A barbell is a quintessential home gym essential. A good one will last years or even decades with proper care and maintenance. Combined with the best weight plates and a high-quality power rack, a barbell opens up a world of possibilities for exercise selection and progression—thereby increasing your potential for building muscle, strength, and stamina.
While some will argue “weight is weight” and any ol’ barbell will do the trick, we think you deserve an expertly crafted, purposely built bar that provides a smooth (and fun!) lifting experience. In our Bells of Steel Olympic Weightlifting Barbell 2.0 review, we’ll explain why this barbell fits that bill.
More Than 50 Barbells Tested
Our team of certified personal trainers, nutrition coaches, competitive athletes, and lifelong fitness enthusiasts has tested dozens of barbells over the years, from bare-bones budget models to the fanciest-schmanciest of the crop. With guidance from our comprehensive barbell testing methodology, we go over every profile from endcap to endcap, rating barbells on a scale of 1 to 5 in key categories. Such areas rated by our team include:
- Tensile Strength: Measured in PSI, this number reflects how much stress a bar can handle and still return back to its straight orientation. As such, tensile strength can be a better indicator of barbell durability than weight capacity. An average bar sits around 165,000 PSI and earns a 3-out-of-5 rating from our team, while barbells at 190,000 PSI or higher earn top marks for longevity and performance.
- Coating: A barbell’s coating affects its resistance to rust, corrosion, and cosmetic wear, with stainless steel, Cerakote, and hard chrome serving as our preferred exteriors for durability and resiliency. We score finishes based on long-term testing for scratches, flaking, and rust, with lower-end but well-performing coatings like chrome or black oxide earning around a 3 out of 5.
- Knurling and Grip: Knurling and chalk retention determine how secure a bar feels during heavy or explosive lifts. Evenly applied, medium-grade volcano knurling—aggressive enough to grip without tearing your hands to shreds—typically earns a 4-out-of-5 score or higher.
- Value: Price alone doesn’t determine quality, as solid, durable barbells can often be found for a few hundred dollars. Rather, we assess whether a barbell’s listed specs, exhibited durability, and workout versatility justify its cost. A score of 3 out of 5 illustrates a barbell that’s competitively priced and suitable for general training, while highly versatile bars with that “bang for your buck” persona earn higher ratings.
A Quick Look at the Bells of Steel Olympic Weightlifting Barbell 2.0
Bells of Steel (B.o.S.) is a Canada-founded strength equipment brand started in 2010 by Kaevon Khoozani to make durable, well-designed gym gear more affordable and accessible for home gym owners. The company offers a wide range of products—from barbells and kettlebells to racks, benches, and functional trainers—built to balance quality with fair pricing, and we think the brand stands up to that promise. As you’ll learn in this review, the Bells of Steel Olympic Weightlifting Bar 2.0 is the epitome of that brand ethos.
Before You Buy
- There is a slight difference in the loadable sleeve length between the two available finishes on this bar. The chrome finish bar has a loadable sleeve length of 16.3 inches (414 millimeters), while the Cerakote finish barbell has a loadable sleeve length of 17.5 inches (445 millimeters). This difference of more than 1 inch can make a big difference in maximum loading, depending on your weight plates of choice.
- There’s also a slight difference in max loading capacity: 1,543 pounds for the chrome and 1,500 for the Cerakote. This difference is more-or-less negligible unless you plan on becoming the next World’s Strongest Man.
- Our tester points out that the knurling is medium, so if you’re used to more aggressive knurling, this bar might feel a little slippery.
Is the Bells of Steel Olympic Weightlifting Barbell 2.0 Worth It?
According to product tester and GGR Director of Content Nicole Davis, CPT, PN1-NC, yes, it is. “It’s a great bar!” she tells me. “I’m not lifting crazy-heavy weights (like our very own Olympian Caine Wilkes, she points out), but the entire experience feels really good.”
Plus, as she so rightly calls out, “Between the limited lifetime warranty, the weight capacity and the tensile strength, you’re getting a ton for your money here at a maximum $330.”
