Rogue LB-2 bar vs Pyrros bar

This is a comparison of the Rogue LB-2 Log bar and the Pyrros 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 Rogue Pyrros bar

This overview of the Rogue Pyrros 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: 595$

Overview of the Pyrros bar

The rogue Pyrros bar was designed by Rogue in cooperation with Pyrros Dymas. Pyrros Dymas is one of the greatest legends in weightlifting. He won three gold medals in 1992, 1996 and at the 2000 Olympic games. He now works in the US as a trainer.

The Pyrros bar weighs 20kg, resists 200K Tensile strength and comes with a Diameter of 28mm. The sleeves spin via bearing which makes it a barbell which is ideal for weightlifting. Due to Pyrros specifications, the lubricant and knurling have been further optimised for weightlifters.

The shaft is made of stainless steel while the sleeves are made of Chrome. The loadable sleeve length is 16.30. There is no 15kg version of the Pyrros bar. Rogue might want to consider a Christine Girard version for gender balance and to appeal to their Canadian clients.

Pros of the Pyrros bar

The Pyrros bar is made of the best material available and built to the highest specifications. If your weightlifting team wants to connect with one of the greatest of all time this is the bar to go for. You will get the perfect spin, grip and material deserving of a champion. Do not underestimate the psychological effect this can have for your athletes especially in the last few weeks before the competition. Connecting with the greatest helps visualisation and might give the deciding edge in competition.

This bar is the crown jewel addition to any gym that is focused on weightlifting. Get it to make your athletes or members feel special when you have competitions or test their one repetition maximum.

Cons of the Pyrros bar

The most obvious reason against it is the price tag. At 595$ it is almost twice as expensive as the Ohio bar. If you have to equip a military facility, university gym or commercial gym it is not really an option unless you are flush with cash. For powerlifting gyms, it also might not be the best choice as it has been optimised for overhead lifts, not for deadlifts and bench presses. If you want a bar for your powerlifting gym which has great whip you might be better off going for the Ohio deadlift bar.

Conclusion

The Rogue Pyrros bar is a fine tuned tool for champions by a champion. Have one in your weightlifting gym to invoke inspirational goals in your athletes. Have little games to earn the right to train with it. Treat it with respect and be happy that the Olympic spirit is still alive and well.

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

Overview and review of the LB-2 bar

This is an overview of the Rogue LB-2 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-2 log bar

Price $345

The LB-2 log bar is the smallest of the three log bars which Rogue has on offer. This makes it a good fit for smaller athletes and junior or anyone who is on rehab from an injury. It makes it also more accessible to a bigger group of people to introduce them to strongman training compared to the massive LB-3. The LB-2 weighs 51lb and can be loaded with plates. Take that this bar has smaller sleeves in diameter than a standard barbell. The full specifications are:

Weight: 51LB
Length: 70.8"
Diameter: 8"
Steel Notes: Laser Cut 0.125” Thick Steel
Fully welded end & internal plates
Solid 3/8" round bar protection on openings
Neutral Grip Handles: 23.5" on center
Laser-cut Rogue logo!

This is a great beginner log bar or something to get for everyone in your local gym as it is easier to handle.

Pros of the LB-2 log bar

The biggest pros of the LB-2 log bar are:

Price
Size
Finish

The LB-2 log bar is the cheapest of the Log bars available from Rogue and also the smallest. If you want your commercial gym to go into strongman training, this is where to start. If you only have massive 240-pound giants at your gym, this might be too small. For this price, you get a well made log bar that will hold up when you beat it into the ground.

Cons of the LB-2 log bar

The cons of the LB-2 log bar are:

Size
Storage
Fitting to plates

This log bar is the smallest log bar Rogue has, but is still hard to store compared to a regular barbell. It will not fit onto a regular bar rack. Working with J cups will also be a challenge. So mostly, it will lay on the ground or stand in a corner. If you have a home gym with kids around, definitely store it in the ground. It also does not fit great with standard plate sizes. This is what you get with all log bars, but has to be considered if for the same price you can get a safety bar from Rogue.

Alternatives to the LB-2 log bar

Alternatives to the LB-2 log bar are:

The Rogue strongman bag is a cheaper option to simulate strongman training. You can get versions ranging from 100lb to 400lb when filled with play sand. They are also easier to store as they can be emptied when not used. It is not the same experience as a log bar, but if you are limited for space and budget, this might be a better start to a strongman class. Also, if you have to buy and store in bulk, this is a more feasible option.

If you are a strongman/strongwoman meaning business, then the LB-2 is probably not for you. The weights you will face in the competition will have a bigger diameter and will be harder to handle than an LB-2. Therefore it might be best to go with the LB-3 as this comes closest to the real-life competition.

Home gym enthusiasts who want to strengthen their posterior chain might also want to look into the Rogue safety bar as an alternative. If your squat is what you are mainly concerned about, this is a better option to get to train your lower back when you have problems from too much barbell training.

Conclusion for the LB-2 log bar

The LB-2 log bar is a lot more palatable for the masses out there than the LB-3 or LB-1. Even though it is the smallest log bar in the line-up, it still provides the challenge of a weight that behaves very differently from a classic barbell. This is therefore the better option, f you only occasionally do strongman training or want to provide an interesting challenge to your clients with a new toy.