Duffalo bar vs Rogue Thor bar
This is a comparison of the Duffalo bar and the Rogue Thor bar including pros, cons, and alternatives. Follow the links for more details
Overview & Review of the Rogue Thor power bar
This overview of the Rogue Thor 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: 450$
What else to consider from Rogue
Overview of the Thor bar
The diameter of this barbell is 29mm. The shaft withstands 205K of tensile strength and has no whip. The knurling is very aggressive to suit the needs of powerlifters. The loadable sleeve length is either 16.25 or 16.88 depending on which version of the Thor bar you will get. The sleeve coating is available in Cerakote or Chrome.
Pros of the Thor bar
The design is innovative and you get a strong powerlifting bar which connects you to one of the greatest strongmen of our time when you train. Especially if you own a home gym and want to give it the extra special touch, this can be a good choice. No whip is a great option for bench presses and squats. You want as little whip as possible on these two movements.
Cons of the Thor bar
As with all the new
Rogue bars you have to like the design. If you are a Brian Shaw fan or want to appeal to the masses in your gym you might be better off getting a
barbell with fewer design features on it. The
Thor power bar is also a focused bar. If you want to keep things flexible you might be better off getting the
Chan or
Ohio bar. The price tag of 450 USD might also be off-putting to some.
Conclusion
The Thor bar is a great addition to the Rogue portfolio which honors one of the great athletes of our time. If you are from Iceland or like Game of Thrones this is a good option. For the budget conscious among you you will also have the option to go for the Rogue Ohio Power bar. This is the same base, but not as nicely finished as the Thor bar.
Overview and review of the duffalo bar
The duffalo bar is probably the best bar in the market with a curve to make it easier on your shoulder and lower back for the bench and squat. Here are the pros and cons.
The duffalo barbell has been designed by renowned strength coach and powerlifter Chris Duffin. The single idea was too reduce strain for lifters on their shoulders and back for the squat and bench press by forcing the into better movement patterns. The duffalo is the best of this kind of barbell currently on the market and Rogue attests to that by not copying the original design but rather letting the manufacturer seeking it on their online shop. The specifications of the duffalo bar are:
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Diameter: 32mm
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Overall Length: 96”
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Heat Treated and Cold Worked Alloy Steel – 195,000 KSI Tensile Strength
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Unloaded Bar Weight: 55 LBS
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Load Capacity: 1,500 LBS
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Three Options: Clear Zinc, Black Oxide, Bright Nickel
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Attachment point included for optional Band & Chain Handle Attachment*
Pros of the duffalo bar
Kabuki strength is a real American dream come true. This is a well-executed piece of engineering that gets the highest marks in most reviews. It has been designed by a pro for pros to protect them from injury and bring up their exercise volume. If you are serious about strength, look into this bar.
Cons of the duffalo bar
The price of the Duffalo bar is relatively high for a specialty barbell. It ranges in the realms of Eleiko and the top-line Rogue barbells. It is a good use piece of equipment but has fewer uses than these options in the gym.
The high specialization makes it almost exclusively interesting to powerlifters and strongman. It is definitely not the first buy for your home gym. Members of commercial gyms might even feel a little intimidated by this massive piece of steel.
Keep in mind that this bar will help to build volume in your training while doing less damage to yo ur body. You will still need to practice on a straight bar in your cycle to perform on stage.
Alternatives to the Duffalo bar
The camber bar has no curvage and places the weight for the squat closer to the center of your body. It also has a tendency to make the plates swing. If you want more activation in your squats this is a good bar but it is not for bench pressing like the duffalo bar.
The safety bar is the classic bar to have less strain on the spine for heavy lifting. The Duffalo bar is basically a combination of the ideas of safety and Olympic barbell. Compared to the duffalo bar you will save money. This is the better bar for a commercial gym. As an am I Tinnef home gym owner I would still go for the duffalo bar.
The earthquake bar is partly made of bamboo and okays with the idea of weights which shake uncontrollably when moved. While it can not take as much weight as the other bars and needs bands and kettlebells to function, this can be an interesting squat variation based on lovers of the west side method.
Summary of the duffalo bar
The duffalo bar is a very interesting second purchase of a barbell for very ambitious home gym owners who start to feel the pains of age but still lift very heavy.