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CrossFit is a training style made up of constantly varied, high-intensity functional movements. As such, you want a barbell that can perform a wide variety of movements and last a long time.
A good CrossFit Barbell will have many features similar to a general purpose barbell; the best CrossFit barbell makes Olympic lifting, powerlifting, CrossFit metcons, and accessory work all feel smooth and natural. The main difference I see in CrossFit bars compared to general barbells is that a solid CrossFit barbell must have increased durability and allow athletes to easily cycle the bar (that is, it must be great for high-repetition workouts with a variety of movements).
A big reason CrossFit bars require increased durability? Most barbells made for CrossFit are used in an affiliate setting, not just a garage gym. This means tons of people use the bars every day and don’t necessarily take the same care of them that the owner would.
CrossFit bars are often dropped from overhead, slammed into the ground, and chalked up as if the person using it was drowning in their own sweat. (I’ve also seen some weird stuff done to barbells at affiliates, like using a barbell as if it was a shovel and straight-up throwing the bar.) So, yeah, durability is key.
The best CrossFit barbells enable athletes to perform all of the Olympic lifts (snatches, cleans, and jerks), all of the power lifts (back squat, bench press, deadlift), and any type of accessory work.
As CrossFit continues to soar in popularity, everyone and their brother wants to sell you a CrossFit bar. To be frank, there are a lot of low-quality CrossFit bars out there now. That’s why I decided to compare the best of the best CrossFit barbells all in one place. Keep reading for my top picks for the best CrossFit barbells.
RELATED: Best CrossFit Equipment
The Best Barbells for CrossFit
- Best Overall CrossFit Barbell for Men: Rogue Ohio Bar
- Best Women’s Barbell for CrossFit: Rogue Bella Bar 2.0
- Best Durable Barbell for CrossFit: REP Fitness Colorado Bar
- Best Budget Barbell for CrossFit: DMoose Regional Barbell
- Runner-Up CrossFit Barbell: American Barbell Training Bar
- Best Value Barbell for CrossFit: Fringe Sport Wonder Bar V2
- Best All-Purpose Barbell for CrossFit: Rogue Bar 2.0
- Best Luxury Barbell for CrossFit: Eleiko XF Bar
- Best CrossFit Barbell for Heavy Lifters: Get RXd Stealth Bar
Best Barbell for CrossFit Video
Best Overall CrossFit Barbell for Men: Rogue Ohio Bar
Good for: All levels of experience; this is the best barbell for CrossFit on the market
Best Overall CrossFit Barbell for Men
Rogue Ohio Bar
Product Highlights
- 190K PSI tensile strength
- Multipurpose bar with great versatility
- Lifetime warranty
- Bushing sleeves
- Snap ring design
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Made in the USA of US-Sourced Steel
- Somewhat passive knurling
- Grips with chalk
- Great for a variety of training styles
- Dual knurl marks
- 28.5-mm shaft
- Bronze bushings
- Lifetime warranty
- Coatings include stainless steel, Cerakote, black zinc, and more.
- 190K tensile strength
Cons
- Not outstanding for powerlifting or weightlifting in comparison to more specialized bars
- Expensive
- Diameter doesn't meet IWF standards
- No center knurl, which may matter to some
Bottom Line
The Rogue Ohio Bar is one of the most iconic barbells in the world. It's been used at the CrossFit Games by some of the fittest athletes in the world and is just as well suited in your garage gym. The Ohio Bar is priced well despite its features and being made in the USA. Although we prefer the Rogue 2.0 Bar for its price, we don't blame you if you decide to spring for the Ohio Bar, although we'd suggest getting the Stainless Steel or Cerakote version.
Point blank: This is a great bar. It’s essentially the same as the Rogue Bar 2.0, but made with bronze bushings and available in more finish options. You can get the Rogue Ohio bar in stainless steel with no finish, in steel with a black zinc finish, or in cerakote with multiple color combinations.
No matter the finish, the Rogue Ohio Bar is easily the best CrossFit barbell out there, thanks to its seamless construction and sick specs.
Manufactured in Columbus, Ohio (like many Rogue products), the Ohio Bar features a 28.5-millimeter shaft diameter with dual knurl marks to accommodate both power and Olympic lifting. It doesn’t have center knurling.
