Rogue Fitness is a well-known brand in the industry and one that we feature a lot in our reviews. There's a reason for that: Rogue makes some of the best fitness equipment on the market, especially CrossFit and powerlifting barbells.
But how does Rogue do when they're asked to make a multi-purpose weightlifting barbell—one that most people can use and be impressed with? That's exactly what we are going to talk about today in this Rogue Ohio Barbell review.
The Rogue Ohio Bar is supposedly one of the brand's most popular and best barbells. In this Rogue Ohio Bar review, we'll take a closer look at the barbell, its benefits, and whether or not it's worth all the hype it gets.
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A Quick Look at the Rogue Ohio Bar
SPECS
- Weight: 44 lbs. (20 kg)
-
Knurling: Multi
- Dual knurl marks for Oly and Powerlifting
- No center knurl
- Length: 86.75"
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Finish:
- Shaft coating - Black zinc
- Sleeve coating - Bright zinc
Strength and conditioning equipment is vital for any fitness goal. It doesn't matter if you're performing strength training exercises for runners or workouts for bodybuilding, you need reliable and high-quality equipment. This is why Rogue Fitness says they create some of the best power racks, barbells, sleds, and accessories on the market.
Although they haven't been around for as long as some of our other favorites like American Barbell, Rogue has certainly made a huge impression since its debut in 2006. Since its inception as a small fitness brand, the company has grown to more than 1,400 team members located all around the world, and it continues to expand every year.
Now, what about the Rogue Ohio Barbell? Does it help or hurt the stellar reputation of the fitness brand? The Rogue Ohio Barbell is one of the most popular barbells that the fitness brand sells. Why is it so popular? The bar is classified as a multi-purpose barbell, but that doesn't mean it's a generic or average barbell—far from it. In fact, it is a barbell of incredible quality both in construction and performance, but most importantly, it can be used for a variety of training purposes.
Who the Rogue Ohio Barbell is Best for
- Those new to fitness, learning the basic fundamentals of strength training
- Athletes going through rehab and looking for a barbell that can grow with you as you get stronger
- Experienced powerlifters looking to hit new personal records with some seriously heavy weight
- CrossFit junkies who needs a reliable barbell for those popular exercises like the snatch, clean and press, and overhead press
- Those simply looking for a strong and reliable barbell that can help you maintain what you have as you bounce from power to strength to muscle building programs
What We Like
- Made in the USA
- Personally-tested
- Great company reputation
- Comes with a lifetime warranty
- Versatile
What We Don't Like
- Grooves might cause some additional friction with plates that have a chamfer
- Coating may become chipped over time, although this doesn’t affect performance
BUY: Rogue Ohio Barbell
Rogue Ohio Bar Construction
As one of the best fitness equipment brands, it’s no surprise that Rogue packs a punch when it comes to the Ohio Bar’s construction. Just like those of you who like to appreciate a great muscle car by looking under the hood, we think it's worth a peek under the "hood" of this barbell.
Materials Used
The Rogue Ohio Barbell uses 190,000 PSI tensile strength steel. This steel, manufactured in the United States, has been shown to be one of the best types for a barbell that can serve multiple purposes.
Once the steel reaches the strength that Rogue requires, they ground and polish each barbell shaft before continuing with the machining process. The reason for this is that it ensures the smoothest finish of black zinc.
Protecting the Bar
The level of oxidation protection and the feel of the knurl on each of the varieties of the Rogue Ohio Bar finish is going to be a little different. The reason for this is the level of oxidation protection. Black Zinc, the finish used on this Rogue Ohio Bar, is a medium oxidation protectant process. This means three important things:
First, the barbell will have an "F-Rating" of F8-R. An F-Rating for fitness equipment refers to the amount of protection you get from sweat, humidity, and other elements that will eventually cause rust or corrosion. To put this into perspective, the top rating is F16-R, and the F8-R is just three spots down from this, which means it's very resistant to things like rust and corrosion.
But the F-Rating also says something about the lifespan of the barbell as well. Given its impressive tensile strength rating of 190,000 PSI and an F-rating of F8-R, the Rogue Ohio Barbell should last you for at least 20 years and if properly maintained, it could last well over 50 years.
Second, the finish on this barbell will impact the knurling, providing you with a "medium" knurling feel. Medium knurling allows for a good grip without tearing up your hands too much. Contrast this with the Black Oxide finish, which provides a more aggressive knurling, similar to a raw or naked barbell. Finally, you have to keep in mind that the type of steel treatment used on this barbell requires some maintenance in order to avoid aesthetic issues. That being said, the maintenance is minimal.
