History | Texas Power Bars

Where It All Started...

When Buddy Capps began lifting weights with Olympic bars in the 1960s, he quickly noticed the problems with the equipment. The knurling was so light that even when the bars were brand new, there was hardly any grip, and after years of use they became almost slick to the touch. The sleeves were made from three pieces, held together with a threaded end cap and a set screw, a design that often came loose and wore out over time. For lifters who were pushing themselves, this made training harder than it needed to be. Buddy wasn’t just a lifter — he was also a Texas State Powerlifting Champion and a skilled metalworker who ran Capps Welding in Irving, Texas. He knew bars could be built better, with stronger steel, better design, and a grip that would last. That belief became the starting point for what would one day become the Texas Power Bar.

The Goal...

Guided by his faith and a relentless pursuit of excellence, Buddy Capps set out to engineer a bar that solved the problems lifters had faced for decades. Drawing on his deep knowledge of lifting and hands-on metalworking, he focused on the details that mattered most: a knurl that would keep its bite, sleeves that stayed secure, and a construction strong enough to remain maintenance-free for years of heavy use. In 1980, his vision became reality with the revolutionary "Original" Texas Power Bar — forged in Texas from high-strength steel, built to exacting specifications, and delivering aggressive knurling, unmatched stiffness, and lasting durability. More than just equipment, it became the most iconic powerlifting bar of all time, trusted to set more world records than any other bar — a lasting legacy of faith, craftsmanship, and engineering excellence.

Modern Day...

Texas Power Bars carry forward Buddy Capps’ vision. Handbuilt in Texas, each bar delivers unmatched durability, grip, and performance while staying at the forefront of innovation for the next generation of lifters. Recognized as both the best powerlifting barbell and the best multi-purpose barbell, they have set more records than any other bar in history — from Fred Hatfield’s 1002lb squat in 1985 to Tiny Meeker’s 1102lb bench press in 2016, and Ronnie Coleman’s 1200lb deadlift alongside Mark Hanlon, the 8x Mr. Olympia. Trusted from home gyms to collegiate and professional platforms — including the NFL Combine and world-stage competitions across the United States, Argentina, Finland, Australia, Russia, and beyond — these bars embody Buddy’s faith, craftsmanship, and engineering excellence, empowering athletes to break personal records, set new milestones, and unlock the strongest version of themselves for decades to come. We Didn't Follow The Industry...We Created It!

Let customers speak for us

from 3256 reviews

Starting Strength 20KG barbell

Very nice high quality lifting barbell. Knurling is aggressive, but not too aggressive.

Bruce D Jensen

Starting Strength 20KG Bar

08/26/2025

the perfect barbell

works great

Doug Coburn

3’x5′ American Flags Poly/Cotton

08/26/2025

Bare steel

Best bar out there! The knurling is perfect, after a couple of weeks even higher volume work feels great in hand. Keeping it clean and oiled once every couple weeks to prevent rust, so far so good.

Kenneth Funt

The "Original" Texas Power Bar

08/26/2025

Worth the wait

There was some kind of miscommunication, or my bar was lost and it took almost two months, but the look and feel in person is special

Christopher Eaker

Texas Deadlift Bar

08/24/2025

Comp bar

Our gym clients absolutely love TX bars!!!

Kayla Baker

29mm Texas Power Bar

08/23/2025

META‼️

300KG at 19 will be done‼️

Dario Gagliardi

Texas Deadlift Bar

08/21/2025

Bare Steel Deadlift Bar

Have used this bar numerous times since purchase. Knurling cant be beat and the whip is perfect. The bare steel doesnt let anything get between your grip and the bar

Boe

Texas Deadlift Bar

08/19/2025

perfection

no complaints

Doug Coburn

Starting Strength 20KG Bar

08/19/2025

Perfect bar

L.P.

Texas Squat Bar

08/17/2025

Thoughts on deadlift bar

Like everything about the bar. The knurl is just perfect and works so well with the smaller diameter bar. I can barely notice any blemishes. It is a weight bar it does not have to be pretty.

Barry Dudley

BLEMISHED Texas Deadlift Bar - Black Zinc Shaft/ Chrome Sleeves

08/16/2025

Deadlift Bar (ordered Friday got in Monday)

I called Texas Power Bar on a Friday to order a yellow Cerakote deadlift bar. The person I spoke with was very pleasant and helpful, and to my surprise, my order arrived the following Monday! Shipping was extremely fast, and the whole experience was smooth from start to finish. I’m maxing out on the big 3 in two weeks, and I can’t wait to put this bar to work!

ERIC KING

Texas Deadlift Bar Cerakote

08/15/2025

I love my bar. I had questions about the order taking longer than expected and thir customer service exceeded my expectations. Highly Recommended!

Mindy Huzsek

Texas Cross Bar Cerakote

08/13/2025

Trusted product

Used these for years at my local power gym. Only option in my opinion when building out my own home gym.

Jose Perez

29mm Texas Power Bar

08/12/2025

Bar is amazing

Well, I’ll be a life time customer, and teaching the kiddo we only buy barbells from Texas power bars. 10/10, 5 stars, great bar

John Posson

Texas Body Building Bar

08/11/2025

American Flag

Obviously. Love the American Flag. Proudly hanging in my basement gym. Thank you.

J Cato

3’x5′ American Flags Poly/Cotton

08/11/2025

Proof On The Platform

Countless Records Broken

Hundreds of state, national, international and world powerlifting records have been and continue to be set and broken on the The Texas Power Bar.

Records Broken With Texas Power Bars

•1985 Fred Hatfield 1002lb Squat
•2007 Charles Bailey 1102lb Squat
•2016 Tiny Meeker 1102lb Bench Press
•2016 Yuri Belkin 992lb Deadlift at GPA World championship in Moscow
•2017 Joseph Pena 1025lb Squat at Texas High School championships.
•1994 Mark Hanlon and 8X Mr. Olympia Ronnie Coleman pulled 1200lb deadlift with the Texas Power Bar.

World Powerlifting Championships

•2010-2011 United States 🇺🇸
•2012 Argentina 🇦🇷
•2013 Finland 🇫🇮
•2014 Australia 🇦🇺
•2015 United States 🇺🇸
•2016 Russia 🇷🇺
•2017 Argentina 🇦🇷

NFL Combine

In the beginning:

1st World Championship for the Texas Power Bar was 1984 in Dallas, TX.
•1981 Senior Nationals
•1982 Nationals
•1983 Teenage and Collegiate Nationals
•1984 High School Nationals, Women's Nationals, Junior Worlds