The 190,000 PSI tensile steel strength (200,000 for the stainless steel option) and 16.4-inch sleeve length allow the bar to handle heavy loads. This level of strength is pretty standard these days and makes a barbell safe and comfortable to use for Olympic lifting, powerlifting, bodybuilding, and CrossFit.
The bronze bushing system on the Ohio Bar provides ample spin and whip, and it should last a lifetime.
Finally, Rogue has one of the best lifetime warranties anywhere. There are other CrossFit barbells that I would say are a little bit cheaper and have the same specs and performance, but can’t hold a candle to the warranty Rogue offers. Bill Henniger, the owner of Rogue Fitness, has built his company by putting the customer first. It’s what has allowed Rogue to earn and maintain the top spot as far as equipment manufacturers.
The price of the Rogue Ohio Bar is a little much when you can get the Rogue 2.0 Bar (covered below), which is very similar, for a lower cost. However, the Ohio Bar is constructed at Rogue’s home factory in Ohio, which is a big plus!
Check out my review on the differences between some of the best home gym barbells, like the Rogue Ohio Bar vs Rogue Power Bar.
(If you want to check out other great bars from Rogue, I like the Rogue Athlete Cerakote Ohio Bar- Froning Edition, which is just like the Ohio Bar with a black zinc finish and has been impregnated with Froning’s sweat (maybe). I feel the same way about the Operator Bar as I do the Ohio Bar; the only real difference is that the Operator Bar has an olive drab finish that appears to wear off quickly. The Rogue Castro Bar is similar in construction to the Ohio Bar but is bare steel, and not ideal for CrossFitters.)
Best Women’s Barbell for CrossFit: Rogue Bella Bar 2.0
Good for: People who prefer softer knurling and a thinner bar
Best Women
Rogue Bella Bar 2.0
Product Highlights
- High-performing multipurpose 15KG barbell
- Versatile; can be used in weightlifting, for CrossFit, and for powerlifts
- 190K PSI tensile strength
- 25-mm shaft diameter
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Endless options for the finish
- 190K PSI tensile strength
- 25mm shaft
- Dual knurl markings
- Made in the USA
Cons
- Knurling is pretty passive
- Black zinc coating will fade over time
- No center knurling
Bottom Line
The Rogue Bella Bar is a top-of-the-line 15-kilogram bar ideal for people who need a multi-purpose barbell.
The Rogue Bella Bar is probably the most popular women’s barbell out there, and it’s definitely the most popular women’s CrossFit barbell. The Bella Bar has made many appearances at the CrossFit games and if you enter an affiliate, there’s a good chance they’re stocked with Bella Bars.
It’s built specifically as a multipurpose weightlifting bar, and the specs show that: It has dual knurl marks for Olympic and powerlifting, no center knurl, bronze bushings, and 190,000 PSI tensile strength.
It comes in stainless steel or in alloy steel with different finishes, including cerakote, black zinc and e-coat.
The 25-millimeter shaft diameter is perfect for people with smaller hands, and the softer knurling is great for anyone who wants a lighter grip. On 15-kilogram bars, the sleeve length is shorter compared to 20-kilogram bars. The Bella Bar has a sleeve length of 13 inches compared to Rogue’s standard 16.4 inches on 20-kilogram bars.
Despite its smaller diameter and lighter weight, the Bella Bar can still be dropped (with bumper plates) without concern. Because the difference between tensile strength and yield strength (how much the bar can hold) is greater than it is with 20-kilogram bars, the Bella Bar has more whip than standard-sized barbells. It still has great spin and can handle heavyweights.
Some people say the Bella Bar is overpriced at $225 for black zinc, $285 for cerakote, and $320 for stainless steel, but it’s a Rogue barbell and it’s fully machined in the USA.
For more on the Bella, check out by Rogue Bella Bar 2.0 review.