Rogue Ohio Barbell Performance
Whether you're doing basic strength training movements, powerlifting, or Olympic lifting, this barbell is designed to give you a reliable spin from its bushings and the perfect amount of bar whip. Bar whip is basically the flexibility and recoil that a barbell has when Olympic or powerlifting lifts are performed. In other words, it's how much the bar can bend and spring back with each lift. The Rogue Ohio Barbell is designed to give you the right amount of bar whip that you need for a wide range of exercises. It also has just the right amount of stiffness to hold for heavy powerlifting.
Rogue Ohio Bar Warranty
The Rogue Ohio Barbell comes with a lifetime warranty, but what does that mean exactly? Let's break this down so you can know what the fine print is saying:
Rogue fitness guarantees this product against defects in material, functionality, and workmanship for as long as you own the product.
A "lifetime" warranty only lasts as long as the product can be used for its intended purpose. If something happens to the bar that is outside of workmanship and defects, this isn't covered.
And there's one more caveat regarding the warranty: It only applies to the person who bought the barbell or to whom it was a gift. So, as long as you have the barbell, you're covered against issues in defects and workmanship issues.
Let's say you want to sell your barbell or hand it down to a friend or family member, does the lifetime warranty go with it? Unfortunately not, because the warranty is voided once you sell or get rid of the barbell.
Is the Rogue Ohio Bar worth it?
Just because it's labeled as a "multi-purpose" bar doesn't mean that it can't be used for specialty goals like CrossFit, bodybuilding, and powerlifting.
We'll discuss more below, but here a few quick benefits to the Rogue Ohio Bar:
- Strength: This is one tough and strong barbell. It has a tensile strength that is rated at 190,000 PSI. Tensile strength refers to the amount of pressure that can be placed on the barbell before it breaks. To give you an idea, with 190,000 PSI for tensile strength, you can confidently deadlift up to 1,500 pounds.
- Performance: It doesn't matter if you are using a basic strength training routine or an intense CrossFit workout, you'll find that the Rogue Ohio Bar will be able to keep up and provide you with the “feel” of your chosen sport. For example, the bushing sleeves on the Ohio Bar are designed for a reliable spin, making them great for Olympic exercises. On the other hand, the barbell is rigid enough for your favorite powerlifting exercises. The snap ring design also helps maintain stability throughout any type of weightlifting program.
- Testing: Rogue boasts how every one of their Ohio Barbells is tested to ensure each one has the same look, feel, and performance. As mentioned above, you can expect a personalized quality assurance card with every Rogue Ohio Barbell, which is one type of proof that the company goes the extra mile for its equipment.
Our Verdict
At the end of the day, if you're looking for an Olympic barbell or a multi-purpose barbell that is suitable for all levels and types of weightlifting, then the Rogue Ohio Barbell may be right for you. Whether you are just starting out or you're deadlifting 1,000 pounds, the Rogue Ohio Barbell is ready to help you get to the next level. Put simply, if you're looking to get the most bang for your buck, the Rogue Ohio Barbell is worth every penny.
FAQs About the Rogue Ohio Bar
Is the Rogue Ohio bar worth it?
Yes, the Rogue Ohio Barbell is worth it for any level of weightlifter looking for a dependable barbell. It's categorized as a multi-purpose barbell but it can be used for everything from general fitness exercises to powerlifting workouts to CrossFit WODs (workout of the day).
Is the Rogue Ohio bar stiff?
The Rogue Ohio Barbell has just the right amount of stiffness to ensure a dependable and consistent performance. It's not too stiff that it hinders your Olympic lifting workouts but not too flexible either to where powerlifting exercises become problematic. You'll find that you can easily perform both types of exercises without difficulty with the Rogue Ohio Bar.
Is the Rogue Ohio Bar an Olympic bar?
The Rogue Ohio Bar is technically classified as a "multi-purpose barbell." With that said, it can be used for Olympic lifting exercises like the clean and jerk, clean and press, and snatch. It can also be used for powerlifting exercises like bench presses and squats.
About the Author
David has over a decade of experience as a NASM-certified personal trainer, fitness and nutrition specialist, and sports conditioning specialist. David has written blog posts, e-books, training guides, and online courses that cover a range of health and fitness topics.
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