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BlackBear buying guides
Compare BlackBear and Bells of Steel bars by training style, size and grip. Find the right fit for your lifting and your space.
Full-size bars for a varied programme of squats, presses, rows and pulls.
Scroll across to compare every bar in this group.
| Compare the essentials |
BlackBear
7ft 20kg All Black Olympic Barbell£124.99 |
BlackBear
7ft 20kg Cerakote Blue Olympic Barbell£134.99 |
BlackBear
7ft 20kg Green & Black Olympic Barbell£119.99 |
BlackBear
7ft 20kg Purple & Black Olympic Barbell£119.99 |
BlackBear
7ft 20kg Red & Black Olympic Barbell£114.99 |
BlackBear
7ft 20kg Teal & Black Olympic Barbell£109.99 |
BlackBear
7ft Black & Chrome Olympic Barbell£109.99 |
BlackBear
7ft Chrome Olympic Barbell£119.99 |
Bells of Steel
Multi-Purpose Olympic Utility Barbell - Bells of Steel£179.99 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall length | 220cm | 220cm | 220cm | 220cm | 220cm | 220cm | 220cm | 220cm | 2,200mm |
| Bar weight | 20kg | 20kg | 20kg | 20kg | 20kg | 20kg | 20kg | 20kg | 20kg |
| Shaft / grip diameter | 28mm | 28mm | 28mm | 28mm | 28mm | 28mm | 28mm | 28mm | 28.5mm |
| Sleeve / plate fit | 50mm / 2-inch | 50mm / 2-inch | 50mm / 2-inch (fits all 2" plates) | 50mm / 2-inch (fits all 2" plates) | 50mm / 2-inch (fits all 2" plates) | 50mm / 2-inch (fits all 2" plates) | 50mm / 2-inch Olympic | 50mm / 2-inch | Olympic 50mm plates |
| Loadable sleeve (per side) | 41cm | 41cm | 41cm | 41cm | 41cm | 41cm | 41.65cm | 41.5cm | 410mm per side |
| Inner shaft / handle length | 131cm | 131cm | 131cm | 131cm | 131cm | 131cm | 131cm | 131cm | Ask us |
| Rack fit | Rack training; check J-cup spacing | Rack training; check J-cup spacing | Rack training; check J-cup spacing | Rack training; check J-cup spacing | Rack training; check J-cup spacing | Rack training; check J-cup spacing | Rack training; check J-cup spacing | Rack training; check J-cup spacing | Rack training; check J-cup spacing |
| Knurling | Medium, IPF standard rings | Medium, IPF standard rings | Passive, multi-location | Passive, multi-location | Passive, multi-location | Passive, multi-location | Soft | Passive, multi-location | moderate, with centre knurling |
| Sleeve rotation | Needle | Precision needle (4 per sleeve) | Premium Needle | Premium Needle | Premium Needle | Premium Needle | 4 Needle Bearings | 4 brass bearings | brass bushings and snap rings |
| Best suited to | Mixed strength training | Mixed strength training | Mixed strength training | Mixed strength training | Mixed strength training | Mixed strength training | Mixed strength training | Mixed strength training | Mixed strength training |
| Good to know | |||||||||
| View bar | View bar: 7ft 20kg All Black Olympic Barbell | View bar: 7ft 20kg Cerakote Blue Olympic Barbell | View bar: 7ft 20kg Green & Black Olympic Barbell | View bar: 7ft 20kg Purple & Black Olympic Barbell | View bar: 7ft 20kg Red & Black Olympic Barbell | View bar: 7ft 20kg Teal & Black Olympic Barbell | View bar: 7ft Black & Chrome Olympic Barbell | View bar: 7ft Chrome Olympic Barbell | View bar: Multi-Purpose Olympic Utility Barbell - Bells of Steel |
BlackBear
£124.99
BlackBear
£134.99
BlackBear
£119.99
BlackBear
£119.99
BlackBear
£114.99
BlackBear
£109.99
BlackBear
£109.99
BlackBear
£119.99
Bells of Steel
£179.99
A lighter starting weight with longer inner shafts. Check the actual measurements against your rack.
