Bells of Steel Barenaked Powerlifting Bar Review

Buy one for $200: bit.ly/2S9YlcR
Coop's Review: • The Best Power Bar for...
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[@GarageGymReviews]

Great review Brandon. Those closeup shots of the knurling are great, need to start doing those.

[@BasementBrandon]

Appreciate that coming from the review master.

[@memphus]

I have this barbell, as well as a full home gym setup from Bells of Steel. Really cool to see them featured on this channel (been a sub for years)! Can't really get a better bang for your buck than this in Canada.

[@BasementBrandon]

appreciate the firsthand feedback

[@camaitken1619]

Canadian sub checking in. I’ve ordered from BoS numerous times and have had great experiences with everything. They and Strongarm helped me get the IPF gear I needed for my first meet. Great to see them getting some recognition.

[@BasementBrandon]

Great to hear!

[@gaittr]

Wow, you make some of the most insightful videos out there. I respect the heck out of you because you tip your hat to your comrades. You're a man

[@BasementBrandon]

Thanks man!

[@Alvsmondares]

Great review, was looking for a bar for my porch on days I'm too busy to go to a gym, will be outside, so probably not this one. Good for Bells Of Steel for being confident enough to send you their product to review. I'm sure they are familiar with you enough to know that you won't hide any negative attributes or sugar coat anything.

[@BasementBrandon]

in for porch videos.

[@gredomontoya]

Great vid! Love bells of steel. You should review more of their equipment

[@BasementBrandon]

Will see wht I can do.

[@GilletteGaming]

Am Canadian, can confirm everything said in this video. Price in Canada is $286 including shipping (not including taxes).

[@BasementBrandon]

Right on!

[@mistarmer]

Good review. It’s great to see some lower cost alternatives out there. I would add if you’re building a home gym with this bar, buy a rack such as a Rogue R3 or another type which is narrow when compared to the Monster lite series. Bumping plates into the rack on a heavy squat session sucks

[@BasementBrandon]

Good point!

[@bootsandbraces75]

i just bought that bar today couldnt wait to get it home and use it . felt great with deadlifts . i also their ssb3 bar and their arche nemesis swiss bar . their price points are on point

[@BasementBrandon]

Awesome to hear, thanks for the feedback!

[@horaiyo]

Yeah you need to put out that combo rack review ASAP because that is a really interesting option now that I'm looking at it.

[@BasementBrandon]

Hopefully right around the new year.

[@Kevflar]

Thanks for the vid! Could you do a vid about maintenance on a barbell? Next to getting the chalk of I never do any tbh....

[@BasementBrandon]

I have some!

[@ClarksvilleBarbellClub]

Oldy but goody! This is the bar I'm currently benching and back squatting with. I put an extra collar between the shoulders and the weights to keep the weights from hitting my rack.

[@BasementBrandon]

No one likes a banged up rack

[@Spedfree]

Still being in a commercial gym but looking forward to one day having a home gym make all these bars look amazing lol

[@BasementBrandon]

Def don't regret the switch myself

[@sloppyjonuts9162]

Thats what i had tocdo Itl cost around 1200 usd tho really not bad

[@GeorgeZimmermen]

You’ll never make it!

[@Spedfree]

@@GeorgeZimmermen Already did lol ;)

[@jrwitherite12]

When you didn’t say stay big, it shocked me. Shocked me again watching the video a second time since I ordered the bar and currently waiting on its arrival.

[@BasementBrandon]

Haha you'll have to stay big for the both of us!

[@tsiho]

Dammit Brandon. For a second there I thought Christmas came early and ''Bells of Steel'' was a new Christmas song remix... As holiday tradition dictates, I'll be listening to your ''12 days of Christmas KZbin Fitness'' again this year!

[@BasementBrandon]

Lol I don't think many of the people in that video actually make content still.

[@tsiho]

@@BasementBrandon the video is just that old. We're due for a new one since the fitness industry landscape has changed haha

[@bishopm4401]

At a *steel* of a price. HA

[@bmstylee]

I see what you did there 👏👏👏👏

[@BasementBrandon]

Bravo

[@patricktalbot6725]

Proud Canadian here !!! Thanks for the support

[@BasementBrandon]

Yessir!

[@brentb9703]

Thanks for another great review! I was about to purchase a used B&R bar for $200. Is the Bells of Steel bar a better, worse, the same?

[@BasementBrandon]

Depends on what you're going for. If you compete in powerlifting, I'd go BoS. If you don't and just want a good all around bar I'd lean more towards the B&R, only downside is if it's used you don't get the lifetime warranty you'd get with a new one.

