I own 50+ barbells. I don’t like all of them…far from it. I’ll spill the beans and share my dislikes, but that’s only a small part of the story.
For this guide, we spent 130+ hours pooling data about 100+ barbells – from the tensile strength and capacity to the knurling, spin and finishes. We then created a weighted scoring formula based on the specs, testing data, and my 2 decades of experience (trainer and gym owner).
Finally, we chose 8 barbells to recommend and made sure the picks covered all needs and budgets.
Besides bars, we also test and compare other home gym stuff. You might be interested in our guide on weight benches, barbell storage, and the best collars to keep the weight plates safely in place.
Editor’s note: This is the 5th update to this guide (April 9th 2024), and we made one significant and one minor change. We moved away from specialty bars and focused only on Olympic barbells. We also shifted the gravity towards value and replaced the Synergy Regional with the E.T. Energic as the “cheap” pick.
Compare Olympic barbells
Best for | Overall | Budget | Premium | Powerlifting | Olympic WL | Women | Amazon | Short |
Rating (*) | ||||||||
Quality | 93% | 85% | 98% | 88% | 98% | 88% | 70% | 88% |
Versatility | 95% | 89% | 73% | 73% | 82% | 88% | 85% | 74% |
Brand & reputation | 93% | 80% | 95% | 91% | 94% | 90% | 74% | 89% |
Price | 71% | 90% | 48% | 77% | 44% | 77% | 94% | 97% |
Bar Type | Multipurpose | Multipurpose | Powerlifting | Powerlifting | Olympic Weightlifting | Women's Multipurpose | Multipurpose | Short Multipurpose |
Bushing/ bearing | Bronze Bushing | Hybrid- 5 needle bearings & Stainless steel bushing | Bushing | Bronze Bushing | 5 needle bearings | Bronze Bushings | Hybrid - 4 needle bearings and 1 brass bushing | 2 Oil-impregnated bushings |
Bar diameter (mm) | 28.5 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 25 | 28 | 28 |
Length (") | 86.75 | 86.6 | 86.75 | 86.25 | 86.6 | 79.13 | 86.61 | 74 |
Loadable sleeve length (") | 16.4 | 16 | 16.25 | 16.25 | 16.3 | 13 | 16.4 | 9.84 |
Knurl | Standard Multi | Standard | Aggressive volcano 20 TPI | Aggressive volcano | Olympic | Standard Multi | Medium | Standard |
Knurl Marks | Dual | Dual | Powerlifting | Powerlifting | OL Weightlifting | Dual | Dual | Dual |
Center knurl | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
Shaft coating | Cerakote (more options available) | Black Zinc | Stainless Steel | E-coat (more options available) | Stainless Steel | Cerakote | Hard Chrome | Hard Chrome |
Sleeve coating | Proprietary Matte Black (more options available) | Black Zinc | Hard Chrome | Bright Zinc (more options available) | Stainless Steel | Hard Chrome or Proprietary Matte Black | Hard Chrome | Hard Chrome |
Tensile strength (k PSI) | 190 | 235 | 190 | 205 | 200 | 190 | 200 | 190 |
Warranty | Lifetime | Lifetime | Lifetime | Lifetime | Lifetime | Lifetime | Lifetime | Lifetime construction/ 1 Year bending |
Bar weight (kg) | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 15 | 20 | 15 |
Sleeve diameter (") | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Price | $$$ | $$ | $$$$$ | $$$ | $$$$$ | $$$ | $ | $ |
Our testing and selection process
We always use a 5 step process in our reviews:
- We start as the buyer- most of our team have bought at least one barbell before. As mentioned earlier, I own an 8,000 sq ft gym where I have over 50 barbells.
- We do a ton of research – we collect information on as many Olympic barbells as possible and insert it into a spreadsheet
- We rate each bar using our exclusive ‘weighted’ rating system. You can learn more about this in the section below.
- We use data to decide our top picks rather than personal biases toward brands.
- We get our hands on as many of the top picks as possible. Our community is great at helping with this.
You can read more about this process in our review guidelines.
There were also some other smaller factors such as:
- Weight of the bar is a quintuple (making it easier to work out how much weight you are lifting)
- Sleeve length
- Color options
10. % of 3-star or less reviews (3%)
- If there are over 10% 3-star reviews or less it lowers the score
11. Repetitive flaws with the bar (3%)
- For example, multiple people complaining about variation in quality of the bar lowers the overall score
12. Customer support score (2%)
- We contact every brand as a customer to determine the speed of support and how helpful they are at resolving our question
13. Repetitive reviews of poor delivery (2%)
- When multiple reviews mention slow delivery times or poorly packaged and damaged products it lowers the score
We also dug into where the barbell was made as this can create some differences in consistency. Europe and USA scored higher than China or when no info was provided.
