Best Powerlifting Barbells for 2022

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Looking for the best powerlifting barbell? Look no further!

A massive amount of barbells out there claim to be the best in one way or another, but I'm only focusing on powerlifting bars for this round-up. I did plenty of research on the internet, in-person testing, and personal experience with many of the barbells to ensure that you find the right powerlifting bar for your home gym.

Finding the right barbell is hard enough, so I've gone ahead and narrowed down this list to include the only the best powerlifting barbells.

Best Powerlifting Barbells

Best Overall Powerlifting Barbell - Rogue Ohio Power Bar

rogue ohio power bar
Rogue Ohio Power Bar

The best overall barbell, the Rogue Ohio Power Bar, has the best value due to Rogue's high-quality manufacturing and impressive technical specs.

rogue ohio power bar

Pros

  • Best Value
  • Excellent Build Quality
  • Durable And Strong
  • Knurling Feels Aggressive, But Not Too Harsh

Cons

  • No Stainless Steel Sleeves
  • Not The Most Budget Friendly

It should come as no shock that the Rogue Ohio Power Bar tops my list of best powerlifting barbells. In fact, it'll probably top my list of best barbells overall.

It's so good I did a full in-depth review of it, but I'll discuss it now for you to see what I mean.

I rant and rave about Rogue all the time and the Ohio Power Bar feels like a culmination of their work.

It's well-built, with the made in the US (Columbus, Ohio to be exact) quality we've come to expect. Their manufacturing process has shown that they can make great barbells.

First, the knurling is quite excellent, being aggressive but not overly aggressive for most looking to get into powerlifting. It feature IPF-markings and center knurling as well.

All of this is found on its 29mm diameter shaft which comes in a few coating options:

  • Stainless Steel
  • Bare Steel
  • Black Oxide
  • E-Coat
  • Black Zinc

The bar is also 45 Lbs., so it's slightly above the 20kg (44.1 Lbs.) IPF-certification, so it's not competition approved. 

Not to worry, as the bar has a 200 000 PSI tensile strength rating which is more than enough for at home lifting. It's 86.25", so what you'd expect in length from a power bar, and has 16.25" loadable sleeves.

A few downsides to this bar are the price and the sleeve finish. Even though the price is fairly middle of the pack, it can still be out of reach for budget lifters.

I wouldn't worry about the price at all because the value is where it shines. Dollar-for-dollar, this bar is going to last a lifetime (it has a lifetime warranty too).

The chrome sleeves are fine, but I would have liked stainless steel for the price point.

Rogue also uses an F-scale to determine the strength of a bar. If you look at the graph below, you can see how their rating works.

The Rogue Ohio Power Bar ranges anywhere from F2 to F-8R on this scale.

I can go on and on about the specs, but the real fact of the matter is this bar works and it feels great. I've never used a bar I didn't like as much as this one, which is why it remains as my top pick now, and likely for years to come.

VALUE

DURABILITY

build quality

VERSATILITY

KNURLING

OXIDATION RESISTANCE

TENSILE STRENGTH

SLEEVES

SHIPPING & DELIVERY

CUSTOMER SERVICE

WARRANTY, FINANCING, RETURNS

overall 

5/5

Best Runner-Up Powerlifting Barbell - Texas Power Bar

Texas Power Bar

The original power bar, the Texas Power Bar by Buddy Capps still holds up to this day.

Historical pedigree and elite performance make it a worthy power bar for any lifter.

texas power bar

Pros

  • Great Price
  • Made in Texas 
  • Aggressive Knurling
  • Competition Tested And Approved

Cons

  • No Stainless Steel Option
  • Lower Tensile Strength

What could have easily been my top choice, but gets slightly edged out, is the Texas Power Bar by Buddy Capps.

This bar has made a legacy name for itself being used in more lifting competitions, and being used to break more records, than any other barbell.

It isn't just a great barbell on name alone, it's incredibly well-built too.

Texas power bar knurling

Much like Rogue, the Texas Power Bar has been manufactured proudly in the US since 1980. In their Texas facility, the TPB has been providing utmost quality for decades now.

