stronger or expand your equipment.
80kg Crumb Bumper & Barbell Package:
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Complete Olympic‑style set: includes a 7 ft Olympic barbell (≈ 20 kg), a pair of quick‑lock collars, and a crumb‑rubber bumper plate set totalling 80 kg.
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Bumper plates are made from crumb rubber - a softer, shock‑absorbing material that reduces noise and impact when dropping the bar, helping protect both flooring and equipment.
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The barbell is rated to handle heavy loads - suitable for serious strength training, Olympic lifts, squats, deadlifts, bench press and other compound movements.
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Because the plates are “bumper” style, this set is especially useful if you intend to drop weights (e.g. powerlifting, Olympic lifts, or dynamic training) as the bumpers absorb impact better than rigid metal plates.
This is one example of the many barbell and weight packages we offer, with different weight sets and plate styles to choose from such as black and crumb bumper plates, there’s something for everyone.
Which Should You Choose?
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Just starting out? Try the Armortech 50KG Barbell & Dumbbell Set. This set is more affordable, easier to manage, and perfect for building strength gradually.
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Planning for long-term lifting or heavy strength training? Olympic barbells and plates are a smart investment. We offer a wide range of package options from weight plate packages to bumper plate packages, with or without a barbell. These also come with the flexibility to easily add more weights as you progress
The most important thing is starting safely and building strength over time. Don’t rush into heavy lifting - your body will thank you in the long run.
If you’re unsure which weights are right for your home gym, we’re here to help. From simple starter setups to full training packages, we have everything you need to lift safely and confidently.
Explore our range of weights or see our ready-to-go bundles designed for beginners who want to start strong and progress at their own pace.
