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TITAN Multi grip Camber bar vs Rogue westside bar [Article, Video]

Written by Pascal Landshoeft | Jun 20, 2020 4:00:00 PM

TITAN Multi grip Camber bar vs Rogue westside bar [Article, Video]

This is a comparison of the Multi grip camber bar and the Rogue Westside bar. 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$
 

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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 TITAN Multi-grip Camber bar

The Titan multi grip camber bar will put you back about $150. TITAN is well known for their very good prices compared to their competition and will get you started on your home gym. This review was originally posted in “which barbell to get from TITAN”.

 

Overview of the TITAN Multi-grip Camber bar

 
A camber bar is a great option to bring your bench press to the next level. It is especially interesting when you have been training for years and have wrist pain or if you want to follow the west side method. The camber bar will enable you to use different variations of hand positioning easily on the bench press to let you work the chest muscles from different angles. This technique is often used by experienced powerlifters and strongman to either push through plateaus or to make sure that they can tackle the same weight from various leverage points. The features and specifics of the TITAN Camber bar are:
 
Camber bar details:
  • 2" Camber for greater range of motion
  • Multiple grips points to target different muscle groups
  • Knurling for a secure grip
  • black powder coat
  • Fits Olympic weight plates
  • Overall Width: 82"
  • Sleeve to Sleeve: 54"
  • Sleeve Length: 13.75"
  • Sleeve Diameter: 49.55 mm | 1.95"
  • Grip Width's: 10" / 20" / 28.5"
  • Grip Diameter: 1.25"
  • Weight: 47 LB
This is a good addition to the existing barbell line up in a commercial gym or as a additional bar for the experienced lifter at home.
 

Pros of the Multi-grip camber bar

 
This is a good tool to throw something new at your constant gym class members in your commercial gym. Experienced lifters might appreciate giving their shoulders a break from the straight bar bench press which can be taxing on the shoulder joints, especially at very high weights. Strongman competitors will see the benefit of variety in grip set up to be prepared for unforeseen bench press variations in competition. 
 

Cons of the Multi-grip camber bar

 
The camber bar is probably not the best idea for beginners as they are confused enough to find the right setup for themselves on a straight barbell. Knuckle down on this one first. The benefits will also be marginal for beginners who are just starting out and can also be achieved with EZ bars and other equipment which is readily available in most commercial gyms. As with the Safety and log bar, the camber bar needs a lot of welds to be finished. Unfortunately, this is an area where TITAN has been reported more than once to be behind the competition when it comes to the finish of their product. Your equipment will still be functional, but more prone to wear and tear and look less aesthetically pleasing. 
 

Alternatives to the Multi-grip camber bar

 
 
If you want to mix things up a little for the bench press you can also use a log bar. This will make the weight feel different and also put less strain on the wrists than a straight bar. 
 
The Bison bar has a slight curve but is still very similar to a straight bar. This bar can be used for squats and bench presses to put less stress on the wrists or the back. 
 
The Rogue Multi-grip bar is a higher-priced alternative to the multi-grip camber bar from TITAN. Ordering from Rogue makes it less likely that the welds and finish will be of inferior quality, but you will pay a price for this security. This is based on averages, you can still be lucky or unlucky with your purchase from either vendor.
 

Summary for the multi-grip camber bar

 
A nice gift for a special occasion or someone who already has a gym. A great addition for a commercial gym to differentiate themselves from the rest of the pack. Not necessarily your first buy. 
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