Best Durable Barbell for CrossFit: REP Fitness Colorado Bar
Good for: CrossFitters wanting a barbell that’ll endure many drops and reps from overhead
Best Durable Barbell for CrossFit
REP Fitness Colorado Bar, 20 Kg
Product Highlights
- 20-kg Olympic barbell for mixed use
- Hard chrome or cerakote coating with Duracoat sleeves
- 28.5 mm shaft diameter
- Dual knurl markings for IPF and IWF
- 190 KSI tensile strength
- Composite bushing
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Durable composite bushings reduce noise when dropping
- Medium volcano knurling
- Dual knurl markings for IPF and IWF
- Designed for versatile use
- Free shipping
- Different color options
- 28.5 mm shaft provides great grip
Cons
- No center knurling, which may be important for some
- Shaft diameter not to IWF specs
Bottom Line
The 20-kilogram Colorado Bar from REP Fitness is a durable, versatile Olympic barbell made for heavy powerlifting, Olympic weightlifting, and cycling weights in CrossFit workouts. The barbell has two knurl markings for IWF and IPF specs. The bar is available with a hard chrome finish or different-colored cerakote finishes with Duracoat on the sleeves. With composite bushings, the barbell provides decent spin and durability that helps dampen noise when dropping weights.
Even with barbell movements, CrossFit often involves a lot of repetitions where a bar is taken from the ground to an overhead position and then back down, again and again. For the lifter or CrossFitter looking for a durable bar that’ll last for countless metcons, we recommend our pick for most durable barbell, the REP Fitness Colorado Bar.
The Colorado Bar is a multi-use bar, and has the specs to make it great for multiple modes of training. The shaft diameter is 28.5 millimeters, right in between what you’d want for Olympic lifting and powerlifting. Additionally, the bar has dual knurl markings, to help hand placement for cleans or benching.
The tensile strength and the bushings really make the barbell as durable as it is. With a tensile strength 190,000 PSI, the barbell has good bend while remaining sturdy. The bar rotates with composite bushings, which are similar to bronze bushings, but allow for tighter tolerances. When you drop the bar, the better fit will actually help deaden the noise coming from the bar.
The sleeves are smooth, which I would prefer ridges in the sleeves, just to keep the bumper plates more secure during a high-rep workout. Sure, you can use clips for the weights, but ridges are just an added layer of security. The sleeves do come in a Duracoat finish with a cerakote shaft, which helps protect the sleeves from metal-on-metal contact with weight plates. The bar is also available in a hard chrome for $320, but if you have the extra $10, get the cerakote and Duracoat sleeves for a more durable bar.
Best Budget Barbell for CrossFit: DMoose Regional Barbell
Good for: Home gym users wanting a high-quality multipurpose barbell for cheap
Best Budget Barbell for CrossFit
DMoose Regional Barbell
Product Highlights
- Barbell suitable for all training disciplines
- Can support up to 1,500 pounds
- Hard chrome finish
- 35- and 45-lb versions available
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Moderate diamond knurling
- Bearings for great spin
- 16.4-inch sleeve length
- 190,000 PSI Tensile Strength
- Lifetime warranty
- Suitable for all training levels
- Nice whip
- Dual grip rings on knurling
Cons
- No center knurling
- Extra care needed against oxidation
Bottom Line
The DMoose Regional barbell can be used for bumper or traditional iron Olympic weight plates. It is a very versatile bar because it can be used for Olympic lifts, powerlifting, and it can be beneficial for beginners. Home gym owners can buy this bar and count on it to last from the time they start training until they reach their fitness potential. Whether it’s clean and jerks, deadlfits, curls, or any other barbell movement, it will serve the lifter well.
If you’re looking for a solid CrossFit barbell but can’t spend too much for it, I recommend our pick for the best budget barbell for CrossFit, the DMoose Regional Barbell. This 45-pound barbell is just under $250 in a hard chrome finish, plus there’s a 35-pound bar that costs $170. And with a tensile strength of 190,000 PSI, the Regional Barbell is sure to endure some heavy weights, too.
Our tester, Roger Lockridge, rates the bar’s tensile strength a 4.5 out of 5, saying, “It has some whip, which can make some lifts safer, but the bar returns to its original shape and holds. I loaded the DMoose Regional Barbell with 500 pounds and dropped it onto the safeties of my squat rack, and it’s still straight as an arrow.” For an inexpensive barbell, that’s a great amount of durability.
With dual knurl marks and a lack of center knurling, this barbell is made for multipurpose use—powerlifting, Olympic lifting, or barbell cycling. With 20 years of strength training and powerlifting experience, Roger felt like the knurling could have been more aggressive, giving it a 4 out of 5. “If you’re newer to lifting or wanting to take care of your hands, then this bar will work perfect,” he adds.