Scroll across to compare every bar in this group.
| Compare the essentials |
BlackBear
6ft 15kg All Black Olympic Barbell£104.99 |
BlackBear
6ft 15kg Orange & Black Olympic Barbell£104.99 |
BlackBear
6ft 15kg Pink & Black Olympic Barbell£104.99 |
BlackBear
6ft 15kg Purple & Black Olympic Barbell£104.99 Sold out |
BlackBear
6ft 15kg Red & Black Olympic Barbell£104.99 |
BlackBear
6ft 15kg Teal & Black Olympic Barbell£104.99 Sold out |
BlackBear
6ft International Chrome Olympic Barbell£104.99 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall length | 202cm | 202cm | 202cm | 202cm | 201cm | 202cm | 201cm |
| Bar weight | 15kg | 15kg | 15kg | 15kg | 15kg | 15kg | 15kg |
| Shaft / grip diameter | 25mm | 25mm | 25mm | 25mm | 25mm | 25mm | 25mm |
| Sleeve / plate fit | 50mm / 2-inch | 50mm / 2-inch (fits all 2" plates) | 50mm / 2-inch | 50mm / 2-inch (fits all 2" plates) | 50mm (Olympic standard) | 50mm / 2-inch | 50mm / 2-inch |
| Loadable sleeve (per side) | 32.5cm | 32cm | 32cm | 32cm | 31cm | 32cm | 32cm |
| Inner shaft / handle length | 131cm | 130cm | 130cm | 130cm | 131cm | 130cm | 137cm |
| Rack fit | Rackable design; check J-cups | Rackable design; check J-cups | Rackable design; check J-cups | Rackable design; check J-cups | Rackable design; check J-cups | Rackable design; check J-cups | Rackable design; check J-cups |
| Knurling | Passive, multi-location | Passive, multi-location | Multi location, passive | Passive, multi-location | Medium — aggressive enough for grip, comfortable for high-rep work | Passive, multi-location | Passive, multi-location |
| Sleeve rotation | Premium Needle | Premium Needle | Premium needle bearings | Premium Needle | Ask us | Premium Needle | 4 bearings (type not specified) |
| Best suited to | 15kg starting weight, rack training | 15kg starting weight, rack training | 15kg starting weight, rack training | 15kg starting weight, rack training | 15kg starting weight, rack training | 15kg starting weight, rack training | 15kg starting weight, rack training |
| Good to know | Listed as “6ft”; actual catalogue length is 202cm. | Listed as “6ft”; actual catalogue length is 202cm. | Listed as “6ft”; actual catalogue length is 202cm. | Listed as “6ft”; actual catalogue length is 202cm. | Listed as “6ft”; actual catalogue length is 201cm. | Listed as “6ft”; actual catalogue length is 202cm. | Listed as “6ft”; actual catalogue length is 201cm. |
| View bar | View bar: 6ft 15kg All Black Olympic Barbell | View bar: 6ft 15kg Orange & Black Olympic Barbell | View bar: 6ft 15kg Pink & Black Olympic Barbell | View bar: 6ft 15kg Purple & Black Olympic Barbell | View bar: 6ft 15kg Red & Black Olympic Barbell | View bar: 6ft 15kg Teal & Black Olympic Barbell | View bar: 6ft International Chrome Olympic Barbell |
BlackBear
£104.99
BlackBear
£104.99
BlackBear
£104.99
BlackBear
£104.99
Sold out
BlackBear
£104.99
BlackBear
£104.99
Sold out
BlackBear
£104.99
Shorter bars for smaller spaces. Overall length alone does not tell you whether a bar will fit your rack.
