Rogue LB-2 bar vs Rogue Multi grip bar

This is a comparison of the Rogue LB-2 Log bar and the Rogue Multi grip 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 Multi Grip Bar

This overview of the Rogue multi-grip 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: 245$/275$

Overview of the Rogue Multi Grip bar

The Rogue multi-grip bar is a great tool for anyone who wants to break through their bench press plateaus. The handles are spaced out at different intervals to enable variations on the bench press. This will help to attack your muscles from different angles while being easy on the wrists. This training can also be done with an ordinary barbell but this will put more stress on your ligaments and joints.

The Multi-grip bar weighs around 40LB depending on the configuration. Together with the camber bar and safety bar it is part of Rogue's speciality bar line up. The multi-grip bar is available in three configurations. The MG1 has only straight handles, the MG2 only tilted handles and the MG3 has a mix of both.

The handles are knurled. The sleeves come in at 1.91 diameter which means that your Olympic plates will fit. As with any speciality, bar pays special attention to the welding. You can rest assured that Rogue will do a proper job. If you get a low price alternative it might not fit the plates and collars which are standard or break just at the wrong moment.

Pros of the Multi-grip bar

The multi-grip bar is a great tool to mix things up and build a stronger bench press. It will also help your athletes to give their wrists and shoulders a break while still going heavy on bench presses. The different angles also avoid that you have to get a whole set of dumbbells for your home gym to attack your chest from different angles.

Cons of the multi-grip bar

Not a lot of people will use it and it takes up a lot of space. Unless you are sure that you or your members will take bench pressing serious think twice before getting the multi-grip bar. You might want to get some dumbbells instead if you have space.

Conclusion

The Rogue Multi Grip bar is a great addition to your arsenal especially when you like training westside. You have many grip variations to train the bench press from multiple angles in one or several sessions.

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.