[Fatty007]

I just joined a new gym and the barbells are slightly different. At the gym I had trained in the past there were parts of the bar that had that "grippy" texture. You know what I'm talking about - it's got that rough feeling to it. Well at my old gym the grip section of the bar was just by the hands, the whole middle part of the bar was smooth. Anyways, in this new gym all of the bars have a small section right in the middle with the grip texture. I did squats the other day and I now have a black and blue mark right in the middle of my upper back from where the bar was. This really sucks!! Is this something my back will get used to? It's not like I went super heavy, I did my normal routine and all. And the bar didn't roll around or move on me at all. I really don't like the way this bar is designed!!!

[Jayhawkk]

Fortunately our gym still has a few with the smooth middle but i made the mistake of using that type once. If it is the only bar type open on squat day I use a gym towel to wrap around the middle.

I don't know if you get used to it or not but I wasn't about to find out.

[DonPengu1n]

Popped blood vessels perhaps... be a man - they are battle wounds lol :)

[Basso]

You want to use bar with gnurling in the center for squats, smooth centered bars can slide. Just make sure your wearing a shirt and don't worry calauses will form after awhile!

[Fatty007]

Originally Posted by Basso

You want to use bar with gnurling in the center for squats, smooth centered bars can slide. Just make sure your wearing a shirt and don't worry calauses will form after awhile!

Callouses on my back?? I don’t think I want that!

[Basso]

Little leather never hurt anyone LoL! There not really noticable just some tougher patches where the bar sits. After awhile you won't even notice the bar, just the weight.

[Fatty007]

Ok, I was at the gym today and noticed that there are some smooth bars. IDK I may give the rough one another try or I might just go back to my old ways...

[Basso]

Hey the important thing is that you keep getting under the bar, whether smooth or gnarly! Wish we had a smooth bar though, my thighs are all kinds of torn up from DLing with those bars.

[Fatty007]

Originally Posted by Basso

Hey the important thing is that you keep getting under the bar, whether smooth or gnarly! Wish we had a smooth bar though, my thighs are all kinds of torn up from DLing with those bars.

LOL, I know what you mean. At my old gym where I had the smooth bars, the bars still had the gnurls near the outside sections, and for me it was still a problem when doing deads. I have scrape marks on my legs right below my knees.... It's a real bitch!!!

[lithium_09]

shut up and squat

[Basso]

Originally Posted by lithium_09

shut up and squat

[Beelzebub]

i like the bars with the little grip section in the middle. feels more stable on my back.

[Steamboat Bill]

Your back will get used to it. Be careful if you try the towel-wrap thing, it can get a bit slippery.
My vote = Tough it out.

[yotajay]

Yah my back had the same thing, but after a couple weeks it just got used to it, now it's like nothing.