Cap Barbell Weighted Workout Bar

I stumbled upon this cap barbell weighted workout bar the other day while browsing on Amazon, and was pretty happy that these things existed! What a great idea for home workouts and a great addition to a home exercise equipment collection.

Personally, I love barbell work but always thought I’d be limited to having to find a gym in order to be able to use this kind of equipment. Now that I’ve discovered that these weighted workout bars exist, I’m thrilled that something like this can be easily used for home barbell workouts!

What is a Cap Barbell?

I did a bit of digging because I wasn’t sure about the exact name for these bars.

I thought they may have been called “cap barbells” since they have look like they have two caps on each end.

So what is a cap barbell? Apparently (after much confusion on my end) the phrase “cap barbell” does not refer to a type of barbell, but it is actually a popular U.S. brand that manufactures all kinds of weights (including dumbells, barbells, kettlebells, you name it).

Weighted Workout Bar

After I finished figuring out the name for the piece of equipment I was actually looking for (“Weighted workout bar” or “Padded weighted workout bar“),  I jumped on to Amazon to do a bit more research.

There are a few companies that make weighted workout bars, which are often covered in a soft foam or padding to allow for a more comfortable grip.

This also helps it sit easier on shoulders if you’re holding the bar in this position when doing exercises like weighted lunges or squats.

These workout bars resemble a barbell and are designed to be used at home or independently without the use of weight plates.

The weighted bars are great for home barbell workouts, and I actually came across them when looking for something to use for the home workouts in The Butt Bible (one of my favorite workout programs).

Who Will Enjoy the Weighted Workout Bar

I think that anyone who likes to do barbell style workouts at home, but doesn’t have room for a traditional barbell and plate set will really enjoy and benefit from a weighted workout bar.

Sure, they are nowhere near as heavy as a regular barbell, but they are a good substitute if you just want to add a little bit of extra resistance to your usual workout.

Pros of Weighted Workout Bars

• Compact & easy to store
• Fixed weight sizes – no fiddling around with adjustable weight plates
• Foam/padded bar for increased comfort
• Inexpensive compared to traditional barbell and plate sets
• Versatile – can be used for many different exercises

Cons of Weighted Workout Bars

• Can roll, and be difficult to pick up (depending on the design)
• Fixed sizes so you may need multiple bars
• Foam covering may tear on lower quality products
• Maximum weight is only 36 lb

What Sizes are Available?

Weighted workout bars come in a range of weights depending on brand, but anywhere between 4 – 36 lb versions are readily available.

The bars themselves can also range slightly in length according to the brand, however they are usually around 48″ to 50″ long.

A Few of the Brands Available

Cap Barbell Weighted Workout Bar

Available from: Amazon.com

Sizes: 

• 5 lb, 8 lb, 10 lb, 12 lb, 15 lb, 20 lb (Approx. 4ft length)

Features:

• Manufacturer offers 30 day warranty
• Made of solid steel – sturdy enough to support body weight
• Black end caps, square so bar will not roll

Cons:

• Foam is not durable, several users have reported tears and wear
• Contains phthalate chemicals known to cause birth defects and other reproductive harm

 

 

Body-Solid Tools Padded Weighted Bar

Available from: Amazon.com

Sizes:

• 4 lb, 6 lb, 9 lb, 12 lb, 15 lb, 18 lb, 24 lb, 30 lb (Approx. 4ft length)
• 36 lb (Approx. 6ft length)

Features:

• Weights inside the bar are padded by sand
• Color coded rubber end caps
• Durable rubber padding

Cons:

• Weights inside the bar are padded by sand and can shift – though can easily be fixed by adding more sand

 

Body Sport Exercise Weight Bars

Available from: Amazon.com

Sizes:

• 1 lb, 4 lb, 6 lb, 9 lb, 12 lb, 15 lb, 18 lb, 24 lb (Approx. 4ft length)
• 30 lb  (Approx. 5ft length)

Features:

• Latex-free product
• Rubber end stops to protect floors
• Solid bar, no shifting weight

Cons: 

• Identification stickers may peel off

 

Fitness Republic Sculpting Workout Bar

Available from: Amazon.com

Sizes: 

• 6 lb, 8lb, 10 lb, 12 lb, 14 lb (Approx. 4 ft length)

Features:

• 12 month manufacturer warranty
• Color coded endcaps
• Quality neoprene padding is very durable and does not show signs of wear

 

 

Champion Barbell Reactor Workout Bar

Available from: Amazon.com

Sizes:

• 4 lb, 6 lb, 9 lb, 12 lb, 15 lb, 18 lb (Approx. 4ft length)

Features:

• Rubber coated foam covers bars for easy grip while exercising
• Color coded sizes for easy identification

Cons:

• Some users have reported that the foam can tear/split easily
• A few people reported the product has a strong smell initially

 

J/FIT Weighted Bar

Available from: Amazon.com

Sizes:

• 10 lb, 12 lb, 15 lb, 18 lb, 20 lb, 25 lb (Approx. 4ft length)

Features:

• Anti-roll octagonal color coded end caps
• One piece solid steel encased in high quality easy to grip rubber
• Includes exercise chart

How To Choose a Weighted Bar

There are many different brands of weighted bar out there, so how do you know which ones are good and which one you should purchase?

I suggest first picking a weight that you’d like to start with, and then investigating different products from there.

What Weight Should I Start With?

This depends on the particular exercise you are doing as well as your personal fitness level.

If you have access to dumbbells or a gym, it could be worth testing your strength with any available weights to get a feel for how much weight you find challenging for different exercises.

You can then make your bar selection based on this.

My Recommendation

Weighted bars are an excellent addition to any home exercise equipment, and can make for a good barbell substitute if you just want a little bit of extra resistance.

Of course, if you’re really wanting a challenge then there’s no substitute for the real thing – you may want to get yourself to a gym if you are wanting access to barbell weights that are more than 36 lb.

My picks after reviewing all these products are:

• Body-Solid for a heavier bar
• Fitness Republic for a lighter weight bar

Amazon’s pricing tends to change so it is worth checking a few different manufacturer’s prices to get the best deal. Another key feature to look for is other user’s reviews, as each product generally differs slightly in its features and quality.

All I know is, I’m very happy because this means I can stop using the old broomstick in place of a barbell, and actually something more suited for working out!

Have you heard of, or tried these kind of weighted workout bars before? What did you think?