Summary

The Sqmize OB83 SWB Multigrip functions well as an imported flat swiss bar without any major deal-breakers. It fits in most racks and the price-to-quality rating is very good. However, at this price you should not expect to be blown away by the details.

• Price: 149€ (often on sale for ~120€)
• Dimensions: 210 cm (length), 19 cm (width), 35 cm (sleeve length), 100 cm (widest grip), 28mm (handle diameter)
• Weight: 11,5 kg
• Rated for: 300 kg

Design and features

The bar is pretty standard. There is no X-factor here, but it comes with some of the most necessary features of a non-cambered swiss bar. Firstly, the frame is not too deep. This makes the bar more balanced than swiss bars with too deep of a frame (looking at you, the Rogue MG-4F). But, it is still not as balanced as a cambered swiss bar.

Secondly, there is a reasonable amount of space between the actual frame and the sleeves which makes the bar fit on most common power, half or squat racks. Also, the sleeves have a diameter of 50 mm, so you can throw away the horrible barbell collars that come with the bar and instead use most of your traditional barbell collars. Although, I could not make my aluminium lock jaws fit the sleeves.

The handles have a grainy powder coat and a decent knurling that provides a very good grip on static pulling and pressing movements. Although, this was only the case on 5 out 6 of my handles. The last handle barely had any knurling, which is probably due to insufficient quality control at the time.

Lastly, it should be noted that like almost all other black sleeves these sleeves will quickly get scratches etc. Also, the white logo is painted onto the frame and it will easily scrath off.

Functionality

The bar has 3 sets of handles. The 2 outer sets of handles are straight while the inner set of handles is angled. For me, this worked fine and never felt awkward. As mentioned above it is also pretty well balanced for a straight swiss bar. The handle diameter of 28 cm does feel a bit thin on pressing movements where I prefer a thicker handle that distributes the weight more evenly in my palm. But it no deal-breaker, just something to be aware of if you primarily plan to use this bar for pressing.

I am 1,78 cm tall and I weigh 90 kg with a pretty regular arm-length. Therefore, the widest grip of 100 cm was fine for wide grip pressing for me. But, I would reckon that it might be a bit narrow for people with a height of around 190 cm that wish do wide grip pressing in their training.

Overall, the bar is well balanced due to the width of the frame and it functions well as swiss bar. As mentioned above, there are small improvements that would make it even better. Yet, my primary problem with this bar is the light weight. It is very prone to tilting sideways in the rack when one side of the bar is loaded with no more than a 20 kg plate while the other side is empty. This is safety hazard to be aware of in my opinion.

Price-to-Quality Rating

If you get this imported bar at one of their recurrent sales at around 120€, you are getting a functionaly fine swiss bar for most people that also fits in most racks at a very low price. It does not get any cheaper and there are no major deal-breakers in terms of functionality. If you expect X-factor, a quality feel and heavy duty fabrication at this price, you will get disappointed.

But this price does come at a cost – the very light weight. This is a safety hazards to keep in mind due to the risk of sideways tilting in the rack. Especially, if other people are training around you. Yet, the bar is actually still rated at 300 kg.

Conclusion

I have never regretted buying this bar. It allowed me to add some neutral grip pressing into my training at a very low price, while functioning like a proper swiss bar. But, when I got my Fitron Cambered Swiss Bar I saw no reason to keep this bar anymore. But since I bought this bar, Sqmize has come out with two new very budget friendly cambered alternatives that I would consider instead (unless you only want a flat swiss bar).

For 30€ more, you can get the Sqmize OB78 SWB-NB or the Sqmize OB82 SWB-RC. You then get a cambered bar that also weighs 4kg more and it should therefore be less prone to tilting sideways and be even better balanced. However, if you are mainly buying a swiss bar to do curls and overhead press, you should probably stick to the flat swiss bar.