Titan Fitness has released a nice pair of barbell collars recently, which use a simple twist to lock or unlock the collars on your Olympic barbell. Additionally, a built-in magnet helps keep the collars out of the way while not in use, storing easily on a power rack in between sessions. Lastly, the collars have a premium touch with a knurled exterior. 

RELATED: What Is Barbell Knurling?

Are the Titan TwistLock Pro Collars the best home gym collars for your own space? And how do these knurled collars compare to top contenders in the market? I talked with GGR founder Coop Mitchell—who was able to test these barbell collars out—and in this Titan TwistLock Barbell Collars review, we’ll go over the value and durability of these collars to see if they’re worth your hard-earned cash.

We’re “Locked In” On Testing Gym Equipment

Sure, I can’t avoid a pun when I see the opportunity, just like I can’t forget to mention the expertise that is the team at Garage Gym Reviews. We have industry experts in the fitness world—personal trainers, athletes, coaches, and more—all with years of experience in their respective fields. With our experience, we give you honest reviews on what fitness equipment works best for consumers of any fitness level or goal.

GGR founder Coop Mitchell has been giving full reviews on fitness equipment since 2014, and in particular has tested out multiple Titan products, including the Titan Fitness Functional Trainer and their series of squat racks. He brought the same integrity and honesty while trying out the Titan TwistLock Barbell Collars. In his testing and full video of the collars, he covered aspects of the product, such as:

• Durability and construction
• Weight accuracy
• Ease of use
• Hold capacity
• Overall value

TwistLock Pro Collars

Titan TwistLock Pro Barbell Collars

GGR Score: 4.31

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Product Highlights

• Knurled aluminum barbell collars
• Locks by twisting
• Built-in magnets for easy storage
• 1.42-lb weight per pair
• Fits 50-mm Olympic barbells

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Easy locking mechanism
• Lightweight
• Built-in magnets
• Medium knurling

Cons

• Pricier pair of collars
• Only comes in one color

Bottom Line

With an aluminum body and built-in magnets, Titan Fitness TwistLock Barbell Collars are easy to use and can be stored easily on a power rack upright after your workout session. The collar locks and unlocks with a simple twist, although you’ll need a second hand to keep the barbell secure.

A Quick Look at the Titan TwistLock Barbell Collars

Titan Fitness had a rough start in the fitness industry when it began, mostly with keeping consistency in their welded products, like Titan squat racks. They switched to robot welding and laser cutting, and have since improved their quality, as well as beginning to innovate and push their products beyond just being one of the best budget fitness companies. 

With nice additions like the Titan TITAN Series Adjustable Bench and the collaborative project of the Titan Fitness SquatMax-MD, Titan is beginning to raise their game—and the TwistLock Pro collars are no different.

Whether you’re going heavy in powerlifting or you’re hitting tons of bodybuilding reps, these collars are made to be secure, durable, and easy to use. The collars are a simple circular collar that slides on the barbell and locks in with a simple twist. The collars have a built-in magnet as well to allow simple storage on your squat rack or to secure to metal weight plates.

One thing that sets the TwistLock Pro Collars apart is the medium knurling on the collar, to help keep the collar grippy when twisting it on and off. 

“Look how far we’ve come,” Coop adds. “Just 5 years ago, barbell companies didn’t even list the pattern of knurling on their barbells; now, Titan not only lists that it has knurling, but specifies that it has a medium volcano knurling—on a barbell collar.”

Before You Buy

• Like many items on Titan Fitness, these barbell collars sell out quickly, so if you’re looking to purchase these collars, don’t wait too long when they’re available.
• Coop mentions the $70 price tag “feels like a lot for a Titan product.” If you agree, a plastic version (without knurling) will be released soon, which should be around $50 with free shipping.

Titan TwistLock Barbell Collars Video Review

Are the Titan TwistLock Barbell Collars Worth It?

Many companies sell barbell collars, like Bells of Steel, Rogue Fitness, RitFit—REP Fitness even has spring clips, which are simpler than their highly designed adjustable dumbbells. Prices vary from about $10 for spring collars, to $105 for the high-end Eleiko Öppen Collars.

RELATED: First Look: REP x PÉPIN Fast Series Adjustable Dumbbell Review

Coop rates the TwistLock collars a 4 out of 5 for value, as it’s a durable collar that’s easy to use, but overall, it’s a tad overpriced. At $70, it seems a little expensive, even for a high-quality item like this. Because of this, Coop still recommends our top pick as the best barbell collar, the Rogue USA Aluminum Collars. At about $50, the Rogue collars’ value is higher, especially since the weight doesn’t budge when those collars are set.

Still, Coop recommends the TwistLock Pro Collars for people who are looking for unique collars that are more durable and of higher value than the Eleiko Öppen Collars (more on that later).

Titan TwistLock Barbell Collars Specs

Using the Titan TwistLock Barbell Collars 

GGR founder and longtime fitness equipment expert Coop Mitchell tried out the Titan TwistLock Pro Barbell Collars in a variety of workouts. He used them for squats and deadlifts, where you’d want a heavy load to remain secure. He also did some Olympic weightlifting movements—like the clean and jerk—to make sure the barbell collars could hold weights tight from a drop.

As a side note, Coop didn’t try them out on a bench press, though. “You should never use collars on a bench press,” Coop says, since it leaves the weights open to dump off the bar if you get stuck mid-rep.

After his first impressions, Coop also tested the overall hold capacity of the collars with static weight by loading up one end of a barbell, clamping it with the collar, then setting the bar up on its side to see if the collar could keep the weight from sliding. The Titan TwistLock held an impressive 135 pounds using this test, but slid eventually when Coop added a fourth 45-pound bumper plate. It still performed well, earning it a 4.5 out of 5 for its hold capacity.

Ease of Use

With barbell collars, you want something simple and effective. The Titan TwistLock Barbell Collars are certainly simple, able to be secured on a barbell simply by twisting the collar tight. While it’s impressively easy to adjust, Coop does remind users that you’ll have to use both hands to tighten the collar, since you’ll need to hold the rotating bar sleeve still with one hand, too.

A couple other features also make the collar easy to use. The obvious addition is the knurling on the outside, which helps users get a good grip on the collar. Less obvious is the addition of magnets within the collars. Not only can these allow for simple storage on your power rack, but it’ll help further secure the collars to the weights, as the magnetism will stick to any iron weight plates or bumper plate with a steel center hub.

