When you are building a home gym, one of the most vital pieces of equipment to buy is a barbell. The best stainless steel barbell can be one of the most versatile items to use when lifting weights and play a major role in critical, compound lifts. However, before buying one of the many different metal barbells on the market, it is important to consider a number of key factors. Everything from maximum permissible weight to the way the grip feels in your hands will play a big factor in what to choose.
Top 4 Stainless Steel Barbells Reviewed
1. Top pick: REP Gladiator Olympic Barbell
Designed to handle nearly all kinds of weightlifting, the REP Gladiator Olympic Barbell is a quality option built to last. With needle bearings to reduce stress on your wrists and shoulders as the weight moves around, the stainless steel olympic barbell should be a perfect addition to your weightlifting routine, especially if it involves more dynamic movements like the clean and jerk.
- Material (Steel type): Stainless steel
- Weight: 44.1 pounds
- Length: 86.6 inches
- Diameter: 28mm
- Shaft Length: 16.3 inches
- Knurling: Medium texture
- Knurl Marks: Double
- Spin: Needle bearings
- Weight Limit: 1,500 pounds
- Sleeve Length: 54 inches
- Finish Type: Hard chrome or stainless steel
Durability
The REP Gladiator Olympic Barbell scores high marks for durability largely due to its high resistance to corrosion. The stainless steel is also designed to handle high-rep movements from more active cross-training that would see the bar be dropped at a higher frequency.
Grip Performance
The stainless barbell has medium-depth knurling which offers better grip on your hands. This is especially useful for lifts that rely heavily on grip strength such as deadlifts. The depth of the knurling also keeps your hands more securely in place even when you are sweating.
Package
There are no package options that come directly with the olympic barbell, so if you are looking to build your entire home gym at once, you will have to purchase other items separately.
How Does It Feel on Your Hands?
The medium-depth knurling will offer more grip for your hands, however this could also make a difference in how it feels. The deeper texture on the stainless steel barbell may mean that lifts on where the weight is against your hands may leave impressions or hurt slightly depending on your sensitivity.
Positives:
High maximum permissible weight and 205 KSI tensile strength
Durable against dropping, heavy weights and corrosion
Designed to handle a variety of different exercise types
Could be better:
One of the more expensive options on the market
Deeper knurling may hurt your hands on heavier lifts
2. Runner-up: The Ohio Bar- Stainless Steel
- Material (Steel type): Stainless steel
- Weight: 44.1 pounds
- Length: 86.75 inches
- Diameter: 28.5mm
- Shaft Length: 53.85 inches
- Knurling: Exclusive, light
- Knurl Marks: Double
- Spin: Bushing
- Weight Limit: unlisted
- Sleeve Length: 16.4 inches
- Finish Type: Matte black or stainless steel
Durability
Similarly to the REP Olympic Barbell, the Rogue Stainless Steel Ohio Bar is incredibly durable. The stainless steel barbell has an F2 rating for durability which should stand up well to repetitive drops over a long period of time as well as resist oxidation or corrosion. Furthermore, the barbell comes with a lifetime warranty, so even if there is any damage, you should be able to replace the bar easily. The barbell also offers 200 KSI of tensile strength.
Grip Performance
The barbell comes with a unique, lighter knurling that is exclusive to Rogue Fitness products. While on the lighter side, it should be able to provide ample grip for you to make the majority of your lifts without requiring chalk or lifting straps. However, if you plan on making heavy, compound lifts where you require deeper knurling, you may want to take this into consideration.
phobo by peacen352
Package
Rogue Fitness offers a number of unique equipment packages that fit various needs. These packages include an Ohio Bar, several different types of plates, and even other fitness equipment to help start your own home gym. There are several different packages offered depending on what you might be looking for.
How Does It Feel on Your Hands?
The lighter knurling should feel better on your hands during heavy lifts while still providing adequate grip. The Rogue Fitness style of knurling is designed to maintain security while being more comfortable on your hands when the bar is pressed into them.
Positives:
Color options and variety
- Lifetime warranty
Whipping flexibility without bending
Could be better:
Bulkier design that takes up more space in your home gym
Post on one side of the dip station could interfere with some gymnastic or calisthenic movements
3. Best Alternative: Titan Fitness MAXXUM STAINLESS STEEL POWER BAR
If you plan on lifting heavy but want to spend slightly less on your barbell, the Titan Fitness Maxxum Stainless Steel Power Bar might be the right option for you. With quality durability and great resistance to high weights, this barbell is a cheaper option than the Gladiator Olympic Barbell without sacrificing power.
- Material (Steel type): Stainless steel
- Weight: 45 pounds
- Length: 86.75 inches
- Diameter: 28mm
- Shaft Length: 51.875 inches
- Knurling: Medium texture
- Knurl Marks: Single
- Spin: Bronze bushing and needle bearings
- Weight Limit: 2,000 pounds
- Sleeve Length: 16.25 inches
- Finish Type: Stainless steel
Durability
One of the biggest points for the stainless steel barbell is its durability. With increased resistance to oxidation and corrosion as well as protective coating to prevent rust, the bar should hold up for years to come regardless of the conditions.
Grip Performance
The medium knurling should come with enough grip to help you hold on tight for your biggest lifts. The central knurling should also come in handy for your squats.
Maximum Permissible Weight
The stainless barbell has a maximum permissible weight of 2,000 pounds; a whopping 500 pounds more than the REP barbell. Additionally, the Power Bar boasts a tensile strength of 230 KSI, also above the REP barbell.
Package
Titan Fitness does not offer any equipment packages that include the Maxxum Stainless Steel Power Bar.
How Does It Feel on Your Hands?
The feel of the knurling on your hands should be rather comfortable, though slightly less so with the medium depth of the grip.
