I’ve used the Rogue TB-1 and TB-2 extensively. Of the two, the TB-2 is my favorite for various reasons.
This might be the one if you’re after a new trap bar for your facility or home gym. I’ve broken down the Rogue TB-2 Trap Bar so you can decide for yourself.
- Built to Last: Constructed of high-grade steel, this rugged trap bar can withstand the rigors of heavy lifting without showing signs of wear and tear.
- Versatile Use: It is perfect for deadlifts and suitable for various other exercises, such as farmer's walks and shrugs, expanding your workout options.
- Handle Options: Elevated handles on the TB-2 provide an alternative pulling height, making it easier to lift for those with mobility constraints or during injury rehabilitation.
- Cost: The high-quality construction comes at a premium price point, which might not fit everyone's budget.
- Size and Storage: Due to its robust build, the TB-2 Trap Bar may be cumbersome in smaller spaces and challenging to store when not in use.
- Limited Scalability: Advanced lifters looking for customization in handle grips and widths may find the TB-2's features limited compared to other specialized models on the market.
Rogue TB-2 Trap Bar Review
| Feature | |
|---|---|
| Unloaded Weight | 60 lbs (27 kg) |
| Weight Capacity | 1,300-1,500 lbs (estimated) |
| Handle Width | 25″ |
| Handle Diameter | 34 mm (1.34″) |
| Coating/Finish | Powder Coat including sleeves |
| Removable Handles | No |
| Open or Closed | Closed |
| Warranty | Lifetime |
Design and Construction
The Rogue TB-2 Trap Bar is heavy-duty, and you’ll feel it as soon as you lay your hands on it. The high-grade steel gives it a robust feel. The clean and consistent welds show meticulous craftsmanship consistent with Rogue’s high-quality construction.
This trap bar is a closed hex design. Budget chrome trap bars don’t provide much space inside, but the Rogue TB-2 is huge and will fit almost every body type.
It’s a 28.5″ width, whereas smaller chrome trap bars are 22″, giving you plenty of space to move. Width refers to the distance from front to back when you’re standing in the trap bar.
Weight Capacity
Weight capacity is often a reflection of material quality and construction. Rogue doesn’t share weight capacity numbers for their equipment, but if I were to estimate based on how this trap bar is built and feels, and compared to similar trap bars, I’d say it can handle 1,300-1,500 lbs at least.
Top-of-the-line trap bars are rated to 1,500 lbs, making this one of the best trap bars available.
Dimensions and Weight
The Rogue TB-2 Trap Bar weighs 60 lbs (27 kg) owing to its robust, heavy-duty steel frame. Cheaper trap bars are typically only 44-45 lbs, similar to a regular barbell.
The space between the handles is standard to other trap bars at 25″ but the 28.5″ width from front to back makes this hex bar feel spacious. It means you can perform farmers walks without kicking your shins.
It also means larger individuals will easily fit in this trap bar. It’s an 88.5″ overall length and is much longer than cheaper trap bars, allowing more plates to be loaded.
However, storage can be an issue with a trap bar this long and heavy.
Knurling and Handles
One advantage of some open trap bars are the removable handles. Although the Rogue TB-2 doesn’t have swappable handles, the high and low handles feel solid.
The handles have a 34 mm (1.34″) diameter, which is quite thick considering a 1.5″ handle is considered a thick-handled implement.
I prefer the thicker handle not because of the extra grip challenge but because thin handles can feel horrible on tender calluses.
The knurling is moderate. It’s much better than a Rogue Ohio bar, in my experience, and you can get away with not using chalk if you’re not pulling near maximal loads.
Flipping the trap bar to use the low or high handles can be challenging with the size of it.
Sleeve Design
The Rogue TB-2 sleeves are fixed, so they don’t rotate. This is standard for a trap bar that fits Olympic-sized plates. Because the sleeves are powder coated, it wears off as you load plates on and off.
Finish
The powder coat finish feels great when gripping the handles and lifting. It’s not slippery like cheaper chrome coatings and provides rust resistance. As mentioned above, the sleeve finish can take a beating as you pull plates on and off.
Rackability
A unique feature of the Rogue TB-2 Trap Bar is the ability to rack it. It means you have more exercise versatility than deadlifts, farmers walks, and jumps.
You can perform rack pulls, overhead presses, and even bench presses. Why would you do these over a regular barbell? The trap bar offers neutral grip handles that can be more shoulder-friendly.
However, the wide spacing may not work for some lifters.
Price
It’s no secret this is a premium trap bar. You’re paying for quality and durability, and while it may be a stretch for some budgets, I always default to “buy nice, don’t buy twice.”
It retails for $395 on Rogue’s website, but you may find it cheaper in the Rogue boneyard. But for a quality trap bar, it’s still $300-$400 cheaper than Eleiko and Kabuki trap bars.
Warranty
Like all brand-new Rogue equipment, they offer a lifetime warranty on manufacturer defects. So, if your Rogue TB-2 Trap Bar does happen to have issues, you’ll be able to get a replacement.
Rogue TB-1 vs. Rogue TB-2 Trap Bar
I’ve used the Rogue TB-1 and TB-2 Trap Bars. In my experience, the TB-2 is far better and easier to use.
