American Barbell Unleashed

Part two of our bar series goes inside the engineering behind the barbell.
This episode breaks down bar materials, bearings, finishes, and performance details, including why hard chrome remains the gold standard and how Phil pioneered the first hard chrome bar in 1998. We explore how these design choices impact durability, spin, feel, and long-term performance, and why quality construction matters just as much as training itself.

In this episode, we dive deep into the barbell; its history, evolution, and why not all barbells are created equal. From the origins of early strength equipment to the modern designs used in today’s gyms, we break down the different types of barbells, including the key differences between men’s and women’s bars, specialty bars, and how specific bars are designed to support different athletes, lifts, and training styles.
Whether you’re a seasoned lifter, a coach, or someone who’s simply curious about the equipment you train with, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at the tool that defines strength training; and how choosing the right barbell can make all the difference.

In this episode of American Barbell Unleashed, Sergio Oliva Jr. and Brittany Diamond strip the title of “athlete” down to the human underneath - what it really takes to survive, grow, and stay grounded in an industry that asks everything of your body and your mind.
They talk candidly about the pressure to perform, the vulnerability of constantly showing up under scrutiny, and the purpose required to sustain life in bodybuilding.
The conversation touches on cultivating meaningful relationships, the importance of secure, supportive partnerships, and how love and balance are essential in an all-consuming industry. They also dive into training - why individualized form matters, why no two bodies should follow the same plan, and how listening to your own body is key to longevity.
Along the way, they reflect on how American Barbell and Phil’s athlete-first approach, customizing equipment and truly listening, has supported their careers and personal needs.

In this episode of American Barbell Unleashed, bodybuilding heavyweights Sergio Oliva Jr. and Kyron Holden unpack the weight you can’t see—the pressure, the demons, and the search for something deeper than trophies and follower counts.
They talk about growing up in a legacy of iron, chasing the high of bodybuilding without the shortcuts, and what happens when the thing you love turns into a job. Kyron breaks down how yoga and mindful breathing rewired his mindset, while Sergio opens up about wanting the endorphin rush of training without losing himself in the process.
Along the way, they reflect on Phil Patti, the guy on the other side of the industry—obsessed with building equipment like high-end sports cars—proving that passion can live in iron, in movement, or in the mind.
This is a conversation about muscle, ego, energy, and what you do when your worth has been tied to a number for too long.

Phil sits down with pro bodybuilder Alex Horncliff to talk about the only bar he cares to touch twice a week: the American Barbell Chewy Bar.
From smashing PRs to walking into the Olympia just to tell us how hard this bar goes, Alex breaks down why Chewy changed his training.
Phil dives deep into the details most lifters overlook, knurling, whip, feel, and build, so you’ll finally understand what you’re really buying when you buy a barbell, and why serious lifters keep reaching for American Barbell.

Phil and Sergio link back up after the Olympia and go straight into the guts of the new American Barbell Strength line. No fluff, just how it’s built, why it moves the way it does, and what happens when biomechanics actually drive design instead of marketing.Sergio speaks as the guy who has to live on this equipment, not sell it. He breaks down how the machines feel under real load, what angles and ranges matter, and where most plate-loaded pieces miss the mark.They close with a look at what’s coming next for American Barbell Strength, new pieces, smarter layouts, and gear built for people who train hard enough to notice the difference.

Brittany Diamond and Sergio Oliva Jr. sit down at Olympia and strip it back—no script, no ego. Just raw talk about joining the American Barbell family, building a life around the platform, and the cost of going all in on your goals. This is the side of strength you don’t see on stage.

Phil sits down with Garry Lodoen to talk raw about the evolution of bodybuilding and Olympic lifting. From his early days on stage to the return of Olympic lifting at The Olympia with The Talon Cup, Garry shares his take on how the sport has changed, what it takes to stay competitive after 35 years, and why American Barbell gear continues to raise the standard for strength.

Brittany Diamond isn’t chasing records, she’s chasing history.
Fresh off the Olympia stage, this professional strongwoman and bodybuilder sits down with Phil Patti on American Barbell Unleashed to talk about the grind, the glory, and her mission to become the first woman ever to earn pro cards in both Strongwoman and Bodybuilding.
From the chaos of competition to the discipline it takes to build a legacy, Brittany pulls no punches.

No rules. No ceilings. No limits.
Recorded live from the floor at The Olympia, Kai Greene hits a mindset switch on what happens when you stop asking for permission and start backing your vision with action. In just six minutes, he breaks down the difference between people who want it — and people who go get it. This isn’t motivation. This is a challenge.
Welcome to AMERICAN BARBELL UNLEASHED × KAI GREENE — Live from The Olympia.