Starting Strength Bar
American Made Since 1980
LOW FLAT-RATE U.S. SHIPPING
Description
Texas Starting Strength Bar (28.5mm)
The Official Bar of Starting Strength
28.5mm Shaft — Fine Knurl — Bare Steel Finish
The official bar of the Starting Strength program—used in Starting Strength Gyms nationwide.
The Texas Starting Strength Bar (28.5mm) is built in Texas for one purpose: consistent, repeatable strength progression through high-frequency training.
Designed around the demands of Squat, Press, Bench, Deadlift, and Power Clean, this bar delivers the ideal balance of grip, comfort, and control—session after session, without breaking down your hands.
Handbuilt in Texas using American steel—No Imports. No Shortcuts. Proven performance trusted since 1980.
Why Choose This Over a Standard Power Bar
- ✓ 28.5mm Shaft: Better grip and improved rack position vs thicker 29mm power bars.
- ✓ Fine Knurling: Built for high-frequency training—secure grip without tearing your hands.
- ✓ Built for All Five Lifts: Performs across squat, press, bench, deadlift, and power clean.
- ✓ Bare Steel Feel: Raw grip and direct bar feel. Requires regular maintenance and may develop patina or surface rust.
Built for the Starting Strength Method
The 28.5mm shaft improves grip, wrist position, and control across all five primary barbell movements—exactly where it matters.
The fine knurling is engineered for high-frequency training, where you’re lifting multiple times per week. It provides enough bite to hold heavy weight, without breaking down your hands over time.
Built from 190,000 PSI tensile strength American steel, this bar stays straight, reliable, and consistent through years of progression.
Key Features
- Fine Knurl Pattern: Grip without unnecessary wear on hands
- Passive Center Knurl: Holds position in squats without irritation during cleans
- Dual Knurl Marks: Powerlifting + Olympic reference points
- Bare Steel Finish: Raw grip and direct bar feel. Requires regular maintenance and may develop patina or surface rust.
- Bronze Bushings: Smooth, controlled sleeve rotation
Who This Bar Is For
- Lifters following the Starting Strength linear progression model
- High-frequency strength training built around compound lifts
- Home gyms focused on long-term progression
- Lifters who need a reliable, purpose-built training barbell
Technical Specifications — Texas Starting Strength Bar
Complete the Starting Strength Lineup
The Starting Strength system is built around consistent progression for every lifter. The full lineup ensures the right bar for every stage of training.
- Starting Strength Bar (15KG) — A versatile option designed for a wide range of lifters and strength levels.
- Starting Strength Bar (10KG) — A lighter, shorter bar ideal for technique work and scaled progression.
One system. Three bars. Built in Texas for progression at every stage.
Bare Steel — The Original Feel
Bare Steel — delivers a raw, unfiltered grip and direct connection to the bar. Because bare steel has no rust- or corrosion-resistant coating, it requires regular maintenance with a steel brush. The steel will naturally develop a patina over time and also develop surface rust. For a corrosion-resistant finish, choose chrome, black zinc, or Cerakote.
Experience the Texas Power Bars Difference
No Imports. No Shortcuts. Handbuilt in Texas with American steel.
Proven Since 1980. Trusted across home gyms, weight rooms, and training facilities nationwide.
Built to Outlast. Designed for years of consistent strength progression.
Simple. Hard. Effective.
Add 5 pounds. Again. And again. That’s how strength is built.
Product Specs
Diameter: 28.5mm
Weight: 20kg / 44lb
Tensile Strength: 190K
Knurling: Fine
Center Knurl: 4” Center Knurl
Collar Size: Standard
Overall Length: 86"
Inside Collar To Inside Collar 52"
Loadable Sleeve Length 15"
Knurl Markings: Dual (Powerlifting/Olympic) Knurl Marks
Bushings Or Bearings: Maintenance Free Bronze Bushings
Meets All Major Competition Specs:
Proudly Made In: Texas Since 1980 With American Steel
Shipping Info
Texas Power Bars ships nationwide and worldwide. Most standard products going to the contiguous U.S. qualify for discounted flat-rate shipping shown at checkout. Processing times vary by product, finish, availability, and customization. Shipping costs shown at checkout are estimated and may occasionally require adjustment. If so, we'll contact you before your order ships.
For international orders, checkout covers transportation only. Duties, taxes, tariffs, brokerage, customs, storage, and other carrier- or destination-imposed fees are the customer’s responsibility unless stated otherwise.
We work to provide accurate, competitive shipping rates. Read our Shipping Policy for full details, or contact our Texas-based support team with lead-time or any other shipping questions.
Commonly Asked Questions
Looking for common questions and answers? Visit our Frequently Asked Questions page for answers about shipping, warranties, lead times, bar care, finishes, compatibility, and much more. If you need personalized help choosing the right bar, contact our Texas-based experts—we're here to help.
Texas Starting Strength Bar (28.5mm)
The Official Bar of Starting Strength
28.5mm Shaft — Fine Knurl — Bare Steel Finish
The official bar of the Starting Strength program—used in Starting Strength Gyms nationwide.
The Texas Starting Strength Bar (28.5mm) is built in Texas for one purpose: consistent, repeatable strength progression through high-frequency training.
Designed around the demands of Squat, Press, Bench, Deadlift, and Power Clean, this bar delivers the ideal balance of grip, comfort, and control—session after session, without breaking down your hands.
Handbuilt in Texas using American steel—No Imports. No Shortcuts. Proven performance trusted since 1980.