The problem I have with the TB-1 is two-fold:
- Its flat design means you must dig your fingers under it to pick it up and add plates.
- Finding the center of the handles is harder as the entire thing is long and knurled.
The knurling on the TB-2 is also highly aggressive compared to the TB-2. The TB-2 Trap Bar has a more moderate knurling and is much easier to load.
It also has the option of high and low handles for more versatility in exercise. Typically, I advise always to use the high handles and stand on a plate if you want more range of motion.
Trap bars feel better when lifting from the high handle as the weight sits under your hands, not adjacent to them.
Who Is The Rogue TB-2 Trap Bar For?
Heavy Deadlifters
The sleeve length is similar to a regular barbell, so you can load this sucker up for heavy deadlifts. The heavy-duty build will also give you the confidence to add load without worrying about breaking it.
Larger Athletes
The frame is much larger than regular chrome hex bars, so larger athletes and lifters can easily fit inside for deadlifts.
Lifters Seeking A Versatile Closed Trap Bar
Regarding closed trap bars, the Rogue TB-2 is the best regarding versatility. It holds a lot of weight, has high and low handles, and is rackable.
Who Shouldn’t Buy the Rogue TB-2 Trap Bar
Small Home Gym Owners
The TB-2’s substantial size could pose a storage challenge for those with limited space. Smaller, more compact trap bars might serve you better and are easier to tuck away when not used.
Casual Lifters
Casual lifters or those incorporating only occasional trap bar exercises into their routine may also find that the TB-2 is more than they actually need.
If your training doesn’t regularly include movements that use a trap bar, or if you’re not pressing the upper limits of weight capacity, choosing a trap bar with fewer bells and whistles — and a smaller price tag — could be a more sensible option.
Those Who Prefer An Open Design
I’m all about the open trap bar design. It offers more exercise versatility without hitting your shins into the bar. For example, Bulgarian split squats, farmers walks, and even squats with some designs.
Rogue TB-2 Trap Bar Alternatives
REP Fitness Open Trap Bar
The REP Fitness open-ended trap bar is uniquely designed with a unique center knurling, so it can be used as a cambered bar for various exercises. This functionality is not present in rectangular bars like the Rogue TB-2.
It comes with multiple handle choices, including a standard 25″ width, a narrower 23″ option, and a wider 27.3″ option to accommodate different body sizes. The bar also offers rotating handles in three diameters: standard 28 mm, thicker 38 mm (1.5″), and 48 mm (1.89″).
While the rotating handles are fixed in height, other handle options provide both low and high positions, and they are removable for further customization or certain exercises like cambered bar squats or bench presses.
The bar has a high weight capacity of 1,350 pounds, matching the sleeve length of the Rogue TB-2, and includes a deadlift jack with a plastic liner to protect the lifting platform.
It’s priced at $400, with an additional cost for rotating handles, it’s similar to the Rogue TB-2 but has more features.
Titan Rackable Trap Bar
The Titan Fitness rackable trap bar is designed to be open-ended with 16″ chrome sleeves, enhancing its versatility for various exercises like deadlifts, shrugs, farmer’s walks, rack pulls, and overhead presses.
The chrome sleeves prevent scratching, a common issue when using coated sleeves on a rack. However, the bar has a narrower grip space of 23″, slightly less than most trap bars’ typical width.
This design means the handles, which are not removable, unlike those on the REP Fitness trap bar, may limit the execution of certain exercises, such as the bench press.
The trap bar features two grip diameters, 32mm and 38mm, which are thicker than the standard 28-29mm barbell, offering a more challenging grip. It’s equipped with medium diamond texture knurling for a secure grip that’s not overly abrasive.
The Titan Open-Ended Trap Bar can handle up to 1,500 pounds, showcasing a durable powder-coated black frame and a professional-looking hard chrome sleeve finish.
It is 5 pounds heavier than the Rogue TB-2, which weighs 65 lbs. A notable drawback is Titan Fitness’s one-year warranty, which is shorter compared to other brands. Priced at $350, this bar offers good value for its features and durability.
Frequently Asked Rogue TB-2 Trap Bar Questions
Conclusion
I’m thoroughly impressed after putting the Rogue TB-2 Trap Bar through its paces. Its robust construction caters to a wide array of exercises and user needs.
Whether you want to upgrade your home gym or invest in quality equipment, this trap bar is one of the best.
- Built to Last: Constructed of high-grade steel, this rugged trap bar can withstand the rigors of heavy lifting without showing signs of wear and tear.
- Versatile Use: It is perfect for deadlifts and suitable for various other exercises, such as farmer's walks and shrugs, expanding your workout options.
- Handle Options: Elevated handles on the TB-2 provide an alternative pulling height, making it easier to lift for those with mobility constraints or during injury rehabilitation.
- Cost: The high-quality construction comes at a premium price point, which might not fit everyone's budget.
- Size and Storage: Due to its robust build, the TB-2 Trap Bar may be cumbersome in smaller spaces and challenging to store when not in use.
- Limited Scalability: Advanced lifters looking for customization in handle grips and widths may find the TB-2's features limited compared to other specialized models on the market.