Durability and Construction

The TwistLock Pro Collars are lightweight, weighing 1.42 pounds for one pair of collars. The collar is primarily made with a heavy-duty aluminum build, with some internal components (including the built-in magnet). The collar is finished with an anodized black, giving it a protective coating that also looks sharp—although we’d love to see it in different colors.

The collars held up well in Coop’s torture testing, earning it a 4.5 out of 5 in durability. After testing the hold capacity to its limit, the TwistLock collars were completely functional. “Still like new,” Coop says after trying them out again, twisting the collars open and shut. 

Titan TwistLock Barbell Collars vs Eleiko Öppen Collars

Eleiko Öppen Collars

Eleiko Öppen Collars

GGR Score: 4.19

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Product Highlights

The Eleiko Öppen Collars use an open-design with some awesome features: lever-locking system, magnets, and a rubber interior to avoid metal-on-metal contact. They are pricier than other barbell collars on the market, but have significant perks. 

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Open design
• No metal-on-metal contact
• Integrated magnets
• Standard 0.25 kg/each
• Easy to use

Cons

• Expensive compared to other collars
• Snapping collars into place and taking them off isn't exactly effortless

Bottom Line

The Eleiko Öppen Collars feature an innovative, open design and integrated magnets that make them some of the best barbell collars on the market.

Because the TwistLock Barbell Collars are a bit on the pricier end, I thought to compare them to the Eleiko Öppen Collars, which are some of the most expensive barbell collars available (unless you’re including 2.5-kilogram weightlifting competition collars).

Both collars have a unique design, with the Eleiko Öppen Collars having an open collar design, similar to the Eleiko Öppen Deadlift Bar. The open design can be secured and locked in place by a clamp, and it holds decently well.

However, for its pricing, the TwistLocks are better value and more durable, as the Öppen Collars didn’t hold up as well in our durability testing; the rubber began to peel off after our durability testing. Both can be unique additions to your gym, but if you’re wanting value in your unique barbell collars, the Titan collars are the better pick.

Customer Experience 

Depending on the brand and price, decent warranties can be hard to find for barbell collars. However, Titan includes a 1-year warranty on all of their fitness products—which isn’t much for some products—but for the TwistLock Pro Collars, it’s pretty good.

Titan Fitness also offers 30-day returns on unused products in their original packaging. Keep in mind that you’ll be responsible for the shipping costs, as well as a 20% restocking fee. There are multiple ways to contact Titan listed on their website—phone, email, or live chat—earning them a 4 out of 5 in customer service.

Ordering the Titan TwistLock Barbell Collars

The Titan TwistLock Barbell Collars are shipped ready to use and can be ordered directly from Titan’s website. Although Titan sells products on Amazon, too, the TwistLock collars aren’t available on it currently. Also, these collars sell out quickly, so if you find the item out of stock, check back regularly so you don’t miss the next sale.

Customer Reviews

Because the item is new, there aren’t any customer reviews available on Titan’s website. We’ll be sure to add what consumers are thinking on these collars once they begin rating the product. Stay tuned.

Final Verdict of Our Titan TwistLock Barbell Collars Review

Although Coop recommends the Rogue USA Aluminum Collars as his best overall pick, the Titan TwistLock Barbell Collars are a unique, high-quality pair of collars to add to your garage gym. With magnetic capabilities and knurling for grip, this is a great set of collars. Although the price might be a bit higher than Titan’s norm, these barbell collars are a great alternative if you’re wanting a unique pair of collars that are cheaper than the Eleiko Öppen Collars.

Full Rating

Titan TwistLock Barbell Collars

With an aluminum body and built-in magnets, Titan Fitness TwistLock Barbell Collars are easy to use and can be stored easily on a power rack upright after your workout session. The collar locks and unlocks with a simple twist, although you’ll need a second hand to keep the barbell secure.

Product Brand: Titan Fitness

Product Currency: $

Product Price: 69.99

Product In-Stock: InStock

Editor's Rating:
4.31

Titan TwistLock Barbell Collars: FAQs

Starting from waffle irons and moving on to Olympic barbells and other fitness equipment, the company is historically known for high-quality products—and a premium price. Having competed on Eleiko barbells and bumper plates over the years, I can attest that the bars are some of the best in the sport. Still, does the high price match the high quality?

We’ve had several people on our team and expert panel try out and experience Eleiko’s Olympic weightlifting training barbell. In this Eleiko IWF Weightlifting Training Bar review, I’ll cover our experiences with this barbell—both the 15-kilogram and 20-kilogram versions—and see who may want to add this premium barbell to their garage gym.

Dozens of Barbells Lifted, Tested, and Dropped

When it comes to barbells, the GGR team has tons of experience with them all: Olympic barbells, curl bars, safety squat bars, and trap bars to name a few. We’ve had our hands on dozens of barbells—closing in on 100 barbells tested and reviewed. We know what features to look for in a barbell, and how that should impact the price and value of a bar.

Additionally, our team of certified personal trainers, lifting coaches, and competitive athletes comes with a level of expertise unparalleled in the industry. For the Eleiko IWF Weightlifting Training Bar, we’ve had quite a few Olympic weightlifters test out the bar, including myself, an Olympian. Along with the overall value and customer experience, we looked at features of the barbell, such as:

• Tensile strength
• Coating and finish
• Durability
• Versatility
• Knurling and grip
• Barbell spin

Eleiko IWF Weightlifting Training Bar

Eleiko IWF Weightlifting Training Bar, NxG 20KG Men

GGR Score: 4.63

Community Score: 4.4

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Product Highlights

• 8 precision needle bearings
• Dust-proof seal on sleeves
• IWF-certified
• 12-year warranty
• Comes in 20kg and 15kg options

Pros & Cons

Pros

• IWF certified
• Great spin
• Needle bearings
• 12-year warranty
• Comes in 20kg and 15kg options

Cons

• Costs more than $1,000
• Sharp knurling
• 20kg version has center knurling

Bottom Line

If you have the money, this Eleiko bar is fantastic for those who perform weightlifting movements, specifically, the clean-and-jerk and the snatch.

A Quick Look at the Eleiko IWF Weightlifting Training Bar

It’s wild to think, but early on in the sport of Olympic weightlifting, barbells weren’t made durable enough to withstand an entire competition, often bending or breaking over the span of a world championship.

