Kia or Mercedes? You make the choice.
Quality bars are made using premium steel that can bend and return to original “straightness” and use quality bushings for smooth long lasting spin. Weight ratings has VERY little to do with quality. Think about it… how many people really need a bar that holds 1500 lbs. and even if it does hold 1500 lbs. what happens when it’s dropped or racked? The main concern is will the bar hold up under every day use (abuse). What happens when I drop the bar with 300 lbs. or when I rack it hard with 400 lbs.? These are the questions you should ask. The quality of the steel, bushings and manufacturing are main factors to making a good bar.
Many dealers sale CHEAP Chinese bars that are rated for 1500# or more. GOOD LUCK! These bars are pure JUNK. They use the cheapest steel, cheapest coatings and cheapest bushings. I would NEVER trust these bars with my kid’s. Quality bars typically retail $400 and up (with the exception of the basic Texas Power Bar at around $250) to $800.00 or more (Ivanko Stainless Steel Bar). A good value is the Iron Grip Power Bar or Power-Lift’s Power Bar (Texas Power-Bar that is treated) for around $400.00. These bars will last for 5 or more years without problems. In my 18 years of working with Iron Grip have not yet seen a bent or failed Iron Grip bar.
Olympic Power Bars are bars used for Bench, Squats and Deadlifts. Power Bars are stiffer than Olympic Lifting Bars and may have knurling in the center for Squats.
Olympic Lifting Bars are used for Cleans, Snatches (typically any lift pulled from the floor to chest or overhead). True Olympic Lifting bars will have needle bearings and full knurling and made with premium flexible steel.
Common reasons a bar bends:
1. Being dropped on round safety spot bars. The round safety spot bars and the round Olympic bar creates a very narrow or sharp impact point. The more surface area the bar lands on the less likely in will bend.
2. Being racked on round bar catches – similar reason to above.
3. Bouncing a bar (squat position etc.)
4. Pulling a loaded bar with a close grip
To learn more please give me a call. 949-240-4496. Thanks, Tony
Mir’s bone-breaking armbar