Top 38 Best Barbells For Your Home Gym 2023

A barbell is probably the most important piece of equipment you can get for a home or garage gym.

As long as you have a squat rack, some weight plates, and a solid barbell, you’re going to have an excellent place to train!

A wide range of factors come into play for choosing a barbell.

From their knurling, tensile strength, purpose, price, and especially the quality of the bar, finding the best Olympic barbell that fits your needs can be challenging.

I’ll make it a lot easier in this ultimate guide on the best barbell for any lifter!

Check out my barbell buying guide if you want to learn more about what to look for in a solid bar!

Let’s get started!

What Are The Best Barbells?

• Best Barbell Overall – ROGUE OHIO BAR
• Best Barbell For Powerlifting – Texas Power Bar
• Best Barbell For Weightlifting – Rogue IWF Olympic Weightlifting Bar
• Best Multi-Purpose Barbell – Rogue Chan Bar
• Best Barbell for CrossFit – The Rogue Bar 2.0
• Best Barbell For Beginners – Force USA Ranger Barbell
• Best Deadlift Bar – Texas Deadlift Bar
• Best Barbell For Women – BOMBA BAR V3 WOMEN’S BARBELL
• Best Barbell On Amazon – Synergee Games Cerakote Barbell
• Best Safety Squat Bar – Kabuki Transformer Bar
• Best Hex Trap Bar – Kabuki Strength Trap Bar HD
• Best Curl Bar – Rogue Curl Bar

Best Barbell Overall

This section covers the best Olympic barbell overall for your home gym.

I chose these because of the value they bring to the table, the features they offer, and the fact that they’re completely reliable due to their durability.

Also, just a heads up, there are a ton of Rogue Olympic barbells on this list. They really are as good as everybody says and absolutely worth it!

If you want to learn more about their company, here is my Rogue Fitness Review so you can check them out more in-depth.

Let’s get started!

Best – ROGUE OHIO BAR

The Rogue Fitness Ohio Bar is the best Olympic barbell for your home gym. Not to be confused with the Rogue Ohio Power Bar, which is featured in the upcoming best power bar section.

Since I bring it up so often, you can tell it deserves all the praise it gets.

One of my favorite things about the Rogue Fitness Ohio bar other than its solid 200,000 tensile strength, is all the colors you can get for the cerakote version in particular.

You can get different combinations for your shaft and sleeves to make something truly unique to your home gym!

As you can see, there are many different options to choose from.

If there’s anything that’s worth it from Rogue Fitness, it’s absolutely a Rogue Fitness Ohio Bar.

Plus, they have these bars available in all the best finishes you can possibly get. From the Cerakote options shown above, black zinc, stainless steel, and even black oxide.

You can get a Rogue Ohio bar that fits any of your training needs.

Rogue Fitness is the gold standard for strength equipment. They’re by far the best Olympic barbell manufacturer by far; that being said, I highly recommend any type of Rogue Ohio bar without a doubt!

If you haven’t looked at my Rogue Buying Guide, you definitely should as I go over all of Rogue’s best equipment.

Runner Up – REP Excalibur Bar

While the Rep Sabre Bar has an exceptional name, nothing can beat Excalibur!

They designed this barbell with hybrid bearing bushings, making it perfect for the home gym community!

It can do the power lifts and Olympic lifts alike with no issue.

It’s rated for 1500 pounds and has a 190,000 tensile strength.

Plus, you have a choice between a hard chrome coating or stainless steel options, and even a choice of a center knurling or without.

It also has a medium/deep depth knurling, giving you a ton of grip for heavier lifts without shredding your hands like sharkskin.

I go over this bar in my Rep Buying Guide if you need to learn more!

Budget – ROGUE BONEYARD BARS

Next up, we have Rogues Boneyard Bars. I’ve covered boneyard barbells before, and I think they’re an incredible buy.

The best thing about boneyard bars is that they have the same functionality as their more expensive bars but with minor defects.

Rogue Fitness considers anything with blemishes and issues with the knurling to not be Rogue-quality, which I can’t blame them!

When people buy from Rogue Fitness, they expect premium equipment at a premium price.

So it makes sense they have the boneyard bars available to the public at a lower price than Rogue’s other bars.

I think that for the price and quality that Rogue Fitness brings to the table, this is the best home gym barbell you can get at a budget price.

Check out more about them in my Rogue Fitness Buying Guide!

Best Barbell For Powerlifting

Powerlifting is all about lifting the most weight possible on the squat, bench press, and deadlift.

While there are specialty bars available for each, you should invest in a Power Bar designed to deal with super heavy weights to get the best bang for your buck.

Here are my picks for the best barbells for powerlifting!

Best – Texas Power Bar

Some of the strongest lifters in history have used Texas Power Bars.

The shaft has a couple of options; bare steel, black zinc, and chrome.

The sleeves are also available in chrome and bare steel plating, depending on your preference.

This barbell is a little shorter than the Texas Deadlift Bar at 86″; it has a 28.5mm diameter, 190,000 psi static tensile strength, a very aggressive knurl, and a center knurling.

The Texas Power Bar is perfect for lifting heavy weights and not fussing with different Squat, Deadlift, and Bench bars.

If you need the best barbell for powerlifting overall, the Texas Power Bar will never let you down.

Runner Up – AMERICAN BARBELL CERAKOTE MAMMOTH POWER BAR

This barbell used to be known as the Super Power Bar, but I guess American Barbell must have thought it was a bit much. Instead, they went for the much better Mammoth Power Bar!

The shaft is constructed of stainless steel with a cerakote finish, which is honestly one of the best finishes you can get.

The cerakote finish has been tested with corrosion salt spray testing that will last up to 70x longer than weaker finishes.

