Might be a hot take but the Eleiko Power Bar does not have good tolerances. Several import bars available for less and in stainless (Hansu, TSS) that have better tolerances, better knurl, and still have those thin IPF comp collars. Rogue has also refreshed the 45lbs OPBs to have lower profile grooved sleeves and better tolerances on the sleeves themselves like the Ohio Bar 2.0S (the 20kg versions and aggros have not yet been updated). Best built bar I own is the American Barbell Chewy bar, which is stainless steel, tig welded sleeves, grippy knurling, and around $600.

@GarageGymReviews

Ай бұрын

I need to bring the Chewy Bar in. I haven't used it yet, but I've heard so many good things about it and I've always wanted a more aggressive AB Bar. - Coop

@BasementBrandon

Ай бұрын

@@GarageGymReviews There are two "flavors" out now. Retail is usually a 20TPI volcano but they sometimes have a 25TPI mountain. I know you love your Kabuki bar so you might want to go with the 25 if you can find one as the goal was to create a Kabuki knurl but on a bar with better finishes/tolerances.

@carps_gym

Ай бұрын

Never used or owned an Eleiko but I could agree with the rest of those you mentioned. The Rogue, Rep and Kabuki were at Home Gym Con and I have own the AB 25 TPI Volcano and the 20 TPI Mountain. Yeah Also own both living.Fit barbells they are very close to the Rep Colorado bar at a better price

@JonHanner-un7ef

Ай бұрын

Chewy bar is great. REP's new bar lineup is amazing too - I'd go American Barbell or REP now. Not a fan or Rogue's bars. They rattle a lot and don't have the best tolerances and I think nearly all of them have grooved sleeves which make a lot of noise when you slide plates on/off. Mostly marketing and their nonsense F scale.

@axxofitness

Ай бұрын

Correct me if I'm wrong, but IPF and IWF require specific dimensions of the sleeves and plate holes being 50 and 51mm. You prepare for the Olympics on the 20 years old Eleiko set and you win the Olympics on the new Eleiko set. The old and new needs to feel similar not to throw competitors off balance. Hence the slack like in the old days. You pull the slack, you hear the clang - that's the sound of victory right there.

I've been running the American Barbell stainless bar (humid basement) for years and it's been incredible. Love that thing and it still looks basically new. Pheromonal company, phenomenal bars.

Love my American Barbell Stainless Gym Bar. Find myself using that more than my other bars!

Picked up the AB California bar when equipment was hard to find. I love it. Definitely an underrated bar/brand.

I have used many of the higher end bars. Gungnir is the only must have. Nothing is as convenient or as thought through as that bar! Hands down my favorite!

I vote for the AB Chewy bar...I've owned both the retail version, which is a 20 tpi volcano knurl, and a 20 tpi mtn knurl version. Amazing quality that sets them apart from other bars I have owned or used.

American Barbell Chewy is my primary

American Barbell Chewy bar!

Viewers, get a snack, get comfortable, and I’d suggest a notebook and pen, because this breakdown has a TON of good information. Solid work, brother. 💪

Just ordered Colorado bar through links above. Thanks for the great content Coop !!!

I bought the Reps Alpine bar Stainless steel and have been absolutely loving it for my training. At first the knurling seemed aggressive but after a couple months my hands have adapted. I also wish the center knurling was removed(great at times but has rubbed me wrong also). Coming from a Rogue Ohio bar I can say bar whip on the Rep Alpine has been really noticeable and so has the spin with the hybrid bearings. I take great care of my bars and can see this one lasting with me through life. Great addition to my arsenal

AB bars are the house choice. Chewy, Griz, and both type CA bars. Absolutely solid.

Love my Colorado Barbell, best barbell I’ve ever used.

