Post by jaysun on Dec 20, 2014 2:04:05 GMT
So I was working out today and when I work out I always try to use the same barbell,rack, etc. When I was working out I would always notice some of the powerlifters walking all over the gym looking for stuff. Usually it was a very specific barbell or clamps. I kind of gave a couple of them a hard time. Not really a hard time, but just kind of joshed around etc. When I lifted heavy in the 90's I just used what the gym had. Your standard chrome 45# Oly bar with light knurling. A bar is a bar,right? Today, something happened that changed my mind.
I was lifting today...at my normal rack...same bar...same clamps. Squats were fine,but I felt a little off balance in my heavy set (290). No big deal I thought, I must not be centered I thought. Move on to presses. Same grip placement, line the cuticles of my thumb up with the knurling, clean and press. First three sets, no problem, but when I got to my heavy set (145#)I reached down, set my grip, cleaned and pressed. I felt wobbly and off balance. I finished and racked the bar and looked at my bar and reset my hands, and things looked wonky. I went to the office and asked for a tape measure, I measured the knurling, the smooth etc. I discovered that the knurling was offset by .25 inch. I took the tape measure back and Amanda, one of the owners asked what was up? I told what I found and she promptly got up and checked it out. She then gave me a lesson on the different types of bars available. She showed me the ones to avoid, those that were certified to weigh what the were supposed to weigh and the ones to use for squatting only and deadlifting only. She then recommended that I use the Texas Power Bar. I grabbed it,racked and weighted it and finished my presses with it. I then used it for the rest of my sets. The difference between my old bar and the TPB was palpable. Not only was the knurling way better, but the spacing was right on. I could feel a difference in my rows and SLDL's. The stiffness was another factor I liked and could feel. I will be using the TPB from now on. So the moral of this story is to check your bars, they may not be what you thought.
I was lifting today...at my normal rack...same bar...same clamps. Squats were fine,but I felt a little off balance in my heavy set (290). No big deal I thought, I must not be centered I thought. Move on to presses. Same grip placement, line the cuticles of my thumb up with the knurling, clean and press. First three sets, no problem, but when I got to my heavy set (145#)I reached down, set my grip, cleaned and pressed. I felt wobbly and off balance. I finished and racked the bar and looked at my bar and reset my hands, and things looked wonky. I went to the office and asked for a tape measure, I measured the knurling, the smooth etc. I discovered that the knurling was offset by .25 inch. I took the tape measure back and Amanda, one of the owners asked what was up? I told what I found and she promptly got up and checked it out. She then gave me a lesson on the different types of bars available. She showed me the ones to avoid, those that were certified to weigh what the were supposed to weigh and the ones to use for squatting only and deadlifting only. She then recommended that I use the Texas Power Bar. I grabbed it,racked and weighted it and finished my presses with it. I then used it for the rest of my sets. The difference between my old bar and the TPB was palpable. Not only was the knurling way better, but the spacing was right on. I could feel a difference in my rows and SLDL's. The stiffness was another factor I liked and could feel. I will be using the TPB from now on. So the moral of this story is to check your bars, they may not be what you thought.
