What Are Barbell Collars, Which Do You Actually Need, and Where Does It Matter?

Barbell collars are one of the least glamorous pieces of equipment in the gym — and one of the most consequential. They're the difference between a controlled set and a bar loaded with plates sliding around unpredictably. Between a smooth competition lift and a red-lighted attempt. Between safe training and someone in the next rack over having a bad day.

Yet most lifters give collars almost no thought until something goes wrong. This guide covers what collars actually do, the main types available, and which ones you actually need depending on how you train.

What Barbell Collars Actually Do

The primary job of a collar is to keep the plates from moving on the bar during a lift. On a controlled, symmetric lift with a bar that's perfectly balanced, plates might not shift much. But real lifting isn't perfectly controlled or symmetric — bars tilt slightly, one side comes up faster than the other, weights shift under acceleration.

Without collars, plates will slide during any dynamic movement. A deadlift where one side of the bar rises marginally faster than the other will cause the plates on the higher side to slide outward, changing the balance of the bar mid-lift. A snatch or clean where the bar isn't perfectly level at catch will do the same thing more violently. And if you drop a bar with loose plates, the plates can slide off the ends entirely.

Collars also serve a secondary purpose: they slightly increase the total loaded weight in a predictable way. Competition collars specifically are weighted precisely (2.5kg per pair for IPF, or 5kg per collar for IWF competition) so the total load on the bar is always known exactly.

The Main Types of Barbell Collars

Spring Collars

The most common and cheapest collar type. Spring collars are simple wire coils with plastic or rubber handles that you squeeze to compress and slide onto the bar. Release the handles and the spring tension holds the collar in place.

Advantages: Cheap, universal (fit any standard 50mm Olympic sleeve), quick to put on and take off, take up almost no space. Every gym has them.

Disadvantages: They wear out. The spring loses tension over time, and worn spring collars slip during heavy or dynamic lifts. They're also not tight enough to prevent plate movement on max-effort lifts or Olympic-style dynamic movements — plates can still shift under significant forces.

Best for: General gym training at moderate loads, quick warmup sets, home gym use where cost matters.

Lockjaw Collars

Lockjaw and similar clamp-style collars use a lever mechanism to lock tightly around the bar sleeve. They're designed as an upgrade over spring collars — significantly more secure, faster to use than screw collars, and durable.

Advantages: Very secure grip on the bar, easy one-handed operation, don't wear out like springs, resistant to shifting under dynamic loads. Fast to load and unload compared to threaded collars.

Disadvantages: Bulkier than spring collars, more expensive, take up more space to store. Some cheaper clamp-style collars have plastic parts that can crack over time.

Best for: Serious training at moderate to heavy loads, home gyms where you want reliable collars without going full competition-spec, most CrossFit-style training.

Competition Collars (Powerlifting IPF-Style)

Competition powerlifting collars are heavy-duty precision-machined collars, typically calibrated to exactly 2.5kg per collar (IPF spec). They lock onto the bar with a threaded mechanism or a heavy-duty clamp designed for repeated use under maximum loads.

Advantages: Absolute locking security — plates cannot move under any realistic lifting condition. Precisely calibrated weight for competition-accurate loading. Extremely durable and built for a lifetime of use.

Disadvantages: Expensive. Slower to put on and take off than spring or lockjaw collars. Overkill for casual training.

Best for: Powerlifting competition, powerlifting-focused training where competition simulation matters, and any environment where absolute plate security under maximum loads is essential.

Olympic Weightlifting Collars

IWF-spec collars are similar in principle to competition powerlifting collars but usually heavier — 2.5kg or 5kg per collar depending on the standard being used — and often use a slightly different lever/clamp mechanism designed to secure the bar under the extreme dynamic forces of the snatch and clean and jerk.

Advantages: Purpose-built for Olympic lifting demands. Secure under the highest dynamic loading any lifting produces. Precisely calibrated for competition-accurate weight.

