General
knurling
What does knurling mean?
The textured, crosshatched grip pattern machined into a barbell to provide traction for the hands.
"The aggressive knurling on that bar tears up your palms."
Origin
Machining term; standard barbell feature described in lifting glossaries.
Frequently asked questions
What is knurling on a barbell?
Knurling is the rough, crosshatched texture machined into a barbell's grip areas to give your hands traction and stop the bar slipping.
What does aggressive knurling mean?
Aggressive knurling has sharp, deep points that grip hard — great for heavy deadlifts but can tear up your palms during high-rep work.
What is the center knurl for?
The center knurl gives the bar grip against your back during squats, preventing it sliding; some bars omit it for comfort on cleans.
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