14. Price
- A higher score was awarded for the cheaper barbells. But price is not the only consideration here…
15. Price over value
- If the bar is over 165k PSI tensile strength and under $300 it scored a point. The average price out of 191 barbells is $403.
- We took our quality score and divided it by the price to work out weighted based on price and quality.
Find the perfect Olympic barbell for you
Overall | Budget | Premium | Powerlifting | Olympic Weightlifting | Women | Amazon | Short
But before you dig into each one you should also know some of the averages of the 100+ barbells.
| Average tensile strength | 185k PSI |
| Average price | $403 |
So let’s find one that suits you…
1. Best Olympic barbell
Rogue Ohio offers the best balance between build quality, versatility, and price in the barbell market.
Quality
Versatility
Reputation & reviews
Price
Main praises – what I like
- I love the balance between whip and stiffness. It allows for the best of two worlds; Olympic and power lifts. Very few other bars find that sweet spot.
- I’d honestly love to open the sleeves and see how they made bronze bushing so quiet.
Main grievances – what could be better
- If Oly lifts are your main focus and you’re used to aggressive knurling, don’t get the Ohio in e-coat. Even Cerakote might feel slippery. You might wanna skip the Ohio altogether and go with the Aggro bar instead.
Pros
- Price for the quality- the specs are the same as some bars that cost twice as much.
- 190k PSI tensile strength– durable and will not deform from lifting heavy weights.
- Composite bushing sleeves- smooth spin but not too fast so it won’t make slow lifts like a squat or presses unstable.
- Lifetime warranty- peace of mind and it proves Rogue Fitness rates their bars highly.
- F8-R F scale rating- the proprietary Rogue Work Hardening supposedly allows the bar to last three times longer than other bars.
- 13 color options- brand your gym with your own colors.
- Dual knurl markings- make it easy to position your hands for different lifts like the bench press and the snatch.
Cons
- End caps can scratch easily- not ideal aesthetically but it really is hard to find anything to nit-pick at with this bar.
For most home gyms and most people, Rogue Ohio Bar will hit the spot.
That especially goes for conservative buyers because, to get a better bar, you’d have to spend twice as much.
Cheaper bars that are (kinda) close in quality would save you 50 bucks, but none of them has the premium aura or the finish options of the Rogue Ohio.
The Rogue Ohio bar came top of our multi-purpose bars list with a score of 76 out of 100.
A multi purpose bar is the best one for ‘most people’. And the Rogue Ohio is certainly one of the best Olympic bars for CrossFit.
Check out our full guide on the best CrossFit barbells here.
The reasons why it’s our top pick is…
- The price for the tensile strength
- Cerakote finish
- Composite bushings making smooth-spinning sleeves
- And the proprietary Rogue Work Hardening
Rogue Fitness have spent over $2 million and 5 years of research to create their patented F Scale rating.
After all of this testing, they worked out that bars using their special Rogue Work Hardening (RWH) lasted about 3 times as long as bars with the same specs not using this tech. You can use Rogue’s calculator and see how long they estimate the bars on this list will last in years below…
If you are buying a multi-purpose bar, then you are likely going to drop it a lot. Cleans and jerks, snatches, overhead squats, thrusters, and the like all involve dropping the bar from above your head.
The good news is that this bar will last for decades if you’re using it at home!
Even if you were to use this bar in a busy commercial CrossFit gym it would last for 16 years as good as new (according to Rogue).
The composite bushing sleeves provide just the right amount of spin for any of these fast lifts overhead. It’s certainly not as fast as some specialty Olympic Weightlifting bars with needle bearings such as the Rogue Pyrros.
But it’s very unlikely you will lift this bar and think…
“I wish the sleeves would spin a bit more!”
Rogue provides an impressive lifetime warranty on the bar.
Many other barbell manufacturers will provide 5 years or less as a lot can go wrong with a barbell if you mistreat it. But Rogue is so confident in their bars that they still offer this and provide exceptional customer service and delivery.
The bottom line- this is one of the most popular bars out there (and for good reason). It simply ticks all the boxes… and some! It’s also very affordable compared to the competition.
Then the Rogue Work Hardening is the cherry on top.
| Rogue Ohio Bar | |
| Sleeve Type | Composite bushings |
| Knurling | Medium |
| Center Knurl | No |
| Diameter | 28.5mm |
| Warranty | Lifetime |
If noise is a concern in your gym then check out the Rogue Bar 2.0s. It’s pretty much the same as this bar but with a 50% noise reduction.
The trade-off is that it only comes in a black option and hasn’t been around as long.
2. Budget barbell
The Gunner is a budget barbell that doesn’t feel like it, primarily because of the insane strength (235K PSI) and the combo of stainless steel bushings and bearings in the collars.
