Top trainer says you shouldn't use barbells – here is why I disagree

ActiveWorkoutsTop trainer says you shouldn’t use barbells – here is why I disagree"Barbells are the most overrated and overused implements out there", says TeoWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

“Barbells are the most overrated and overused implements out there”, says Teo

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

(Image credit: Eugene Teo)

Eugene Teo liftin a heavy barbell

(Image credit: Eugene Teo)

“Thebarbell squat,deadliftandbench presswill always be amongst my favourite exercises, but for strength, muscle mass, athletic performance and my goals of longevity, there are often better implements to use than a straight barbell”, says Eugene Teo, buff dude and top fitness personality, in one of his latest video on Youtube.

I respectfully disagree.

I always thoughtadding a barbell to your home gym setupwas a sign of commitment. You can achieve brilliant results usingdumbbellsandkettlebellsonly, but if you take workouts seriously, you need thebest barbellsandbest weight plates.

Without heavycompound exercises, you will never be able tobuild muscleproperly, or at least it will take you much longer to see results. Beginners especially can benefit from using barbells. Barbell exercises such as those mentioned above can build muscle and strength in the simplest and most effective way possible.

You can fiddle around doing triceps extensions and monkey around with the cable machine in the gym, but it’ll take forever togrow pecs as big as Arnold Schwarzeneggerandarms as massive as Sylvester Stallone’susing these workouts.

Still not convinced you need barbells? Here is a3-exercise single dumbbell workoutto help you build pecs and arms at home.

You can watch the video here:

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On the other hand, doing bench presses will build your arms, pecs, shoulders, lats and core. Deadlifts are an even better example: this exercise is the King of Lifts, after all, and use almost all muscles in your body, making it the most effective workout not only to build strength but also to lose weight (as it burns the most calories).

Now, when people like Teo says he doesn’t use barbells because it puts a lot of strain on the joints, I tend to scoff a little. Teo used barbells to build his physique and I’m sure he still often use them, despite what he says in the video. I agree that an experienced lifter such as Teo won’t see significant results from lifting increasingly heavier barbells but still, saying people should avoid using them is a bit of s stretch.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Woman changing weight plates on a barbell and securing them using a clamp

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Why does Teo think you should ditch barbells? He says the heavy weights and the position of the barbell puts too much pressure on the wrist, elbow and shoulder joints. Is this true? It can be. You can be holding the barbell wrong, using weights that are too heavy for you or over-train.

However, when used correctly, heavy barbell training won’t have a negative impact on your joints. On the contrary: it can strengthen the joints and the ligaments that can make your limbs more resilient overall.Research showsthat strength training has particularly strong functional benefits for older adults with osteoarthritis. People with no joint issues have no reason to avoid the barbell if older people with joint issues can benefit from using resistance training.

What’s the takeaway? Should you avoid barbells? Or maybe use them more?

There is no need to prioritise barbell training over other types of workouts (unless you want to grow faster) but you shouldn’t shun this awesome piece ofhome gym equipmenteither. If you’re uncertain about how to use barbells, it’s a good idea to seek the help of a PT.

Now, start pumping iron like you mean it.

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