Barbell

Why it wins

Because both hands hold the same bar, it carries the heaviest loads and anchors the compound lifts — bench press, squat, deadlift.

Also

Load steps down to 1.25 kg plates, which makes the barbell the clearest way to track strength progression.

The catch

Its drawback is that the two sides can compensate for each other, letting a weaker side hide behind a stronger one.