I have had my Eleiko XF bar for 3 years and I love it. Got it for a really good deal, so I can't speak on value for everyone. But it is a great barbell, I use it for everything except back squats and deadlifts. Coop touched on it very briefly about the knurling, but I think it has just the right amount of aggressive knurling. I would give the knurling 6 out of 10 on aggressiveness. But it is an absolute 10/10 for my hands. I've had no problem with 315lb clean and jerks and 365lb bench presses. It is an all-around great bar

For me and my training I’ll probably do the American barbell Chewy bar as a power bar rogue Ohio stainless general purpose bar and either eleiko or eusaka olympic bar

Reps warranty and customer service is far beyond Rogue. I sold all my rogue equipment when the sleeves started coming apart after less than a year and they wouldn't send a replacement to my current address. Rep on the other hand has not only stood behind their products but even gave me a free pulley when I dinged mine up accidentally during install of the ares even though it was clearly my fault. Their logic: "happens to the best of us." I'll be a Rep fanboy for life

Can’t wait to watch the AB chewy review which I’m sure is now fast tracked. If that video causes the chewy to blow up we can just call it the ABC

That was a good fair review. Really enjoyed the wide range of $$$.

Fringe sport Hybrid Bar rules the general purpose arena, and looks siiiiick

Now that Rep’s Black Diamond bar has been out for a while, any plans on doing a review of it? So far there are only reviews for the Double Black Diamond but not the single Black Diamond.

My pick is the 30 year old CAP barbell in my home gym. Never cleaned and has not corroded. Gest the job done and no worries on damaging an expensive bar.

Just got a Colorado bar and that thing is noice! For the average person it’s top notch, no complaints

Great timing! Im on the market for my first purchase

You missed the best one.. the AB Chewy!!

Let's get a full review of Uesaka's bars. There seems to be so little about this bar that is either recent or detailed.

@NAlbert2008

Ай бұрын

Yes pleeease!

@markfocacci5174

Ай бұрын

I have a Uesaka competition bar, an Eleiko competition bar and 2 Pendlay bearing bars. The Uesaka is my preferred bar for training. I like the Pendlay bars over the Eleiko.

Throwdown - olympic bearings barbell, tried it at a local gym and its great. U.S. made I believe. Passive knurling... Worth reviewing...

Great video - thanks! It'd be cool to see a deep dive on the super low budget brands, like Cap, for what's worth it for beginner lifters.

Rogue hybrid power bar is my daily driver. Awesome knurl

Why include American Barbell in two categories but leave out their Chewy bar for the power bar segment? That's their best bar and the best of that category.

@ctsmith39

Ай бұрын

I love my Chewy

@richharr

Ай бұрын

I think the chewy is the best power bar I have ever owned.

@jimmiereese4904

Ай бұрын

25:32 you must’ve missed this part of the video so I’ve timestamped it.

@benbarnett1076

Ай бұрын

@@jimmiereese4904 I didn’t, but thanks

@Ketamaniac

Ай бұрын

Agreed. The AB Chewy is the best barbell I’ve ever used.

I have a Rogue Ohio power bar and a Rogue deadlift bar. Outside of specialty bars, I don't envision myself buying another barbell again. I mean, I probably will because I have a garage gym sickness but I wont NEED one.

A couple of additions for the power bar category. Hansu power bar is becoming one of the most popular IPF approved power bars. TSS power bar is coming on strong as well. Personally the 29mm Texas is my go to, since I haven’t ponied up the money for the chewy yet

I bought a bar for my basement gym 11 years ago. I don't even know the brand and didn't know I want a new bar before this video haha

American Barbell. All their bars seem really good to me. And the knurling gets a bad rap, IMO. Yeah, it won't tear your hands up. But its plenty grippy. And they know how to do chrome right. Holds up very well.

@hitleractually8180

Ай бұрын

they know how to "do chrome right" because they don't do it in the United States. US has laws with forbid the proper barbell chroming techniques. So they chrome them in Mexico, or something, to skirt these laws and do it correctly.

Nice overview. I’d love to see a video comparing a lot of different deadlift bars: Rogue, Leoko, Kabuki, Texas and more.

Thank you for the in depth review Coop! Curious what your thoughts are on the Rogue Hybrid Power bar? Can we perhaps get a dedicated review? How is it different from the Rogue Ohio Power bar in stainless with matte black sleeves?

