Written by Tyler DiGiovanni | BSBM
Fact checked by Kirsten Yovino, CPT Brookbush Institute
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Deadlifts. Even the name is no-nonsense. An exercise that not only builds your lower body, but upper body as well. The benefits of deadlifts are numerous and well documented. But to get the best out of your deadlifts, you need to have a deadlift bar that can take whatever you throw at it. Something with great grip, heavy weight tolerance, and just the right amount of bar whip. While there are dozens of options on the market, we have narrowed it down to the top deadlift bars out there.
5 Best Deadlift Bars
- Overall Best: Titan Series Deadlift Bar
- Runner Up: Deadlift Bar By Strongarm
- Budget Pick: Valor Fitness OB-DL Deadlift Bar
- Sumo Deadlift Bar: Sumo Deadlift Bar By Strongarm
- Power Bar For Deadlifts: Lone Star Power Bar
SFS Pick
Titan
SFS Runner-Up
Strongarm
SFS Budget Pick
Valor
1. Overall Best Deadlift Bar: Titan Series Deadlift Bar
Our top pick for best deadlift bar is the Titan Series Deadlift Bar.
Offering up tremendous value at a reasonable price, the Titan deadlift bar boasts a tensile strength of 200,000 PSI, which is 10,000 PSI higher than the highly rated Rogue Ohio deadlift bar.
Coated in black zinc, this specialty deadlift bar has a bar length of 90.5 inches with loadable chrome sleeve length of 16.25 inches and a maximum weight capacity of 2000lb.
The sleeves have a diameter of 50mm which falls into the standard range for Olympic bars. The Titan Series Deadlift Bar utilizes bronze bushings between the shaft and sleeves for a smooth roll.
There is a medium diamond pattern aggressive knurling for a better grip than you would get on cheaper bars. The shaft also comes with a single powerlifting knurl mark and no center knurl to keep your neck and chest abrasion free.
This bar is made for conventional deadlifts, sumo deadlifts, and Romanian deadlifts specifically.
Overall this is one of the best options on the market even though it doesn't get enough love we think you can't go wrong with it if you're serious about your deadlift game.
Pros
- 2,000 lb weight capacity
- 200,000 PSI tensile strength
- High-quality bronze bushings
- Reasonable price
Cons
- Black zinc finish does wear off over time
- Rust may be an issue down the line
Made in the USA, the Black Zinc TITAN Series Deadlift Bar is a 20KG, 28.5MM Olympic barbell with an aggressive diamond textured knurl, single knurl marks, and no center knurl...
2. Runner Up Best Deadlift Bar: Deadlift Bar By Strongarm
Our second pick for the best deadlift bar is the Conventional Deadlift bar by Strongarm.
Coming in with a 110,000 PSI tensile strength, it does rank lower than the Titan bar, but Conventional bars are also a millimeter thinner than the competition.
The thinner bar means more flex to the bar and a better whip. The flexible bar creates a type of progressive lift, rather than everything moving at the same time. Think of it as the middle of the bar will start being pulled up, as the middle rises, then the inside weight plates will start moving up, continuing outward.
This will help give a bit of momentum on the way up, rather than coming from a complete stop. People using thinner power bars have found that their max weights have increased, just with that little bit of extra movement.
This deadlift bar is a long 90.9 inches and has a loadable sleeve length of 15.5 inches, making it comparable to a Texas deadlift bar or a Rogue Ohio deadlift bar.
Made from a chromium alloy, Strongarm has kept a bare steel shaft to give you the best grip possible. The aggressive knurling and lack of coating give this bar the "bite" that people lifting heavier weights tend to look for in a deadlift barbell.
As mentioned before this deadlift bar has a thinner diameter of 27mm, while other deadlift bars have a bar diameter of 28 - 28.5mm.
This high-quality barbell comes with a single knurl mark and no center knurl, for a traditional deadlift bar feel. This deadlift bar is rated for a 1,500 lb weight capacity.
