CAP Barbell 2-Inch Olympic 7 ft Barbell Bars Multiple Options

Let me start with saying I own the 5 foot and two of the 6 foot versions of this bar and this 7 foot version is way better in so many ways. For the record there are several 7 foot versions of this bar, I ordered the "classic" in "chrome." I ordered it because I wanted to improve grip strength with a 30mm barbell and this was the cheapest one from an actual company that I have heard of. As an added bonus it includes free shipping in the price. Like the shorter versions of this bar that they make it does spin but at this price point as expected it is metal grinding on metal (not bushings or bearings). I am okay with this do to the cheap cost and that I only wanted to use it for a short while so why pay more? The knurling really impressed me since this one is a passive/medium knurl unlike the others I have mentioned which were passive or in one instance almost non existent in spots. This knurl is consistent on this bar so it is easy to grab hold of and unlike others it has a center knurl making squats much easier to perform. I like the chrome finish (all my others are in basic black) making this bar look sharp. This would make a good starter barbell for anyone either on a budget or just not sure if a home gym is for them and not wanting to buy a pricey bar until they know it will actually be used. Either way if you outgrow this bar (which most people will) it can be repurposed as a landmine bar since its cheap and you wont care when the sleeves get scuffed up. Some important information to know about this bar: It is an olympic bar so it holds 2" weight plates (not standard 1" plates). It is 30mm in diameter which is thicker than normal. Most are 25mm (womens), 28mm, 28.5mm or 29mm for men. The weight is not the norm since it is only 30 lbs instead of 45 lbs It is the proper length so it is rackable. With only a 63k tensile strength I know that it would not be safe to load 500 lbs on it like they claim. I own many barbells and a 110k tensile strength is the actual strength needed to hold up to 500 lbs. So with that in mind I would say 300 lbs is probably the max weight capacity of this bar. Better bars that you will want to keep are 190k tensile strength and can hold at least 1,000 lbs. Never max out a barbell, bench or rack for safety reasons so I would say 250 lbs is probably what is safe to load on this barbell which is one reason it is so cheap and I recommend as a starter bar that can later be just for landmine exercises. Again for the price, the quality of the knurl (with center knurl) and for what I wanted this bar for I do recommend this barbell. If however you are okay spending a little more consider "The Beast" or the "The Boss" both by the same company (CAP Barbell). Both are much better bars capable of heavier weight capacities, bushings, better knurl and a 5 year warranty instead of only 30 days. I have owned "The Beast" since January 2021 and it is still my bench press bar of choice. Read more

Let's be clear, if you are starting a home gym and haven't lifted in a long while, this bar is a 5/5. Knurling is great. Has a great weight to the bar. Weighing 16kg (35lbs), this bar is amazing. Feels strong and sturdy. The limit capacity states it has a cap around 500lbs. And let's be clear, for new lifters and people who haven't been to the gym in a while, that is well more than enough weight. I haven't tested this capacity yet; nor do I plan to. I've been slapping on a couple 45's and smaller plates totaling around 175lbs and this thing is rock solid. As it should be. Big HOWEVER, if you're a naturally strong person, or someone who has strength trained for a while, maybe watch some reviews for the bar. See how well it will stack up to other brands at whatever level you're lifting at. I don't see this thing giving out around the 500lbs mark. It just seems like it has more range than that based on my experience. So, in a nutshell, it screams value for the price. CAP is a great value brand. (Not cheap, but VALUE) Never dissatisfied with them. This barbell has went great with my MIkolo Power Cage. :) New / Returning Lifters: 5/5 Pro / Experienced: 4.5 / 5 (or better) Just my opinion on the matter. Unless you're a strong man competitor, I'd say this bar will deliver! Hope this review helps! Take care guys! Read more

I’ve been lifting with the Black CAP 7-foot Olympic bar for a few months, and it’s a powerhouse. The knurling is grippy without being harsh, giving me excellent control on heavy pulls and presses. The black oxide finish not only looks sharp but also resists rust and wear—still sleek after plenty of sweat and chalk. The sleeves spin smoothly on their bushings, so cleans and snatches feel fluid, yet the bar remains stable under heavy squats and deadlifts. Rated for serious weight, it handles my heaviest lifts with zero flex or rattle. For a home gym, this bar feels like a professional piece of equipment at a great value. If you want a reliable, no-nonsense Olympic bar that will last for years, this Black CAP 7ft barbell is an outstanding choice. Read more

I waited a few weeks after purchasing to do a review because I wanted to see how this held up and the performance of it. The diameter is just right and the knurling is very nice. It's balanced and even and I noticed a huge difference on my shoulder presses and bench press. The heaviest weught I've put on it so far is 225 for deadlifts. That's not a ton of weight but it handled it just fine. It feels good in your hands. I read that this bar has a small degree of whip, which means it bends temporarily while lifting and then returns to it's original shape afterwards. It's a great bar for the price. I noticed a little bit of the black powder coating is coming off of the ends, from sliding the weights on and off, but not a big deal. Such a big step up from my 2 previous Olympic bars. I'm happy with my purchase. Read more