The Academy one has bad reviews and I don't want to drop $1k on an Olympic bar. The Rogue Ohio bar is pretty pricey & it seems I can get the same in an import Tru Grit bar. I'd like a semi aggressive knurl which seems to be lacking on the Tru Grit.

I'll do the research on suggestions, just wanted to ask y'all where to look, what you like and why, and to maybe see some things I'm missing. TIA

I got one from PRx a few months back. Think they're like $300. It's been great.

https://prxperformance.com/collections/olympic-bars

boltfitnesssupply.com

Wide variety of barbells, and cheap. If you are in Houston, you can walk into their store and check them out.

I got one from Texas Power Bar and really like it.

I have nothing to offer, other than I went with the Rogue Power Bar in Cerakote and love it, semi aggressive knurl, but just fits right in my hands.

I've ordered bars online before, as long as you get the tensile strength and end bearing system you are happy with, it's pretty straightforward and they don't cost all that much. I just use cheap but effective bronze alloy bushings and a medium tensile steel that has a little bit of flex but isn't weak.

Texas Strength Systems has one for $299. It is rated to 1500 lbs.

https://texasstrengthsystems.com/collections/bars-weights/products/tss-g2-power-bar


EliteFTS has some good bars. There black cerakot is $303 right now. It has a 2000 lbs rating.

https://www.elitefts.com/shop/bars-weights/barbells.html

I owned a Texas Power Bar. It is a good bar
https://texaspowerbars.com/products/the-original-texas-power-bar?variant=31774443241572

There is nothing wrong with the bars Rogue sells, either. I've used many an Ohio bar.

I have had a couple of cheap bars bend on me. If you put more than 500 on one of the cheap bars, you'll bend them.

You asked for why I like some bars and not others...
I don't use straight barbells any more. My shoulder can't take it. When I was competing, we used a squat bar because it is super stiff. The last thing you want is a whip at the top when you are at max weight and you are squatting a fair amount. We used a deadlift bar because of the flex. You can "pull the slack out of it" and make your deadlift a little easier. I sucked at deadlift so it was like putting a $2000 golf club in my hands - the club really didn't make a difference. For bench, I primarily used the Texas Strength bar. It is a good bar and in reality, for most people it is a good all around bar. I was just fortunate to have access to specialty bars. I never saw much difference between an Ohio bar and a Texas bar.

I have two from Titan. I think they're great for the money. I have the Music City Bar (yes I know they're trying to be rogue) and their nicest womens bar. They're both great bars.

I have a Wonder Bar from Fringe, it's been decent but I'd prefer a different bar that had a more aggressive knurl. It was the first bar I could get my hands on during the pandemic, so that's what I got.

Don't overlook Rogue's boneyard bars. They are blemished bars so they carry a discount. I have no experience with them, but I've read often that buyers cannot find the blemish. One potential downside is that the warranty isn't what a full price bar would have.

Also check out Rep Fitness. Have not used one of their bars but have their rack, bench and kettle bells. Those are just as good as rogue IMO

https://repfitness.com/collections/barbells

I really like the knurl of the American Barbell Elite Power Bar - grippy without being rough. Might not be enough grip for what you are looking for - but look into it and read some reviews. They occasionally have some blem bars on sale for a good price:

https://americanbarbell.com/collections/online-garage/products/closeout-american-barbell-elite-power-bar

The barbell is the most important purchase one can make for their home gym. Don't skimp on the quality. That said, not reason to spend more than $400-500 on a quality bar. I have a Ohio Power Bar. great bar. Knurl is fantastic but aggressive. Do know it had a slightly greater diameter at 29MM. The Texas Power Bar is also fantastic. VERY aggressive knurl as well. The diameter is smaller at 28.5MM. Some people prefer one over the other. Plus, if competitive, most want the diameter the affiliation that they compete in uses for obvious reasons. I use those at my gym (Destination Dallas). The same folks at Buddy Capps (not to be confused with Caps) is the Starting Strength Bar which is the same with a less aggressive knurl. Also a great bar which I have used. Either 2 of those are great and you cant go wrong.