Quality
Versatility
Reputation & reviews
Price
Main praises – what I like
- I’m unsure how, but the Gunner has a surprisingly “lively” feedback. At 235K, I’d expect it to be stiff…it’s not.
- The spin feels natural and balanced. In my opinion, combining bushings and bearings worked.
Main grievances – what could be better
- I’m not a fan of the all-black. I’d really like to see Force USA take it home by offering some color and finish options.
Pros
- 235k PSI tensile strength- the highest rated bar on this list.
- Very affordable price- $100 cheaper than the top pick.
- Hybrid bushings and bearings sleeves- bearings provide great spin for fast. overhead lifts but bushings are well balanced for the slower lifts like the heavy bench press.
- Zinc-coated bar- very corrosion resistant for an affordable price.
Cons
- 28 mm diameter- slightly thinner than most 28.5mm multi-purpose bars & more suited to Olympic weightlifting.
- Not very popular- hasn’t stood the test of time from numerous buyers yet.
The Gunner is a “cheap,” strong, well-knurled barbell with a good spin.
Just how cheap?
It costs 50-100 bucks less than the Rogue Ohio, and the tensile strength is 45K PSI higher.
The price difference might not sound like much, but it’s enough to buy you a decent curl bar.
On the other hand, the smooth spin sets it apart from the cheaper bars.
3. Premium barbell
Chewy is a once-in-a-lifetime purchase (with a price to match ) – it’s grippy and stiff, with premium finishes and a balanced spin.
Quality
Versatility
Reputation & reviews
Price
Main praises – what I like
- I love the knurl. It’s the best thing about this bar, along with the precise tolerances.
- It’s aggressive yet consistent and “dense,” which is a perfect marriage with the stainless steel.
- I’m a fan of how American Barbell packs and ships their barbells, especially the metal caps on the cardboard tube. It’s not a huge deal but it adds to the overall high-end experience.
- The smooth sleeves are a plus in my book….especially since most brands are switching to groved.
Main grievances – what could be better
- The Chewy has a bit more play than I expect from a powerlifting bar.
- There’s a difference in hue between the sleeves and shaft. It’s only natural because we’re talking steel and chrome, but it takes getting used to if you’re particular like some of us.
Pros
- 20 TPI- 20 teeth per inch means the bar is extra grippy compared to similar power bars
- Volcano knurl- means there are more contact points with your hands (grippy but not as harsh) rather than the more aggressive feeling mountain style knurling
- 190K PSI- strong enough for any lifter in the world
Cons
- Expensive
The Chewy costs almost twice as much as the Rogue Ohio Power bar with the same finishes (chrome/stainless steel).
It’s about half the price of similar bars from Eleiko, but I feel it brings more innovation to the table, like the recessed bearings.
Is it worth it?
Yes, if you can comfortably afford it. If not, go with the Rogue Ohio Power.
It’s now been over a year since the Chewy became commercially available. Before that, you’d have to go through back-doors to get it (like asking American Barbell directly or on Discord).
The high price tag of the Chewy makes sense once you get into the details:
- Elite construction and tolerances – every bit as good as Eleiko. This sounds like a cliche…you can only understand just how good this bar is when you drop it and there’s almost no rattle.
- Volcano knurl with machined tips – you get the grip without the cut palms (this one sounds simple but it’s hard to get right).
- Recessed shaft/sleeve connection – more efficient and cleaner use of the lubrication, which means less maintenance and gunk build-up.
One key point – the knurling
Inspired by Kabuki, the Chewy features a dense knurl with 20 teeth per inch (Kabuki uses 25 TPI).
The result – more contact points between your hands and the bar and a grippy (chewy) feel.
In my opinion, it’s the best knurl American Barbell has ever made. Still, in the broader picture, I wouldn’t call it aggressive…not even close to the likes of Rogue Aggro.
Verdict – it’s just right for an all-rounder power bar.
Check the American Barbell Chewy Bar price and overview here.
4. Powerlifting barbell
The Rogue Ohio Power Bar is one of the top values on the barbell market, despite not being cheap.
Quality
Versatility
Reputation & reviews
Price
Main praises – what I like
- I’ve always loved the knurling on Rogue power bars – it feels coarse and “sticky” without going over the line.
- I think Rogue’s Cerakote is the best out there, mainly because it doesn’t dull the knurl as much (as other brands’).
- Stainless steel is my absolute favorite of the line-up…worth the few extra bucks. It has better tactile feedback than Cerakote, Zinc, or e-coat and will last much longer than bare steel.
- I feel the Ohio Power Bar has a peg less whip than the Chewy. That’s neither here nor there, but I prefer it.
