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TITAN Blues City power bar vs Rogue Ohio deadlift bar [Article, Video]

Posted by Pascal Landshoeft

May 2, 2020 9:00:00 AM

TITAN Blues City power bar vs Rogue Ohio deadlift bar [Article, Video]

This is a comparison between the TITAN Blues city power bar and the Rogue Ohio deadlift bar. Follow the links for more detail.

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Overview and review of the Rogue Ohio deadlift bar

This overview of the  Ohio deadlift 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: 355$
 

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Overview of the deadlift barbell

 
The Ohio deadlift bar has been specially designed for deadlifting. With a diameter of 27mm and 190K PSI tensile strength, it bends more than the Ohio bar. This great whip helps powerlifters to deadlift from a more advantageous position. The bar weighs 20kg and the sleeves spin via bushing rather than bearing.
 
The knurling on this barbell has been made extra aggressive to minimise chalk need or maximize the grip strength when chalk is applied. The loadable sleeve length is 15.50. There is one version in zinc and another with raw steel available. 
 
Overall, this bar gets very good reviews for the purpose of deadlifting. Be aware that when you purchase this bar, it is specially built for deadlifting. It is a great addition to your arsenal when the basic needs are covered. For your first purchase, you might want to look at the Ohio bar, Ohio power bar, freedom bar or chan bar before moving to this piece of equipment.
 

Pros of the Ohio deadlift bar

 
The Ohio deadlift bar is special as it is one of the few cheaper bars from Rogue with a great whip. The only other bar which has this is the training bar. This makes it a great tool for anyone who wants to squeeze out the last couple of pounds on the deadlift. The whip is mostly received in a positive way.
 

Cons of the Ohio deadlift bar

A widespread comment on the deadlift bar is that the knurling is too aggressive. I personally can't see how a professional powerlifter would make this comment, however, they are out there. It is also a barbell which has been build for one purpose only. If you are starting out your home gym or want to appeal to the masses this is not the bar to go for. 
 

Conclusion

The Ohio deadlift bar is a great option as an addition to the existing barbells of a CrossFit gym or as some of the first equipment to buy for a powerlifting gym. You will get a good piece of steel that bends to make the range of motion just that little bit shorter on the deadlift to establish a new PR.

 
 

 

Overview and review of the Blues City power bar

The Blues City Power bar will put you back about $300. TITAN is well known for their very good prices compared to their competition and will get you started on your home gym. This review was originally posted in “which barbell to get from TITAN”.

Overview of the Blues City power bar 

 
The blues city power bar is especially geared towards powerlifters and their needs. This is achieved by less whip in the bar, higher PSI strength, and more aggressive knurling. This provides better grip and less movement in the bar which can get challenging especially on very heavy squats and bench presses. There is a case to be made that whip actually helps the deadlift as it shortens the distance the weight has to be pulled especially for sumo deadlifts. The TITAN power barbell comes in black. The features and specifications of this barbell are: 
 
Barbell details 
  • Made In The USA with 100% US sourced materials.
  • Center knurling.
  • Oxide shaft to prevent corrosion and abrasions.
  • Power Lifting knurl marks with aggressive knurling.
  • Zinc sleeves with Bronze Bushings for consistent spins.
  • High tensile strength.
  • Provides little to no whip.
  • Weight: 20kg
  • Overall Length: 86.25”
  • Shaft Grip Diameter: 28.5mm
  • Overall Outside Knurling Width: 17”
  • Center Knurling Width: 5”
  • Tensile Strength: 200,000 PSI
  • Loadable Sleeve Length: 16.125 per sleeve
  • Shaft Length: 51.5”
  • Shaft Color: Black Oxide
  • Sleeve Material: Zinc
  • Bushings/Bearings: Bronze Bushings
  • Knurl Type: Aggressive Knurling
 
A good option for powerlifters who want something special at a reasonable price. 
 

Pros of the power bar 

 
This bar comes with center knurling, aggressive knurling, and stiff steel. It will hold chalk better than other TITAN models and therefore give the little edge for your powerlifting. Compared to the market it also comes at a reasonable price. 
 

Cons of the power bar 

 
If you want to use it for multiple people who are not that dedicated to training, they might complain that this bar is too aggressive on their hands. Experienced weightlifters will prefer a bar with whip to use the momentum to get more weight over their heads. 
 

Alternatives to the TITAN power bar 

 
You can have a look at the following alternatives to the TITAN power bar: 
 
Alternatives to the TITAN Blues City are 
 
 
The Titan Atlas bar is a great option from TITAN to save money when you buy in bulk while still providing great service to your clients. The Atlas bar is the all-around workhorse out of the TITAN portfolio. 
 
The Rogue Pyrros bar has been co-designed by Rogue and three-time Olympic weightlifting champion Pyrros Dimas. It has recently been approved by the IWF to be used at official competitions. 
 
The Rogue Ohio power bar is the powerlifting adaptation of the Rogue Ohio bar. This barbell has recently been approved by the IPF to be officially used in their competitions.
 

Summary for the TITAN power bar 

 
This is a good budget option for the ambitious home powerlifter on a budget. If you are buying multiples you might want to go to the Atlas bar. If you are planning a professional competition look into the Rogue and Eleiko portfolio to use approved barbells. 

Topics: TITAN