Buyer's Guide to Olympic Barbell Collars

Which Olympic Barbell Collar Is Best for Your Type of Training?

Wondering what the differences are between the various Olympic barbell collars available, and why you should invest in one versus another? Although barbell collars, or "clips", are typically a small fraction of the overall cost toward a complete weightlifting package, they are an important component to keep your workouts flowing and help keep your weight plates positioned on the barbell.

What Is the Purpose of a Barbell Collar?

Olympic barbell collars have one goal of preventing the weight plates from sliding off the barbell sleeve. They are manufactured in a variety of materials, shapes, and sizes depending on the type of workout they will be used for.

The Basic Olympic Spring Collar

Olympic spring collars for standard weight training exercise are a staple found in home gyms and health clubs. They are a popular choice for general weightlifting workouts due to their low cost, ease of use, and ability to help keep Olympic weight plates positioned during lifts.

Depending on the spring collar and plate setup, some movement can occur between the collar and weight plate on the Olympic bar. When a loaded barbell is firmly placed on the ground or dropped on a platform after a lift, plates can shift and may need to be repositioned between sets. This can be particularly noticeable when training with rubber bumper plates. Smaller hands may also find some Olympic spring collars difficult to squeeze one handed.

Lock-Jaw Pro Collar

Tired of re-adjusting your bumper plates and collars after each set? The Lock-Jaw Pro Collars are an upgrade option for performance focused strength and conditioning workouts where stronger plate retention than a basic spring collar may be desired.

Manufactured from a nylon resin and weighing only 0.8 lbs. per collar pair, the Lock-Jaw Pro Collars clamp securely onto the sleeve of most Olympic bars. With injected molded pressure pads for grip and to prevent damage to the bar itself, the Lock-Jaw Pro stay secure, even against bars with plenty of whip. Lock-Jaw Pro Olympic collars are an excellent choice for CrossFit WODs and Olympic lifting with bumper plates.

Ivanko Compression-Ring Olympic Collars

Competition Collars

Ivanko Olympic Chrome Pressure Ring Collars with Spin Lock

For the most demanding workouts and IPF competition use, the Ivanko Olympic Pressure Ring Collars are a top choice, available in a chrome plated finish, COC-2.5KG, and gray hammer tone finish, CO-2.5KG.

The Ivanko Compression-Ring Olympic Collars utilize two features for a snug fit: compression against the Olympic bar sleeve and the spin-lock feature. Unlike a direct screw-style collar where the locking mechanism can contact the bar sleeve, Ivanko Barbell Pressure Ring technology uses an inset band that squeezes around the Olympic weightlifting barbell sleeve as the T-bolt is tightened. Once the T-bolt is secure, the spin-lock portion of the collar is rotated to lengthen the collar, filling in open space between the collar and weight plate and helping reduce unwanted lateral plate movement.

Training Collars

Ivanko 1.25 lb. Chrome Olympic Pressure-Ring Training Collars

For non-competition lifts and general workouts, Ivanko Compression Olympic Training Collars provide another example of the pressure-ring collar design. These training collars illustrate how compression-style retention can also be used outside of competition lifting without requiring the heavier competition-style collar format.

Recommended Olympic Barbell Collars and Categories

The right collar depends on your barbell, plates and type of training. Here are several current collar styles to consider when comparing options:

• IRON COMPANY Olympic Spring Collars with Plastic Grips – A basic spring-collar option for general weight training where simplicity, quick installation and low cost are priorities.
• SnapClips Barbell Collars SC001 – Another collar design to consider when comparing alternatives to traditional Olympic spring collars.
• Lock-Jaw Barbell Collars – A locking-collar option for lifters who want stronger plate retention during workouts where the bar and plates experience more movement.

For more options, browse the complete selection of barbell collars. If you are building a complete free-weight setup, you can also compare Olympic weightlifting bars and Olympic weight plates.

Choosing the Right Olympic Barbell Collar

Whether you are strength training for functional fitness, a CrossFit athlete seeking to PR, or an elite Olympian training for the Olympics, investing in a quality set of collars can help reduce unwanted plate movement and the need to repeatedly reposition your plates during training.

Consider the bar sleeve compatibility, collar retention, ease of installation and removal, type of plates being used and your style of training. For competition lifting, also confirm that the specific collar meets the current requirements of the federation or event where it will be used.

Ready to purchase replacement spring collars, locking collars or another Olympic collar design? Compare the available Olympic barbell collars at IRON COMPANY® to find an option appropriate for your barbell and training.

About the Author: IRON COMPANY Editorial Team

The IRON COMPANY Editorial Team creates and maintains buyer-focused content for gym equipment, gym flooring, cardio equipment, strength training equipment, free weights, and related fitness facility solutions. Our content is developed to help residential, commercial, government, military, school, institutional, and facility buyers compare products, understand key specifications, avoid common buying mistakes, and make more informed purchasing decisions. When appropriate, content is reviewed against manufacturer information, product specifications, IRON COMPANY category knowledge, and current purchasing considerations before publication.