The Rogue MG-1 multigrip bar: My official review

[Roidmonster55]

This is my first Rogue purchase. Most of you know what a Swiss/football bar is so I'm just going to go over the technical details...

Customer service: 10/10

$20 shipped. I ordered this on a Sunday night and they had it shipped, not just "processed", but SHIPPED on Monday morning. Had it by Wednesday. Gold star, Rogue!

Quality: 9/10

The pics on the website don't do this thing justice, even a fraction. This thing is a monster. 63 pounds of steel, hollow tubing but it feels like it should be solid. The grips are 1 1/2" thick, and my hands are huge, so it's win-win for me. The welding is superb, despite some complaints people have made in the past. My only complaint is that being so used to knurling, I don't care for the powder coated paint grips. But I'll get over it. The sleeves fully accommodate ordinary spring collars, a feature that many, many, MANY specialty bars are known for not having. Overall, I'd consider this bar "industrial strength". Something you'd see Robocop doing robo-tricep extensions with.

Usage....Chest:

I can't do incline BB press without hurting my shoulders. This thing is a godsend. Excellent squeeze with neutral grips. I finally can get better development. Beautiful!

Triceps:

Holy chit!. I think I'm going to give up dips. If you want to light your triceps on fire this is worth the $300 all by itself. Close-grip neutral presses are absolute hell and an orgasmic delight at the same time!

Shoulders:

Think dumbbells in bar form.

Biceps:

Hammer curls are clumsy and awkward due to the sheer size. Oh well.

Rowing:

Damn it!!!! I was so excited to try the various widths of neutral grip to do bent over rows, but absolute fail. I was so disappointed- the big boxy frame interferes with range of motion. I have to lean almost parallel to the floor to avoid banging my knees with every rep. Oh well, I bought this for pressing so..."I'll get over it".

Overall: Ohhh, HELL yes!

It's versatile, it's rackable and it just looks badass. This thing will find it's way into most of my routines, and actually stay there as opposed to much of the "cool looking" gadgetry I've bought and put in the corner. Well done, Rogue! I shall be a return customer.

[keyboardworkout]

Biggest complaint I have heard about Rogue specialty bars is that the powder coat quickly starts to flake off the sleeves. Eager to hear if this issue is fixed.

[Roidmonster55]

Biggest complaint I have heard about Rogue specialty bars is that the powder coat quickly starts to flake off the sleeves. Eager to hear if this issue is fixed.

Hoping it doesn't happen but I'll keep updated.

And thanks to all the guys repping me, I'll get you back when I get to a computer

[MNRider008]

Great review!! I have heard the same about rogue powder coating on the trap bar and though I doubt they use a different powder coating method on this I'm hopeful for you. I'm sure they are trying to figure it out so maybe you won't experience the same issue; keep us updated!

[Roidmonster55]

Great review!! I have heard the same about rogue powder coating on the trap bar and though I doubt they use a different powder coating method on this I'm hopeful for you. I'm sure they are trying to figure it out so maybe you won't experience the same issue; keep us updated!

Thank you! The paint seems sturdy but that's easy to say when the thing is brand new.

[alexthaman]

Having experienced Rogue's powder coating issues, i can tell you that if after a loading and unloading a few plates the paint seems good, then you wont have any issue with it. On my Rogue safety squat bar, after loading one 45 pounds plates the paint had already came off. I also have the multi grip bar like yours and a trap bar but the paint quality was really good, it is still looking great after 2 years using the bars.

[Domicron]

Hoping it doesn't happen but I'll keep updated.

And thanks to all the guys repping me, I'll get you back when I get to a computer

on mobile, the rep button is the one that looks kind of like the Star of David, FYI. nice review, looks like you need more horizontal storage for bars

[alexthaman]

By the way, great review! The Rogue multi grip bar is a great bar and after 2 years using it i still like it a lot. The only thing missing is some knurling on the handles.

[OSUDimond]

I picked up an axle bar from them recently and it has been great. My only "complaint" is the rogue sticker that they put on it. Mine was put on crooked and it looks like it is just going to peel off. I like the look of it but it's like they just gave some 1st graders some stickers and said throw them on the bar and make sure to screw up 3 or 4 times so you use up all the adhesive. Hows your rogue sticker?