Pros
- Made from chromium alloy
- High bar flex
- Bare steel shaft for best grip
Cons
- Relatively low tensile rating
Thinner, longer, and whippier — the Conventional Deadlift Bar by StrongArm is built for the competitive powerlifter and is your shortcut to new conventional deadlift PRs...
3. Best Budget Deadlift Bar: Valor Fitness OB-DL Deadlift Bar
The Valor Fitness OB-DL Deadlift Bar is our choice for the best budget bar out there.
At the time of the writing of this article, you can buy it for $288.98 on Amazon, which is significantly lower than most deadlift bars on the market.
Boasting a 165,000 PSI tensile strength, this bar hits the sweet spot between rigidity and flex.
The 27mm bar diameter means you will have a more flexible bar than standard bars, giving you a little bit of an advantage on the initial pull.
Like other deadlift barbells, there is no center knurl, and one knurl mark 7.5 inches in from start of the knurling. The aggressive knurling will hold chalk well and gives a solid grip.
The shaft length measures in at 56.5 inches paired with a wide 2.5 inch collar leads to less weight distribution in the center of the bar, making that initial pull and flex a bit easier.
The loadable sleeve length comes in at 14.5 inches, which isn't the longest, but more than adequate to hold the 1,200 lb this deadlift bar is rated for. The sleeves are etched to help keep the weights in place during your lift, giving you one less thing to worry about.
The total bar length measures in at 90.5 inches and features a black zinc coating.
Valor Fitness has made it very clear that this is a specialty bar specifically for deadlifts. Any other exercises such as bench press, squats, Olympic lifting, or cross-training is not recommended.
Pros
- Thinner bar for a higher flex
- Good balance of flex and tensile strength
- Etched sleeves
Cons
- Shorter than average sleeve length
- Zinc coating will require some upkeep
The OB-DL is constructed of high-quality steel for strength and durability during heavy deadlifts! The 20kg/45lb barbell has 165,000 PSI...
4. Best Sumo Deadlift Bar: Sumo Deadlift Bar By Strongarm
The Sumo Deadlift Bar by Strongman is a movement-specific deadlifting bar that is close to the same bar as the Conventional bar by Strongarm.
This deadlift bar has the same 27 mm thick shaft that will achieve that desired bar bend, giving you the potential for pulling more weight.
This deadlifting barbell is made from a chromium alloy, with the same tensile strength as the Strongarm deadlift bar. The chromium will keep rust to a minimum and lessen needed maintenance.
Measuring in at 90.9 inches, this extra long deadlift bar has a bare steel finish and an aggressive knurling for a desirable grip, that doesn't suffer from any coating being applied.
This deadlift bar has 15.5 inch loadable sleeve lengths, which can easily accommodate the 1,500 lb weight capacity.
The biggest difference between this specialty bar, squat bars, deadlifting bars, and other bars, is where the knurling is. Located in the middle of the bar, where the hands are usually placed for a sumo deadlift, this deadlift bar gives much better grip for this exercise than other bars.
Also unlike other power bars, the bar is smooth towards the ends. This means no more bloody shins for this wide stance movement.
Pros
- No more shin scraping
- Great bar flex
- Bare steel finish for a sure grip
Cons
- Made to use for one specific exercise
- Low tensile rating
Thinner, longer, and whippier — the Sumo Deadlift Bar by StrongArm has never-seen-before knurling and caters specifically to sumo deadlift specialists...
6. Best Power Bar For Deadlifts: Lone Star Power Bar
The Lone Star Power Bar is our pick for best power bar.
This is a true Texas deadlift bar, with the company headquartered in Austin. This deadlift bar is made from 4000 series steel and has a 190,000 PSI tensile rating.
The 16.5 inch sleeves gives ample room to load up plates. With a 2,000lb weight rating, this bar is made to move some serious weight. Unlike the Rogue Ohio Power bar, this Texas bar has an extremely bold knurling with minimal pitting in the volcano knurl.
This is a full 28.5mm diameter bar that can do it all when it comes to powerlifting. Bench, squats, or deadlifting, this Texas bar is versatile enough to handle whatever you throw at it.