Originally a company in Sweden producing waffle irons, Eleiko had a couple of employees who wanted to build a better and more durable barbell. With specialized hardened steel and a waffle-pattern knurling, Eleiko created the first weightlifting barbell to last an entire competition at the 1963 World Weightlifting Championships. Since then, Eleiko has become a common name in weightlifting, powerlifting, and fitness in general.

Although Eleiko creates fitness equipment to outfit both commercial and home gyms—cable machines, racks and rigs, and home gym flooring—their specialty is barbells. They have four barbells made for Olympic lifters:

• Eleiko IWF Weightlifting Competition Bar
• Eleiko IWF Weightlifting Training Bar
• Eleiko Performance Weightlifting Bar
• Eleiko Weightlifting Technique Bar

Each barbell comes in either 20- or 15-kilogram versions, except the technique bar which is either 10 or 5 kilograms. Along with Olympic weightlifting bars, Eleiko makes powerlifting bars and hybrid bars, including the Eleiko XF bar, which is geared toward CrossFit.

Before You Buy

• The competition bar and training bar are both IWF-certified, meaning they are built within the specifications for Olympic weightlifting competition. The only real difference between the two bars is the aggressiveness of the knurling—and the price.
• While I’m typically not too upset about a 12-year warranty for a barbell, Eleiko has such a reputation on their barbells that I’m surprised they don’t offer a lifetime warranty. As such, these bars are made to be durable and will last for years to come.
• Every bar comes with a magnetic brush that you can attach to a rack for easy storage. Use this brush with plastic bristles to preserve the bar’s chrome coating best. People will make the mistake of brushing the bar with metal bristles, which will destroy this bar’s finish.

Eleiko IWF Weightlifting Training Bar Video Review

Is the Eleiko IWF Weightlifting Training Bar Worth It?

When people speak about Eleiko bars in the Olympic lifting community, it’s hard to compare the Eleiko feeling to other barbells. “Eleiko is simply in a class of its own,” says GGR Senior Director of Content Kate Meier, NASM-CPT, USAW-L1, CF-L1. “Just the bar’s spin is so much better than the spin on Rogue training bars.”

RELATED: Rogue Fitness Barbell Reviews

Eleiko’s Olympic bars are truly high performance, with proprietary Swedish steel and chrome coating and durability that isn’t often seen in other barbells, with a tensile strength of 215,000 pounds per square inch. Unfortunately, with that high quality comes a high price tag, at $980 for both the 15- and 20-kilogram training bars—before shipping costs.

Compared to other higher-end Olympic lifting barbells, Eleiko is definitely pricey. The Uesaka Training Bar, probably most comparable to the Eleiko Training Bar, costs $885. Rogue’s top offer for Olympic lifters is the Pyrros Bar, and it’s $720 with a stainless steel finish (the 15-kilogram version is even less expensive). The REP Fitness Alpine Bar comes in a stainless steel finish at $450 and free shipping.

That said, Eleiko is just on another level. With a controlled spin, great bar whip, and grippy knurling, this is the kind of barbell any Olympic weightlifter would want. The price may not entice everyone to make the purchase, but for anyone wanting high-quality construction and best-of-the-best performance in their Olympic weightlifting bar, this is worth the higher price point.

Eleiko IWF Weightlifting Training Bar Specs

Experience With the Eleiko IWF Weightlifting Training Bar 

We’ve had quite a few people on our team try out the Eleiko IWF Weightlifting Training Bar—including GGR founder Coop Mitchell. However, this review will primarily focus on the lifting experience of three weightlifters on our team—GGR Senior Director of Content Kate Meier, NASM-CPT, USAW-L1, CF-L1; Jacob Penner, USAW-L2, weightlifting coach and gym owner; and me, an Olympian and internationally competitive weightlifter.

Kate has had and used the training bar at her gym for about four months now, but the three of us have used Eleiko barbells—both competition and training varieties—over the past decade or longer. We’ve loaded bumper plates on them for the snatch and clean and jerk, as well as squats, deadlifts, pulls, and more.

All three of us agree that this is the barbell for Olympic weightlifting. The spin, feel, and whip are all made to make the snatch exercise and clean and jerk feel natural and smooth. Jacob adds, “This is my all-time favorite bar, and I’ve lifted on weightlifting bars from just about every major brand. The spin is perfect for the Olympic lifts, but I use it for squats, too, because I like the whip and bounce the barbell gives. Not everyone likes the bar whip for squats, but I really do.”

Construction

Eleiko takes great care in crafting their barbells, and it shows when you look at the finer specs of the barbell. Made from specially formulated Swedish steel, the barbell has great spin while the sleeves are constructed with tight tolerances. The sleeves also have a dust-proof seal, which helps keep the precision needle bearings within the barbell clean and moving smoothly.

Tensile Strength

Tensile strength is the best feature of a barbell to determine its durability, as well as the bar’s whip and flex during the snatches and clean and jerks. Measured in pounds per square inch, tensile strength is a measurement of the force required to permanently bend or break a barbell. A higher tensile strength means a more durable barbell.

Most high-end barbells range between 190,000 and 205,000 PSI to balance between durability and good whip on the bar. The Eleiko training bar has a tensile strength of 215,000 PSI, however. Even better is that the bar still maintains excellent whip even with the higher tensile strength, earning it a 5 out of 5 here.

Spin

The sleeves’ rotation system of the Eleiko IWF Weightlifting Training Bar is made with needle bearings, which allows for solid spin, needed in Olympic lifting. Compared to bushings, the bearings provide a greater spin on the barbell. Most IPF or powerlifting barbells will use bushings to have less spin.

RELATED: Barbell Anatomy 101

In 2017, Eleiko updated their needle bearing system to provide tighter tolerances and a more controlled spin. Instead of spinning almost uncontrollably, Eleiko bars simply spin enough to successfully move under a snatch or clean. “Some might say that the updated IWF bar now spins ‘slower,’ but I think it just doesn’t spin unnecessarily,” says Jacob. “I’ve used both iterations of the barbell, and I prefer the new spin.” He gives the spin a 5 out of 5.

Knurling

The knurling on the Eleiko training bar is somewhat aggressive, having a 1.2-millimeter deep knurl across the barbell. Still, this isn’t the most aggressive knurling on the market and has a nice grip without tearing up your hands. It’s definitely grippy enough for the snatch and clean and jerk, while also not being too aggressive for daily training.

RELATED: What Is Barbell Knurling?