Great for:
- Those in search of a versatile, budget-friendly barbell
- Anyone who plans to do general strength training, CrossFit, or similar workout routines
- Anyone who simply wants a solid barbell that will last many years
Not recommended for:
- Those in search of one of the best powerlifting barbells
- Athletes looking for more than two finish/coating options
- Advanced lifters looking for the absolute highest oly bar spec (just hop on over to our Eleiko IWF Weightlifting Training Bar review for that)
Bells of Steel Olympic Weightlifting Barbell 2.0 Specs
| Price | $320.99 (Chrome) or $329.99 (Cerakote) |
| Bar weight | 44 lbs (20 kg) |
| Bar length | 86.6″ (2,200 mm) |
| Shaft diameter | 1.1” (28 mm) |
| Loadable sleeve length | 16.3″ (414 mm) Chrome / 17.5″ (445 mm) Cerakote |
| Knurl | Medium |
| Center knurl | Yes |
| Knurl marks | Dual (weightlifting and powerlifting) |
| Shaft coating | Hardened chrome or black Cerakote |
| Sleeve coating | Hardened chrome or gold titanium-plated |
| Tensile strength | 240,000 PSI (Chrome) / 190,000 PSI (Cerakote) |
| Max weight capacity | 1,543 lbs ( Chrome) / 1,500 lbs (Cerakote) |
| Bushing or bearings? | Needle bearings and snap rings |
| Warranty | Limited lifetime |
Workout Experience Using the Bells of Steel Olympic Weightlifting Barbell 2.0
Nicole has been working out with the Bells of Steel Olympic Weightlifting Barbell 2.0 for several weeks and, overall, feels extremely pleased with it. “I haven’t worked with a barbell consistently over the last two years, and this feels like a great intro or beginner bar for someone who wants value but quality,” she says, adding that it can certainly work for more advanced athletes, as well.
Without a squat rack, Nicole admits she’s limited on the exercises she can do with a barbell. Accordingly, she primarily does deadlifts, rows, and presses with the B.o.S. bar. “I typically work with kettlebells and dumbbells, so having the option to use a bar has been great just to switch things up.”
She’s also been working on her power cleans with it and notes that it performs well for that snappy lift in addition to the slower movements like deadlifts. Let’s dive deeper and see how Nicole rates the Olympic Weightlifting Barbell 2.0 in other key areas.
Tensile Strength
The Bells of Steel Olympic Weightlifting Barbell 2.0 easily met our benchmarks for tensile strength with a 190,000 PSI rating on the Cerakote version and an impressive 240,000 PSI rating on the hardened chrome silhouette. Nicole rates it a 5 out of 5 for this category, pointing out that 240,000 PSI is quite high for the price point at hand.
Coating and Finish
You have two options to choose from with this Bells of Steel offering. There’s a hardened chrome shaft with hardened chrome sleeves or a Cerakote shaft with gold titanium-plated sleeves. Nicole got the hardened chrome version and rates the coating a 4 out of 5. “So far, so good,” she says after a few weeks of testing, “But it will probably wear down over time.”
This is simply a fact of chrome—it’s prone to wear. If you’re worried about that (which you should be if your barbell will live in a non-climate-controlled environment like a humid garage), we recommend “splurging” on the Cerakote. Splurge is definitely a loose term in this instance because it only costs $10 more.
Durability
“All signs point to exceptional durability,” Nicole says, alluding to the limited lifetime warranty, 240,000 PSI tensile strength, and 1,500-pound weight capacity. Time will tell, of course, but her first impressions and early experience with the barbell lead her to rate it with 4.5 out of 5 points for the category.
Versatility
It doesn’t get much more versatile than this, folks. Nicole gives the Bells of Steel Weightlifting Bar 2.0 a perfect 5-out-of-5 score in for this criterion, saying, “Although this is marketed as a weightlifting bar, I think it’s really versatile. It has good spin, dual knurl marks and 28.5-millimeter diameter, so you can really do just about anything with it.”
Nicole does point out that the barbell knurling is not particularly toothy—Bells of Steel lists it as medium—so it may lack a bit for those who want to perform very heavy deadlifts or are accustomed to more aggressive knurling (like the kind found on powerlifting barbells).
Knurling and Grip
Speaking of knurling, Nicole confirms, “This is a certified medium knurl.” As such, she rates it a 4 out of 5.
“It’s definitely more passive than a power bar,” she says, “But I like it and I think most home gym owners probably would, too, especially if they’re using this bar in a variety of ways. I hate when bars rip up my hands!”
