starting strength gym
Results 1 to 10 of 10

Thread: Is my bar bending too much?

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Aug 2020
    Posts
    58

    Default Is my bar bending too much?

    • starting strength seminar april 2024
    • starting strength seminar jume 2024
    • starting strength seminar august 2024
    Hi Rip

    I bought a 45 lb rogue ohio power bar bare steel version. Can u please look at this video?
    2 December 2021 - YouTube

    The bar is straight without plates on it...but a slight bend occurs with just 227 lbs of plates on it. Admittedly they are bumper plates and the bar is resting on holders that are straight, not the j cup style...but I didnt think a power bar should be bending at all with this much weight. What do u think?

    By the way the rack is shit, its cheap and slightly uneven. Floor isnt perfect but its pretty even. I really didnt expect this from a power bar. Also, this bar is actually a replacement...i sent the first one back because the exact same thing was happening. So i doubt getting another replacement will make any difference.

    Is there a problem with this bar and should it be sent back? Or am i over-reacting? Thanks a lot.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jul 2007
    Location
    North Texas
    Posts
    53,557

    Default

    Does the bar stay "bent" when unloaded?

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Aug 2020
    Posts
    58

    Default

    No it doesnt. I put both the spirit level and a straight edge on it when its unloaded, and its straight

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jul 2007
    Location
    North Texas
    Posts
    53,557

    Default

    It is not "bent." It is flexed. Stop squatting with bumper plates.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Feb 2016
    Location
    Manhattan Beach, CA
    Posts
    547

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Mark Rippetoe View Post
    … Stop squatting with bumper plates.
    Mark, Is that because of the greater lever arm distance? All six of my 45s are bumper plates (so I can use them for deadlifts too and hopefully not crack the concrete floor of my garage).

    I haven’t noticed a problem with bent bars when I squat.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jul 2007
    Location
    North Texas
    Posts
    53,557

    Default

    Yes. It's the Moment of Inertia -- the distance from the center of the bar to the center of mass of the load on the sleeves, effectively the moment arm operating on each end of the bar. It's not critical at light weights.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Mar 2015
    Location
    Indianapolis, IN
    Posts
    2,266

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by JFord View Post
    Mark, Is that because of the greater lever arm distance? All six of my 45s are bumper plates (so I can use them for deadlifts too and hopefully not crack the concrete floor of my garage).

    I haven’t noticed a problem with bent bars when I squat.
    With iron plates, I can feel the bounce at about 405. With rubber plates, it's apparent at about 275. Much more so in the deadlift.

    Buy a platform, you'll like it.
    Starting Strength Indianapolis is up and running. Sign up for a free 30-minute coaching session.
    I answer all my emails: ALewis@StartingStrengthGyms.com

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jul 2007
    Location
    North Texas
    Posts
    53,557

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Feb 2016
    Location
    Manhattan Beach, CA
    Posts
    547

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by AndrewLewis View Post
    With iron plates, I can feel the bounce at about 405. With rubber plates, it's apparent at about 275. Much more so in the deadlift.

    Buy a platform, you'll like it.
    I built one per Mark’s instructions in the Blue Book. I’m just paranoid. The wife would kill me if I cracked the ground. Also, I’m only at 250 on squats and 330 on deads.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Oct 2014
    Posts
    784

    Default

    starting strength coach development program
    Man, I just can’t afford an extra set of plates at the moment. I somehow never knew about this issue. Some day…

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •