Barbells - Everything you ever wanted to know

[arandazzo88]

Great thread and a lot of useful information all around.
Was looking for an inexpensive source for a basic barbell, got some great tips in regards to that.
Had the Olympic barbell set in mind initially, this thread has broadened my options.
Big Ups.

[roghilds]

This thread rocks thanks guys

[LexReyes29]

what kind of dumb bell do you prefer? full metal or plastic filled with sand? which is more accurate?

[valetudo8080]

i prefer i 28mm with no center knurling for deads and a 30MM bar with center knurling for squats and bench.

No need for bearings on these bars.....bushings only.

[irongrandpa]

what kind of dumb bell do you prefer? full metal or plastic filled with sand? which is more accurate?

All I need is "The Shake Weight"

[gym62richard]

plastic filled with sand? which is more accurate?

Accurate?, until they break and the sand runs out of the cracks.

[Gravititate]

Accurate?, until they break and the sand runs out of the cracks.

This has happened to me.

[ronald1133]

barbell

[HeavyIron8]

American Barbell Mammoth Power Bar (Stainless Steel with cerakote) vs Ohio power bar stainless steel. Which is better? Only difference with the naked eye is the AB Mammoth have 10k more tensile strength and the extra layer of cerakote

[radrd]

American Barbell Mammoth Power Bar (Stainless Steel with cerakote) vs Ohio power bar stainless steel. Which is better? Only difference with the naked eye is the AB Mammoth have 10k more tensile strength and the extra layer of cerakote

I have neither but the knurl is reported to be significantly more aggressive on the OPB.

[dparty82]

American Barbell Mammoth Power Bar (Stainless Steel with cerakote) vs Ohio power bar stainless steel. Which is better? Only difference with the naked eye is the AB Mammoth have 10k more tensile strength and the extra layer of cerakote

I own the OPB ss version and I can confirm the knurling is very cheese grater aggressive. Not uncomfortable at all but more aggressive than any other bar I own. I also just got an AB bar and I heard all of the knurling is very similar across all AB bars and the knurling on that is just on the sticky side compared to the OPB. Urban owns the Mammoth and I believe he stated if he were to buy it again he wouldn't since the coating is already showing signs of weakness. IMO coating stainless in anything besides Teflon is just silly and will not last. The feel of bare stainless is orgasmic.

[HeavyIron8]

I own the OPB ss version and I can confirm the knurling is very cheese grater aggressive. Not uncomfortable at all but more aggressive than any other bar I own. I also just got an AB bar and I heard all of the knurling is very similar across all AB bars and the knurling on that is just on the sticky side compared to the OPB. Urban owns the Mammoth and I believe he stated if he were to buy it again he wouldn't since the coating is already showing signs of weakness. IMO coating stainless in anything besides Teflon is just silly and will not last. The feel of bare stainless is orgasmic.

I see. So over time, the mammoth will just turn into a stainless bar, since the cerakote will wear away.

[radrd]

I see. So over time, the mammoth will just turn into a stainless bar, since the cerakote will wear away.

In theory, yes, though I don't know how quickly. If you have concerns about the coating, I would go with the American Barbell Elite Power Bar or at least compare that one to the OPB stainless. Seems more fair. Other stainless power bars to consider are Rep Fitness (mild knurl) and Vulcan Strength (aggressive knurl). Both have stainless sleeves as well, which you don't get with Rogue and AB.

https://americanbarbell.com/products...lite-power-bar

[vhd16]

This is little over priced. But this is what i have in terms of SS Power bar. Ivanko OBXS-20kg- 29mm


http://www.ivankobarbell.com/products/obxs20kg29mm/


All stainless steel . The sleeves slight/non noticeable ribbing . I prefer smooth sleeves. As per grip it really sticks to your hand but not tear up you hand. Love it.

If you want all Stainless steel bar cheaper then Rep Stainless Steel is way to go .

[dwyerkyl]

I picked up this 30 mm olympic barbell along with a set of Iron Grip weight plates and I need some help to identify the manufacturer/brand of the barbell. I took a few pictures of the end cap for reference. It does have center knurling. I tried to use Google lens to perform an image search but I didn't have success. Any feedback is appreciated. Thanks!

[radrd]

It's a Hampton bar. I have Hampton dumbbells with the same logo.

[irongrandpa]

It's a Hampton bar. I have Hampton dumbbells with the same logo.

I second this opinion as my 6' Hampton bar gas the same logo.

[dwyerkyl]

I second this opinion as my 6' Hampton bar gas the same logo.

Thanks guys for the feedback. I've identified it as the 7' Hampton international bronze bushing bar - 30 mm. I already have a 20 kg Fringe Sports wonder bar. Not sure how much I could get for the Hampton, but I may hang onto it as a spare for bench and squats. The quality is more than I expected for a bundle deal with the Iron Grip plates, and it's in excellent condition.