Plus, the shafts themselves have a hard chrome coating which is pretty resistant in its own right.

It is also heat-treated to ensure it has a 210,000 tensile strength, which is pretty damn solid.

A solid power bar is built for all three power lifts so the center knurling will help keep the bar from sliding on your back.

If you’re trying to hit some heavy lifts, this barbell won’t disappoint.

The American Barbell Mammoth Power Bar is an exceptional choice if you want to lift some heavier weight!

Runner Up – ROGUE OHIO POWER BAR

This Rogue Ohio Power Bar is a solid contender for the best power bar category.

No matter what finish they give it, it’s still going to be one of the best barbells on the market.

The Rogue Ohio Power Bar has a bunch of different finishes to choose from as well!

• Stainless Steel Shaft & Sleeves
• Stainless Steel Shaft & Chrome Sleeves
• Black E-Coat Shaft & Zinc Sleeves
• Bare Steel Shaft & Sleeves
• Zinc Shaft & Sleeves

This is one of the top power bars Rogue Fitness makes and should be your go-to pick if you decide to invest in a training bar for Powerlifting.

Its 200,000 tensile strength will ensure you’re safe under super heavy weights.

Of course, this also means it comes with a lifetime warranty which is an important indicator of the bar’s quality.

The Rogue Ohio Power Bar is, as the name suggests, a pure powerlifting barbell, and I recommend this over anything else if you’re interested in Powerlifting.

It features a single powerlifting knurl mark and a center knurling.

Plus, the knurling is a super aggressive volcano knurl, which is the best you can get for maximum grip. 

The Rogue Ohio Power Bar is the best barbell for powerlifting they make.

Check out more in my Rogue Fitness Buying Guide to see all of the top barbells and other equipment they offer.

Runner Up – REP Stainless Steel Power Bar v2

REP Fitness has an incredible premium barbell constructed with Stainless Steel.

Rated for 1500 pounds with medium knurling to keep your baby hands from getting destroyed is always nice.

It also has a 29 mm diameter for maximum stiffness.

The stainless steel construction won’t It will not scrape off as cheaper finishes will, and it looks beautiful.

If you want the absolute best barbell for powerlifting from Rep Fitness, this is it.

But if you’re interested in a barbell with a more aggressive knurling, the Rep Deep Knurl Power Bar Ex is also a great option. It has a super deep knurl with that same stainless steel construction to prevent the knurl from being filled in with a lesser coating.

Check out more from Rep Fitness in my buying guide to see more barbells and equipment like this! 

Budget – Bells Of Steel Barenaked Powerlifting Bar 2.0

I learned about Bells Of Steel a few months ago, and from what I can tell, they have a ton of exceptional Olympic barbells and equipment.

This is a pure power bar with a center knurling and an aggressive knurl. It can also handle 1500 pounds with its 210,000 tensile strength, making it perfect for all skill levels.

The shaft is constructed with bare steel while the sleeves have a hard chrome coating.

If you plan on doing Olympic lifts, I would recommend another barbell on this list, though, as this barbell is super rigid with little to no whip at all.

Still, if you just need to Squat, Bench, and Deadlift, this is the barbell for you! 

Who Should Buy A Power Bar

• Lifters that want a training bar to compete or plan to compete in Powerlifting
• Those that want more knurling to maximize their grip strength
• Athletes that just want to do the powerlifts

Who Shouldn’t Buy A Power Bar

• Olympic weightlifters or other athletes that need smoother spinning sleeves and more whip
• Powerlifters that want a specialty Squat or Deadlifting bar
• Those that want to do a variety of lifts and not just the Powerlifts

Best Barbell For Weightlifting

Olympic Weightlifting is a sport that many people recognize from the Olympics.

Weightlifters compete in the Snatch and the Clean & Jerk, requiring a ton of power and control to train efficiently.

There are three main differences between an Olympic weightlifting barbell and a regular bar.

First, the bar’s shaft has a much smaller diameter, allowing the barbell to whip much more than a stiffer bar. When you do an explosive movement like a Snatch, the whip will enable you to get under the barbell and catch it.

Second, Olympic Weightlifting bars typically have needle bearings in the sleeves, which allow them to spin more than a power bar. This spin is vital as it reduces torque on the elbow, forearm, and wrists. A smooth spinning barbell is 100% necessary to Olympic lift safely while minimizing injury.

Finally, the knurling tends to be a little softer, so it won’t tear your hands up from rotating and catching the barbell repeatedly.

Here are the best Olympic Weightlifting bars!

Best – Rogue IWF Olympic Weightlifting Bar

If you want the best barbell for Olympic Weightlifters with no expenses spared, the Rogue IWF Approved Olympic Weightlifting Barbell is what you need to get.

I’m sure I just mentioned that it’s IWF approved, right?

The shaft has a 215,000 PSI with friction-welded sleeves, a non-abrasive knurl, and high-quality needle bearings.

It also has a 28mm shaft to allow for plenty of whip.

It does have a center knurling though so keep that in mind when catching your cleans!

This is the best weightlifting bar by far, so check it out now if you want to learn more.

Runner Up – American Barbell Performance Training Barbell

American Barbell has some great power bars, but this Olympic Weightlifting barbell is just as awesome!

The Performance Training Bar has a shaft tested for 190,000 tensile strength and has a fantastic whip for Olympic lifting.

The composite bearings provide a ton of strength and durability to withstand tons of abuse.

The hard chrome coating provides solid resistance and looks sleek as well.

It’s also made in the USA, which is kind of the whole deal with “American Barbell” and has an IWF specification so that you can be positive your training bar will match competition standards.

Check out the American Barbell Performance Training Bar now.

Runner Up – REP Stainless Steel Gladiator WL Bearing Bar

This Weightlifting Barbell from Rep is one of the best barbells I’ve ever seen as it’s constructed entirely of stainless steel which offers the best feel and performance possible.