Disadvantages: Expensive. Weight of the collars themselves needs to be factored into your training loads.

Best for: Olympic weightlifting competition and serious Olympic lifting training.

Screw / Threaded Collars

The oldest style of collar — a heavy metal ring that threads onto a threaded sleeve. These are increasingly rare on modern Olympic bars but still standard on some specialty bars and older equipment.

Advantages: Extremely secure once tightened. Simple and durable.

Disadvantages: Slow to put on and take off. Requires threaded sleeves. Not compatible with most modern Olympic bars.

Best for: Specialty bars that come with threaded sleeves, and traditional dumbbell handles.

Which Collar Do You Actually Need?

For most people, the answer depends on how you train:

If you train primarily powerlifting-style with controlled compound lifts, and don't compete: A quality set of lockjaw-style collars is probably the sweet spot. Secure enough for anything you'll do, faster than competition collars for regular training, more durable than spring collars.

If you compete in powerlifting: You'll want a set of competition-spec collars for meet preparation, at least for your heaviest working sets in the final training block before a competition. This ensures your bar loading feels the same in training as it will on the platform.

If you do Olympic weightlifting: Get IWF-style competition collars. The dynamic nature of the lifts means anything less secure introduces safety concerns.

If you train recreationally at moderate loads: Spring collars are fine for most work, though replacing them when the tension weakens is important. Consider upgrading to lockjaw for your heaviest sets.

If you're setting up a home gym: A pair of quality lockjaw collars for main lifts plus a couple of spring collar sets for warmups and lighter work is the most economical practical setup.

Common Mistakes with Collars

Not using collars at all — Some lifters skip collars on lighter warmup sets or on the deadlift. This is a bad habit that will eventually cost you when a plate slides during an unexpected asymmetry.

Using worn-out spring collars — Spring collars that no longer grip the bar firmly should be replaced immediately. They give the illusion of security without providing it.

Uneven tightening — If you're using threaded or clamp collars, both sides should be tightened to the same degree. Uneven tightness contributes to bar imbalance under load.

Removing collars mid-set — Some lifters use quick-release collars to swap plates between sets faster. This is fine if you're actually taking the plates off; but never load a bar without collars intending to add them "in a minute."

How to Choose the Right Collars for Your Setup

Your collar choice should match your bar and your training. Modern Olympic bars use standard 50mm sleeves and are compatible with all non-threaded collar types listed above. If you have a specialty bar with threaded sleeves, you need threaded collars.

For a home gym setup, buying quality collars once is better than buying cheap collars repeatedly. A well-made pair of lockjaw or competition-style collars will outlast the bar itself.

FAQ

Do I need collars for deadlifts?

Yes. Even though the bar is being lifted vertically, any asymmetry in the pull can cause plate movement. Collars prevent this and are a basic safety requirement for any barbell exercise.

Are spring collars enough for heavy lifting?

For most controlled powerlifting-style lifting at moderate to heavy loads, spring collars work if they're in good condition. For maximum-effort lifts or any dynamic movement (Olympic lifting, plyometric barbell work), upgrade to a more secure collar type.

How much do competition collars actually weigh?

IPF powerlifting competition collars weigh 2.5kg per pair (so 2.5kg total added to the bar, distributed as 1.25kg per side). IWF Olympic weightlifting collars are typically 2.5kg per collar (5kg per pair). These weights are precisely calibrated and factor into competition loading calculations.

Can I use one type of collar for everything?

Yes. Lockjaw-style collars are a reasonable universal choice — secure enough for almost any training, fast enough for regular use, durable enough to last. If you're mixing training styles and only want one set, this is the best default.

What happens if a collar fails during a lift?

Plates slide toward the ends of the bar, causing sudden and unpredictable weight redistribution. In the best case, this ends your set awkwardly. In the worst case, plates come off the bar entirely, which is dangerous for you and anyone nearby. This is why collar quality matters — collar failure is rare with quality equipment but has serious consequences when it happens.

Find quality collars at strengthshop.eu