Measuring at a total length of 86.5 inches, this is more of a multi-use bar rather than a dedicated deadlift bar.
Built with four Oilite bushings, this bar has a steady and smooth spin, that wont distract during an intense lift.
If you're looking for a piece of equipment that can do it all, this is the best bar on our list for it.
Pros
- Multi-use
- IPF spec approved
- High-quality steel
Cons
- Expensive
- Shorter than a bar specifically for deadlifts
Start your own strength training revolution and create your story with the Lone Star Power bar...
5 Best Deadlift Bars Comparison
Below you'll find a chart that highlights some of the similarities and differences between our picks for the top deadlift bars available today.
|
Product Name |
Price ($-$$$) |
Dimensions |
Warranty |
Weight Capacity |
Features |
Average |
|
$$ |
Shaft Diameter - 28.5mm Overall Length - 90.5in |
1 Year |
2000lb |
High tensile strength Cerakote shaft |
N/A
|
|
|
$$ |
Shaft Diameter - 27mm Overall Length - 90.9in |
Limited Lifetime Warranty |
1500lb |
Chromium alloy shaft High bar flex |
4.6 / 5 80 Reviews |
|
|
$ |
Shaft Diameter - 27mm Overall Length - 90.5in |
3 Year |
1200lbs |
High bar flex Etched sleeves |
4.6 / 5 55 Reviews |
|
|
Sumo Deadlift Bar By Strongarm
|
$$ |
Shaft Diameter - 27mm Overall Length - 90.9in |
Limited Lifetime Warranty |
1500lb |
Center knurling for better grip High bar flex |
4.9 / 5 40 Reviews |
|
|
$$$ |
Shaft Diameter - 28.5mm Overall Length - 86.5” |
Lifetime Warranty against Manufacturer's Defects |
2000lb |
Aggressive alligator knurling
|
4.3 / 5 9 Reviews |
BENEFITS OF DEADLIFT BARS
Now you may be asking yourself, why would I buy a deadlift bar vs a regular straight bar or trap bar? There are several benefits that a specific deadlift bar has over a normal power bar.
1. Thinner Shaft
Deadlift bars have a thinner shaft which means a couple of things. First, it is easier to get your hands around the bar for a more secure grip, which if you don't know already, is a huge part being able to pull more weight. Second, the bar has more flex to it.
As mentioned earlier in the article, more flex in the bar can translate to higher weight pulls. The initial few inches of movement being just in the bar helps create a progressive weight movement, from the middle of the deadlift bar to the outside.
Not pulling the full load from the start puts you in a more optimal position and can give you that little extra edge you need to move some serious poundage.
2. Longer Length
Another advantage of using a deadlift bar vs regular powerlifting bars is the overall length of the bar. This includes more space between the sleeves which plays into the flex in the bar along with its tensile rating which we will get to in a second. The farther the weight is from the center, the stronger your body position will be when it breaks contact with the ground.
If you watch any competitions where an elephant bar is being used, you are going to see some serious weight being moved. The reason for an elephant bar being used is that is about 9 feet long, and that means the weight is farther from the center as mentioned above.
Tensile strength is in simple terms, how much weight (or tension) the bar can hold without breaking. The higher the tensile number, the stiffer the bar is going to be. That's why you will see standard power bars with a higher number than deadlift bars. The lower the number, the more flex and ultimately more whip the bar will have.
3. Extra Whip
Whip is a term thrown around a lot when it comes to talk about deadlift bars. For simplicity, whip is the ability of the bar to bend and store elastic energy. Advanced deadlifters will be able to use the whip to their advantage by timing the snap with their pull.
The "whippier" the bar is, the more it will flex and working in combination with the longer shaft will keep the weight on the ground for longer. As mentioned before, this puts you in a stronger and more advantageous position to pull serious weight.
4. Strategic Knurling Placement
A big factor in the grip of a deadlift bar is the knurling, or that textured part on the bar. In general, a deadlift barbell will have a pretty aggressive or more pronounced knurling, to help keep a solid grip on the bar, even without the use of chalk or straps.
