The 7 Best Axle Bars For A Grip Of Steel

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An axle bar is a thick weight lifting bar that is especially great for training grip strength. The best options offer the most value for the investment.

Best axle bars top picks

1. Titan Fitness Standard Axle Barbell (average dimensions)
2. Titan Fitness Short Axle Barbell (short)
3. Titan Fitness Round Grip String Bar (3″ = 7.6 cm diameter grip)
4. Rogue Stubby Axle (short)
5. Rogue Branch Fat Bar (3″ = 7.6 cm diameter grip)
6. Gorilla Strength Bubba Rackable Axle Bar (average dimensions)
7. Power Systems Fat Bar (short and knurling)

To make it easier to find the best axle bar for you we also added any distinct features behind the product name. The more “average” axle bar features are a length of around 80″ (203 cm), a handle diameter of around 1.9″ (4.8 cm), and no knurling.

Because of these distinct features and differences in training goals, hand sizes, budget, and personal preferences, it is not possible to create one perfect ranking for every individual. Sometimes picks lower on the list will be better for you.

How we selected our top picks

Our fitness experts spent a lot of time looking at and comparing all the different important factors of the best axle bars. Some of the things that were taken into consideration when making our selection include:

• Handle diameter, weight capacity, bar length, knurling, etc.
• User reviews
• Anecdotal reviews from fitness experts
• Price
• Brand trustability

If a pick seems interesting click it to see the online prices.

7 Best axle bars reviewed in depth

With the list of the top picks you can make a quick decision. Additionally, you can look at each of the best axle bars reviewed in depth to confirm that you are making the right choice.

1. Titan Fitness Standard Axle Barbell

Our top pick for the best axle bar is the Titan Fitness Standard Axle Barbell. This model gets basically all of the essentials of a standard axle bar right at a surprisingly low price.

One thing that customers do mention a lot is that the powder coating comes off easily. Especially on the sleeves where the weight plates you use come in contact with the bar.

Besides that, you get a great axle bar with a handle diameter of 1.97″ (5 cm). A few people will want an even bigger challenge with a 3″ (7.6 cm) model but for most people, this axle bar is the way to go.

Unloaded, the weight of the bar is 24 pounds (10.9 kg). You can also load the 15.5″ (39.3 cm) sleeves with weight plates up to a total weight of 660 pounds (299 kg).

Axle bars also come in shorter versions from time to time. This first model from Titan Fitness is not one of these and has a relatively average total length of 84″ (213.4 cm).

Three important things where the Titan Fitness Standard Axle Barbell does stand out are its low price, high number of customers, and how happy these customers are.

2. Titan Fitness Short Axle Barbell

This next axle bar from Titan Fitness is basically the short version of the previous option. To get the benefits of axle bars you do not always need a bar with a long length. The short length has both advantages and disadvantages.

The first benefit of a shorter axle bar is that it typically costs less since it uses less material. Additionally, a shorter bar is easier to use in small spaces that already have a lot of other equipment.

One potential downside is that the sleeves are also a lot shorter at 8″ (20.32 cm). If the 45-pound/20 kg bumper plates are about 3″ (7.6 cm) wide some people may find the maximum weight deadlifts with a short axle bar too easy.

In short, individuals who do not lift that heavy with their axle bar can save some money and space by getting the Titan Fitness Short Axle Barbell. Other individuals likely want to get one of the longer models.

To be more specific than just “short”, this axle bar from Titan Fitness has a total length of 60″ (152.4 cm). Due to the shorter length it can also hold more weight, up to 880 pounds (399 kg).

Due to using less material the bar also starts lighter at 17 pounds (7.7 kg). The handle diameter is relatively standard at 1.9″ (4.8 cm) and this handle does not have knurling.

3. Titan Fitness Round Grip String Bar

Titan Fitness is really on top of their axle bars and this next model is another example of that. The Titan Fitness Round Grip String Bar is different from the previous options in that the handle diameter is 3″ (7.6 cm).

If you are looking to invest in your first axle bar and you are not sure what handle diameter you need, this option is likely not for you unless you have really big hands and already a lot of grip strength.

On the other hand, if you are more experienced when it comes to this type of fitness equipment, the Titan Fitness Round Grip String Bar may be one of the few options that offer the challenge you are looking for.

Due to the extra material, the initial investment required for this 3″ (7.6 cm) model will be slightly higher than the regular and short axle bars. At the same time, Titan Fitness is still able to keep the price reasonable.

The middle part of this axle bar is above average when it comes to thickness but the total length stays about average at 80.5″ (204.5 cm). Similar to most axle bars the handle does not have any knurling.

Additionally, the sleeve lengths of 14″ (35.6 cm) each are typical. One thing that Titan Fitness could improve on is mentioning the specific weight capacity.