I do Olympic lifting, I decided to get a rogue pyrros for the slower spin. The spin is so smooth it easily could be my last bar. (I’m going to get a uesaka eventually but that’s besides the point)

Love what you do buddy 💪🏽

The Rogue Ohio Power Bar in 20kg format is an appalling top pick. It, by definition, is designed to do 3 things well… squat, deadlift and bench press. 2 of the 3 requires a rack and it fails miserably in Rogue’s very own 49 inch rack! I challenge anyone to provide a link of them doing a hard set of 5 in a 49 inch rack with a OPB without clattering the plates into the uprights. And please… no work around…WTF is that?!…Workaround for the thing it’s designed to do! 💩. Worrying about tolerances and other marginal stuff when it can’t even do what it’s designed to do if you have a 49 inch rack, exemplifies majoring in the minors.

My go-to is the Rogue 45lb Ohio Power Bar, bare steel. Best bar for $275. Pretty aggressive knurl but just use chalk and your hands will toughen up to it. It’s a tank of a bar! Also have a 15kg Rogue B&R bar for wife and kids. I just got a Rogue Boneyard 28mm training bar for $150 and it’s awesome for power cleans. I like bare steel, no coating to chip/fail, just scrub it off with a slightly oily rag every few weeks and it will slowly patina and darken.

@martystrasinger3801

Ай бұрын

My home gym bar as well. I travel a lot for work and get to see a lot of different bars in the gyms of whatever local gym I use. Close tolerances/tight fit of the mechanicals doesn’t always mean reliable, rugged and long lasting. Admittedly, I have to keep a humidifier going 24/7 in my basement during the summer months; the water table is pretty high where my house is, rust is a concern. I like the 45 pounder because my OCD kicks in when I try to pretend that 20kg is 45 pounds.

No mention of the American barbell Chewy bar? That seems to be conscious best overall powerbar by most home gym enthusiasts. Surely Coop has one? I wonder if he just doesn’t like it.

@hitleractually8180

Ай бұрын

American Barbell doesn't pay him to shill and won't send him a bar for free. He'll have to buy it on his own which is why he hasn't tried it.

I have used a bunch of different bars but the ones i own that i really love are as follows: General Training Bar - LuXiaoJun Bar (unfortunately not available anymore) Power Bar - Rogue Ohio Power Bar - Im not a power lifter but i got this bar and i really like it and then for Olympic Weightlifting which is what i do more often is the Eleiko Training bar( I have 4 of them)

Own a Rogue OPB and OB and they’ve been great. Needed a second generalist bar and a second power bar and ultimately decided to pick up the REP Colorado and Double Black Diamond. In both categories I prefer the REPs, but they have the benefit of being nearly 10 years newer. I don’t know what changes Rogue has made in the interim, but generally the REP bars have knurling more to my tastes, had better tolerances.

@JonHanner-un7ef

Ай бұрын

This is how must reviews read who have tried both.

Review the ZKC weightlifting IWF bar. For the snatch and clean and jerk it is amazing. Same thing for high bar squats cause it gets a solid bounce. There's some things I don't like about it, but you're the expert, so I'd like to know your thoughts about it.

Stories like the Uesaka bar do make me want to buy it more as well. It's interesting. That said my budget sends me to Rep, but like you said, also decent bars and it is a good time to have a lot of excellent choices.

Uesaka men’s comp is a work of art. My prized possession haha

Gungnir ❤

I like different bars for different lifts. I have a York 32mm Power Bar, a Rogue Ohio Bar, a Rogue 32 mm Squat Bar, and a Texas Deadlift bar.

For budget, ironmaster has a good offering. It's what I use, but admittedly, it's the only bar I've ever used.

I have the rogue ohio bar (stainless steel handle). It's solid for an average joe like me. I love it.

If we're going off of looks, gotta say I love the Fringe Midas

Single most important thing for me when buying anything gym related is. Customer service/warranty after you bought products

The powerlifting gym I usually train at have a full compliment of Eleiko bars, but I tend to look for their one Rogue bar (I think it's an Ohio), especially for deadlifting and bench press, because the knurling feels just a tad more aggressive than Eleiko. For my home gym I bought a Recoil Cerakote bar. So far it feels really similar to Rogue with the aggressive knurling. For squats I'm fine with what ever as long as it doesn't rattle like it's about to fall apart.

18:43 Coop, brass (copper and zinc) and bronze (copper and tin) are not the same material. Bronze has a low coefficient of friction against other metals, which is preferred for bushings.

I have a Rogue Ohio bar in red cerakote and I absolutely love it.

