Shortlist · Barbells
Barbells weighing 15 kg or less
Barbells with a published empty-bar mass of at most 15 kg, with plate systems, load claims and rack-fit gaps shown separately.
10 of 17 bars in our index qualify · Checked against published specifications · Updated
By IRONINDEX · How we research
How this list is chosen
Every barbell in our index with a published bar mass of 15 kg or less.
The list is not ranked: products with photographs come first, then each group is in name order. We haven't tested these products; every figure comes from a checked product page, linked from each product profile. How we build shortlists.
The shortlist
- Bar mass (15 kg or less)
- 6 kg
- Plates
- Standard (1 inch)
- Length
- 1.52 m
- Between sleeves
- Not published
- Sleeve length
- Not published
- Load claim
- 125 kg
- Price band
- Under £50
- Bar mass (15 kg or less)
- 5.8 kg
- Plates
- Standard (1 inch)
- Length
- 1.52 m
- Between sleeves
- Not published
- Sleeve length
- Not published
- Load claim
- 125 kg
- Price band
- Under £50
- Bar mass (15 kg or less)
- 15 kg
- Plates
- Olympic (2 inch / nominal 50 mm)
- Length
- 2.01 m
- Between sleeves
- Not published
- Sleeve length
- Not published
- Load claim
- 453 kg
- Price band
- £100 to £250
- Bar mass (15 kg or less)
- 13 kg
- Plates
- Olympic (2 inch / nominal 50 mm)
- Length
- Not published
- Between sleeves
- Not published
- Sleeve length
- Not published
- Load claim
- 680 kg
- Price band
- £100 to £250
- Bar mass (15 kg or less)
- 13 kg
- Plates
- Olympic (2 inch / nominal 50 mm)
- Length
- Not published
- Between sleeves
- Not published
- Sleeve length
- Not published
- Load claim
- 113 kg
- Price band
- Under £50
- Bar mass (15 kg or less)
- 12.85 kg
- Plates
- Olympic (2 inch / nominal 50 mm)
- Length
- 1.8288 m (calculated)
- Between sleeves
- Not published
- Sleeve length
- 23.3 cm
- Load claim
- 700 kg
- Price band
- £100 to £250
- Bar mass (15 kg or less)
- 12.85 kg
- Plates
- Olympic (2 inch / nominal 50 mm)
- Length
- 1.829 m (calculated)
- Between sleeves
- 1.321 m (calculated)
- Sleeve length
- Not published
- Load claim
- 220 kg
- Price band
- £50 to £100
- Bar mass (15 kg or less)
- 14 kg
- Plates
- Olympic (2 inch / nominal 50 mm)
- Length
- 1.828 m
- Between sleeves
- 1.178 m
- Sleeve length
- Not published
- Load claim
- 113 kg
- Price band
- £50 to £100
- Bar mass (15 kg or less)
- 7 kg
- Plates
- Olympic (2 inch / nominal 50 mm)
- Length
- 1.8 m
- Between sleeves
- Not published
- Sleeve length
- 24.5 cm
- Load claim
- 80 kg
- Price band
- £50 to £100
"Not published" means the checked product page doesn't state the value. Line drawings show the type of equipment, not the exact product. Compare every product in the barbells table to sort, add your own measurements or compare products side by side.
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About this list
An empty bar sets your starting weight before any plates go on. This list includes every bar in our index with a published weight of 15 kg or less.
Light bars vary widely: some take standard 1 inch plates rather than Olympic plates, and several are shorter or thinner than a full-size bar. Each bar's plate system, length and load figure are worth checking alongside its weight.
Before you buy
- A lighter bar lets you start lifting with a lower total weight, which helps when learning a lift or training lighter movements.
- Light bars are often shorter or thinner. Grip diameter, length and plate system all differ, so they aren't interchangeable with a full-size bar.
- The plate system matters: some light bars take standard 1 inch plates, not Olympic plates.
- Light bars often carry lower load figures and may not be designed for dropping. The brand's stated use is worth reading.
Notes on the list
- Body Power 6' Olympic Bar, Fits Olympic Width Equipment (28 mm grip)
12.85 kg and 6 ft long, with 52 in (about 1.321 m) between the collars for Olympic-width racks. Rated to 220 kg.
- BodyMax 6ft Olympic Barbell
14 kg and 1.828 m long, with 1.178 m between the collars. Rated to 113 kg and not for dropping.
- Body Power Aluminium Training/Technique Bar, 1.8 m, 7 kg
7 kg aluminium technique bar with an 80 kg brand load claim. Its low mass does not make it a heavy-loading bar.
- Gym Gear Ladies Olympic Lifting Bar
15 kg and 2.01 m long, so it passes this mass rule but exceeds the small-room length rule. No defined shaft span.
Couldn't confirm
These may qualify, but a figure the rule needs isn't published or sources disagree. Ask the seller before relying on them.
- BodyMax 7 ft Olympic Bar (180 kg)
Bar mass: sources disagree.
Ruled out
- York Barbell 7 ft Olympic Bar, 20 kg
Bar mass (15 kg or less): 20 kg
- Body Power 7 ft Olympic Bar, Black Shaft with Chrome Sleeves
Bar mass (15 kg or less): 20 kg
- Body Power 7 ft Prestige Olympic Bar
Bar mass (15 kg or less): 20 kg
- Gym Gear 7ft Premium Olympic Bar (Black)
Bar mass (15 kg or less): 20 kg
- Gym Gear Elite 7ft Olympic Bar
Bar mass (15 kg or less): 20 kg
- Gym Gear Standard 7ft Olympic Bar (Black)
Bar mass (15 kg or less): 20 kg
What this list doesn't check
- Mass is for the bar, not a bar-and-plate package or the total load you intend to lift.
- The cutoff is a reader's starting-load constraint, not a strength rating or a prescription for a particular lifter.
- Check the brand's intended use, load claim, plate system and shaft span separately. No missing dimension is derived from overall length.
Related guides
- How to Choose a Barbell
Check dimensions, intended use, sleeve system and care instructions for the exact bar. Similar-looking barbells are not necessarily compatible with the same rack or plates.
- Olympic vs Standard Barbells: Check the Actual Dimensions
The plate-loading system matters more than the label. Check sleeve diameter, matching plates and collars before comparing bar features.
- Will Your Barbell Fit Your Rack?
Check the shaft between the sleeves, the installed J-cups and the space to load plates. Overall bar length cannot answer all three questions.