Main grievances – what could be better
- It’s not “spinny” enough for Olympic weightlifting. It’s still a great all-rounder for most people.
- I think it deserves a more durable chrome…you might see some chipping down the line.
Pros
- Aggressive but not sharp knurling- Volcano knurling makes the grip of this bar amazing.
- Strong- 205k PSI can handle any weight you put on it.
- F8-R F Scale rating- a very durable bar that will not warp unless you really mistreat it.
- Finish options- black zinc, cerakote, stainless steel options available. We recommend the stainless steel option as the feel and grip is unreal!
- Pricing- the black zinc and cerakote finish options are very hard to beat for the price. Very good option considering this is from a typically more expensive Rogue.
Cons
- Not ideal for fast lifts- not the bar for CrossFit or weightlifting movements like thrusters or snatches.
Rogue Ohio Power Bar is the less whippy, more aggressively-knurled alternative to the multipurpose Rogue Ohio.
The choice between those 2 will come down to 4 things:
- Knurling – more aggressive on the Power Bar.
- Spin and whip – if you’re big on deadlifts, you’ll prefer the Power Bar.
- The center knurl – it’s there on the Power and not on the classic Ohio. If you have problems keeping the barbell centered, you need the center knurl.
- Markings – the Power Bar has single powerlifting markings (vs. dual on the multipurpose) . Unless you’re preparing for a weightlifting competition, it’s not a massive deal.
Also, the Power Bar is much cheaper than the Chewy, even if you get the stainless steel.
The Rogue Ohio Power bar (OPB) tops our power bar list.
The reason it gets our top pick is because of pricing for the finish options and aggressive (but not sharp) knurling.
The “The Original” Buddy Cappas bar costs more for a zinc or chrome shaft. And the American Barbell Grizzly has a lower tensile strength and less aggressive knurl. In reality, there isn’t much between the three bars but we want to provide you with the best option.
You can find all of our top power bars with a buying guide here.
The stand out feature of the OPB is the volcano knurling design. There are four points on each knurl spike in the shape of a volcano. This makes it aggressive but not sharp.
It makes it the perfect weapon for anyone looking to focus on the bench, squat and deadlift with one bar.
It’s another bar that uses Rogue Work Hardening. In fact, it’s the only power bar on this list to have an F Scale rating of F8-R (the most durable bars according to Rogue).
I used this calculator on the Rogue F Scale to figure this out…
Unless you plan on doing CrossFit or Olympic weightlifting lifts, this is the bar that I would recommend most people buy.
Once you feel the knurling on this bar, you’ll understand why!
The bottom line- if you have no intention of doing fast Oly weightlifting or CrossFit lifts then this is the bar for you. The knurling is aggressive compared to a multi-purpose bar but it’s weirdly not shard due to the volcano-style knurling.
| Rogue Ohio Power Bar | |
| Sleeve Type | Bronze bushings |
| Knurling | Volcano aggressive |
| Center Knurl | Yes |
| Diameter | 29mm |
| Warranty | Lifetime |
5. Olympic Weightlifting barbell
If you’re looking to get a high-end Olympic barbell without spending a grand, Rogue’s Pyrros is as good as it gets.
Quality
Versatility
Reputation & reviews
Price
I’m yet to use and test the Pyrros. I’ll update this section when I do.
Pros
- IWF Olympic standard knurl- provides a good grip without tearing your hands.
- Stainless steel alloy- the ‘crème de la crème’ of corrosion resistance and knurling ‘feels’ more grippy.
- Good spin- 5 needle bearings per sleeve make them spin very smoothly. This helps to prevent injury in any weightlifting moves like the clean and jerk.
- Strong steel- 200k PSI is more than enough for almost all lifters.
Cons
- Expensive- the most expensive bar on this list!
Rogue Pyrros has a subdued spin, good whip, and an aggressive, non-shardy knurling.
They made this one with the help of Pyrros Dimas, the 3-time Olympic gold medalist.
Within the Rogue brand, 2 comparisons make sense:
- To the Euro Olympic bar – Pyrros is the more durable of the 2 and uses more viscous lubrication for a calmer spin.
- Rogue Olympic weightlifting Cerakote – Pyrros is the grippier bar. Trust me, you don’t want to train with a Cerakote shaft and then use stainless steel come competition day.
- Finally, Pyrros’ knurling feels more aggressive than both Euro and Cerakote.
Outside the Rogue brand, it’s comparable to Eleiko (Training, XF Training, and Competition bar) and Uesaka.
At this top-tier level, it all becomes subjective. There’s no bar that blows the competition away.
But there is a bar that costs less…2-3 times less…it’s the Pyrros.
If you want a great Olympic weightlifting barbell and money is not a consideration then this is your barbell.
