Our Testers Weigh in on the Nike Coated Premium Barbell
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The Nike Coated Premium Barbell is one of the latest pieces of home gym equipment from Nike Strength. Marketed as a choice for all types of training, the versatility of this barbell makes it a suitable option for athletes looking to build out their workout space.
But how does this barbell compare to others out there? Our testers looked at the many elements that factor into how a barbell will perform, including the whip, rotation and placement of knurls. Key factors vary depending upon the type of training performed.
As a coach with many years of experience programming workouts for clients using barbells, the number one factor I look for is ideal placement and good density of knurls for maximum ease of use—more on this barbell’s medium knurling below.
Here, we dive deep into the features of the Nike Coated Premium Barbell, what type of training this barbell is best for and how the knurling stacks up.
Nike Barbell at a glance:
- Dimensions: 86.6 inches long, 28 millimeters in diameter, 16.3 inches loadable sleeve length
- Bar weight: 20 kilograms (44 pounds); also available in 15-kilogram (33-pound) option
- Max weight capacity: 190,000 pounds per square inch (PSI)
- Material: Stainless steel with ceramic-based coating
- Warranty: 5 years
- Price: $325
What Is the Nike Barbell?
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The Nike Coated Premium Barbell is a 20-kilogram (44-pound) weight lifting bar that comes in three different design choices specific to the Nike brand. (You can also purchase this bar in a 15-kilogram, or 33-pound, option.) This barbell is marketed to all athletes including Olympic lifters, powerlifters and those participating in functional training. This barbell can be purchased individually or as part of a weight lifting set.
Nike Barbell Purchasing Options
The Nike Coated Premium Barbell costs $325. This particular barbell is also found in a few of a Nike Strength’s packages, including the Nike Shoe Dog Bundle and the Nike Chicago Bundle. Both bundles include a squat rack, weight bench and three sets of bumper plates, priced at $1,700. The main difference between the two is the color of the bar and bench. A third barbell bundle includes a squat cage, weight bench, two pairs of the Nike Grind bumper plates and a pair of change plates, priced at $2,012. Note that these sets do not include barbell collars, so you’d need to purchase those separately.
Nike Coated Premium Barbell Construction and Durability
The Nike Coated Premium 20-kilogram Barbell is 86.6-inches long with 16.3-inch loadable sleeves. This loadable sleeve length will allow for five 45-pound Nike Rubber Bumper Plates on either side of the bar. This bar has medium knurl density with dual knurl marks on either side and no center knurl. The rotational design of this barbell includes eight needle bearings for easy rotation of the sleeves. The bar has been coated in premium ceramic to prevent corrosion and increase durability. This ceramic coating allows Nike to manufacture the barbell in bright colors such as red and orange, which is not possible with chrome plating.
Our testing team loaded 505 pounds onto the bar and had someone roll it off their shoulders onto the ground. The bar “came out unscathed, which was surprising,” the testers said. After a few weeks of regular use, they didn’t notice any signs of wear on the bar, other than some slight scuffs on the sleeve from loading and unloading plates.
Nike Coated Premium Barbell Pros:
- Multiple color options specific to Nike
- Medium knurl with dual markers that help with hand alignment and gripping
- Bearing rotational system for smooth rotation
- Large sleeve lengths capable of holding five 45-pound plates
- Can be purchased as part of a full set for a home gym
Nike Coated Premium Barbell Cons:
- Some customers wish it had more whip
- Warranty is not valid for commercial use
Nike Coated Premium Barbell Features
The Nike Coated Premium Barbell comes in three color options including red swoosh, orange swoosh, and black “Just Do It.” The knurling, which is the rougher part on the shaft of the barbell used for hand placement and grip, is ranked medium, meaning it will provide enough grip for users without being too harsh on the hands.
Since my clients don’t participate in powerlifting or Olympic lifting, I consider knurling the biggest factor when training with a barbell.
Dependent upon intended use, the Nike barbell lacks a center knurl, which lifters may like or may not want, depending on intended use. Center knurl is often useful in powerlifting, such as performing heavy back squats, to prevent the bar from moving on the back, or for single-arm, Olympic-style exercises. However, the center knurl may be uncomfortable, especially for front squats or other exercises where that center knurl would be directly on the skin.
Barbells are designed to allow rotation of the sleeves of the bar. This rotational mechanism is either manufactured as a bushing or bearing system built within the sleeves. High-quality bearings provide smoother rotation than high-quality bushings. The difference between the two comes down to cost and intended use.
- Bearings, as seen in the Nike Coated Premium Barbell, are more ideal for lifts where speed is involved, such as Olympic lifting, because they provide better rotation. Needle bearings are the highest quality bearings. This barbell uses eight needle bearings for top-notch spin.
- Bushings are typically seen in budget barbells. They do not provide as much rotation as bearings. This makes bushings more ideal for slower powerlifting as they will provide greater stability due to the lack of rotation.
Our Experience With the Nike Coated Premium Barbell
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We had two frequent weightlifters test out the Nike Coated Premium Barbell for a few weeks, during which time they used the bar for CrossFit-style workouts, Olympic-style lifts and traditional weightlifting exercises.
“[The bar] holds chalk well, the knurling is pretty passive. I like passive knurling (when the grip lines are shallower and finer so as to be less noticeable), but this was pretty passive. Doing complexes with this bar for CrossFit workouts was great, but for heavy deadlifts, or heavy snatching I don’t think this would be a good bar,” says tester Lindsay Scheele.