With needle bearings for rotation, the DMoose Regional Barbell will provide great spin, ideal for Olympic lifts and dynamic exercises. Whether its general training in your home gym, snatches, CrossFit, or heavy lifting, this barbell will perform nicely and at a fantastic price point. You can read all of our thoughts in our in-depth DMoose Regional Barbell review.
Runner-Up CrossFit Barbell: American Barbell Training Bar
Good for: Anyone who likes the Rogue Ohio Bar but wants to save a few bucks
Runner Up CrossFit Barbell
American Barbell Training Bar
Product Highlights
- Medium-depth knurling
- Hard chrome finish
- Lifetime warranty
- 20kg and 15kg options
- 190K PSI tensile strength
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Medium-depth knurling
- Hard chrome finish
- About one-third the price of the Eleiko
- Lifetime warranty
- 20kg and 15kg options
- 190K PSI tensile strength
Cons
- Subject to corrosion and chrome plating can cause premature damage
- Rotation system is known to take a while to break in
- Knurling will be too passive for some
- IWF knurl markings only
Bottom Line
The American Barbell Training Bar is an affordably priced piece of equipment useful for Olympic weightlifters thanks to a high PSI tensile strength, great spin, and IWF knurl markings.
American Barbell is using a chrome finish with this bar, which I think is awesome. It not only looks good, but it is very durable as well.
The whip on this bar is perfect for general lifting and the average garage gym owner. With mild knurling, 190,000 PSI tensile strength steel, a composite bushing system, and high-alloy steel construction, the American Barbell Training Bar gives Rogue bars a run for their money.
This bar comes at a decent price of $325. But, when you see that it comes with free shipping, it becomes an even better deal. American Barbell also offers a 15-kilogram Training Bar for $315 that stands up to Rogue’s Bella Bar.
I also love that this barbell is made in the USA — I think there’s something special about USA-made products. American Barbell is clearly going after Rogue Fitness with these specs, warranties, and manufacturing in the US. This is my personal favorite bar that I’ve used for CrossFit, so I’m interested to see how it catches on with the others, specifically Rogue bars.
Read my full in-depth review of the American Barbell Training Bar, plus my review of the American Barbell Gold Standard Bar.
(Speaking of other American Barbell bars, the American Barbell California Bar is another good CrossFit barbell that uses a composite bushing system and has a hard chrome finish on the sleeves. However, the shaft has a cerakote finish for added durability. It also has the dual knurl markings becoming standard on functional fitness barbells.)
Best Value Barbell for CrossFit: Fringe Sport Wonder Bar V2
Good for: Exercisers who just want a quality bar they’ll get many years of use out of
Best Budget CrossFit Barbell
Fringe Sport Wonder Bar V2 20KG Barbell
Product Highlights
- Ideal as a multi-purpose bar
- Dual knurl marks
- 205,000 PSI
- Fringe Sport has free shipping
- Lifetime warranty
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Knurling is somewhat passive
- Ideal as a multi-purpose bar
- Dual knurl marks
- 205,000 PSI
- Bearings or bushing are available
- 28MM in diameter
- Fringe Sport has free shipping
- Lifetime warranty
Cons
- Black zinc finish will fade over time
- Sleeves prone to scarring rather quickly
- Not made in USA
Bottom Line
The Fringe Sport Wonder Bar V2 is one of the best value general training/CrossFit barbells on the market that we've reviewed. For under $200 you get a crazy good spec sheet and a barbell that will perform in any workouts for as long as you keep it. If you're on a budget, but want a great barbell, we suggest this one.
Fringe Sport makes some of the best budget home gym equipment on the market. The Wonder Bar V2 is no exception. The specs on this bar are phenomenal and at around $260, the price can’t be beaten.
You won’t find many other barbells with 205,000 PSI tensile strength steel for less than $300, let alone one that strong with knurl hash marks to IWF and IPF (International Powerlifting Federation) specifications.
The black-on-black zinc finish looks sleek and protects the alloy steel construction from corrosion, although a common problem with zinc finishes is that they scuff relatively easily and then you end up with a black-on-silver kind of deal.
