Overview and review of the Rogue Operator bar

This overview of the Rogue Chan bar was originally published in my comprehensive guide on which Rogue barbell to buy. If you are currently considering to buy a Rogue barbell it is worth a read to get input on the latest models. I update the guide on a yearly basis depending on Rogue's new releases.

Price: 325$

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Most popular Rogue bars in 2020

This is an overview of the most popular Rogue barbells per views and click through rates for Marathon-Crossfit.com in 2020. If you want more details on how the data was collected you can dig deeper in what were the most popular Rogue products in 2020.

This is an overview of the most popular barbells on Marathon-CrossFit.com during 2020. The ranking is as followed:

That the operator bar was so popular on Marathon-CrossFit in 2020 came as a surprise to me. It is one of the cheaper Rogue barbells which still has a cool name rather than being a variation of the Rogue Ohio barbell. If you want to feel a little more camouflaged in your life, go with this one. You can read the full review of the operator bar via this link.

The West side bar is a variation of the Ohio bar specifically for powerlifting. It is very similar to the Rogue Ohio power bar which recently has gotten a little more attention from influencers. This is a solid bar if you do not intend to do the Olympic lifts and stick to the bench press, deadlift, and barbell back squat in your training. You can read the full review of the west side bar via this link.

The Rogue Russian bar is another surprise on the Marathon-CrossFit popularity list. While it is one of the most expensive bars you can get from Rogue I personally find that it is more of a collector's item with nostalgia attached to it. It is a great piece of craftsmanship to recreate a bar from the Soviet era. Unfortunately, the collar system is not used in competition anymore and also tenders the bar useless once you lose one of the collars. Rogue also does not provide an option to buy the custom collars separately in case you do lose them. Based on this I would take the Pyrros bar over the Russian bar any given day for this budget. You can read the full review of the Rogue Russian bar by following this link.

The Rogue Multi-grip bar is a great additional tool to bring your bench press training to the next level. Especially if you are a big fan of the Westside training method as it asks for many grip variations. This bar might not be your first purchase, but fun addition to your gym once all the essentials are covered. You can read the full review of the Rogue Multi-grip bar by following this link.

The Chan bar is my personal favorite if you want to do it all with your barbell. It is reasonably priced, has a cool design, and can be used for Olympic lifts and the big three alike. If you are a CrossFit fan who wants to workout from home, this is a great pick. You can read the full review of the Rogue Chan bar by following this link.

Overview of the Rogue Operator bar

The operator bar is the version of the Ohio bar which is most tailored to the military and military enthusiasts. It uses the Ohio bar as a base and adds different military patterns and colours with a Cerakote finish. The Cerakote finish is widely known in the gun industry and the technology has been ported by Rogue to be used in their barbell finishes.

The operator bar has a good whip and weighs 20kg. The diameter is 28.5mm and the loadable sleeve length is 16.40. The sleeves are attached to shaft by bushing. The operator bar withstands 190K tensile strength and is built for multi-purpose use. The knurling is standard. This is the bar designed by patriots for patriots.

If you have to equip a gym on a military base in the US this is the bar to go for. Your troops will appreciate that you invested the few extra dollars to get a bar with a nice design. Especially when morale is down this is a feasible option to lift spirits a little. Of course, if budgets are tight there are also the Castro bar and Ohio bar to be bought at bulk friendlier prices for the treasury. Also ask Rogue for special pricing as the military has been given special status in Rogues customer care.

For home gym owners or soldiers that return home, this can also form the little touch which makes it special and personal for you.

Pros of the operator bar

The operator bar can fit any military design and blend in with the troops when off duty or at the base. You will get a high-quality piece of equipment in the middle of the budget range of rogue. At the same time, you will still not be seen as cheap, as the Cerakote finish is one of the latest developments in the Rogue portfolio. Of course, if you are a no-nonsense leader, don't make it pretty and go for some of the lower budget options. Whatever is received better by the ones you serve.

Cons of the operator bar

The military theme is not for everyone. If you have a gym that is more frequented by liberal mindsets maybe stay away from this one. There are plenty of other options with more neutral designs to choose from. With the Cerakote finish on the sleeves, it might also be more susceptible to wear and tear than with chrome sleeves.

Conclusion

The Rogue Operator bar is a great option when you are buying for the troops and are not super budget constraint. Watch the space at Rogue for the Cerakote upgrades. There is currently a lot happening with them adopting military grade production processes for metals and coatings. Other options are the Ohio bar or Castro bar.

Learn more about the specs of the Rogue Ohio Operator barbell and purchase on the Rogue website