
How many times have you thought about training your shin muscles? If you have not been following functional fitness trends in the past few years, I bet very little or never.
However, the tibialis anterior is as important as it is neglected, and developing it can have a profound effect on your jumping and sprinting abilities reduce knee and ankle injuries.
The best way to train the tibialis muscle is by using a tib bar. This relatively new invention is simple and super effective, and if you are into any kind of ball sports and not using one, you are missing out.
While there isn’t too much to a tib bar, there are a few different feature options and models you must consider before making the best purchase. And I’ve done it for you.
- Best Tib Bar: The Tib Bar Guy Tib Bar Pro
- Best Runner Up Tib Bar: The HGG Tib Bar
- Best Single Leg Tib Bar: The Tib Bar Guy Solo Tib Bar
- Best Tib Bar Machine: The Tib Bar Guy Tib Machine
- Best Tib Bar On Amazon: Fitarc Tib Bar
- Best Premium Tib Bar: Rogue TF-1P
Best Tib Bar
The Tib Bar Guy Tib Bar Pro
Pros
- The materials and construction guarantee lifetime durability.
- Extra strong weight clips.
- Excellent value for the price of such a high-quality item.
- Detachable weight sleeve makes the unit easy to carry.
Cons
- The current version corrected all of the model’s initial flaws, and I can’t think of any real cons.
Feature | Specs |
---|---|
Material | Heavy-duty steel construction with high-quality foam padding |
Weight Capacity | 150 lbs |
Price | $79 |
Best Tib Bar
The Tib Bar Guy Tib Bar Pro
Use code “TIBBAR10” for 10% OFF
Made by the Knees Over Toes crew, it’s been put through its paces and thoroughly tested to effectively train the tibialis anterior.
CHECK CURRENT DEALSThe Tib Bar Pro is by far my favorite Tib bar. Created by a company called The Tib Bar Guy, this heavy-duty steel bar construction piece of equipment provides all you need in a tib bar while keeping the price super affordable.
The bar’s commercial-grade components ensure lifetime durability, while the stainless-steel weight sleeve can accommodate more eights than you’ll ever need for tib raises (up to 150 lbs.) and fits regular 2″ plates.
TBG also includes a highly secure clamp, so you can be sure the weights will not slip off or move around and disrupt your balance.
The Tib Bar Pro’s previous version had a non-detachable loading bar, but this has been addressed in the current iteration, making it easier to transport in your gym bag.
The sleeve is no longer powder coated but chrome, making loading the plates effortless.
Some other bars have the same quality and features as this one but are more expensive, therefore the Tib Bar Pro is clearly the best value choice for a double-leg tib bar.
Best Runner Up Tib Bar
The HGG Tib Bar
Pros
- Durable construction and build make the product nearly indestructible.
- Nice custom collar with the HGG logo.
- Detachable sleeve steel.
- The company was the first to introduce tib bars.
Cons
- A bit more expensive than the TBG Tib Bar Pro, while it doesn’t offer anything objectively better.
Features | Specs |
---|---|
Material | Heavy-duty steel construction with stainless steel loading bar |
Weight Capacity | 150 lbs |
Price | $108 |
Best Runner Up Tib Bar
The HGG Tib Bar
Don’t like The Tib Bar Guy for any reason? HGG Performance have an excellent alternative.
CHECK CURRENT DEALSHGG Performance (previously the Home Gym Guys) pioneered tib bars, and their main model remains the standard. This product is nearly identical to the TBG Tib Bar Pro, but the slightly higher price puts it in a close second position.
The HGG Tib Bar features high-quality materials and construction. The sleeve is made of stainless steel, which makes loading plates easier, and the cushion feels high-quality. Another small touch that adds to the sense of quality is the custom rear collar with the HGG emblem.
The Tib Bar is portable thanks to the stainless-steel sleeve, which unscrews in a second. The developers who first introduced the Tib Bar to the market have refined this simple tool, and you can select this model if you wish to support the original brand while also having an outstanding Tib Bar.
Best Single Leg Tib Bar
The Solo Tib Bar
Pros
- A lot more versatile than standard tib bars.
- The Tib Bar Guy solo tib bar offers more adjustability options when compared to other single-leg tib bars.
- The adjustable foot strap can be tightened and loosened very quickly and has 5 position options.