Scroll across to compare every bar in this group.
| Compare the essentials |
BlackBear
4ft 8kg Chrome Olympic Barbell£55.99 |
BlackBear
5ft 11kg Chrome Olympic Barbell£74.99 |
BlackBear
6ft 15kg Black & Chrome Olympic Barbell£124.99 |
BlackBear
6ft Chrome Olympic Barbell£119.99 |
Bells of Steel
Short Rackable Barbell - Bells Of Steel£199.99 Sold out |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall length | 120cm | 152cm | 182cm | 183cm | 1,753mm / 69 inches |
| Bar weight | 8kg | 11.3kg | 15kg | 14kg | approximately 13kg |
| Shaft / grip diameter | 25mm | 25mm | 25mm | 25mm | 28.5mm |
| Sleeve / plate fit | 50mm / 2-inch | 50mm / 2-inch | 50mm / 2-inch Olympic | 50mm / 2-inch | Olympic 50mm plates |
| Loadable sleeve (per side) | 17cm | 27cm | 32.5cm | 32cm | 200mm per side |
| Inner shaft / handle length | 82.5cm | 93cm | 111cm | 119cm | Ask us |
| Rack fit | Check inner shaft against your rack | Check inner shaft against your rack | Check inner shaft against your rack | Check inner shaft against your rack | Up to 124.5cm outer J-cup spacing |
| Knurling | Multi-location, Passive | Multi-location, Passive | Soft | Multi-location, Passive | light, with centre knurling |
| Sleeve rotation | 4 Brass Bearings | 4 Brass Bearings | 4 Needle Bearings | 4 Brass Bearings | bushings and snap rings |
| Best suited to | Compact training spaces | Compact training spaces | Mixed strength training | Mixed strength training | Compact training spaces |
| Good to know | Shorter sleeves: account for plate thickness. | ||||
| View bar | View bar: 4ft 8kg Chrome Olympic Barbell | View bar: 5ft 11kg Chrome Olympic Barbell | View bar: 6ft 15kg Black & Chrome Olympic Barbell | View bar: 6ft Chrome Olympic Barbell | View bar: Short Rackable Barbell - Bells Of Steel |
BlackBear
£55.99
BlackBear
£74.99
BlackBear
£124.99
BlackBear
£119.99
Bells of Steel
£199.99
Sold out
Stiffer shafts and stronger grip for squat, bench and deadlift training.
| Compare the essentials |
BlackBear
7ft 20kg Power Lifting Bar£174.99 |
Bells of Steel
Powerlifting Bar - Bells of SteelFrom £170.49 |
|---|---|---|
| Overall length | 7ft | 2,200mm |
| Bar weight | 20kg | 20kg |
| Shaft / grip diameter | 29mm | 29mm |
| Sleeve / plate fit | Olympic 2-inch plates | Olympic 50mm plates |
| Loadable sleeve (per side) | Ask us | 430mm per side |
| Inner shaft / handle length | Ask us | Ask us |
| Rack fit | Rack training; check J-cup spacing | Rack training; check J-cup spacing |
| Knurling | Deep grip, with centre knurl | aggressive, with centre knurling |
| Sleeve rotation | Four-bushing design | bushings and snap rings |
| Best suited to | Squat, bench and deadlift | Squat, bench and deadlift |
| Good to know | ||
| View bar | View bar: 7ft 20kg Power Lifting Bar | View bar: Powerlifting Bar - Bells of Steel |
BlackBear
£174.99
Bells of Steel
From £170.49
Needle-bearing rotation and a lifting-focused shaft for snatches, cleans and jerks.