The thing that stands out the most is that the knurling is aggressive, even sharp to some, which is often necessary for those heavy lifts.

The Texas Power Bar is IPF-approved, being used in tons of competitions, as it weights 44.1 Lbs. (20kg) and has a shaft diameter of 28.5mm.

It comes in a variety of finishes too:

  • Bare Steel
  • Cerakote
  • Chrome
  • Black Zinc

So you have options when it comes to oxidation prevention. 15" loadable sleeves and an 86" total length make it slightly smaller than other bars of its class.

Something that makes the Texas Power Bar so worthy of being the runner-up choice for best powerlifting bar is that it's one of the most affordable.

The bare steel option is the cheapest, >$300, but it's more exposed to rust, but even the better coating/finish options are still under $400.

What Texas Power Bars have done with this bar is nothing short of spectacular and it very easily is one of the top choices all-around.

If you're looking for a high quality barbell, that has all of the specifications for a decent cost, then the TPB is excellent.

Not to mention, you can feel good about joining in on the history of this revolutionary barbell.

VALUE

DURABILITY

build quality

VERSATILITY

KNURLING

OXIDATION RESISTANCE

TENSILE STRENGTH

SLEEVES

SHIPPING & DELIVERY

CUSTOMER SERVICE

WARRANTY, FINANCING, RETURNS

overall 

4.5/5

Best Upgrade Powerlifting Barbell - Kabuki Strength Next Generation Power Bar

Kabuki next generation power bar
Kabuki Strength Next Generation Power Bar

One of the strongest (250K PSI tensile strength) and high-quality bars around, the Kabuki Strength Next Generation Power Bar delivers unbelievable performance.

kabuki power bar

It's hard to argue against the Kabuki Strength New Generation Power Bar having a claim as the best around, but it is held back for a few reasons.

Before I explain why it isn't the best powerlifting bar, lets looking at reasons it could be considered one of the best.

First, the construction of this bar is a sight to behold. You might think that all bars look the same, but you'd be wrong.

The steel and manufacturing process they use is top-notch, given that their co-founder Chris Duffin has a background in engineering.

The high quality of manufacturing, which includes electroless nickel sleeves, means these bars are top-notch.

As for the steel itself, it's American and proudly made in the USA which is a big selling point for brands like Rogue and Texas Power Bars so if you feel like buying and supporting American, this is the way to go.

What sets the Kabuki Strength Power Bar apart from the competitors is that it has the highest rated and tested tensile strength of any bar I've seen.

A whopping 250K - 285K PSI tensile strength and a 51 RC rating (Rockwell Hardness rating). This puts it well above the Ohio Power Bar, Texas Power Bar, Mammoth Bar, and many others.

Other dimensions/specs you'll want to know:

  • Bar Length - 86.5"
  • Shaft Diameter - 29mm
  • Sleeve Length - 16.25" (Bushing)
  • Knurling - Volcano
  • Weight - 45 Lbs.

You can choose from 5 finish/coating options as well:

  • Red Cerakote︱Black Sleeves
  • Black Oxide
  • Red Cerakote︱Nickel Sleeves
  • Smokey Graphite Cerakote︱Nickel Sleeves
  • Bright Aqua Cerakote︱Nickel Sleeves

It is worth noting that the bars cheapest option, the Zinc bar, is $599.00. Other Kabuki Power Bars can be upwards of $699.00. 

So while it is an insanely well-made bar, it's also not for the faint of heart budget wise. Keep in mind all versions of the bar are currently on waitlist at the moment.

Oddly enough, the F-rating of the Kabuki Strength Power Bar is only F0.6. This isn't something to fret about, it simply means it's not going to handle the duress of explosive motions like Oly-lifting.

Otherwise, this is one of the strongest most well built bars on the market.

It is unfortunate there is no stainless steel option, but Duffin explains that stainless steel is simply more rust-protective and not necessarily stronger. He also mentions how the manufacturing process is very labor and cost intensive for this bar.

VALUE

DURABILITY

build quality

VERSATILITY

KNURLING

OXIDATION RESISTANCE

TENSILE STRENGTH

SLEEVES

SHIPPING & DELIVERY

CUSTOMER SERVICE

WARRANTY, FINANCING, RETURNS

overall 

5/5

Best Alternate Powerlifting Barbell - REP Fitness Power Bar EX

rep fitness power bar ex
Titan Fitness T-3 Power Rack

A solid alternative to the well-known power bars, the REP Fitness Power Bar EX does well, and excels because of its fully stainless steel build.

Pros

  • Fully Stainless Steel
  • Aggressive Knurling
  • Deeper Knurling Option Available
  • Good Tensile Strength

Cons

  • More Expensive Than is Expected
  • Knurling Can Be Too Aggressive for Some

The REP Fitness Power Bar EX isn't going to win awards for most tensile strength, or having electroless nickel sleeves, but it will win awards for being a dependable and well-crafted powerlifting bar.

Beyond that, it's also likely to win over some fans who want a powerlifting bar that has some aggressive knurling.

rep power bar knurling

Diamond pattern is fairly common for any power bar to use for their knurling, but what sets the REP Fitness Power Bar apart is that it comes in regular Power Bar EX or Deep Knurling Power Bar EX which has even deeper diamond pattern.

It's also fairly tactile as well. I won't say sharp, because it's not incredibly aggressive like the Fringe Sport Lone Star Bar, or to some, the Texas Power Bar, but it provides excellent grip.

That isn't even the best part about the REP Power Bar EX.

rep power bar ex

Why this barbell is such a good alternate option is the fact that it is entirely stainless steel - shaft and sleeve.

Both Power Bar EX and Deep Knurling Power Bar EX feature an entirely stainless steel construction which makes for a very durable bar that protects from oxidation.

If you work out in a moist or humid area, then this is something that will appeal to you.

Some specs for the REP Fitness Power Bar EX:

  • Weight - 44.1 Lbs. (20 Kg.)
  • Bar Length - 87.4"
  • Loadable Sleeve Length - 16.9" (Bushing)
  • Shaft Diameter - 29mm
  • Tensile Strength Rating - 200K PSI
  • Weight Capacity - 1500 Lbs.

As you can see from its specs, it's a pretty well-to-do barbell that can handle anything you can throw at it.

Unfortunately, a stainless steel barbell comes at a cost. 

The regular Power Bar EX costs $399 (regular $429) and the Deep Knurl Power Bar costs $349 (regular $449).

For that price, the cost is a little more than some of the other bars on this list like the Ohio Power Bar, but if budget isn't a huge concern, then you're getting your moneys worth for sure.

Value

durability

construction

versatility

knurling

oxidation resistance

tensile strength

sleeves

shipping & delivery

customer service

warranty, financing, returns

overall 

4.5/5

Best Premium Powerlifting Barbell - Eleiko IPF Powerlifting Competition Bar

eleiko power bar
Eleiko IPF Powerlifting Competition Bar

The absolute pinnacle of premium barbells, the Eleiko IPF Powerlifting Competition Bar is the highest-quality barbell you will ever find.

eleiko ipf powerlifting bar

Pros

  • 3300 Lb. Weight Capacity
  • Made From Swedish Steel
  • Graphite Self-Lubricating Bushings
  • 17.05" Loadable Sleeves

Cons

  • $1200

I was lucky enough to use this bar once in my life, and that's all it took for me to understand why Eleiko was the king of competition weightlifting equipment.

The Eleiko IPF Powerlifting Competition Bar is your go-to choice if you want the absolute premium, cream-of-the-crop barbell and budget is no concern whatsoever.

Trust me, if budget wasn't a concern, I'd snatch this thing up - pun intended.

I'll get right to the price since it's one of the things that makes eyes pop about this bar - it starts at $1200.

Is that insane? Probably. Is it justifiable? Yes.