Plus, with five needle bearings per sleeve, it has a smooth and consistent spin for optimal Olympic Lifts and hook grips, as the saying goes.

The 230,000 tensile strength, 210,000 yield strength, and 1,500 lb loading capacity ensure the barbell will handle any Olympic lifts you throw at it!

It even has a hard chrome coating which is a solid rust-resistant coating.

There are multiple different versions you can get with a center knurling and without.

While it does have medium knurling, some have said it’s a little more aggressive when they first try it out, but they get used to it pretty quickly.

This is the best Olympic Weightlifting Barbell from Rep Fitness, so check it out if you want to learn more.

Runner Up – Fringe Sport OLYMPIC WEIGHTLIFTING BAR

The best Weightlifting Bar from Fringe Sport is named the Olympic Weightlifting Bar by Fringe Sport. Pretty easy to figure out what type of barbell it is!

This barbell has an incredible max load capacity of 2,200 pounds, a 216,200 tensile strength, and a 206,000 yield strength. Which is always nice to know when doing a couple of hundred-pound snatches over your head.

Plus, it has a passive center knurling for extra grip while catching cleans, without tearing up your collar bone.

If you plan on competing in IWF competitions, getting a barbell that mimics meet day as much as possible is an excellent way to ensure you’re as ready as you’ll ever be!

Check out more from Fringe Sport in my buying guide to see more of the equipment they offer!

Budget – Get RX’d Stealth Bar

The Stealth Bar from Get RX’d is a solid weightlifting barbell with a smooth and consistent spin.

The 216,000 PSI tensile strength allows for a high weight capacity far beyond what any single person can possibly lift.

It features a 28mm shaft diameter, which, as I mentioned before, makes it great for faster Olympic lifts and hook grips.

It’s also available in men’s and women’s options like most weightlifting barbells are.

This is one of the best-reviewed Olympic barbells from Get RX’d, and it even has a lifetime warranty.

Check out more from Get RX’d in my buying guide!

Who Should Buy A Weightlifting Bar

• Olympic weightlifters who want a training bar that is IWF-approved to mimic competition as much as possible.
• Those that want a bar designed to be dropped and have a ton of whip to flex/absorb force.
• Lifters that only train Olympic lifts, squats/front squats, overhead presses, etc.

Who Shouldn’t Buy A Weightlifting Bar

• For those with a much lower budget, Olympic Weightlifting bars are much pricier than other types of barbells on average, so you have to keep that in mind.
• Powerlifters should invest in power or even multipurpose bars instead of a pure weightlifting barbell.
• Anybody who wants less whip and more aggressive knurling for their type of lifting.

Best Multi Purpose Barbells

Multipurpose bars, or general-purpose bars as they’re sometimes called, are what I recommend for most lifters.

Here are a couple of reasons you should invest in this type of barbell.

• Price – Multipurpose bars tend to be priced well compared to pricier Olympic Weightlifting bars with similar features.
• Knurling – The knurling is usually more medium depth than a more aggressive power bar, making them better suited for beginner and experienced lifters alike.
• Dual Knurl Marks – These make it easy to set up for Olympic and Power lifts alike.
• Variety Of Lifts You Can Do – It’s not a great idea to Bench Press with a weightlifting barbell or Clean & Jerk using a power bar. That’s why multipurpose bars that allow you to train all the lifts are so awesome.
• Best Bang For Your Buck – Combining all of the above points, a multipurpose barbell is going to be the best bang for your buck overall. They allow you to do any lift you want without investing in a bunch of different Olympic barbells that have other purposes.

Here are the best barbells on the market for any type of lifting you need to do!

Best – Rogue Chan Bar

The Rogue Chan Bar was co-developed with Matt Chan, a multiple Top 10 finisher at the CrossFit Games.

So to say this custom-made barbell is a fantastic all-around barbell is an understatement.

It has a cerakote finish, which is very popular in the gun industry because of its durability.

This newer model has a stainless steel shaft rated at 200,000 PSI tensile strength, making it a beast of a barbell perfect for any type of lifting.

If you want one of the best multipurpose barbells and potentially the best one overall, the Rogue Chan Bar is a great option.

Runner Up – Fringe Sport Wonder Bar

The Fringe Sport Wonder Bar is available in men’s and women’s, but you can also choose the cheaper bushings or the pricier bearings.

The lifetime warranty definitely proves just how durable this bar is as well.

You can even choose between needle bearings and bronze bushings.

As most of you know, bearings are better for Olympic lifts as the sleeves rotate smoother, while bushings are more suited for heavier powerlifting movements.

Like most Olympic barbells on this list, it can handle over 1,500+ pounds with its 205,000 PSI tensile strength and 160,000 yield strength.

If you want to learn more about the Fringe Sport Wonder Bar and some of the other best equipment from Fringe Sport, check out my buying guide for more info!

Budget – Titan Fitness Atlas Olympic Barbell

The Atlas Olympic Barbell from Titan Fitness is a multipurpose barbell with dual knurl markings and medium knurling.

The Atlas Bar also supports a loading capacity of up to 1500 pounds with a 220,000 psi tensile strength.

The sleeves feature ten needle bearings, which provide a consistent quieter spin while performing the Olympic Lifts.

Say what you want about Titan Fitness; this hybrid bar is a solid option that gets the job done.

Who Should Buy A Multipurpose Bar

• Home gym owners that want a single barbell that can handle all lifts
• Lifters that prefer a more medium-depth knurl for a solid grip without biting into your hands.
• Those that have a smaller budget and don’t want to invest in a Weightlifting barbell for their Olympic lifting.