[radrd]

Thanks guys for the feedback. I've identified it as the 7' Hampton international bronze bushing bar - 30 mm. I already have a 20 kg Fringe Sports wonder bar. Not sure how much I could get for the Hampton, but I may hang onto it as a spare for bench and squats. The quality is more than I expected for a bundle deal with the Iron Grip plates, and it's in excellent condition.

I'm the type of person who likes to have multiple bars and a lot of plates, then I don't have to load and unload the bar between lifts. That's not for everyone, but having a second bar around isn't a bad idea. I don't read a lot about Hampton bars on this forum, but generally speaking Hampton is a solid brand and makes good stuff. Probably a good find, especially for benching where a thicker bar can be more comfortable. 30mm nicely complements your 28mm bar.

[bobcat255]

American Barbell Mammoth Power Bar (Stainless Steel with cerakote) vs Ohio power bar stainless steel. Which is better? Only difference with the naked eye is the AB Mammoth have 10k more tensile strength and the extra layer of cerakote

Cerakote is a good reason NOT to buy the AB Mammoth Bar. When a bar manufacturer puts a coating on the bar for marketing purposes you wonder where their priorities are. Between those two I'd get the SS OPB, no question.

If you actually use your bars and like them to look pristine, get uncoated. If you want a bar with character/colors/aesthetics then Cerakote is a great way of getting that, but don't buy into the hype that it's this durable finish. More durable than oxide, sure. If you want durable, buy hard chrome. But personally I like the feel of uncoated knurl. To each their own.

I won't waste too much time talking about Cerakote, I think I've done so in the past, with pics/vids. However, I wanted to post another couple of pictures of a bar at my gym. You can see what's left of the coating on the sleeves and hand placement spots.

[HeavyIron8]

Cerakote is a good reason NOT to buy the AB Mammoth Bar. When a bar manufacturer puts a coating on the bar for marketing purposes you wonder where their priorities are. Between those two I'd get the SS OPB, no question.

If you actually use your bars and like them to look pristine, get uncoated. If you want a bar with character/colors/aesthetics then Cerakote is a great way of getting that, but don't buy into the hype that it's this durable finish. More durable than oxide, sure. If you want durable, buy hard chrome. But personally I like the feel of uncoated knurl. To each their own.

I won't waste too much time talking about Cerakote, I think I've done so in the past, with pics/vids. However, I wanted to post another couple of pictures of a bar at my gym. You can see what's left of the coating on the sleeves and hand placement spots.

lol, it's too late now, I already bought the mammoth and i received it day before yesterday. Honestly, the knurling isn't that bad, It's not as aggressive as bare steel but it's not as bad as people make it to be. I live in a humid climate (Houston, TX), so I prefer stainless steel and/or cerakote bars.

[bobcat255]

lol, it's too late now, I already bought the mammoth and i received it day before yesterday. Honestly, the knurling isn't that bad, It's not as aggressive as bare steel but it's not as bad as people make it to be. I live in a humid climate (Houston, TX), so I prefer stainless steel and/or cerakote bars.

Hehe, no problem, enjoy your new bar!

[urbanlifter]

Honestly, the knurling isn't that bad, It's not as aggressive as bare steel but it's not as bad as people make it to be.

It's one of the most passive barbells I have ever owned, surpassed only by a 70/80's York bar and an oddball OB86b that was previously returned to Amazon (got off an auction site). I know it's AB and they are known for finer knurling, but even the REP technique barbell has far better grip than this thing. I expect more from a $500-$600 barbell, the Cerakote was a poor choice and they should have at least cut the pattern deeper to offset.

[sera310]

I have 2 bars with Cerakote on the shafts--not the sleeves--& I like 'em fine. These are from Wright Barbell in Birmingham. 1 is a 28mm bar with bearings, $210 shipped to my door. The other is a 31mm power bar, $250 to my door.

Didn't want bare steel, I lift in my garage in the South, so it's very humid & I didn't want to fool with the maintenance (maybe next time). Didn't want any other coating besides stainless, & I didn't want to pay for stainless this go around (e.g., the Rogue Ohio power bar in stainless would have been $410 shipped). + I wanted the 28 & 31 mm diameters.

The Wright bars with Cerakote feel quite grippy to me; I haven't used chalk on either 1 since I bought them. I doubt the Cerakote will wear off the shafts any time soon, it's just me & sometimes my teenaged son, lifting in my garage with no one bar getting all that much use, & not a commercial gym. But we'll see. YMMV.

[HeavyIron8]

I have 2 bars with Cerakote on the shafts--not the sleeves--& I like 'em fine. These are from Wright Barbell in Birmingham. 1 is a 28mm bar with bearings, $210 shipped to my door. The other is a 31mm power bar, $250 to my door.