As for the knurling, it’s a good knurl for all-purpose workouts — just what you want in a CrossFit barbell. As Fringe Sport says, “neither cheese grater nor too soft.”
The Wonder Bar V2 uses high-impact bronze bushings, which means this bar should last you a long time, even if you drop it often. The bushings also have decent spin, but it’s nothing like you can get with a bearing bar, so luckily you can choose to make your Wonder Bar a bearing bar!
You have a year to decide if this bar is right for you, as Fringe Sport offers a full-year satisfaction guarantee with free returns. This alone is a really big deal and adds to the value of the bar.
If you prefer a 15-kilogram bar, Fringe Sport makes a 15kg Wonder Bar V2 in that specification as well.
Best All-Purpose Barbell for CrossFit: Rogue Bar 2.0
Good for: The do-it-all CrossFitter who also includes powerlifting, Olympic lifting, and bodybuilding in their routine
Best All-Purpose CrossFit Barbell
Rogue Bar 2.0
Product Highlights
- Barbell made in the USA
- 190K PSI tensile strength
- Multiple composite bushings
- 28.5 mm shaft diameter
- Dual knurl marks for Olympic lifts or powerlifting
- Lifetime warranty
Pros & Cons
Pros
- 190K PSI tensile strength
- Made in the USA
- Multiple composite bushings
- Good value
- 28.5 mm diameter with dual knurl marks for versatility
- Lifetime warranty
Cons
- Black zinc coating can fade over time
- Passive knurling
Bottom Line
The Rogue 2.0 Bar is a good barbell with great value. With a good tensile strength and versatile use, this is a great multipurpose bar for the home gym.
This barbell is very similar to the Rogue Ohio Bar (most Rogue fitness barbells have similar features all around), but I would argue that the Rogue Bar 2.0 is best for someone who does a little bit of everything.
In other words, if you do one or two CrossFit metcons a week and do an equal amount of bodybuilding-style workouts, Oly lifts, and heavy powerlifting, the Rogue Bar 2.0 gives you the best bang for your buck.
Different iterations of this bar have been used in the CrossFit Games for as long as the Rogue Bar has been around, so it’s good enough for you if it’s good enough for the fittest people on earth.
The only real downside to the Rogue Bar is that it only comes in one finish (black zinc shaft and bright zinc sleeves), This is a fairly durable finish and I especially like the bright zinc sleeves as they won’t show abuse as bad as a black zinc sleeve will. I’m not a huge fan of black zinc as it shows wear quickly. It does come with machined sleeve grooves with customizable silicone bands.
Still, with a 28.5-millimeter shaft diameter, dual knurl marks for Oly and power lifts, no center knurl, and composite bushings for ample spin, this barbell can do everything a CrossFitter needs it to do. It also features 190,000 PSI tensile strength and a good whip. This is a great tensile strength for general purpose lifting — Olympic weightlifting, powerlifting, bodybuilding, CrossFit, and everything in between.
Best Luxury Barbell for CrossFit: Eleiko XF Bar
Good for: Athletes who do equal Olympic lifting and CrossFit and don’t mind spending more on a good bar
Best Luxury CrossFit Barbell
Eleiko XF Bar NxG 20KG
Product Highlights
- High-quality multipurpose Olympic barbell
- Dual knurl markings for Olympic lifting and powerlifting
- 28 mm shaft diameter
- Needle bearings and bushings
- 12-year warranty
- Chrome finish
Pros & Cons
Pros
- High tensile strength
- Quality materials
- Bearings and bushings
- Chrome finish
- Dual knurl markings
Cons
- Expensive
- Only 12-year warranty
Bottom Line
The Eleiko XF Bar is a high-quality multi-use barbell with a matching premium price. With bearings and bushings for rotation, the bar has great spin as well as a high tensile strength, meaning it will endure some wear and tear in CrossFit workouts.
Look, this bar won’t make it onto everyone’s shopping list. At $630, the price is steep — very steep — for a CrossFit barbell that will likely be dropped a gazillion times and drowned in chalk.
However, this is an Eleiko. It’s a high-quality steel bar. You know they make a good product when the name says it all.
