Ohio vs Echo – What’s the Best Rogue Barbell for You?

So, what’s the best Rogue Barbell for you?

In this extensive guide we will give you all the information you will need to choose the right Rogue Barbell for you.

We start by comparing the Ohio vs Echo Rogue Barbells. Two of their most popular and excellent products.

There are multiple different variants of the Ohio Rogue Barbell (which you will find below) so that you can laser in on exactly the right one for you, your needs and your budget.

We have used the Stainless-Steel Ohio Rogue Barbell to compare against the Echo Rogue Barbell.

You will then also find full sections for Olympic Weightlifting Barbells and Women’s barbells.

Rogue Barbell Quick Choices

Check out our selections.

Best Value Rogue Barbell	Echo Rogue Barbell
Best Rogue Barbell for Beginners	Echo Rogue Barbell
Best All-round Barbell	Rogue Ohio Bar Cerakote
Best for Women	Rogue Bella Bar 2.0
Best for Box and Gym Owners	Rogue Ohio Bar Stainless Steel
Best for Olympic Weightlifting	Rogue 28mm IWF Olympic Weightlifting Bar – Cerakote
Best for CrossFit and Functional Fitness	Rogue Ohio Bar E Coat

If you know already what type of barbell you are looking for, then click to expand the table of contents below and make your selection.

Ohio vs Echo Rogue Barbells – What Sets them Apart?

Model	Rogue Ohio Bar Stainless Steel	Echo Rogue Barbell
Weight	20kg	20kg
Shaft	Stainless Steel	Bright Zinc
Sleeves	Stainless Steel	Bright Zinc
Diameter	28.5mm	28.5
Bushings	Bronze	Regular
PSI	200,000	190,000
Knurl	Dual Knurl Marks for Olympic and Powerlifting	Olympic Weightlifting
Centre Knurl	No	No
Branding	Rogue Endcaps	Echo Endcaps
Cost	$370	$265
Where to Purchase	Rogue Ohio Bar Stainless Steel	Echo Rogue Barbell

Different Types of Ohio Rogue Barbell

In this article we will cover four different Ohio Rogue Barbell variants.

These are:

1. Rogue Ohio Bar Stainless Steel
2. The Ohio Bar E-Coat
3. The Ohio Bar Cerakote
4. Rogue Ohio Bar 2.0 (Extra Colour Variations)

Overview: The Rogue Ohio Bar – Stainless Steel

The stainless-steel version of the 20KG Rogue Ohio Bar is machined and assembled in Columbus, Ohio, and features a 200,000 PSI tensile strength shaft with an exclusive Rogue knurl pattern that’s 100% in its original, machined form for an unmatched feel.

Along with the firm but non-abrasive grip, the Stainless-Steel Ohio Bar’s dual knurl marks optimize it for both Olympic lifts and Powerlifting.

With the quality US steel and precision bronze bushings you can rely on a smooth, consistent spin and a unique balance of whip and rigidity.

Like all of the barbells bearing the “Ohio” name, Rogue think this design represents more than just the Rogue brand.

It’s a testament to where they work, who they are, and the pride they feel in making the best high-performance barbells in the industry.

Rogue Ohio Bar Stainless Steel Specifications

• Manufactured in Columbus, OH
• Diameter: 28.5MM
• Weight: 20KG
• Stainless Steel Shaft
• Sleeves: Stainless
• Dual Knurl Marks for Oly and Power lifts
• No centre Knurl
• 200,000 PSI Tensile Strength Steel
• Bronze Bushings
• 16.40″ loadable sleeve length
• Rogue branded endcaps
• $370.00

Note on Stainless Steel: Barbells made from raw steel are not plated and therefore marks from the machining process may be visible.

Rogue Ohio Bar E-Coat Barbell

The latest variation of the flagship Rogue Ohio Bar introduces a new, Black E-Coat shaft finish.

This electrically applied coating was first popularized in the auto industry for its reliable coverage, adhesion, and corrosion resistance, and it’s gained even wider favor for its environmental benefits, producing little to no HAPS (Hazardous Air Pollutants) or VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds).

Like all Ohio Bars, the E-Coat model is fully machined and assembled in Columbus, Ohio.

It includes a 190,000 PSI tensile strength shaft, dual knurl marks (no centre knurl), and bright zinc sleeves.