“I love this knurling; it has the best grip I’ve ever used,” says Kate. “It holds chalk very well, and it gives you a great grip without cutting your hands every session.” I agree that the barbell has a great grip; still, I prefer a bit more aggressive knurl to my barbells. That said, the knurl on this will win a lot of people over, earning it a 4.5 out of 5.

Coating

Chrome isn’t usually thought of as being the high-end finish for a premium barbell; most people will want stainless steel for their best bar. Some companies use a hard chrome finish for more corrosion resistance. Eleiko uses a proprietary chrome coating that looks beautiful and also holds up immensely well. We rate the finish a 4.5 out of 5.

Nevertheless, both Kate and Jacob warn to only use a plastic brush to scrub down your barbell. Using steel brushes will scrape the coating and destroy the finish. Jacob adds, “Very few Eleiko bars rust from my experience. The only time I see damage like that is when people use metal brushes to brush off chalk and clean the barbell. Don’t do that.”

Durability

Now that we’ve gone over the construction of the barbell, you might be able to tell that this barbell is built to last. With a high tensile strength and a solid finish, I’ve never seen an Eleiko barbell worn down to be unusable, even after years of use. With a little bit of care, these barbells can last a lifetime. It earns a 5 out of 5 for durability.

RELATED: How To Clean a Barbell

Versatility

Although the Eleiko IWF Weightlifting Training Bar is built for Olympic weightlifting, it can still be fairly versatile. It only has grip markings along the knurl for weightlifting, so if you want powerlifting knurls, you might want a true multi-purpose barbell. Still, with a high tensile strength, and smooth spin, this can be used for a variety of movements and exercises outside of weightlifting.

Jacob himself uses it for squats, and prefers it for squats. Kate, on the other hand, doesn’t squat with it, not because the bar isn’t suited for it, but because she doesn’t want to wear the knurling down by putting it in a squat rack. “I’m a snob who doesn’t want to ruin her bar by putting it in the rack,” she jokes. Can it be used for high-intensity training and powerlifting? Yes, absolutely. Still, you may not want to use this $1,000 barbell for any and everything.

Eleiko IWF Weightlifting Training Bar vs Eleiko IWF Weightlifting Competition Bar

Eleiko IWF Weightlifting Competition Bar

Eleiko IWF Weightlifting Competition Bar, NxG 20kg Men

GGR Score: 4.6

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Product Highlights

This is the bar competitive athletes dream about. Our IWF certified competition bar has the distinct honor of being used to set 1,000+ world records over the years.

My wife, Emelie Wilkes, who has competed in Olympic weightlifting herself for the past decade, has trained on the Eleiko IWF Weightlifting Competition Bar for the majority of her athletic career. She loves it, citing a lot of the same perks as the training barbell—a great spin, good grip, and nice whip, to name a few.

Looking at the specs of the two Eleiko bars, they’re nearly identical, with two major differences: the knurling and the price. The knurling is a bit more aggressive, with the same 1.2-millimeter knurl, but a sharper, more pronounced competition knurling. The price comes from the higher level of calibration needed to be IWF-certified for competition, which is just a little higher than what is needed for training bars to be certified.

For most people, if you’re wondering between the training or competition bar, the training bar provides a little more value and has a knurling that will keep your hands from ripping excessively. If you prefer more aggressive knurling, then the competition bar might be worth a look, but the nearly $200 price jump won’t make it worth the cost for most.

Eleiko IWF Weightlifting Training Bar vs Rogue Pyrros Bar

Rogue Pyrros 20kg Bar

Rogue Pyrros Bar - 28MM

GGR Score: 4.3

Community Score: 4.3

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Product Highlights

• IWF-certified barbell co-developed with 3-time Olympic Gold Medalist Pyrros Dimas
• Made in the USA
• 20KG Olympic Bearing Bar (International Weightlifting Federation standards)
• Stainless steel or chrome finishes
• 28-mm diameter
• 5 needle bearings per sleeve
• Tensile Strength of 200,000 PSI

Made in USA

Pros & Cons

Pros

• High tensile strength
• Needle bearings
• IWF-certified
• Tight tolerances
• Made in the USA

Cons

• Expensive
• Knurling can be too aggressive for some

Bottom Line

The Pyrros Bar is the best Olympic Weightlifting Bar that Rogue offers. Its price reflects it's quality and it should be compared to the many top options available before purchased. However, Rogue has other options that are both cheaper and still receive great reviews. If you are shopping on a budget, look somewhere else. If you're a dedicated Olympic Weightlifter and want the best American made barbell, this is it.

Another legend in weightlifting aside from Eleiko is Pyrros Dimas, a Greek lifting legend who is now coaching for USA Weightlifting as their technical director. Pyrros helped design Rogue’s premium lifting bar, the self-titled Pyrros Bar. Having used this bar before, it’s a great, durable barbell and moves well, too.

However, the knurling is a bit on the aggressive side, as I’ve typically ripped my hands after a week of consistent use. Additionally, the spin is a little less controlled than the Eleiko training bar. Although the Rogue barbell is less expensive, if you’re looking for a premium barbell, the Eleiko might be worth the extra money.

Customer Experience 

Eleiko offers 30-day returns on unused products with the original packaging, which is pretty standard for most gym equipment companies. One thing that surprises me, however, is that the warranty isn’t a lifetime, but only for 12 years. With the durability that these bars have, I think Eleiko could probably handle a lifetime warranty. Still, 12 years should be plenty of time to notice any manufacturing faults or defects.

Customer service is fairly easy to navigate on the website, with helpful FAQ sections and information about returns, cancellations, and other policies. There are many ways to contact Eleiko, the fastest being the chat function on the website. Additionally, you can phone, email, or fill out a contact form.

Ordering and Assembling the Eleiko IWF Weightlifting Training Bar

You can purchase the Eleiko IWF Weightlifting Training Bar through the website. Financing options are available, but those payment options will vary depending on your region. The options available to you will show up during checkout.

The barbell comes in a thick cardboard tube that’s stapled shut with end caps. Removing the staples is a hassle, but once an end cap is off, the bar will slide right out of the tube. “Just like with most bars, the sleeves and shaft will be a little oily when you first take the bar out,” Kate warns, “but that’s to be expected.”

A nice perk is that the bar comes with a barbell brush with plastic bristles. Use this brush and not a metal brush to best preserve your bar’s knurl and coating.

