Olympic Barbell Buyers Guide: How to Buy the RIGHT Barbell!

⏬Click the coupon links below to save BIG on the Best Olympic Barbells on the market!⏬
✅Best Multi-Purpose Barbell: Rogue Fitness Ohio Bar - garagegymreviews.co/RogueOhio2_S
✅Best Budget Olympic Barbell: FringeSport Wonder Bar - garagegymreviews.co/FringeWon...
✅Best Barbell for Weightlifting: Eleiko IWF Weightlifting Competition Bar - garagegymreviews.co/EleikoIWFBar
✅Best CrossFit Barbell for Women: Rogue Bella Bar 2.0 - garagegymreviews.co/RogueBella2
✅Best Value Barbell for Weightlifting: American Barbell Training Bar - garagegymreviews.co/AmericanB...
✅Best Barbell on Amazon: CAP OB-86B Beast Barbell - amzn.to/3QcHVwR
✅Best Power Bar: Rogue Fitness Ohio Power Bar - garagegymreviews.co/RogueOhio...
✅Best Hex Bar for the Money: Titan Fitness Olympic Hex Bar - garagegymreviews.co/TitanTrapBar
✅Best Safety Squat Bar: Titan Safety Squat Olympic Bar V2 - garagegymreviews.co/TitanSSBV2
Buying a barbell can become a pretty overwhelming decision. Weeding through the specs like tensile strength, shaft diameter, knurl, spin, whip and everything else can seem daunting.
So, to make it easier, I"m going to provide you with the ultimate barbell buyers guide. I've used and reviewed a majority of the barbells on the market today so you only have to choose one.
Whether you're wanting to do Olympic Weightlifting, powerlifting, CrossFit, Strongman, or just general strength training, I'll help you choose the best bar for you.
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#olympicbarbell #bestolympicbarbells #bestbarbell

[@vitico123ful]

Bruh, this man has like 99% of the worlds gym equipment.

[@Wragwrecks]

He’s a goofy

[@squidwardstesticles5914]

@Sad After he’s strong af though

[@milesmorales5929]

@Sad Afterthere's no "look" to going to a gym. It comes down to genetics and overall lifestyle let's see you lift what he lifts

[@Rich_Lahman]

Just wondered if Coop’s silverware has knurling on it.

[@GarageGymReviews]

Not yet. But now that you mention it, I'm going to be looking for some.

[@SirSketchable]

Coop's forks about to have 28.5mm volcano knurled handles with calibrated prongs

[@davidmorgan6282]

Coop beat me to it, I was going to say “he will now”

[@riffdex]

Coops silverware is rated at 190k tensile strength

[@adamfrbs9259]

...his garage door doesn't have springs, it has resistance bands. Hey yo lol.

[@aprichman]

“I have more bars than Verizon” Narrator: he had two barbells

[@BasementBrandon]

Here ya go! Intro 0:24 Steel 1:01 Knurl 2:07 Spin 4:23 Whip 5:39 Finish 6:30 What Bar Should You Get 7:40

[@johnpina3649]

Not the hero we deserve, but the hero we need

[@mrgrumpycat9049]

thanks basement dude

[@dr.binjohnson7776]

Noice💪

[@TheVsa17]

What’s the verdict of that blacked out baresteel barbell you posted a few weeks ago?

[@ryanfeltman262]

I feel like y'all are working together to monopolize the garage AND basement home gym community! & based on the quality of the content, I'm not mad about it.

[@coscolucas]

Coop, you should do a blindtest of all of Your bars and try to guess which is wich just based on knurling and feel.

[@dimitrisgian7089]

"And he lifts way more of all you watching" epic

[@Dknight2818]

And this is false.

[@TheSneakerSickness]

Was going to get a Rogue Ohio Bar then I found a very lightly used Ohio Power Bar for $100 cheaper than retail so my wallet made the choice for me. No regrets it has been fantastic as I am only really doing bench, squat and deadlift with it and I'm not the incredible Hulk so I lift normal amounts of weight! Love the content Coop you have been a huge help in my home gym decision making!

[@BreadAndGatorade]

The knurling on the OPB is way better for power lifting type training. Also OPB has a center knurl. I ended up getting an Ohio Bar as well as I added in front squats and other cross fit style lifts. The more passive knurl and no center knurl really help tearing up my hands, neck, chest and sometimes chin.

[@brandonmartin5888]

Love the video. Last year I had to take a course about decision making for my masters program and used a lot of information like what you talked about in this video to perform an engineering trade study over what the best power bar for me would be as my final project. The Ohio power bar won but I got tired of waiting for it to come back in stock and picked up a Texas power bar instead. Thanks for all the work you put into this stuff

[@PiwaiPie12]

Thank you for the explanation about the bar! I finally understand the difference between grip, the sleeve etc etc! Keep going, you're the best!

