Commercial and Specialty Bars
Once training gets more serious, a straight fixed bar stops covering everything you need. The Hex Bar is one of our most requested pieces for exactly that reason. Its trap-shaped frame lets you stand inside the bar rather than behind it, which shifts deadlifts and shrugs onto a more natural line of pull and takes noticeable strain off the lower back compared with a straight bar. It's rated to 300kg, compatible with standard Olympic plates, and built with reinforced welds for commercial use.
Semi-fixed sets like the Technogym Urethane Barbell Set give you a middle ground. The bars come pre-loaded in fixed increments from 10kg through to 50kg but can be adjusted if your programming changes, so a studio running mixed classes isn't stuck with one fixed set per weight. Pair any of these with Olympic weight discs if you'd rather load your own plates on a standard Olympic barbell instead of buying pre-fixed sets.
New and Used Weight Bars
Not every bar needs to be brand new to perform well. Steel doesn't wear out the way electronics or belts do, so a lot of our used and ex-commercial stock, including sets sourced directly from gym floors, still has years of use left in it. We check knurling, sleeve rotation, and weld integrity on every used bar before it's listed, and where a set shows surface rust from storage, it's cleaned up before dispatch. If you want factory-sealed and unused, our new stock is clearly marked, and used sets are priced to reflect genuine wear, not guesswork.
Complete Your Strength Setup
A bar on its own doesn't do much. Most buyers pair their weight bars with a bench or rack to actually use them safely; our Benches & Racks range covers everything from a basic flat bench to a full power cage. If you're building out a broader strength area, our Weights, Bars & Kettlebells collection brings bars, plates, and kettlebells together in one place. For anyone short on space who wants load-bearing training without a full barbell setup, dumbbells and kettlebells are worth a look too.
Weight Bars FAQs
What's the difference between a standard bar and an Olympic bar?
Standard bars have a 1-inch sleeve and typically hold less weight, usually up to around 150kg depending on the bar. Olympic bars use a 2-inch sleeve, rotate more freely under load thanks to bearings or bushings at the sleeve, and are built to handle much higher weight, often 300kg or more on commercial-grade bars. If you're doing any serious lifting, Olympic is the standard choice, and it's what most gym-grade plates are sized for.
What is a hex bar used for?
A hex or trap bar is mainly used for deadlifts, shrugs, and farmer's carries. Because you stand inside the frame rather than in front of it, the weight sits closer to your centre of gravity, which reduces shear stress on the lower back compared with a straight bar deadlift. It's a common substitute for lifters recovering from back strain or newer to deadlifting technique.
Are fixed weight barbell sets better than loading your own bar?
It depends on how you train. Fixed sets are faster for group classes or circuit-style training where people are switching weights constantly, since there's no time lost loading plates. A loadable Olympic bar with separate plates gives more flexibility for progressive strength training, where you're adding small increments over weeks. Studios often run both.
Is used gym equipment weight bars safe to buy?
Yes, provided it's been checked properly. Steel bars don't degrade the way motors or electronics do, so surface rust or cosmetic wear rarely affects strength or safety. We inspect welds, sleeve rotation, and knurling condition on every used bar before it's listed, so what you're buying has already been vetted, not just wiped down and photographed.