If you're not familiar with the world of strength training equipment, competition lifting, or the Olympics, Eleiko is a prestige name that you'll see on plates, barbells, belts, and plenty of other high-end gear. They're no stranger to making the top of the line equipment.

Now for the nitty gritty - just how does Eleiko justify a $1000+ barbell? First of all, it's IPF-certified, as in it's actually used in IPF competitions, the Olympics, IWF World Cup, and many, many more.

As for technical specifications:

  • Bar Length - 86.61"
  • Loadable Sleeve Length - 17.05" (Graphite-Infused Self-Lubricating Bronze Bushings)
  • Bar Weight - 44.1 Lbs. (20 Kg.)
  • Weight Capacity - 3306 Lbs. (1500 Kg.)
  • Knurling - Aggressive
  • Coating - Dust-Proof Raw Swedish Steel 
  • Sleeve Coating - Chrome
  • Shaft Diameter - 29mm

Eye-popping stats for a barbell to say the least. There's no tensile strength rating for this barbell, but I would not be surprised if it competed with Kabuki Strength Power Bar, or surpassed it.

Although $1200 seems like a ton for a barbell (and it is), the bars quality along with Eleiko's pedigree are equal parts justification for it.

Would I recommend this to the first time home gym buyer? Of course not, even if you had the budget, you don't need to pick out the baddest bar around right away, but if you are an experienced lifter, have the need for it, and don't mind the money - why not?

If any of you do buy this bar, please send us pictures at the very least!

Value

durability

construction

versatility

knurling

oxidation resistance

tensile strength

sleeves

shipping & delivery

customer service

warranty, financing, returns

overall 

5/5

Best Budget Powerlifting Barbell - Bells Of Steel Powerlifting Bar 2.0

Bells Of Steel Powerlifting Bar 2.0

The best budget barbell around, the Bells of Steel Powerlifting Bar 2.0 comes in at a sub-$300 price tag which is perfect for first time power bar buyers.

bells of steel barenaked powerlifting barbell

Pros

  • Incredible Value
  • Lifetime Warranty
  • 210K PSI Tensile Strength
  • IPF-Certified

Cons

  • Bare Steel Isn't Rust-Protected
  • Knurling Can Be Too Aggressive For Some

If money or budget do happen to be an issue, then you're far from out of luck in finding a good budget powerlifting bar.

Meet, the Bells of Steel Barenaked Powerlifting Bar 2.0. I know, it's a mouthful, but thankfully, it isn't worth a wallets full of money.

It's among the best budget barbells I've come across to date and it's not just a good bar to help start your budget home gym, it's a barbell that still compares well to the best-in-class barbells above.

At a cool $249, you're getting a barbell that will allow you to perform all of your major compound lifts with ease, and provide you the budget flexibility to afford more toys for your home gym.

Along with a generous price tag, it comes with a limited lifetime warranty against any faults from the manufacturers themselves. Bells of Steel is a Canadian company, and their barbells are made in Canada too.

bells of steel power bar knurling

The Barenaked Power Bar 2.0 has aggressive knurling, but I found it to be just right. Some might want more aggressive though, especially for heavy deadlifts, or the like.

Technical Specs:

  • Bar Weight - 44.1 Lbs. (20 Kg.)
  • Bar Length - 86.6"
  • Shaft Diameter - 29mm
  • Shaft Finish - Bare Steel/Black Cerakote
  • Sleeve Finish - Hardened Chrome/Black Cerakote
  • Loadable Sleeve Length - 17.5"
  • Knurling - Aggressive
  • Max Weight Capacity - 1500 Lbs.

So, as you can see, for the budget price it stands up quite well. You'll notice that there's a Bare Steel/Hardened Chrome option, which is the original Barenaked Power 2.0.

The other option is the Black Cerakote Power Bar, which is slightly more expensive, but comes in at $299, so still a great price for added oxidation protection.

All in all, a powerlifting barbell that deserves a seat at the table not just because of it's great technical specs, but also because it won't break the bank for your home gym.