The Eleiko XF barbell has dual markings and a comfortable grip ready for anything, which is the foundation of a good CrossFit barbell. It has fantastic durability and a bar feel with 25,000 PSI tensile strength Swedish steel. Swedish steel is some of the best in the world for weightlifting. Eleiko barbells cost more because they cost more to make. You get what you pay for.
Unlike the rest of the barbells on the list, the Eleiko XF uses a combination rotation system, making it a true multi-purpose bar. I honestly just don’t know about the combination of bushing and bearings though. Does it really aid the spin well enough to compromise a potentially shortened lifespan?
Anyway, it’s got a chrome finish, which is the best finish for a barbell until I’m proven otherwise. Eleiko says the knurling on this bar is its least aggressive knurling, which is even better for CrossFit workouts that require high repetitions and bar cycling.
The Eleiko XF bar is also available as a 15-kilogram bar.
Eleiko has, from what I’ve seen and read, one of the shortest warranties in the industry. Most leading brands offer a lifetime warranty on their barbells, and Eleiko offers a 12-year warranty on the XF bar.
Best CrossFit Barbell for Heavy Lifters: Get RXd Stealth Bar
Good for: People who regularly lift heavy loads and want extra confidence in the strength of the bar
Best CrossFit Barbell for Heavy Lifters
Get RXd Stealth Bar
Product Highlights
- General training barbell with 2 bushings and 8 bearings
- 216K PSI
- 28 mm shaft diameter
- Hard chrome finish
- Lifetime warranty
Pros & Cons
Pros
- High tensile strength
- Good value
- Dual knurled marks
- Medium knurling
Cons
- No center knurling
- Not a lot of information on where materials come from
Bottom Line
The Get RXd Stealth Bar is a multi-use bar that will handle some heavy weights. With a tensile strength of 216,000 PSI, this barbell will handle large weights without any worries. With medium knurling and dual markings on the knurling, the Stealth Bar will provide use for all sorts of training.
The Get RXd Stealth Bar is a steal: For less than $300, you get 216,000 PSI tensile strength steel. This is the strongest bar on this list of best CrossFit barbells, and it’s without a doubt the best for people who plan to burden it with extremely heavy loads.
For spin, the Stealth bar employs a dual bushing/bearing system, which I’m still not entirely sure about. I would need to use a dual-spin bar alongside a regular bushing or bearing bar for a long time to see how the durability of dual-system bars holds up. However, I do like the fact that the bushings in this bar are oil-impregnated, which means they self-lubricate and require less maintenance.
In addition to dual-spin, the Stealth bar also has dual knurling, which is key for a CrossFit barbell. There’s no center knurling on this barbell, just like the others in this review.
Both the sleeves and the shaft of the Stealth bar are finished in hard chrome, my favorite barbell finish. Also, the gold bands on the collars of the 20-kilogram barbell make the bar look even cooler.
The Stealth bar is also available as a 15-kilogram bar for $250. All the specs are the same, except for the thinner shaft diameter (25 millimeters) and shorter sleeves (13 inches). The women’s bar still sports 216,000 PSI tensile strength.
I wish Get RXd offered more information about where its products are manufactured because I like to know where my goods are coming from. The Get RXd headquarters is in Texas, but the company provides no information as to where the Stealth bar or other products are made.
Benefits of Having a CrossFit Barbell
There are tons of benefits to having a barbell in general. A barbell is a mainstay of any garage gym because it provides tons of training opportunities, and is the only way to truly train the big three lifts: back squat, deadlift, bench press, snatch, clean, jerk. Of course, you can do many of these movements with dumbbells and even kettlebells, but you’ll never be able to throw considerable weight around.
Honestly, if you have to choose just one thing for your home gym, choose a barbell and weight plates. A power rack is a nice addition, too, but if you’re on a budget, you can do all your lifts from the floor until you can get that coveted power rack.
As for having a CrossFit barbell specifically, the primary benefit is durability and lifespan. Any of the barbells on this list will last you many years with minimal maintenance. Of course, you can’t completely neglect the care of your barbell, but with basic maintenance (i.e., not dropping it empty from overhead and cleaning the chalk off after use), you’ll enjoy a lifetime with your CrossFit barbell.
Also, choosing a CrossFit barbell means you’re choosing one suited for high-rep workouts. When you’re in the middle of a grueling WOD or strength training for volume, you don’t want to be distracted by overly aggressive knurling or lack of spin on the bar.