The hybrid knurling pattern offers a firm but comfortable grip on both Powerlifts and Oly lifts, while a snap-ring design, quality U.S. steel, and bronze bushings help produce the perfect balance of rigidity and natural whip.

Rogue Ohio Bar E-Coat Barbell Specifications

• Manufactured in Columbus, OH
• Diameter: 28.5MM
• Weight: 20KG
• E-Coat Shaft, Bright Zinc Sleeves
• Dual Knurl Marks for Oly and Power lifts
• No centre Knurl
• 190,000 PSI Tensile Strength Steel
• Bronze Bushings for Reliable Spin
• 16.40″ loadable sleeve length
• Rogue branded endcaps
• Patented Design
• $305.00

Rogue Ohio Bar Cerakote

This new variation on their flagship 20KG Rogue Ohio Bar introduces a unique polymer-ceramic composite coating—popularized in the gun industry for its durability in thin applications.

Available in a range of custom-color finish options with exclusive Rogue branding, this model is a genuine game changer.

Fully machined and assembled in Columbus, OH, the Ohio Bar continues to represent the highest level of precision engineering.

Try Rogue J Cups

The Cerakote Finish version maintains all the key features of the standard Ohio Bar, including a 190,000 PSI tensile strength shaft, dual knurl marks, quality composite bushings, and a lifetime warranty against bending.*

A barbell that has always delivered multi-purpose versatility and dependable performance now also offers the ability to match it with the colors of your gym / school / team etc.

Rogue Ohio Bar Cerakote Specifications

• Manufactured in Columbus, OH
• Diameter: 28.5MM
• Weight: 20KG
• Dual Knurl Marks for Oly and Power lifts
• No centre Knurl
• 190,000 PSI Tensile Strength Steel
• Composite Bushings
• NEW Polymer-Ceramic Composite Finish option in Custom Colors w/ Rogue branding
• Sleeve Finish Options: Cerakote or Chrome
• Lifetime Warranty Against Bending*
• Patented Design
• $350.00

Rogue Ohio Bar 2.0s

Available in different colour variations.

The Ohio Bar 2.0S is the first barbell to feature built-in sound dampening properties.

In testing, it consistently measures 10 decibels (dB) quieter than typical bars when dropped in the same conditions.

To the human ear, that’s equivalent to being half as loud as what you’d expect from your current barbell.

For nearly 100 years, dating back to the earliest adjustable-weight, rotating-sleeve bars of the 1920s, the sleeves on almost all standard barbells have been fastened to the shaft in a manner that allows for metal-to-metal contact, creating much of the noise when the bar is dropped.

To counter this, Rogue developed a new, patent-pending construction method that eliminates all metal-to-metal contact between the shaft and sleeves.

In addition, this advanced design incorporates components and materials often used in heavy duty military vehicles, high performance automotive, and industrial machinery, where reliability is critical.

This includes top-tier proprietary polymer bushings and dampened endcaps to further decrease the noise on the drop without sacrificing the bar’s performance, strength, or durability.

In addition to its internal innovations, the Ohio Bar 2.0S is also their first barbell to feature the new proprietary sleeve finish, which transforms the surface of the steel rather than coating it, greatly increasing the long-term corrosion, impact and abrasion resistance of the black finish.

Apart from these improvements, Rogue have kept the functional aspects of the barbell the same as their standard Cerakote Ohio Bar, including a 28.5mm, 190,000 PSI tensile strength steel shaft and a signature Ohio knurl with breaks in the knurl for powerlifting and weightlifting (there is no centre knurl).

The ceramic-based Cerakote shaft coating offers corrosion resistance up to 100x that of traditional black zinc, and their patented Rogue Work Hardening (RWH™) process gives the bar the highest possible F Rating of F-8R.

That means it has the highest level of fatigue resistance of any of the Rogue barbells and can stand up to decades of abuse even in high volume gyms.

Rogue Ohio Bar 2.0s Specifications

• Manufactured in Columbus, OH
• Patent Pending Design
• Diameter: 28.5MM
• Weight: 20KG
• Dual Knurl Marks for Oly and Power lifts
• No centre Knurl
• 190,000 PSI Tensile Strength Steel
• 50% Quieter than standard Ohio Bar on the drop
• Proprietary Bushings
• Shaft Finish: Cerakote Black
• Sleeve Finish: Proprietary Matte Black Finish
• New Improved Endcaps
• Lifetime Warranty Against Bending*
• As always, each barbell is machined and assembled in Columbus, Ohio, and backed by a Lifetime Warranty Against Bending.
• $395.00

*Please Note: This Cerakote shaft finish of this bar is currently available only in Black.