[@TheRemizinho]

Started a few months ago using an cheap Spanish brand Olympic barbell (28mm, no center knurl, dual marks, needle bearings) and only really discovered what I got by watching these videos, so thanks Coop! I’m ordering an Ohio Power bar for squats, not really because I need it .. but we all like nice things :)

[@Eejtalk]

The only KZbin videos where I watch the full ads. Thanks Coop for being you. I wish I could tip Phil too.

[@philipcooksey3422]

I went with the Rogue Ohio bar and I couldn't be happier! Thanks for all the info Coop!

[@grimtrigg3r]

Absolutely the best bar selection tutorial on the tubes. You da man, coop!

[@pipersapprentice47]

My boyfriend is a former marine and I'm trying to build him a home gym for his birthday, but I have no idea what I'm doing! Thanks for the info!

[@Millers-Mausoleum]

This is the fifth video I watched, and while the other ones had some good tidbits, your video is by far more educational. Subscribed.

[@danb8379]

Love the barbell talks and videos. You should do a best barbell category each year. Best eco bar, best mid price etc like a garage gym awards show every year

[@knightveg]

Never knew about different bars till i found your channel, Amazing information

[@andrewchristman8523]

Thank you for breaking it down for us Coop! Here for the algo 📈📊

[@googlegilbertlevinmars322]

By far one of the most informative videos I have come across and I dig your mustache and beard. Addicted to knurling, didn’t realize a ring and earrings I bought many years ago were the material. Very cool.

[@espcustom]

Awesome guide Coop !!

[@mevman44]

This is an excellent video. The best barbell buyer’s guid I’ve ever seen. Good stuff!

[@landenbroach384]

Good vid. After watching like 4 this one actually left me with all the info I need. Been using my grandpa's bar for a decade and it's always will but I need an upgrade for my.beloved squat rack.

[@rimirimi32]

Couldn’t agree more with the beginning, got my bar 12 years ago (basically the cheapest I could find) & looking to treat myself & can’t believe the amount available now!

[@tabularasa820]

Thanks Coop! Another great video that helps the home gym community make more informed decisions when buying equipment.

[@BrimhallBarbellClub]

Coop basically needs a different bar per excercise and color coded for the day. Love it.

[@bassmasters123]

This is my favorite lifting channel now, helped me so much to making my own home gym.

[@armandoangulo4265]

I started off with the rogue beater bar that I found on Craigslist and then upgraded to a cerakote Ohio power bar. Best purchase I’ve ever made

[@BCuber99]

I have been waiting for the Ohio bar to come back in stock for a while now, but whenever they come back in stock they sell out immediately. Now you’re making it even harder for me to buy this bar. Thanks Coop.

[@cynicaesthetics4341]

Just bought an Eleiko XF bar this weekend, nice to see that Coop approves. (Eleiko is as expensive as AB and Rogue etc here in Norway).

[@carlosacarter]

Brilliant breakdown.

[@danieldotter6077]

Super informative video man thanks! Just got a Rogue Castro Bar for myself. After a lot of thought I decided I wanted an old fashioned raw steel bar.

[@jameswillis1742]

this is the video i was looking for as im looking for my first barbell to purchase

[@ryanlambert3717]

Knurling is a process in which groved hardened wheels are clamped around or forced into into a round object so that you force material up and create a patern in the material. What we see on bars is standard diamond knurling at different depths. Mountain knurling is "complete" knurling. Its as deep as you can go. Volcano knurling is just not to full depth and hill is either just deep enough to make the patern or is knurled then turned back down to take off the peaks. Thats a technique used normally when a diameter gets turned undersized or wears undersized and you need to make that back up for whatever mating part your using

[@Realthinx]

you go online you select "sort by" > availability you buy whatever pops up in your price range

[@dragard2951]

You train 2 months and your bar breaks, your foot breaks, your floor breaks. Then you come back and watch reviews to not have it happen again.

[@bmgymreviews2131]

I was waiting for this video!!

[@bergmanhoffstein801]

Me too man

[@n8strength]

Really appreciate your info!

[@mitchwindow3077]

Good advice! Been using Ohio bar for over a year, bought for CrossFit style workouts but during lockdowns have used it primarily for powerlifting and really can’t fault it.

[@jrock-xs9vp]

Good bar

[@christiandelossantos615]

Very informative! Thank you!

[@shorejp]

Thanks Coop!