The Pyrros has IWF Olympic standard knurling, 200k PSI tensile strength and a super smooth spin thanks to the 5 needle bearings in each sleeve. It really doesn’t scrimp on anything.
A stainless steel alloy bar doesn’t require any coating to finish. It simply is the best material out there for corrosion resistance. It can last decades without rusting and still look brand new.
In fact, the only area it didn’t score well in our criteria was the pricing and the popularity of the bar (probably due to the pricing!)
But if you are into Olympic weightlifting, you probably already know a lot about barbells and understand why the costs are higher to make a bar like this.
The bottom line- If you could design an Olympic weightlifting barbell with the best possible specs, this would be it.
| Rogue Pyrros Bar | |
| Sleeve Type | 5 needle bearings per sleeve |
| Knurling | IWF Olympic standard knurl |
| Center Knurl | Yes |
| Diameter | 28mm |
| Warranty | Lifetime |
6. Women’s barbell
Bella is the top value among women Olympic barbells with the hybrid knurling, precision build and tight tolerances as the 3 main fortes.
Quality
Versatility
Reputation & reviews
Price
I haven’t personally used the Bella, and these opinions are based on experiences of the colleagues I talked to, both girls and boys.
You read that right…
I know plenty of men who use the bella for some lifts. It’s ideal for anyone with smaller hands or if you like having a slightly lighter bar to learn technique and do more cardio-focused workouts.
And you can still pile the plates on to lift the same weight!
Pros
- Lighter (33lbs) and thinner (25mm)- the standard for women’s bars… or anyone with smaller hands!
- Premium cerakote finish – more resistant to corrosion and wear than any of the bars in Top 5
- Well-balanced hybrid knurling – makes for a comfortable, yet secure grip
- RWH (Rogue Work Hardening) treated – makes it more resistant to dropping and lasts longer
- Awesome color combos – one of the nine combos (twelve if you count the chrome sleeve option) will add a splash of color to your home gym
- Great for multi-purpose use- bronze bushings & no center knurl means you can throw this bar overhead and drop it and it’ll work for years to come!
Cons
- Pricy – you’ll spend more on the Bella bar than some other picks in our best women’s barbell guide.
- Warranty limited to construction – you’re covered against bending
Rogue Bella costs 3 times less than its direct competitor – the Eleiko IWF Training bar, and I don’t see a single quality aspect where it falls short.
The tolerances are strict, and the axial/radial floats* between the sleeve and shaft are small. In plain language, you get a bar that spins smoothly but isn’t noisy.
Even simpler – it means wrist protection without the clunky feel of cheaper bars.
If you want to spend less, you’d have to give up that impeccable spin and a range of finishes (including my stainless steel and colorful Cerakote). You can see some of our budget picks in the main guide on best Women’s Olympic barbells here.
*Axial and radial floats are the spaces allowed between the barbell’s shaft and sleeve in different directions. The two values describe how much the shaft can move in response to axial and radial loads (illustrated below).
Women’s barbells are thinner in diameter (25mm vs 28mm) and weigh less (15kg vs 20kg) than men’s Olympic barbells.
They are called women’s barbells, but I know plenty of men that prefer to use them! It’s ideal for anyone with smaller hands or if you like having a slightly lighter bar to learn technique and do more cardio-focused workouts. You can still pile the plates on to lift the same weight too!
But either way the Rogue Bella bar does not scrimp on any of the details!
It has a premium cerakote finish. This means it will not rust or corrode even if left out in the rain (although don’t do this obviously!) But it does mean if you live in a humid environment this bar will be totally fine.
It also uses Rogue Work Hardening and 190k PSI tensile strength steel.
This means it will last you a lifetime in a home gym even if you throw the bar around with snatches and drop the bar overhead regularly.
Some men with smaller hands don’t go for a women’s bar because they can’t fit as much weight on the bar. But the sleeves are up there with the longest out of women’s barbells. This allows you to add more plates to the bar than many of the others…
It’s a shame it only has a ‘construction warranty’ (covered against bending) instead of a lifetime warranty. And it’s not the cheapest women’s barbell you can find. But for the overall quality and price point, this barbell gets our top pick.
The bottom line- if you’re looking to buy a women’s barbell that will last a lifetime and can cope with any lifts you want, then this is for you!
| Rogue Bella Bar | |
| Sleeve Type | Bronze bushings |
| Knurling | Medium |
| Center Knurl | No |
| Diameter | 25mm |
| Warranty | Construction |
7. Best barbell on Amazon
The E.T. Energetic is one of the few Oly bars in this price bracket that’s worth the money.
Quality
Versatility
Reputation & reviews
Price
Main praises – what I like
- I love the consistency and depth of the knurl. It’s slightly less aggressive than Rogue Ohio’s, but still good enough to be your main barbell.
