There are a lot of barbells out there. You've got standard bars, Olympic barbells, curling bars and, of course, the squat bar. Once you narrow down which type of bar you want, the next step is figuring out the best one for you. And if you're looking for a dedicated squat bar, the Buddy Capps Texas Squat Bar is a fan favorite.
This squat bar is heavier and longer than others, and it's extra rigid so there's no unwanted whip when you're doing squats. It's also made of high-quality steel that's built to withstand many years of serious lifts.
We dug into the specs of this bar, comparing it with others within its class and price point. In this Texas Squat Bar Review, we'll go over the features of the bar, highlight what we like (and what we don't), and answer some commonly asked questions about the bar and the brand in general.
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Buddy Capps Texas Squat Bar Overview
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SPECS
- Weight: 55 lbs.
- Diameter: 31.75mm
- Knurl: Center, aggressive
- Knurl marks: Powerlifting
- Length: 96.5"
The Texas weightlifting bars were invented in the 1980s after Buddy Capps realized that the existing options were mediocre at best. His biggest gripes with the bars on the market were their lack of knurling—the knurling was so light to begin with, it barely had any grip. After years of use, the bars became so smooth that they would slip out of your hands mid-lift. His solution was the Texas Power Bar, a versatile Olympic weightlifting bar with aggressive knurling that could withstand many a workout. Eventually, the Texas Squat Bar—a stiffer, more specialized bar—came about.
The Texas Squat Bar is made exclusively for squats. It's about 10 pounds heavier than an Olympic bar and about a foot longer. This helps prevent whipping, while evenly distributing weight for a more balanced lift. It also has aggressive center knurling that grips your back and delts so it won't slip even when it's loaded with weight plates. It comes in three shaft finishes—bare steel, black zinc and chrome—plus you can choose from two sleeve finishes (chrome or bare steel). Yes, it's an investment, but if you're looking for a heavy-duty squat bar that's built to withstand years of use, this could be the one for you.
What We Like
- Rigid to eliminate whip
- Aggressive center knurl keeps it from slipping
- Longer length helps evenly distribute weight
What We Don't Like
- Larger diameter can take some getting used to
- Only has single powerlifting knurl marks
- On the expensive side
Looking for more excellent squat bar options? Check out this ACTIVE-approved list:
- Rogue 32MM Squat Bar
- REP Fitness Sabre Barbell
- Titan Fitness Performance Series Olympic Barbell
- Force USA Pro Series Barbell
A Closer Look at Buddy Capps Texas Squat Bar
Weight
The Buddy Capps Texas Squat Bar is heavier than other squat bars thanks to its heavy-duty steel construction. It weighs 55 pounds, or 25 kilograms. This is also considerably more than the standard weight of Olympic bars, which clock in at around 45 pounds. It has 190K tensile strength and can hold up to about 2,000 pounds.
Diameter
This squat bar has a 31.75-millimeter (or 1.25-inch) diameter, making it thicker than others too. Despite its longer length, it's more rigid than Olympic or powerlifting bars and doesn't flex under the weight of your plates. This also allows for an even weight distribution without wobbling.
Knurl
Based on customer feedback, the knurl pattern of the Buddy Capps Texas Squat Bar was updated at the end of 2017. There's six inches of knurling in the center of the bar, followed by two inches of smooth bar, then more knurling until you get to the hand space ring. The knurling is aggressive too—an intentional design that helps it grab your traps and delts more effectively.
Knurl Marks
The Texas Squat Bar has single powerlifting knurl marks, but no Olympic weightlifting marks. If you want more guidance on hand positioning, you may need a bar with additional knurl marks. However, if you're using this bar strictly for squats, the knurl marks will do the trick.
Length
The total length of the Texas Squat Bar is 96.5 inches or about eight feet. This makes it a full foot longer than standard Olympic barbells. The inside collars measure 57.5 inches, while the sleeves are 19.5 inches.
Our Verdict
Like all things in Texas, the Buddy Capps Texas Squat Bar is bigger than most—both in length and diameter. It's ideal for dedicated squats and/or lifting heavier weights, but you may have to get an additional Olympic bar if you want to rotate through other exercises.
FAQs About Buddy Capps Texas Squat Bar
Is the Texas squat bar worth it?
If you're looking for a dedicated squat bar or want to lift heavier weights, the Buddy Capps Texas Squat Bar is worth it. While you can squat with Olympic barbells, this squat bar is more rigid and supports heavier weights. However, it's not as versatile, so you might want to stick with an Olympic bar (or get both) if you plan to do lots of different exercises.
Is the Texas Power Bar a stiff bar?
While not as rigid as the Texas Squat Bar, the Texas Power Bar is still a stiff bar. It has a 190K tensile strength and comes in three shaft finishes—bare steel, black zinc, and chrome—each of which has minimal whip.
Are power bars good for squats?
Power bars have little to no whip and more aggressive knurling than other types of bars. Squat bars typically have that knurling in the center of the bar, which helps grip the back during squats and makes them less prone to slipping.