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A barbell is a weighted piece of exercise equipment that people often use for strength training and muscle building. Rogue Fitness offers tailored barbell ranges, with specific ranges suitable for those who are new or experienced in weightlifting.
A quick look at some of the best Rogue barbells
- Best for males: Rogue Ohio Bar 2.0S
- Best for females: The Bella Bar 2.0
- Best for beginners: Rogue 10KG Junior Bar
- Best for reducing the risk of injury: Rogue Curl Bar
- Best for smaller spaces: Rogue C-70 Bar
A barbell consists of a long bar with weights attached at each end. A person can add or remove these weights to increase or decrease the barbell’s weight.
This article explores Rogue Fitness barbells, the Rogue Fitness brand, the health benefits and safety precautions associated with using barbells, and alternative brands.
Rogue Fitness began trading in 2006 and initially operated from its founder’s home. The company’s first warehouse facility opened in 2007 in Ohio in the United States.
According to the Rogue Fitness website, the company’s mission is to source the parts for its products locally where possible. This means that the company prioritizes working with manufacturers in the U.S., particularly those in Ohio.
A person can check if Rogue Fitness products have been made in the U.S. by looking for a “Made in the USA” logo on the item.
People may wish to consider the following before purchasing Rogue barbells.
Pros
- Rogue offers barbells at a range of prices that may suit most budgets.
- The company designs barbells for specific living situations and fitness capabilities, such as those living in smaller spaces or beginner weight lifters.
- The barbells come in a range of sizes and weights to suit most people.
Cons
- The company has low customer ratings on Trustpilot and the Better Business Bureau.
- None of the barbells have a cushioned grip, which may make them uncomfortable to use.
Rogue Fitness has an average customer rating of 2 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot. Of all the reviews, 67% scored the company 1 star, compared with 22% of them awarding the full 5 stars.
Positive reviews frequently mention that Rogue Fitness has good quality products. However, negative reviews often cite issues with payments and refunds, particularly for international customers.
The company does not have accreditation with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). Rogue Fitness has an average customer rating of 1.35 out of 5 stars on their BBB page, having closed 11 complaints over the last year.
Barbells feature a long bar that a person can attach weights to at either end, so they can increase or decrease the weight to suit their needs.
This equipment can help with strength training, and an individual who regularly uses a barbell may be able to strengthen and build muscle.
A few exercises that people can do with a barbell include:
- squats
- deadlifts
- rack pulls
- rowing
- overhead or push presses
- cleans
- jerks
- snatches
- lunges
Factors to consider when buying a barbell for a home gym include:
- Size: Refers to the thickness and the length of the barbell.
- Tensile strength: Refers to the breaking point of the barbell. The optimal tensile strength will range from person to person depending on how much weight they tend to lift. Experts measure tensile strength in pounds per square inch (PSI), or KPI more commonly, which denotes PSI in thousands.
- Knurling: This is the term that describes the grip markings on the bar. Personal preference may dictate what grips are best for an individual.
- Whip: This term refers to how much the bar flexes. If a barbell has a high whip, it is more flexible, while a low whip means it is more solid. The level of whip varies depending on a person’s fitness level.
- Spin: Refers to the sleeves on the barbell that rotate to aid lifting and prevent wrist injury.
Barbells are a standard piece of equipment that many people can find within commercial gyms. However, a person can also purchase a barbell for their home gym, providing they know how to weightlift safely.
Barbells are a relatively simple-to-use piece of strength training equipment. Strength training can build up a person’s muscles, increase their strength, and contribute to their overall physical fitness.
One
An older 2015 study compared strength training with traditional aerobic exercise. The authors found that strength training is usually more effective in terms of health benefits such as increased lean body mass and bone mineral density.
However, this
Strength training may carry some risks. Research from 2018 states that common injuries include sprains and strains, tendon ruptures, and chronic shoulder pain. The study also says that these risks are preventable by implementing proper exercise techniques and safe muscle balance procedures.
Some precautions a person should take before using a barbell include:
- finding out how to lift the weights safely with an instructor
- lifting only as much as they know they are capable of
- avoiding rushing into lifting too much weight and instead slowly building up to larger weights
- warming up and cooling down before and after lifting
- using a spotter where possible, especially when lifting a new weight
- keeping the back straight
- wearing appropriate footwear
- applying a proper breathing technique to prevent fainting or lightheadedness
- avoiding lifting if they experience any pain or strain or feel unwell
Please note that the writer of this article has not tried these products. All information presented is purely research-based and correct at the time of publication.
Medical News Today follows a strict product selection and vetting process. Learn more here.