On the subject of knurling, tester Brandon Lunsford agreed that this bar falls a bit short. “I wish it were a little more prominent to feel more secure in my grip with the bar,” he says.
Knurling on barbell
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Lunsford gave the bar a 3/5 rating for use, since he felt the knurling was slightly lacking.
“For a beginner bar I think this is great. I don’t think this has a specific standout feature. I wouldn’t recommend this bar for heavy lifts or those who like a more aggressive knurling. I felt fine with lighter snatching, but for a one-rep max, I wouldn’t choose this bar,” he says.
While Lunsford doesn’t think this would be a good Olympic bar, he commented it would be better suited for beginners doing lighter weight barbell complexes or for use during warm-ups.
Exercises To Do with the Nike Coated Premium Barbell
Many barbell exercises are compound exercises, which target multiple muscle groups within one movement. While compound movements have primary movers—muscles that are highly stimulated during the exercise—it is important to note that other muscles are also activated during these movements to provide stability.
Examples of barbell exercises and the primary movers these exercises work include:
- Barbell squat: Mainly targets the quadriceps and glutes
- Barbell deadlift: Mainly targets the glutes, hamstrings and quadriceps
- Barbell bench press: Mainly targets the chest, anterior deltoid and triceps
- Barbell snatch: Mainly targets the quadriceps, glutes and shoulder complex
- Barbell bent-over rows: Mainly targets the back, including the lats, rhomboids, trapezius and posterior deltoid
What Customers Say About the Nike Coated Premium Barbell
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While there are limited customer reviews on the Nike Coated Premium Barbell due to it being a newer product on the market, there are a few customer reviews on Nike’s website and the barbell currently has a 4-star rating. Of nine reviews, the two 1-star ratings are due to issues with delivery, while the rest of the reviews are four and five stars. Customers praised the design of the barbell, with one reviewer stating the "Just Do It" on the center of the barbell “motivates me to pick up the bar and get another rep in.”
Multiple reviews praised the smooth rotation of the bar. The knurling appears to be a great balance of enough grip without causing injury to the hands. Two customers mentioned they wish the barbell had a bit more whip to make it ideal for Olympic lifts.
Related Post: The Best Olympic Barbells for Your Home Gym
Warranty and Customer Service
All Nike Strength barbells have a five-year warranty, which is comparable to barbell warranties offered by other strength brands, such as REP Fitness. The information on the Nike website was somewhat vague, so I reached out to Nike Strength via support email for more information inquire more.
Within an hour of emailing, Nike Strength replied with more information regarding the warranty. Support informed me that this warranty is applicable when the barbell is used under “normal, indoor, and non-commercial conditions. Any other use might result in voiding this warranty.” Therefore, the warranty is more applicable for home gym use rather than outdoor or fitness facility use.
About Nike Strength
Nike, widely recognized as a sportswear powerhouse, has recently expanded into strength equipment. The Nike Strength line, which launched in October of 2023, includes dumbbells, kettlebells, barbells, bumper plates, squat racks, benches and more.
Related Post: The Best Nike Running Shoes
While Nike has dabbled within the strength training realm with the Nike Metcon cross-training shoe, gym equipment is a new endeavor for this brand. Within this strength line, products are sold individually or as packages that can create a home gym. On the strength website there are 12 packages called the “Nike Home Gym Bundles” tailored to creating your ideal home workout space.
Nike Coated Premium 20-Kilogram Barbell vs. Nike 20-Kilogram Barbell
Nike Strength offers several different barbells, and distinguishing between them could get confusing. The standard barbell is the Nike 20-Kilogram Barbell, which has the same measurements, bearings, knurling and tensile strength as the Nike Coated Premium 20-Kilogram Barbell. The only difference between the two is the protective ceramic coating on the Coated Premium Barbell, which comes in orange, black or red, and is designed to help protect against corrosion. The Nike 20-Kilogram Barbell is available in chrome or black chrome. Both barbells cost $325.
Nike Coated Premium Barbell vs. Rogue Barbell
Rogue Fitness is known for producing some of the best barbells for weightlifting. The Rogue Ohio Bar would be the closest competitor to the Nike bar. The Ohio Bar is a polymer-ceramic composite coated barbell that comes in 15 color finishes. Similar to the Nike bar, the Rogue bar has dual knurl markers and no center knurl, a tensile strength rating of 190,000 pounds per square inch and a 16.4-inch loadable sleeve length (compared to 16.3 inches on the Nike bar).
The Rogue barbell has bushings rather than bearings for rotation, suggesting that the Nike barbell has slightly better rotation than the Rogue. Consumers seem to enjoy the level of whip provided by the Rogue barbell, while the Nike barbell left consumers desiring a bit more whip. The Rogue Ohio Bar is $350 retail and the Nike Coated Premium Barbell is $325, making the cost comparable. Therefore, if whip is a primary factor for you, the Rogue bar may be a better fit. If rotation is a priority, the Nike bar is a better option.
The Takeaway: Is the Nike Coated Premium Barbell Right for Your Home Gym?
While I would not recommend this bar for commercial use due to the warranty specifications, the Nike barbell is a great choice for home gym equipment. Nike customers can choose from three designs that represent the signature brand. Plus, we love the ease of purchasing a set that includes both the barbell and bumper plates.
The design features of this barbell make it versatile for numerous styles of lifting, including Olympic lifting, CrossFit and powerlifting. The price point is similar to other high-quality barbells by competing brands. If Nike is a brand you love and trust, the Nike Strength line is a great option for outfitting your home gym.
Prices are accurate and items in stock as of publish time.
