Rogue Bar, Again Faster Bar
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I have:
Rogue Bar
Rogue Operator Bar
Again Faster Bar
Chinese Steel
I also have:
Pendlay Econ Bumpers
Rogue Bumpers
Again Faster Bumpers
Rogue bar/ Operator Bar:
I got these from the states as it was a cheaper option. These bars a whippy, spin well and can be lifted on all day without tearing callouses. I regularly smash them from overhead to ground with over 100kg on them and use them for Deadlift reps over 200kg.
They have give for deadlifts, I only high bar squat 150ish but have low bar squatted 160 without them slipping.
Overall great bar with fine (non aggressive) knurling that loves to take chalk.
Again Faster Bar:
Price difference comes down to finish between this and the rogue bar. the knurling is the same depth, however it is much less fine. We find it rocks for slow lifts and still has good whip and maybe slightly better spin for faster lifts. I haven't had this one long and it must be noted that it really is bare steel (I love the feel during Benching) and must be cared for. the fact that it is so cheap and yet carries an unconditional warranty is fantastic and I don't see why you would not use it as a starting bar, until you are pulling over 230kg there is no issue with the smaller available sleeve area for loading plates. (3cm per side less due to collar width).
Chinese bar:
Made in China from god knows what. Cost almost as much as the above, bought years ago from Orbit. (
F@$%@$% them and the cost of the garbage they sell.) Chrome is slippery on big pulls and the knurling is like a grab bar in a disabled toilet...
As for Bumpers:
Pendlay and Rogue Econ bumpers are the exact same plates. They are bullet proof, fairly quiet and don't bounce above knee height after dropping from overhead. For the price I cannot recommend anything more higly than the pendlay Aus Econ bumpers whilst they are on sale.
Again faster:
Great plates, very similar to the above, though the finish quality is lower than the Rogue/Pendlay bumpers. If you get an again faster bar you save a bit in shipping if you package these bumpers. However, there is a silver lining as the again faster plates are thinner than the equivilent plates from the other two.
Power Rack / Platform:
Regardless of Bar / bumpers. Build a solid platform from good non hollow plywood and the highest density 15mm+ rubber you can find (or even better layer 3 pieces of 15, 17 and 17mm ply in 90 degree layers, bond them and buy the iron edge 50mm tiles and you have a bullet proof setup)
Any stands are good with this setup, however I screwed my Rogue R3 to my 2.4 x 2.4m platform and it is rediculously strong and stiff. I don't think I have utilised a better power rack thanks to the hole spacing and accesory options available. I have 2 different chin bars with several options. (My wife just pointed out that she buys everything as I procrastinate too much...)
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