Cons
- More versatile but less durable than two-foot tib bars.
Features | Specs |
---|---|
Material | Commercial grade steel frame with stainless steel loading bar |
Weight Capacity | 100 lbs |
Price | $119 |
Best Single Leg Tib Bar
The Solo Tib Bar
Use code “TIBBAR10” for 10% OFF
Have more exercise versatility with the Solo Tib Bar to perform hamstring curls and other ankle exercises.
CHECK CURRENT DEALSSingle-leg tib bars are intended to work on each leg unilaterally. Instead of placing both legs under a crossbar, the Solo Tib bar is attached to one leg, allowing you to work in any direction. This strengthens both the shins and the ankle inversion/eversion movements.
In addition to basic tib raises and hip flexor raises, the single-leg tib bar allows you to perform a dozen new exercises, including hamstring curls, glute kickbacks, leg extensions, and more.
The Solo Tib Bar has a durable nylon frame, a stainless steel 6” loading bar, and a unique locking clamp to keep weights safe.
The foot strap configuration is the best on the market, securing your foot with no movement. This product’s unique loading system also allows you to use dumbbells and weight plates.
The disadvantage of the Solo tib bar is that it has moving pieces that can wear over time, whereas the regular two-foot tib bar is virtually indestructible. It is also noticeably more expensive than regular tib bars.
Best Tib Bar Machine
The Tib Machine
Pros
- Commercial-grade materials guarantee lifetime durability.
- Allows for the most focused tibialis anterior work.
- Affordable and lightweight for a machine.
Cons
- More expensive and cumbersome than a tib bar, without providing any significant benefits over it.
Features | Specs |
---|---|
Material | Heavy-duty steel construction |
Weight Capacity | Not disclosed |
Price | $129 |
Best Tib Bar Machine
The Tib Machine
Use code “TIBBAR10” for 10% OFF
Nothing beats a Tib Machine for training the front of your shins with increased stability and loading capacity.
CHECK CURRENT DEALSThe Tib Machine is similar to a tib bar in the same way that other gym machines are compared to free weights. While the tib bar also works on stabilizer muscles, and the single-leg bar provides the most mobility, the machine focuses solely on the tibialis anterior.
The Tib Machine does only one thing and does it perfectly- tib raises. The tiny machine is made with the same high-quality materials as the Tib Bar Pro, and I believe if you buy one, you will never need to buy another.
Despite being a machine, the price is not much higher, and its size and weight make it a valuable addition to any home gym. I prefer regular and single-leg tib bars, but the machine is an excellent choice if you value isolation.
Best Tib Bar On Amazon
Fitarc Tib Bar
Pros
- Much cheaper than the rest of tib bars on the list.
- You have the option to choose between 1” and 2” sleeves.
Cons
- Everything from materials to construction is noticeably inferior to any other option on the list.
Features | Specs |
---|---|
Material | Stainless steel |
Weight Capacity | Not specified |
Price | $43.99 |
Best Tib Bar On Amazon
Fitarc Tib Bar
Want a budget tib bar shipped to your door by tomorrow morning? Here you go.
CHECK CURRENT DEALSIf you are not convinced you need a dedicated piece of equipment to work on your shin muscles, you can head to Amazon and purchase a tib bar for half the price of the other items on the list.
Because tib bars are generally simple, the Fitarc version is very similar to the TBG and HGG bars at the top of this list. However, the cheaper price inevitably means you will compromise quality.
The Fitaric tib bar performs the same function as its more expensive equivalents, but the materials used are of lower quality: metal, foam, welds, and clamps.
Another disadvantage of this model is that you must screw some bolts to construct it, which takes considerably longer than with the HGG Tib Bar and The Tib Bar Pro.
But this is a good alternative if you want to test a tib bar without spending $100.
Best Premium Tib Bar
Rogue TF-1P
Pros
- Highest quality materials.
- Made in the USA.
- Distinctive look with laser-cut Rogue logos.
Cons
- More expensive than the TBG and HGG, but it doesn’t provide anything objectively better.
- Collars are not included, and you have to buy them separately and spend even more money.
Features | Specs |
---|---|
Material | 11 Gauge Steel & SCH 40 Pipe |
Weight Capacity | Not disclosed |
Price | $149 |
Best Premium Tib Bar
Rogue TF-1P
Rogue always makes high-quality equipment, so you can’t go wrong with this.