| Compare the essentials |
Bells of Steel
Olympic Weightlifting Barbell - Bells of SteelFrom £181.49 Sold out |
|---|---|
| Overall length | 2,200mm |
| Bar weight | 20kg |
| Shaft / grip diameter | 28mm |
| Sleeve / plate fit | Olympic 50mm plates |
| Loadable sleeve (per side) | Varies by finish |
| Inner shaft / handle length | Ask us |
| Rack fit | Measure J-cup spacing |
| Knurling | moderate, with centre knurling |
| Sleeve rotation | needle bearings and snap rings |
| Best suited to | Snatch, clean and jerk |
| Good to know | Specifications vary by finish. Not IWF approved for competition. |
| View bar | View bar: Olympic Weightlifting Barbell - Bells of Steel |
Bells of Steel
From £181.49
Sold out
Lighter starting weights for coached practice and learning lifting movements. Follow the individual load limits.
| Compare the essentials |
BlackBear
2.5kg Technique Olympic Barbell£74.99 |
BlackBear
7.5kg Black Technique Olympic Barbell£109.99 |
BlackBear
7.5kg Technique Olympic Barbell£114.99 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall length | 122cm | 183cm | 180cm |
| Bar weight | 2.5kg | 7.5kg | 7.5kg |
| Shaft / grip diameter | 25mm | 28mm | 28mm |
| Sleeve / plate fit | 50mm / 2-inch | 50mm (Olympic) | 50mm / 2-inch (fits all 2" plates) |
| Loadable sleeve (per side) | 9cm | Ask us | 24.5cm |
| Inner shaft / handle length | 101cm | Ask us | 131cm |
| Rack fit | Not intended for standard rack lifting | Measure J-cup spacing | Measure J-cup spacing |
| Knurling | Multi-location, Passive | Volcano/Medium | Passive, multi-location |
| Sleeve rotation | 4 Bearings | Brass bushings | 4 bearings (type not specified) |
| Best suited to | Technique practice | Technique practice | Technique practice |
| Good to know | Maximum load: 75kg. | Maximum load: 75kg. | Maximum load: 120kg. |
| View bar | View bar: 2.5kg Technique Olympic Barbell | View bar: 7.5kg Black Technique Olympic Barbell | View bar: 7.5kg Technique Olympic Barbell |
BlackBear
£74.99
BlackBear
£109.99
BlackBear
£114.99
Open trap, safety squat, cambered and angled-grip designs for different training movements.
Scroll across to compare every bar in this group.
| Compare the essentials |
BlackBear
7ft 20kg Cambered Barbell£139.99 |
BlackBear
7ft Olympic Curved Bow Barbell – 20kg£169.99 |
BlackBear
8kg Chrome Ez Curl Barbell£52.99 |
Bells of Steel
Arch Nemesis Swiss Bar - Bells of Steel£169.99 |
Bells of Steel
Arch Nemesis Tricep Bar – Bells of Steel£99.99 Sold out |
BlackBear
Chrome Trap Bar£109.99 |
Bells of Steel
EZ Curl Bar 45" - Bells of Steel£64.99 |
Bells of Steel
Open Trap Bar / Hex Bar - Bells of Steel£99.99 |
BlackBear
Open Trap Barbell£184.99 |
Bells of Steel
Safety Squat Bar SS4 - Bells of SteelComplete bar: £279.99 |
BlackBear
Safety Squat Barbell£149.99 |
BlackBear
Tricep Barbell£44.99 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall length | 220cm | 2200mm, approximately 7ft | 120cm | 2,032mm / 80 inches | Ask us | 142cm | 1,143mm / 45 inches | 1,500mm | 215cm | 2,200mm | 210cm | 86cm |
| Bar weight | 20kg | 20kg | 8kg | approximately 10.9kg | Approx. 7kg | approx. 25kg | approximately 9.75kg | 21.3kg | 17.5kg | approximately 21kg | 20kg | 6.5kg |
| Shaft / grip diameter | 28mm | 30mm | 28mm | 32mm | Ask us | 28mm | 28mm | 25mm | 28mm | 32mm | 28mm | 25mm |
| Sleeve / plate fit | 50mm / 2-inch | 50mm Olympic | 50mm / 2-inch | 49.7mm | Olympic 2-inch plates | Olympic 2-inch plates | Olympic 50mm plates | Olympic 50mm plates | 50mm | Olympic 50mm plates | 50mm (2" — fits all standard Olympic plates) | 50mm / 2-inch |