That being said, if you are looking for an axle bar with a 3″ handle diameter, this Titan Fitness Round Grip String Bar is likely the way to go.

4. Rogue Stubby Axle

Titan Fitness does a really great job with their axle bars but there are other brands like Rogue that offer great options as well, though at a slightly higher price.

If you really like the Rogue Fitness brand and what they are doing with their products that are made in the U.S.A. you can definitely still consider the Rogue Stubby Axle.

This axle bar has a diameter of 1.9″ (4.8 cm) and a relatively short length of 60″ (152.4 cm). This short length makes your axle bar cheaper and more compact but also comes with shorter sleeves.

That means individuals that are more experienced with grip training may find the challenge this bar has to offer a bit lacking. These individuals can also go for the regular Rogue Axle bar if they like the Rogue brand.

A specific weight capacity for the Rogue Stubby Axle bar would be nice. However, the regular Rogue Axle bar has been tested at 650 pounds (294 kg).

Shorter axle bars are typically sturdier and in turn, the limit of the stubby version is likely higher. Additionally, it will be hard to reach these weights with the relatively small sleeve lengths.

The Rogue Stubby Axle bar can be a good option for individuals who like short axle bars, love the Rogue brand, and/or happen to stumble upon any good deals.

Other people likely want to save some money by getting the Titan Fitness Short Axle Bar.

5. Rogue Branch Fat Bar

The Rogue Branch Fat Bar is a 3″ (7.6 cm) handle diameter axle bar from Rogue. Similar to the previous option this is a great axle bar but a bit pricier than the Titan Fitness version.

3″ (7.6 cm) will be too thick for many people but strong individuals with bigger hands can consider this model. Besides that, the total length is average at 80.5″ (204.5 cm) which includes 14″ (35.6 cm) sleeves on each side.

If you decide that a 3″ axle is the right choice for you, what unique model you should pick again depends on how much you like the Rogue Fitness brand and their products that are made in the U.S.A.

The weight capacity of the Rogue Branch Fat Bar is 550 pounds (249 kg). Even for strong individuals this should be enough for most axle bar exercises.

Next, this bar starts at 39 pounds (17.7 kg). For some individuals and exercises this will be on the high side but for a 3-inch axle bar, this is somewhat expected.

A nice addition is that you can also choose the beam version of this bar. Instead of a round fat grip, the thick handle is in a beam shape as the name implies. This is typically even more challenging for your grip.

6. Gorilla Strength Bubba Rackable Axle Bar

One of the first things that stand out in the next axle bar is the high weight limit. The website of Gorilla Strength says this bar is tested up to 3000 pounds (1360 kg) with the mention that with certain weight plates you want to stay below 500 pounds.

While this could be a typo or overestimation, it is clear that this axle bar is made to be at least somewhat sturdy.

Most individuals will not come near the weight limits of most axle bars but in the unlikely chance that the previous brands do not look sturdy enough for you, this axle bar could be the better choice.

Two other things that could make people consider this option are that the axle bar is made in the U.S.A. and the very positive ratio of customer reviews.

Besides the mentioned details, the Gorilla Strength Bubba Rackable Axle Bar is about average.

It has a total length of 80″ (203.2 cm) which includes two sleeves of 13″ (33 cm). Unloaded, this model weighs 25 pounds (11.3 kg) which is close to the average axle bar weight. Lastly, the bar handle diameter is 1.9″ (4.8 cm).

7. Power Systems Fat Bar

The Power Systems Fat Bar is relatively unique in a few features which can make it the right choice for certain individuals. One thing that definitely needs to improve is the accuracy of the product description.

This model is one of the few options out there if you are looking for an axle bar with knurling (grooves in the bar).

Most brands leave out the knurling in fat bars because this makes the grip easier which is the opposite goal most people have with an axle bar. That being said, some people prefer the thick bar in combination with knurling.

Something else that can be useful to the right people is the extra short length of 47″ (119.4 cm) of the Power Systems Fat Bar instead of around 60″ like other short axle bars.

This extra compactness can be useful for small workout spaces, storage, and transport. That being said, not everyone needs that.

The main product downside is that the sleeve may be too short to load with the weights you need. Especially for heavy lifts like an axle bar deadlift.

Besides that, the main negative customer reviews are because of the inaccurate product description. This says a handle diameter of 3″ while this is 2″.

Next, customers mention the weight of the Power Systems Fat Bar is around 10 to 15 pounds (4.5 to 6.8 kg), not 35 pounds like you can find somewhere in the product description.

Once you know these product description inaccuracies, the axle bar from Power Systems can be a good choice for the right individuals and preferences.

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