You are here: Home > Strength Equipment > Olympic Weightlifting Equipment

Olympic Weightlifting Equipment

Weightlifting has existed as an Olympic sport since 1896. The first Olympic Weightlifting events featured one handed and two handed lifts. One handed lifts were later phased out of weightlifting competition. Olympic barbells still bear the 4" center knurling that was developed and utilized for one handed snatch, jerks, and presses with the barbell.

The two current competition lifts in order are the Snatch and Clean & Jerk. Each weightlifter receives three attempts in each lift, and the combined total of the highest two successful lifts determines the overall result within a body weight category.

In comparison with other strength sports, which test limit strength (with or without lifting aids), Weightlifting tests aspects of human ballistic limits (explosive strength); the lifts are therefore executed faster and with a greater range of motion than other strength movements performed with a barbell.

The first revolving sleeve barbells were available in the early 1900's. Barbells used before that were of a fixed sleeve variety. Rubber Bumper Plates were not used in Olympic weightlifting competition until the 1960's but did not become the standard until the early 1970's. As records grew so did the number of weights used on a barbell. Plates were so thick that that there was not enough room on the sleeves to add more and making the sleeves longer displaced the weight too far from the lifters body, potentially making the lifts more difficult than they inherently are. The steel disc was then used in competition bumper plates. The steel disc adds weight to the plate while minimizing thickness.

Vulcan Strength is a supplier of high quality barbells, bumper plates and other weightlifting equipment. Our Competition Bumper plates meet IWF standards and are calibrated to weigh within 10 grams of advertised weight. We offer multiple true 28 mm Barbells for weightlifting (28 mm on the knurling, not the smooth parts of the bar) in bushing and bearing variants. Vulcan Barbells are available in multiple metal alloys, sleeve constructions, finishes and varying knurling depths and patterns. All of the products offered in this category are our recommended products for specific use in Olympic Weightlifting