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Rogue LB-1 Log bar vs Squat bar

Written by Pascal Landshoeft | Sep 25, 2020 4:00:00 PM

Rogue LB-1 Log bar vs Squat bar

This is a comparison of the Rogue LB-1 Log bar and the squat bar including pros, cons, and alternatives. It was published first under which rogue specialty bar to get. Follow the links for more details.

Overview and review of the squat bar

The Rogue squat bar is a 32mm long sleeved version of Rogue bars to maximize what you can squat. Here are the pros and cons.

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The Rogue squat bar is a special design that focuses on squatting at $445. The main differences to regular bars are
 
  • Bigger circumference 32mm
  • Longer shaft 
  • Fully knurled 
  • Longer sleeves 
 
This makes it a bar that is aimed at big, heavy squatters. It could also be interesting for some deadlift experiments as the elephant bar from the Arnold has not gone into mass production yet. The specifications of the bar are: 
 
  • Made in the USA
  • Weight: 25 KG
  • Diameter: 32mm
  • Stainless Steel Shaft - 200,000 PSI
  • Aggressive Knurl Pattern along full length of shaft + powerlifting and center knurl marks
  • Bar Length: 94.488
  • Distance Between Sleeves: 56"
  • Loadable Sleeve Length: 16.795"
  • Chrome Sleeves
  • Bronze Bushings
 

Pros of the squat bar 

 
The pros of the squat bar compared to other bars are in the name. The design features are inbuilt to maximize big squats. 
 
  • Longer sleeves 
  • Longer shaft
  • Full knurling 
  • 32mm 
 
Longer sleeves will enable you to put more weight on the bar with rubber or steel plates.  If you see Ray Williams squatting you can get an idea of why he might run out of space on the sleeves. 
 
32mm stainless steel will keep the whip at bay. While you want whip in an Olympic barbell to make use of momentum to get the bar overhead, it is not a desirable feature in a squat bar. You want to minimize 1000 pounds taking a life on their own on your back. 
 
The full knurling will provide more grip to your back. There are other bars out there with center knurls which does almost the same thing for you. 
 
The longer shaft will make it less like for you to bump into the rack when oh are walking out very heavy weights. Depending on your setup this can be annoying. I injured myself twice because of twisting my upper body when walking out of a setup and touching off the j cups. 
 

Cons of the squat bar 

 
The cons of the squat bar are
 
  • No IPF / IWF approval 
  • Space requirements 
  • Limited use 
  • Price 
 
If you are considering the squat bar because you want to break records, keep in mind that it is not approved for the IPF or IWF. You will still earn respect for posting the first 500kg raw squat, which this bar is basically built for, but it won’t count in these federations. 
 
If you are setting up your home gym in a very crammed place, keep in mind that this bar will protrude even further to the sides. If you have already cut it very thing with the distance of your bar to the wall or another rack, the squat bar might just push it over the edge. 
 
The squat bar is mainly limited to squats. As it has bushing and knurling all across the bar it might not be the best option for Olympic lifts, the bench press, and deadlifts. 
 
For the price you are looking at you can get more versatile barbells for your home gym with a cooler design. If you are setting up your home gym the squat bar might not be the go-to option. 
 

Alternatives to the squat bar 

 
Alternatives to the squat bar are 
 
 
The Rogue Chan bar is a good alternative for mere mortals who don’t squat 400kg. It is cheaper than the squat bar, has a poppier design and can also be used for Oly lifts. If I was to spend $400 on a starter barbell for my home gym it would be this one. 
 
The duffalo bar is an interesting bar for people who squat 800 pounds plus on a regular basis. This bar has been invented at Kabuki strength which is headed by Chris Duffin. The design is aimed at relieving stress on the shoulder while bench pressing and squatting. This is a very interesting second bar to buy instead of the squat bar, even though it costs $200 more. 
 

