TITAN Strongman Log bar vs Rogue westside power bar [Article, Video]

This is a comparison between the TITAN Strongman log bar and the Rogue westside power 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$

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 Strongman Log bar

The Titan Strongman Log 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 Strongman log bar

The Strongman log bar is a staple of Strongman Training. The pinnacle of this lifting practice is the Austrian oak competitions at the Arnold. This exercise will challenge your balance and all body strength. The log also loads competition plates, which often can be a problem with these bars. The features and specifications of the log bar are:

TITAN log bar details:

Now fits Competition Plates,
welded end caps
1.65" knurled handles
Neutral hand grips at 26" on center.
Fully welded seams for great fit and finish.
14.25" loadable sleeves
Weight: 75 LB
Overall length: 75.5"
Sleeve diameter: 1.9"
Log diameter: 10"
Loadable sleeve length: 14.25"

Good tool to press big weights overhead.

Pros of the log bar

The neutral grip position puts less stress on your wrists for the bench press and the overhead press. It will also teach you better to deal with cumbersome objects to lift them up. The price is also attractive compared to barbells and other competitors.

Cons of the log bar

A log bar can be quite intimidating for beginners as they are heavier and harder to handle than a barbell. They can sometimes be a pain to fit the plates you already have in your gym. As this piece of equipment has a lot of welding to be done and TITAN is known to cut not so the best job on these you might want to opt for a piece of equipment which needs less welding or is from a different vendor.

Alternatives to the log bar

The Atlas bar is TITAN’s all-purpose bar at a reasonable price. There are no welds on this bar which eliminates the risk of getting poor quality. It will also not be as intimidating for beginners as a log bar.

If you still want a log bar you can invest a little more and go for the Rogue Log bar. You will pay more but there are usually no complaints on the Rogue finish.

The hex bar from TITAN is an option too. This will enable you to do deadlifts in a safe and practice farmers walks for a better grip and the carriers which are a part of Strongman competitions.

Summary of the log bar

A good budget option, but you might want to look somewhere else because of the many welds.