Barbells?

sjohnny

What's the difference in all these different barbells? Elite FTS has a bench bar, a squat bar, a deadlift bar. What's the difference in these bars?

Also, what am I getting for $350 that I don't get for $180 when I buy a bar? What does $600 get me that I don't get at $350?

Right now I have a bar I bought used and for what I'm doing it's great. At some point I would like to get a new bar (with no rust on it) but looking at all this stuff I don't know what the differences are.

FTR: I split my time between running and lifting and don't have goals or aspirations of being a "powerlifter". I just lift because I love it and to get stronger but doubt there will ever be a time in my life when I'm lifting more than 400ish pounds in any way.

taso42

So I think one of the big differences is in how much "whip" the bars have. Oly bars have quite a bit of whip. I believe deadlift bars do as well. Whereas a bench press bar ought to be very rigid. For us regular folk, I think we pretty much have to find a compromise bar somewhere in the middle. In the $300-500 area there are some really high quality bars. I think as you go up in price what you're paying for is that the bars are very precisely calibrated to exactly 20.0kg.

I went for the B&R bar from Rogue.
My next runner up was the Rogue Power Bar
I have also heard good things about the Texas Power Bar

The most pronounced differences between my new bar and old cheapo bar are:
- less play in the sleeves, so if the bar is dropped or goes down hard, it's more of a thud than a rattle
- slightly smaller diameter
- raw steel finish rather than chrome (which was starting to flake off)

yoovie

good thread! thanks Taso.

CakeFit21

I like whippy bars. You can really feel it when you know what you are looking for.

The rogue bars are awesome. I wants one.

opalescence

I wished I would've had a little more intel when I bought my weight set.

I had no idea there was "whip" in a bar. So, see I learn more and more everyday.

I wished I would've purchased something that wasnt so flipping aggravating to change the weights on. *mine is a cheapo set* and the collars screw on and off and it makes changing weight between sets a nightmare.

mine is chrome plated and I get silver flecks and shards all over my hands. :frown:

sjohnny

Thanks, Taso.

A new bar purchase is still a ways off but I was looking today (because I should be working) and figured now was the time to ask.

Z_I_L_L_A

We had bars at the gym that had ratings for weight. Usually the 45 lb.bar was rated for 500-700 lbs, the 55 lb. bar was rated for a 1000 lbs. The hi priced 45 lb. bar was rated at somewhere around 700 lbs. A standard 45 lb. bar would bend permanently and be bowed when a strong guy would rep out 365 lbs and above. I use to hate getting a bent bar and it roll in your hands.

JNick77

Wendler wrote something recently and recommended the Texas bar as the best all around bar for squatting, DL'ing, benching, and even Oly lifts. It might still be up on T-Nation.

sjohnny

Wendler wrote something recently and recommended the Texas bar as the best all around bar for squatting, DL'ing, benching, and even Oly lifts. It might still be up on T-Nation.

I think I saw that. I can't remember what the context was but I remember him recommending the Texas Power bar as an all around good bar.

JNick77

Wendler wrote something recently and recommended the Texas bar as the best all around bar for squatting, DL'ing, benching, and even Oly lifts. It might still be up on T-Nation.

I think I saw that. I can't remember what the context was but I remember him recommending the Texas Power bar as an all around good bar.

I think he was talking about like the top things he learned or did in the last year.

sjohnny

Wendler wrote something recently and recommended the Texas bar as the best all around bar for squatting, DL'ing, benching, and even Oly lifts. It might still be up on T-Nation.

I think I saw that. I can't remember what the context was but I remember him recommending the Texas Power bar as an all around good bar.

I think he was talking about like the top things he learned or did in the last year.

That was it! He talked about Kroc rows and some other stuff.

taso42

Darnit, now I feel like I shoulda gone with the Texas bar. But I guess I can't be too far off with the Rippetoe bar, right? Right?

[You may only reply with positive, supportive comments!]

sjohnny

Darnit, now I feel like I shoulda gone with the Texas bar. But I guess I can't be too far off with the Rippetoe bar, right? Right?

[You may only reply with positive, supportive comments!]

Great job! You've got this! You've come so far! It's not a diet, it's a lifestyle!

But yeah, it looks like you got a good bar.

ilovedeadlifts

A deadlift bar has a lot of whip in it, so you can pull more weight.


The best bang for the buck is a Buddy Capp Texas Power Bar, imo. I purchased one and absolutely love it.