Summary for the squat bar 

 
The squat bar is a great bar for someone who actually needs it. This would be people who squat more than 300kg on a regular basis. There are not that many of them around. I personally think for a second barbell in your home gym you are better off going with safety or duffalo bar.vs Squat bar

Overview and review of the LB-1 Log bar

This is an overview of Rogue LB-1 log bar including pros, cons, and alternatives. It was published first under which rogue specialty bar to get. Follow the links for more details.

 
 
 
 

Overview of the LB-1 bar

Price:$465

 
The LB-1 log bar is the original log bar from Rogue and comes in at a weight of 72lb. This is the mid-range log bar which will cover most needs. The sleeves of this bar are smaller in diameter than a regular barbell, so make sure to get an axle collar to go with this log to secure your plates. The full specifications of this bar are:
 
  • Weight: 72LB
  • 10" diameter laser cut steel tube 1/8" thick
  • Fully welded end & internal plates
  • Solid 0.375" round bar protection on openings
  • Handle Spacing: 26" on center
  • 1.66" diameter neutral grip handles
  • 14" Loadable Sleeve Length
  • Laser-cut Rogue logo!
This is a good tool to get for a man cave as an additional challenge to spice up the barbell routine. 
 

Pros of the LB-1 bar

 
Pros of the LB-1 log bar are:
 
  • Mid-range price
  • Robust craftsmanship
  • Neutral grip
 
This is a great tool to add to your arsenal, if you like strongman training and to lift awkward objects. For presses and rows, it also offers a neutral grip which is easier on the wrists than a straight barbell. Compared to the other log bar models from Rogue the LB-1 is bang in the middle from a price and size perspective. As with most Rogie products, the craftsmanship is great and this will hold up forever. 
 

Cons of the LB-1 bar

 
the cons of the LB-1 bar are:
 
  • Too heavy to appeal to everyone in a commercial gym
  • Other alternatives for neutral grip training available 
  • Not strongman competition dimension
 
With 72lb empty weight the log bar weighs roughly the same as a trap bar, but your leverage to move it is a lot worse. This might make it not the best choice for a commercial gym that wants to add a little fun. The LB-2 might the better option here as it starts at 51lbs and can still be loaded with plates to make it heavier. If a neutral grip is what you are after for rows and presses, you can also consider the different Multi-grip bars from Rogue as an alternative. These are a lot easier to store on the rack than the log bar. Lastly, most logs in strongman competitions are bigger than the LB-1. If you are a big guy, get the proper simulation of the real world and go for the LB-3 instead. 
 

Alternatives to the LB-1 bar

 
Alternatives to the LB-1 are:
 
The LB-2 and LB-3 log bar are the big and small brother of the LB-1. Rogue started with the LB-1 and quickly realized that log bars of different sizes might be a good idea. The result was the LB-2 and LB-3. While the LB-3 is aimed at the biggest of us, the LB-2 is the entry log bar. If you are buying for a commercial gym go with the smaller one to appeal to more people. If you are a monster, go for the LB-3. 
 
The multi-grip rogue bars are another option to consider if you are looking for bar with a neutral grip, but also do not want to make it too complex to work in a rack. The log bars can be quite awkward if you do not lift them from the ground with a pad. If the neutral grip is your main concern you might be better off with getting one of the Rogue-Multi grip bars. 
 
If you are looking into the Rogue log bar to pick up a weight and lift it to the shoulder, then the Rogue strongman bags might be a better option for you. They take up less space, cost less, and get a very similar training result. Of course, they are just a mere simulation of real strongman events, but for mixing up your training they are great.
 

Conclusion for the LB-1 

 
The LB-1 log bar is the right log bar for anyone who has a home gym with enough space and is dedicated too mixing up their training. It is not too small or too big, so if you know your way around lifting, this is the right one to get. If you are considering a log bar for your commercial gym, I personally think you are better off by getting the LB-2. This will appeal to more people as it is easier to handle and still something different and novice. If you are huge and gorilla stong, meaning you already can over head press 100kg, then leave the toys and go directly to the LB-3.
 
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