The Barbell Collar/Clip

A rather small piece of equipment for the gym, yet with so many options to choose from, one of the more common questions we get at JEV is which style is the right choice? Let’s answer that today

The quick version: for most lifters, any style will do just fine, so it really comes down to personal preference. If you’re moving some serious weight, you’ll definitely want to go with the stronger locking system (optio 1 or 2, not the spring collars)

First off, what options are there? (Not exhaustive)
-Locking (1st pic)
-Plastic clamps (2nd pic)
-“Safety” collars (3rd pic)
-Metal spring (4th pic)
-Screw on (5th pic)

Personally, I don’t recommend the 3rd or 5th option. The 3rd option is a rather poor design (the collars release if they feel vibration…) and the 5th option is a bit cumbersome to use.

The 1st option are very sturdy but don’t look as sleek. Personally, I don’t like them as they don’t feel smooth to me, but many people do like them.

The 2nd option is the most popular (from my experience). These can hold quite a bit of weight, they’re super easy to use, and might I say they have a spiffy design! There are many different brands of these, some ranging from $10-$60+ per pair, so depending on the design you want, and the weight capacity you need, you have a plethora of options.

While the 2nd option may be the most popular, the 4th option is by far the most common: the good old classic, spring collars. These are included in pretty much any basic weight set and most curl bars and barbells that you purchase. For most people and most weight amounts they do the job just fine. One point to consider is that weaker lifters, or lifters with smaller hands, may have a hard time using them (especially if the springs are thicker). In this case, option 2 is a good alternative.

One other point to consider: there are some people who do not use collars. It is hard, actually impossible I’d say, to make a blanket statement of whether every lifter in every situation should use collars or not… so, I’d recommend doing some more research on this if you’re stuck between wanting or not wanting to use any collars.

And what does JEV use? Option 2! Could you tell by my review? 😉

Thanks for tuning in 💪