Body-Solid Olympic Bar Rod with Heavy Duty Grade Construction for Weights Lifting Equipment, Strength Training and Fitness Workouts For Home Gym Dumbbell Barbell, 44LB 7FT

I'm a competitive powerlifter and I've had a garage gym for almost 30 years, so I have experience using many types of olympic bars. My bar arrived perfectly straight, which was the main reason I wanted a new bar. I expected the oil residue because without it, the bare metal would show surface discoloration rust. I just wiped it off and then rubbed the entire bar with chalk to soak up any that was left. I know that as I use it and get sweat on it, some small amounts of surface rust will eventually appear, but I also know that this will clean off easily and do no harm. Lifting heavy weights isn't supposed to look pretty. I didn't want a chrome or nickel coating because I wanted the knurling to have as much grip as possible, which it does. The knurling is so good, I almost don't need to chalk my hands. The sleeves are a little closer together( a couple inches) which makes it slightly stiffer(less rebound when loaded) which is also what I wanted since I'm a powerlifter. It weighs a full 45lbs and my previous bar only weighed 40lbs, so I had to slightly adjust my weights. I didn't realize how many of the sporting goods store bars only weigh 40lbs, so when you put a pair of 45's on the weight is really only 130lbs. The sleeves revolve fine to me, but I'm not an olympic lifter or a crossfitter so it's not something I worry about. I've loaded mine to 825lbs and it didn't feel as if the bar was overloaded. My personal opinion is that it's probably the same bar as a 1000 or 1200lb rated bar, but this one has a lower weight rating to justify the higher price of the higher capacity bars(no proof, just my gut feeling).

Here’s my 11 year review - I ordered this bar in 2013. I’ve used it 5x+ a week since then. It hasn’t bent, warped, broke, had any bolt drift on the ends or anything else. Some slight rust discoloration since I left it in my outside workout area for a few years. I was thinking I needed some fancy name brand barbell to get into it or I would simple buy a new one when the time came. The time still hasn’t come. 10/10 worth every cent.

If you are looking to furnish your home gym you need this bar. You cannot beat the price for the quality. It is sturdy and can handle a lot of weight without bending and is a true 45 lb bar. The knurling is deep providing great grip.Now for packaging. The bar is shipped covered in oil to protect the metal from whatever elements it may face during shipping which is great. It comes off with some good dish soap and a rinse. Then the bar is covered in plastic then put in a cardboard tube.Now the main issue is the shipping. I worked for a major shipping company and I know how lazy forklift drivers can be. My package had a definitive spot where a fork punctured the package. It did scratch the bar a bit but no major harm was done. Given the awkwardness of the package I half expected this. There are some horror stories in the reviews about bent bars. This is not Amazon's fault. There isn't a much better way to package a product of this shape and size. Just be aware that there are careless forklift operators and your product most likely will come with a scratch or two on it.Is it worth the purchase? YES the quality is outstanding.

Let me start by saying that this rating is based on the cost compared to what you get. This is my first bar bell (and so far still my only one) and at first I wasn't sure if I wanted to spend 2 or 3 hundred dollars on a bar because honestly I didn't know if I would even stick to lifting. Well I definately have and could not be happier. But not to get off topic, this is an excellent 1st bar. If your like me and are just getting into lifting and setting up your home gym, this bar is perfect. Well perfect for that situation anyway. When it arrived it was straight, weighed 44.6 pounds, and the ends spun adequately. 4 months later and it seems to be exactly the same. It has taken 400 pound dead lifts like a champ and not bent at all. I also droped it once with about 200 pounds on it onto the concrete floor (not bumper plates) and there seems to be no ill affect. About the only bad thing I have noticed is that the knurling could be just a bit more aggressive. And the sections are not perfectly spaced. By that I mean if you use the rings for centering you may be a bit off. I measure all the knurling and rings and found about some spots to be 1/2 to 3/4 inch off from center. I used some electrical tape to mark true center on those areas. It's just something to be aware of.

Works

4 years later, still going strong.

I was pretty much on the verge of buying a $200 olympic bar when my search for a 45 lb inexpensive one was faltering. But then I came across this and glad I took the gamble. When using a scale it weighted out to be 44.8, so that's close enough for me. The packaging was superb and a welcomed surprise because I was pretty nervous due to another experience of a damaged barbell that this would be no different. As mentioned in other reviews, it does come well oiled. So if you're like me, and this is going into a home gym and not garage, make sure you take it out vertically and wipe as you move the plastic over it. So far no blemishes seen, the olympic fitting is spot on, and the black looks pretty rad. Can't complain and would recommend for anyone wanting a true weighted olympic bar.Pros---Black is always cool!Perfect olympic sizingPerfect weightCheapSturdy and built strongCons--Comes super oiled, be carefulwill update when / if more issues are discovered