Rogue LB-1 Log bar vs Westside power bar

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

Review and Overview of the Rogue Westside Power bar

This overview of the Westside 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 345$

Overview of the westside power bar

The Westside bar has been developed together with Louie Simmons which is not too far from his own gym. The Westside barbell training facility is world famous for continuously producing some of the strongest powerlifters in the US and on an international level. The Westside method is a staple for strength coaches. The method is especially well tailored to lifters who compete with bench press shirts and squat and deadlifting suits.

The westside barbell weighs in at 45lb with a diameter of 29mm. It can withstand 205K PSI tensile strength and connects the sleeves to the shaft via bushing. Rogue offers a black zinc finish on shaft and coating. The knurling is powerlifting and the bar has no whip. The loadable sleeve length is 16.25. There is no 20kg version available.

The westside barbell was part of one of the earliest pushes of Rogue to diversify their portfolio away from their Ohio bar and Bella bar. So far, the westside bar has not gotten a Cerakote facelift. This might be planned in the near future. The westside barbell is a good alternative to the Ohio power bar or Thor power bar. Keep in mind that this is a powerlifting speciality bar. If you are mainly focused on weightlifting have a look at the Pyrros bar & training bar. If you own a CrossFit gym stock up on all-purpose barbells like the Ohio and Bella bar first before you branch in special bars like westside bar.

Westside bar pros

When you are looking for a very stiff bar with a less aggressive knurl this is the bar to go for. You get 205K of tensile strength with standard knurling. The fact that Louie Simmons gave it his approval also points in the direction that this is the right bar for powerlifters who vary their grip often. This is a crucial component of the westside method. There are a few reviews out there which prefer the West Side barbell to the Ohio power bar, even though it comes in at a higher price.

Westside bar cons

The black zinc finish is more open to corrosion than other finishes from Rogue. It is also a powerlifting specific bar and you might also have to buy an Ohio deadlift bar to complete the set. Depending on your need the Matt Chan bar retails at just a slightly higher price, has the same tensile strength and has a better whip. It all depends on your goals. If you want to do more than powerlifting this bar is not ideal. If your main focus is the big three go for this one.

Conclusion

The westside bar is a great option when you are mainly focused on powerlifting and want to do the three big lifts. It is a bit more upmarket than the Ohio power bar and less expensive than the Rogue Ohio deadlift bar.

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

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.