WHAT TO CONSIDER WHEN BUYING A DEADLIFT BAR:
Not all deadlift bars are created equal and the deadlift bar market is filled with options. Knowing specifics of what you are looking for will help narrow down your search for your first deadlift bar.
1. Materials
Deadlift bars are going to be made with some sort of steel. Whether it matters to you if it is a specific 4000 series steel or not is a personal preference. What it is made of also can effect the deadlift bar weight.
2. Tensile Strength
Finding the right number in this category is going to come down to what feels the best for you. As a deadlift bar the tensile strength should not be as high as a regular power bar otherwise you will not get any bend in the bar at all and there isn't a point in getting a specialty deadlift bar. If you are planning on moving some serious weight, you probably aren't going to want something with a low tensile rating since the deadlift bar will not be able to handle it without breaking or permanently bending.
3. Weight Capacity
For the most part, the average gym-goer will not come close to the numbers on our recommended deadlift bars. That being said, there are also people who will be moving some serious weight and want assurances that the bar is going to hold up under whatever stress is put on it.
4. Whip
To get technical, whip is the difference between yield strength (amount of weight it takes to permanently bend the bar) and tensile strength. The bigger the difference, the higher the whip.
Figuring out what your lifting goals are should clue you in on how much whip you want. If you are using the bar specifically for deadlifts, then a high whip bar may be exactly what you are looking for. If you are planning on using the deadlift bar for other lifts too, something with low whip might fight your needs better.
5. Knurling
Knurling may seem like a visual choice over a functional one, but that is not the case at all. Knurling plays a very important part in grip and therefore overall functionality of the bar. In general, deadlift bars have an aggressive knurl for a surer grip, which leads to more weight being able to be lifted without the use of chalk, straps, or hooks.
Placement of knurling also differs on a deadlift bar vs a standard power bar. A deadlift bar will usually have a single knurl mark and not have a center knurl. As opposed to a deadlift bar that is specifically for sumo deadlifts, which only has knurling in the center which will ultimately save your shins from getting bloodied up.
There are three common types on knurling on a deadlift bar: hill, mountain, and volcano.
- Hill knurling: The most passive of the three, with shallow and rounded diamond pattern. This is the least desirable knurling on a deadlift bar since it gives almost no help grip-wise.
- Mountain knurling: The polar opposite of a hill knurling, and are deeper and sharper. The diamond pattern comes to an aggressive point and will be uncomfortable to use without properly built up callouses your hands. Those uninitiated can even draw blood from using a bar with this knurling.
- Volcano knurling: The same deep grooves of a mountain knurling but without the sharp peak. Like it's namesake, the individual diamonds have the tops flattened and left with a concave spot where the peak was. This is probably the most widely used knurling and can be found on the most of the well-known deadlift bars like the Rogue Ohio deadlift bar and Oklahoma deadlift bar.
6. Finish
The finish of your deadlift bar goes beyond just how it looks. It can affect the whole functionality of the bar, from a grip perspective to maintenance. Shaft finishes can come in a whole host of varieties. We'll touch on the most common choices and the pluses and minuses that come with them.
- Bare steel: As you can infer from the name, this bar does not have any type of finish on it. The lack of coating gives what most would say is the best grip of any bar. The downside of this lack of finish means that at some point it is most likely going to rust and need maintenance to keep it looking its best. That's why we'd rather have a finish on it rather than a bare steel version.
- Black Oxide: Black oxide finishes provide a good-looking black color with below average corrosion resistance. This finish starts off looking great, but will deteriorate with use over time. This is another finish that will require maintenance, but it gives close to the same grip as bare steel with the added benefit of some corrosion protection.
- Hard Chrome: A hard chrome finish is applied with an electroplating process. This finish is a common sight in gyms around the world, with its shiny appearance. Chrome is naturally resistant to rust, but this finish also takes a lot away from your grip, so for a deadlift bar it might not be the best option unless there is a vicious knurling on it.