Spin
The Bells of Steel Olympic Weightlifting Bar 2.0 features Olympic-style sleeve assembly with needle bearings and snap rings. You can learn more about this in our guide to barbell anatomy, but here’s a quick overview:
- Bearings are typically used in higher-end Olympic weightlifting bars.
- Bearings spin quicker than bushings.
- Bearings are ideal for snatches and clean-and-jerks but may produce more spin than appreciated for squats, deadlifts, and bench press.
In general, if you plan to use your barbell for both Olympic weightlifting and powerlifting, as well as regular strength training or accessory lifts, bearings are best.
At this price point, we’re impressed to see needle bearings used in the Weightlifting Barbell 2.0’s construction. Nicole says the bar spins smoothly but never too quickly, and rates the action at 4.5 out of 5.
Bells of Steel Olympic Weightlifting Barbell 2.0 vs REP Fitness Colorado Bar
The 20-kilogram Colorado Bar from REP Fitness is a durable, versatile Olympic barbell made for heavy powerlifting, Olympic weightlifting, and cycling weights in CrossFit workouts. The barbell has two knurl markings for IWF and IPF specs. The bar is available with a hard chrome finish or different-colored cerakote finishes with Duracoat on the sleeves. With composite bushings, the barbell provides decent spin and durability that helps dampen noise when dropping weights.
What our tester says:
“This bar is fantastic. From REP’s previous bars, this blows those away. This is now a true contender.”
The REP Colorado Bar is one of our top picks for the best Olympic barbells in today’s market. While some gym equipment elitists may argue with our take, we maintain our stance because, well, most home gym owners aren’t equipment snobs. They just want a high-quality barbell that will last a long time at a fair price. That’s exactly what the Colorado Bar offers.
These two barbells have a lot of similarities; frankly, they’re more similar than different. They both have a standard 28.5-millimeter shaft diameter, 16-inch loadable sleeve length, weigh 20 kilograms, and have medium knurling patterns with markings aligned to IWF and IPF specifications.
Even the pricing is similar, with both bars ringing up around $300.
The biggest difference between the two bars lies in the sleeve assembly. The Bells of Steel Olympic Weightlifting Bar 2.0 features needle bearings and snap rings, while the Colorado Bar features composite bushings. One is not necessarily worse than the other, but they do produce a different experience, especially for snappy lifts like snatches and clean and jerks.
With the Bells of Steel bar, you can expect a very quick spin from the sleeves, which lends itself favorably to the Olympic lifts. The Colorado Bar spins slower, but very smoothly, making it a great option for those who do plenty of heavy squats, deadlifts, and bench press.
To be clear: Either barbell is an excellent multi-purpose bar; neither is a specialty bar. That said, if you are looking for something that leans more toward a powerlifting bar or weightlifting bar, one might be a better fit for you than the other.
Be sure to check out the chart below for a full specs comparison and learn more in our REP Fitness Colorado Bar review.
| Bells of Steel Olympic Weightlifting Barbell 2.0 | REP Fitness Colorado Bar | |
| Price | $320.99 (Chrome) or $329.99 (Cerakote) | $299.99 |
| Bar weight | 44 lbs (20 kg) | 44 lbs (20 kg) |
| Bar length | 86.6″ (2,200 mm) | 86.6″ (2,200 mm) |
| Shaft diameter | 1.1” (28 mm) | 1.1” (28.5 mm) |
| Loadable sleeve length | 16.3″ (414 mm) Chrome / 17.5″ (445 mm) Cerakote | 16.1” |
| Knurl | Medium | Medium |
| Center knurl | Yes | No |
| Knurl marks | Dual (weightlifting and powerlifting) | Dual (weightlifting and powerlifting) |
| Shaft coating | Hardened chrome or black Cerakote | Hardened chrome or various Cerakote colors |
| Sleeve coating | Hardened chrome or gold titanium-plated | Hardened chrome or Duracoat |
| Tensile strength | 240,000 PSI (Chrome) / 190,000 PSI (Cerakote) | 190,000 PSI |
| Max weight capacity | 1,543 lbs ( Chrome) / 1,500 lbs (Cerakote) | 1,500 lbs |
| Bushing or bearings? | Needle bearings and snap rings | Composite bushings |
| Warranty | Limited lifetime | Limited lifetime |
Price and Value
The Bells of Steel Olympic Weightlifting Barbell 2.0 earns an easy 5-out-of-5 for price and value. It costs about $320 for the chrome version (roughly $330 for Cerakote), which is right around the median range for barbells. However, it’s stacked with features we don’t always see in the midrange, which elevates the bang for your buck.