- The black-silver chrome combo looks awesome.
Main grievances – what could be better
- I’m not a fan of the little groves on the sleeves, I prefer smooth sleeves that cause no vibration when (off)loading.
Pros
- Price for the quality- the specs are the same as some bars that cost twice as much.
- 190k PSI tensile strength– durable and will not deform from lifting heavy weights.
- Composite bushing sleeves- smooth spin but not too fast so it won’t make slow lifts like a squat or presses unstable.
- Lifetime warranty- peace of mind and it proves Rogue Fitness rates their bars highly.
- F8-R F scale rating- the proprietary Rogue Work Hardening supposedly allows the bar to last three times longer than other bars.
- 13 color options- brand your gym with your own colors.
- Dual knurl markings- make it easy to position your hands for different lifts like the bench press and the snatch.
Cons
- End caps can scratch easily- not ideal aesthetically but it really is hard to find anything to nit-pick at with this bar.
The E.T. Energetic ticks all the main boxes for 2-4 times less money than brand-name competitors.
Even our budget pick (the Gunner), costs 50% more.
The one thing that jumps out from the specs is the combination of brass bushings and needle bearings…just because you don’t see it often in this price range.
Perfection is the enemy of good.
You could abide by that adage, save a few hundred bucks and get a bar like the E.T. Energic.
You get a hard chrome finish, high tensile strength and bearings.
In practice, things aren’t as rosy:
- The specs aren’t precise – it’s about 4 lbs lighter than listed, and the sleeves are slightly shorter.
- The “hard” chrome is not as resistant as with the top brands, so you’ll see some chipping over the years.
- The bearings might vibrate. It’s all minor stuff that can get annoying over time.
So, why label it as “best” in any category?
Because those imperfections aren’t as significant as with other bars in its price range.
In other words, there’s no better bar for the money.
8. Best short barbell
GetRXD Shorty bar is the best bounce for the ounce on the short-bar market because of the durability, long sleeves and a hard chrome finish.
Quality
Versatility
Reputation & reviews
Price
Main praises – what I like
- I love the geometry…specifically, the longer sleeves and the 52-inch distance between collars. It’s rackable and pairs well with “regular” bumper plates.
Main grievances – what could be better
- I personally found the spin on the sleeves is not as good as most other bars on this list.
Pros
- Short bar at 6.2ft- perfect if you’re tight on space.
- Incredible value for money- you’ll struggle to find another shorty bar that’s as good as this for this price.
- Rackable- 52” collar to collar distance– this is a must for us. If you can’t rack it you can’t use it for heavy squats or bench presses.
- Oversized oil-impregnated bushings spin smoothly – it lowers the risk of a wrist injury, and they oil themselves to keep the spin smoother for longer.
- 9.84” sleeves- longer than most short barbells, which allows you to add more weight (300lbs of bumper plates!)
Cons
- Hard chrome is not as grippy as Cerakote or Zinc – if you like aggressive knurling and lift heavy, you might need to spend money on chalk.
- Two inches longer than a standard 6ft bar (74 inches long) – won’t save you as much much space as a 5ft or standard 6ft bar.
GetRXD recognized 3 overlooked facts when making this bar:
- Shorty bars are supposed to be cheaper.
- “Cheaper” is a different word from “chipping.”
- Most people are OK with the shorty bar being a few inches longer if it means more space on the sleeves and rackability.
To be specific – it’s the cheapest rackable shorty on the market. If you know of another, do tell.
The main reason the GetRXd gets the top spot for shorty bars is because of its value for money.
When you’re tight on space these are probably the main factors for you:
- A barbell that is short enough to fit into a limited space
- A decent price
- Good quality
The GetRXd ticks all of these boxes.
One of our ‘must have’ criteria for these bars was that they are ‘rackable’. So we heavily weighted the points on this aspect.
And the GetRXd Shorty bar is rackable.
This means you can do heavy bench presses and squats using this bar by racking it on a squat rack. You can find our best squat rack picks here. Or if you are tight on space check out our best short racks or folding squat racks.
However, when a short bar is rackable it always means the sleeves are going to be much shorter than a normal 7ft bar. But the length of the sleeves was another huge factor for us in our research!
The Get RXd short bar has one of the longest sleeves of our best short barbell picks.
Only the Elieko short bar has longer sleeves but it comes in at over 3 times the price of this bar!
Combine all of this with 190k PSI tensile strength, composite bushings sleeves, and a hard chrome finish. And this barbell blows the competition out of the water.