[@mr.perfectcell3843]

Picked up a boneyard full black Cerakote Ohio power bar on Black Friday for $195. I couldn’t find any defects on it except for a tiny scratch on the collar. Surprisingly though, this one was a 20kg version with thin competition collars.

[@PeakBagger999]

Awesome deal 👍

[@BasementBrandon]

Yeah there are some serious good grabs in the boneyard, just have to be vigilant about checking.

[@bmstylee]

Hey. We all like a good shaft from time to time. Especially when it is ribbed for everyone's pleasure.

[@BasementBrandon]

give this man a beer

[@bmstylee]

@@BasementBrandon not a beer drinker. Maybe Glenfiddich 18 year old Scotch.

[@jessetaylor3354]

Great video like always ! I cant see the link for your j-cups , im really interested to get your final model i own a rogue monster lite power rack .. thx !

[@BasementBrandon]

Ah I didn't purse it any longer. There are a lot of companies coming out with them now!

[@Joe-cc5fn]

I just checked out bells of steel, I wish you made this video a month ago... I just spent 3k on a rogue gym. Had I known about this company I could have went through them, got everything I got through rogue and A LOT more, with money STILL left on the bone. Oh well lol, I am still happy I pulled the trigger on my home gym.

[@BasementBrandon]

Glad to hear!

[@AApril261992]

This and the plates series are about the only thing we seem to agree on. IThis is the best value power bar you can get for sure, and it even has competition style collars. Prettty awesome bar from an awesome company.

[@BasementBrandon]

was a better deal before they raised prices!

[@AApril261992]

@@BasementBrandon I got this bar and change plates or $180 shipped on black friday. If you use the garage gym builder, you can still get this bar for 180. Pretty Damn hard to beat. I used the OPB all of last year for most of my lifts, it's a great bar. I would buy this bar even if the OPB was only $20 more after shipping. This bar performs almost exactly the same, and I say almost, because the OPB doesn't have comp collars. The knurling feels exactly the same, the ribbed sleeves are more aesthetically pleasing, and I like their end caps better. If you're looking for a power bar, the only reasons I would consider an OPB over the barenaked is to support manufacturing in the US, or you have a 3x3 rack and really don't want the competition collars causing your plates to smack into the uprights when you're not careful. I do support manufacturing in the US, but their steel is still imported, and I really don't mind supporting a Canadian based company that's not overrun by communism or a tyranny. Well, rant is over, but You pretty much nailed it on this review, and I fully support nominating this as the best value power bar.

[@AApril261992]

@@BasementBrandon Everything is a better deal before they raise prices lol.

[@thomasgoundrey2576]

can you do another review of this bar after a year of use? Also would you recommend this bar or a bare steel Ohio power bar?

[@BasementBrandon]

Ambassador held up well. I think the bare steel OPB is better, but it’s more expensive as well.

[@chrisjee18]

Eey Brandon, Keep the beard growing!!. But when you shave the beard make a video about it, where you shave the beard into a goatee, then a handlebar mustache and then to a Cop 'stache/Magnum PI mustache and then clean shaven. Would like to see it :)

[@BasementBrandon]

lol

[@chrisjee18]

@@BasementBrandon Will you do it?

[@HarlanSchulze]

SOMEONE WITH A SENSE OF HUMOR 11/10!!

[@BasementBrandon]

Thanks for taking a look!

[@TeamoJr]

Can you please make a video on how you made your rolling J hooks for your rack?

[@BasementBrandon]

I had a welder make them (I detail the process on IG). I'll do a video at some point, but it likely won't be that in depth.

[@FranBaske4595]

Please do a home gym build with bells of steel. How do you think their residential rack compare t the 1000 model from Rep Fitness?

[@BasementBrandon]

I've heard good things and based off my experience so far they offer a good quality to price ratio.

[@ProfessorXavier200]

Hey Brandon. Amazing and helpful content. My wife and I always watch so thanks for that. Quick question. Im looking for a power bar for home that can hold over 700 pounds, but with the LEAST amount of knurling that I can find. I pretty much only use it for very high volume deadlifts and high knurling always tears up my hands. I don't like the whip of the Texas deadlift bar as I would prefer a stiffer one. So thicker, stiffer and less knurling. I was thinking maybe the All American Texas. Your recommendation? Thank you so much

[@BasementBrandon]

The All American is basically a texas power bar (28.5mm) with less aggressive knurling. what kind of budget do you have and are there any other "must haves"?

