Barbell Plates

Barbells range in length from 4 feet (1.2 m) to above 8 feet (2.4 m), although bars longer than 2.2 metres (7.2 ft) are used primarily by powerlifters and are not commonplace. The central portion of the bar varies in diameter from 25 millimetres (0.98 in) to 2 inches (51 mm) (e.g. Apollon's Axle), and is often engraved with a knurled crosshatch pattern to help lifters maintain a solid grip. Weight plates are slid onto the outer portions of the bar to increase or decrease the desired total weight. These weights are often secured with collars to prevent them from sliding off during the exercise, which can result in injuries and death, or flinging the unevenly loaded barbell through the air.