TITAN Safety Squat Bar vs Rogue Operator bar [Article, Video]

This is a comparison of the TITAN Safety squat bar and the Rogue operator bar. Follow the links for more details.

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$

What else to consider from Rogue

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

Overview and review of the TITAN Safety Squat bar

The Titan Safety squat bar will put you back about $200 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 Safety squat bar

A safety squat bar is a good tool to help with the development of your lower back strength. Strongman like it as a bar to prepare for the squat events in strongman competitions where the weight usually sits a bit lower from the bar based on the contraption they are using. If you want to take your squat to the next öevel and make it easier on your lower back, a safety bar is a good alternative to a straight barbell. Here are the features and specifications for the TITAN safety Squat bar:

Safety squat bar details

Shoulder and arm pads for a comfortable lift
5" drop keeps the weight plates lower for a stabilized center of gravity and better balance
6" hand grips for control when needed.
Extra thick pad comes in one piece to prevent sliding on the bar while squatting.
Capacity: 1500 LB
Weight: 61 LB
Overall length: 90.5”
Handle Spacing: 12.75”
Shoulder Pad Spacing: 8"
Bar Diameter: 1.5”
Loadable Sleeve Length: 16”
Camber Drop: 5”
Handle Angle: 22 Degrees

This is a good edition for dedicated athletes or gyms who want to specialize into tailoring to strongmen.

Pros of the Safety squat bar

It is an extra tool in your belt to get stronger and bring up your lower back strength. It is easier to hold on to bigger weights and less taxing on the back. Some also like it to do good mornings with. TITAN also has a pretty good deal on this compared to the competition in the market.

Cons of the Safety squat bar

The cons of the safety squat bar are its single-purpose use, that it is cumbersome and that you buy it from TITAN. You can only use it for squats, not for bench pressing, Olympic lifting or powerlifting. TITAN is also known to cut corners on welding and finish of their products which is important for safety bars, as they are usually assembled by hand.

Alternatives to the Safety Squat bar

Alternatives to the safety squat bar are:

TITAN Bison bar
Camber bar
TITAN Log bar

The TITAN Bison bar is curved to ease the strain on your back when you are squatting. This bar can also be used for bench presses as well as squats. The downside is that it does not have as big as a capacity and might be a little tight for very big athletes.

The camber bar works with a very similar concept as the safety bar but without the handles in front. This makes the camber usually a little less expensive and a good choice in combination with handles for very deep squats.

The TITAN log bar is a great addition to your setup if you want to go for strongman competitions. For a proper strongman gym, you will want to have a log bar, safety bar, farmer's walk bars and some tires to flip.

Summary for the TITAN Safety bar

The TITAN safety bar is a low-cost Safety bar compared to other options in the market. With the savings, you might even be able to pick up another strongman item. The downside is that the finish might be not up to par.