You've got two-fiddy to spend on a barbell

[MMA Maine-iac]

This is a post many have already seen and I'm pretty sure I've asked the question a couple of times myself. But being there are new products out, thought I'd ask the good o'l boys, out of this selection of barbells, which would get? Other suggestions?

To be more specific, I'm a serious lifter, but not a competitive lifter. My focus is building strength, and since I'm too married and aging, I don't give the flucks about aesthetics. Still, my numbers aren't insane, and I don't see myself doing Olympic lifting any time soon. I don't think I'd need one of the $400+ bars, at least not now.

Strengthshop Bastard Bar ($239)
https://www.strengthshopusa.com/bars/strength-shop-bastard-bar.html

American Barbell Training Bar ($250)
http://americanbarbell.com/products/american-barbell-training-bar-1

Rogue Echo Bar ($195)
http://www.roguefitness.com/rogue-echo-bar

Rogue Beater Bar ($165)
http://www.roguefitness.com/rogue-beater-bar

Economy Power Bar ($220)
http://www.elitefts.com/shop/bars-weights/bars/economy-power-bar-86.html

So for reading my post, you get a reward.

 

[Chad R. Thundercock]

I like these, but they're 5 bucks over your limit:

http://www.fringesport.com/products/bomba-bar-v2-black-20kg-oly-bar

I owned two of them, but sold them to a gym because they were doing nothing but collecting dust. I now regret that decision.

 

[JimRussel]

My buddy has the Rogue Ohio bar and it's pretty awesome. Stiff, well constructed, and the knurling is fucking awesome.

My suggestion is to keep saving.

 

[JimRussel]

I like these, but they're 5 bucks over your limit:

http://www.fringesport.com/products/bomba-bar-v2-black-20kg-oly-bar

I owned two of them, but sold them to a gym because they were doing nothing but collecting dust. I now regret that decision.

I'm not sure if OP is moving enough weight for whip to be a factor, but if he's not going to be doing any Olympic lifting, I'd probably go for another option.

 

[Chad R. Thundercock]

I'm not sure if OP is moving enough weight for whip to be a factor, but if he's not going to be doing any Olympic lifting, I'd probably go for another option.

Like this?


Lulz.

 

[Tosa]

I don't know about other people, but I can't stand not having good centre knurling when squatting, and none of those bars have any centre knurling. Personally, if I were in the market for a bar, I'd want to buy one that'd last, and one I'd be happy with, rather than eventually wanting to replace it with a better bar - if you buy a good bar, and treat it right, it'll last a lifetime. But I'm also probably biased towards good bars.

 

[JimRussel]

@MMA Maine-iac Wow, I had no idea it was so close to your price range.

http://www.roguefitness.com/rogue-ohio-power-bar

 

[MMA Maine-iac]

I don't know about other people, but I can't stand not having good centre knurling when squatting, and none of those bars have any centre knurling. Personally, if I were in the market for a bar, I'd want to buy one that'd last, and one I'd be happy with, rather than eventually wanting to replace it with a better bar - if you buy a good bar, and treat it right, it'll last a lifetime. But I'm also probably biased towards good bars.

Agree 100%. The knurling is a concern I thought about, too. Strengthshop has a Bastard bar with the central knurling, but they were sold out. What Thunderhead said has some relevancy. I'm currently using a shit bar from Dicks. Cost 80 bucks. Knurling is laughable at best. My deadlift is getting respectable and the bar is starting to bend. Plus, dropping it would murder it. I'd love to have one of the big bars because of longevity, but saving up for it would take longer than my current barbell will last, I'm afraid.

@MMA Maine-iac Wow, I had no idea it was so close to your price range.

http://www.roguefitness.com/rogue-ohio-power-bar

Somehow I overlooked the Ohio bar....

I think maybe with some magic spell weaving over the wife, maybe I could manage an extra 25 buck

Like this?


Lulz.

The barbell I have is worse than that.

 

[ironwolf]

Can't you get a Texas power bar for right around 250?

 

[MMA Maine-iac]

Can't you get a Texas power bar for right around 250?

The only one I could find was on Elitefts and it was over 300. The other websites that stated they had the TPB looked shady.

 

[JimRussel]

Can't you get a Texas power bar for right around 250?

The only one I could find was on Elitefts and it was over 300. The other websites that stated they had the TPB looked shady.

The Ohio Power Bar is much better than a Texas Power Bar.

 

[Oblivian]

I am not overly impressed by my Texas Power Bar. Somehow the area that I put the weights on got warped a little bit. My bumpers are too tight to slide on, but only on one side.

 

[Pancake]

I just bought the rogue ohio power bar after using a friends OPB the past few weeks. the bare metal version is 250 with $14 shipping. Just to clarify, the ohio bar and ohio power bar are two different bars.

 

[Ruckus]

I love my Ohio power bar

 

[eastNYgoon138]

I am not overly impressed by my Texas Power Bar. Somehow the area that I put the weights on got warped a little bit. My bumpers are too tight to slide on, but only on one side.

That's weird. For powerlifting I've never used anything better than TPB. Just has a good feel in the hands. Sticks to my back real well. Good price.

 

[JimRussel]

That's weird. For powerlifting I've never used anything better than TPB. Just has a good feel in the hands. Sticks to my back real well. Good price.

I own a Texas Power Bar. The Rogue Ohio Power Bar blows it out of the water.

 

[Oblivian]

That's weird. For powerlifting I've never used anything better than TPB. Just has a good feel in the hands. Sticks to my back real well. Good price.

I don't think it's a bad bar, but the warping thing sucks. The knurling is definitely better than any other bar I've used.

 

[BOWHUNTER]

Every knows the minimum to spend on a bar is tree fiddy.

I personally have the Burgener and Rippetoe bar. I like the bar, it's unfinished and gets a nice rust to it.

 

[MMA Maine-iac]

More than likely I'm going with the OPB, but before I do that, anyone have experience with Okie bars? Their standard bar is about the same price as the OPB

 

[JimRussel]

More than likely I'm going with the OPB, but before I do that, anyone have experience with Okie bars? Their standard bar is about the same price as the OPB

I know they make a pretty good deadlift bar, but that's about it.