VALUE

DURABILITY

build quality

VERSATILITY

KNURLING

OXIDATION RESISTANCE

TENSILE STRENGTH

SLEEVES

SHIPPING & DELIVERY

CUSTOMER SERVICE

WARRANTY, FINANCING, RETURNS

overall 

4.5/5

Best Runner-Up Budget Powerlifting Barbell - Titan Fitness Power Bar

titan power bar black zinc
Titan Fitness Power Bar

There aren't many bars that can boast the specs at its price like the Titan Fitness Power Bar can. 2000 Lb. max weight capacity and a black zinc finish are just two of the top features this bar offers.

Pros

  • 2000 Lb. Max Weight Capacity
  • Black Zinc Shaft Finish
  • 200K PSI Tensile Strength
  • Mild Aggressive Texture Knurling

Cons

  • Not The Cheapest Budget Power Bar
  • No Additional Finish/Coating Options

If you're looking for a runner-up budget power barbell, the Titan Fitness Power Bar might be what you're looking for.

Although it doesn't have the same great price as the BoS Barenaked Bar 2.0, it still boasts excellent technical specifications and comes from one of the most trusted fitness equipment brands around.

titan series power bar

What struck me as most impressive is that this bar has a 2000 Lb. max weight capacity to go along with a 200K PSI tensile strength rating.

Normally, you'd pay a pretty penny for that kind of ability from a powerlifting barbell. That being said, this isn't the cheapest of the budget options, but it's far from headache-inducing cost.

In terms of dimensions, the bar is pretty close to many competitors in size.

At 86.75" long, it's competition length and similar to most power bars. It has 15.25" loadable sleeves, which is a tad on the short side, but nothing that poses a real concern for loading plates.

The shaft diameter is 28.5mm and includes classic powerlifting center knurl for more grip on squats, single powerlifting knurl markings, and a black zinc coating.

Having a black zinc coating is great for oxidation prevention and it looks quite slick which is one of the better aspects of this budget powerlifting barbell.

The sleeves are chrome, which is a durable metal as well, but I wish they either went with an all-black zinc option or even offered more finish/coatings.

Granted, it's a plain powerlifting barbell so you can only expect so much, but it would have been nice.

The knurling for the Titan Series Power Bar is also a tad bit of a let down. It's billed as aggressive, but I found it more on the milder side. 


Of course, if that's not an issue if you want something more forgiving, but the diamond pattern is spaced out slightly further than other power bars making it less aggressive.

Overall, for $300, it's a very serviceable barbell that won't break the bank and offers decent value. Titan offers a 1-year warranty on their power bar and financing options too.

Value

durability

construction

versatility

knurling

oxidation resistance

tensile strength

sleeves

shipping & delivery

customer service

warranty, financing, returns

overall 

4/5

Best Ultra-Budget Powerlifting Barbell - CAP The Beast Power Bar

CAP The Beast Barbell

If you're looking for a purely budget power bar for a home gym, CAP The Beast Barbell is an ok choice that is no frills, but won't cost you too much.

cap barbell the beast power bar

I'm not going to mince words here - the CAP The Beast Barbell shouldn't be your first choice when it comes to finding the best powerlifting barbell.

Even though it's not my first choice, there isn't anything wrong with the bar, but a budget barbell is a budget barbell and you pay for quality.

It is however hard to argue with the price if you're looking to build a home gym on a budget seeing as how The Beast is $219, which is dirt cheap for a barbell.

CAP The Beast Barbell is quite different from the other powerlifting barbells we've looked at so far.

For starters, it features no center knurling. Not all power bars have center knurling, but it's harder to find one without it which The Beast lacks.

Secondly, the grip diameter is listed at either 30mm or 28.5mm, which I found odd. It felt closer to 28.5mm, so I'm unsure of why there's a discrepancy between measurements.

A 15" loadable sleeve is among the shortest I've come across as well. Like I said about the Titan Power Bar, this isn't a huge issue unless you're absolutely loading the bar up with 45 Lb. plates.