The needle bearing sleeve construction is a primary example, as is the 240,000 PSI tensile strength. The lifetime warranty, 1,500-pound weight capacity, and overall versatility of this barbell beef up the value proposition, too.
Customer Experience
Nicole, again, calls out the limited lifetime warranty in this category, giving Bells of Steel 5 out of 5 points for customer experience. Plus, you get 30-day returns, and the company is easy to contact, she says. Not to mention, the shipping was also seamless: The bar arrived undamaged and packaged well, Nicole adds.
Customer Reviews
As of this writing, there are 64 customer reviews on the Bells of Steel website with an average rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars. It appears that the buyer sentiment is in line with ours!
One four-star reviewer writes, “Allow me to preface my review with: before this bar, I have only used fancy Swedish bars in fancy Swedish gyms. The bar was a little stiffer than I expected, but my only real complaint is the knurling, which I thought could be more aggressive…Spin is totally fine. There is a bit of lateral play on the sleeves, but it’s totally fine. I think it may contribute to the bar bouncing to the side when it’s dropped, but it’s not noticeable when lifting.”
A five-star reviewer simply says, “This barbell is beautiful.” We have to assume they’re referring to the black Cerakote and gold titanium version, because, yeah, it’s gorgeous. The chrome isn’t half bad, either!
Final Verdict of Our Bells of Steel Olympic Weightlifting Barbell 2.0 Review
All in all, we highly recommend the Bells of Steel Olympic Weightlifting Barbell 2.0. Below are a final closing remarks to help you better determine if this budget-minded bar if fit for your home gym setup.
- The B.o.S. Olympic Weightlifting Barbell 2.0 is a great value for the price and the lifetime warranty backs up its durability.
- This barbell can be suitable for all types of lifting, from Olympic weightlifting to powerlifting to bodybuilding.
- There are slight measurement discrepancies between the two finish options; namely, loadable sleeve length, which is about 1 inch longer on the Cerakote version.
Olympic Weightlifting Barbell 2.0
The Bells of Steel Olympic Weightlifting Barbell 2.0 is an affordably priced bar ideal for those who like to snatch, clean, and jerk. Needle bearings, high tensile strength, and dual markings are great for those who enjoy the Olympic lifts.
Product Brand: Bells of Steel
Product Currency: USD
Product Price: 320.99
Product In-Stock: InStock
4.7
Bells of Steel Olympic Weightlifting Barbell 2.0 Review: FAQs
Is Bells of Steel equipment made in the USA?
Here’s what Bells of Steel says about its manufacturing process: “Our products are designed in Canada, and made in China by several curated factories—all personally inspected by our CEO (Kaevon). Our iron plates are made in Vietnam by a third-generation-run foundry. All of our manufacturers adhere to our quality specifications demands.”
Are Bells of Steel barbells high-quality?
Yes, Bells of Steel barbells are high-quality barbells. As evidenced by our Bells of Steel Olympic Weightlifting Barbell 2.0 review, the company manufactures durable equipment that offers a lot of high-end features for the price.
What is the best barbell brand?
If you ask a weightlifter, Eleiko is inarguably the best barbell brand to ever exist. But while Eleiko bars are premium, but they come at a premium cost. Brands like REP Fitness, Rogue Fitness, Bells of Steel, Titan Fitness, Fringe Sport, and Synergee all make good- or high-quality barbells at prices more accessible to the average home garage gym owner.
What are barbells good for?
Barbells are ideal for strength training, particularly compound lifts like squats, deadlifts, bench press, overhead press, lunges, and rows. Some research1 shows that compound (multi-joint) exercises are more effective than isolation (single-joint) exercises for improving maximal strength.
References
- Paoli A, Gentil P, Moro T, Marcolin G, Bianco A. Resistance Training with Single vs. Multi-joint Exercises at Equal Total Load Volume: Effects on Body Composition, Cardiorespiratory Fitness, and Muscle Strength. Front Physiol. 2017;8:1105.
