The Olympic barbell feeling a bit skinny? Get a thicker bar!
These commonly contested axle bars are very effective in taxing your fingers, thumb and wrist. The 1.9" and 2" are great traditional sizes for heavy lifts in strongman and grip sport. Some of the larger sizes are named after accomplished athletes in the community:
2.25" Ben's Axle - Named after Ben Helms, who is currently one of the strongest axle lifters in GSI. 2.25" is his favourite diameter, and one that strikes a good balance between the traditional 2" axle and the larger axles.
2.5" Rob's Axle - Named after Rob McMurren, one of the strongest masters athlete on thick axles, and whose endurance on such axles is also world class. Rob trains the axle outdoors year round, through sunshine and snow.
2.75" Eric's Axle - Named after Eric Roussin, the top axle lifter in Canada and former champion in arm wrestling. This larger diameter requires significant wrist strength, or else it quickly becomes a very difficult pinch bar.
3" Lucio's Axle - Named after Lucio Battista, one of North America's strongest athletes in grip sport and ninja warrior. The 3" seems like a monstrous diameter, but Lucio's mental strength is even greater.
Please indicate in the notes if you'd like center/reference points painted directly onto the bar. Otherwise none will be provided by default.
The bar is 84" in total length (60" for stubby). Each loading sleeve is 16" long (9" for stubby) and 1.9" in diameter (slightly more narrow than a traditional barbell sleeve). Please note that some lock collars may not fit on this specialty bar. We recommend grabbing a pair of our in-house lock collars or ensuring that your own can accommodate the 1.9" sleeve diameter.
All sleeves are kept to raw steel, due to them being subject to constant metal on metal contact. We recommend a Raw steel finish on the bar for a consistent texture that seasons well over time.
Other lengths and sizes can be requested!
