⭐️ Best for Camo-obscured Knurl Rings: 80/100
ATX’s Camouflage Multi Power Bar (hereafter referred to simply as “the Camo bar”) is one of the brand’s more novelty barbell offerings. The unique coating design gives the bar a very distinctive look.
Unfortunately, this design is also the bar’s major downfall as it greatly hinders one’s ability to locate the bar’s knurl rings, dragging out the set-up for each rep much longer than is necessary.
The confusing and somewhat misleading name doesn’t help much, but as a multi-use barbell, you could certainly do worse.
Pros
Neutral, “will please anyone” knurling
More than adequate multi-functional bar
“Cool” looking…if you’re into camo
Cons
Obscured knurl rings
Coating easily shows signs of wear
No central ATX retail site, customer service, etc.
ATX is quite the European equipment stalwart.
Selling just about…everything you could ever ask for in the realm of fitness gear, it’s not surprising that they have quite the armory of barbells available for purchase. While many of these are “run-of-the-mill” multi-functional bars you wouldn’t give a second look to at the local bro gym, others are a bit more…exotic.
Enter the ATX Camo bar.
Unlike other “unique” barbells, the novelty of the Camo bar isn’t in its intended use (although technically it is (kinda) marketed as a “power bar”), but is in its look. I mean, how often do you run into something camouflage in nature, yet alone at a gym?
Probably not very often.
The real question is, does the bar’s “cool” aesthetic compensate for its (numerous) shortcomings? Let me tell you all about my personal experiences lifting with this chameleon of a barbell.
Table of Contents
Sport-specific Functionality
So…what exactly is the ATX Camo bar designed for? With words like “multi power bar” in the name, should we assume that its sports-specific function is powerlifting (as the word “power” implies) or is it engineered as a truly multi-functional bar?
In my experience, the Camo bar is more of a multi-functional bar that doesn’t really “specialize” in anything, but, I’ll take ATX’s word for it and we’ll assess it at “name value”. Let’s start with how it works as a power bar.
As a power bar, the Camo bar works…fine. In theory, there are knurl rings for powerlifting (as well as for Olympic lifting), although the camouflage pattern greatly obscures them. This might seem like a minor inconvenience that you’d quickly get used to, but in my experience, the complete opposite is true. I have never gotten used to the general areas where the knurlings are so at the beginning of every set (or even on every rep if I’m doing singles), I have to spend time searching for them.
This is by far the Camo bar’s biggest weakness.
There is a center knurl, although I don’t personally have a major affinity for center knurls on power bars.
Because I suspect that multi-functionality is the bar’s true purpose, the Camo bar actually has a decent amount of spin when performing Olympic lifts. While this is a net “good” in my book, I do find bars with any amount of spin to be slightly more difficult to bench with due to the bar slightly shifting in my hands. The Camo bar is no exception to this rule.
The Camo bar’s 185,000 tensile strength is on the lower end for true power bars. Taking all of its power bar characteristics into mind…well…ATX…
Thankfully, the Camo bar works a lot better (at least in my experience) as a general purpose bar than it does for any dedicated sport or activity. As a “CrossFit bar” it’s knurling is in that sweet spot, making it easy to grip and cycle, but not so easy that it feel like its going to fall out of your hands.
Additionally the multiple (6) needle bearings provide sufficient spin for any of the most popular/common lifts you might experience in a metcon.
Unfortunately, the camouflage pattern does everything but make the bar easier or more enjoyable to lift with. Any time I’m working on dedicated sets of Olympic lifts (as part of my CrossFit programming) I despise having to seek out the knurl rings. During a metcon, when I’m try to hit a certain number of reps as quickly as possible, I hate this process that much worse.
I get that ATX probably thinks that the camouflage pattern looks “cool” or “edgy” or something. However, it effectively makes a solidly average multi-purpose bar (and below average power bar) fall into the slightly below average range in this area.