Didn't want bare steel, I lift in my garage in the South, so it's very humid & I didn't want to fool with the maintenance (maybe next time). Didn't want any other coating besides stainless, & I didn't want to pay for stainless this go around (e.g., the Rogue Ohio power bar in stainless would have been $410 shipped). + I wanted the 28 & 31 mm diameters.

The Wright bars with Cerakote feel quite grippy to me; I haven't used chalk on either 1 since I bought them. I doubt the Cerakote will wear off the shafts any time soon, it's just me & sometimes my teenaged son, lifting in my garage with no one bar getting all that much use, & not a commercial gym. But we'll see. YMMV.

Yea it sucks for garage gym in humid conditions. My bare steel BnR bar 2.0 rust way too easily when there is heavy rain during summer time. Learned my lesson. All future bars will either need to be cerakoted, stainless steel, or some sort of protective paint/coating on them.

[sera310]

Yeah, a SS bar may be better than Cerakote, I don't know as I have yet to try a SS 1, but I think the difference in price between SS & Cerakote & the difference in feel & durability between say zind & Cerakote, will allow for a place in the market for Cerakote.

[rajendra82]

I have some money left over from Christmas, and thinking of using it to get a better barbell. I am currently using a cheap bar (hex nut) that I picked up off Craigslist a few years ago. When I picked it up, it had been developed a decent amount of rust that was deteriorating the black oxide coating, which kept coming off on my hands as I was lifting. Growing tired of this I stripped the oxide coating clean off with a wire brush on a drill, which left me with basically a bare steel bar. Under my light usage conditions of lifting by myself, and the storage in my mostly temperature controlled basement, the bar has held up very well, with no new rust spots whatsoever, as I have gotten used to keeping it cleaned with a brass brush and oil it once a month or so.

I am now debating between a getting a stainless steel bar (Ohio Bar) or a bare steel bar (probably Castro but maybe Ohio Power Bar) from Rogue. I know stainless steel will require less maintenance that I am doing now, and would be a no brainier, except The F2 rating on that SS bar vs the F8R rating on the bare ones has given me a bit of a pause. I don't currently own any bumper plates, or drop the bar doing Olympic lifts, but my setup is a bit odd, as I do some of lifts from a starting position off a couple of blocks. If I do lose the grip, the bar could come down a bit faster than I like onto the starting blocks on the way down once in a while, and I don't want to risk bending an F2 rated bar vs having the security of an F8R rating.

As neither option is perfect I need your recommendations in helping decide. Is the F rating scale really that important to consider moving away from the SS bar? In terms of feel, how would you compare a bare steel bar to the stainless one? One other thing to consider is the bronze bushings on the two bare steel bars versus composite ones on the SS Ohio Bar. Any thoughts on the superiority of one versus the other?

I could also consider other coatings on the shaft, such as zinc or cerakote, but I think the usage of the cheap bare steel bar is making me sway towards uncoated right now.

[Jason2459]

I would pay no attention at all to that rogue rating system. Especially in relation to bending. Yield strength is what you want to find out for that. Most don't publish that as tensile strength is a more impressive higher number. Generally a higher tensile strength bar will have a higher yield strength then a lower tensile strength bar. 190k and over tensile strength is plenty strong.

[rajendra82]

I would pay no attention at all to that rogue rating system. Especially in relation to bending. Yield strength is what you want to find out for that. Most don't publish that as tensile strength is a more impressive higher number. Generally a higher tensile strength bar will have a higher yield strength then a lower tensile strength bar. 190k and over tensile strength is plenty strong.

Thanks for your input. I did more research on what the F scale means. The link form Rogue (https://www.roguefitness.com/theinde...scale-overview) appears to have some good information in it. While they don't explain what Rogue hardening really is, and how it improves bending resistance when being dropped, I believe them, when they say that those F8R bars are better than the F2 bars when it comes to bending. That being said, their final chart actually sold me on buying the Stainless Steel Ohio Bar:

https://www.roguefitness.com/theinde...onChart_V3.svg

This indicates that an F2 bar is good enough to survive 30 years at a rate of what looks to be about 15,000 drops/year, which is typical for Olympic gyms. Since I work out by myself, three days a week, I would have to drop the bar about a 100 times each session to inflict this level of fatigue loading. I just don't see that happening ever happening in my usage scenario, so the Ohio Stainless Steel bar has been ordered.

[Gamecockbell]

I have the AB elite power bar because it was one of the few options for stainless steel at the time. Ive been disappointed in the durability of the sleeves. I recently purchased the xmark curl bar- with chrome sleeves and they are mint condition after a month. The AB was scratched after a few sessions. The knurling on the AB is good for general strength exercises which is what I was into at the time. But now I'm gravitating more towards growing DL,SQ,BP,OHP and I wish the knurling was more aggressive. Just my .02. I'm going to keep the AB but I'm sure I'll eventually add the OPB or something similar.