Why Choose This Over a Standard Power Bar
- ✓ 28.5mm Shaft: Better grip and improved rack position vs thicker 29mm power bars.
- ✓ Fine Knurling: Built for high-frequency training—secure grip without tearing your hands.
- ✓ Built for All Five Lifts: Performs across squat, press, bench, deadlift, and power clean.
- ✓ Bare Steel Feel: Raw grip and direct bar feel. Requires regular maintenance and may develop patina or surface rust.
Built for the Starting Strength Method
The 28.5mm shaft improves grip, wrist position, and control across all five primary barbell movements—exactly where it matters.
The fine knurling is engineered for high-frequency training, where you’re lifting multiple times per week. It provides enough bite to hold heavy weight, without breaking down your hands over time.
Built from 190,000 PSI tensile strength American steel, this bar stays straight, reliable, and consistent through years of progression.
Key Features
- Fine Knurl Pattern: Grip without unnecessary wear on hands
- Passive Center Knurl: Holds position in squats without irritation during cleans
- Dual Knurl Marks: Powerlifting + Olympic reference points
- Bare Steel Finish: Raw grip and direct bar feel. Requires regular maintenance and may develop patina or surface rust.
- Bronze Bushings: Smooth, controlled sleeve rotation
Who This Bar Is For
- Lifters following the Starting Strength linear progression model
- High-frequency strength training built around compound lifts
- Home gyms focused on long-term progression
- Lifters who need a reliable, purpose-built training barbell
Technical Specifications — Texas Starting Strength Bar
Complete the Starting Strength Lineup
The Starting Strength system is built around consistent progression for every lifter. The full lineup ensures the right bar for every stage of training.
- Starting Strength Bar (15KG) — A versatile option designed for a wide range of lifters and strength levels.
- Starting Strength Bar (10KG) — A lighter, shorter bar ideal for technique work and scaled progression.
One system. Three bars. Built in Texas for progression at every stage.
Bare Steel — The Original Feel
Bare Steel — delivers a raw, unfiltered grip and direct connection to the bar. Because bare steel has no rust- or corrosion-resistant coating, it requires regular maintenance with a steel brush. The steel will naturally develop a patina over time and also develop surface rust. For a corrosion-resistant finish, choose chrome, black zinc, or Cerakote.
Experience the Texas Power Bars Difference
No Imports. No Shortcuts. Handbuilt in Texas with American steel.
Proven Since 1980. Trusted across home gyms, weight rooms, and training facilities nationwide.
Built to Outlast. Designed for years of consistent strength progression.
Simple. Hard. Effective.
Add 5 pounds. Again. And again. That’s how strength is built.
Diameter: 28.5mm
Weight: 20kg / 44lb
Tensile Strength: 190K
Knurling: Fine
Center Knurl: 4” Center Knurl
Collar Size: Standard
Overall Length: 86"
Inside Collar To Inside Collar 52"
Loadable Sleeve Length 15"
Knurl Markings: Dual (Powerlifting/Olympic) Knurl Marks
Bushings Or Bearings: Maintenance Free Bronze Bushings
Meets All Major Competition Specs:
Proudly Made In: Texas Since 1980 With American Steel
Texas Power Bars ships nationwide and worldwide. Most standard products going to the contiguous U.S. qualify for discounted flat-rate shipping shown at checkout. Processing times vary by product, finish, availability, and customization. Shipping costs shown at checkout are estimated and may occasionally require adjustment. If so, we'll contact you before your order ships.
For international orders, checkout covers transportation only. Duties, taxes, tariffs, brokerage, customs, storage, and other carrier- or destination-imposed fees are the customer’s responsibility unless stated otherwise.
We work to provide accurate, competitive shipping rates. Read our Shipping Policy for full details, or contact our Texas-based support team with lead-time or any other shipping questions.
Looking for common questions and answers? Visit our Frequently Asked Questions page for answers about shipping, warranties, lead times, bar care, finishes, compatibility, and much more. If you need personalized help choosing the right bar, contact our Texas-based experts—we're here to help.
A PREFERRED BARBELL OF + 1000'S MORE
Proof On The Platform
More Records Broken Than Any Other Bar In History
Thousands of state, national, international, and world powerlifting records have been and continue to be set and broken on Texas Power Bars. Here are just a few...
Just A Few Iconic Records Broken On Texas Power Bars
•1985 Fred Hatfield 1002lbs Squat
•2007 Charles Bailey 1102lbs Squat
•2016 Tiny Meeker 1102lbs Bench Press
•2016 Yuri Belkin 992lbs Deadlift at GPA World championship in Moscow
•2017 Joseph Pena 1025lbs Squat at Texas High School championships.
•1994 Mark Hanlon and 8X Mr. Olympia Ronnie Coleman pulled 800lbs deadlift with the Texas Power Bar.
World Powerlifting Championships
•2010-2011 United States 🇺🇸
•2012 Argentina 🇦🇷
•2013 Finland 🇫🇮
•2014 Australia 🇦🇺
•2015 United States 🇺🇸
•2016 Russia 🇷🇺
•2017 Argentina 🇦🇷
•2025 Argentina 🇦🇷
We Created The Industry & Everyone Else Followed
•1984 World Championship (Dallas, TX)
•1981 Senior Nationals
•1982 Nationals
•1983 Teenage and Collegiate Nationals
•1984 High School Nationals, Women's Nationals, Junior Worlds
44lbs (20kg) | Fine
Starting Strength Bar
Ideal for all ages & strength levels.