What Barbell to get

[ttellek]

I have a home gym and I recently bent my barbell with 300lbs and I need to buy a new one but I have no idea where to start or what would be good.

[MajorTendonitis]

I went rogue , no regrets . I don’t doubt people are dropping the bar during bench press because their bars are bent .
I’ve had my old ones try and roll in my hand because they were bent , but the rogue ones are holding out and still straight as an arrow.
I went with black for the bar as I like the looks, but find when I bench press that I have a harder time seeing the rings in the knurling, but other than that there awesome

[ttellek]

Thanks man

[Duplicitous]

I have a Rogue also (Rogue 2.0).

[radrd]

You can't go wrong with Rogue, but I've owned Vulcan Strength, Rep Fitness, American Barbell, and Fringe Sport bars. All have been excellent. Garage Gym Lab has some good reviews if you want to do some reading.

[thejosef]

28mm for Oly lifting or Deadlifting..
28.5mm (Rogue makes plenty) for a nice all-purpose, do everything bar..
29mm for powerlifting (Rogue Ohio Power bar, B&R 2.0 bar, AB Mammoth, etc.).. Squat, Bench Press, Press..

Stainless is my first choice always, but the most expensive. No rust to worry about, and that great knurl feel. Bare steel is excellent for knurl feel (same as stainless), is cheaper, but you have to deal with rust or regular bar maintenance. I avoid Zinc like the plague.. it just tends to wear and look bad over time. Chrome is very durable, but can be slick and reduce knurl feel compared to other 'finishes.'

American Barbell is my favorite brand for bars as far as quality, but Rogue makes excellent stuff for a little cheaper. Rep Fitness has plenty nice bars now as well as Vulcan.

[Deep-Voiced-One]

28mm for Oly lifting or Deadlifting..
28.5mm (Rogue makes plenty) for a nice all-purpose, do everything bar..
29mm for powerlifting (Rogue Ohio Power bar, B&R 2.0 bar, AB Mammoth, etc.).. Squat, Bench Press, Press..

Stainless is my first choice always, but the most expensive. No rust to worry about, and that great knurl feel. Bare steel is excellent for knurl feel (same as stainless), is cheaper, but you have to deal with rust or regular bar maintenance. I avoid Zinc like the plague.. it just tends to wear and look bad over time. Chrome is very durable, but can be slick and reduce knurl feel compared to other 'finishes.'

American Barbell is my favorite brand for bars as far as quality, but Rogue makes excellent stuff for a little cheaper. Rep Fitness has plenty nice bars now as well as Vulcan.

I totally agree, stainless steel is on a whole other level of quality...I went with the American Barbell Elite Stainless Steel power bar and in my opinion the bar I go to for all my main lifts and while I don't mind an aggressive knurling, I actually prefer the passive yet grippy knurl on the AB more, feels good on the back during squats, grips well for all push and pull movements...what more can I ask for?

I actually was kicking around the idea of a second stainless steel power bar with the Rogue Ohio power bar just for different knurl variety...but with the AB version I just don't feel like I need another one for my purpose, it does it all!

[C123C]

28mm for Oly lifting or Deadlifting..
28.5mm (Rogue makes plenty) for a nice all-purpose, do everything bar..
29mm for powerlifting (Rogue Ohio Power bar, B&R 2.0 bar, AB Mammoth, etc.).. Squat, Bench Press, Press..

Stainless is my first choice always, but the most expensive. No rust to worry about, and that great knurl feel. Bare steel is excellent for knurl feel (same as stainless), is cheaper, but you have to deal with rust or regular bar maintenance. I avoid Zinc like the plague.. it just tends to wear and look bad over time. Chrome is very durable, but can be slick and reduce knurl feel compared to other 'finishes.'

American Barbell is my favorite brand for bars as far as quality, but Rogue makes excellent stuff for a little cheaper. Rep Fitness has plenty nice bars now as well as Vulcan.

To the OP - above quote along with others is a good bit of orientation. You can go the cheap route with the CAP bar mentioned in the Cheepo Thread stickied - most generic bars suck so just avoid. CAP is a serviceable option but honestly if you are someone who works out, maintains a home gym and this is going to be your bar...not one person ever regretted spending enough to get a solid quality bar. No need to go crazy but worth it to get something solid for sure.

[urbanlifter]

American Barbell is my favorite brand for bars as far as quality, but Rogue makes excellent stuff for a little cheaper. Rep Fitness has plenty nice bars now as well as Vulcan.

Can't go wrong with any of these brands, I'd also add the Buddy Capps Texas Power bar into the mix for a great general use barbell.

[thejosef]

Can't go wrong with any of these brands, I'd also add the Buddy Capps Texas Power bar into the mix for a great general use barbell.

Man, that's one bar I've never owned for whatever reason. I really need to pick one up one day. I was always a little jealous of your 3 Texas bar setup (DL, squat, and power, i think).

[thejosef]

I totally agree, stainless steel is on a whole other level of quality...I went with the American Barbell Elite Stainless Steel power bar and in my opinion the bar I go to for all my main lifts and while I don't mind an aggressive knurling, I actually prefer the passive yet grippy knurl on the AB more, feels good on the back during squats, grips well for all push and pull movements...what more can I ask for?

I actually was kicking around the idea of a second stainless steel power bar with the Rogue Ohio power bar just for different knurl variety...but with the AB version I just don't feel like I need another one for my purpose, it does it all!

Hey I have that same AB Elite SS power bar! It's just phenomenal, right? I use it every session, and while I do want another power bar with a deeper knurl for something different, I just really don't need it. That AB bar is so well made. Great company!

[tjcashmoney]

I have a home gym and I recently bent my barbell with 300lbs and I need to buy a new one but I have no idea where to start or what would be good.

I have the Vulcan Bravo bar. It's rated for up to 1,000lbs. The knurling is very good. I actually love how it grips, but without tearing up my hands. The sleeves are bushings, not bearings, but they are smooth and easy to roll. Honestly, for $200 and free shipping I think this is probably one of the best bars in the price range.

[140point6]

Can anyone comment on the bells of steel utility bar? Seems like a fairly decent, cheaper bar?

[radrd]

Can anyone comment on the bells of steel utility bar? Seems like a fairly decent, cheaper bar?

I haven't used it, but Garage Gym Lab reviewed it and I would say it's fairly decent and a good value.

https://garagegymlab.com/bells-of-st...ty-bar-review/

Garage Gym Lab is run by forum member Gamecocklifter and I've found his reviews to be pretty accurate, though keep in mind manufacturing quality may vary a bit from bar to bar, especially when they are manufactured in China. I would assume that's where this bar comes from. Quality control isn't always the best.