Who Shouldn’t Buy A Multipurpose Bar

• Powerlifters that need specialized power, squat, or deadlifting bars.
• Anybody that prefers sharper, aggressive knurling for the best grip possible.
• Weightlifters that require more whip and spin from their bars.

Best Barbell for CrossFit

CrossFit is one of the most popular strength/endurance sports in the world.

It’s all about functional training performed with high intensity.

That’s why the best CrossFit bars will have a ton of similarities to Multipurpose bars so that you can do WODs with a variety of movements.

The main difference between a CrossFit bar and standard Olympic bars is that CrossFit bars need to have increased durability.

These bars can handle being dropped and cycled through for high-repetition and heavier strength work.

Here are the best barbells for CrossFit!

Best – The Rogue Bar 2.0

The Rogue Bar 2.0 is a next-generation 28.5 mm shaft diameter Olympic barbell fully machined and constructed right in Columbus, Ohio, at the Rogue factory.

It features 190,000 tensile strength steel, grooved sleeves with customizable band colors, as well as composite bushings that are definitely durable.

This is Version 2.0 of the original Rogue Bar, but it also has marks for Olympic and powerlifting movements.

Plus, this Olympic barbell has been used during the CrossFit games ever since this barbell came into fruition.

If the top CrossFit athletes in the world use this in competition, you know it’s going to be good enough for anybody.

Check out the Rogue Bar 2.0, so you can start crushing WODs now!

Runner Up – American Barbell CALIFORNIA BAR

This is the first dual-ring multi purpose barbell American Barbell has built.

It’s made specifically for functional fitness athletes, so this might be the premium barbell for you!

Considering it has a solid 190,000 tensile strength rating, it will handle pretty much any type of lifting you plan on doing.

The California Barbell also has a Cerakote finish, one of the best coats you can get on a bar.

It’s available in various colors while also sporting men’s and women’s bars.

The men’s bars come in Zombie Green, Elite Blackout, Concrete Grey, and Navy Blue.

The women’s barbells are available in; Sky Blue, Pink, Elite Blackout, Yellow, and Purple.

Just like Rogue’s Cerakote Ohio Bar, that’s a solid number of colors to choose from.

Multi purpose bars are king for garage/home gyms, so I think the California Bar is going to check a bunch of boxes for many of you.

Budget – Get RX’d WOD Bar 5.0

I went over the WOD Bar 5.0 in my Get RX’d Buying guide.

As the name suggests, it’s a solid multi purpose barbell built for Olympic lifts, Powerlifting, or WODs!

These types of barbells are perfect for your home gym, as you can buy a single barbell for any lifting you do.

The 190,000 tensile strength rating will handle any type of lifting you do.

You can get this in women’s 15 kg or men’s 20 kg options. Depending on your preference, they also have black zinc and hard chrome coatings.

If you need a multipurpose budget bar, this is a wonderful choice!

Who Should Buy A CrossFit Bar

• CrossFitters, of course! Many CrossFit bars have different barbell weights, which are essential for higher rep WOD style training.
• Those who want dual knurl grips for heavier power and Olympic lifts or even higher rep Olympic lifting.
• Lifters that plan on dropping bars from overhead positions, as they require a more durable barbell.

Who Shouldn’t Buy A CrossFit Bar

• Powerlifters or Olympic Weightlifters that need a more specialized barbell for their sport.
• Lifters that want more knurling that’s a little more aggressive for the strongest grip possible.
• Those that want more whip or even a stiffer bar.

Best Barbell For Beginners

For beginner lifters, the best Olympic barbell will allow you to do many different lifts.

This is important for a beginner as most of you watching this probably don’t know what type of lifting you want to do just starting out.

Imagine buying a power bar and finding out later you want to do more Olympic lifting or vice versa.

So instead, getting a barbell that can do it all is an excellent idea.

Another thing that you should consider is how sharp the knurling is. Beginners don’t have a lot of calluses built up, which will hurt with more aggressive knurling.

Here are the best barbells for beginners!

Best – Force USA Ranger Barbell

The Ranger Barbell from Force USA is the best barbell for beginners if you want something incredible that isn’t going to destroy your savings or get you in trouble with your wife (we all know it happens.) 

This barbell has standard knurling and whip so it’s designed for anybody that wants to lift heavy weights and work on their Olympic lifts.

The sleeves have two needle bearings combined with bronze bushings to provide a smooth feel and solid spin.

The Force USA Ranger barbells’ 170,000 tensile strength and 1,500 pounds static weight rating are going to be plenty as you progress in strength for years to come.

All in all, if you’re a beginner just starting out and need a quality barbell that you’ll never have to upgrade, the Force USA Ranger Barbell is for you.

Runner Up – REP Sabre Barbell

Rep Fitness is best known for its benches and racks, but they also have many great Olympic barbells!

The Rep Sabre Bar has one of the most fantastic names I’ve seen for a barbell.

Rep built this barbell specifically for the power lifts with a medium knurling suited for beginner trainees.

Considering it has a 1,000 lb loading capacity and 150,000 tensile strength, this is going to be plenty!

REP offers this barbell in 15 kg and 20 kg with or without a center knurl.

I’m a huge fan of the Sabre Bar for garage gym owners as it’s priced well and works great no matter what style of workout you prefer!

I go over this barbell more in-depth in my Rep Fitness Buying Guide if you want to learn more!

Budget – Titan Economy Olympic Barbell

I know Titan Fitness gets a lot of crap from people that require Rogue quality. They do very well to make better budget options than anybody else, though.

You don’t need an expensive barbell when you’re just starting, and the Economy Olympic Barbell they sell is proof of that!

While it might be a budget option, the quality of this barbell is obvious with its bronze bushings.

This barbell is 45 lbs with a loading capacity of 700 pounds.

