Barbell Recommendations

[Xtactical]

Recently put together a small garage setup with power rack and looking for some suggestions on a minimum quality Barbell.

Not doing any Olympic lifts or dropping crap, that being said I want something that's not going to deform under 5-600lb deadlifts. Is something like the Cap ob86 going to be enough for what i'm doing or should I spend more?

Also what about these Xmark bars I can get on Amazon? They appear to be similar cheap china like the Cap bars

[keyboardworkout]

Anything from Rogue other than the beater bar.

[Cleveland33]

find a used York bar

[urbanlifter]

find a used York bar

Yeah, while your at it find a nice 5435 for me...

[rlundregan]

Yeah, while your at it find a nice 5435 for me...

PM Sent

[Xtactical]

Anything from Rogue other than the beater bar.

What's wrong with the beater bar, other than the 31mm width?

[keyboardworkout]

What's wrong with the beater bar, other than the 31mm width?

No bushings and pinned sleeves. I just don't think it's a good value.

Beater bar $165

http://www.roguefitness.com/rogue-beater-bar

Echo bar $195

http://www.roguefitness.com/rogue-echo-bar

[Domicron]

If you're deadlifting that kind of weight id go with a OHP or TPB unless you can find a nice used bar.

[daniel327]

should I spend more?

Yes, always. Capitalism FTW.

[bobcat255]

Several questions....

1. Are you actually lifting that type of weight or you'd like to some day?
2. Will you ever do weightlifting or Powerlifting only?
3. What types of bars have you used so far and which did you like and why?
4. What is your realistic budget and what's your max?
4a. Is this an investment or do you just need a bar to lift?
5. Do you lift in a moisture free environment for the most part? Do you worry about rust?
6. Do you want to be able to do high repetition work, or do you care more about a secure grip for those heavy pulls?
6.a. (not a joke) are your hands sensitive to aggressive knurl? If so, do you want to work on that or would you rather protect your skin?
7. Most important: have you read the stickied barbell thread? Do you know which features you want and what's important to you?

There are lots of bars out there, the more details you give the better we can help

[Xtactical]

Several questions....

1. Are you actually lifting that type of weight or you'd like to some day?
2. Will you ever do weightlifting or Powerlifting only?
3. What types of bars have you used so far and which did you like and why?
4. What is your realistic budget and what's your max?
4a. Is this an investment or do you just need a bar to lift?
5. Do you lift in a moisture free environment for the most part? Do you worry about rust?
6. Do you want to be able to do high repetition work, or do you care more about a secure grip for those heavy pulls?
6.a. (not a joke) are your hands sensitive to aggressive knurl? If so, do you want to work on that or would you rather protect your skin?
7. Most important: have you read the stickied barbell thread? Do you know which features you want and what's important to you?

There are lots of bars out there, the more details you give the better we can help

1 - Noy yet, but i'm of the opionion buying once is cheaper than buying a new bar every year.

2 - Both

3 - The ones at the gym, cause they are not bent

4 - Budget isn't super relevant except that i'm cheap, less I can spend the better

4a just need to lift but i'd like it to last several years

5 - Florida is pretty humid, so ya

6 - I do some high rep stuff, grip is important

6a heavy knurling doesn't bother me much

7- I have but hard to say as I don't know what bars I've used or their particular features

That was fun

[Domicron]

how much do you lift right now? one of the regulars, at least, is deadlifting 600# with an OB-ob6.

if budget is tight, go with the CAP bar.

if you have enough money (sounds like you do) then just go with a Rogue OHP and be done with it.

you should also shop your local used market to see what's available.

[turbolsxstang]

If it were me I'd just go with the Ohio power bar.

