Log bar

A log bar has a thick cylindrical centre with two handles set inside it, so your palms face each other. It is longer and bulkier than a standard bar, and the wide body sits against you as you lift. Its size can feel unfamiliar at first, but the enclosed handles give you a steady, balanced grip.

You mainly use a log bar to lift from the floor to your shoulders and then overhead. This involves your legs, middle, back, shoulders and arms working together through one controlled movement. You can also practise only part of the lift, such as raising it from shoulder height, while becoming comfortable with its shape and balance.

It suits you if you enjoy practical, whole-body strength training and have room to handle a long, bulky object safely. Plates let you adjust the load, though the empty bar may already feel substantial. Learning with an experienced coach can make the unfamiliar lifting path easier to understand. Two dumbbells with your palms facing each other offer a more accessible alternative.