What Is the Best Powerlifting Bar?

Introduction: Why the Bar Matters

When it comes to powerlifting, your barbell is the most important piece of equipment. Plates can vary, racks can change, but the bar is always in your hands or on your back. A great bar gives you confidence, consistency, and performance under heavy weight. A bad bar can ruin your grip, bend under pressure, or fail you when it matters most.

So the question every lifter asks: What is the best powerlifting bar?

The answer isn’t just about specs on paper — it’s about real-world results. And for more than 40 years, lifters worldwide have agreed: the Original Texas Power Bar is the gold standard.

What Makes a Great Powerlifting Bar?

Before naming the best, let’s break down what matters most in a power bar:

Knurling (Grip): The texture on the bar determines how secure your grip is. It should be aggressive enough for heavy pulls but not so sharp it shreds your hands.
Shaft Diameter & Stiffness: Power bars are designed to be stiff with little flex. Most range between 28–29mm.
Tensile Strength & Durability: Strong steel (usually 180k–205k PSI) prevents bending and ensures longevity.
Center Knurl: Essential for squats — keeps the bar locked on your back.
Federation Approval: If you compete, you want the bar trusted in meets and record attempts.
Legacy & Trust: Specs mean little if a bar hasn’t proven itself under real-world record lifts.

The Top Contender in Powerlifting Bars

Why the Texas Power Bar Stands Above the Rest

1. Legacy of Records

No other barbell has been used to set more world records than the Texas Power Bar. Since 1980, lifters across USAPL, USPA, WRPF, and historically IPF competitions have trusted it on the platform. That kind of legacy can’t be replicated.

2. Made in Texas Since 1980

Every TPB has been built in Texas from American steel. This isn’t a mass-produced import — it’s the original U.S.-made bar trusted for over four decades.

3. Legendary Knurling

The TPB’s grip is iconic: aggressive enough for maximal deadlifts, but balanced for daily training. Lifters know it as the “perfect middle ground” that keeps you locked in without tearing your hands apart. Many bars have tried to copy the pattern — none have matched it.

4. Durability Proven Over Decades

With 190k PSI steel, the Texas Power Bar has stood up to 1,000+ lb squats and 900+ lb deadlifts for decades. Thousands of TPBs from the 1980s are still in daily use today — proof that this bar lasts a lifetime.

5. Competition Approved

Federations trust the TPB because it’s consistent, reliable, and built to spec. Whether you’re lifting at a local meet or on the world stage, chances are the TPB will be the bar under your hands.

For Every Lifter: Beginner to Elite

One reason the Texas Power Bar has endured is its balance. It works for:

Beginners: Secure grip builds confidence without pain.
Men & Women: Shaft size and knurling pattern suit all lifters.
Elite Competitors: Trusted under world-record weight.

It’s one of the few bars equally at home in a garage gym and on the world stage.

Conclusion: The Gold Standard of Powerlifting Bars

So, what is the best powerlifting bar?

While many competitors have entered the market, the Texas Power Bar remains the gold standard. Built in Texas since 1980, responsible for more world records than any other bar, and trusted by lifters at every level, it’s not just the best barbell — it’s powerlifting history. Get yours today! CLICK HERE

What is the Best Powerlifting Bar?