Customer Reviews

As of this writing, there aren’t many reviews on the Eleiko Training Bar—only two reviews, both giving the bar 5 stars. Both reviews praised the bar’s grippiness without being too aggressive and the performance of the barbell, one review saying it had a great feel with its whip and spin.

Typically, I’m not a fan of having so few customer reviews, but in my experience in the weightlifting world, these reviews reflect the views from the weightlifting community. Eleiko bars are highly sought after and highly praised in the weightlifting world.

Final Verdict of Our Eleiko IWF Weightlifting Training Bar Review

Hands down, Eleiko weightlifting bars are some of the best barbells out there—particularly for Olympic weightlifting, but they’re also built to last. With a high tensile strength, great spin, grippy knurling, and good bar whip, it has everything a lifter would want in a barbell.

While it may not be thick enough of a bar for powerlifters, the quality of the Eleiko IWF Weightlifting Training Bar is still present, making it a solid choice for your home gym. The biggest drawback is its price, approaching $1,000, but if you have the budget for it, this premium barbell will last for years to come.

Full Rating

Elieko IWF Training Bar

If you have the money, this Eleiko bar is fantastic for those who perform weightlifting movements, specifically, the clean-and-jerk and the snatch.

Product Brand: Eleiko

Product Currency: $

Product Price: 980.00

Product In-Stock: InStock

Editor's Rating:
4.63

Eleiko IWF Weightlifting Training Bar: FAQs

In our DMoose Regional Barbell review, I’ll break down the pros, cons, price, and everything in between so you know what you’ll be holding once it makes its way onto your rack.

We Know Barbells

Our team at Garage Gym Reviews knows barbells very well because we’ve personally used more than 100 for testing or our own personal use. We have reviewed the best barbells for women and the best barbells for CrossFit. The testers on our team range from certified personal trainers to CrossFit and nutrition coaches to athletes that have competed on platforms. Collectively, we have used great bars, not-so-great bars, and everything in between. 

If you see a review from us, it’s because the barbell got put to the test. If we wouldn’t use it, we won’t recommend it to you.

DMoose Regional Barbell

DMoose Regional Barbell

GGR Score: 4.4

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Product Highlights

• Barbell suitable for all training disciplines
• Can support up to 1,500 pounds
• Hard chrome finish
• 35- and 45-lb versions available

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Moderate diamond knurling
• Bearings for great spin
• 16.4-inch sleeve length
• 190,000 PSI Tensile Strength
• Lifetime warranty
• Suitable for all training levels
• Nice whip
• Dual grip rings on knurling

Cons

• No center knurling
• Extra care needed against oxidation

Bottom Line

The DMoose Regional barbell can be used for bumper or traditional iron Olympic weight plates. It is a very versatile bar because it can be used for Olympic lifts, powerlifting, and it can be beneficial for beginners. Home gym owners can buy this bar and count on it to last from the time they start training until they reach their fitness potential. Whether it’s clean and jerks, deadlfits, curls, or any other barbell movement, it will serve the lifter well.

A Quick Look at the DMoose Regional Barbell

DMoose is based out of Buffalo, Wyoming, and their goal is to become a one-stop shop for all fitness enthusiasts, including home gym owners. Aside from barbells, they also produce plates, accessories, and even nutritional supplements. Regardless of the fitness goals you have, they intend to have the products to support them.

RELATED: REP Hades Deadlift Bar Review

The Regional Barbell is available in both 35 and 45 pounds. The sale price for the former costs $167 and the latter comes in at $209 as of this writing. Their regular price are $239 (35-pound) and $299 (45-pound). I got to test the 45-pound bar, which is 86.75 inches long with 16.4-inch sleeves and 52 inches between those sleeves.

For those interested, DMoose also has Powerlifting and Open barbells.

Before You Buy

• DMoose offers financing if you can’t get the bar on sale.
• Neither version of the bar has center knurling, and we found the knurling passive in testing.
• The hard chrome shaft coating should provide you with some corrosion resistance, but keep in mind that the bar still could suffer some rust if you don’t take care of it.

Is the DMoose Regional Barbell Worth It?

Priced at or under $200 depending on which bar you get, this isn’t the cheapest barbell on the market, but most consumers will tell you they would rather buy a high quality barbell that lasts longer instead of a lower quality bar that they would have to spend more money to replace later. I completely agree.

At this price, this is going to be a great multipurpose barbell for beginners, general fitness trainees, and even Olympic lifters. For beginners, the knurling isn’t aggressive, so it will feel comfortable in the hands. The bearings provide great spin for movements such as the clean-and-jerk or snatches. Furthermore, it’s a heavy duty barbell that will hold up to 1,500 pounds. So, as you get stronger, the Regional barbell can still support your training cause.

I was training for a powerlifting meet when I got to try this bar. It served the purpose, but I should point out that it doesn’t have center knurling. There are dual rings on the bar for both powerlifting and Olympic lifting grips, but DMoose also has a Powerlifting Barbell that is much more suitable for the “big three.” The Regional barbell doesn’t have center knurling, which many lifters want for squats. The knurling overall may not be as sharp as some lifters would want, either.

RELATED: Best Powerlifting Barbells

DMoose Regional Barbell Specs

*The specs are not available online for the 35-pound bar.

Workout Experience: Using the DMoose Regional Barbell

I used this barbell in my barn where I train. It’s not climate-controlled, so I have trained with it on cool mornings and in the heat of summer. I used it for many rack exercises and even lifts outside of the rack. 

My two biggest issues with this bar are the lack of center knurling for squats, which I like to have, and the moderate knurling for grip. I personally like more aggressive knurling for rows and deadlifts. I even used it for bicep curls and lying triceps extensions. I found this to be a great barbell to use for bodybuilding-style training.

RELATED: Best Bodybuilding Meal Delivery Service

I also feel that beginners would enjoy using this barbell as well. I’m always in favor of investing more money early when possible, and I think that if beginners started with this barbell, it would last them for several years and be reliable as they get stronger. 

This Olympic bar also did not come with barbell clamps or collars. They can be purchased separately from DMoose. I had a pair I received from Amazon in the past, and they worked just fine.

RELATED: Best Olympic Barbell Collars

Bar Weight

I have the 45-pound Regional barbell, but it also comes in 35 pounds. I didn’t get to try the 35-pound bar, but the 45 version felt good in my hands, and it has held everything I have put on it so far. I have tested it with up to over 500 pounds in a combination of bumper plates and iron plates, and it held up as expected. Even with the heavier weights I put on it, the integrity of the barbell was maintained. It does have a whip to it, but it hasn’t bent permanently.