[@vanekirk]

Thanks Coop. After watching this I decided on the "Original" Texas Power Bar Black Cerakote Shaft w/Chrome Sleeves. I would have gone cheaper on the plain steel but the bar will be in my garage and I live on the Gulf Coast so corrosion is a serious issue here.

[@ytano5782]

I do oly lifts since over 20 years. 90% of the time I use a multipurpose bar. You will definitely an advantage with a pure wl bar. But this is only necessary for 1RM and if you load ~150kg.

[@heydaveyb]

Awesome guide!

[@danielengel1295]

COOP ,love the videos man. I would love to see you do a video on gym timers. Fitness clocks. Im thinking on getting one but there are so many out there and alot im sure are junk.

[@claycon]

Nice video. I have a Fringesport Wonderbar & a Rogue operator bar. I like them both a lot.

[@derekf5495]

I was just looking for a video like this a week ago!

[@UnusHonorabilis]

Great content, as always And I like that you mentioned Fraser using an Ohio bar. He has to be the most down to Earth dude I've ever seen at the absolute peak of his field. He's trained in a smaller gym than mine for most of his career and is an unstoppable, monster competitor. Respect

[@hypnotistchicken]

Algo gang--great vid Coop! Probably gonna upgrade from a $40, used, rusted, 30 year old bar to an Ohio Power Bar soon.

[@fencingrocks3]

That was my first upgrade too and it was perfect! Of course now I have 4 different barbells and pretty much every type of specialty bar haha! It's a dangerous road to start down...

[@FatHulkRideEbike]

I have two cheap marcy grip olympic weight sets. They are perfect for me. Octagonal plates that don't roll away. Two holes in each plate for handles that allow you to use the plates by themselves for many exercises. I have had them for probably 20 years. I'm set, but I understand how many people are into so many details. Fun to think about.

[@dude231ification]

Great content!

[@lousantiago7511]

My Mammoth bar just showed up a few days ago. It is worth the cost! American Barbell knows what they’re doing.

[@thanumgaming]

For those on a budget, Rogue Boneyard bar is a good option as well. Basically a "cosmetic blem" Ohio bar for cheaper. Have had mine about 6 months, use it 6 days a week and no complaints.

[@GarageGymReviews]

See, I don't think they're worth it. For a slight savings, you lose the lifetime warranty that Rogue is legendary for upholding. Also, the resale value on boneyard bars is MUCH less than retail bars.

[@jallen1227]

@@GarageGymReviews After a Cerakote Ohio Bar as primary, was looking for a second for landmines (good but a less expensive upgraded beater bar) and other outside the rack lifts bought a LUXIAOJUN Men's Training Bar-BF Special after Brandon's review at a price of $219 all in. Cheaper than a Boneyard after shipping and tax.

[@thanumgaming]

@@GarageGymReviews Understood, and you are right. I was able to get mine for $229 shipped to my door and have no plans of ever reselling. As far as any warranty work, short of it snapping in half, I planned on doing any maintenance it ever needed myself anyways. 20+ years of auto mechanics, so these are easy. So, kinda special circumstances in my situation I guess. Keep up the great content sir! You've got a new fan here.

[@Soccrboi]

@@jallen1227 how’s the cerakote bar holding up?

[@brettmartin3529]

@@Soccrboi I've had a cerakote rogue ohio bar for 5 years and it still works perfectly with no rust.

[@troyheffernan1261]

Great video

[@nickp.724]

very good video and very informative

[@robschilke]

I own a Rogue IWF Weightlifting bar w/ center knurl in bright zinc. If i had to do it over again, I might get the stainless steel version at the cost of a few extra dollars and the center knurl. I do love having the passive center knurl for squats. I also own a 20kg Rogue Boneyard Ohio Bar that I got for super cheap on OfferUp. If you are going into a second had buy (especially with a Boneyard bar), I def recommend bringing your pinch collar clamps to do some inspection under the sleeves to see if there's any defects that might be problematic for your intended use/ or as additional negotiation leverage.

[@spookycrane9318]

Thanks coop very cool 😎

[@hockeymanfour]

It’s a good feeling after buying my first power bar that it’s the same one coop recommends!

[@Bearded360]

Great job!

[@14tryenss]

Good info, of course I just got a bar last week

[@Originaltuber]

Thank you!

[@therealjorgensen]

I own the Eleiko PWB and the much cheaper Rogue Ohio Power Bar - I actually prefer the Ohio Powerbar for most lifts, except from front racked.. Black Zink Oxide coating, on the shaft on the Ohio Power Bar, did however not last long before deadlifts made it look worn. My recommendation would be Ohio (Power) Bar in stainless!💪🏼😊

[@platelifter6151]

Your gym is beautiful bro!