The bar itself weighs 44.1 Lbs. which is common for most power bars. It does lose me at the 110K PSI tensile strength.

This is one of the lower ratings I've seen, and even when you factor in that yield strength for PSI is actually lower than the total tested strength, it can be a bit concerning that the bar will bend a lot sooner than you'd want.

Something that oddly stands out for CAP The Beast Barbell is that it has a black phopshate finish for the shaft and chrome sleeves. I wouldn't have expected it for such a budget barbell.

This provides some level of durability that is appreciated from CAP. It's also touted as made from Japanese cold rolled steel which is high-quality steel you'd find in things like cars.

Finally, the knurling is just ok. It's nothing to write home about because I found the groove cuts weren't deep enough, but overall, for $200 it's a solid choice if you really can't justify the money for a more expensive powerlifting barbell.

Value

durability

construction

versatility

knurling

oxidation resistance

tensile strength

sleeves

shipping & delivery

customer service

warranty, financing, returns

overall 

3.5/5

Characteristics of a Power Bar

A powerlifting barbell consists of 4 major factors that go into consideration when shopping. They are:

  1. Steel
  2. Knurling
  3. Rotation System
  4. Finish

Steel

Steel is considered the most important, because that's the foundation of the bars construction. This is further broken down into 3 factors:

  • Tensile strength rating
  • Yield strength
  • F-Scale Rating

Before, a simple number that denoted how much max weight capacity a bar could handle was considered a viable means of determining strength, but that's no longer the case. Simply saying a barbell can handle 1500 Lbs. is not as credible any more. Hence the use of the F-Scale Rating system developed by Rogue.

Testing testile strength and yield strength of a bars steel is done by either static and dynamic tests. A static test could be done by loading enormous amount of weight on a bars sides, then removing it to see if and how quickly the bar returns to its original position/shape.

A dynamic test, for example, would be using the bar in action or motion with weights, so loading the bar and dropping it is a way they can test this.

As per Rogue Fitness,

“The F Rating of a barbell is directly correlated to the number of cycles the shaft lasted in the 4 Point Bend Test at a stress level appropriate for the type of sleeve used on the bar. For example, a 28 MM chrome plated bar with a tensile strength of 215,000 PSI tested at the stress level for a men’s sleeve that lasted 35,000 cycles in our test received a rating of F1. A shaft, tested in the same manner that lasted 70,000 cycles in our test received a rating of F2. A shaft that lasted 210,000 cycles in our test received a rating of F6.”

In essence, the higher the F-Scale Rating, the more durable the barbell will be. Regardless of the F-Scale Rating, most barbells will be able to withstand your use of them for quite some time.

Knurling

Next we have knurling, the second most important factor for a powerlifting bar.

I've said it before, but knurling is very subjective. What one lifters believes is too passive of a knurling may be more aggressive for others. The Texas Power Bar is a perfect example as people have long considered it to be too aggressive, and others not enough.

In my experience using barbells, I try to consider that my enjoyment or discomfort of a knurling can vary, so being objective about the patterning, the depth of the cuts, and the cutting practice for the machining process is important to help you.

A good knurling for a powerlifting bar needs to be aggressive to provide grip and prevent your hands from slipping. It shouldn't be so aggressive that it's cutting your hands or ripping callouses.

This is why knurling is such an important part of my reviews for barbells.

Rotating System

The rotation system is not as crucial when looking for a powerlifting bar in particular. 

Generally, you don't want your barbell spinning much during lifts like deadlifts, squats, or bench press - the staples of powerlifting.

A bearing bar will provide spin that makes slow lifts harder, but a power bar shouldn't be completely fixed. Bronze bushings or composite bushings are most common for these barbells and are recommended.

Finish

Lastly, the finish or coating of your barbell is big factor depending on how much cosmetic durability you want and the environment you're lifting in. 

Bare steel is common for many types of barbells because it's cheapest to produce and it provides great grip on the knurling because there is no coating or finish to cover the grip pattern. 

The issue is it's more exposed to rust through oxidation.

