BWTG Fat Curl Bar Yay, Or Nay...

[Deep-Voiced-One]

Just opened up my new curl bar from BWTG and I'm extremely satisfied with it and can't wait to take it for a spin!

I was totally surprised when I tore off the protective saran wrap to see that my bar indeed does have the knurling on it which is awesome, so apparently that was my curl bar on Dean's IG page in bare steel before the powder coating process.

The bar also has solid plastic end caps as well as you'll see in the pics, I definitely gotta thank Dean for the solid craftsmanship put into the bar...

http://imgur.com/a/HzPBahl

My first initial impression is that the bar fits well in my hands to grip (I don't have bulky hands by any means, but I have long fingers and they wrap around the bar in a typical open fat grip style very well).

Since the bar sleeves have the same powder coated steel as the rest of the bar, it will probably scuff and scrape up a bit depending on the plates being used, but no big deal since that's what's to be expected from these type of stationary sleeved bars and they're made for use and abuse after all lol.

[radrd]

Congrats on the bar. Looks pretty awesome. Glad you got knurling. Looking forward to hearing how it performs.

[gym62richard]

DVO, the bar looks great, you don't see too many knurled thick grip bars, 2 1/2"?, I'm not sure that bar was designed for my stubby fingers , lol.

[Deep-Voiced-One]

radrd, thanks I'm gonna try it out tomorrow on my lifting day.

Rich, thanks and correct it's 2 1/2" thick. I think the added knurling probably helps as well, but I could definitely see how some of the crowd with stubby fingers might suffer a bit with this diameter of bar lol.

[Deep-Voiced-One]

I got some curls in with the fat curl bar at the end of my workout and the pump is real with it!

I lifted light with it just to get used to the nature of this bar with good form and to get some good, non-ugly reps in with it.

I did 5 sets (4 sets with the palms diagonally facing outwards/the point end of the bar facing upward and 1 set with the palms facing diagonally inward/the point end of the bar facing down).

I personally prefer the palms outward grip and felt it was the more comfortable grip to me, the angle in the middle is a bit sharp so you gotta be a bit mindful when curling in that position, but it's not a big issue and you still get a nice, full ROM in my opinion.

The palms facing inward/point facing down grip is uncomfortable on the palm side of my index knuckle and I prefer if using this grip to grip wider where the knurl ends and the smooth part of the bar is.

The knurl is a welcomed addition to this bar when grasping tight due to the nature of this bar. The plates slide on a bit loose, so a nice pair of collars with some bite is recommended (I gotta test out my Ivanko compression collars soon), when loading the bar for curls with lighter weight it's not an issue without the collars.

I'll give my opinions and update this thread when I try out a triceps movement with it next workout (possibly standing overhead extensions, or skullcrushers).

[radrd]

Thanks for the additional impressions. Sounds like knurl is a must-have, at least for me. I wonder if my Homer Simpson fingers could even grip this beast.

[dparty82]

Nice fat bar. Might have to pick one of these up for bar arsenal. Looks great!

I have a few straight fat bars and really like the burn that you get with them. My 5' Titan fat bar that I curl with tends to put strain on my wrists a little. This bar could be a nice alternative.

[Deep-Voiced-One]

Thanks fellas, I also am curious to try it for Zerchers, I read some reviews that said the crooks of the bar were optimal for that movement.

[thejosef]

Thanks fellas, I also am curious to try it for Zerchers, I read some reviews that said the crooks of the bar were optimal for that movement.

Cool bar! Thanks for the photos. Seems pretty interesting for Zerchers, for sure. Let us know how it works out..

[Deep-Voiced-One]

I worked in some standing overhead tricep extensions into my lifts and they feel good on the joints with the fat bar (I have to grip wider with the two pointed angles facing down as opposed to gripping narrow near the middle point down).

Now on to Zerchers...shut up and get this bar NOW if you work in, or are planning to work in Zerchers into your lifting, the crooks for the elbows are super comfortable and put you in a great position for this lift and this is coming from a dude that doesn't do them, but I'll add them into my lifts from now on!

I also tested out my compression collars (Ivanko COTs) on the bar and they lock on perfectly with this bar and the only bit of play would be with cheaper plates.

The only minor caveat would be that if you're pinched for space then the non-rackable version might be for you as to not destroy things around you lol, but this is very minor and I'm definitely gonna be bringing this bar to the garage to rack it soon (I had tried it in my extra room with some space constraints to work around and when I tried it for Zerchers I hooked my arms around it and pulled from the floor to the starting position), also the added benefit is that with rackable you get more sleeve length.

I'll try it soon for some other triceps movements too when I find some time.