Still get the bar at Academy (or any retail store type bar) and use it as a beater bar. You should always have a beater to do rack pulls and landmine work etc. That way you can keep the good bar in good condition.

Other things of note. Dead lifting bars are normally longer and are usually 28MM in diameter. I find these easier to pull but they have a lot of whip. A good power bar has some whip. Beater bars normally have none. Whip essentially is the bend that happens during the lift. On a DL bar, when its heavy, you'll be able to pull the whip out, lifting the bar up while the weight stays on the ground. Power bars only do this so much which is why they are great to squat on and train DL on. I like the whip. But be aware in training on PBs and switching to a DL bar that you pull the slack out before the weight actually leaves the ground.

Hoosegow said:

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Texas Strength Systems has one for $299. It is rated to 1500 lbs.

https://texasstrengthsystems.com/collections/bars-weights/products/tss-g2-power-bar


EliteFTS has some good bars. There black cerakot is $303 right now. It has a 2000 lbs rating.

https://www.elitefts.com/shop/bars-weights/barbells.html

I owned a Texas Power Bar. It is a good bar
https://texaspowerbars.com/products/the-original-texas-power-bar?variant=31774443241572

There is nothing wrong with the bars Rogue sells, either. I've used many an Ohio bar.

I have had a couple of cheap bars bend on me. If you put more than 500 on one of the cheap bars, you'll bend them.

You asked for why I like some bars and not others...
I don't use straight barbells any more. My shoulder can't take it. When I was competing, we used a squat bar because it is super stiff. The last thing you want is a whip at the top when you are at max weight and you are squatting a fair amount. We used a deadlift bar because of the flex. You can "pull the slack out of it" and make your deadlift a little easier. I sucked at deadlift so it was like putting a $2000 golf club in my hands - the club really didn't make a difference. For bench, I primarily used the Texas Strength bar. It is a good bar and in reality, for most people it is a good all around bar. I was just fortunate to have access to specialty bars. I never saw much difference between an Ohio bar and a Texas bar.

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Just saw this. Everything he said here.

I got a Wonderbar from Fringe because Coop from garagegymreviews said it was one of the best bars for the dollar. It's a solid bar.

Also have a 35 lb Titan atlas bar for my wife. The wonderbar is a better quality bar.

Capitol Ag said:

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The Texas Power Bar is also fantastic. VERY aggressive knurl as well. The diameter is smaller at 28.5MM. Some people prefer one over the other. Plus, if competitive, most want the diameter the affiliation that they compete in uses for obvious reasons. I use those at my gym (Destination Dallas). The same folks at Buddy Capps (not to be confused with Caps) is the Starting Strength Bar which is the same with a less aggressive knurl. Also a great bar which I have used. Either 2 of those are great and you cant go wrong.

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This is true about the knurl on the Texas bar, but we got an All American bar from Texas Power Bars and it's been a great all around bar. The knurl on it is a little less aggressive. We got it with cerakote and I think that helps a little too.

aggie_2010 said:

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Don't overlook Rogue's boneyard bars. They are blemished bars so they carry a discount. I have no experience with them, but I've read often that buyers cannot find the blemish. One potential downside is that the warranty isn't what a full price bar would have.

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Thanks to all who responded. I looked at each one y'all listed and came up with a list of wants then shopped the blemish bars with those specs. Ended up ordering a Rogue Boneyard Ohio Bar. Wanted the EliteFTS Iron Cowboy - blem, but shipping costs put me back on the Rogue. Since I don't get to pick my finish, I'm kind of excited to see what they send (zinc, cerakote, stainless).

Awesome, would love to hear your thoughts on the bar once you have it in hand.

$238.15 for the boneyard Ohio bar. Came in today - stainless finish. It's much nicer than my last bar of unknown brand and feels a little stiffer. I looked it all over & the only "blem" I found was a little scuff on the sleeve. Knurling is milder than I thought but I can deal with it. I'm taking the weekend off of lifting but will load it up Monday for the break in.

I'd have to agree with repro, Rep makes good stuff. I bought their bench and their 5-75 lb dumbbells and it's excellent quality stuff.

Nothing wrong with Rep stuff at all!