The barbell is a one-stop for all things muscle, power, and mass and has a proven track record. Strength training’s most basic tool has worked for millions of lifters since it first hit European gyms in the 1860s. Since then, they have formed a successful strength-training foundation for most lifers who have passed through the weightroom. But back in the beginning, there were only a few ways to lift them. Now there’s plenty options of barbell attachments to challenge your typical barbell routine.
Since power racks began becoming popular in the ‘70s, creative minds have been looking for other ways to utilize the barbell. First, it was shoving the barbell into a corner — beginning the era you know as landmine training.
Now, for nearly every power-building goal you may be working toward — from grip enhancement devices to Olympic lifting simulation bars — there are multiple barbell attachments.
Top 6 Barbell Attachments
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Landmine Attachment
Here, we’ll go into where it all began with the landmine attachment and five other attachments that will upgrade your training.
The landmine attachment was originally invented by Bert Sorin of Sorinex to make rotational barbell exercises more efficient. But now it’s used for squatting, presses, rows, lunges, and various core exercises. It’s an attachment that’s attached to the squat rack or other landmine devices.
This holds the barbell in one end, leaving the other end free for loading and moving.
The angle of the lever means landmine training is a mix of vertical and horizontal, training in the in-between zone. This type of training is great for those who lack mobility in the hips and shoulders because it is easier to get into a squat, lunge, and press overhead. Plus, the landmine gives you the ability to train heavily in standing, tall kneeling, and half-kneeling positions.
Best of all, this angle places less compressive and shear forces on the spine making it a godsend for lifters with a history of low back troubles. Here are a few landmine staples to incorporate into your training.
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Parallel Landmine Handle
After you have the landmine all set up, there are a couple of great attachments for the other end of the barbell one being the parallel landmine handle. And unlike the other attachments here, this attachment has only one primary use, the bilateral landmine row. Otherwise known as the T-Bar (or meathead row).
This exercise, combined with the parallel landmine handle, does an excellent job of targeting your upper back, lats, posterior delts, and biceps and is a great exercise for adding back
thickness. This is due to the close grip and a larger range of motion the handle provides. The angle of the parallel handle gives you plenty of distance between you and the plates so there will be no issue with the plates or barbell hitting you in uncomfortable places.
There are two handle options here. One is the fat grip which is 1.9 inches in diameter and the standard 1.3 inches. The thicker one is 14 pounds while the other weighs 12 pounds. Which one you choose depends on personal preference and comfort.
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The Clean and Jerk Attachment
The viking landmine attachment is great because it allows a neutral grip to help take the pressure off your shoulders. But for sheer versatility, you cannot go past the clean and jerk attachment. Think of it as a combination of a trap bar and viking press with all the benefits of both. The weight is closer to your center of gravity to take the pressure off your back and the neutral grip is easier on your shoulders.
This trap bar attachment slides over the other end of the barbell and is made from 2 x 2.75-inch, 11-gauge steel tubing featuring two weight post sleeves (like the trap bar) and knurled handles that rotate 360-degrees. Plus, it weighs around 29 pounds. Besides what the name implies you will be able to perform a wide range of movements like presses, rows, deadlifts, and lunges.
The neutral knurled rotating handles allow for fluid movement when performing the clean and jerk and it’s your strongest grip allowing you to build grip strength and perform more reps of all the exercises you love, right?
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Gripedo
The Gripedo attachment is shaped like a torpedo, hence the name (pretty clever, right?). This attachment is not complicated but is highly effective at building insane grip strength. It is cylindrical and measures 16 inches long with a 4-inch globe on the top and a series of four fins on the bottom. The shaft measures roughly 2.25 inches, providing a challenge for exercises like wrist rolls, and allows you to put it over the barbell to use on a landmine attachment for unilateral rows and presses.
The four fins at the bottom allow you to attach dumbbells and kettlebells to make carries more fun and challenging. The Gripedo is a versatile tool that can increase strength, size, and endurance, in all things grip and forearms. This tool will strengthen your wrists in all planes of motion which is great for performance, injury prevention, and rehab.
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Camber Bar Attachment
A rackable camber bar will cost between $200 and $500 but if you have a barbell, the camber bar attachment to attach to the end of your barbell will set you back at just over $100. No need to spend more money if you don’t have to. But before this goes any further, what does the camber bar do?
This lowers weight, changing the center of gravity, so the weight is closer to you, and it moves it forward slightly. This put more emphasis on your hamstrings and lower back when squatting.
The camber bar attachments take some pressure off the shoulder joint, which comes in handy when you want to do more reps. Plus, if you have a shoulder injury or mobility limitations, this allows you to perform barbell squats, good morning, and other barbell exercises that require a barbell across your back pain-free.
This attachment comes in two sizes. The 16-inch attachment is ideal for when the barbell is across your back and the 14-inch model is better suited to the bench and overhead presses. Performing presses with the camber bar is a challenge you are sure to enjoy.
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Angles 90
The Angles 90 is a plastic set of grips coated in rubber that are designed to be attached via the straps to barbells, pull-up bars, cable attachments, and dumbbells and kettlebells. They are the brainchild of Simon Sparber, who came up with the idea of using handles from an old skiing stick on a pullup bar.
The ergonomically shaped grips closely follow the form and angles of your hand and grip, but the real magic is it allows for the natural movements of the hand and forearm. For example, a barbell forces you to use a pronated or supinated grip, but the Angles 90 allows your grip to rotate naturally, putting less stress on your wrist, elbow, and shoulder joints.
The ability to use multiple grip options with the Angles 90 is its major advantage. The Angles 90 attaches to any fixed bar, weighs around 400 grams, and can handle up to 800 pounds. These are ideal if you need to reduce the impact on your joints and want to change up their pulling workouts while increasing grip strength.
