We test and review fitness products based on an independent, multi-point methodology. If you use our links to purchase something, we may earn a commission. Read our disclosures.

The Rogue Ohio Bar is one of the most popular barbells in the world. To make an already great bar better, Rogue is now offering it in a Stainless Steel version that will have better corrosion resistance than most competitors.

4.44
Rogue Fitness
Rogue Ohio Bar - Stainless Steel
Rogue Ohio Bar - Stainless Steel

The new stainless steel version of our 20KG Rogue Ohio Bar is machined and assembled in Columbus, Ohio, and features a 200,000 PSI tensile strength shaft, chrome sleeves, and an exclusive Rogue knurl pattern that’s 100% in its original, machined form for an unmatched feel. With quality composite bushings and dual knurl marks, the Stainless Steel Ohio Bar is optimized for both Olympic lifts and Powerlifting—delivering a firm but non-abrasive grip, a consistent spin, and a unique balance of whip and rigidity. We call it the Ohio Bar because we think it represents more than just the Rogue brand. It’s a testament to where we work, who we are, and the pride we feel in making the best American-made weightlifting bars on the market. To check out the same bar with zinc or black oxide finish options, see our standard Ohio Bar page. This high tensile strength steel is manufactured in the USA and has proven to be one of the best steel variants for a multi-purpose barbell. Each barbell shaft is ground and polished prior to machining, allowing for a very smooth finish. Every bar shaft is machined in Columbus, Ohio. A great deal of pride is built into each bar as the knurling process is an art. We spent months working on the knurl we believe to be the best for the Ohio Bar. To test the knurl it is more a beer tasting process than exact measurement. There is a look and feel that go into testing every bar. With no plating, the knurl on the Stainless Steel Ohio Bar is left exactly how we machined it, providing a great feel that cannot be achieved with other finishes. It’s similar to the knurl feel from a bare steel shaft, but with better corrosion resistance. The combination of a stainless steel shaft and chrome sleeves also creates a sharp look with few equals. Please Note: Rogue recommends using a synthetic bristle brush, NOT a steel brush, to clean a stainless steel shaft. Steel on steel can cause rusting over time. The Ohio Bar is assembled with the same black composite bushings as the Rogue Bar 2.0, which act as bearing surfaces between the bar sleeve and bar shaft. This is a very robust way of building a barbell, and can produce a smooth, consistent spin not possible with lesser import bars. Each bar comes with an “Ohio Bar Card” that has the initials of the Rogue team member that built it. The multi-purpose Ohio Bar will have normal “whip” during Olympic weightlifting and enough stiffness to hold for heavy Powerlifting. The steel in this bar is proven as an excellent choice for weightlifters. Specifications: Manufactured in Columbus, OH Diameter: 28.5MM Weight: 20KG Stainless Steel Shaft, Chrome Sleeves Dual Knurl Marks for Oly and Power lifts No Center Knurl 200,000 PSI Tensile Strength Steel Composite Bushings for Reliable Spin 16.40" loadable sleeve length Rogue branded endcaps

Model:Rogue Fitness Stainless Steel Ohio Bar

Tensile Strength:195k

Spin:Composite Bushings

Materials:Stainless Steel Shaft/Chrome Sleeves

Retail Price:$350

Rogue Fitness Stainless Steel Ohio Bar characteristics

If you’re anything like me, you look forward to any new releases by Rogue Fitness.

Whenever Rogue introduces something new, there’s this anticipation that whatever the piece of gear is, that it will revolutionize the industry.

Typically, what will happen is Rogue will release something and every other company scrambles to keep up. Like the head of a ship, wherever it goes, everyone follows.

Is the new Stainless Steel Ohio Bar unlike anything else available today? Not necessarily. American Barbell once had a stainless steel bar that was created on accident that absolutely sold like hotcakes.

But, what Rogue does that other companies struggle in competing with is the fact that when they come to market with a new item, it’s almost always the best it can be. Everything about their products are overly built and expertly engineered because they want to continue being looked on as the industry innovator. Also, they have a lifetime warranty on many of their items that other companies simply can’t afford to give.

Rogue Fitness Stainless Steel Ohio Bar

The question that will inevitably rise is around whether a stainless steel barbell is necessary.

Well, is having a decked out workout facility in your garage that many businesses would be jealous of necessary? No. But there are certainly benefits as indicated in the Ultimate Home Gym Guide.

And as there are benefits to having a home gym, stainless steel is without a doubt one of the best bars you could have in your arsenal.

First off, stainless steel is the least corrosive steel used inbarbells today.

Rogue Fitness Stainless Steel Ohio Bar oxidation rate

Unless there’s a barbell I’m unaware of, there simply isn’t a better steel available for the home gym user.

Most of your barbells will be sitting in a place that is not climate controlled, aka your garage. In order to prevent corrosion as much as possible, you’re going to want a barbell with the ability to resist rusting when its hot and humid and when your blood, sweat, and tears are ground into the bar.

Secondly, not only is stainless steel great for oxidation resistance, but it’s also bare steel.

What that means is you get the most corrosion resistance with the best knurling feel you can find.

Ever wonder why people rave about bare steel barbells? It’s because the bar has no plating so the knurling is as sharp as it was designed to be.

Simply put, stainless steel is the best type of steel that can be used in a barbell.

Rogue Fitness Stainless Steel Ohio Bar knurling

The Stainless Steel Ohio Bar is machined AND assembled in Columbus, Ohio. This is one of the reasons Rogue has such high-quality control.

