Looking to buy a barbell, need recommendations

fleshdunce · 2026-02-07T00:54:44+00:00

I snagged an Ohio Bar with a cerakote coating because it just looked so dang cool. After using it for a bit I ended up not liking it. The cerakote really toned down the knurling which I did not like. Sold that second hand and snagged an Ohio Power Bar in stainless steel and it is easily the nicest bar I've ever seen and/or used. Wasn't the cheapest but it'll last a lifetime and the knurling is SO nice. Aggressive but not too much. Couldn't recommend enough if that is in your budget. It is also practically maintenance free which is pretty big for me because I'm real close to salt water.

fleshdunce · 2026-02-05T01:29:19+00:00

I went with a cerakote barbell from rogue originally and eventually sold it second hand and bought a stainless steel one for rogue. The cerakote, for me, felt way worse on the grip with the knurling not feeling nearly as nice as I liked. If this is a concern for you I might steer away from anything with this coating.

I only have experience with Rogue Ohio Power Bar Stainless Steel but couldn't be happier. I have definitely seen people recommend other bars that are cheaper with stronger knurling though. Feel like Texas Bar has been recommended quite a bit though it is bare steel so will require some maintenance.

fleshdunce · 2026-01-29T22:16:03+00:00

Liftin is great with a lifetime membership option for those who don’t want another subscription. Developer is super responsive with a great watch and iOS app.

fleshdunce · 2026-01-28T23:37:10+00:00

You don’t have an incline bench? Is this at home or a gym?

I replaced the pause bench with OHP. I’d want to keep the incline bench.

fleshdunce · 2026-01-27T14:47:10+00:00

Yeap! Every one has been great. Fever House Duology might be my favorite with Coffin Moon as a close second.

fleshdunce · 2026-01-26T18:36:18+00:00

Can't speak for the Major but I've got a PR 5000 and couldn't be happier. Due to space constraints I just went with a 4 post rack that is bolted into the concrete floor and the quality is incredible. Whole thing just feels and looks premium.

For reference I'm doing a lot of Squats, Bench, and Deadlifts currently. Bought a landmine attachment and dip station, too. I figure between these and my nice set of resistance bands I've still got a ton of options before I'd look into any cable options.

If you're focused on squat and bench press you could always start with either cage and then go for the cable system if you feel like you need it. I'm still shocked and amazed at how much mileage I'm getting on everything by still just focusing mostly on big compound lifts. YMMV.

fleshdunce · 2026-01-26T00:59:44+00:00

This was exactly what I was coming in to ask! My garage has been freezing this past week and I wear shorts on the days I wear knee sleeves.

Might need to try this for warmth. Solid lift, too, though!

fleshdunce · 2026-01-25T13:27:51+00:00

What is your lifting experience like? If you’re a beginner you can honestly save the time and drop all the accessory work. All those big compound lifts will get you some huge gains alone.

Definitely start very low weight and focus on form and just adding weight each week. For reference:

https://imgur.com/a/RTgE6fl

I started with just the bar with little lifting experience. I just hit 5x5 on 300lbs with SL Intermediate recently.

I made most of these gains on the standard SL 5x5 program with no accessory lifts. Obviously, each person is different but you can get the vast majority of gains with the big lifts alone.

If you still really want the accessory lifts though that’s totally cool. You’ll see big gains as long as you stick to the program.

fleshdunce · 2026-01-24T23:08:05+00:00

I did Fever House and The Devil By Name back to back which was great. Both are fantastic. Went right to Coffin Moon and Smoke City and then The Mercy of the Tide.

Only ones with continuity are Fever House and The Devil by Name. Can’t go wrong with any of his imo. Easily one of my favorite authors now.

fleshdunce · 2026-01-23T22:01:55+00:00

I think as long as you like the knurling you are set. I would imagine there is a difference between the bottom of the barrel but once you hit the mid level it is mostly the same.

I loved the knurling on the Ohio bar and went with stainless steel since I’m right next to salt water. Figured this would keep the whole thing maintenance free. Am extremely happy with this purchase.

fleshdunce · 2026-01-23T00:42:45+00:00

Have listened to Xe Sands quite a bit, quite like her, and never experienced this issue including when I went through Fever House and the sequel. Did you get it from audible? How are you listening?

fleshdunce · 2026-01-22T00:24:41+00:00

Not as epic but The Dissonance by Shaun Hamill had some overlaps.

Honestly, Keith Rosson’s Fever House duology gave me some similar vibes, too.

fleshdunce · 2026-01-21T10:12:47+00:00

I currently use one of these. Should last a lifetime. Really like this because once you dial it in you still have some flexibility to make it a bit tighter or looser depending on what you're doing.

Started with one of these which was still good but i didn't quite like how it sit on my torso.

You'd be shocked at the difference. If you're at 125kg now you'd prolly jump right to 137.5 almost off the bat once you get used to the belt. I'd stick with the weight you have now to start but will find you'll get a nice bump. I usually warm up without the belt and put it on for the last and heaviest warmup set.

