Deadlift Bar Showdown!

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The winner of this lift comparison is the Okie Crain Deadlift Bar! I can describe this bar in one word, SMOOTH! Maybe it is the lower tensile strength that gives this bar it’s smooth feel. I was able to wedge in and mind the bar with precision. And the timing of pushing the platform away was effortless. When pulling with this bar I feel safe and in control.

• 155,000 PSI Tensile Strength.
• 20 kg./44 lbs. Bar Weight.
• 27 MM Shaft Diameter.
• 7' 7" Long (longest allowable in competition)
• No Bushing or Bearing System. Metal on Metal Sleeve.
• No Center Knurl.
• Deep, Aggressive Knurl.
• Raw Steel Shaft and Sleeves.
• Cost $399.00 (Shipping not including)

In second place is the Texas Deadlift Bar. To be honest I thought the Texas Deadlift Bar would have been closer in comparison. The Texas is just so different, where the Okie is smooth, the Texas is abrupt. I would pull into the tension, minding the bar creating the wedge, take the slack out of the line, push the platform away, and BOOM it was up! So yea! I Love this bar and would pull with it any day. The timing is just not the same as the Okie.

• 190,000 PSI Tensile Strength.
• 20 kg./44 lbs. Bar Weight.
• 27 MM Shaft Diameter.
• 91”
• Bushing
• No Center Knurl.
• Aggressive Knurl.
• Raw Steel Shaft and Sleeves.
• 17.25 Loadable Sleeve
• Cost $319.00 (shipping not included) 

The Strongarm Sport Deadlift bar comes in third. This bar is stiffer in feel and getting my timing was difficult. I will say, if I hadn’t been pulling with multiple bars the timing would not have been as big an issue (I know because I pull with the Strongarm Sumo Bar all the time). The knurling on this bar is my favorite out of all of them. And look at it’s price! $299.00 for a bar of this high quality is unheard of! In my opinion, on cost and quality this bar comes in first!

• Tensile Strength (none given)
• 20 kg./44 lbs. Bar Weight.
• 27 MM Shaft Diameter.
• 90.9” Long
• Bushing
• No Center Knurl.
• Deep, Aggressive Knurl.
• Raw Steel Shaft and Chrome Sleeves.
• Cost $299.00 (shipping included)

Coming in fourth is the Rogue Ohio Deadlift Bar. I’ve had this bar for years and when it was my only deadlift bar I thought it was okay. It feels clunky and stiff. Before I got the Okie I would choose to pull with my Eleiko Comp Bar over the Ohio. That pretty much sums it up. In the Ohio Deadlift Bars defense, I do have clients and athletes that prefer it over all others because of its stiffer feel combined with the 27mm diameter. 

• 190,000 PSI Tensile Strength.
• 20 kg./44 lbs. Bar Weight.
• 27 MM Shaft Diameter.
• 90.5” Long 
• Bushing 
• No Center Knurl.
• Aggressive Knurl.
• Raw Steel Shaft and Sleeves.
• Cost $310.00 (shipping not included)