- Black Zinc: Black zinc looks similar to black oxide but with the benefit of better corrosion protection. It is possible for the finish to come off over time with use, but if this bar is for your personal use, you probably wont have to worry about that. Maintenance on this bar is pretty low, and like the hard chrome, a deeper knurling might help combat the effect the coating has on the grip.
- E-coat: An Electrocoat finish is exactly what it sounds like it would be, an electrically applied coating. Usually used in the auto industry, this finish is picking up steam due to it being more environmentally friendly than some of the other options available.
- Cerakote: This is a ceramic based coating that was originally made for firearms. The abrasion and corrosion resistance make it a great choice for any equipment that is going to be used roughly. Applied in a super thin layer, this finish wont affect the feeling of the knurling.
- Stainless Steel: The crème de la crème. This isn't actually a finish, but a steel alloy with chromium inside of it. No finish means that there isn't anything to wear off, and a similar grip to a bare steel bar. The biggest downside is the price point. These bars will end up costing more due to high price of production.
7. Price
Prices of a deadlift bar can have a wide range of prices for a multitude of reasons. From being a more widely known name, (the Rogue Ohio Deadlift bar, Okie Deadlift bar, Kabuki PR deadlift bar, Texas Deadlift bar all come to mind) or not just being a specific bar for deadlifting (Hex bar, Rogue Ohio Power bar, or power bars in general).
Knowing how much you are willing to spend on a bar that possibly only has one function in the gym is going to steer your buying choice.
If money is no issue, you may be looking at the highest price tags as an indication of premium bars, but that is not always the case. Making sure to look at the factors above can give you a better idea if the product justifies the cost.
8. Warranty
This aspect is huge! If the price between a couple bars is close, along with the other metrics, looking at the warranty is a good way to tip the scales. If a bar is only covered for 30 days vs a lifetime warranty, that is pretty much a no-brainer.
9. Reviews
Another great way to determine what bar could be right for you is through product reviews. Check out multiple sources, as well as multiple reviews. Someone may have given the bar a bad review because of an aspect they don't like but in turn this may be a feature that you are actually looking for in a bar.
Doing research on the company as a whole can also give you valuable information. Finding out how well a brand takes care of complaints, exchanges, or returns is also valuable information that could save you a headache in the future.
DEADLIFT BAR FAQ
What Bar is Best For Deadlift?
We recommend the Titan Series Deadlift Bar as our top choice that balances value and function. We also recommend the Deadlift Bar By Strongarm as a close second.
Is A Deadlift Bar Worth It?
If you are serious about improving your deadlifts, then a deadlift bar is absolutely worth it. Using a regular deadlift bar vs a normal power bar is going to feel very different, in a good way. The added length and flex of the bar will put you in a more advantageous body position to actually move the weight.
Is A Thicker Bar Better For Deadlift?
A thicker bar is not better when it comes to deadlifts. The thinner bar allows for a more sure grip as well as more flex and whip to the bar, which are two factors that are extremely important when it comes to deadlifting.
How Much Is A Deadlift Bar?
Prices have a wide range, but for the best deadlift bars, you can expect to pay between $275 and $500.
How Much Does A Deadlift Bar Weigh?
Deadlift bars usually have a similar weight to most straight bars which is 45lb (20kg).
Is A Deadlift Bar Easier To Lift With?
A deadlift bar shifts where the weight is on the bar. The farther from center the weight is, the "easier" it will feel to lift it. The flex in the bar also puts you in a stronger position when the weight actually breaks contact with the floor.
So it isn't exactly "easy", but you are in a better position biomechanically to move the weight.
SUMMARY
Our list of the best deadlift bars covers five of the best options on the market. Whether you are looking for an alternative to a Rogue Ohio bar, or want to explore your options for a hex bar, we've given you a lot of choices to look at.
There is more than meets the eye when it comes to selecting a deadlift bar, but with the information we've provided in this article, along with five great choices in bars, you're closer to making the right choice for you.
Now that you're an expert in picking out a deadlift bar, it's time to start pulling some weight.
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Tyler DiGiovanni
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