Yes, a barbell can break! But this depends on the quality of the barbell and the load put on it. For example, if a hollow, general fitness type bar is loaded with too much weight, it can break. Bars that are designed for heavier weight are less likely to break. This is because the tensile strength of a quality barbell is set to bend if it is overloaded, rather than break. This is why it’s important to understand what the barbell you are using is designed to do.