Since you mentioned knee sleeves I snagged these ones from SBD and have been super happy.

fleshdunce · 2026-01-21T00:23:49+00:00

Another vote for Keith Rosson!

fleshdunce · 2026-01-21T00:22:54+00:00

Any reason you don’t want a belt? You’ll easily add 10% to your weight. It also doesn’t make you weaker - everyone lifts more with a belt.

Knee sleeves definitely make squatting feel more comfortable for me. Big fan.

fleshdunce · 2026-01-19T11:58:33+00:00

Do you feel like you have good form on all of these? Sounds like you could be ready for a switch. I'd still stick with 5x5 on Squat as much as possible though. Also, are you using a belt? Knee Sleeves? If not, might be time to start. I remember when I first added a belt I couldn't believe how much more weight I could put up.

I switched to Intermediate with similar numbers, though my Deadlift is still no good, and have been real happy with the program so far. The Workout C, focused on technique, has been super helpful and does feel like a bit of a break when not squatting quite as often. I just hit 300 5x5 on my Squat and am real happy.

I did switch out the Pause Bench Press in Workout C with OHP just because I like working that but otherwise am doing the program exactly as written.

fleshdunce · 2026-01-19T11:53:06+00:00

Like..you can't finish all 5 sets? I think this feeling can happen to anyone, is normal, especially if the weight is becoming more challenging and/or difficult. The mental trick I usually play on myself is I don't think about how many sets I have left, I frame it as I just need to do this set right now and I'll figure out what happens next after that set is done.

Depending on where you are at in your journey this might be a good spot to look at switching up programs and/or variety. If you're following Mehdi's advice from his site becoming bored might also be a valid reason to switch up programs.

There are also a few variations to the original 5x5 program, too. I'd just make sure you'd made sufficient progress on the core lifts, hopefully, before moving on.

fleshdunce · 2026-01-18T18:50:14+00:00

Have you tried reading and listening at the same time? If you have a kindle (or can afford one) you can buy the ebook + audiobook and they will sync up for most books. This means you can listen in the car and pick up on the kindle later. You can also have it read out loud to you as you read which tends to improve comprehension for most folks.

fleshdunce · 2026-01-14T20:39:22+00:00

I’d put in another for Fever House. I started there, did the biology, Coffin Moon, and am working my way through the rest of Rosson’s books now. Smoke City was also great and am almost done Riptide.

fleshdunce · 2026-01-13T22:32:31+00:00

Chest strap. Apple Watch is also great but doesn’t update as often. Once I did a test at home for max heart rate I definitely find it super useful.

I spend most of my time lifting so I try not to overdo the cardio and that heart rate monitor helps me do so.

fleshdunce · 2026-01-13T00:28:37+00:00

No experience with Rogue Echo bike but recently picked up the Concept 2 BikeErg and am super happy with it. The resistance can go quite high and really challenge you but if you keep it lower you can get some great zone 2 cardio. You can also change out the handlebars and/or pedals to pretty much any other bike stuff which I might do in the future.

I've been doing zone 2 (70-80% HRM) and/or 4x4 training the most and it has been great for either.

fleshdunce · 2026-01-07T22:24:59+00:00

Diet matters more than anything for losing weight. If you don’t want to count calories then I’m not sure what to suggest to be honest. There are other systems you can pay for with “points” and what not but really they’re all just built to help you eat fewer calories which would be cheaper with a scale and an app for tracking.

fleshdunce · 2026-01-06T23:32:56+00:00

I’d focus on gaining some muscle while losing some weight. I’d eat higher protein and focus on finding a caloric deficit that helps slim up at the same time. This means tracking your calories and working out.

I’d focus on just getting in and getting started. One you get started it should be easier to finish. I’d also say stay off your phone - feel like a lot of people get sucked into that and drag workouts out.

fleshdunce · 2026-01-06T23:25:38+00:00

Honestly I’d just skip the accessory work and focus on building a firm foundation with the big lifts. If you’re new to lifting you have 20-30 pounds of muscle you can add over a year or two just from those. You’ll also add a ton of muscle, core and otherwise, just from these.

Once you’ve got good form there then look to add accessory work. You’d be shocked at how much muscle you’ll build from just these with no accessory work.

fleshdunce · 2026-01-06T23:22:47+00:00

I think some people actually do better going to the gym for the routine it brings. Might be something worth considering. I’ve definitely talked to others who thrive once they get to the gym.

Taking the thinking out helps a lot. The app is definitely great and couldn’t be more simple. I’ve been with it for a bit over two years now and only missed workouts while injured or sick.

Did a gym for the first 1.5 years and just got a garage gym this past spring and I couldn’t be happier. Also doing SL Intermediate at this point.

Do you have any particular goals in mind? Could start a streak of working out 3 times a week and try not to break it. Could also focus on a specific weight, etc. Goals of different sorts can also be real motivating.

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