[@tigahstyle]

I got an Olympic bar that came in a $300 set (with 260# of plates) from Scheels. 100% worth it. Still use it.

[@samoneill7415]

I have been lifting for forty plus years and never thought about knurling until I started watching Coop and now I have become a knurling snob. What a sommelier is to wine Coop is to knurling

[@TheQuinto2010]

Don't forget, another reason to get the rogue bar is because hands down they have one of the best KZbin commercials ever.

[@Brubigo]

hi coop, about doing the oly lifts on a non spinning sleeve....the rotational momentum not being dispersed by the spinning sleeve can actually bring about an unexpected resulting force that leads the bar pathway towards your face....so lifters that are used to spinning sleeves can really be caught off guard and break their faces.

[@terryc7769]

Appreciate the vid. Thoughts on the Wright Next Gen2?

[@Raeodor]

I bought one for $90 online at walmart. It holds weight and it weighs 45lbs. works for me.

[@emikayathyme3830]

Coop the kinda guy to do gender reveals for his kids with colored barbells

[@BrownBarbellClub]

lmao

[@ER-123]

Fr 😂

[@ramtron1775]

I have the Titan Regular Bar. 30mm and pretty stiff. Great for power lifting movements and cleans. I got mine on sale for $115.00 free shipping. I've beat it up the last 2 years with no change. I was going to buy a 28mm power bar but I just can't justify needing another bar that does the same.

[@adammontoya8329]

Good video 👌

[@israelbarajas874]

Just found ur channel.. gold i tell ya

[@jeremyd2003]

I love trying different bars myself. I see a budget barbell with non screw ends under 150 I often buy them. I found the best bar under $100.00, Bonnlo from Amazon, think they are more now. Best under $150.00, Popsport - they have a great coating. Not sure what it is. Weird ends too. Best around $200.00 Diamondpro. The old again faster bar had great spin, but the finish as terrible. I have a couple Bonyard Rogue bars. I don't feel like there is anything special. Old style Titan barbell, good beginner bar. I have a Valor womens bar for my wife. Very nice for under $100.00 when I bought it.

[@carloskarczewski1303]

Spent too much on a crap one off craigslist, after a few months I upgraded to my TexasPowerBars bar.. couldn't be happier

[@GeorgeLocke]

Most low-mid range bars lack center knurling. I never intend to do any Olympic movements, and I love the back squat, so I definitely want the center knurling. I got the Titan power bar.

[@danspersonalyoutube376]

This is amazing. can you do one to explain the different plates available? I wish i'd known what i was buying before i spent it on plates i didn't like.

[@Zymiful]

I actually bought my Bells of Steel Power Bar due to your video

[@Funky245]

thank u mr coop

[@markhalstead2386]

I ordered a rogue stainless power bar for the garage gym I am building.

[@jamesburr25]

I have the Ohio bar in zinc and it’s a great all purpose bar, though I do find the knurling too passive for my liking. I’d really like the stainless steel Ohio power bar for the centre knurl so it feels more secure and tight during back squat, unfortunately it’s been out of stock in Rogues EU store for six months plus now.

[@sveingustavhoff1188]

3:29 - 3:33 Alex Jones voice

[@squealer42]

I was so ready for him to start ripping on Piers Morgan.

[@sveingustavhoff1188]

Corrupt them all

[@anthonythompson5817]

“I like them and I like talking about them” Coop just living his best life lol

[@Rocket4ce]

That Ohio barbell is a legit all purpose bar. Highly recommend to anyone looking to buy your first high end barbell. I have 2 Ohio power bars and a seriously underrated Rogue echo bar along with my Ohio bar for reference. I want to try that Kabuki bar and have used Texas and cheapos at commercial gyms.

[@rayjbb1494]

I'm looking at a used rogue echo bar, and wondering whether to buy it at such a good price but also I don't really do Oly lifts and would prefer IPF markings. What's been your experience with this bar?

[@aaronhardin1983]

I’m happy with my Titan Powerbar. It was half the price, I’ve had it for a year and it still looks new. Maybe I’ll upgrade one day but it meets my garage gym needs.

[@powerbar8991]

Which one did you get? Dont they have like 3 of them?

[@juliocesarsalazargarcia6872]

My favorite type of bar is the one where the cougars buy me the drinks and take me home.

[@FatHulkRideEbike]

I've never once thought: "I need a better barbell."

[@lots3799]

Actually I need a new doorbell.🚪🛎🤣

[@wongfit]

I do want another bar to superset.... yes superset DL + OHP. Wish I had more space to Superset Squat and bench, but that'd require a longer rack and more than 1 set of J-cups and/or transfer safeties.