Knurling

How good the knurling is will depend on the person using it. I have been training for more than two decades, and I like the more aggressive knurling that comes with the DMoose Powerlifting barbell. Since I train outside and sweat a lot, I needed to use some of the best lifting chalk for deadlifts and bent-over rows.

However, I understand the need of less aggressive knurling for beginners and people that need to take care of their hands. If that sounds like you, then you’re going to be happy with the Regional bar. I would give the knurling a rating of 4 out of 5, but if I was a beginner or someone that didn’t need aggressive knurling, I would give it 5 out of 5.

Spin

This bar has needle bearings on it for spin, which comes in handy for curls, cleans, and snatches, among other exercises. To test the spin, I placed the bar in my squat rack, put a DMoose plate on it and spun it lightly to see how it turns. It spun for over 20 seconds before coming to a complete stop. Clearly, it spins well. I give it a 5 out of 5 rating.

Durability and Construction

Like many of you, I see my home gym as an investment. I got to test the Regional barbell for free after DMoose sent it to me, but I have bought barbells in the past and want to be assured that I’m getting a piece of strength training equipment that will last. This barbell got put to work immediately. I used it for as many exercises as possible, and even hung from it as if I was doing a pull-up. It’s a tough barbell to say the least. 

Tensile Strength

The Regional barbell has a tensile strength of 190,000 pounds force per square inch (PSI) (although you might see on the DMoose website that it’s listed as 190K in one spot and 150K in another). The brand claims the bar is capable of holding up to 1,500 pounds without permanently suffering damage. It does provide whip, which can make some lifts safer for the lifter, but the bar will return to its original shape. I dropped this barbell with 500 pounds on it onto the safeties of my rack, and it’s still straight as an arrow. 

Finish

The Regional bar has a sleeve and shaft coating of hard chrome. That is the only option available. With the proper care, it will hold up under most conditions, including non-climate controlled rooms. That said, if you want something with either Cerakote or another finish to protect against oxidation, you may want to opt for a bar that comes in other finishes (and is more expensive), like the Rogue Ohio Bar or the Rogue Bella Bar.

Sleeves

The sleeves are over 16 inches long each. My home gym isn’t uniform, so I have 45-pound plates of all shapes and sizes. I have loaded more than four bumper plates on each side of the DMoose Regional Bar and had room to spare. I could put on over seven iron plates on one side and could’ve put more on as well. As you use the bar, the sleeves will show wear and tear. As long as you clean them and use care when loading or unloading the bar, the signs of use will be minimal.

Bearings

This barbell comes with bearings instead of bushings, which provides the desired spin. Olympic lifters will be very satisfied with the motion of their lifts because there is no grind, halt, or delay with this bar. It will do what you want it to, which can help execute reps smoothly and safely.

DMoose Regional Bar vs REP Fitness Colorado Bar

REP Fitness Colorado Bar

REP Fitness Colorado Bar, 20 Kg

GGR Score: 4.5

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Product Highlights

• 20-kg Olympic barbell for mixed use
• Hard chrome or cerakote coating with Duracoat sleeves
• 28.5 mm shaft diameter
• Dual knurl markings for IPF and IWF
• 190 KSI tensile strength
• Composite bushing

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Durable composite bushings reduce noise when dropping
• Medium volcano knurling
• Dual knurl markings for IPF and IWF
• Designed for versatile use
• Free shipping
• Different color options
• 28.5 mm shaft provides great grip

Cons

• No center knurling, which may be important for some
• Shaft diameter not to IWF specs

Bottom Line

The 20-kilogram Colorado Bar from REP Fitness is a durable, versatile Olympic barbell made for heavy powerlifting, Olympic weightlifting, and cycling weights in CrossFit workouts. The barbell has two knurl markings for IWF and IPF specs. The bar is available with a hard chrome finish or different-colored cerakote finishes with Duracoat on the sleeves. With composite bushings, the barbell provides decent spin and durability that helps dampen noise when dropping weights.

The natural comparison to the Regional bar that will come up is the REP Fitness Colorado Bar because they are close to each other in comparison. Several members of our team have used the REP bar, which is more expensive than the DMoose bar and features a volcano knurl. 

Read more in our REP Fitness Colorado Bar review.

Customer Experience 

Just as important as the bar’s specs are the policies around it. Let’s dive in.

Warranty

DMoose offers a lifetime warranty for replacement of the Regional barbell as long as you register it with the website. This is on par with warranties from some of the top barbell manufacturers in the country, like Rogue Fitness. DMoose does state that the warranty does not cover use outside of its normal intent. You can email their customer service at the link on their website for more detailed warranty information about the specific products you order.

Returns

DMoose offers a 30-day return period for products you don’t like, with some exceptions. The Regional barbell can be returned if there is a defect when it arrives, or if you’re not satisfied with it. Their website suggests you contact them for a return label and a full refund can be issued.

Customer Reviews

DMoose has a customer review section that shows feedback from verified buyers. Most consumers, like Jeanette, were very satisfied with the Regional barbell.

“This bar is really nice looking and perfect for a smaller space. It was really well packaged and arrived without any damage. I love this bar!” she wrote.

Others reported some issues such as packaging, which is why David B. only gave it two out of five stars: “The packaging was damaged and the bar was in very rough condition.”

Final Verdict of Our DMoose Regional Barbell Review

Buying a new barbell every year or even every couple of years can be a pain and take a toll on the wallet. That’s why going all in on a high quality barbell from the beginning can enhance your home gym ownership experience. I feel that the DMoose Regional barbell can be a great asset for home gym owners. It’s comfortable to use, strong enough to withstand intense training sessions, and will last for a long time to come. This barbell can help you improve in any fitness discipline, and it will be well worth the investment.

DMoose Regional Barbell Rating

DMoose Regional Barbell

In our DMoose Regional Barbell review, we break down who might enjoy this barbell, and who may benefit from a different option.

Product Brand: DMoose

Product Currency: $

Product Price: 237

Product In-Stock: InStock

Editor's Rating:
4.4

DMoose Regional Barbell FAQs

RELATED: The Deadlift: Muscles Worked, How To Do It, And Benefits

How does the Hades bar compare to other deadlift bars, though? Well, without getting too ahead of myself, in our testing of this deadlift bar, we may have the best value for a deadlift bar currently on the market in our hands. 