Ohio Rogue Barbells – What Sets them Apart?

Model	Rogue Ohio Bar Stainless Steel	Rogue Ohio Bar E-Coat	Rogue Ohio Bar Cerakote	Rogue Ohio Bar 2.0
Weight	20kg	20kg	20kg	20kg
Shaft	Stainless Steel	E-Coat	Polymer Ceramic Composite Finish	Cerakote Black
Sleeves	Stainless Steel	Zinc	Cerakote Or Chrome	Matte Black Finish
Diameter	28.5mm	28.5mm	28.5mm	28.5mm
Bushings	Bronze	Bronze	Composite	Proprietary
PSI	200,000	190,000	190,000	190,000
Knurl	Dual for Olympic and Powerlifting	Dual for Olympic and Powerlifting	Dual for Olympic and Powerlifting	Dual for Olympic and Powerlifting
Centre Knurl	No	No	No	No
Branding	Rogue Endcaps	Rogue Endcaps	Rogue Endcaps Coloured Shaft	Improved Endcaps
Cost	$370	$305	$350	$410
Where to Purchase	Rogue Ohio Bar Stainless Steel	Rogue Ohio Bar E-Coat	Rogue Ohio Bar Cerakote	Rogue Ohio Bar 2.0

Overview – Echo Rogue Barbell

Machined and assembled at our Columbus manufacturing facility, the newly redesigned Rogue Echo Bar 2.0 is an economically priced 28.5MM bushing bar equipped with many of the same features as their flagship Rogue Ohio Bar.

Starting with a 190,000 PSI tensile strength steel shaft and bright zinc finish, the Echo Bar also now includes an upgraded snap ring sleeve construction and exclusive Echo branded endcaps.

There are single IWF standard Olympic knurl marks (no centre knurl or powerlifting marks) and 16.40″ of loadable sleeve length.

All orders of the Echo Bar also come with a 1-year warranty.*

Echo Rogue Barbell Specifications

• Made in the USA
• Weight: 20KG
• Diameter: 28.5MM
• 190,000 PSI Tensile Strength Steel
• NEW Snap Ring Construction
• NEW Echo Endcaps
• Finish: Bright Zinc
• Loadable Sleeve Length: 16.40″
• Single Olympic Knurl Marks

Best Rogue Barbells for Women

These barbells are for all the strong, dedicated women that love to lift.

The Bella Bar 2.0 – Black Zinc

The Bella Bar 2.0 is the next generation of women’s barbell.

The Bella Bar is Rogue’s go-to multipurpose 15KG barbell for female athletes.

Fully machined and assembled in the USA, this versatile ladies bar is uniquely optimized for Olympic weightlifting, powerlifting, and/or a CrossFit WOD.

Built with as much attention to detail as any bar in the Rogue family, the Bella Bar is a women’s weightlifting bar forged on equal ground.

A staple of women’s CrossFit competitions – including events at the CrossFit Games – the 25MM Bella Bar has no centre knurl and features the same Rogue signature Dual Knurl Marks and 190,000 PSI tensile strength as their flagship 20KG Ohio Bar.

The hybrid knurling pattern itself offers a firm but comfortable grip on both Powerlifts and Oly lifts, while quality U.S. steel and snap-ring bronze bushings produce the perfect balance of rigidity and natural whip.

The Bella Bar 2.0 – Black Zinc Specifications

• Made in USA
• Weight: 15KG (33 pounds)
• Diameter: 25MM (0.98 inches)
• Bar Length: 2010 mm, Loadable Sleeve Length: 330 mm
• Tensile Strength: 190,000 PSI
• Black Zinc Coated Shaft
• Bright Zinc Coated Sleeves
• Dual Knurl Marks: Both Powerlift and Olympic Knurling
• No centre Knurl

Rogue Barbell Cerakote Bella Bar

The new Cerakote finish edition of the Rogue Bella Bar adds another level of durability and style to the industry’s finest American-made, multi-purpose women’s barbell.

This is among the first bars in their arsenal to feature the advanced polymer-ceramic composite coating—an extremely robust finish used widely in the gun industry for its durability in thin applications.

