Bells of Steel Barbell Review: Multi-Purpose vs Powerlifting Bar Comparison
When building a home gym, the barbell is perhaps the most important piece of equipment you'll purchase. Today we're comparing two options from Bells of Steel: their Multi-Purpose Utility Bar and their Powerlifting Bar.
The Multi-Purpose Utility Bar
This general-purpose barbell is designed to handle all types of lifting without specializing in any particular discipline. After six months of regular use, here's how it performs:
Construction and Finish
The Multi-Purpose bar features a black zinc coating on the shaft with ribbed sleeves that help prevent plates from sliding. While these ribs look premium and add a nice aesthetic touch, they don't make a significant difference if you're using collars (which you should be).
The shaft diameter is 28.5mm, making it versatile for different types of lifts. At around $200, this represents solid value for a quality all-purpose barbell.
Knurling
The medium knurling is comfortable for most lifts but may not provide enough grip for heavy deadlifts without straps or chalk. For deadlifts beyond 315 pounds, you might need additional grip assistance. The moderate knurling won't tear up your hands, making it appropriate for high-volume training.
Performance
After six months of heavy use for all major lifts (squats, bench press, deadlifts, overhead press), the bar has held up extremely well. There is some slight discoloration near the ends of the shaft, but this could be attributed to normal garage gym conditions rather than any deficiency in the bar itself.
The Powerlifting Bar
For an additional $80, Bells of Steel offers their Powerlifting Bar, which comes in either black Cerakote (as reviewed) or bare steel.
Construction and Specifications
This bar follows IPF (International Powerlifting Federation) specifications with narrower collars that reduce bar width and whip. The shaft diameter is 29mm, making it slightly thicker than the Multi-Purpose bar. This added stiffness is beneficial for heavy squats and bench presses.
Like the Multi-Purpose bar, it features ribbed sleeves, though interestingly the manufacturer recommends against using tight-fitting plates on the Cerakote version as they may wear off the finish.
Knurling
The knurling on the Cerakote Powerlifting Bar was somewhat disappointing. While technically taller than on the Multi-Purpose bar, the Cerakote finish significantly dulls the grip. This appears to be because the coating fills in some of the gaps between the knurling points.
According to follow-up communications with Bells of Steel, this is a known limitation of their Cerakote finish. For those seeking truly aggressive knurling, the bare steel version would be a better choice, though it requires more maintenance.
Customer Service
It's worth noting that Bells of Steel provided excellent customer service when contacted about the knurling issue. They responded quickly, provided clear information, and facilitated an easy return process.
Which Bar Should You Choose?
Based on this comparison, here are our recommendations:
- For general training: The Multi-Purpose Utility Bar at $200 offers excellent value and will meet the needs of most home gym lifters.
- For competitive powerlifters: If you need IPF specs and aggressive knurling, consider the bare steel Powerlifting Bar.
- Avoid: The Cerakote Powerlifting Bar if aggressive knurling is your primary concern.
The Bottom Line
For most home gym enthusiasts, the Multi-Purpose Utility Bar represents the better value. The additional $80 for the Powerlifting Bar only makes sense if you specifically need the IPF specs or prefer the slightly thicker shaft diameter. However, if you're seeking aggressive knurling, neither of the bars reviewed here may fully satisfy that requirement.
Bells of Steel produces quality equipment backed by excellent customer service, making either bar a solid addition to your home gym setup – just be aware of the limitations of the Cerakote finish if grip is your priority.