Stainless steel is desirable because it's a more durable steel that doesn't require coating to protect from rust, but it's more expensive. Most of the bars on this list, and bars in general, come in finishes like Cerakote or zinc which help protect the bar.

Factors for Rating Powerlifting Barbells

We've talked about the power bar characteristics, now let's talk about how I test and rate powerlifting barbells.

There are too many barbells out there for me to ever fully get to, but I've used a fair amount, especially the ones I consider my favorites for their respectful categories.

Fortunately, it's easy to see what people are saying and there are a number of factors that go into how a powerlifting barbell can be rated.

Value: Simply put - how much does the cost to quality of the bar mean? Price isn't as important as many think, as some bigger name brands will have higher price, which isn't always an indicator of quality.

Construction/Durability: Overall construction or build quality of a bar is paramount to a good power bar. Construction means - strong tolerances of dimensions (knurling pattern, uniform dimensions, proper adherence to design). Any good power bar will be able to not only withstand the use you put it through, but last anywhere from 25 years or longer if it's manufactured properly.

Tensile Strength: Tensile strength of a power bar is crucial to it's rating. Any good powerlifting barbell should have a tensile rating of 150K PSI or more. Using the F-Scale Rating here is much more important than max weight load/capacity.

Versatility: Versatility is not as important as some other factors but I include it for folks that use their bar for more than just powerlifting. A good power bar should still offer value for things like CrossFit or Olympic lifting, even though it isn't necessarily designed for those primarily.

Knurling: The knurling of a powerlifting barbell should maintain consistency throughout the bar. Aggressive knurling is preferred for grip, while a center knurl can be slightly passive. Remember, sharpness in knurling doesn't mean it's good, it's just cut rougher. Power bars should have both a center knurl and the IPF knurling rings or markers.

Finish/Sleeves/Oxidation Resistance: Any power bar that has different finish options is a good bar. Stainless steel and cerakote are the best and most corrosive resistant options, but cost more. Sleeve finish matters too, plenty of bars have chrome sleeves, which is good, but not as oxidation resistant as stainless or cerakote.

Warranty/Customer Service: Lifetime warranty should be standard, but it's not always the case. This doesn't impact the quality of the bar, because if it's good, it'll hold up regardless but it's nice to protect against manufacturer faults. Similarly, a good customer service experience is the cherry on top.

Best Of The Rest - Competitor Power Bars

You thought it was over? Not even close friends! This is just a small sample of the many barbells I've either tried, researched, or heard about.

There are over 50 power bars out there, and likely more on the way in the coming years, but I couldn't review every single one in-depth.

Here is a best of the rest list for the competition:

Vulcan Strength Absolute Power Bar: I really wanted to put this barbell on my list, and frankly it probably belongs on it but the REP Power Bar slightly edged it out. It is still an excellent choice for a high-quality bar for slightly over $300.

Vulcan Strength Elite Power Bar: This is essentially the Vulcan Absolute Power Bar but upgraded. It has some excellent features like the aggressive knurling, but it costs about $100 more.

REP Fitness Deep Knurl Power Bar EX: Super deep knurling is what makes this bar so useful if you're someone that is still worried about your hands slipping off during lifts. It's the same as the Power Bar EX with that one minor difference.

Eleiko IPF Powerlifting Competition Bar: I've had the honor to use this bar twice in my life and it is the pinnacle of barbells. Unfortunately, it comes at an outrageous price, but if you can justify it you won't be disappointed.

Rogue B&R Bar 2.0: The B&R 2.0 Bar from Rogue Fitness was close to beating out the OPB, but it costs more and doesn't quite match the features. It has milder knurling as well, which can be less handy for power lifting.

Rogue Westside Power Bar 2.0: The Rogue Westside Power Bar is great, but it costs more than the Ohio Power Bar and doesn't outperform it. However, the black finish and green bushings does make it look quite striking if you fancy that.

Buddy Capps Starting Strength Texas Power Bar: World famous lifting program Starting Strength has the tie-in Buddy Capps Starting Strength Power Bar which is similar to the Texas Power Bar.