Best for males: Rogue Ohio Bar 2.0S
- List price: $410
- Weight: 20 kilograms (kg)
- Bar length: 86.75 inches (in)
- Loadable sleeve length: 16.3 in
Rogue Fitness recommends this barbell for males. The company claims this is its first model to use a new sleeve finish, which increases the long-term resistance against corrosion, impacts, and abrasions.
According to Rogue Fitness, other features of the Rogue Ohio Bar 2.0S include:
- 28.5 mm diameter
- dual knurl marks with no center knurl
- 50% quieter than standard bars when dropped
- lifetime warranty against bending
- polymer bushing
- 190,000 PSI tensile strength
Best for females: The Bella Bar 2.0
- List price: $235
- Weight: 15 kg
- Bar length: 79.13 in
- Loadable sleeve length: 13 in
Rogue Fitness recommends this barbell for females. The company manufactures the Bella in the U.S., and it is available in three materials: black zinc, stainless steel, and e-coat.
According to Rogue Fitness, other features of the Bella Bar 2.0 include:
- 25 mm diameter
- dual knurl marks with no center knurl
- construction warranty
- snap-ring bronze bushing
- natural whip
- 190,000 PSI tensile strength
Best for beginners: Rogue 10KG Junior Bar
- List price: $195
- Weight: 10 kg
- Bar length: 66.8 in
- Loadable sleeve length: 6.625 in
Rogue Fitness recommends this barbell for beginners and young people. The company claims this model is as durable as their larger models and has a reliable spin.
Rogue Fitness other features of the Rogue 10KG Junior Bar include:
- 25 mm diameter
- dual knurl marks with no center knurl
- construction warranty
- bronze bushings with snap-ring design
- natural whip
- 190,000 PSI tensile strength
- shorter sleeves than regular models
Best for reducing the risk of injury: Rogue Curl Bar
- List price: $225
- Weight: 30 pounds (lb)
- Bar length: 54.5 in
- Loadable sleeve length: 10.5 in
The Rogue Curl features a bent bar that limits the pressure on the wrists that, according to the company, may reduce the risk of injury. Rogue Fitness recommends this barbell for males.
It also has a narrow grip so a person can perform additional exercises such as tricep extensions and close grip curls.
Other features of the Rogue Curl Bar include:
- 28.5 mm diameter
- knurl on the inside portion of the shaft for additional movement options
- 5-year warranty
- bronze bushings
- 110,000 PSI tensile strength
Best for smaller spaces: Rogue C-70 Bar
- List price: $290
- Weight: 35 lb
- Bar length: 69 in
- Loadable sleeve length: 12 in
This barbell is a smaller edition of the Rogue Fitness Ohio bar. It features a length of 69 in, which is shorter than the Ohio barbell by 16 in.
Rogue Fitness says the design of this model makes it suitable for people who train in smaller spaces and those with reduced storage space.
Other features of the Rogue C-70 bar include:
- 28.5 mm diameter
- 35 lb weight
- dual knurl marks with no center knurl
- lifetime warranty
- bronze bushings
- 190,000 PSI tensile strength
The following table compares the Rogue barbells in this article.
| Price | Weight | Bar length | Loadable sleeve length | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rogue Ohio Bar 2.0S | $410 | 20 kg | 86.75 in | 16.3 in |
| The Bella Bar 2.0 | $235 | 15 kg | 79.13 in | 13 in |
| Rogue 10KG Junior Bar | $195 | 10 kg | 66.8 in | 6.625 in |
| Rogue Curl Bar | $225 | 30 lb | 54.5 in | 10.5 in |
| Rogue C-70 Bar | $290 | 35 lb | 69 in | 12 in |
A person can explore alternative companies to purchase a barbell, such as:
Sorinex: Sorinex sells barbells for a range of weightlifting disciplines, including single- and double-handled bars and bars suitable for squats.
Titan Fitness: Sells a range of different barbells across varying strengths, as well as weightlifting accessories.
A person may also wish to try alternative pieces of equipment for strength training, which can include:
- kettlebells
- dumbbells
- resistance bands
- stability balls
- suspension trainers
- jump ropes
Here we answer some common questions about these products.
What are Rogue barbells made of?
The main material in Rogue barbells is steel. Some barbells may also contain other materials such as bronze and zinc.
Can I leave Rogue barbells outside?
Rogue suggests keeping the barbells inside where possible, as otherwise there is a possibility of weather damage if a person leaves them outside.
Rogue Fitness is a U.S. company that offers various barbell ranges. This includes barbells for adults, juniors, beginners, and professional athletes.
Research has shown that strength training can have a range of health benefits, such as increasing bone mineral density. However, before using a barbell, a person may wish to consider taking appropriate safety precautions and ensure they warm up and cool down before lifting any heavy weights.