Just watch a video of an olypmic weightlifting competition or training session (there's plenty on youtube). You'll see these bars being dropped -- in fact you'l

Just watch a video of an olypmic weightlifting competition or training session (there's plenty on youtube). You'll see these bars being dropped -- in fact you'll basically never see them lowered under control after a snatch or clean and jerk. Yes these they are designed to be dropped. Your friend should: ensure they have proper bumper plates, ensure they have a proper lifting platform, factor in the cost of replacing the bars when worn out to their cash flow models. EDIT and like the other guys said actually buy quality branded olympic bars. (Rather than e.g. power lifting bars which will not be intended for dropping.)