Rogue Freedom bar vs Training bar

This is a comparison of the Rogue Freedom bar and the Training bar including pros, cons, and alternatives. Follow the links for more details

Overview and review of the Rogue Training bar

The Rogue Ohio training bar combines the Rogue Oly and Ohio bar to create a low price training bar for Olympic weightlifting with great whip at an affordable price. This article was originally published in "Which Rogue barbell to buy".

Price 295$

Overview

The rogue training bar takes the core of the higher priced Oly bars and combines it with the sleeves and bushings of the Ohio bar. The result is the lowest priced bar with a great whip in the Rogue selection. This is the bar to get for gyms tailored to the needs of beginner Olympic weightlifters. You still get the feel of the whip while optimizing for cost as they likely are going to wreck the bars quicker.

The training bar weighs 20kg and comes with bushing at a 190K PSI tensile strength. The loadable sleeve length is 16.25 and the diameter of the bar is 28mm. The shaft is made of black zinc while the sleeves come in bright zinc. A standard knurl round this bar into a good package for aspiring Olympic lifters.

The training bar is a good cost safer coming in at 200$ less than the high-end Olympic barbells. This is almost two for one for your Olympic weightlifting needs. I would not equip a gym full of Olympians with this, but when you run a reputable gym that is aimed at making soccer moms and middle-aged dads strong, this is the bar to go for.

Pros of the training bar

The biggest pro is the price. You can not beat 295$ in the rogue selection to get a great whip. Even if you are mainly getting all-purpose barbells you can throw in one or two of these to keep your Oly fans happy.

Cons of the training bar

The training bar has no bearing and only comes in Zinc. Therefore your athletes will train with bars that do not fully represent what happens in competition. This can have an impact on movements like the snatch and clean and jerk which hugely depend on timing and explosiveness. The zinc is one of Rogues poorer coatings in terms of corrosion. Be prepared that you have to replace these bars more often if your gym goes for a very neat and tidy look.

Learn more about the specs of the Rogue Training bar and purchase on the Rogue website

Overview and review of the Rogue Freedom bar

This overview of the Rogue freedom 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 395$

Overview of the Rogue Freedom bar

The rogue freedom bar is a special version of the Ohio bar which bears the American red white and blue. It weighs in at 20kg and has a diameter of 28.5mm. The sleeves are made of chrome and are connected via bushing to the shaft. The shaft coating is cerakote and the loadable sleeve length comes in at 16.40.

There is no centre knurl and it withstands 190K PSI tensile strength with a good whip. The knurling is less aggressive than with powerlifting and weightlifting bars.

Pros of the rogue freedom bar

The freedom bar is based on the workhorse Ohio bar, one of the bars which Rogue produces for the longest time. You can rest assured that Rogue knows what they are doing when handling the shaft for this one. The cerakote finish is a new addition to the Rogue portfolio which has been adapted from the weapons industry. This enables better protection against corrosion while providing nicer finishes.

If you are patriotic and want to show some colour, this is the bar to go for. It is one of the most intricate designs I have seen on a barbell so far. The technology used for this barbell is also the basis for the custom barbells which rogue recently added to their portfolio.

The pricing is also moving closer to the 295$ mid-range Ohio bar, which makes this a good bar for home gyms, small groups or as a replacement for one the retired barbells in your gym.

Cons of the rogue freedom bar

If you do not like the design, there is no point in getting this barbell. Especially for commercial uses, you have to consider whether a more neutral design might be the better choice for you. While Cerakote is great against corrosion it is less able to take a beating from plates and banging of other metals. The chrome sleeves will be fine, but take care to avoid banging of the shaft of other things.

Conclusion

If you want to show that you are proud to be American this is the bar for you. It builds on a solid base from years of experience from the Rogue Ohio bar and adds the necessary red, white and blue beautifully.

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