How to Choose a Barbell for CrossFit
A few attributes that I think are best for CrossFit barbells include:
Price
Because you’ll likely beat the crap out of your CrossFit barbell, you probably don’t want to spend too much money. This negates the Eleiko option for most people. I would say that the $250-$300 range is best for CrossFit barbells, and bars in the $300s or higher should have something extra to offer that means a lot to you (like the fact that the Rogue Ohio bar is manufactured at the Ohio Rogue campus).
High Durability
I expect most CrossFitters will be dropping their bar from overhead or from the front-rack position, moving quickly through high volumes of repetitions, and working out in a non-climate-controlled area. All of these factors mean you need a durable barbell, which means you need one with high tensile strength and a high-quality coating.
Look for at least 180,000 PSI tensile steel strength. Stainless steel bars are ideal in terms of oxidation resistance, but other common (and less expensive) finishes such as hard chrome and cerakote also increase durability. Zinc also protects against oxidation, but avoid black zinc if you beat up your barbell pretty well, as it shows scuffing more easily than bright zinc.
Medium Knurling
A CrossFit barbell should be grippy, but it shouldn’t tear your hands up. Save the bloody palms for pull-ups and toes-to-bars. Medium knurling assists with grip without digging into the skin too much.
Low Whip
Barbell whip is the difference between yield strength and tensile strength. A very whippy barbell flexes significantly under heavy loads, whereas a low-whip barbell remains stiffer. A good CrossFit barbell has enough whip to accommodate moderately heavy loads, but not so much that you’re dealing with an oscillating bar during a metcon.
Bushings
Most CrossFitters need a bushing system, not a bearing system. Dual systems can work, too, but you can’t go wrong with bushings on a CrossFit barbell.
For more on how to buy a barbell, read my barbell buying guide.
Frequently Asked Questions About Barbells for CrossFit
What type of steel Is best for CrossFit barbells?
Stainless steel is the most durable type of steel for use in barbells, and it also requires the least maintenance, as it’s corrosion-resistant. Alloy steel and Swedish steel (high-alloy steel) are good second choices, as long as the barbell has a solid protective finish. Stay away from bare or naked steel unless you want to spend your days cleaning and maintaining your bar. As you might expect, stainless steel barbells are more expensive than bare steel or coated steel barbells.
What type of finish is best for CrossFit barbells?
If you’re not going to get a stainless steel barbell for CrossFit, get as good of a coating as your budget allows. After stainless, cerakote is the most durable, long-lasting finish. Then, in order from most durable to least, comes e-coat (an electrically applied paint), zinc, chrome, black oxide, and bare steel. When talking about durability as it relates to barbells, we’re talking about resistance to oxidation.
What type of knurling is best for CrossFit barbells?
CrossFitters do Olympic and powerlifting moves, so they should purchase a bar that has dual knurlings for the best comfort and grip. A true powerlifting barbell has a center knurl, and the knurling across the entire bar tends to be deep and sharp.
Competition Olympic lifting barbells also have center knurling, although many manufacturers have started making Olympic barbells without center knurling due to the popularity of Olympic lifts in CrossFit. Overall, Olympic barbells have milder knurling than power bars.
A good CrossFit barbell will have both Olympic and powerlifting knurl marks but without the center knurling. In terms of depth and sharpness, you want a CrossFit barbell to have mild knurling.
Should you have bushings or bearings on a CrossFit barbell?
Bushing bars are favorable for powerlifting while bearing barbells are favorable for Olympic lifting. This is because bearing bars have an extremely fast spin ability and bushing bars spin at a slower rate. Seeing as CrossFit uses both Olympic and powerlifting movements, either type of barbell can be used. Most CrossFit barbells use the bushing mechanism, though. It’s really up to personal preference: Do you prefer more spin or less?
Which CrossFit barbell Is best?
My top pick for the best CrossFit barbell is the Rogue Ohio Bar. Not only does it have all of the features a good CrossFit bar should have, but it also comes in a ton of different finish options, so you can pick the best option for your garage gym and the level of maintenance you’re willing to put in.
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Is this compact functional trainer the new gold standard? Find out in this REP Arcadia review. Read more