It even has a center knurl and dual multipurpose marks for Powerlifting and Olympic lifting.

The Titan Economy Olympic Barbell is the perfect beginner bar at an exceptional price.

You can check out more barbells and equipment from them in my Buying Guide!

Who Should Buy A Beginner Bar

• Beginner lifters, duh! But also, those that don’t know what type of lifting they want to do and just want a bar that can do anything they decide to train.
• For beginners that might need a lighter barbell weight until they get stronger, a lot of beginner bars come in 10kg, 15kg, and 20kg as usual.
• Lifters that need less aggressive knurling for power and Olympic lifts alike.

Who Shouldn’t Buy A Beginner Bar

• More experienced lifters who are already specializing in powerlifting or Olympic lifting.
• Lifters who need more whip and spin for Olympic lifting.
• Those that need more aggressive knurling for powerlifting training.

Best Deadlift Bars

Deadlift bars are specialized for one thing, Deadlifts. But you already knew that, didn’t you?

Barbells made just for Deadlifting are pretty interesting. They have more aggressive knurling like a typical power bar. Still, they also have a thinner shaft than even Olympic Weightlifting bars for greater whip and grip. Hey, that rhymed.

This makes Deadlifting much easier than lifting with a stiff Olympic bar as the barbell can flex under heavy weights so you can break the plates of the ground much easier.

Here are the best barbells on the market for Deadlifts!

Best – Texas Deadlift Bar

This is the official Texas Deadlift bar by Buddy Capps that he first constructed in 1980. Since then, the strongest lifters in the world have crushed Deadlift records left and right with this badass bar.

The length of this barbell is pretty impressive at 92.5 inches with 18″ sleeves so that you can load it up with all the weight in your gym.

It has incredibly aggressive knurling to maximize your grip strength, so you never drop another PR again.

The shaft comes in bare steel, black zinc, and chrome, while the sleeves are available in chrome and bare steel.

If you want the absolute best barbell for Deadlifting and you just so happen to be an experienced lifter, the Texas Deadlift Bar is what you want.

Super Close Runner Up – Rogue Deadlift Bar

Make no mistake, the Texas Deadlift Bar is amazing, but the Rogue Ohio Deadlift Bar is just as good!

They’re basically neck and neck, and both get the job done perfectly.

The main difference is that it’s around 2″ shorter overall, and the sleeve length is around 15.5″ long instead of 18″.

It also has the same tensile strength around 190,000 so they both have the same loading capacity overall.

Rogue also offers a lifetime warranty covering bending from regular use, not negligent or faulty use.

It also comes in black zinc and bare steel variations and an E-coat finish.

It has very aggressive knurling for the best grip possible.

The Texas bar is just barely ahead between the Texas and Rogue Deadlift bars. They’re both very similar, and no matter what, you’ll be happy with your purchase.

Best Sumo Bar – Sumo Deadlift Bar By Strongarm

Everybody knows that Sumo is cheating, so let’s get that out of the way right now!

Just kidding, of course! This specialty deadlift barbell is a little different than most out there.

It’s specifically designed for Sumo Deadlifting and is actually really smart!

I know many of you who train sumo have to deal with your shins dragging against the knurling.

Luckily, this Sumo Bar has no outer knurl to drag your shin against and just has the center knurl.

This makes it the perfect Sumo Deadlift bar, without a doubt!

It still has that same 27 mm shaft diameter, so the barbell can flex more from the starting position; the knurling is aggressive to never miss a Deadlift from your grip again.

It has a 1500 lb loading capacity, so throw as much weight as you can handle on it.

Sure, some might say that you can’t use this in competition, so what’s the point?

Well, people invest in Trap Bars, Safety Squat Bars, and Swiss Bars all the time. So surely there’s no point in getting those either because they can’t be used in competition either, right?

Getting specialty bars like this is nice for people who just train to get bigger and stronger for their own benefit with no thoughts of competing.

Plus, Fringe Sport offers a limited lifetime warranty that covers bending under regular use, as well as defects in function and material.

Overall, if you’re a Sumo Deadlift Specialist, this is definitely the bar for you.

Who Should Buy A Deadlift Bar

• Lifters that want a bar with more whip for Deadlifts.
• Athletes that require more aggressive knurling for they never drop a Deadlift again.
• Anybody that needs a better grip on the bar will love 27mm shaft diameter bars.

Who Shouldn’t Buy A Deadlift Bar

• Powerlifters who just want one barbell instead of multiple specialized bars should invest in a power bar.
• Lifters who want a less aggressive knurling overall.
• Those interested in doing a variety of lifts might prefer a multipurpose bar instead.

Best Barbell for Women

Women’s barbells are lighter, and the shaft itself tends to have a 25mm shaft diameter that allows for a better grip for smaller hands.

I’ve trained many clients in the past, and most of them just so happened to be women. I know that if they had a women’s bar, it would be a lot easier for them to lift without the barbell slipping out of their grasp.

Luckily, there are a bunch of incredible women’s barbells out there because society is starting to realize that women lift as well! And they kick ass at it!

Here are the best barbells for women!

Best – BOMBA BAR V3 WOMEN’S BARBELL

Women’s barbells are lighter, and the shaft itself tends to have a 25mm shaft diameter that allows for a better grip for smaller hands.

I’ve trained many clients in the past, and most of them just so happened to be women. I know that if they had a women’s bar, it would be a lot easier for them to lift without the barbell slipping out of their grasp.

Luckily, there are a bunch of incredible women’s barbells out there because society is starting to realize that women lift as well! And they kick ass at it!

The best women’s barbell I’ve ever come across is the Bomba Bar V3 made by Fringe Sport.

It’s made in the USA with Alabama steel; has a black cerakote finish which makes for a sleek-looking barbell with the added benefit of corrosion resistance, abrasion, wear and, of course, impact strength.

