An aerobic bar is a device used to help you stretch as well as enhance aerobic workouts with added weight. Choosing the best one starts with determining your ability level as well as how you intend to use the aerobic bar. Such bars come in various lengths and weights, and they are useful for different types of activities. If you perform a significant amount of aerobics, it may be useful to buy more than one bar to give you more options for weight and length.
Look for an aerobic bar that is made of steel. This ensures stability during use and will help prevent any bending or other damage to the unit. The steel bar is usually coated with a foam grip for comfort. Try to choose a bar with a high-quality foam grip that will not tear, wear out, or otherwise degrade over time. The ends of the aerobic bar should feature plastic caps that will help prevent damage to floors as well as prevent injuries from sharp edges. Some bars feature a capability of adding weight discs to either end; if you want to have a bar that is adjustable in weight, this is a good system to seek out, but keep in mind that this will raise the cost of the bar.
The aerobic bar will come in a set length, and it is important to choose the length that is appropriate for you. Look for a bar that is long enough to be useful but not so long that it is difficult for you to wield it safely. The bar can be used as a stabilizer during certain exercises, which means you should be able to safely move the bar into position and lean your weight against it. A bar that is too heavy might throw you off-balance, while a bar that is too light will not give you the weight benefits you need from the bar. Longer bars will generally weight more than shorter ones.
Many bars feature color-coded labels on the end. This helps you keep track of how heavy the bar is during a workout. You can grab different bars quickly by paying attention to the color coding rather than stopping to read the weight printed on the bar. If you will only be purchasing one or two bars, it is best to either purchase a full-size bar and a short bar, or two full-size bars in different weights.