Now that’s a very interesting question. There are several variables to consider. I’ll try to answer at greater length tomorrow, but the short answer is:

Rogue Ohio power bar.

If you plan to use the same bar for squat, bench, and deadlift, then you’ll want a bar with a centre knurling to provide grip and traction during back-squats, while still being relatively easy on the hands and not “sharp” during deadlifts and bench presses.

The major disadvantage of the Rogue bar is that it is extremely rigid, which means virtually no “whip” or “flex” during heavy deadlifts. This is important during competitions – rather less so for anyone deadlifting less than 400lbs.

Personally, I prefer to use two different barbell types – 29mm thick barbells with centre knurling for squats and bench, and thinner 25mm barbells for deadlifts, because they have a bit more flex in them.

However, you can get away easily enough with just one 28/29mm barbell with a centre knurling. And you simply WILL NOT get a better quality barbell than Rogue, for that price. The Rogue Ohio comes in at just about $300 new, you can probably buy one secondhand for a lot less.

I’ll take a look in my gym tomorrow to figure out what the barbell brands are there – I’m pretty sure they are Titan Fitness barbells, which I’ve used for years in various gyms, and they are very, very good. They are also in your price range.

But, if you can get a Rogue barbell, go for it.

Barbell question for the ironmongers here:
I bought a kit with a 500lb rated bar a few years back. The most I’ve ever put on it was 380lb. It’s got a bend to it now and it forces itself to ‘bottom’ out whenever I do a squat. Obviously that 500lb rating didn’t hold up over several years.

A. It’s not that bad, I can keep using it.
B. It’s annoying and I’m looking at replacement bars.
C. There are a lot of replacement bars.
D. Budget is up to $300.

Any perspectives on a good investment bar? Stainless steel? Cerakoted? Problems to avoid?

On the roster of frustrating gym bros, the guy wearing a belt, talking all day to ‘rest between my sets’, and getting chalk everywhere is at least top 3. It’s a persistent film that stays all over everything on everyone. Just get some gloves and quit with the powders.

OK, lads, this is where I have to disagree with you, albeit quite mildly.

I deadlift with chalk and a belt, but only once or twice a week for my really heavy sets. I don’t believe in wearing lifting gloves – they increase the diameter of the bar and make it harder to grip, while reducing your overall grip strength.

That being said… the guys who blow clouds of chalk dust everywhere with every step, and take an hour between sets, are indeed annoying. I’ve seen too many of them at various gyms to count. Yes, they are very annoying – I can do 3 sets in the time that they take just to rest from one.

maybe half of these guys actually have proper form. I’m not a snob but I’ve been at this since I was 14 (39 now), so I feel like I know what I’m talking about.

The number of times I’ve made the “horror face” after watching some skinny chick in yoga pants, a dime-store belt, and lifting straps, doing scared-cat-back deadlifts, is too great to count by this point.

I didn’t realize how much of a barrier to entry the mental hurdle was. The 15 minutes of getting ready, going to the gym, walking in from the parking lot (lame, I know) would often make it so I didn’t have the time to go and get it done.

Quite right. I’m due to go in for leg day right now and I’m sitting here procrastinating, instead of getting my ass out of my chair and into the gym – not least because I know that the place will look like an Indian railway platform.

At home, that’s not an excuse anymore. Making it easy to do at home was a good move and I’ve been able to maintain a twice a week lifting pattern for several years.

That’s my dream – to setup a home gym with a squat rack, bench, weights, and heavy bag, and kiss gym memberships goodbye forever (unless they come with a sauna – something I learned to appreciate during my time in Russia).

There are a ton of what I’d call “deadlifting bros” in my particular gym who do deadlifting and nothing else, piling three and four plates on each side of the bar, wearing belts and straps, and spreading chalk everywhere.

On the roster of frustrating gym bros, the guy wearing a belt, talking all day to ‘rest between my sets’, and getting chalk everywhere is at least top 3. It’s a persistent film that stays all over everything on everyone. Just get some gloves and quit with the powders.

If you are going to make a change, the ‘new years resolutions’ should be the coming Monday of every month at the latest.

(On a side note, the guys who run that place must be supervillains, because handing out unlimited free pizza once a month, and candy at all times, is a diabolical way to keep your patrons fat and paying for a gym membership.)

Luckily a new gym opened with a fully armed and operational Church of the Iron God, and I got in on their first-year promotional pricing that I still have to this day. I’ve noticed an influx of new blood, but less than usual since everyone’s cowering in terror of THE DREADED UNICRON. I give them credit for getting off the couch and trying to do something, but the amount of outright terrible lifting I see is just painful. I’ve seen squatters overseen by gym staff barely break 45 degrees, never mind parallel, and keep piling on weights. I’ve seen those same chunky broads in yoga pants “deadlift” entirely with their backs, and congratulate themselves for it. Guys aren’t any better. There are a ton of what I’d call “deadlifting bros” in my particular gym who do deadlifting and nothing else, piling three and four plates on each side of the bar, wearing belts and straps, and spreading chalk everywhere. I’m positive it’s because we have two of the fancy squat racks with the padded floors and wood surface. Anyway…maybe half of these guys actually have proper form. I’m not a snob but I’ve been at this since I was 14 (39 now), so I feel like I know what I’m talking about.

Also, I’d recommend the Stronglifts 5×5 app, which our host introduced me to. As he mentioned it’s less useful once you start to get up into insane weights, but it’s great if you’re just getting started or have been away for a long time (as I was).

^ Can confirm. It is for everyone, man or woman, young or old. The iron both makes the weak strong and humble the proud.

About 5 years ago I moved away from 24hr Fitness and set up a rack at home. After the first child was born I wasn’t getting to the gym. I didn’t realize how much of a barrier to entry the mental hurdle was. The 15 minutes of getting ready, going to the gym, walking in from the parking lot (lame, I know) would often make it so I didn’t have the time to go and get it done. At home, that’s not an excuse anymore. Making it easy to do at home was a good move and I’ve been able to maintain a twice a week lifting pattern for several years.

All that to say…maybe not having the commute process of 30 minutes every time is better anyways.

Something I do miss though: The Hammer Strength bars and plates and dumbbells. Consistent and smooth even with years of work put on them.
I don’t miss the January rush though. Not one bit.