This is the perfect general-use barbell due to the combination of needle bearings and moderate whip.

The lifetime warranty they offer shows it’s built to last, so you don’t have to worry about getting a replacement anytime soon!

On top of that, it has a 1200-pound weight capacity with 206,000 lb tensile strength, so good luck destroying this bar!

The Bomba Bar V3 is by far the best Olympic barbell for women on the market, so check it out if you’re interested.

Runner Up – The Bella Bar 2.0

The Bella Bar 2.0 offers black zinc, an e-coat, and a stainless steel version.

They weigh a standard 15kg with a 25mm shaft diameter. Perfect for all female athletes!

Like all Rogue Bars, it is made in Columbus, Ohio. I know many of you care for US-made barbells, so there you go.

With a tensile strength rating of 190,000 PSI, the Rogue Bella Bar 2.0 is only slightly less durable than the Bomba Bar, but it’s not by much and won’t make a huge difference overall.

This is a true all-around multipurpose barbell that features a hybrid knurling pattern but without the center knurl.

Plus, with a combination of bronze bushings and just the right balance of natural whip and rigidity, the Bella Bar 2.0 is the perfect barbell for Women.

Budget – Synergee Regional Olympic 15kg Women’s Bar

I rarely ever recommend things from Amazon unless they’re genuinely a high value for the price.

There’s a lot of junk to sift through, but luckily I did the hard work for you!

The Synergee Regional Olympic Women’s Bar has almost identical specs as the Bella Bar but is nearly $40 cheaper, making it the perfect budget option without sacrificing much quality.

Plus, it boasts a solid 190,000 tensile strength with a 1,500 lb loading capacity.

The only real complaint I’ve heard is that the packaging is too hard to open and not packaged very well. Some have complained that the sleeves spin while lifting, which makes it dangerous apparently.

Amazon is weird because many unqualified people leave reviews that don’t seem to know that the packaging is perfect. After all, it’s hard to open, and the sleeves are supposed to spin; that’s literally how they’re designed.

Luckily, these strange reviews are in the minority, and it’s the best-rated budget women’s barbell on Amazon for a reason.

If you want a solid budget women’s option, this is it.

Who Should Buy A Women’s Bar

• Are you a woman with smaller hands? Then you should absolutely invest in a women’s bar.
• Any female Olympic weightlifters that want a specialized barbell to excel in their sport.
• Beginner female lifters that need a lighter barbell while starting out.

Who Shouldn’t Buy A Women’s Bar

• Female lifters that compete in other sports such as Powerlifting.
• Women who need stiffer bars and less whip for Squats, Bench Press, and other compound movements.
• Lifters that want a wider diameter barbell because not everybody has smaller hands.

Best Barbell On Amazon

Everybody knows that gym equipment from Amazon is hit or miss. Sometimes it’s great, most of the time, though, it’s just shit, to put it bluntly.

Just because they have affordable prices doesn’t mean they’re worth buying from.

Luckily, a few companies with reliable equipment are much higher quality than everything else Amazon sellers offer.

For those wary of buying from anybody other than Amazon, you have peace of mind knowing that you’re protected if something is wrong with your order or you want a refund.

Here are the best barbells on Amazon!

Best – Synergee Games Cerakote Barbell

Everybody knows that gym equipment from Amazon is hit or miss. Sometimes it’s great, most of the time, though, it’s just shit, to put it bluntly.

Just because they have affordable prices doesn’t mean they’re worth buying from.

Luckily, Synergee has been putting out solid equipment that is much higher quality than everything else Amazon sellers offer.

The Synergee Games Cerakote Barbell has various color options and men/women’s bars.

The black and red cerakote finishes come in both women’s 15kg and men’s 20 kg options, while the pink cerakote finish is only available as a woman’s bar. 

It has a solid 1500-pound weight capacity and a 190,000 PSI tensile strength rating.

Plus, with five needle bearings per sleeve, you can be sure to get a solid spin with Olympic lifts and still have dual knurl markings for power lifts as well.

This is the best barbell on Amazon, so check it out and give it a shot; it’s worth it!

Runner Up – XMark Lumberjack Weight Bar

If you want a budget barbell from Amazon that isn’t complete garbage, the XMark Lumberjack Weight Bar is pretty nice.

This is another multi purpose barbell like the Synergee Games bar, perfect for home gym owners.

The chrome sleeves have self-lubricating brass alloy bushings and provide the ultimate balance between Olympic lifting, Powerlifting, and CrossFit training.

The fact that it’s under $200 with free shipping is just another cherry on top.

If you want a good budget barbell from Amazon, the XMark Lumberjack Weight Bar is another good choice.

Budget – CAP Barbell 7-Foot Olympic Bar (THE BOSS)

CAP Barbell has made a ton of budget options for years, so they definitely have a solid reputation.

Sure, they are a genuine budget company, and their equipment is lower quality than many others I recommend.

However, the CAP Barbell 7-Foot Olympic Bar, also known as THE BOSS, is probably the best barbell on amazon for those on a budget. For many people, this will be plenty for their training goals.

It’s been available forever and has solid specs for the price point. Of course, it’s a 7-foot barbell, so it should fit in basically any rack ever.

Which, if you’re curious if you even need a power rack at all, my guide answers the question once and for all!

It only has a 132,000 Tensile strength, but with a (potential) 1,000 lb weight capacity, it should be plenty for most lifters.

THE BOSS has a 28.5 mm shaft diameter, so it provides a decent amount of whip and stiffness for any type of training you need to do.

It even has a center knurl for better grip on squats and cleans.

All in all, it makes sense why this barbell is one of the highest-rated on Amazon; if you want a solid budget option, this is it.

