But the training bar isn't IPF approved and has softer knurl imo, so you really can't compare it with, say, an OPB. The eleiko competition bar is like $500 more expensive so it's ~2200 (eleiko ipf) vs 560$ (rogue ipf).
I'd call Rogue insanely good value from this point of view. I also prefer the OPB to the Eleiko regardless of price. I found eleiko bars were sharp and I would cut myself on them without any grip or feel benefits over the OPB, they rust and the end caps look cheap and tacky for a bar of that price.
With respect to sales, you seem to be able to get a 20-30% discount on retail if you ask, depending on how large the order is from both leisure concepts and rogue. Also certin clubs associations can get similar discounts from leisure concepts - if they have any stock that is, which they usually dont.
I've also used/bought ABC olympic/power/chrome import/deep fine knurl bars for extended periods of time and these are all 300-600$ so I wouldn't call them pricy, but the ABC rigs certainly are.
The imported ABC bars are absolute garbage.
The ABC iwf bars are exceptionally good for the price and I'd highly reccomend them over just about any of the competitors for oly lifting (eleiko/taishan/werk-san etc.).
The power bars are nice, the deep fine knurl is highly inconsistent between bars ranging from moderate to way too harsh so I'd recommend actually trying them before you buy one.
ABCs are the wrong diameter and have noticeably more whip than a 'power bar' should. Before the OPB came out I would reccomend them however, with the OPB only $80 more expensive there is absolutely no comparison. The OPB is IPF approved, has less whip, is the right dimensions, better sleeves, better machining/quality and is a way better bar overall.
The only advantage the ABC bars have is that they have a stronger coating which you can use metal brushes on without scratching it, but they are still prone to rust which the OPB isn't, but you have to brush it down with plastic brushes or the coating on the OPB will scratch badly.
My advice to anyone wanting to buy their own kit is:
IPF
Ohio Power Bar.
Muscle Motion Old Scool Plates (
https://gymdirect.com.au/products/muscl ... -20kg-25kg)
All of these plates I've seen run heavy so it's easy enough to calibrate them if you have accurate scales.
Or Gucci IPF plates if you want to.
A cheap half rack with plate holders like:
https://www.aussiefitness.com.au/p/body ... ack/L470HR
They take up way less space than a cage, are cheaper and save you money not having to buy a plate tree. That one is also rubber coated j-hooks and safeties.
Any ipf dimension bench will do. The cheap nasty (force usa whatever) ones do the job well enough, the expensive (rogue) ones are much nicer and feel just like a comp bench.
IWF
Standard ABC oly bar with b/n or s/s sleeves and whatever bumpers are on sale. It seems like no matter what brand is put on them, they all come from the same factory.
the PL Training bar is $1621 - the bar price I can live with, but the plates price per kg is laughable.
