Considering getting a new lifting bar?

Here is my expert opinion on some weightlifting bars you may be considering. My opinion is based on both personal experience and the experience of my peers.

I have them ranked in order from best to worst based on thesee qualities: Knurling, bar spin, bar flex, and durability. Take these notes in consideration before making an investment.

Sarah

Eleiko- The knurling on this bar is pretty sharp as a warning but when you're lifting heavy weights, it's a necessity. I actually like having a sharp knurling but, during a heavy volume cycle, it kinda beats up your hands. Bar spin is good. Bar flex is pretty good. Maintenance is required to keep the bar in good shape but, the bar has a really good warranty.
Eusaka- I would probably tie this bar at #1 with Eleiko. Knurling is good but chalk needs to be cleared off more frequently than the Eleiko bar. Flex is good. Bar spin is pretty good and by some miracle, does not need to be lubricated like an Eleiko bar. Lasts a long time. Bar is made in a small factory with less than ten employees so you know the attention to detail is there, which I appreciate.
Weksan- Werksan pretty much tries to copy Eleiko, in my opinion, which is one of the reasons why I am ranking them lower. I don't have too much experience lifting on their bars except competitions. They seem to be ok for the most part. Bar spin, knurling and flex is good. I have them ranked so low mostly because of what I witnessed at the 2010 World Championships in Turkiye, The small weights. 5 kgs and under, did not fit the bar properly. You had to jam the weights onto the bar and they were barely on. This made warm up for the competition particularly difficult. More importantly, it was a dangerous situation for the competitors on the competition platform. The loaders had little bowls of lubricant which they used to brush the bar with so the weights could be put on. One of the lifters had the weights start to slip off the bar and he ended up missing his 3rd attempt, dropping the weight onto one of the officials computers because of this error. He was allowed a 4th attempt but, missed that one as well. This was a gross lack of attention to detail. How do you not test the weights to make sure they fit the bar?
York- I think the knurling is good. The men's bar had pretty good spin but the women's, not so much. We had a couple of incidents where two of our men's bars broke clean off (said in a dirty harry voice) right at the sleeve with only 50 and 70 kgs. The customer service to deal with this situation was pretty terrible.
Rogue- For it's purpose, rogue does the job. I haven't really heard of actual big lifts being lifted on this bar, nor have I lifted on one but, it's a cheap bar. So for someone starting out, or a crossfit type situation where you can get a lot of bars to bang around, this is for you. If you want a bar that will probably last you your entire career and handle big lifts, this bar is not for you.
DHS- Bar spin is amazing. Knurling is not very good. I cannot recommend this bar at all based on the testimonials I have gotten on this product. It was used in Beijing for the Olympics and I heard after almost ever session, the bars had to be replaced because they were bent so bad. Most high quality bars are going to be tested with a pressure/flex type usually with at least 1,000 lbs to make sure it can handle the lifting. Last time I checked, no one has snatched or clean and jerked 1,000 lbs so there is no excuse for the bar to bend. I have also heard from a friend that when he was squatting 300 kgs, the bar literally snapped in half. Based on what I heard, this bar is pretty dangerous. Can't recommend it.

Sarah 

What drives me?

Jolie Gentry. Crossfit Games champion, mom, detective, and olympic lifter.

lets back up a little bit. I'm training for the Arnold Classic. All i've been doing is thinking about the American Open. How i felt, what i did to make successful lifts, what i need to work on, what i wish i could have done differently. I think about my last clean and jerk the most. I think about what was going through my head, how i reacted and how the weight felt.

Before the lift Aimee had whispered in my ear i needed this weight. If i make this i'd get second and i'd help win the point our team needed to win first. I wanted to make her and Greg proud. I wanted to make their dreams happen too, not just mine. I wanted to do everything i could to make this lift give it everything i had. Making it is 'better than revenge'.

I walked up to the bar and gave it everything i had. After i made it the first thing that crossed my mind was Jolie Gentry. How she excepted me into her life when noone asked her or expected her to. How my entire team did and how quickly they became family. How she would cheer for me in the gym and id feed off her strength. "right now" she'd say, "make this right now" i thought about how each and every one of us have each and every one of our backs. So, i looked straight at the section of the crowd i knew my team (Team Catalyst) sat and i blew them all a kiss and i waved. i knew i couldnt be the athlete i am today without each of them.

Even though i realized after though that moment ended up not meaning what i thought it did (we did math wrong it tied me for second not beating the girl for second) it taught me that when it's on the line when it matters most i know that i can make it. it taught me that i can believe in myself as much as Jolie believes in me and as much as my team supports me. If Greg puts it on the bar he knows its something i'm capable of and now i do too.

Now i know i'm ready mentally for anything, anytime. Arnolds, here we come.

Oh, wanna see my clean and jerk at the American open? :: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8-zppk9wzY&list=UUXqvAp_UEhI41eCMhoRwiVA&index=2  The lift that changed my life.



Fearlessly,
     j

Millionaire Max & Deborah the deliverah by jess

Do you ever feel bipolar?

Today I woke up (reluctantly) to my alarm got ready for work went about my normal routine and wasn't in any particular mood. Then my arch enemy slash co-worker showed up who 1. scares the poop out of my intestines 2. makes me so mad i could poop my pants and 3. makes me cry everyday. It's just her personality it's nothing against her it's just i can never do a dizamn thing to make that woman happy. EVERY breathe is wrong. Anyways back to my bipolar disorder. She was at work today and I was borderline in tears all morning and hiding in the bathroom texting everyone i could think of that would laugh at my rediculous solution to my problem. (Punch her in front of customers get fired not make rent be homeless then go bankrupt and die alone--anxiety much?) One of the people i texted was my roomie and bad ass lifter Alyssa Sulay. Her responce was.. "i'll do it for you i've always wanted to punch someone in the face" and then she said "btw there was a package at the gym for you" It's Christmas time and i live really far aka on the other side of the country away from all my family so i figured maybe someone forgot where i lived or something. no big deal. i went from almost tears and anger to anxious and borderline cheerleader pep happy. I told alyssa to open it right this second i promise to not send her to federal prison for opening my mail. it was a gift from a follower of my blog Deborah! I've seen her funny comments on my twitter (follow me beezy's @jessicamarie979) and we're friend's officially thanks to facebook. I went from borderline cheerleader pep happy to literal psyc ward hyper 3 year  old on crack. I was running all over work doing everyones job i was so happy and smiley and beyond words. I feel so blessed that people like Deborah believe in me and would do such a thoughtful thing. the whole drive home i was definitly not using my phone to write a blog post about how happy and thankful i was and still am now. ( i didn't die on the highway from typing and driving)


OK part two. I'm on crack...should be dead...hyper. I sign on to my blog to write this THANK YOU SO FREAKING MUCH post when... i read a comment from an annonomous person named Max. He donated money to me! Now i'm crying again.


I never like asking for help even from my own parents. i just dont like it. when someone and especially someone you don't know personally reaches out to do something nice for you in general is like the most special thing imaginable. Today i'm at a loss for words. I'm so happy feel so blessed. I'm the luckiest girl in the world. This Christmas was probably the best Christmas i can remember for many reasons. The fact i got gifts (like Taylor Swift concert tickets or the gift from Deborah, or the donation) is a plus, but the fact that i have people in my life that love me and that think of me is enough.


to sum it up... I'm bipolar today. Thank you both so much i cant say it enough. I hope to make you both proud. #teamjess

Fearlessly,
J