Who Should Buy A Barbell From Amazon

• Those who want to take advantage of free shipping as not many major brands offer it.
• Lifters who want solid bars at reasonable prices without worrying about bad customer service.
• Anybody that is building their first garage gym and just need something to start lifting with now, as they’re almost always in stock.

Who Shouldn’t Buy A Barbell From Amazon

• Lifters that want a higher quality barbell for around the same price.
• Those who know that there are more reputable companies than Amazon with solid customer service and more reliable equipment.
• People that are fine with paying shipping prices for better barbells from Rogue or other premium equipment companies.

Best Safety Squat Bar

Safety Squat Bars are primarily used for squatting, but you can also use them for lunges, split squats, good mornings, and more!

The main advantage is that you have much better stability across your upper back than straight barbells, and you don’t have to externally rotate your shoulders to get setup.

If you want to do any lower body variations with a more stable barbell or if you have beat-up shoulders that need a break, these are the barbells for you!

Best – Kabuki Transformer Bar

The Kabuki Transformer Bar is one of the most interesting barbells ever made!

The first multi-functional, adjustable barbell allows for 24 different squat variations with a super-smart spring-pin safety mechanism.

The adjustable design has six different positions with 30 degrees of variance between them.

They replicate different squat movement patterns, and it’s not a gimmick whatsoever.

These movements include the following:

1. Back Squat – High Bar Position
2. Back Squat – Low Bar Position
3. Front Squat – The load is distributed similarly to a front rack position with much better stability.
4. Goblet Squat – Imitates a goblet squat position without your upper body and grip as the limiting factor.
5. Hip Hinge – If you want to do good mornings or just learn how to hip hinge effectively, this mimics that perfectly.
6. Traditional Safety Squat Bar – Of course, it just has a standard SSB setting. It just has to, ya know?

There’s also a second mechanism that adjusts the position of the weight sleeve with four different options.

This allows you to make the movement easier or harder, depending on how far away the weight is from the center of the bar.

Between these two adjustment mechanisms, you have up to 24 different squat and hinge movements to mess around with, which is pretty incredible.

Of course, the shoulder pad is injection-molded and constructed of a high-density foam core, which gives you the most comfortable position possible.

The handles also have an aggressive knurling as deep as some of the best deadlift bars.

They even include a naturally curved handle that provides the most stable position possible.

The Kabuki Transformer Bar is offered in Clear Zinc and a Black Powder Coat.

With a loading capacity of 1500 pounds and a high-density foam pad, you’re going to be able to squat massive weights in the most comfortable position possible.

If you want the absolute best SSB with the most functionality, there isn’t anything like the Transformer Bar from Kabuki Strength.

Runner Up – Titan Safety Squat Olympic Bar v2

Titan Fitness has made considerable strides in the last couple of years with the quality of its equipment. Sure, their shipping still has a long way to go, but at least it’s free!

The Safety Squat Olympic Bar V2 is one of the best safety squat bars on the market.

I own the original one, and although it’s okay, the V2 version is far superior.

It’s chrome coated and has a weight capacity of 1500 pounds which is pretty fantastic at this price point.

The shoulder pad is extra thick and comes in one piece, so it doesn’t slide around like the original version.

There’s not much else to say; at this price, the Safety Squat Olympic Bar V2 is an incredible value that I recommend.

Runner Up – Bells Of Steel Safety Squat Bar – SS3

The Bells Of Steel Safety Squat Bar, also known as the SS3, has three different handle options to allow for a little more customization than others.

They have a standard handle, a longer handle, and chain handles.

It has a black zinc shaft finish, a bright white zinc sleeve finish, a 1,500-pound weight capacity, 190,000 tensile strength, and a single-piece shoulder pad for maximal stability for even the heaviest squats.

The one thing to pay attention to is that this barbell is designed to fit any Bells of Steel Rack. If you use this in a rack that is wider than 47″, it’s most likely not going to fit correctly.

Other than that, the Bells Of Steel SS3 is a fantastic specialty barbell to add to your home gym arsenal.

Check out my full review of the SS3 if you want to learn more!

Who Should Buy A Safety Squat Bar

• Lifters that still want to squat even with upper-body injuries.
• Athletes that want to do different squat variations with the most stable position possible.
• Anybody that wants to load lunges, split squats, and other single-leg exercises easier due to the increased balance.

Who Shouldn’t Buy A Safety Squat Bar

• Home gym owners with less space available. Safety Squat Bars have a huge yoke and cambered shaft, which takes up much more space than an Olympic bar.
• Some lifters with back issues might have problems with how the load is distributed on an SSB.
• Those with a smaller budget who can’t afford better quality Safety Squat Bars. Some SSBs have a multi-piece yoke which I don’t recommend as the pads can shift around while in use. It’s nowhere near as stable and comfortable with heavy weights, which is the point.

Best Hex Trap Bars

Hex, or Trap Bars as they’re more commonly known, is a special type of barbell that puts you in a more neutral position while using it, which is a huge benefit for deadlifting safely.

Plus, because you stand inside the bar, you can keep your torso more upright for those who have to train around a bad back. I know a lot of you have to deal with this, so I know for a fact a Hex Bar is going to be on top of your list as it was for me.

Let’s go over the best Trap Bars on the market!

Best – Kabuki Strength Trap Bar HD

First up, we have the Kabuki Strength Trap Bar, and for a good reason, it’s a beast!

This Trap Bar from Kabuki Strength has many different awesome features that make it stand out from other Trap/Hex Bars.

The first is that it has multiple different handle bracket widths so that you can customize it to your individual needs.

These come in standard 25″, narrow 23″, wide 27″ variations, and you can even add one of each, so you have different options for training partners or clients.

