body bars vs barbells

K

kweller

Cathlete
Hello everyone-
I have been using dumbells exclusively since I began strength
traning (about 1 1/2 years ago), and I am ready to take the next step! The dilemma is, I really want to try body bar videos, as well as barbell videos, but I'd like to start with just one piece of equipment or the other. I'm leaning toward the body bars, but I really need some advice before I make the commitment.

Some questions I have are: Do body bars seem heavier
than their actual weight because of the distribution of weight
along the entire the bar? Can I use body bars instead of barbells with videos meant for barbells, and achieve similar results?

For body bars, I was thinking of getting 2:
one 9 lb and one 18 lb.

I currently use, for upper body:
bis: 11 & 8 lbs
tris: 8 & 5 lbs
shoulders: 11 & 8
back: 15 & 11
shoulders: 11 & 8

My 11 lb weights are gettin' a little comfortable on some exercises (but they're not quite ready for 15) so I am anxious to integrate a new challenge. Does anyone have any opinions or experiences with body bars?

Any comments are very much appreciated.
Thanks!!!!
Kathy W
 
I have both a barbell and a couple of body bars ( 15 and 18 lbs ). Both have their their positive points, but I think to start out a barbell is the better investment. With a barbell you have much more versatility in your weight lifting routine. You can do anything from just the bar to however many weight plates you choose to put on the ends. A barbell with plates is more economical in the long term. It will "grow" with you over time. With a body bar you are committed to whatever weight the bar itself is. You can get a barbell from Ivanko that is padded similarly to the body bars if that appeals to you.

That said, I love my 2 body bars! The even distribution of the weight actually makes it easier to handle. You don't have the plates clanking around and sometimes throwing the balance off. It's a totally different "feel" when you pick up a body bar. If I had unlimited funds and unlimited space, I could easily see myself getting a bunch more and using them exclusively. Since I have neither I'm quite happy with the 2 I have. They are just perfect for my needs at this point in my fitness journey.

Good luck and happy shopping!! :)

Erin
 
Kathy,
I find that body bars seem lighter than they are, and more balanced. The problem is, the weight is not adjustable (unless you do something like slip ankle weights over the ends--but then you lose a bit of the balanced feel of the body bar), and you'd spend a lot to get a variety of weights.
 
I feel the same way...the barbell is much more versatile & economical of course. But I love my bodybars! I too have both. I use the bodybars whenever appropriate & the barbell the rest of the time.
Someday I intend to have more bodybars!
Ruth
 
Thanks, you all!
I really appreciate your opinions! Very insightful-I feel like I'm a bit out of the dark now. I think eventually, I'm going to have to invest in both body bars and barbells! But for now, I think I will have to sit on it for a bit before I make the move.
I think I like the aesthetic quality of body bars more than I do barbells- I think they're slick! But for basic weight training
I know nothing will beat owning a barbell (besides the dumbells of course, which got me goin' in the first place).
Thanks so much!
Kathy W
 
Just had to add my two cents...I too think the barbell is the better way to go. I personally dont own a bodybar so cant comment too much on that, but I can say that I do "bodybar" tapes all the time with my barbell (which weighs 13.5 lbs with no weight plates)all the time. I usually do the bar alone for the warm up and add on either two 2.5 or two 5 lb weight plates for my bodybar workouts and that's perfect. I got my barbell with 100 lbs of weight plates for $40.

:) Stacy
 
Thanks, Stacy.
Barbells are definitely more economical, that's for sure.
the cheapest I've seen body bars is Fitness Wholesale Online.
12 lb is about 17.00, 18 lb is 21.00 (and that's for the less
expensive 'pro' bars - the name brand body bars cost a whole lot more). A barbell set would definitely be cheaper and give me a lot more variety, for 40 - 50 bucks.
I've been researching barbells a bit. I'm going to check
out my local fitness store after work and see what they have.

It's also helpful to know that you can perform (most of) the 'body bar' exercises with a barbell. I guess it just comes down to modifying, and once you have enough practice at that, it's just second nature.

I think body bars would be a great addition and add a fun
element to my exercise routine, but I should start out with the tried and true. Thanks, all!
Kathy W

p.s. Cathe is the best for having these forums!
I am a newbie to Cathe - just bought Cardio Kicks and MIC.
For awhile now, I've been dying to try MIS and others with
barbells...so, here I go!!! Taking the plunge!!!
:)

Kathy W
 
Hope you enjoy the barbell, for me it was a very exciting purchase. I felt so "official". Don't forget to get a pair of weight-lifting gloves as most barbells have a "rough" grip area and with sweaty palms it can be a safety hazard. I use my gloves when I'm using dumbells too.