The bottom line- get this bar if you are tight on space. The quality, the length of the sleeves, and the price are why it’s our top recommendation for short barbells.
| GetRXd Shorty Bar | |
| Sleeve Type | Composite bushings |
| Knurling | Medium |
| Center Knurl | No |
| Diameter | 28mm |
| Length | 6.2ft or 74.4” (Olympic bars are 7.2ft or 86.4”) |
| Warranty | Lifetime |
Different barbell types
Before you think about what to look for in a barbell, it’s important to recognize what types of barbells exist.
Firstly, there are two main types of bars you’ll find:
- Standard barbell
- Olympic barbell
A standard barbell is 5 to 6 feet long, weighs between 15 and 25 lbs and has 1” diameter sleeves (ends of the bar). They have a load capacity of between 100 to 200 lbs. You can learn more about the difference in our article standard barbell vs Olympic barbell.
You will often find these types of bars available on Craigslist and eBay and think you’re bagging a bargain. Here’s me with my first bar, which I thought was a bargain (it’s not, it’s just pretty useless)…
However, these bars are not ideal for a gym. There are fewer options to buy weight plates or collars and you can quickly “out squat” the maximum load of these bars.
So the only bars you see above are Olympic barbells with 2” sleeves. They weigh either 45 lbs or 33 lbs for men’s or women’s versions. There are three main types of Olympic bars you’ll find:
Made to be dropped.
A cross between an Olympic weightlifting bar and a powerlifting barbell.
Typically an “in-between bar” with a 28.5mm diameter.
The sleeves can use bushings or bearings or even a mixture.
This is the type of bar I’d recommend for most people with a home gym as they are very versatile. Our top pick is the Rogue Ohio Bar.
Designed for powerlifting movements (squats, bench press, deadlifts) and slow controlled movements like presses, curls, or rows.
More rigid than Olympic weightlifting bars. Typically, they are slightly thicker at 29mm diameter (this small difference can make a big difference in the “whip” though!)
Knurling (the grip) is more aggressive to help the lifter with heavier weight. Our top pick, the Rogue Ohio Power Bar uses volcano-style knurling to provide more grip but is not as sharp as the “mountain” style.
Uses bushing sleeves that don’t spin as much as needle bearings and are easier to maintain.
Differences between barbells
There are certain movements that are better performed with a certain type of bar…
| Power bar movements | Olympic/ multipurpose bar movements |
| Bench press | Any power bar movements plus the below… |
| Squat | Snatch |
| Deadlift* | Clean |
| Overhead press | Jerk |
| Curl | Overhead squat |
| Shrug | Thrusters |
| Tricep press | Sumo deadlift high pull |
| Row | |
| Controlled movements without dropping the bar | Fast movements dropping the bar from a height |
* Some experienced lifters claim that you can use the whip of a barbell to help with deadlifts, so a multipurpose bar is better.
If you plan on doing CrossFit or Olympic Weightlifting movements at any stage, it is wise to get an Olympic weightlifting bar or multi-purpose bar.
But if you plan on competing in powerlifting competitions or know you won’t ever want to do CrossFit movements, a power bar is for you.
If you’re still not sure, then you may as well go for an in-between multi-purpose bar like the Rogue Ohio Bar.
This really is only scratching the surface of different types of bars available. For example you can read any of our guides for:
- EZ curl bars
- Trap bars
- Safety squat bars
- Short barbell
- Powerlifting barbells
- Deadlift bars
- CrossFit barbells
- Multi-grip barbells
Or you can see certain brands that make barbells such as:
But you only need one good barbell in your home gym. Any of the options we list above are more than enough for most people.
So you’re probably wondering…
What to look for in a barbell
There are five main things you should consider before buying a barbell…
- What will you use it for?
- Quality and durability
- Versatility
- Brand reputation and other reviews
- Pricing and value
There are some pretty strange terms used on a barbell. So here’s the anatomy of a barbell to help you figure out what’s going on…
The first thing you really need to think about is what you will use your barbell for…
Barbell buying guide – how we assess barbells
Once I had selected the 191 barbells to compare for this guide I made a huge spreadsheet and collected all the data.
There were some sales pages that made it hard to find all of the data I wanted. So I reached out to each company to clarify missing elements such as this…
Once I had gathered this raw data, I then spoke to the team at Strong Home Gym, including other certified personal trainers and gym owners.
We came up with 16 criteria that we considered to be the most important factors in deciding the best Olympic barbell.
Once I found the best-ranked barbells I selected around 20 and again went back to the team. We had personally tried or still use 14 of these bars and have managed to at least get our hands on the bars in the list above.
You can find out more about our selection process here.
Other barbells we tested
- Rogue 2.0 – this bar used to be one of our top picks, but it fell below the line because the finishes aren’t as versatile as with the Ohio (only comes in black Zinc).
- Eleiko XF Bar – great bar, but way too expensive for most home gyms, especially when the Chewy exists.