CHECK CURRENT DEALSRogue Fitness delivers a tib bar for the most demanding consumers. The Rogue TF-1 is the priciest bar on the list.
The TF-1, made in the United States from SCH 40 tubing and 11-gauge steel, has a machined acetal loading pin with the same 1.96-inch diameter as an Olympic barbell sleeve. This allows you to use any standard plates and collars with the bar.
The Rogue tib bar is a high-quality product with a distinctive design. But is it worth the extra cost? I do not think so.
Although the TF-1P is twice the price of the TBG bar, it doesn’t offer any advantages in terms of function or durability.
However, if you are a Rogue fan and want the most premium option available, get the TF-1P, and you won’t be disappointed.
How To Use A Tib Bar
As the name suggests, the main use of tib bars is to do tib raises, which strengthen the tibialis anterior muscle. This muscle is very important in various everyday and athletic movements and is one of the hardest to train without specialized equipment.
You can perform tib raises with your back against a wall, but using a tib bar is a much more efficient way of doing it. With a single tib bar you can perform more variety of exercises, but here we will cover only the main ones.
Two Feet Tib Bar Raise
The main exercise a tib bar is intended for is the two-foot tib bar raise. Put the desired weight on the sleeve (start with up to 10 kg as a beginner) and wedge your feet between the crossbar.
Scoop back on a bench or an elevated platform and hang your feet off the edge, ensuring that only the ankles are hanging off the edge.
Dorsiflex your ankles (bring your toes towards your knees), hold for a second, and slowly return to the starting position.
Do 3 to 4 sets of 8-20 repetitions per set and gradually increase the weight.
Single Leg Exercises
The main exercise with a single-leg tib bar is identical to the regular bar but done unilaterally. This also strengthens smaller stabilizer muscles, but you cannot load and isolate the tibialis anterior as much.
The benefit of iso or single-leg bars is the variety of exercises. In addition to the linear raise, you can also do rotations and inversion/eversion of the ankle, which strengthens muscles that are almost impossible to target specifically with other exercises.
Benefits Of Using A Tib Bar

As the name implies, the tib bar targets the tibialis anterior, which is the muscle right next to your shin bone.
While this may not appear to be a particularly important muscle, it is responsible for ankle dorsiflexion and extension (moving your toes toward your knees and in the opposite direction, respectively), and it is involved in all ankle movements to some degree.
The tibialis anterior also plays an important part in athletic movements such as jumping and rapid direction changes, and its strength is closely related to ankle, knee, and shin health.
The fundamental function of a tib bar is to strengthen your tibialis anterior, which leads to specific health and athletic benefits such as:
Ability To Decelerate And Change Direction Much Faster
One of the main functions of the tibialis anterior is deceleration. The ability to halt your forward movement as fast as possible plays a huge role in many sports. Deceleration is crucial in soccer, football, basketball, tennis, rugby, and many others.
Mountain hikers also need strong tibialis anterior muscles to safely negotiate steep descends and prevent destroying their kneecaps.
The ability to rapidly change direction plays an equally important role in sports. Lateral explosiveness is directly influenced by how strong your shin muscles are. Dodging, feinting, and juking the opponents in a match is critical for success in all ball sports.
Jumping Higher
The tibialis anterior greatly influences the height of your lateral jump. The muscle stabilizes both the ankle and knee joints and helps to position the quads for optimal jumping power.
The precise mechanics of jumping are not as relevant, and it is important only to understand that having a stronger tibialis anterior will directly increase the height of your vertical jump.
What goes up must come down, and the same muscle also cushions the impact when you land from a jump. Strengthening will minimize the tension on the patella and decrease the chance of knee injuries, which are common in jump-heavy sports such as volleyball and basketball.
Better Ankle Mobility
In addition to the tibialis anterior, the tib bar strengthens and mobilizes the ankle’s minor muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Stronger and more agile ankles will significantly lower the risk of sprains and rolled ankles.
Mobile ankles boost your ability to efficiently transfer force, allowing you to jump higher, run faster, and hit harder.
Bulletproof Knees
Knee injuries can be mostly avoided by strengthening and mobilizing the muscles above and below the knee joint.
The tibialis anterior is one of the muscles below the knee, and it is responsible for taking most of the pressure off the knee from explosive movements like running and jumping.