Next, they have swappable grips that are stainless steel and machined to exact specifications. 

You get two sets of the standard 29mm grips included so you can alternate between the higher and lower handles like a typical hex bar.

However, they have a smaller 1″ set (26mm), 1.5″ set (38mm), and a 2″ set (51mm) dubbed the Love Handle Set. I love the play on words there, Kabuki!

The cool thing about the Love Handles is that you can set them to spin freely or have them fixed like a regular grip. This will make your grip work on Deadlift, Shrugs, Farmer Carries, and more that much harder.

Another excellent feature that I’ve seen other companies use more frequently lately is the built-in Deadlift jack. Since this Hex Bar has an open design, they thought of an excellent way to use it.

You roll the bar up onto its side, and the Bar Jack allows you to store it in a vertical position. This is a good way to store it when not in use and, of course, allows you to load and unload the bar a lot quicker!

Of course, this is Kabuki Strength we’re talking about, so the build quality is incredible, and the attention to detail they put into delivering a professional-grade product is evident.

If you want the absolute best Hex Bar that money can buy, it’s not even close; this is it.

Runner Up – Rogue TB-2 Trap Bar

I have a full review of the Rogue TB-2 Trap Bar here if you want to check that out!

This Hex Bar has a dual-handle design which is the main reason I bought it for my personal use. Having the higher handle position is necessary for taller lifters and is a big plus.

If you don’t need the higher handles, you can also check out their TB-1 Trap Bar, as it’s the same thing but cheaper.

It has Rogues Signature Black Powder Coat which looks nice, but most know it isn’t the most durable finish.

I’ve had it for about a year now, and unfortunately, the powder coat is chipped up. It’s built like a tank for sure, but expect the sleeves finish to wear down.

If you just want a standard, old-school, heavy-duty Trap Bar, this is a good option that I recommend.

Budget – Titan Fitness Hex Trap Bar

 This is the best value Hex Bar you can get on the market.

Like Rogues TB-2 Hex Bar, this barbell features a dual-handle design with a Black Powder Coat.

The medium diamond texture knurling will ensure you have a solid grip on the bar.

Although the weight capacity is only 800 pounds, I think that’s going to be plenty for most lifters out there for the price.

If you want the best Trap Bar for the price, this is definitely what you want to go with.

Who Should Buy A Trap/Hex Bar

• Those with issues Deadlifting with a straight barbell or dealing with an injury.
• Lifters that want to do more Deadlift variations primarily for building muscle.
• Taller athletes that have tried to Deadlift with an Olympic barbell and just don’t have great leverages.

Who Shouldn’t Buy A Trap/Hex Bar

• Weightlifters or Powerlifters that need a specific training bar for their sport.
• Those that don’t require Trap Bar Deads, Farmer Walks, and other movements in their training.
• Home gym owners with limited space to store a Hex Bar in their training space.

Best Curl Bars

The main reason you would want to use a dedicated curl bar instead of an Olympic barbell is the angled handles, which reduce tension on your wrists.

It makes a huge difference!

Best – Rogue Curl Bar

The Rogue Curl Bar offers a choice between E-Coat and Cerakote Shafts. Both versions feature Zinc sleeves as well.

With a 5-year warranty, you can be sure this is one of the highest quality curl bars on the market.

Plus, the bronze bushings will provide a smooth spin to reduce torque on your elbows and wrists when curling.

It only has 110,000 PSI, but since it’s just a curl bar you’ll be loading, does that matter?

The camber on this knurled curl bar is pretty aggressive, but that’s going to reduce the strain on your wrists significantly.

If you want a high-quality curl bar, this is an excellent option.

Runner Up – REP Rackable Curl Bar

Reps Rackable Curl bar is available in chrome or a stainless steel finish.

This bar is incredibly long, which is important if you want to rack the bar between sets of curls or even skull crushers. That must be why they call is a “rackable curl bar,” huh?

The camber on this isn’t nearly as aggressive as Rogues, but it’s still going to take a tremendous amount of strain off of your wrists.

There is a slight issue with the bar that might be a dealbreaker for some users. The knurl on the bar is only in two sections instead of being knurled throughout the grooves.

Some have stated that it makes wider grips more challenging to hold onto it as you’re gripping the smoothness of the bar.

Otherwise, it’s a great option that should get the job done for most.

Check out my guide on the best rackable curl bars to see more options!

Budget – Titan Rackable EZ Curl Bar

If you just want a solid budget option from a reputable company, this Olympic EZ Curl bar is great.

It can handle up to 200 pounds with its 110,000 tensile strength, and the diamond-knurled grip is a little more aggressive than you would expect.

However, since it’s at a much lower price, you get what you pay for. Some have reported a little bit of rust on it, but Titan seems to have pretty good customer service, as shown in my Titan Fitness review.

I still recommend this bar as it’s the best curl bar you can get in this price range.

Who Should Buy An EZ Curl Bar

• Those that want to train their arms with less strain on their wrists and elbows.
• Lifters that want to maximize their arm training as a more ergonomic and comfortable grip equals higher quality training to overload and grow your arms.
• Beginner lifters that need a lighter barbell to start training their biceps and triceps. Sometimes, a 45 lb bar is too heavy, especially for isolation movements.

Who Shouldn’t Buy An EZ Curl Bar

• Lifters that can train their arms fine with a straight bar.
• Anybody that thinks no pain, no gain is a way of life and wants their joints to be in pain to make more gains or something?
• Powerlifters, Olympic lifters, and other athletes that don’t require as many isolation exercises for their training.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Now I turn it over to you!

What do you think of the barbells I covered in this guide?

Do you agree with the quality they bring to the table?

Were there any barbells you feel are worthy enough to add to this list?

Either way, leave a comment below right now!

Until next time,

-Dante