Multi-Purpose Olympic Barbell – The Utility Bar
Bells of Steel

Multi-Purpose Olympic Barbell – The Utility Bar

Owned By: 14 gyms
#12 Most Owned Multipurpose Bar
#104 Most Owned Barbell
Average Rating: 4.13
Total Reviews: 5

As a generalist bar, The Utility Bar is designed for people who don't adhere to a particular strength sport and just love an excellent bar. With a 28.5mm diameter, it's just a tad thicker than an Olympic weightlifting bar (28mm diameter) and a smidge thinner than a powerlifting bar (29mm diameter). Brass bushings and no bearings make for a smooth rotation and an ultra-secure snap ring is used to keep it all together. A medium-light knurl won't chew your hands up when power cleaning, but it's complemented with centre knurling for a better grip when squatting. Featuring both weightlifting and powerlifting marks, hand positioning is made easy for whatever movement you're doing that day. Lightly ribbed sleeves help keep your weight plates from shifting during your workouts.

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Multi-Purpose Olympic Barbell – The Utility Bar Reviews

Based on 5 reviews from Gym Radar users, the Bells of Steel Multi-Purpose Olympic Barbell – The Utility Bar have an average rating of 4.13 out of 5. They're currently the #12 most-owned Multipurpose Bar on Gym Radar, with 14 home gyms reporting ownership.

5 Reviews

4.13 / 5
Performance
3.80 / 5
Build Quality
4.20 / 5
Value
4.40 / 5

User Reviews

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Nate
Murph's Gym
2 reviews
399 points
(4.67)
3/18/2026
Great bar for the price (purchased at $150). Yes guysh
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Big Cam
DAM Strength Institute
83 reviews
1225 points
(4.00)
2/27/2026
It’s a decent 28mm bar. The knurling is very passive but it’s not a power bar so that’s fine. The bearings aren’t great but the bar is fairly cheap and that’s one of the ways they make it cheaper. The finish has worn very well over the past few years and it’s probably going to do well for the next few.
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Big {little} Randy
Endor Strength and Conditioning
99 reviews
1200 points
(4.00)
2/22/2026
Nice beater bar. Knurling is extremely passive, sleeve spin is a bit tight but it does any job you want it to if you try hard enough. Great bar for landmine use.
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Speedbump
A No Excuses Quarantine Gym
97 reviews
1111 points
(3.67)
2/22/2026
This is a fine bar for all around general lifting and was my main bar for a few years. The knurling is a tad more on the passive side but the grip still works for I'd say all but heavy deadlift type movements. Even at that if you use lifting straps it would more than get the job done. I've had this for years now and the black zinc finish has held up far better than I ever expected. While it's been relegated to beater bar status it's hardly looking like a beater. The sleeves still look great. I'd say if you're looking for a great general use bar that isn't going to break the bank... this is the bar for you.
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Big Matt B
Matt’s Stall Mat Stall
161 reviews
1729 points
(4.33)
2/16/2026
There is nothing wrong with this bar. I used it for years, and it’s durable, well built and pleasant to use. That being said, knurling is very passive. Some prefer this, but I replaced it with a TPB, and I much prefer the aggressive knurling there. Also, I found out from this bar that I do no like ribbed sleeves. Great bar for those who do not like an aggressive knurling, and I’ve kept it around for training kids.
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