[Xtactical]

Domicron - Thx, i'm not even near 600, just want to make sure it's future proof into 500s

[BYOBB]

There was a recent discussion about this in "The Cheapo Setup" thread but I would go with the Rogue Ohio Power Bar. The CAP OB86 is perfectly adequate but if you want to move serious weight just go for the Rogue. The ideal solution would be to check to see if any powerlifting gyms or Crossfit gyms in your area carry the bars you're interested so you can try them in person. The Rogue B&R bar is a good choice if you want a less "sharp" knurl but just as "grippy" though it costs a bit more than the power bar. Both the Rogues (29mm) I mentioned are slightly thicker than the CAP(28.5mm) and the thinner olympic weightlifting bars(28mm). This sounds minuscule but it makes a big difference in terms of how the bar feels and how much it flexes.

[bobcat255]

1 - Noy yet, but i'm of the opionion buying once is cheaper than buying a new bar every year.

2 - Both

3 - The ones at the gym, cause they are not bent

4 - Budget isn't super relevant except that i'm cheap, less I can spend the better

4a just need to lift but i'd like it to last several years

5 - Florida is pretty humid, so ya

6 - I do some high rep stuff, grip is important

6a heavy knurling doesn't bother me much

7- I have but hard to say as I don't know what bars I've used or their particular features

That was fun

Ok, based on these responses and everything else you've written in the thread, the ideal bar for you would be the B&R 2.0 bar. Unfortunately, it's a raw finish, so unless you want to maintain it, I'll offer the following alternatives:

If you're interested in more weightlifting/WOD/CrossFit type movements:
http://www.roguefitness.com/stainless-steel-ohio-bar

If you're more interested in squat/bench/deadlift/press:
http://americanbarbell.com/products/...lite-power-bar
http://americanbarbell.com/products/...bell-power-bar

Reasoning:
- All these bars are fairly priced given today's market (the EPB is a slight exception, but they don't have direct competition yet)
- The finish of all these bars will work for your weather conditions
- Knurl will be grippy enough for volume work without being overly aggressive - chalk for when you eventually pull 500+
- SS Ohio Bar has IPF & IWF markings, but it's not ideal for squats
- The power bars are missing IWF markings, so you'd need another bar if you're planning on snatching. However, they're just fine for your random C&J/power clean, etc. I'd get a second bar if you get really into the dynamic movements later on.
- All these bars use bushings (not bearings), which is ideal for you

Although many people are recommending the OPB, I would not recommend it for you for a few reasons:
1. Zinc plating will eventually wear off, you'll need to maintain it more than the above options, but more importantly:
2. Extremely aggressive knurl - perfect for a powerlifter, but probably too aggressive for an average trainee who doesn't care about competing
3. Aggressive center knurl means it'll chew up your neck if you rack the bar on your front delts

Other than that, I'd have it on the above list as the third power bar option (but then I'd also add a few other bars to the list as well)

Hope this helps

[lungdogg]

I have the REP Fitness gladiator bar. I like it alot and a bit cheaper than some other suggestions. That being said I'm looking for a second bar to dead lift on so I'm not taking my bar in out of the cage (so lazy). Thinking a Texas power bar or Ohio PB

[rlundregan]

Bobcat is giving you some great advice.....the only thing I might add is that if you stick with this, you will eventually want at least 2 bars, especially if you plan to spend your time somewhat equally between static movements (bench/squat/dead) and either Olympic movements (snatch/cleans) or WOD's. I only say this because it's tough to find a bar that really does everything well.

That said, you might consider planning to pick up either a power bar or a WOD bar now and plan to get the other type down the road. That doesn't necessarily have much effect on the bar you go with now, it's just something to keep in the back of your mind.

[Stasher1]

Bobcat is giving you some great advice.....the only thing I might add is that if you stick with this, you will eventually want at least 2 bars, especially if you plan to spend your time somewhat equally between static movements (bench/squat/dead) and either Olympic movements (snatch/cleans) or WOD's. I only say this because it's tough to find a bar that really does everything well.

That said, you might consider planning to pick up either a power bar or a WOD bar now and plan to get the other type down the road. That doesn't necessarily have much effect on the bar you go with now, it's just something to keep in the back of your mind.

