What Difference Does Using a Good Oly Bar Make?
 

So I've yet to use a specific olympic weightlifting bar.

How big of a difference do you guys think it makes?

Should I expect to set a PR when I finally get to use one, or does it hardly make a difference?

Huge difference.

You may actually have a lot of misses when you first use a real weightlifting bar if you're coming from a bar that doesn't spin well, but after a quick adjustment period I wouldn't be surprised to see PRs.

^^^This!!! :D

As to the misses, you will probably have them. I did, but you'll adapt to it fairly quickly. What bar are you looking at getting??

Quick follow up/ thread jacking....

If you workout at a gym that has good bars, and your home gym has lousy bars, should you not do the classic lifts w/ the lousy bar at home, or just go lighter, or just do partial lifts/assistance lifts like snatch balance, clean/snatch from the pockets, etc?

Thanks!

matt -

You'll be fine doing the lifts in both places - it will make you good at adjusting to poor conditions and help you not be a diva who refuses to train anywhere but the perfect platform with the perfect bar. But you may have trouble replicating your best lifts at home depending how bad the bar is.

I think Im going with the Pendlay Bearing Bar. Seems to have to have good reviews, cheapest price for a bearing bar, and a lifetime warranty.

Well, I can add to the positive reviews. We have two of them at our gym and I go back and forth between the Pendlays and the training Eleiko's!! Both are excellent bars!!