CAP Barbell 44 lb Olympic 7 ft Bar, 28mm Grip Diameter, Bronze Bushings, Chrome (New Version)

great and durable barbell. I think this barbell is great for competition and home gyms

I picked this up as a starter bar for my home gym and honestly it’s been solid so far. For the price, getting a full 7 ft Olympic bar that weighs 45 lbs is kind of hard to beat. I’ve been using it for bench, squats, and deadlifts (around 300 lbs max right now), and it feels balanced and easy to use. with decent knurling; not too aggressive but still gives a good grip.the color is nice, and the finish is smooth. Seems as durable as any bar I have used in commercial gyms. The only real downside is the sleeve rotation. The bronze bushings aren’t as smooth as higher-end bars, so you can definitely feel the difference there, but it’s not a dealbreaker for normal lifts. Compared to something like a Rogue bar, yeah it’s not on that level; but it’s also a fraction of the price. If you’re building a home gym on a budget, this gets the job done without overthinking it.

It is a cheaply made bar. But I ordered a cheaply made bar. So it’s perfect.

I haven’t tested the weight capacity of the barbell, but with around 150lbs on there it doesn’t bend or seem sketchy. The thickness is a good size for all hand sizes. The grip on here is great, a little sharp to the hands but after a while I assume it’ll de sharpen a tad. The spin is like any other barbell, not too much and not too little. Versatility is a little on the lower end because it’s 7ft lol, but if you get the smaller barbells I’m sure you can do a lot more. Highly recommend.

I’ve been using this barbell for a few weeks now, and it has far exceeded my expectations, especially for the price point. First, the packaging was top-notch. The bar arrived well-protected and wrapped in plastic, which turned out to be a lifesaver since it was raining on delivery day. Despite the weather, the bar stayed perfectly dry. One of the standout features for me is the knurling. It’s quite sharp, which I personally prefer, as I wear gloves during my lifts. If you like a more aggressive grip, you’ll appreciate the feel of this bar. It ensures a solid hold, which is great for heavier lifts. Another design feature I love is that the collar sleeves are held in place by a hex bolt instead of the usual spring clip. This is a nice touch for anyone who likes to take apart their bar occasionally for cleaning and maintenance. It makes servicing the bar easier if you're into maintaining the bearings or keeping the surfaces well-oiled. I’ve also noticed the bar has a bit of whip, which I became aware of while using it for landmine exercises. I rested the middle on a padded cinder block with 75 lbs on the end, and the whip was apparent. For most lifts, though, it performs just as you'd expect from a general-purpose bar. Overall, at this price, you'd be hard-pressed to find a better option for a typical home gym. Unless you’re looking for something highly specialized, spending significantly more on a bar doesn’t make sense. This one gets the job done and then some. Highly recommend!