The 9 Best Barbell Collars
This wiki has been updated 30 times since it was first published in October of 2015. If you regularly exercise using free weights, check out our selection of barbell collars. They will keep your plates safely and securely in place, preventing them from sliding in the middle of a lift and causing an injury or damaging expensive equipment. We've included options that will fit a variety of bar types, and many are also designed to enable fast changes, for less downtime between sets. When users buy our independently chosen editorial recommendations, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
1. Lock-Jaw Pro 2
2. Proloc 1
3. Clout Fitness Quick Release
Editor's Notes
September 13, 2019:
Whether you're lifting 50 or 500 pounds, the last thing you want is for the plates to slide off your bar in the middle of a set. Barbell collars are designed to prevent that from happening, which keeps you and your gym equipment safe.
A popular style is the circular clamps with levers to lock them in place around the bar, which allow for much quicker weight changes than old-school spring clips. The Lock-Jaw Pro 2 are on the higher end of the price spectrum, but they're stronger and more durable than most cheaper options, so they're good for serious lifters who put up a lot of weight. The Clout Fitness Quick Release, on the other hand, are highly rated and affordably priced at less than $10. They're designed to stand up to frequent use and come in a wide range of colors, from solid black or grey to bright pink, green, or yellow. The Synergee Olympic are made from aluminum and have a unique shape that's reminiscent of a pinwheel, so they'll add some flair to your equipment. They're very tight and can be difficult to slide on and off at first, but they get easier to use over time. Another metal option, the Iron Bull Strength are built from heavy-duty aircraft-grade aluminum and tested to ensure they can be used thousands of times without breaking or losing their grip. Note, though, that the locking lever has two different open positions and must be opened all the way to slide them on or off the bar; otherwise they are nearly impossible to move.
Most clamps are designed only to fit standard 2-inch Olympic bars, but if you use specialty bars, you'll want to check out the Proloc 1. They can be adjusted to fit any bar with a diameter from 1.937 inches to 2.007 inches, making them compatible with most Swiss, cambered, axle, and safety squat yoke bars, as well as farmer's walk handles.
Special Honors
Rogue HG 2.0 With a spring-loaded tab for fast release and rubber pads for a firm grip on the bar, these collars are both dependable and easy to remove. Their locking mechanism ensures they won't come loose, even after repeated drops, and they come with a one-year warranty. roguefitness.com
4. Dark Iron Fitness
5. Synergee Olympic
6. Kylin Sport
7. Iron Bull Strength
8. Body Solid Muscle Clamps
9. Cap Barbell 2-Inch
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