So, does it excel at what it’s been designed to do? Read our full REP Fitness Hades Deadlift Bar review to see if this bar deserves a spot in your garage gym.

Expert Testers of Powerlifting Bars

Aside from the best adjustable dumbbells, bars are one of the pieces of gym equipment we’ve tested most here at Garage Gym Reviews. And with a team of certified personal trainers, coaches, and competitive athletes, we’ve had our hands on quite a few barbells and know how aspects of knurling, grip, barbell length and width, and tensile strength can affect a bar’s performance depending on how it’s built.

For the specialized Hades Deadlift Bar, Lead Reviewer and face of Garage Gym Reviews Everything Lindsay Scheele tried out the barbell and took it through several conventional deadlift repetitions and variations, including staggered deadlifts, Romanian deadlifts, and more.

REP Fitness Hades Deadlift Bar

REP Fitness Hades Deadlift Bar

GGR Score: 4.4

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Product Highlights

• 20 kg (44 lbs) deadlift bar
• Available for pre-order
• 27 mm shaft diameter 
• Traditional powerlifting knurl pattern
• Aggressive knurling
• Black cerakote coating

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Free shipping
• Affordable price range
• Barbell offers flex and whip for deadlifts
• 1% weight tolerance
• 1,500-lb weight tolerance

Cons

• Loadlable sleeve length is 15.75”
• Designed for deadlift only
• Not suitable for bench, squat, or Olympic lifts

Bottom Line

The REP Fitness Hades Deadlift Bar offers a high whip ability for heavy deadlifts and is rated up to 1,500 pounds. The Hades barbell also offers aggressive knurling and a 27 millimeter shaft diameter for the ultimate power grip. It does not offer center knurling and is not suitable for Olympic lifts or other compound movements like the squat, overhead press, or bench press.

A Quick Look at the REP Fitness Hades Deadlift Bar

In recent years, REP Fitness has continued to design and engineer innovative home gym products, from the best weight bench to cable attachments and barbells. REP Fitness recently released a new line of barbells that rival top competitors in the market, both in value and specs. 

Their flagship multi-purpose bar—the REP Fitness Colorado Bar—is a direct competitor to Rogue’s Ohio Bar just with its name, along with being a well-made barbell. Many of these barbells are competitively priced and have a premium, high-end feel; the REP Fitness Hades Deadlift Bar is no different.

Named after the Greek god of the dead, the Hades barbell is finished with black cerakote on the shaft and Duracoat on the smooth sleeves, giving it a sleek black design and a “death-metal” look, according to GGR’s lead reviewer Lindsay Scheele. Along with the sharp design, the bar has laser etching on the sleeves with the bar’s name and weight, as well as unique metal end caps on the barbell.

The Hades is designed specifically for deadlifts, with a thinner shaft diameter than a mixed-use barbell and a tensile strength that will allow for some flex and whip while pulling off the floor. With a static rating of 1,500 pounds, it’ll support many heavy deadlifts with its durable build.

Before You Buy

• The Hades Deadlift Bar is built for deadlifts, but you may be disappointed if you want it to do other things. This isn’t the most versatile bar, and won’t be ideal for other exercises, like squats, benches, or Olympic lifts.
• The deep mountain knurling is pretty aggressive on this bar; however, the high TPI (teeth per inch), gives it a finer feel, which helps balance out the aggressiveness of the knurl. There are powerlifting knurl markings to help determine your deadlift grip as well.
• With a loadable sleeve length of 15.75 inches, you’ll need some iron weight plates to fit more than 500 pounds on the Hades Deadlift Bar.

REP Fitness Hades Deadlift Bar Video Review

Is the REP Fitness Hades Deadlift Bar Worth It?

If you’re serious about heavy deadlifts, this bar is one of the best out there, with one of the most competitive prices, too. The barbell is $369.99 with free shipping, which helps make it a very affordable deadlift bar for pro lifters and home gym users alike.

RELATED: How to Deadlift Heavier

However, this barbell won’t be able to do it all. As it is specially-designed for deadlifts, the Hades won’t have the versatility of mixed-use bars or power bars. The deadlift bar won’t be ideal for bench presses, squats, or Olympic weightlifting. If you’re looking for a more versatile bar for your garage gym, the Hades won’t suit all your needs. Still, if you’re looking for a bar made specifically for heavy deadlifts, then this is the bar for you.

REP Fitness Hades Deadlift Bar Specs

Using the REP Fitness Hades Deadlift Bar

The REP Fitness Hades Deadlift Bar did what it was made to do extremely well. The aggressive knurling with a thinner shaft diameter provides for a great grip for heavy muscle-building deadlifts, ensuring your grip won’t likely slip during your workout. The decent 190K tensile strength gives it a bit more flex and whip, which can help you get in a slightly better position for your deadlifts at the start.

RELATED: 13 Deadlift Benefits, According To An Olympian

Although this is a great deadlift bar, it won’t provide the versatility you may be used to from other Olympic barbells. Lindsay found it great for powerlifting movements but little else. If you are purchasing this as a deadlift bar, though, it’ll do a great job in performing heavy deadlift workouts.

Construction & Durability

This bar is designed for deadlifts. The 27-millimeter shaft diameter paired with an aggressive knurl (more on that in a bit) allow for a very strong grip. The tensile strength of 190K allows for a bit of flex, which at the start of a deadlift can help bend the bar upward and help you set into a better position.

RELATED: Best Shoes for Deadlifting

The rotation system doesn’t provide the most spin, which is ideal for this barbell. Lindsay says of the rotation, “This barbell uses a bronze bushing system. You don’t really need or want a lot of spin on a deadlift bar, and the Hades doesn’t have a lot, which is ideal.” She gave the rotation a 4 out of 5.

The shaft of the Hades Deadlift Bar is finished with a black cerakote, and the smooth sleeves have a Duracoat finish, making for a sleek black look, which reminded Lindsay of a metal music. Cerakote provides decent corrosion resistance, and the chemical process behind Duracoat makes the sleeves corrosion resistant as well as resistant to scratches and general wear, too. Because of this, Lindsay gave the durability of the barbell a 4.5 out of 5.

Knurling

The REP Hades bar has no center knurling, which helps keep your shins from scraping against anything while you’re pulling. The knurling used has powerlifting marks to help place your grip. 

RELATED: What Is Barbell Knurling?