:) Stacy
 
Thanks! That's a great tip.
I already have weight gloves-I use them with my dumbbells.
So, one less thing I have to buy (but I'm sure I can pick up the slack somewhere else...perhaps a new video??)
I'm psyched!
Kathy W
 
One more question, if you don't mind...
:-hmmm What is the difference between a threaded and non-threaded barbell?
(I'm so new to this!)
Thanks!!
Kathy W
 
Welcome Kathy!

Glad to have you join us here! I definitely think you should go for the barbell too. I have both but I definitely use my barbell more, even though I have several weights in the bodybar department. Sometimes, I will keep an appropriate bodybar close by so I don't have to change the weights on my barbell which you will learn to memorize after doing your new tapes several times. There just is something about having that barbell that makes you feel sooo strong & OFFICIAL! Hee-Hee! Again, welcome and we will be waiting to hear all about your new purchases. We are all good around here at helping you spend your $$$ so just let us know when you need more help!

Your-Friend-In-Fitness, DebbieH http://www.plaudersmilies.de/wavey.gif If You Get The Choice To Sit It Out Or Dance...I Hope You DANCE!!!
 
One more thing!

I forgot, and this may be just my opinion, but I think that a 30 pound bodybar feels heavier then a 30 pound barbell.:-tired Not sure why unless it has to do with the weight distributed across the whole bar. Just wanted to let you know!

Your-Friend-In-Fitness, DebbieH http://www.plaudersmilies.de/wavey.gif If You Get The Choice To Sit It Out Or Dance...I Hope You DANCE!!!
 
RE: One more thing!

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

I am sold on the barbell...of course, I'm sold on the body bars, too, I'm just sold on the barbell THIS week!!! I'm going to have to knock down some walls pretty soon to accomodate all the stuff.

Off to CitySports to look at barbells tonight! (I actually am feeling a little bad ass...what's happening to me?!?!?)

Debbie, may I pick your brain for a little more advice?

Do you have any recommendations for body bar vids that I could use with a barbell, then with a body bar later on? I was thinking that Body Bar Basic Training looked good.

As for Cathe barbell vids, I think MIS looks to be the perfect new-to-barbell thorough program, from all accounts I've read here. (And you guys seem to really know your stuff, too!)
;-)

thanks for the help!!
Kathy W
 
RE: One more thing!

I think CIA's Power Bar Training is a great non-Cathe workout for either a bodybar or a barbell. Another good one is BodyPump although this one is less intense, which is good for a lighter day, the music is absolutely exhilarating!! As far as the difference between a threaded and non-threaded barbell, it involves how you change weight plates. A non-threaded barbell has smooth ends and uses a clasp type of thing you remove when you want to change plates. This is the type Cathe uses. A threaded barbell looks like a screw on the end and you change plates by using something analogous to a bolt that you screw on and off to remove the weight plates from the end of the barbell. I have both types and I definitely like the non-threaded hands down b/c changing weight plates is much quicker with the clasp. I also found out the hard way that most threaded barbells arent the same standard size as the non-threaded and the smallest 1" diameter clasp is too big for them. Most non-threaded barbells I've measured are only 3/4" in diameter and the clasp slides right off the end. The holes in the weight plates are 1" in diameter so the weight plates will fit either the threaded or the non-threaded. Hope this helps.

:) Stacy
 
Thanks, Stacy

Thanks for clearing up the confusion for me. I just went to the fitness store last night and all I saw was threaded barbells (and a really sad selection at that). I may go for the troy lite after reading another thread here about barbells - it sounds light enough, but one that can grow with me... a good 'starter' barbell! I'll check out the videos you mentioned. I've read very good reviews on BodyPump, and heard that the music is very well chosen for the workout. It sounds and looks like fun (saw on collage). I'll check out the CIA clip on collage, if they have it...Thanks for the help! I'll let you know what I choose and how it is going. I'm just thrilled to have made the mental commitment. I'm ready for it!

;-)

Kathy W
 
RE: Thanks, Stacy

I just reread my last post and I think I goofed. The threaded barbells measure 3/4" in diameter (at least the ones I've measured) not the non-threaded ones which are a standard 1"... I think I said just the opposite in my last post. Sorry for the confusion.

Stacy
 
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