Sport-specific Functionality Score: 70
Multi-use Functionality
As we saw above, the ATX Camo bar is effectively a multi-purpose bar and is best suited for use during mixed workouts (such as during a CrossFit training session). The comments from above apply here with the camouflage pattern being the bar’s major shortcoming for this type of training/use.
Since this category doesn’t take into account the fact that the bar is specifically marketed as a power bar, the score is slightly higher than the previous category.
Multi-use Functionality Score: 75
Tensile Strength
The ATX Camouflage bar boasts a 185,000 tensile strength score. While this is certainly a respectable score and is more than sufficient for any fitness endeavor that a “normal” lifter will use it for, it is on the lower side for barbells marketed as “power bars”.
Compared to something like ATX’s Gold Bar, the Camo bar doesn’t feel as, for lack of more descriptive terms, “solid” or “hard” in my hands. I personally don’t think that this is an awful thing, especially when performing Olympic lifts or when cycling the barbell.
However, those who are accustomed to both the feel of as well as the overall weight capacity of higher-tensile strength barbells will likely notice the difference almost immediately.
Tensile Strength Score: 80
Coating
As you might expect, I find the camouflage coating of the (aptly named) ATX Camo bar to be a yuge problem. Having to search for hidden knurl rings before every rep isn’t my idea of making a workout or session “challenging”.
Additionally, the Camo bar’s cerakote coating isn’t the most resilient. The bar clearly displays its wear and use and has picked up a number of scuff and rust marks, particularly on the rougher, knurled portions.
The knurling itself is perfectly moderate. Smooth enough to make longer sets and even longer lifting sessions more than tolerable while also being rough enough to assist in maintaining a solid grip throughout each set.
Coating Score: 75
Price
Like many fitness equipment brands (especially in Europe) there isn’t really a “base” retailer for purchasing ATX equipment. You can’t just go to the ATX homepage, browse equipment listings, and purchase what you want.
Instead, when you get to the page, you’re greeted with some information about the company before being directed to a number of different regional retailers. Although much of the Camo bar’s information/specs is consistent across these pages, it’s price definitely is not.
After a bit of searching, I found the bar as low as 299 euros, although, depending on where you’re ordering from/having the bar shipped to, this price would likely go higher with transport fees.
Price Score: 85
Customer Reviews
Looking across the multiple listings for the ATX Como bar, there weren’t too many listings with reviews (only one, actually). With that being said, all of these reviews were universally perfect with all four giving the bar 5 stars.
Hard to argue with a universal 5 out of 5 rating (although in my higher education days, there would have been some grumbling about the sample size!)
Customer Reviews Score: 100
Warranty and Returns
Since each retailer’s warranty and return policies differ (in some cases, rather drastically) we have not assigned a rating for this category.
If you decide to purchase the Camo bar, be sure to do your own due diligence in these areas on the chance that you are not satisfied with your barbell or if you experience a problem with it.
Warranty and Returns Score: N/A
Customer Service
As with the warranty and returns category above, we cannot assign a rating for customer service. Inevitably, some retailers are going to be great and very customer service-oriented and many will…suck.
Customer Service Score: NA
Who is The Camo Bar really for?
The ATX Camo bar likely has a legitimate target audience. There are a few distinct groups who would probably really like it.
People who think camo patterns are “cool”
Whether it’s clothing, bags, or, in this case, barbells, there are people who just really dig all things camo. If you are one of these people (no judgement!) and you feel like your life will be better if you have a camouflage barbell in your possession, this might be the bar for you.
ATX Fanboys
Just like there are a lot of people who really like camo, there are people who really like what ATX is putting out. I mean, they even have their own “barbell club” and put on monthly fitness/lifting challenges (don’t expect anything remotely resembling a Rogue challenge, though…).
If you love all things ATX…well…why not (although if you’re in search of a legit power bar by ATX, go with their Gold Bar).
