Now, if you’re thinkin’ about gettin’ yourself a center knurl barbell, let me tell ya, it’s not just about pickin’ up any ol’ bar. No, no, there’s a lot more to it. Ya gotta consider the knurlin’, ’cause that’s what makes a bar feel right when you’re liftin’. Let me break it down for ya.
First thing ya need to know, the center knurl is important if ya want the bar to stay put on your back, especially when you’re doin’ them squats. Ya don’t want the bar sliding all over the place, now do ya? That’s why they put that little rough patch right in the middle of the barbell. Helps it grip your skin better and keeps it from slidin’ off your shoulders or neck. And let me tell ya, that can save ya a whole lotta trouble.
Now, if ya see a smooth center knurl, that’s usually on those Olympic barbells. They got the smooth part in the middle so when ya do them cleans, it won’t scrape up your neck and shoulders. And that’s real important, ’cause you don’t want no red marks on your neck after a workout. That’s a sure sign of a bar that ain’t made for comfort.
But, not all bars got that smooth center, no sir. Some bars got the rough knurling all the way around, even in the center. That helps it stay put while you squat, but you gotta be careful. If you’re doin’ high-rep workouts, like in CrossFit, that rough knurl in the middle can start scrapin’ up your chest. I’m tellin’ ya, it’s no fun when the bar digs into ya like that.
So, what kinda knurlin’ do ya need? Well, that depends on what you’re usin’ the bar for. If you’re just doin’ them Olympic lifts, like the snatch or clean and jerk, you don’t need much knurlin’ in the center. Too much of it might get in the way and cause a scrape when you lift. Most Olympic bars, they don’t even have much in the center, just a light touch of knurlin’. That’s the best for them lifts, trust me on that one.
But for them powerlifters or folks doin’ heavy squats, well, they prefer that center knurl to be a bit more aggressive. Ya want that bar to stick to ya while you squat deep. So, they put that rough patch in the middle, just enough to hold the bar in place. It’s all about makin’ sure that bar don’t slip and cause you to lose your balance.
Another thing to think about is the pattern of the knurlin’. There’s a few different styles out there, and each one has its own benefits. The hill knurl is a more gentle style, not too aggressive, but still gets the job done. It’s good for folks who don’t wanna tear their hands up too much. Then there’s the mountain knurl, a little sharper, but still not too bad. And the volcano knurl, well, that’s the roughest one of the bunch. It’s got deep ridges that’ll grab onto your skin and make sure the bar stays in place. Some people love it, others not so much, but it’s all about what feels right for ya.
So, when you’re out lookin’ for that barbell with the perfect center knurl, ya gotta think about how you’re gonna use it. Is it for Olympic lifts? Then go for the smooth center. Is it for powerlifting or high-rep squats? Then you’ll want something with a bit more grip in the middle. But no matter what, make sure it feels comfortable, ’cause if the bar’s diggin’ into ya, ya won’t be able to lift as much, and ya sure won’t enjoy it!
At the end of the day, you just gotta find the right bar for you, one that feels good in your hands and stays where you want it. And don’t forget, a good barbell with the right knurling can make a world of difference in your workout.
Tags：[center knurl barbell, barbell knurling, Olympic barbell, knurling patterns, powerlifting barbell, squat barbell, CrossFit barbell, hill knurl, mountain knurl, volcano knurl]