Developing the quadriceps, hamstrings, and lower leg muscles is the greatest approach to “bulletproof” your knees from common injuries, as you undoubtedly know if you follow the Knee Over Toes Guy.
Shin splints are a common plague among runners and can easily be addressed by strengthening the tibialis muscles and some dedicated calf work.
How To Pick The Best Tib Bar

Tib bars may be a simple piece of equipment, but there are still factors to consider when buying one. Here is what to look for.
Type
There are two types of tib bars- regular two-foot tib bars and solo units. The regular tib bar is used with both feet at the same time. The benefits of this type are that you can load more weight and isolate the tibialis anterior more. Additionally, training both feet together is more time-efficient.
The solo tib bar sits on one foot only. This allows you to target not only the tib muscle but also the ankle, increasing its stability and rotation strength.
Single-leg tib bars are also much more versatile, and you can perform more exercises not possible with the regular tib bar, like leg curls, ankle inversions and eversions, and other unilateral exercises.
Single leg bars can also help improve muscle imbalance between the two legs.
Both types of tib bars are excellent and have benefits, so for the most dedicated of you, having both is the best option as it allows the most variety in training.
Load Capacity
All regular tib bars have sleeves around 7″ long, work with 2″ Olympic plates, and are tested up to 100-150 lbs. Even if you have monstrous legs, I doubt you will ever need more.
Build Quality
Almost all standard tib bars are made from heavy-duty steel. With few moving parts, they are unlikely to break and can be considered a lifetime investment.
The padding on the foot bar is also important, and thicker, higher-quality foam feels better and will last longer.
Single-leg bars differ more in design, and since they have to be strapped to the leg, there are more adjustable parts susceptible to damage.
Different brands take slightly different approaches, but if you buy from the main players on the market, I am certain you won’t have any quality issues.
Price
Tib bars are inexpensive due to their simplicity. This is why I chose the Tib Bar Pro instead of the HGG Tib Bar and the Rogue product. They are nearly identical, but the Tib Bar Pro is the cheapest and offers the best value.
This once again proves that above a certain price point, you start paying for brand and design, not better quality. But this principle does not translate in reverse.
Cheap tib bars like the Fitarc on Amazon are of noticeably lower quality both in design, materials, and build
Frequently Asked Tib Bar Questions
Are Tib Bars Worth It?
Given their inexpensive cost, convenience, and ease of use, I believe tib bars are worthwhile for most athletes. They are among the few pieces of equipment that allow you to strengthen the tibialis anterior and ankles, increasing your vertical jump height, sprint speed, and capacity to decelerate and change direction rapidly.
Furthermore, stronger tibialis anterior muscles will significantly lower the risk of knee and ankle problems.
What Weight Should I Use on Tib Bar?
The recommended weight for a beginner with a tib bar is between 2.5 and 10 kg. Once your tibs strengthen, you should progressively overload them to ensure continuous progression and strength gains.
What Are The Benefits Of A Tib Bar??
The tib bar is the single best way to train the tibialis anterior muscle, which is very hard to target specifically with any other type of exercise with or without equipment.
While there are ways to exercise without a tib bar, all of them are a compromise and cannot achieve the same result as with a tib bar.
Are Tib Raises Worth It?
Tib raises strengthen the TA muscle, which is responsible for the ability to decelerate and change direction rapidly and is important for many explosive movements like jumping and sprinting. If you play sports, love to hike mountains, or are generally active, doing tib raises will benefit your performance and leg health.
Summary
The Tib Bar Guy Tib Bar Pro provides everything you’d expect from a Tib bar: function and high-quality materials at a reasonable price.
The HGG bar, from the original creators of the tib bar, is identical in every regard, although it is somewhat more expensive, putting it in second place.
If you’re looking for a machine to help with tibialis isolation, the Tib Bar Guy Tib Machine is a good choice.
If you’re on a tight budget, the Fitarc Tib Bar, available on Amazon, will save you money while still allowing you to exercise this crucial muscle.
Best Tib Bar
The Tib Bar Guy Tib Bar Pro
Made by the Knees Over Toes crew, it’s been put through its paces and thoroughly tested to effectively train the tibialis anterior.
CHECK CURRENT DEALSAffiliate Disclosure:
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