@DANA-lx8cv

Ай бұрын

Same here. It's both a great performing and really good looking bar. I also have an all black zinc Ohio bar and the Rogue curl bar. The zinc and cerakote each have a slightly different feel due to the different coatings and how they interact with the knurling. I like to switch off for variety. Everything I have bought from Rogue has been top quality, and I always buy American made when I can. When I lift in a public gym, the first thing I notice is how "slippery" the bars usually are and how off the feel is compared to my home stuff.

I’ve got small hands, leads to grip being an issue on most lifts. That’s why I like my 28.5 TPB. I’ve debated upgrading to a 29 for a power bar, but I’m just not sure it’s worth it when my hands are small.

Power Bar - AB Chewy (if you like it knurly) or AB Mammoth if you don’t (if you can still find one) GP, Rogue Ohio OR AB Cali, personal preference. Ohio for a dead smack in the middle “jack of all trades” bar. AB Cali IF you don’t mind a 28mm shaft. Honestly, AB Cali is more of a “crossfit bar”. Meaning, Rogue Ohio was meant as a CF bar, but their logic was “jack of all trades” and what they ended up with was a great “GP” or “Bodybuilding” bar. Ohio is a great rec for a home gym guy owning just one bar only. AB Cali leans just a bit towards a hint of their Oly Trainer (still a bushing bar but tuned for a smoother spin), if you’re doing actual Crossfit workouts, its still going to treat you pretty well for S/B/D but that hint of Oly Trainer is going to show up big for high rep oly or barbell cycling workouts. Another way to say it, my personal rec was usually: If you want ONE bar, grab an Ohio, but if you don’t mind owning 2 bars, skip Ohio, grab a true Power Bar & and AB Cali as a goid Batman/Robin combo. My personal stable, for ref: AB Mammoth, Chewy Rogue Ohio, AB Cali Texas Deadlift (And then a bunch of specialty stuff)

What are your thoughts on the Crandall Fitness 28.5mm Cerakote Olympic Bearing Bar? So far she's been a beast for my home gym. Decided to buy the matching rackable ez-bar. Has good knurling (not too sharp, but grips well) & no signs of rust after 6 months being in my outdoor beach area home gym. I did make custom waterproof covers for them when not in use. I'm not sure of the tensile strength or knurl type, doesn't say on their web site.

The Atx XTP power bar is great. They have a similar bare steel bar like Eleiko

For general training, tell me why the stainless steel Rogue Chan Bar with Cerakote isn't a good option. It even has a passive center knurl that works well with the proper shirt. Only downside I've had is for a close grip work where knurling lacks, however if I'm doing close grip whatever, I generally don't need full knurling and what I can grab with half my hand is satisfactory. This bar is not for anyone that would consider themselves a powerlifter, but I do like it for general training.

Your confidence in Rogue's F Rating Scale and their RWH is a little weird. The only way it would be valid is if a 3rd party tested barbells from all manufacturers and published a report. Rogue doesn't give any details on what their RWH technique is and it seems pretty unlikely that they're doing some extra special thing that no other high end barbell manufacturer has figured out.

Just curious, because I see them in older gyms and still kicking….would you recommend York Barbell bars? Maybe review coming??😅

great vid ty

I have the elitefts power bar and have had it for 8 years. Purchase price was $299, and it is hard chrome finish and it has almost zero corrosion with very little maintenance. I don't think you have ever reviewed that bar. Given the great company elitefts is with all they offer for free as far as knowledge I like supporting them.

@pokeyouindaeye

Ай бұрын

I'm curious about their gear too, not often reviewed or talked about... perhaps it's just rebranded from elsewhere? I think they make a lot of their own equipment like racks and machines, but I'd bet they outsource bars.

Would love a series or a video on the three best of some item. Like if you could only get 1-3 barbells or other pieces of equipment, whats the best.

It would be great if you reviewed Ironbull’s Stainless Power Bar. In Canada, it’s only $400, for a stainless. They deliver in the US as well. Might be the best value stainless bar out there.

How does the knurling compare between the Cerakote Colorado vs California? I'm so split between the two. I deeply care about the knurling so I keep leaning Colorado, then I keep thinking the 28mm California might make up for it.

