Barbell Spring Collars: How to Fit and Check Them Safely

By Gym Equipment | Built to Work | Home & Commercial | NORTHERN | Published: 2026-10-31

Category: How-to Guides

Learn how to fit barbell spring collars correctly, check them before every lift, and know when a clamp collar is the better choice for your setup.

Quick answer

Slide each spring collar onto the bar with the handle facing outward, squeeze the handles to open the collar, push it snug against the outermost plate, then release and tug the collar and plate outward to confirm the hold before you load or lift.

Spring collars vs clamp collars: what actually differs

Spring collars rely on the tension of the steel coil to grip the bar; clamp collars use a lever or screw mechanism to lock. Spring collars are quicker to move between sets and have no small parts to lose, but their hold depends on the coil staying round and the bar diameter matching the collar's intended fit.

Clamp collars generally suit lifters who change loads often or want a more fixed, repeatable lock, but they cost more and can be bulkier on the sleeve. Neither type replaces checking that plates are seated flat against each other and the collar.

When spring collars are the wrong choice

If your bar sleeve is undersized, worn, or a non-standard diameter, a spring collar may feel loose no matter how you fit it. In that case, stop using that collar on that bar rather than adding tape or shims to force a grip.

Spring collars are also a poor fit if you need to change plates mid-set under time pressure, such as in a circuit, because the squeeze-and-slide motion takes two hands and a moment of attention.

Step-by-step: fit and check spring collars

Match the collar to the bar before loading: Slide the collar onto the empty bar sleeve first. It should move with light resistance and not rattle. Common mistake: forcing a collar onto the wrong sleeve diameter and assuming it will tighten once plates are on. If it slides on with no resistance on an empty bar, do not load that bar with it.
Load plates flat and in order: Add plates largest-first and press each one flat against the previous plate so there are no gaps. Common mistake: leaving a gap between plates, which lets the stack shift when the collar is closed.
Squeeze the handles and slide the collar snug: Grip the black handles, squeeze to open the coil, and slide the collar until it touches the outermost plate. Release the handles while holding the collar against the plate. Common mistake: releasing the handles before the collar reaches the plate, so it grips the bar short of the plates.
Tug-test the collar and plate: With the bar on the rack or floor, pull the collar outward and try to slide the outermost plate outward. Neither should move. Common mistake: checking only the collar and not the plate stack behind it. Repeat the tug-test on both sides before every working set.
Recheck after the first set: Spring collars can creep slightly during the first heavy set. After your first set, re-seat each collar against the plates and tug-test again. Common mistake: assuming the first fit holds for the whole session.
Remove by squeezing, not twisting: To unload, squeeze the handles to open the collar and slide it off the sleeve. Common mistake: twisting or prying the collar off, which can bend the coil and weaken the hold. Retire any collar that no longer sits round or grips evenly.

Product facts

Barbell Spring Collars with Black Handles: Steel construction with reinforced black handle grips. The handles give you a defined place to squeeze when opening the collar, which makes fitting and removal more controlled than gripping a bare coil.
Barbell Spring Collars with Black Handles