Reviews

Some people say "weight is weight," but I kinda disagree. Sure, the point in all this lifting stuff is to load up weight and lift it repeatedly, and you can certainly get strong regardless... But not all weight is created equal. There are, among others, different sizes, different materials, different bounces, and different weight tolerances. All of these variables have an impact to...

Squats, and bench, and deadlifts, oh my! Whether you're a competitive powerlifter, an aspiring powerlifter, or just someone who wants to build total body strength centered around the main three lifts, having the right equipment is paramount if you want to make real progress. A great way to do that? Build a powerlifting gym at home. The problem that arises for powerlifting-minded people...

Picking a power rack... it's overwhelming, right? There are just a ton of options out there, which I elaborate on in The Ultimate Guide to Building a Powerlifting Home Gym. When I was first in the market for a rack, I did an exhaustive amount of research trying to find the perfect balance between price, performance, and footprint. I got googly-eyed looking at...

This is a review of the black zinc version of this bar. If you'd like to read the review of the stainless steel version, please click here. True of False: The Rogue Ohio Power Bar is the best value power bar currently on the market. While there are some really nice power bars being introduced, some of which provide excellent value,...

Looking for some new competition bumper plates? Don’t want to pay typical competition bumper plate prices? Fringe Sport just may be the answer. Over the last couple of years, particularly the last 12 months or so, Fringe Sport has been introducing some nice products at great prices. From specific-purpose barbells like their weightlifting bar and power bar (reviews here and here) to these...

If you can’t tell, I’m a huge fan of specialty bars. The very first specialty bar I purchased was a football bar so I could give my shoulders a break from straight bar work and so I could also add some variety to my training. There are a lot of good options out there when it comes to picking a football/swiss...

You know that feeling you get when you realize that you just discovered the best ______ (insert thing) you've ever had/used/tasted/etc...? Feels pretty cool, right? For me, I knew: That my wife was the greatest woman I had ever met when she showed up to take me to the airport after a couple days of knowing me with a bag of...

The Fringe Sport Power Bar is a relative newcomer on the power bar scene, but I've got a feeling this bar will be around for a while. Priced below $300, this offering from Fringe Sport represents a nice value when compared to some of the other power bars out there that are more expensive. While you're not going to get some...

As one of the most decorated Olympic weightlifters of all time, Lu Xiaojun needs very little introduction. His success on the platform is well documented, and he's a household name within the sport. Recently, Lu launched a gym equipment company with an international presence. The initial offerings of bars, plates, a squat stand, and other weightlifting-related gear are all available in the...

You've seen it, right? Chris Duffin gnawing away at a competing power bar... Not literally, as in Chris himself, but rather his ever-so-awesome Kabuki Strength power bar. In case you missed it, you can catch the video below, but the cliff notes are a follows: Chris puts the Kabuki power bar on the lathe. Chris turns on the lathe. Chris firmly presses...