How to protect bands from knurling?

[SourcesScott]

Is tape the best way to avoid the knurling tearing the bands?

[IronAbrams]

If you have them you can put a pair of Fat Gripz on the bar and then loop the bands over the Fat Gripz.

[Musclekid92]

I used to hook the band to the sleeve of the bar to keep it away from the sharp knurling. I'd put a chip or a 5lb plate on the bar first (just to keep the band from moving around), then my band(s) followed by my plates.