Available in a range of custom-colour options with exclusive Rogue branding, this model is a genuine game changer.

From garage gyms to the annual CrossFit Games, the Rogue Bella Bar has been a staple of women’s training and competition for years.

The Cerakote Finish version carries over many of the key design elements of the standard Bella Bar 2.0, including a 190,000 PSI tensile strength shaft (same as the flagship 15KG Ohio Bar), a hybrid knurling pattern for a firm but non-abrasive grip, and quality bronze bushings for a perfect balance of rigidity and natural whip.

Rogue Barbell Cerakote Bella Bar Specifications

• Made in Columbus, OH, USA
• Weight: 15KG (33LB)
• Diameter: 25MM (0.98″)
• Bar Length: 79.13″, Loadable Sleeve Length: 13.00″
• Tensile Strength: 190,000 PSI
• NEW Polymer-Ceramic Composite Finish option in Custom Colors w/ Rogue branding
• Note: Clear bars are coated post machining so they will have slight blemishes from clamps in our machining process.
• Sleeve Finish: Black Cerakote or Chrome
• Dual Knurl Marks: Both Powerlift and Olympic Knurling
• No centre Knurl
• Construction Warranty

Olympic Weightlifting Rogue Barbells

This section is dedicated exclusively to Rogue Barbells designed for Olympic Weightlifting.

We will detail the following bars:

1. Rogue 28mm IWF Olympic Weightlifting Bar – Cerakote
2. Rogue Olympic Weightlifting Bar – Bright Zinc
3. Rogue 28mm Olympic Training Bar – Black Zinc

Olympic Weightlifting Rogue Barbells – What Sets them Apart?

Model	Rogue 28mm IWF Olympic Weightlifting Bar Cerakote	Rogue Olympic Weightlifting Bar Bright Zinc	Rogue 28mm Olympic Training Bar Black Zinc
Weight	20kg	20kg	20kg
Shaft	Black Cerakote Finish	Bright Zinc	Cerakote Black
Sleeves	Friction Welded. Chrome	Bright Zinc	Cerakote Black
Diameter	28mm	28mm	28mm
Bushings	Needle Bearings	Needle Bearings	Bronze Bushings
PSI	215,000	215,000	215,000
Knurl	Olympic	Olympic	Olympic
Centre Knurl	Yes	Yes	No
Branding	IWF	IWF	Rogue Endcaps
Cost	$605	$560	$360
Where to Purchase	Rogue 28mm IWF Olympic Weightlifting Bar – Cerakote	Rogue Olympic Weightlifting Bar Bright Zinc	Rogue 28mm Olympic Training Bar Black Zinc

Rogue 28mm IWF Olympic Weightlifting Bar – Cerakote

This edition of the Rogue 28MM Olympic Weightlifting Bar features a Black Cerakote finish and official International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) branding on the shaft and endcaps—denoting the bar’s approval from the IWF for use in competition.

Each 20KG bar is machined and assembled in Columbus, OH, and includes a 215K PSI steel shaft, quality needle bearings, and friction-welded chrome sleeves.

A centre knurl provides added “stick,” and an exclusive precision-machined knurl pattern offers a firm but non-abrasive grip.

This Rogue Olympic Weightlifting Bar ranks among the best in the industry for feel, durability, and performance.

Approval from the IWF further proves the high standard to which it’s held.

This version of the 28MM Olympic Weightlifting Bar has been recognized at the highest levels of competition through its IWF certification.

In the strength world, IWF approval is like the equivalent of a restaurant getting its Michelin stars, so we’re proud to include a new IWF Cerakote logo on the shaft of the bar, along with additional IWF branding on the endcaps.

Rogue 28mm IWF Olympic Weightlifting Bar – Cerakote Specifications

• Made in Columbus, OH, USA with US and EU Steel
• 28MM Men’s Olympic Bearing Bar
• 215K PSI tensile strength steel shaft
• Shaft Diameter: 28MM
• NEW IWF Approved branding on shaft and endcaps
• Black Cerakote Shaft Finish
• Friction Welded Sleeves, Chrome Finish, 16.25” loadable sleeve length
• 5 Needle Bearings per sleeve”
• Olympic Knurl Marks and centre Knurl in full but non-aggressive pattern

Rogue Olympic Weightlifting Bar – Bright Zinc

Combining a 215K PSI steel shaft with quality needle bearings, friction-welded sleeves, and a full but non-abrasive knurl pattern, this IWF Approved version of the Rogue Olympic Weightlifting Bar ranks among the best in the industry for feel, durability, and performance.

