SNM: Barbell length question and the PT

[Dela]

Hi SNM, or anyone else who can answer. My current barbell is 32 inches between collars, which just barely fits the power tower. I found a bar with 36 inches between collars.

Do you think 36 inches between collars is sufficient clearance for the handles on the power tower? Do you know the width between collars of the barbell Cathe uses in the STS videos?

Thanks

 

[SNM Videos]

36 inches between the collars is fine. We've used several bar types through the years, but most have exactly 36 inches between the collars. This will work fine on the STS Tower.

 

[blkblt]

It's a question I've been meaning to ask for a while as my DH is also interested in the tower. However I have the original Firm BB from way back, BUT I love it because it's padded all along the bar. It's 31-7/8 from collar to collar but I was thinking of adding washers to both ends to take the width over 32". Would it work?

 

[SNM Videos]

It's the difference between the collars that is important. At 31 7/8 inches you barely have any room left for clearance. A lot will depend on if the padding of the bar is the same diameter as the collars are. Without actually having a bar like yours it's hard to say if it will work, but my best guess is you will have problems with a bar this short.

 

[Dela]

Great, thank you for the response!