Fringe Sport 20kg Power Bar: The Fringe Sport Power Bar is a good, budget-friendly power bar. However, the knurling is not as aggressive as we’d like to see in a power bar.

Fringe Sport Lone Star Power Bar: The Fringe Sport Lone Star Power Bar is very similar to their 20kg Power Bar, except that it takes after the TPB with sharp, very aggressive knurling. It's pretty close to some of the top choices on this list.

CAP The Boss Barbell: The upgraded version of The Beast Barbell, CAP The Boss barbell is more durable because of a higher tensile strength and multiple coating options, but comes at a higher price.

CAP The Rebel Barbell: CAP's premier powerlifting barbell, The Rebel is a striking bar with admittedly great technical specs, but the price is higher for less performance than other options around.

American Barbell Mammoth Power Bar: This is a great power bar, and one that easily could be on the list, but I kept it off solely because of the near $600 pricetag.

American Barbell Elite Power Bar: Slightly cheaper than the Mammoth Bar, it's fairly similar so it didn't warrant making the final cut.

American Barbell Grizzly Bar: The American Barbell Grizzly Bar is an excellent alternative to the Mammoth Bar because the price-to-quality ratio is superb.

ForceUSA Powerlifting Barbell200K PSI tensile strength and a well-designed bar with bearing system make this a good choice for $330, but there are definitely better Made in US barbell options available.

Intek Olympic Power Bar: The Intek Power Bar certainly has the features (200K PSI tensile strength, hardened chrome) to be among the stronger power bars, but it retails for over $500 which makes it too pricey for what it's worth.

Crain’s Okie Power Bar: The Okie Power Bar features some of the sharpest knurling of any barbell I've seen or used. It's likely why it's advertised as a deadlift bar. It's so sharp it's almost uncomfortable, and with the price, it didn't make the cut.

Wright Power Bar: A low price doesn't make up for the low tensile strength which ultimately makes this a non-recommend from me.

Uesaka Power Bar: I've never seen this bar or heard of anyone that's used it, but even with that being said, the price is so high it doesn't shock me that no one has.

Best Powerlifting Barbells - FAQs

Which Barbell Is Used For Powerlifting?

Although there are plenty of excellent barbells to choose from for powerlifting, the best is the Rogue Ohio Power Bar. 

Rogue has cultivated this status over years of being able to manufacture top-quality barbells with a keen attention to detail. Their bars represent the best of the best for home gyms, whether you're powerlifting or doing basic barbell lifts.

What Is The Strongest Power Bar?

The Texas Power Bar is often in the mix for strongest power bar simply because more lifting records have been broken with it.

Other power bars that belong in the strongest bar conversation include the Rogue Ohio Power Bar, the Eleiko Competition Powerlifting Bar, the Kabuki Strength Power Bar, and many more.

What Powerlifting Barbells Are Good For Women?

The 15kg barbell was introduced in the late 90's to help women powerlift with more comfort.

Aside from the weight, these bars have thinner diameter for easier grip.

What Is Best Overall Barbell?

Our pick for best overall barbell goes to the Rogue Ohio Power Bar due to its cost, performance, specs, and quality, but most of the bars on this list will serve you just fine.

Is A Power Bar The Same As An Olympic Bar?

A powerlifting bar differs from an Olympic bar for a few reasons. Primarily, the whip or flex is stiffer on a power bar. Secondly, the power bar features center knurling. 

These bars are also generally thicker in shaft diameter and have smaller sleeve diameter. Both bars are excellent choices, but a powerlifting bar is better for more lifts overall.

Denver Matheson
 

Passionate about fitness, I dedicate substantial time to both the gym and the kitchen, nourishing my body for optimal repair and growth. However, there's another crucial space that every athlete values—the research zone. That's precisely why I'm here—to share the knowledge I've acquired over the years, inspired by the generosity of others who guided me on my fitness journey. Join me as I offer valuable insights and information to help you pursue your own barbell pursuits.

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