Synergee Games Cerakote Barbell Review: Budget Friendly Cerakote CrossFit Bar

The Synergee Games Cerakote Bar is very much a more budget-friendly Rogue Cerakote Ohio Bar. It’s not made in the USA and uses some different components like a thinner shaft and bearings instead of bushings, but for the price point, this is a great alternative for those wanting a cool looking CrossFit Barbell.

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Synergee Games Cerakote Barbell

GGR Score: 4.7

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Product Highlights

• Versatile for Olympic lifting to powerlifting to body building
• High-grade steel and cerakote composition
• 190,000 PSI
• 1,500 lb weight capacity

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 190k PSI tensile strength
• Affordable at just over $225
• Has a 15kg and 20kg option
• Great for CrossFit exercises
• Great spin on the bar

Cons

• Cerakote sleeves can get scratched up easily
• No center knurling
• Not a versatile bar

Bottom Line

If you want a nice-looking CrossFit barbell with weather-resistant Cerakote (more on that in a second) but don’t want to spend the money on something like a Rogue Ohio Bar, then go for the Synergee Games Cerakote Barbell.

The Synergee Games Colored Cerakote Barbell is one of the best CrossFit barbell with pretty high-end features, cool colors, and a good knurling that is offered for quite a bit less than comparable bars. We’ve had the opportunity to use the bar over the past two months for the traditional barbell lifts like the squat, bench, and deadlift as well as for what most people will use the bar for, crossfit-type training and movements, so be sure to learn more about the best Crossfit equipment. This includes clean and jerks, snatches, and all sorts of other barbell-based movements found in WOD’s.

Who Is The Synergee Games Cerakote Bar For?

First off, I want to be clear, this is not a bar we would recommend if you’re just using it for powerlifting-type movements (squat, deadlift, bench, overhead press, etc.) The reason being, it doesn’t have a center knurl offered and at 28MM, it’s a bit thin. That said, the Synergee Games Colored Barbells have a very specific audience and that’s likely obvious to those within the space. If you are into squatting be sure to check out my suggestions on the best squat racks here.

This bar is made for those who train/compete/enjoy CrossFit. In fact, Synergee has named the bar after what I would presume to be the CrossFit Games while skirting around the legalities surrounding using the name “CrossFit.” Pretty smart and it makes sense as this bar has a similar look, feel, and finish as the ever-popular Rogue Cerakote Ohio Bar.

See my full and in-depth Rogue Cerakote Ohio Bar review in detail here.

If you do a lot of metcons and WOD’s or just want a solid, budget-friendly multi-purpose barbell, this a good option for both men and women. There are definitely some things we dislike about the bar, but for the price, it’s an excellent value.

What We Like About the Synergee Games Cerakote Bar

Without a doubt, this bar is for those that see the Rogue Cerakote Ohio Bar and thought to themselves, “I’d buy that if only they made one cheaper.” If you’re in that camp, this is pretty much the ideal bar for you.

Here’s what is similar between the bars and why we like it:

• Cerakoted shaft in popular colors
• Cerakoted sleeves
• Medium aggressiveness knurlinG
• Logo in the middle
• 190,000 PSI Tensile Strength Steel

As you can see, there are a lot of similarities. It’s not completely the same, but it’s pretty close (although Synergee Bars are imported likely from China, whereas Rogue’s are made at their factory in Columbus, OH USA.)

We like the fact that Synergee is offering a more budget-friendly Cerakote Barbell option to Rogue. Although we suggest home gym owners to buy quality barbells, the Synergee isn’t a far cry from the competition in terms of quality. Cerakote on the shaft is an awesome way to prevent corrosion such as rust from forming on the knurling. If you’re in a garage gym with fluctuation temperatures, we most often recommend stainless steel, but our second recommendation is Cerakote. It’s incredibly tough and despite all the use we’ve put on Cerakote bars, we’ve yet to see any rust.

One thing that many will consider an improvement over the Rogue competitor Cerakote Bar is the rotation system that’s used. Rogue uses self-oiling bronze bushings in their sleeves, whereas the Synergee Games Bar has 5 needle bearings in each sleeve. This leads to a faster spinning sleeve which is nice for the Olympic lifts, but not always that great for some of the slower, lifts like the bench press on some of the best weight benches and/or squats. Regardless, the bar spins extremely well.

One feature we’re somewhat indifferent on is the shaft diameter. At 28MM, the Synergee Games Bar is thinner than many other multi-purpose barbells that come in at 28.5MM, but for those with small hands or who just prefer a thinner shaft diameter, this will be a welcome change. Most barbells that are suited specifically for Olympic Weightlifting are 28MM and although it can lead to more likelihood of permanent deformation than a thicker diameter bar, it shouldn’t bee too much of an issue.

The last thing we want to highlight is the knurling. Typically, I prefer a more aggressive knurling that what Synergee is using on this bar, but I think it’s a decent pattern. One thing that makes it less aggressive is the fact that Cerakote is sprayed over the top which fills in many of the holes and reduces the sharpness. Unless you’ve used a lot of barbells, you probably won’t notice a difference between this bar and the ones at your gym.

All in all, although we prefer the Rogue Cerakote Ohio Bar over this one due to the quality, lifetime warranty, and that it’s made in the USA and more proven, this is an excellent alternative for those that don’t want to spend the extra money for the competition.

What We Don’t Like About The Synergee Games Cerakote Bar

There are a few things that we’d like to see improved on the Games Bar from Synergee. First off, I’m a little hesitant that this bar uses actual Cerakote paint. Cerakote is one of many companies making a ceramic coating that is being used in barbells and few, if any of the ones that are imported are using actual Cerakote coatings. This doesn’t mean that the alternatives, whether it be Duracoat or something else, are inferior, it’s just that many are viewing the term “Cerakote” as a type of spray instead of a specific spray from a specific company.

If we receive a response to this, we will update this portion of the review.

The other thing I’d like to see offered is a chrome sleeve option. Right now, Synergee is offering its sleeves only in a Cerakote option. Cerakote, although great for the shaft, is not the best choice for the sleeves. The reason being is there is a lot of metal to metal contact that happens from weight plates being added to the bar that makes the sleeves end up looking scarred up and pretty ugly rather quickly. Many people still go for the Cerakote sleeve option despite hearing this, however, for those that don’t want Cerakote sleeves, Chrome would be a great option to add.

Lastly, I prefer a 28.5MM shaft for general purpose or CrossFit type workouts. 28MM is superior for Olympic Weightlifting, but 29MM is superior for Powerlifting. Since CrossFit combines both, 28.5MM seems like the most logical option. Yet, again, this comes down to preference and there are many who really, really like 28MM. They also offer the same bar in a 25MM option for women.

As you can see, we do have some things that we see could be improved about the Games Bar, but they’re all rather minor and preference-based.

Full Rating

Synergee Games Cerakote Barbell

The Synergee Games Cerakote Bar is very much a more budget-friendly Rogue Cerakote Ohio Bar. It’s not made in the USA and uses some different components like a thinner shaft and bearings instead of bushings, but for the price point, this is a great alternative for those wanting a cool looking CrossFit Barbell.

Product Brand: Synergee

Product Currency: USD

Product Price: 229.95

Product In-Stock: InStock

Editor's Rating:
4.4

Synergee Games Cerakote Barbell FAQs