Have the ohio bar and love it. Bought a cheap walmart bar as a beater bar and to superset. Absolutely hated it and got the ohio power bar instead. Wow absolutely my favorite bar. Definitely recommend not skipping out on a nice barbell.

@KeterMalkuth

Ай бұрын

As someone who's currently stuck with a cheap old rusty bar, what makes the Ohio bar so much better in your opinion? I know that objectively it's just a better bar, I'm just curious what specifically made the cheap bar so much worse for you

@ak-zw8jv

Ай бұрын

@KeterMalkuth the bar was probably like 30mm or more which felt way too big especially for deadlifting. The knurling was absolutely terrible. It's hard to describe because i didn't think I was a knurling snob but the ohio power bar has the absolute best knurling imo

I would love to see a review like this for racks. like all I can fit in my space is a half rack and there are a lot of options out there from cheap crap to way over built. Where do I start? Thanks.

Anyone know what the blue and orange light bar stands names/brand are called that coop is using here in the background for the ambient lighting?

I have multiple rep Colorado bars and I have to say the QC is really bad on the cerakote and the shipping is pretty awful in terms of how they pack the bar. Outside of aesthetic issues, it's a great bar.

Opinions on Wright Equipment Next Gen Bushing bars? In that $300 range, American Made, 0.002 tolerance, 201,000 tensile strength, seems like a competitor.

+1 for Oregon Power Bar review!

@fwiffo42

Ай бұрын

Sadly, it’s been discontinued

@joevandevusse3004

Ай бұрын

@@fwiffo42 seriously? Where did you see that?

@fwiffo42

Ай бұрын

@@joevandevusse3004 on their new Kabuki Power site and Instagram :(

I'd love a deep dive on shorty rackable bars. Rogue c-70s and similar.

Coop could you review some stuff from Hold Strong? After seeing them in your FIBO vlogs their finish seemed really clean, curious how their stuff like barbells hold up to competition

18:34 the rarely talked about “Rogue” Black Diamond bar

For Texas Power Bars, I noticed online that the tensile strength has gone up.

I love The Stump, I own. I am hoping we can one day see a Stump, with the Aggro2X treatment.

What do you think of the HADES DEADLIFT BAR. i just got that in from rep fitness.

Texas Power Bar 29mm or the ISF "Lift Evil" Chaos Power Bar 👍👍 great review

No Deadlift Bar category?!! 🤷 I have a Texas Deadlift Bar and a no name 20+ year old budget bar that is good enough, so im set on bars, but I watched this whole video and loved every second 👌

My favorite barbell is a cheap Olympic barbell that won’t rust, preferably a set with bumpers and at least 120kg total

How does the Rogue Aggro 2 knurl compare to the kabuki power bar?

Great video and super informative. I suggest maybe making a video for women's bars - olympic and GP (BoS have an interesting import). I am still bummed that you show no love for Vulcan bars - their PL, WL and GP bars are great. In Europe I would def add Leoko for PL and WL(same steel as the Swedes), Werksan for WL- if you can get one used .. they closed their shop prior to covid nonsense, Hatlex for GP and Palini for PL and WL. The ZKC bar and the DHS from China are both IWF cert bars and deserve a mention. Also - don't think I didn't notice you deadlifting on a Klokov bar whilst talking about the Rogue OHP.

Texas Power Bar all day every day. Anything they make is the way to go

I don't really understand the reasoning behind "Chrome makes it less durable". I worked in a machine shop for years and any item that would receive a lot of wear and tear either got Chrome or Titanium Nitride (TiN) coatings. Plus if you look at Mil Spec bolt carrier groups and barrels for M16s, they are chromed on the inside to improve durability. Maybe something to do with sliding friction vs decreasing the diameter of a barbell shaft to compensate for the thickness of the coating?

@JonHanner-un7ef

Ай бұрын

Just marketing to push other finishes. Hard chrome is very durable. It's the cheap chrome that wears away easily.

