Rogue Ohio Power Bar – KG Edition – Black Zinc

Rogue Ohio Power Bar – KG Edition – Black Zinc

The Rogue Ohio Power Bar is one of the most popular power bars on the market. They offer the bar in multiple finishes as well as in pounds or kilograms. This is the black zinc KG version, which offers one unique feature over the pound version.

Read more below.

Features & Highlights

• Black Zinc – Black Zinc is a cost efficient plating that does a fair job at fighting off rust. You won’t get the same feel as you would with a non-plated finish like bare steel, stainless steel, etc… but you get a good blend of feel and rust resistance without the larger price tag. 
• Aggressive”ish” Knurling – The knurling on the OPB strikes a nice balance with a deep volcano pattern, making it a great all-around power bar. You won’t get the same bite that you would with something more mountainous, but this bar is considered by many to offer one of the best knurlings out there.
• 29mm Shaft – The 29mm shaft on the Rogue KG Black Zinc Power Bar makes for a very rigid bar that’s ideal for the big 3 movements. 
• IPF Knurl Marks – This bar offers single powerlifting knurl marks spec’d to IPF requirements.
• Tensile Strength – The Black Zinc KG edition of this bar comes with a 205,000 PSI tensile strength, putting it right in wheelhouse of quality power bars.
• Grooved, Bright Zinc Sleeves – This version of the OPB offers bright zinc sleeves with a grooved pattern. This will help to hold plates on the bar better than a smooth sleeve, but it will also be louder.
• Thin Collars – The unique thing about the KG version of the Ohio Power Bar is that it offers a thinner collar, which provides a longer loadable sleeve length. This bar has a sleeve length of 16.875″ vs. 16.25″ on the LB version. One thing to consider, however, is that this places the plates closer to the rack, which increases the chances of you hitting the rack when racking/unracking.
• Bushings – The bar offers a bronze bushing rotation system, which is very common with a power bar.
• Center Knurl – This bar includes a center knurl in the same knurl pattern as the rest of the bar.
• Strong Warranty – This bar offers a lifetime warranty.
• Made in America – The OPB is made in Columbus, Ohio.

What They’re Saying at Rogue Fitness

The Rogue KG Black Zinc Power Bar receives very positive feedback from users. With a 4.8/5 average rating at roguefitness.com, here are some of the things people have said:

Positive

• “Bought this barbell for slow lifts (squat, deadlift, bench) and the bar is able to take any type of abuse. Knurling is nicely aggressive too: keeps my hands glued to the bar when deadlifting and the bar on my back when squatting. Very little spin which is great to keep wrists composed when benching. Great bar overall, especially for powerlifting!”
• “Pre-pandemic I was a regular at my powerlifting gym. This bar for powerlifters is like driving a new car. I couldn’t ask for anything better from rogue.”
• “This is by far the best bar that I’ve ever purchased.”
• “Bought an Ohio bar then the 20kg Power bar a couple weeks later when it was available. I’m actually glad I got the 20kg because all I have is a bunch of bumper plates so need the sleeve length. Sold the Ohio bar. The Power bar is the one to get. Knurling is really not that bad. Center knurling has made a HUGE difference on squats. Don’t need chalk like you do with the Ohio bar.”
• “Bought this bar for my home gym and it performs very well. Very solid construct with an aggressive but not hand ripping knurl.”

Critical

• “Great bar, but not combined with the Rogue squat stand (Monster lite squat stand). The bar is to small if it’s used with a Rogue squat stand. The plates almost touch the stand while using.”

Garage Gym Lab Review

The Rogue Ohio Power Bar was a winner in the Garage Gym Lab 2022 Best Barbell Awards. You can also read my review of LB black zinc version and the LB Stainless steel version.

Other Options

The below barbells were picked as alternatives to the Rogue KG Edition Black Zinc Ohio Power Bar.