When it comes to utilizing barbells for strength training, many folks tend to fall into one of three camps:

Camp A: "Barbells are King. I've even heard they can cure cancer. If I'm not going to use them, then why even show up to train?"

Camp B: "Barbells are either dangerous, unnecessary, or they'll make you too bulky."

Camp C: "I can see the merit in utilizing barbells, but I've never used them before and I'm worried I may injure myself if I try."

Camps A and B are of course extreme ends of the thought spectrum, and neither mindset is helpful. Camp C is understandable, especially for someone who is new to training.

Are barbells helpful? Absolutely. Good luck finding a more practical, versatile, and economical piece of training equipment (outside of your own body, perhaps).

Can barbells cause injury? You bet. Many useful things should be handled with care - knives and electrical outlets, for instance.