Not for those who rely on knurl rings when lifting
If you’re a “grip and rip” type of guy and don’t even know what a knurl ring is used for, concealed knurl rings shouldn’t be a problem for you. However, if you regularly use your bar’s knurl rings to gauge where to place your hands…well…you can expect your workout to last ~5 percent longer due to having to search for them on every set with the ATX camo bar.
…only you know how valuable your time is and how patient you are…
How we reviewed The Camo Bar
I had the opportunity to work out with the Camo bar for roughly 2 months, using it for the vast majority of my workouts, 4-5 days per week. Because of its multi-functional nature, I would rarely deviate from using it during my sessions, moving with it from my Olympic lifts or power lifts to CrossFit metcons.
The bar is exclusively stored inside, although it is used by the regular gym-going community (which could explain more of its wear and tear) as any communal barbell would.
The Camo Bar Alternatives
The Camo bar has some good things going for it, but if you’re not (understandably) totally sold on it, check out some of our picks for your best alternative options:
KingsBox Great Bar
A truly multi-functional bar that is more than serviceable for any powerlifting or Oly lifting needs. Truly excels when cycling or grinding through a CrossFit metcon.
Pros
Epitome of multifunctional
Good tensile strength
Affordable
Cons
Only a 1-year warranty
Black Zinc coating can show signs of wear
Rep Fitness Black Canyon Bar
Coming to Europe very soon, Rep, and its Black Canyon Bar, have been given industry stalwart Rogue Fitness a run for its money in recent years. Quality meets versatility meets affordability.
Pros
Versatile
Hybrid bearings & bushings
Not overly expensive
Cons
No lifetime warranty avaialable
Limited coating options
ATX Gold Bar
A legit ATX power bar, the Gold Bar not only lifts cool. it looks cool. The high tensile strength and aggressive knurling make it a solid option for Eurozone-based powerlifters.
Pros
Excellent tensile strength
Ideal powerlifting knurling
Unique gold color
Cons
Not inexpensive
Not really multifunctional
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the knurl rings obscured THAT badly?
Yes...they are obscured that badly...
Is the Camo Bar a LEGIT power bar?
No. I have no idea why the Camo Bar would be classified as a power bar (besides the center knurling).
What to do with the ATX Camo Bar…?
I wouldn’t choose the ATX Camo bar as my home or garage gym’s centerpiece. There are other, better, “local” options for that.
I also wouldn’t recommend that Camo bar to my powerlifting buddies when ATX has an objectively better bar for just such a purpose.
All of that being said, you might think the Camo bar is a “bad” barbell to be avoided at all costs. Nothing is further from the truth.
If you really like the look and can get over the knurling issue, I’d say “go for it!” Conversely, if you happen to find it on sale at some point and/or find yourself in a situation where you need to use it (not sure when/how this would occur, but work with me here), I doubt you’ll have a “bad” lifting experience. Acceptable knurling and good spin go a long way, and the Camo bar has these going for it better than most of its competitors.
Overall Score
80
Sport-specific Functionality
70
Multi-use Functionality
75
Tensile Strength
80
Coating
75
Price
80
Customer Reviews
100
Warranty and Returns
N/A
ATX -Camouflage Multi Power Bar
ATX’s Camouflage Multi Power Bar (hereafter referred to simply as “the Camo bar”) is one of the brand’s more novelty barbell offerings. The unique coating design gives the bar a very distinctive look.
Unfortunately, this design is also the bar’s major downfall as it greatly hinders one’s ability to locate the bar’s knurl rings, dragging out the set-up for each rep much longer than is necessary.
The confusing and somewhat misleading name doesn’t help much, but as a multi-use barbell, you could certainly do worse.
Pros
Neutral, “will please anyone” knurling
More than adequate multi-functional bar
“Cool” looking…if you’re into camo
Cons
Obscured knurl rings
Coating easily shows signs of wear
No central ATX retail site, customer service, etc.