The bushings used are the same ones used in the Rogue Bar 2.0 and are black composite bushings. These allow for a consistent and durable spin.

The steel used is 195,000 PSI stainless steel. Often times today companies will tout an out of this world strong steel, but that isn’t necessary. Not only can it affect the whip of the bar, but it’s overkill for just about everyone besides those squatting over 1,500 lbs (aka nobody, except maybe Lillebridge eventually.)

Rogue Fitness Stainless Steel Ohio Bar sleeve logo

  • Manufactured in Columbus, OH
  • Diameter: 28.5MM
  • Weight: 20KG
  • Stainless Steel Shaft, Chrome Sleeves
  • Dual Knurl Marks for Oly and Power lifts
  • No Center Knurl
  • 195,000 PSI Tensile Strength Steel
  • Composite Bushings for Reliable Spin
  • 16.4” loadable sleeve length
  • Rogue branded endcaps

4.44
Rogue Fitness
Rogue Ohio Bar - Stainless Steel
Rogue Ohio Bar - Stainless Steel

The new stainless steel version of our 20KG Rogue Ohio Bar is machined and assembled in Columbus, Ohio, and features a 200,000 PSI tensile strength shaft, chrome sleeves, and an exclusive Rogue knurl pattern that’s 100% in its original, machined form for an unmatched feel. With quality composite bushings and dual knurl marks, the Stainless Steel Ohio Bar is optimized for both Olympic lifts and Powerlifting—delivering a firm but non-abrasive grip, a consistent spin, and a unique balance of whip and rigidity. We call it the Ohio Bar because we think it represents more than just the Rogue brand. It’s a testament to where we work, who we are, and the pride we feel in making the best American-made weightlifting bars on the market. To check out the same bar with zinc or black oxide finish options, see our standard Ohio Bar page. This high tensile strength steel is manufactured in the USA and has proven to be one of the best steel variants for a multi-purpose barbell. Each barbell shaft is ground and polished prior to machining, allowing for a very smooth finish. Every bar shaft is machined in Columbus, Ohio. A great deal of pride is built into each bar as the knurling process is an art. We spent months working on the knurl we believe to be the best for the Ohio Bar. To test the knurl it is more a beer tasting process than exact measurement. There is a look and feel that go into testing every bar. With no plating, the knurl on the Stainless Steel Ohio Bar is left exactly how we machined it, providing a great feel that cannot be achieved with other finishes. It’s similar to the knurl feel from a bare steel shaft, but with better corrosion resistance. The combination of a stainless steel shaft and chrome sleeves also creates a sharp look with few equals. Please Note: Rogue recommends using a synthetic bristle brush, NOT a steel brush, to clean a stainless steel shaft. Steel on steel can cause rusting over time. The Ohio Bar is assembled with the same black composite bushings as the Rogue Bar 2.0, which act as bearing surfaces between the bar sleeve and bar shaft. This is a very robust way of building a barbell, and can produce a smooth, consistent spin not possible with lesser import bars. Each bar comes with an “Ohio Bar Card” that has the initials of the Rogue team member that built it. The multi-purpose Ohio Bar will have normal “whip” during Olympic weightlifting and enough stiffness to hold for heavy Powerlifting. The steel in this bar is proven as an excellent choice for weightlifters. Specifications: Manufactured in Columbus, OH Diameter: 28.5MM Weight: 20KG Stainless Steel Shaft, Chrome Sleeves Dual Knurl Marks for Oly and Power lifts No Center Knurl 200,000 PSI Tensile Strength Steel Composite Bushings for Reliable Spin 16.40" loadable sleeve length Rogue branded endcaps

Further reading

American Barbell Stainless Bearing Bar In-Depth Review Cover Image
American Barbell Stainless Bearing Bar In-Depth Review

The American Barbell Stainless Bearing Bar is one of the best Olympic barbells on the market today. With an innovative needle bearing design, stainless steel shaft, and great price point, this is one of the best barbells currently being made in the US. Read more

NOBULL Training Shoes Review (2024): CrossFit's Most Controversial Training Shoe Cover Image
NOBULL Training Shoes Review (2024): CrossFit's Most Controversial Training Shoe

You’re in the middle of a WOD. It’s hot. You might redline but there’s no turning back. You’re racing against the clock and all you can think about is your achy arches and the blister forming on your heel.Yikes. That’s not what you want!You can avoid CrossFit horror stories like that by wearing the right training shoes. In my NOBULL Training shoes review, I’ll let you know if these popular—but controversial—workout shoes are the right choice for you. Why You Should Trust UsWe wrote the most comprehensive guide to the best CrossFit shoes you’ll probably find anywhere on the internet. Aside from that, myself and our product testers have years of experience in the fitness industry and have personally worn most of the CrossFit shoes on the market, from the original Reebok Nanos all the way to the Nike Metcon 7s and the Reebok Nano X1s. Read more

How to Sell a Used Treadmill: Tips on Getting Cash For Your Machine Cover Image
How to Sell a Used Treadmill: Tips on Getting Cash For Your Machine

Wondering how to sell a used treadmill? We have a number of tips to help you score cash for your machine. Read more

Sunny Health And Fitness Walkstation Slim Flat Treadmill Review (2024): Daily Steps That Don’t Cost a Fortune Cover Image
Sunny Health And Fitness Walkstation Slim Flat Treadmill Review (2024): Daily Steps That Don’t Cost a Fortune

Check out what we thought about this affordable under-desk treadmill in our Sunny Health And Fitness Walkstation Slim Flat Treadmill review. Read more