Oly bar question

[Ryan Wells]

I've used an Ivanko IPF approved comp bar for years and love it. It has the "power rings" at approx. 32" apart--like most of the bars that I used. I recently ordered a Pendlay 20kg IWA spec. bar. I noticed that the rings are approx. 36" apart and the distance between the knurl is different. I called Glenn and he said that it conforms strictly to IWA specs, however, he said that they can make a custom one with PL rings and knurling.

My question is should I try to exchange this for the custom one or just use it? I'm not sure if it is bothering me or not. I keep having to think about where I usually put my hands on other bars and gauge that to the new one. I have never seen or used a bar before with IWA specs.

[Joshua Davis]

This is why I hate Ivanko bars so much. Their "Weightlifting" bar has drastically different markings than the standard IWF bar. Glenn's bar is IWF. Ivanko's bar is "WTF?".

I also train on a texas power bar that is IPF approved, and it's rings match up with our york, eleiko, and pendlay bars - so why have most the bars you've used match the non-standard of Ivankos? We also have an Ivanko powerlifting bar (granted it's 25 years old or so) that we use for nothing but squats and it has 4 rings cut into the knurling NONE of which match up to our IPF-certified bar NOR our IWF-certified bars. Am I missing something?

[Ryan Wells]

This is the bar that I've always used: http://www.ivanko.com/commercial_oly_bars.pdf The "bench press" rings are approx. 32" apart. The IPF rule book (http://www.powerlifting-ipf.com/IPF_rulebook_2007.pdf) on page 5 states that "There shall be a diameter machined marking or the bar taped so as to measure 81 cm between marking or tape." 81cm is 31.89" (approx. 32"). The gym I used to work out at had generic Oly bars the had the 32" rings. Also, the cheapy chrome bar I have that came with the CAP 300lb weight sets in the sporting goods store has the 32" rings. But I guess I learned something new yesterday that high-end IWF bar's rings are approx 36" (according to Glenn, it's actually down to an exact millimeter).

I'm not sure if I like having to think about it so much.

Josh - Are you SURE about the IPF approved Troy Texas Power Bar with center knurl? When you get a chance, run a tape measure between the rings.

[Ryan Wells]

*bump* Any opinions on this?

[Scott Markowitz]

I'm not sure I see what the big deal is. I only ever use the rings to confirm that my hands are evenly distributed on the bar.

If you're concerned about knowing where to put your hands, maybe put a small strip of tape where you're accustomed to having rings.

[Ryan Brown]

I never paid much attention to it. I've got a lot of bars--anything from York OL bar to Texas DL bar. I had just assumed the rings were all in the same place. Now I'll have to check it out.

[jay lyttle]

TEXAS POWER BAR is the BEST!!!

[Nikhil Rao]

the rings on all the bars (all cheapies or ancient yorks) I use are right at the biacromial width on me when I squat or GM. I'm one of the smallest guys on this forum and I seriously doubt that i'm more than 3 feet wide.

32" is what I remember being the bench press standard.

[Ryan Wells]

Josh,

FYI: I contacted Elite FTS and they stated that the Texas Power Bar rings are at the IPF spec 32".

This isn't really a big deal, I just never would have imagined that there was a difference. On a side note, I used the Pendlay bar this Saturday for PC's and it is a really smooth bar--defiantly made for the Oly lifts. The sleeves spin freely without slop or rattle and the bar has plenty of whip. This is a nice bar at about 1/3 the cost of comparable "weightlifting" bars.

[Kurt Hessenbruch]

On a side note, I used the Pendlay bar this Saturday for PC's and it is a really smooth bar--defiantly made for the Oly lifts. The sleeves spin freely without slop or rattle and the bar has plenty of whip. This is a nice bar at about 1/3 the cost of comparable "weightlifting" bars.

I've heard wonderful things. It's on my wishlist for down the road.

[Jeff Flynn]

The Pendlay is for olympic weightlifting that's why its 36" apart, its roughly where the index used to be when people do the snatch. You could try to make your own knurling ring but I'd recommend just figuring out what 2" in on in hand looks like.