At the time of this review, Rogue is transitioning to a new design for these plates. I like the new design more than these, but they are very similar so not something worth changing out for in my opinion. These are everything you want in a calibrated plate: accurate weight, thin so you can fit more weight on the bar, and have a sticker on them that makes them approved by whoever that matters for. Although these are very nice plates, the paint does chip over time. I don’t expect them not to, but I could see someone thinking that with how high of a price tag that is on them. You aren't paying that high for that feature. Same goes for moving them around the gym. The lip to grab is very small. Expect it to be challenging at first and needing to build up a tolerance to it over time. I am glad to have mine, but I don’t see much need for them in a gym that isn’t competing in power lifting. Even then, I think you will get as good training on normal, but still nice plates.

I have similar comments on these as I had on the 2.5 lb pair. I will post those comments here as well. My one note to make on these specifically, is that the donut is thinner than the hex head version of this. I prefer them to be thinner as I think they are effected by any shakes or drops less and are less likely to pop off. No evidence to support this, just a thought. I love these. Magnet is very strong. I have never had them fall off unless I dropped the dumbbells, and even then I had to drop with some force and reckless abandon for these to pop off. The wide and flat design make them perfect for setting up on your legs to kick up into your press position. I will sometimes use them on grip implements like by blobs to add some weight and they also work great for that. Perfect price point for a home gym gift. As advertised, they really only work on metal dumbbells so don’t think you can make them work for a dumbbell with any kind of covering on them.

I love these. Magnet is very strong. I have never had them fall off unless I dropped the dumbbells, and even then I had to drop with some force and reckless abandon for these to pop off. The wide and flat design make them perfect for setting up on your legs to kick up into your press position. I will sometimes use them on grip implements like by blobs to add some weight and they also work great for that. Perfect price point for a home gym gift. As advertised, they really only work on metal dumbbells so don’t think you can make them work for a dumbbell with any kind of covering on them.

This is my favorite curl bars I have ever used. It is one of my favorite pieces in my entier gym. The angle of the bends for your hands is just perfect. The shaft is an Ohio bar so knurling is more passive, but perfect in my opinion for curs and related movements. I can’t encourage you enough. Get this curl bar. I used to have the rackable version of this same bar and I sold it. The angles were the same, but the longer distance from weight to hand made the balance and overall feel not as great. You can rack this version as well. You just have to be a bit more mindful to match the sleeves in the j cups. I find that doing skull crushers from the rack doesn’t work anyway since you are supposed to go at a slight angle back and I end up hitting the rack.

Although I do really like this bar, I don’t recommend home gym owners but this new because of the price tag. There are so many more basics and even specialty pieces I would recommend way before this piece. Expectation being if you train in a sport that is more traditionally "athletic" and benefits from explosiveness and stability training. Another exception is money is no object to you, but even then there is a long list of get this other thing first. For the bar itself. It feels great. It's plastic, but in a way that feels fine in the hand. It has a knurling on it which I do like. It doesn’t feel like cheap plastic, but it does take some trust to whip it like they advertise it for. It can handle it. It is a lot of fun to use and I think it is great for overhead press. If you can find it used and at a good price then for sure pick it up if you are deeper into your home gym collection (obsession).

Having a Rep Open Trap Bar in the home gym has become practically a meme. I have also fallen into owning one. I just couldn’t afford not to. In all seriousness, this thing is great as an open trap bar. They do claim a bunch of extra features and movements, like interchangeable handles and using it as a camber bar for squat and press. All of those things are possible, but not something that I have ever found myself going through the effort to set up. It is very large and heavy so getting into position would be challenging. The bolt for the handle isn’t crazy hard to change out, but I would not call say it is something I have any interest in doing during the workout with the intention to put it back when I am done for to swap for a different feel between exercises. The only thing I could see myself doing is adding on the wide handles to mimic a wider handle frame carry for a strongman comp that has that as an event. I would only add those while I have the prep for that event and then would go back to the handles that fit me best (narrow). I do hear great things about the Kabuki deadlift bar, but I have not gotten my hands on it. I could see myself switching if I liked the kabuki enough, and could even kind the kabuki. I also hear Eleiko did a great job on their open trap bar, but that would only be something I would consider after a few times getting hands on it and finding it used for a really good deal.

This is the only power bar that I have in my gym. Any time I think about upgrading, I have not been able to justify any good reason to do so. This is coming from a guy who has justified some far out purchases for his home gym. Really any Ohio Power Bar you get you are going to be more than happy with. At the price to quality to performance comparison, the zinc, e coat, and bare steel finishes are hard to beat. I do think the stainless finish is great. It is one of the bars I keep trying to justify upgrading to. The price to what you get out of it just doesn't add up in my opinion. I have had no issues with rust or any other surface problems on the bar after 4 years in a garage and basement gym. As “The” Ohio State fans might put it, it is “The” Ohio Power Bar. Enough said.

I have liked everything that I have used from Dean, and this really takes the cake. Firm believe now that all axles should be knurled. I have a smooth axle as well as I compete in strongman so having both is important as they both present in comp. The knurled version helps with the clean for axle and just makes it feel like a safer lift due to that increased contact to the hand. I would not go as far as to say that knurled axles reduce risk for bicep injury on axle cleans, but I think an argument for it could be made. If you are wanting a knurled axle, go with Dean at Black Widow. The powder coat alone will grip onto your hand. The quality to knurl on the hollow axle, which I assume is a bit harder than on a solid barbell, is incredible. I am sure he would make a solid axle if you needed one and would give the same treatment to. I would love to have a 45lb one that fits on the rack. I also bet he could do that in a custom order (if not already provided on the website). My only complaint is that it does not take normal collars. This is typical for axles so not really a fair complaint to make, but my Titan smooth axle does take normal collars and I have been spoiled by that. Just make sure you factor in buying axle collars into your budget.