- REP Colorado – decent competitor to Rogue Ohio. In my opinion, it should cost 10-20% less.
- Synergy Regional – good budget bar (and very popular, too). It’s similar to the E.T. Energic but costs a bit more.
- Rogue Chan Bar – great bar that’s too niche and costs too much to be a top pick. Still, I love the mild center knurl and cerakote-stainless steel combo….love it. Ideal if you’re taller than 6 foot 1 and like a bit of center knurl.
- REP Alpine – good bar but not as “polished” as the Rogue Pyrros and not as high-value as the Ohio or Gunner.
- Kabuki Strength 258K Power Bar – yep, the 258K stands for the 258 thousand PSI tensile strength, which is the highest in the industry. It’s one of my all-time favorites, but an overkill for a home gym.
- American Barbell Grizzly – costs more than Rogue Ohio for a lower tensile strength and a duller knurl.
- American Barbell Stainless Bearing – high-end barbell, comparable to Eleiko and Uesaka…too expensive for most home/garage gyms.
- Buddy Capps The “Original” Texas Power Bar – a legendary record-breaking bar with the misfortune of competing against the Rogue Ohio.
- Vulcan Strength Bearing Barbell – I’ve seen reports of issues with the bearings and spin.
- Fringe Sport 20KG and W2 bars – 2 value bars shortlisted for the top budget pick. Both were edged by the Gunner because of the price difference (slight, but still…).
- CAP Barbell The Beast – insanely popular on Amazon and a candidate for the “cheap” pick. I feel the E.T. Energetic has a better finish, though and the CAP has complaints of metal shavings coming off.
Olympic barbell FAQs
How do I choose an Olympic barbell?
There are four steps to choosing the right bar for you:
1. Decide what movements you will use it for.
2. Select a barbell with the strength to handle your exercise. Anything over 180,000 PSI tensile strength is enough for 99% of people.
3. Pick a type of barbell that has the practicality you need. If you want a multi-purpose bar aim for a bar that spins well and has medium knurling for grip and 28.5mm diameter.
4. Find one within your budget. You can get a very good bar for under $350.
Can you bench press with an Olympic bar?
Most people will be able to use an Olympic weightlifting bar for a bench press. Typically, the knurling is not as aggressive as a power bar. The sleeves will often have needle bearings that spin more than bushing barbells.
Weightlifting barbells also have more “whip” than a power bar, which isn’t ideal. But unless you are lifting over 400 lbs on a bench press you won’t notice these differences.
What is the best Olympic bar?
The best Olympic barbell for most people is the Rogue Ohio bar.
Ohio made it to the top of our list because of its versatility and value-to-price ratio.
To reach this conclusion we spent over 120 hours comparing 100+ available barbells in criteria such as price, warranty, knurling, finish, whip, sleeves type and many more.
How much does an Olympic barbell cost?
Most Olympic barbells, such as the Rogue Ohio Bar cost between $150 and $350. It’s possible to find some for $80 and you can also pay over $1,000. However, for most people, you can find an Olympic barbell that is more than enough for $250.
Should I get a 6ft or 7ft barbell?
Men’s barbells are 7.2 ft and women’s are 6.5 feet. A 7ft barbell is normally better than a 6ft bar for men.
If you are tight on space you can get a great 6tf bar such as GetRXd’s short bar to fit.
The majority of exercises you will perform at the gym are better done with a longer bar as they can hold more weight and provide more variations. This includes squats, rows, presses, and deadlifts.
Best Olympic barbell – the bottom line
After spending over 120 hours of research and running over 100 Olympic barbells through our tests we have found some clear winners.
I would recommend the Rogue Ohio Bar to most people. It is a multi-purpose bar with decent knurling that is not too aggressive, smooth-spinning composite bushings in the sleeves, and costs half the price of similar spec barbells.
The Rogue Ohio Power bar is my top power bar pick due to the tensile strength, volcano knurl, and price. If you want a more aggressive knurl and do not intend on doing any Olympic weightlifting or CrossFit lifts then this bar is ideal for you.
However, if you are looking to save a bit of money and still get good value I’d recommend the Force USA Gunner Bar. The mixture of needle bearings and bushings in the sleeves means it has a fast spin but can work for slow lifts too.
You can check all of the prices and other users’ reviews of all of the top picks here in this table.
This is the bar that we recommend for ‘most people’.
We have spent over 120 hours of research and tested over 100 barbells.
It is affordable but comes with some high specs. The Rogue Work Hardening and 190k PSI tensile strength mean the bar will last a lifetime in a home gym.
It is a multi-purpose bar with a 28.5mm diameter shaft and composite bushings in the sleeves. This means it’s balanced for heavy slow bench presses but you can also perform snatches and fast overhead lifts.