Positives:
High maximum permissible weight
Bronze bushing and needle bearings
Rust-resistant coatings
Could be better:
Only one knurling mark on each side
Lacks colors or variety
4. Alternative Option: CAP Barbell, The Beast
When looking for quality stainless steel barbells while on a budget, the CAP Barbell The Beast is one option you should consider. With a number of different options and an affordable price tag, the so called ‘Beast’ could be the right choice for you starting out your own home gym.
- Material (Steel type): Alloy steel
- Weight: 44 pounds
- Length: 86 inches
- Diameter: 28.5mm
- Shaft Length: 51.5 inches
- Knurling: Light
- Knurl Marks: Single
- Spin: Bushing
- Weight Limit: 1200 pounds
- Sleeve Length: 15 inches
- Finish Type: Black oxide or Black Phosphate
Durability
While not quite as durable as many other options due to being made of alloy steel instead of stainless steel, the olympic barbell should still hold up well to continued use and resist oxidation or corrosion over time.
Grip Performance
The knurling and grip itself is versatile and capable of providing adequate security for your hands on heavier lifts. At the same time, you are able to choose whether you want central knurling for grip and stability on your back squat.
photo by fitnessafter50_ps
Package
There are no equipment packages offered that include The Beast barbell from CAP.
How Does It Feel on Your Hands?
The knurling should be comfortable on your hands, even when taking on heavier lifts that place the majority of the weight on your wrists.
Positives:
Bushing sleeves
Affordable price
Multiple color options
Could be better:
Lower maximum permissible weight
Alloy steel instead of stainless steel
Lower overall durability
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What Are the Benefits of Stainless Steel Barbells?
Compound Lifts
While nearly all fitness equipment will serve a number of purposes, stainless steel barbells are a central point in compound lifts such as bench press, squats, and deadlifts. These compound lifts work more muscle groups than isolation work and can help improve core strength and balance as well as benefit your functional strength.
Durability and Longevity
In comparison to other metal barbells, stainless steel bars have some of the best durability and longevity on the market. With an increased resistance to oxidation and corrosion, you should feel more comfortable buying stainless steel barbells when building a gym outdoors or in a place with high humidity. Furthermore, stainless steel holds up well to heavy usage and heavy weights over a long period of time.
Versatility of Exercise Type
Outside of traditional compound lifts, stainless steel barbells play a major role in nearly all powerlifting, olympic weightlifting, bodybuilding and HIIT training, crossfit. So, regardless of how you like to exercise, stainless steel barbells should be a mainstay in your regiment.
What to Look For in Stainless Steel Barbells?
Steel Quality
The biggest factor to pay attention to when buying a stainless steel barbell is the quality of the steel itself. While it may be hard to tell, make sure to look out for bars that are simply plated with stainless steel. Furthermore, make sure to check its durability ratings and weight capacities.
Tensile Strength
Tensile strength refers to how far a barbell can be stretched, bent, or put under stress without breaking. This can be incredibly important for heavier lifts where a bar breaking could cause an injury. The higher the KSI, or sometimes, PSI is, the higher the tensile strength of the bar.
Knurling
Knurling refers to the texture grip on the barbells. This grip comes in a variety of depths and textures depending on the manufacturer or type of barbell. Barbells will also have knurling marks on each side which can help centralize your grip better in relation to the bar. Some barbells some with central knurling which can help provide stability for some lifts such as a back squat.
Spin
Spin helps you keep a sturdy grip on the bar without it constantly moving if the plates shift. This is maintained through bushings or bearings on the sleeves where you load your plates.
Crushing Resistance
Similar to tensile strength, crushing resistance is another way to measure the integrity of your barbell. Instead of focusing on stretching or manipulation, crushing resistance is about how much weight can be pressed down on the bar without it losing shape.
Versatility
While barbells may seem like a static equipment piece, there is actually a lot of variety in the options. Many barbells are designed specifically for olympic weightlifting or powerlifting. That being said, many barbells are designed to accommodate several different types of weightlifting and exercise without any drop in quality or performance.
Value for Money
If you are shopping on a budget, the value for the money spent on a barbell can be a major concern. Many of the lower-priced options may lack the longevity or quality of a higher price barbell. However, there are several barbells at affordable prices that still offer great value.
FAQ
Are stainless steel barbells worth it?
In short, yes. Stainless steel barbells are built to last longer than other metal barbells and should stand up better to drops and heavy weight.
Do stainless steel barbells need oil?
While you can oil your barbell in part with other cleaning and maintenance methods, you do not need to do so.
Conclusion
A stainless steel barbell is an incredibly beneficial exercise item that should be integrated into any fitness routine. Any great stainless steel barbell should have quality knurling and grip, solid durability, and is versatile in its capabilities. If you are building a home gym, make sure to see if the brand offers equipment packages as well. All the barbells on this list would make great additions to your home gym, however, if you are looking for the best stainless steel barbell money can buy, the REP Gladiator Olympic Barbell might just be the best choice for you. Make sure to share your thoughts on our top stainless steel barbell picks, or ask any questions you have in the comments below!
Also Read:
References:
- The 10 best compound exercises for strength // Muscleandfitness: https://www.muscleandfitness.com/workouts/full-body-exercises/top-10-compound-lifts-maximum-size-and-strength/
My name is Ihor and I have been a professional weightlifter since 1996. With over 20 years of competition experience, my resume includes European Champion in 2009 and the silver medalist at 2011's Senior World Championships – 105kg division.
I competed at the 2008, 2012 and 2016 Summer Olympics.
After hanging up my own competitive lifting shoes, I decided to share my huge background as a coach. I am currently coaching multiple athletes who are competing at national and international competitions.