Each 20KG bar is machined and assembled in Columbus, OH, and includes a center knurl for added “stick” along with official IWF branding on both the shaft and endcaps.

Rogue Olympic Weightlifting Bar – Bright Zinc Specifications

• Made in the USA with US and EU Steel
• 28MM Men’s Olympic Bearing Bar
• NEW IWF Approved branding on shaft and endcaps
• 215K PSI tensile strength steel shaft
• Friction Welded Sleeves, 16.25” loadable sleeve length
• 5 Needle Bearings per sleeve
• Olympic Knurl Marks and Center Knurl in full but non-aggressive pattern

Rogue 28mm Olympic Training Bar – Black Zinc

The Rogue 28MM Training Bar is designed, machined, and assembled at the Rogue factory in Columbus, Ohio using the same steel shaft and uniform knurl pattern as their Olympic Weightlifting Bar.

In place of the Olympic Bar’s bearing sleeves, however, the Training Bar is assembled with bronze bushings in the style of the Rogue Ohio Bar.

The result is a more cost-efficient, intermediate bar for athletes who still want the look and feel of a competition-ready Olympic barbell.

The quality U.S. steel used in the 28MM Training Bar meets a minimum tensile strength of 190 KSI, and each shaft is individually tested for straightness to within 0.015” (0.38mm).

The bar is finished with Black Zinc shaft with Bright Zinc Sleeves.

Rogue 28mm Olympic Training Bar – Black Zinc Specifications

• Made in the USA with US and EU Steel
• Weight: 20KG
• Diameter: 28MM
• Knurling: Olympic Knurl Marks; Full uniform pattern for reduced sharpness; No centre knurl
• Bronze Bushing Sleeves
• Coatings: Black Zinc/Bright Zinc
• Lifetime Warranty Against Bending*
• Patented Design

Other Points to Consider When Buying a Rogue Barbell

Make sure to read up on these other important aspects of a Barbell.

Rogue Barbell F Scale™

The F Scale™ is a durability scale for barbells based on functional testing at stresses similar to what barbells experience when being dropped from overhead.

Bars that have been treated with Rogue Work Hardening (RWH™) are designated by having an R in their F Rating™.

Rogue Barbell Oxidation Rate

The resistance of a barbell to oxidation depends on the type of steel and the coating.

Barbells at the lower end of the spectrum will require more care and maintenance to preserve their appearance than barbells at the upper end of the spectrum.

Rogue Barbell Bending

*Warranty against bending does not cover any bar which has been damaged due to negligent or faulty use, alteration, maintenance, storage or handling by the user.

Negligent or faulty use includes abusive dropping of the bar (i.e., dropping the bar on a box, bench, spotter arms or pins in a power rack, excessive dropping with insufficient or damaged bumpers, or excessive dropping with iron plates, and similar usage).

Any specific issues regarding a Rogue product with which a customer is not satisfied will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Rogue has a replacement rate of less than 0.0002 on bars.

How much does a Barbell Weight?

• For women, the official weight of a barbell is 15kg
• For men, the official weight of a barbell is 20kg

What does PSI Mean for Barbells?

PSI = Pounds per square inch

Tensile strength of a material is the maximum amount of tensile stress that it can take before failure.

PSI is the unit of Tensile strength and it stands for Pounds per square inch.

What’s the Right Rogue Barbell for Me?

At the end of the day it comes down to your goal. What exactly will you be using the barbell for?

Best Value Rogue Barbell	Echo Rogue Barbell
Best Rogue Barbell for Beginners	Echo Rogue Barbell
Best All-round Barbell	Rogue Ohio Bar Cerakote
Best for Women	Rogue Bella Bar 2.0
Best for Box and Gym Owners	Rogue Ohio Bar Stainless Steel
Best for Olympic Weightlifting	Rogue 28mm IWF Olympic Weightlifting Bar – Cerakote
Best for CrossFit and Functional Fitness	Rogue Ohio Bar E Coat

Other Rogue Equipment

Deadlift Jack

Echo Bike

Pegboard

Squat Safety Bar

Reverse Hyper Machine

Plyo Box

Stall Bars