The barbell - a cornerstone to building foundational strength in the gym. At Rogue, we understand the significance that barbells play in any strength and conditioning program, whether you're focusing on powerlifting - squat, bench, and deadlift, or building explosiveness through Olympic lifts - clean and snatch, and everything in between. Barbells are essential tools for developing strength, power, and muscle mass, making them a fundamental component of any home or commercial gym. Explore the diverse range of barbells available and how they can elevate your training.

Different Types of Barbells

Dive into the world of barbells and discover the unique features and applications of various types:

Olympic Barbells: The gold standard in weightlifting equipment. Designed to meet the rigorous demands of Olympic weightlifting competitions, these barbells feature standardized dimensions and specifications, including a 7-foot length and a 28mm diameter shaft. Made in both 20KG and 15KG variants with precision-engineered bearings (or bushings for Training Bars), Olympic barbells offer smooth rotation and optimal whip for the snatch and clean and jerk.

Powerlifting Barbells: Built for the strongest in the world, our power bars are engineered to withstand the heaviest loads any human can throw at them when training for the big three lifts - squat, bench press, and deadlift. Made to a standard 7-foot length and typically a 29mm diameter shaft, Rogue powerlifting barbells are designed to be stiff enough to not flex under heavy loads, but not be too stiff making them brittle. Added to this are our signature power bar knurl patterns offering a range of aggressiveness to suit the preferences of any lifter. Made in 20KG and 45LB versions for those who have their sights set on the competition platform or for anyone chasing PR’s in their garage or home gym, you’ll be able to find the best barbell for you.

Multi-Use Barbells: The foundation for any gym, our flagship 20KG Ohio and 15KG Bella Bars are made to do it all. Whether you prefer to keep your training basic with squats, bench presses, and deadlifts, focus on Olympic lifts like cleans and snatches, or include CrossFit or functional fitness training in your programming, we have you covered. Designed with a 28.5mm (20KG bars) shaft diameter, this falls in between the 28mm and 29mm diameters used for Olympic weightlifting and powerlifting, our signature knurl pattern, and dual knurl marks we have found to be optimal for multi-purpose use.

Curl Barbells: Specially designed for bicep and tricep exercises, our curl bars feature a curved or angled handle, allowing for a more natural grip and wrist position during curls and other arm-focused movements. Perfect for building your biceps, curl barbells offer enhanced comfort and efficiency in your arm workouts.

Trap Bars: Discover the versatility and functionality of trap bars, also known as hex bars. Featuring a hexagonal shape with parallel handles, these specialty bars offer a unique alternative to traditional straight bars for exercises like deadlifts and shrugs. The ergonomic design of hex bars reduces stress on the lower back and provides a more comfortable grip, making them ideal for individuals looking to improve their deadlifting technique or minimize joint strain.

Specialty Barbells: Rounding out our lineup of barbells are our specialty bars, consisting of multi-grip bars for pressing and rowing movements, to safety squat bars specifically designed to build your lower body and posterior chain. With a full arsenal to choose from, we have you covered for any movement you will find in your training program.

Exercises with a Barbell

Unlock a world of possibilities with barbells and explore the myriad exercises you can perform:

Bench Press: Strengthen your chest, shoulders, and triceps with the classic bench press, a staple in any strength training routine.

Squat: Develop lower-body strength and improve functional movement patterns with squats, utilizing a barbell to add resistance.

Deadlift: Build total-body strength and power with deadlifts, a compound exercise that engages multiple muscle groups, including the legs, back, and core.

Bicep Curl: Isolate your biceps and forearms with bicep curls, using either a straight or curl barbell to target different muscle fibers.

Barbell Rows: A compound movement to build a stronger back and add core strength.

Clean and Snatch: Develop overall explosive power and athleticism with the two Olympic lifts, combining speed, strength, and technique.

Finding the Best Barbell for You

Navigate the selection process and find the perfect barbell to suit your needs:

Consider factors such as:

Bar Weight: Choose a barbell appropriate to your strength level and training goals. A men’s bar is typically 20KG, or 45LB, and a female’s bar is 15KG, or 35LB.
Exercise Variety: Select a barbell that supports a wide range of exercises relevant to your fitness program, whether it's Olympic lifts, powerlifting, or a mix of both.
Quality and Durability: At Rogue, we make the most durable barbells in the world. Crafted from high-quality materials and featuring durable construction to ensure long-lasting performance and safety during workouts, you can’t go wrong with any bar you choose.

Explore the diverse range of barbells available at Rogue, from classic black zinc bars to personalized custom Cerakote color options, and specialty bars designed for specific training modalities.

FAQ:

A barbell typically weighs about 45 pounds (20.4 kilograms). However, there are also lighter barbells available, such as women's barbells that weigh around 35 pounds (15.9 kilograms). The majority of bars we make are designed to the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) spec of 20KG for men’s bars, and 15KG for women’s bars.

The maximum weight capacity of a barbell is dependent on the type and quality of the steel used for the shaft, as well as the shaft diameter. Most bars on the market advertise a static weight rating which can be very misleading. You won't find a static weight rating on any of our barbells because a barbell is always in a dynamic state during a lift, resulting in a potential failure at a weight much lower than the static weight rating.

We rate the durability of our barbells using the F Scale™, which is a durability scale for barbells based on functional testing at stresses similar to what barbells experience when being dropped from overhead. Bars that have been treated with Rogue Work Hardening (RWH™) are designated by having an R in their F Rating™. For more information on F Scale™ click here.

In most cases, weight plates from different brands can be used on a barbell interchangeably. We guarantee any plates or bumpers made to Olympic spec to be compatible with Rogue barbells.

If you’re a beginner, then you may want to use a lighter barbell, like our technique bar, which weighs 15LB or a 15KG/35LB barbell. If you start with a 45lb bar, a multipurpose barbell is a great starting point, as these bars are designed to be the only barbell you will need.

There are a number of different exercises that can be performed with a barbell such as a bench press, squat, deadlift, bicep curl, and much more.