[@riffdex]

Old Rusty Hog Add some knurling to your doorbell

[@lots3799]

@@riffdex That'll put lead in your pencil ✏ 🤣

[@BrownBarbellClub]

lol

[@obiwanquixote8423]

Because of the center knurl, I like Olympic Weightlifting bars as the one bar to rule them all.

[@user-ex5vp7bv5r]

Jesus man... I thought it was just a bar lol thanks for the information I'm mind blown

[@tullboy3954]

Looking to get at the ohio cerakote since watching your review of it

[@tcgtpl]

I tried the EliteFTS 5-Ring Power Bar, and that knurling was simply too painful for continual use. My favorite power bars I've ever used are the Kabuki Power Bar and the Ohio Power Bar.

[@NAB5803]

Great Job Coop. Talking Boabout the finishes, any comments about these pandemic days where gyms are cleaning everything all the time with alcool? And about rusting in near beach envirinment? Tks

[@wzr199376]

best review

[@samuelrice773]

Texas bars different bars for different lifts. No whip-Some whip-Heavy whip Power: 28.5 Squat: 31.75 Deadlift: 27

[@chaseshrawder2521]

Picked up a 50$ barbell welded it onto the inside boom “power bar no spin” and the grip was not bad

[@DampRaccoon]

Great video. Rogue Chan bar is underrated. If you want one bar that does it all but priotitizes power lifts and has a center knurl (it's passive but great on shirts) - I do not think there is any other alternative. Was nice to see it mentioned.

[@mattneilson1824]

The outer knurling of the Chan bar feels fantastic, and I love the passive centre knurl. However, the non-knurled section on either side of the centre knurl is too wide for deadlifts (at least, it is for me); I find that my natural grip-width results in my hands being on non-knurled parts of the bar - which is a real shame, because otherwise the bar is perfect. If only the outer knurling was spaced at the standard width (and the bar retained its passive centre knurl).

[@DampRaccoon]

@@mattneilson1824 Good points to add here for anyone reading. Honestly, it has been so long since I had deadlift thanks to quarantine, and I'm not sure if I increased my grip width or not. Either way, I sort of convinced myself that this was the proper width that I should be using since the knurl starts wider specifically for deadlifts (so it doesn't rub on your legs). I do occasionally find myself wishing knurl went center more for tricep bench work/etc but the compromise is worth it. It would be nice if Rogue offered options here. Maybe even standard knurling as is, and then passive in the center and increased knurling by putting passive right next to aggressive for closer grips, or all more aggressive - whatever. Most of the stuff I ordered from Rogue was made as I ordered it because I was piecing together something more vintage, and they can customize cerakote bars - so why not knurling? :-p

[@mattneilson1824]

@@DampRaccoon I agree, customisation of the spacing would completely solve the problem. I should point out that the increased spacing won’t be a problem for everyone with respect to deadlifts - and I’m sure it’s actually preferable for a lot of people. Before buying the Chan bar, I read some reviews that stated that the increased spacing was ideal for taller lifters, and at 6ft3in I thought I would fall into that category... but those reviews must have been making the assumption that taller lifters have wider stances. I happen to have quite narrow hips, so my stance is fairly narrow (meaning that I don’t need a wide grip). So the knurling doesn’t scrape my shins when deadlifting with a standard barbell anyway. In fairness, I should have realised this before I bought the bar. I really wanted that passive centre knurl, though, and Rogue doesn’t offer it on any of their other bars. With the exception of deadlifts, the Chan bar satisfies all of my needs. Kind of ironic, I suppose - since, as you said, the wider spacing is supposed to be specifically for deadlifts.

[@DampRaccoon]

@@mattneilson1824 Good information, Sir. Before I purchased, I read about 6 ft plus males unsatisfied, and 5'6" females satisfied. Certainly a controversial build.

[@chipdouglas1079]

@@mattneilson1824I’m curious, which bar would you go with if you could only choose one?

[@bencrossen2473]

And, as always...STAY BIG

[@richardmather1906]

If you want a bar that is pretty easy on the hands but still somehow provides good grip, check out the American Barbell bars.

[@dropem555]

My rogue ohio power bar is on the way been using the rep fitness gladiator bar

[@vepristhorn8278]

Currently for power bar I like my REP 29mm deep knurl, and for Olympic my Rouge 28mm Oly bar But between the two the oly bar just has a better feel to it

[@MonkeyHand]

Next you should do specialty bar buying guides

[@youtubeusingatisdumb]

I have a boneyard Ohio bar and love it. I never could figure out why it went to the boneyard.