@KeterMalkuth

Ай бұрын

I don't know the explanation; However, with regards to AR15's, to the best of my knowledge chrome lining isn't traditionally used on areas where repeat impacts are a concern. The bore, chamber, and bolt carrier interior are more so at risk of corrosion, heat exposure, and friction, not so much impacts. The biggest "Impact" would be the bolt seating against the barrel extension, two parts that are generally not going to be chromed. Now, that being said, I had the exact same question as you and I still haven't actually heard any explanations. I messaged rogue about a related point asking about corrosion resistance, as I have no indoor space for my equipment. They said stainless would be best to mitigate rust. Personally, I don't understand why, given decent chroming should be effectively impervious to corrosion, so why isn't that the best choice?

Nice roundup. One question: Has anyone actually done the math on Rogue's F-scale? It's based on the # of drops from overhead of a barbell with 25# plates. It's like, an insane amount of drops that no gym on earth is actually doing. It's like measuring the difference between how long before your fork stops working to stab food versus another, but then presupposing you're eating 30 meals a day. There's no meaningful difference that will matter before your bar is due for replacement anyway because of knurl wearing down, coating looking bad, etc...

@meanpie13

Ай бұрын

No, and I think it's a little disingenuous for Coop to straight up say their barbells are more durable given that Rogue is the only one who uses it and won't tell anyone how it works.

@martystrasinger3801

Ай бұрын

@@meanpie13While I’m a Rogue fan, have to admit their F scale only applies to Rogue gear.

Any chance of doing a comparison among the technique bar category that weighs around 15 lbs? Something for like elderly women to start off with, for example

Please a full review (I'll take a written one) for the rep alpine bar!

Surprised you didn't recommend the Rogue Training Bar for Olympic Weightlifting, especially on a budget. I have it, in stainless. Same shaft as the Oly bearing bar but it has composite bushing sleeve. Those bearing sleeves on the Oly bar are better but you don't notice the composite bushing just in every day life with the Training bar. And I got it for under $400. American Barbell training bar is very nice too with a slightly more passive knurl

Have you used an Ivanko stainless power bar. You can't get a better tolerance on the sleeves. It's perfect and makes Rogue's, Rep's feel cheap. Once you feel the rotation on the sleeve, you know.

@gabek1381

Ай бұрын

I bought that bar years ago when it was basically the only stainless bar on the market. It really is excellent.

@jeremyc7825

Ай бұрын

He talked about American Barbell being bad at marketing, yet we've got Ivanko which is used in powerlift meets the world over and it seems like no one in the garage gym world gives them a second look. I've got an old OB-20KG from them, and even older B-86 (their standard plate barbell) and their plates. Now their knurl pattern is definitely a little weird and I don't use it for DL's because it would destroy my shins, but after getting used to their patterning I think it is easier to make sure your hands are always in the same spot. The bar itself is going to outlive me and most likely will never need any work. I'd love to see Ivanko equipment review more by any equipment reviewer. They're one of the older brands and have been doing this for longer than most every other company noted here. They're being slept on imho.

Hi Coop! I work for a certain company, up in the north. I got one thing to say, get ready!

@pokeyouindaeye

Ай бұрын

Fellow Canadian... very curious. Does your company name ring a "bell"? a steel bell?

@fredrik1750

Ай бұрын

@@pokeyouindaeye wrong continent ;)

@pokeyouindaeye

Ай бұрын

@@fredrik1750 North of Coop = Canada

Have you considered any of the offerings from Strength-shop? Primarly a european brand, but I do believe they have a US shop as well.

Uesaka bar needs its own full length review!!

Can anyone comment on the Rogue Power 2 x Aggro barbell? I love the design but is it just all bells and whistles? I know Coop did a review but I personally didn't get much from it.

Please do this video but for more niche bars: squat bar, safety squat bar, deadlift bar, etc

Can you review some Oak Club products for us guys in 🇨🇦 that want a more premium option.

Please, Please, Please Review (The Tib Bar Guy Nordic Back Extension Machine V2)

It's worth comparing Eleiko Comp bar IWF with Pyrros Rogue in a video

Coop, will you do a review on elite FTS is bars

I have a huge complaint about Uesaka. For something that is supposed to be a premium product, the website doesn't show it. They just don't put nearly enough information up. Example, how much do any of their bars weight? What is the length? What is the grip size? For a $700 curl bar, I should know all of this. Without having to go to their Japanese website, which in typical Japanes website fashion is cluttered.