Okay, so I’ve been getting into weightlifting lately, and I’ve tried out a few barbells. Recently, I got my hands on the American Barbell California Bar, and I figured I’d share my experience with it.
I started by checking out some reviews online, just to see what other people were saying. Seems like most folks like it, especially for the price. I mean, it’s not some super fancy competition bar, but it’s definitely not bad for 300 bucks. I decided to give it a shot and ordered one.
When it arrived, the first thing I noticed was the coating. It’s got this Cerakote finish, which looks pretty slick. I went with the black one, and it looks tough, though I saw some reviews mention it might scratch up over time. I’m not worried about that. I started using it for my regular workouts, mostly Olympic lifts and some CrossFit-style stuff.
The feel of the bar is good. It’s got a good grip, not too aggressive, not too smooth. I did a bunch of cleans and jerks, some snatches, and even just some regular deadlifts. The knurling is just right for me, lets me keep a solid grip without tearing up my hands.
- First Workout: I started with some light cleans, just to get a feel for the bar. The spin on the sleeves is decent, not the smoothest I’ve ever used, but definitely good enough for my needs.
- Heavier Lifts: As I bumped up the weight, the bar felt solid. No weird flexing or anything like that. I was hitting some pretty heavy snatches, and it handled them like a champ.
- CrossFit WODs: I also used it for a few WODs that involved a lot of reps, like thrusters and overhead squats. The bar held up great, no issues there.
After a few weeks of using it, I gotta say I’m pretty happy with the California Bar. It’s a solid piece of equipment, especially for the price. It does what it’s supposed to do, and it does it well. I feel confident when I’m lifting with it, and that’s what matters.
I’m definitely going to keep using this bar. It’s become my go-to for most of my workouts. I’ve used it for everything from heavy deadlifts to high-rep thrusters, and it’s performed great across the board. If you’re looking for a good, all-around barbell that won’t break the bank, the American Barbell California Bar is definitely worth checking out. It’s not the fanciest bar out there, but it gets the job done, and it gets it done well.
I kept using this bar day after day, week after week. I worked out really hard and finally, I can see the changes in my body. I got stronger and bigger. This barbell really did a great job!
All in all, this bar is great for me. Hope this helps anyone thinking about getting one!