[@ProfessorXavier200]

The budget is around $300. Is that ok? Just a strong, thick bar with less aggressive knurling. I mean, I guess I could get the Texas power and just sand down the grips a bit, but that could damage and make it uneven if I tried. Plus, why go through the hassle. Sometimes I do upwards of 400 reps a week for deadlift. @@BasementBrandon

[@BasementBrandon]

@@ProfessorXavier200 If you like the bars from TPB, you could just get a cerakote version which dulls down the feel of the knurl.

[@ProfessorXavier200]

@@BasementBrandon you’re the man. I’ll look into those. Thanks a bunch. Subscribed

[@bowulf]

Any update on this bar? Have you changed your opinion on it or continued to use it?

[@BasementBrandon]

Still use it, still a great value. Will be doing a review on the ISF power bar which is also very similar sometime this week.

[@espcustom]

Hi Brandon, Do you find that this bar causes problems banging around in your RM3 rack because of the collars width or is it fine with that rack ? Thanks

[@BasementBrandon]

it will force you to clean up your walkout as the weights are very close to the rack

[@JoeCnNd]

So is the knurling softer where the shins might make contact for deadlifts and get's more aggressive on the way towards the collar? or was the left side of the bar more passive than the right side?

[@BasementBrandon]

Was only on the center knurl, I don't believe it was supposed to be this way however.

[@15buzz15]

I bought a power rack from them with bumber plates and a weightlifting bar. The quality is pretty decent for its price, but it took about 4 months to get my stuff as they kept delaying it. Customer service was not so great in Canada.

[@camaitken1619]

Jean-Philippe I’ve had the opposite experience ordering from them here in Canada. Maybe your items were back ordered which might have been out of their hands. Ordered from BoS numerous times, always great. They and Stongarm even helped me find what I’d need for approved gear for my first IPF (CPU) meet this year.

[@BasementBrandon]

I'm curious if it was out of stock or a pre-order. I know they get big shipments in from overseas and have dates when things are supposed to ship out, wondering if this was something that ended up getting pushed back.

[@sarmenia]

i have their power rack and it's a crazy deal for what you get

[@BasementBrandon]

Good to hear!

[@Dakkonblackblade1]

Well it's good time to review the starting strength Texas bench. Going neaderthal

[@BasementBrandon]

lol

[@derickcofell9004]

Does anyone know, is this the same as the strongarm sport power bar? I have that one and it looks identical

[@BasementBrandon]

It is

[@keepitsimple693]

Another trick for clipping the racks is to put a couple change plates on 1st to keep the bigger plates a bit further outside.

[@BasementBrandon]

Just makes loading a pain in the ass IMO!

[@keepitsimple693]

@@BasementBrandon lower your TM and pretend they arent there...or dont lower TM and make everything a bit heavier in your gym and everybody who comes will be weaklings!!!! MWAHAHAHAHA!!!!

[@danb8379]

Great review. You still using and liking the bar? Your dead right about rogue stuff too expensive to get here in Canada.

[@BasementBrandon]

It's a good bar for the price for sure. The biggest thing to be weary about is if you have a wide rack, the short collars can be pain in the ass.

[@danb8379]

Thanks for the advice. Great channel , keep up the good work

[@jefffredenburg7231]

Rogue Boneyard Ohio deadlift bars aggressive knurling naked, $200 there's a few flaws but nothing to write home to Mom about. best bar I've bought so far

[@BasementBrandon]

You can def get some good deals in there.

[@g.4279]

What do you think of this compared to the Synergee Rhino power lifting bar? The Synergee is like $50 more after your Basement coupon.

[@BasementBrandon]

I have not used that bar but have heard the knurl doesn't feel great after the cerakote.

[@slickid8888]

Damn nice deadlifts!

[@BasementBrandon]

eh pretty gross, but I'll take it.

[@colereinhold1789]

Does the clock at 3:27 have a timer? If so, where did you get it?

[@BasementBrandon]

It doesn't, just a clock!

[@davidhutchinson997]

Can you do a bells of steel home gym build?

[@BasementBrandon]

I might be able to do that.

[@lastsonofkrypton3918]

@@BasementBrandon They offer 5% discounts on each item if you use their webpages 'build a gym' utility.

[@SlipperyGypsy104]

Wish they could be purchased in Australia. Ohio power bar is $561 before shipping from rogue Australia with a very similar economy to Canada

[@BasementBrandon]

ouch!

[@thomasbrogan9102]

Just got one. Still $200 shipped. Feels good - love the Nurl

[@BasementBrandon]

I see they're on sale now for like $150!

[@thomasbrogan9102]

@@BasementBrandon hmm

[@mainladybug7243]

I love this company i was gonna order from rogue but the shiping for a power rack was 700$ and 300 in taxes but then i found this company to order in canada.

[@BasementBrandon]

Right on!

[@DaBrute]

more about those roller j cups please

[@BasementBrandon]

Check out my IG for more details

[@kennethsteelhammer]

Seems like an interesting and affordable alternative.

[@BasementBrandon]

Has been working out well!

[@rohitram1824]

What's the difference between this bar and the rogue Ohio power bar 20kg in zinc?

[@BasementBrandon]

The build quality on the OPB is better and the knurling is more consistent. You also have several choices in finishes where as the Bells bar is only offered in bare steel.

[@shifter8207]

It's hard to find nice shafts like that in Canada jk , I hope strongarm sends you a power rack I've been looking at their site and can't tell how they are

[@BasementBrandon]

From what I've heard people seem to like them.

[@shifter8207]

That's great , nice to seem to be pushing out of that el cheapo type of fitness equipment that floods the market

[@nolenlifts4661]

Is it not gonna last as long being bare steel?

[@BasementBrandon]

should last the same, just likely will get some rust/patina

[@freakied0550]

Does it come with maple syrup?

[@BasementBrandon]

They use that instead of oil to grease the bushings.

[@JasonLeeno]

freakied0550 Ask nicely, and we'll send you some lol

[@freakied0550]

@@JasonLeeno noted

[@HackMasterBlaster]

Bro you're looking jacked in the deadlift clip

[@BasementBrandon]

Small shirts FTW

[@S4Tony3.0T]

Yep the rogue Ohio power bar comes out to around $430 with tax and then about 70 shipping

[@BasementBrandon]

Damn

[@bmanhsu]

Can confirm. Payed 550 for my cerakote rogue ohio power bar in canada

[@BasementBrandon]

god damn

[@rmp4rmp4]

I bought this bar and the light commercial rack and bumpers from them recently. I'm impressed with everything so far. Knurling is quite aggressive on mine and consistent throughout.

[@KevinKaneCanada]

Just got this bar used for $200 CAD. I made the mistake of buying Cerakote bars previously. Now that I'm preparing for my first powerlifting meet, I realized that the Cerakote severely dulled the knurling and that I needed a real manly-man's bar! Love it so far but agree, those ribbed sleeves don't hold the plates any better and they screech like a banshee!

[@BasementBrandon]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@user-xi9mc2uu8n]

This bar vs Rep Sabre? Or possibly can you recommend the best bar at most $250?

[@BasementBrandon]

If you're doing powerlifting I'd go with the Bells bar. Sabre is more of an all arounder. I'd also check out the Rogue Boneyard. can get some great deals in there.

[@user-xi9mc2uu8n]

@@BasementBrandon i think that REP Boneyard would be my best bet. Of course its sold out atm...

[@user-xi9mc2uu8n]

@@BasementBrandon I'll be using the bar *mainly* for the big 3 as well as rows and ohp. I'm mostly torn between this bar and their utility bar. Only reasons pushing me away from this bar is the multiple reports of uneven knurling andthe fact that itll be sitting in my garage here in NYC... Things bothering me about the utility bar is mostly just the medium knurling.

[@JasonLeeno]

Brandon, you didn't have to spare my dignity. I would have accepted the fact, that you think I'm being a baby about the USD to CND lol

[@BasementBrandon]

:)

[@TheJdangle]

How does this compare to the rogue Ohio bar?

[@BasementBrandon]

Ohio Bar is 28.5 mm with more passive knurling and no center knurl. If you're doing powerlifting, the BOS bar is preferable IMO.

[@Uncle_Tijikun]

Brandon, for God's sake, grow that beard out. You got some killer beard genetics my friend!

[@BasementBrandon]

Hah we'll see how long I can keep it.

[@moetthepoet]

How does it compare to the power bars from StrongArm?

[@BasementBrandon]

They're brother/sister brands. Same thing.

[@st8tjacked]

@@BasementBrandon hi Brandon, if I buy this from strongarm it's the same bar right? Also will I have to worry about alot of upkeep and rust living in colorado, very dry climate thanks for your time

[@BasementBrandon]

@@st8tjacked yes same bar. Upkeep will be more than other coated bars, but it’s not that bad IMO

[@st8tjacked]

@@BasementBrandon cool, thanks, I appreciete that you take the time to respond to as many people as you can 💪🏼 💥 I'm in between this and LUXIAOJUN e1 power bar, so will see which I go with

[@TheJdangle]

Rogue Ohio bare bar is 285 and this bar is now 219. Is the Ohio bar better?

[@BasementBrandon]

Are you looking at the OPB or just the regular ohio? For powerlifting the BOS bar is better. If you're looking at OPB vs BOS, I think the Rogue has better consistency, but the BOS offers a similar experience for less.