| Loadable sleeve (per side) | 25cm | 410mm | 17cm | 354mm per side | Ask us | 26.5cm | 177.8mm per side | 247mm per side | 40cm | 300mm per side | 32.5cm | Ask us |
| Inner shaft / handle length | Not a straight-shaft comparison | Not a straight-shaft comparison | Not a straight-shaft comparison | Not a straight-shaft comparison | Not a straight-shaft comparison | Not a straight-shaft comparison | Not a straight-shaft comparison | Not a straight-shaft comparison | Not a straight-shaft comparison | Not a straight-shaft comparison | Not a straight-shaft comparison | Not a straight-shaft comparison |
| Rack fit | Measure J-cup spacing | Measure J-cup spacing | Not intended for rack lifting | Check frame and J-cup fit | Not intended for rack lifting | Not intended for rack lifting | Not intended for rack lifting | Not intended for rack lifting | Not intended for rack lifting | Rackable design; check J-cups | Rackable design; check J-cups | Not intended for rack lifting |
| Knurling | Soft, no centre knurl | medium, with no centre knurl | Multi-location, Soft | Ask us | Moderate | Dual neutral-grip handles | moderate | light | medium | Ask us | Multi / No centre knurl | Soft |
| Sleeve rotation | Copper bushings + 4 bearings | Copper bushings + 2 bearings | 4 Needle Bearings | fixed, non-rotating sleeves | Fixed frame | Ask us | bushings and snap rings | bushings and snap rings | Ask us | needle bearings and snap rings | Copper bushings + 4 bearings | 2 Brass Bushings |
| Best suited to | Specialist strength movements | Specialist strength movements | Arm training | Angled-grip presses and rows | Arm training | Deadlifts and loaded carries | Arm training | Deadlifts and loaded carries | Deadlifts and loaded carries | Squats with front-facing handles | Squats with front-facing handles | Arm training |
| Good to know | Built-in loading feet; high and low handles. | Two grip thicknesses; 28mm standard handle. | Price is for the complete bar with Straight Handles. Other handles are extras. | |||||||||
| View bar | View bar: 7ft 20kg Cambered Barbell | View bar: 7ft Olympic Curved Bow Barbell – 20kg | View bar: 8kg Chrome Ez Curl Barbell | View bar: Arch Nemesis Swiss Bar - Bells of Steel | View bar: Arch Nemesis Tricep Bar – Bells of Steel | View bar: Chrome Trap Bar | View bar: EZ Curl Bar 45" - Bells of Steel | View bar: Open Trap Bar / Hex Bar - Bells of Steel | View bar: Open Trap Barbell | View bar: Safety Squat Bar SS4 - Bells of Steel | View bar: Safety Squat Barbell | View bar: Tricep Barbell |
BlackBear
£139.99
BlackBear
£169.99
BlackBear
£52.99
Bells of Steel
£169.99
Bells of Steel
£99.99
Sold out
BlackBear
£109.99
Bells of Steel
£64.99
Bells of Steel
£99.99
BlackBear
£184.99
Bells of Steel
Complete bar: £279.99
BlackBear
£149.99
BlackBear
£44.99
The thickness of the part you grip. Compare this separately from the plate-fitting sleeves.
Sleeve diameter determines plate fit. Loadable sleeve length determines how much room you have for plates and collars.
Measure between the outside edges of your J-cups and compare with the bar’s usable inner shaft. Allow clearance at both ends. A “6ft” label alone does not confirm rack fit.
Measurements come from the individual product specifications. Where a figure is not confirmed, ask us before ordering. Grip diameter is shown for speciality bars.