Agreed. Also, any bar used regularly in a rack will have flattened knurl in the areas where it comes in contact with the bar hooks, unless you have uhmw protected hooks. This may (or may not) be a problem if you intend to use the bar for snatches. One bar for squat/bench and possibly deadlift, and another for olympic movements...but it really boils down to personal preference. For example, I only use my power bar for squats. For everything else, I either use a specialty bar or my general-purpose Lynx Hybrid bar.

[Xtactical]

Ok, based on these responses and everything else you've written...

Hope this helps

Very helpful thanks! I went ahead and ordered an Ob-86b to get me started, but given the amount of info provided in this thread i'm deff going to consider a second bar (probably a rogue) especially if I get into more of the powerlifting stuff now that I have my own garage gym. Thanks a a lot for the feedback guys!

[smokeater]

1 - Noy yet, but i'm of the opionion buying once is cheaper than buying a new bar every year.

2 - Both

3 - The ones at the gym, cause they are not bent

4 - Budget isn't super relevant except that i'm cheap, less I can spend the better

4a just need to lift but i'd like it to last several years

5 - Florida is pretty humid, so ya

6 - I do some high rep stuff, grip is important

6a heavy knurling doesn't bother me much

7- I have but hard to say as I don't know what bars I've used or their particular features

That was fun

I like bobcat255's suggestion for the B&R bar. It'll require regular maintenance (otherwise you can expect it to rust quickly in the Florida humidity) but will give you the best all-in-one that you can probably find for the price. The design of the B&R is solid.

[jaketaylor]

Can't go wrong with the Cap.
You can always add another bar later.

[Xtactical]

Just wanted to give a quick follow up to anyone reviewing the thread.

I received my CAP ob-86b the other day and so far the quality seems solid. I do like the knurling as it's not very aggressive but still has some good grip.

Weight on my (not super accurate) digital bathroom scale 45lbs

A few concerns with the new bar - First its not perfectly straight, I might be nit picking (cause maybe all barbells are slightly off) but mine seems to measure about 1.5-2mm off from straight when spinning against a cardboard template. Again i'm not sure if this is normal or common.

Also, there appears to be two areas (either side) where the knurling has been damaged/flattened about the width of a typical rack pins. I'm less concerned about the lack of knurl as I am that these area have damaged the black oxide and exposed bare steel. My concern is that i'm going to wear the oxide off in these areas of use if they damage quickly. Again, I may be nit picking but I just thought i'd mention it. Other than that i'm excited to get some plates stacked on either side and see how she holds up...

[bobcat255]

Just wanted to give a quick follow up to anyone reviewing the thread.

I received my CAP ob-86b the other day and so far the quality seems solid. I do like the knurling as it's not very aggressive but still has some good grip.

It's a very mild knurl, but has good grip thanks to the black oxide coating.

Weight on my (not super accurate) digital bathroom scale 45lbs

20kg bar (not calibrated)

A few concerns with the new bar - First its not perfectly straight, I might be nit picking (cause maybe all barbells are slightly off) but mine seems to measure about 1.5-2mm off from straight when spinning against a cardboard template. Again i'm not sure if this is normal or common.

1.5-2mm seems negligible. I would expect 0mm from a quality bar, but with CAP that's probably decent. My first CAP bar had ~10-15mm movement which was too much. I exchanged it.

Also, there appears to be two areas (either side) where the knurling has been damaged/flattened about the width of a typical rack pins. I'm less concerned about the lack of knurl as I am that these area have damaged the black oxide and exposed bare steel. My concern is that i'm going to wear the oxide off in these areas of use if they damage quickly. Again, I may be nit picking but I just thought i'd mention it. Other than that i'm excited to get some plates stacked on either side and see how she holds up...

Pics of damage?

Black Oxide offers mild corrosion protection at best. It still requires maintenance and should be oiled, especially in a humid environment such as FL. Treat/maintain it well and it should be fine.