[@TheJdangle]

@@BasementBrandon yes, I am looking at the power bars. Thank you. Appreciate your reviews. I’m going to go with the BOS power bar as it doesn’t have taxes and has free shipping. The rogue bar is gonna be about 100 dollars more after shipping and taxes.

[@mlpreiss]

A like just for all the innuendo, although, personally, I prefer not to get my shaft dirty.

[@BasementBrandon]

Sometimes we need to take a few risks.

[@Frandrago]

With this pandemic price and shipping it ends up being 337$ US in QC, Canada while someone in New-York can get it for 206$ US... Not a fan of Amazon but can't spend double for a "local" bar. 😓

[@BasementBrandon]

Yeah that's rough!

[@mrwhiteside]

Torn between this and a Texas Power Bar.

[@BasementBrandon]

The TPB has a lot of history, but I don't think it makes sense these days with all the other better bars out.

[@njaramillo34]

Nice beard!

[@BasementBrandon]

We'll see how long I can stick it out

[@jlalonde1000]

cost 500 shipped for me for the cheap rogue and 730$ for the ouch i cant affort that one

[@slickid8888]

Just under 600 for the bare steel for me.

[@BasementBrandon]

yikes.

[@johnmendiola2054]

👍👍👍

[@BasementBrandon]

Thanks John

[@R32R38]

Aren't people in Canada supposed to lift caribous or something, rather than weights?

[@camaitken1619]

R32R38 caribou migrate. We have to squat plates like the rest of the world when they move on. You don’t even want to hear about polar bear deadlifts...

[@BasementBrandon]

Too busy drinking maple syrup and watching hockey

[@R32R38]

Hockey is your Dad's sport. For trendy young Canadians it's all about curling.

[@skullkid112]

"Horacio, it looks like the killer used a Bare naked power bar to crush the victim's lungs." "Well I guess *puts on sunglasses* he really took a ribbing." YYYYYEEEEAAAAAAAGGGGHHHH!!!!!

[@BasementBrandon]

well done good sir

[@JustinTuchek]

Missed opportunity to talk about backshots

[@BasementBrandon]

Don't use em

[@colinsissons8493]

I bought my rogue ohio power bar black and brigth zinc with shipping for under $400 over 4 years ago, getting shipped to British columbia in canada, i just looked again, almost $550 now. Shipping has gone from under $50 to over $100 as well as over a $50 increase for the same barbell.

[@BasementBrandon]

Damn

[@mdbourne]

I am in Canada, and have had disappointing customer service from Bells of Steel. Price and shipping was great, but my adjustable incline bench was missing the rubber feet. I emailed multiple times over a period of months and never even received a response. Over time I simply gave up trying and made some rubber pieces to accomplish the same thing. Since then, I have dealt with Rogue and The Crossbox line (from Fitness depot), both I found way better quality and they had great customer service in case there was an issue. I sold my BoS bar once I got the Rogue Ohio Power Bar, the quality difference was huge. Obviously this is one persons experience, but I would say buying from BoS is a huge gamble if there is a issue.

[@BasementBrandon]

Appreciate the insight, that's one of the reasons why I don't always mind paying more in some circumstances.

[@axelthescarecrow]

Eleiko PL Bar is better than the Ohio bar IMO

[@BasementBrandon]

Perhaps, but an Eleiko will run you 3x the cost, which isn't worth it IMO.

[@axelthescarecrow]

Base Barbell yeah that i agree with

[@briannaidicz5104]

Beard of steel!

[@BasementBrandon]

lol

[@CaptDantastic]

*Innuendo is over 9000!*

[@BasementBrandon]

Bar reviews are a bit more accommodating for that.

[@Reppintimefitness]

I'm just going to steel one

[@BasementBrandon]

I see what you did there.

[@AApril261992]

RIP, this bad boy costs $300 now. Was definitely the best bar for your money when it was $200.

[@BasementBrandon]

I'm still seeing it as $200?

[@oPEaChzNCaKEo]

Bar gets permanently bent when you squat or deadlift anything over 585 consistently especially anything 3 reps or more just makes the bar disposable

[@BasementBrandon]

I never had that issue

[@oPEaChzNCaKEo]

@@BasementBrandon maybe a defective bar but I did a 605x4 reps x 6 sets and my bar was ruined for benching after. It was bent so bad at had another gym goer comment on it ?

[@BasementBrandon]

@@oPEaChzNCaKEo Get them to replace it.

[@michaellk2254]

Nope. The rogue Ohio power bar costs us 600-700. 🙃

[@BasementBrandon]

Does not sound fun