[Roidmonster55]

I picked up an axle bar from them recently and it has been great. My only "complaint" is the rogue sticker that they put on it. Mine was put on crooked and it looks like it is just going to peel off. I like the look of it but it's like they just gave some 1st graders some stickers and said throw them on the bar and make sure to screw up 3 or 4 times so you use up all the adhesive. Hows your rogue sticker?

Rogue sticker is perfect

[Roidmonster55]

Having experienced Rogue's powder coating issues, i can tell you that if after a loading and unloading a few plates the paint seems good, then you wont have any issue with it. On my Rogue safety squat bar, after loading one 45 pounds plates the paint had already came off. I also have the multi grip bar like yours and a trap bar but the paint quality was really good, it is still looking great after 2 years using the bars.

I won't bitch if it peels, but for what you pay it would be nice to keep it looking nice.

Quite honestly, if it puts size on my arms I wouldn't care if it was pink with rainbows on it, with "F@g Fitness, Inc." engraved on it. Ok, that's a little much...

[Synthetickiller]

When the bar is racked, how much room do you have between the plate & the upright of your cage or bench?

It's nice to see a sturdy version of this bar. Mine is 35 lb, so I end up using 5 lb spinlocks on the inside to make it's 45 lb bar & fix the problem w/ the plate/upright [lack of a] gap. It's also great that it fits normal collars.

Thanks for the review!

[Roidmonster55]

When the bar is racked, how much room do you have between the plate & the upright of your cage or bench?

It's nice to see a sturdy version of this bar. Mine is 35 lb, so I end up using 5 lb spinlocks on the inside to make it's 45 lb bar & fix the problem w/ the plate/upright [lack of a] gap. It's also great that it fits normal collars.

Thanks for the review!

About 3/4 inch. A little tight, you have to be precise on the re-racking

[RemainDieHard]

Is the sleeve OD exact same as a regular barbell? I know many of these types of fabricated bars use a pipe size that is close but a little too small vs having it machined exact.

[Roidmonster55]

Is the sleeve OD exact same as a regular barbell? I know many of these types of fabricated bars use a pipe size that is close but a little too small vs having it machined exact.

Damn near exact. I can use my ordinary spring collars, and not just clamps as so many specialty bars are notorious for. They don't slide beautifully because of the paint, but it's a good fit.

[Roidmonster55]

A brief update. Today I did a full tricep routine. I have determined that the innermost grips are useless. The grips are as follows, inner to outer respectively...

4" , 12" , 20"

4 inches is too damn close to even consider balancing this thing. Maybe, MAYBE use it for overhead extensions but like I said earlier, anything other than presses is clumsy and awkward.

Now back to my triceps. 12" grip is the lord and master of tricep presses. Every single ounce of the weight is focused with precision on your tri's. This means anyone having trouble with mind-muscle connection on close grip bb press will cream their pants over this.

Very humbling, very ego-busting experience indeed. My poundages vs close grip bb press were reduced a whopping 40 pounds. My dip station is probably going to collect dust now.

All in all, this is the most satisfied I've been with a piece of equipment since I bought my hex bar 2 years ago.

[irongrandpa]

About 3/4 inch. A little tight, you have to be precise on the re-racking

Just cut some spacers out of 2"ID pvc pipe and put them on the sleeve before your plates.

[dragon360]

Nice review and pickup! That a DIY fat bar standing there next to the CAP hex bar?

[Roidmonster55]

Nice review and pickup! That a DIY fat bar standing there next to the CAP hex bar?

Oh yes it is. It was a "screw up" at work that I paid scrap price for- 1 dollar. It weighs 75 pounds. Go ahead...hate me!!!!

[keyboardworkout]

Oh yes it is. It was a "screw up" at work that I paid scrap price for- 1 dollar. It weighs 75 pounds. Go ahead...hate me!!!!

I have one that is 6 feet long, 1 15/16" and 1018 steel. Mine weighs 62 pounds.

I am using these shaft collars on mine.

http://www.amazon.com/Climax-Metal-O...6%22+Bore+Size

[dragon360]

Oh yes it is. It was a "screw up" at work that I paid scrap price for- 1 dollar. It weighs 75 pounds. Go ahead...hate me!!!!

Pretty awesome.

[Roidmonster55]

I owe piles and piles of you reps on recharge. I will hit you all back in order of appearance...