Additionally, the knurling is a deep mountain knurl, which makes for a very aggressive knurl. Lindsay, however, notes that, “The barbell uses a high TPI (teeth per inch), so the finer knurling texture, in a way, feels similar to a volcano knurling.” The high TPI helps ease the aggressive knurling while still providing a solid grip. Lindsay gave the knurling on the Hades bar a 5 out of 5.

Versatility

Lindsay gave the versatility of the REP Hades Deadlift Bar only a 3 out of 5, as it is designed to do one thing very well. You can use it for other movements, but it won’t have the well-roundedness of a mixed-use barbell or power bar, as seen in our REP Fitness Double Black Diamond Power Bar review.

If you are looking for an Olympic barbell with versatility, then a deadlift bar shouldn’t be your next pick.

REP Fitness Hades Deadlift Bar vs Rogue Ohio Deadlift Bar

Rogue Ohio Deadlift Bar

Rogue Ohio Deadlift Bar

GGR Score: 4.7

Community Score: 4.8

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Product Highlights

The best Olympic barbell should be able to do it all, but not all can.. Some barbells are designed to do just one thing very well. Take, for example, the REP Fitness Hades Deadlift Bar, designed to excel at pulling heavy weights from the ground. While not an extremely versatile barbell, it does master the exercise it was made for: the deadlift.

RELATED: The Deadlift: Muscles Worked,

 » Read more about: REP Fitness Hades Deadlift Bar Review (2024): Is This the Best Deadlift Bar to Get?  »

Made in USA

When Garage Gym Reviews founder Coop Mitchell tested out the Rogue Ohio Deadlift Bar a while back, he claimed it was the best value deadlift bar on the market. With the recent release of the Hades Deadlift Bar, can it still claim that title?

Comparing the two deadlift bars, most of the specs are nearly identical, with the Hades Bar being a little bit longer than the Ohio Deadlift Bar, which could allow for a little more flex at heavier weights. Otherwise, they have the same diameter, tensile strength, and knurling marks, and both use bushings to keep the bar from too much spin.

The main differences between the two barbells are the coatings and knurling. The Rogue Ohio Deadlift Bar uses an aggressive volcano, whereas the REP Hades Bar uses a deep mountain knurling, for a very aggressive knurl. 

Secondly, the Hades bar has a black cerakote finish with Duracoat sleeves, giving it a durable and sleek black finish on the entire bar. Rogue offers a few options, with a black zinc or E-coat shaft and bright zinc sleeves—as well as a bare steel option for a lesser price. The bare steel won’t offer much corrosion resistance, but it’ll allow for a more direct grip on the barbell.

The prices also appear similar, with the Hades Deadlift Bar at $369 and the Rogue Fitness Ohio Deadlift Bar ranging between $345 and $375, depending on the coating. However, REP offers free shipping on their barbells, which means the price you see is the price you get. Rogue will cost more once you factor in shipping costs. While both bars are great, the lesser cost of the Hades Deadlift Bar edges it ahead of the Rogue Ohio Deadlift Bar.

Customer Experience 

The REP Hades Deadlift Bar has a lifetime warranty on the barbell that covers defects of the bar. This lifetime warranty lasts until the bar becomes unusable for reasons other than a defect in material or workmanship. Along with this, REP offers 30-day returns on any product. Watch out, though; there’s a restocking fee for any product not returned in its original packaging or missing items (such as any hardware).

For questions, REP Fitness can be contacted a few ways—phone, email, or a live chat on the website. In our experience, they respond within 24 hours and are quite helpful, which led us to rate the customer service a 4.5 out of 5.

Ordering the REP Fitness Hades Deadlift Bar

The Hades Deadlift Bar can be purchased directly from REP Fitness’ website, and REP offers free shipping on all items. REP Fitness does offer financing options for orders through Affirm or PayPal Pay-In-Four. Affirm can only be used on orders over $650, so you’ll have to purchase some other home gym essentials with your Hades Bar to qualify for this financing option.

In our experience, the Hades Deadlift Bar was shipped to us with no shipping or packaging damage. The bar came packaged well and in great condition, leading us to rate the shipping and delivery a 5 out of 5.

Customer Reviews

At the time of this writing, REP Fitness has only three reviews on their website for the Hades Deadlift Bar, which makes sense because the barbell was only recently released. Still, the few reviews are all 5-star reviews, giving positive marks on the bars specs and aggressive knurling. One review compared the grip and knurling to other top power bars as well.

Final Verdict of Our REP Fitness Hades Deadlift Bar Review

With a sleek, black finish and specs that rival top deadlift bars like the Rogue Ohio and Texas Deadlift Bar, the REP Hades Deadlift Bar has killer value with a durable construction and competitive price. While it won’t have the versatility of other multi-use Olympic barbells, if you’re looking for a specialty bar designed specifically for lifting heavy loads from the ground, this will be a great option for most garage gyms.

REP Fitness Hades Deadlift Bar Rating

REP Fitness Hades Deadlift Bar

Designed for the heaviest of deadlifts, we look at the overall value of this barbell in our REP Fitness Hades Deadlift Bar review.

Product Brand: REP Fitness

Product Currency: USD

Product Price: 369.99

Product In-Stock: InStock

Editor's Rating:
4.4

REP Fitness Hades Deadlift Bar FAQs

As a competitive weightlifter, there are few things as satisfying to me as moving some heavy weight around, whether it be a heavy clean and jerk, pulling a heavy deadlift, or coming out of a heavy squat. For said heavy lifts, you need to be mindful of the Olympic barbell you may be using, as it can make or break your max out.

For example, a good squat bar provides rigidity on maximal lifts, helping you stay supported throughout the entire movement. REP Fitness recently released their Helios Squat Bar at a competitive price and similar specs as other top barbells. With free shipping, this very well could be the best value for a squat bar on the market right now.

Still, is this bar right for you and your heavy squats? We had a chance to look at this bar and test it through some heavy squats of our own. In our REP Fitness Helios Squat Bar review, we’ll look at the ins and outs of this barbell to see if this squat bar is right for you and your home gym.

Testing Specialty Bars, Olympic Barbells, and More

Bars are one of the largest categories of garage gym equipment we’ve tested: Olympic barbells, trap bars, curl bars, safety squat bars, deadlift bars, squat bars, and more. With every bar, we’ve looked at different aspects of the bar’s construction, as well as its durability, versatility, and performance while in use.

When we’re not testing home gym equipment, our team of lifelong athletes, certified personal trainers, and weightlifting coaches also live and breathe the fitness industry. We know what to expect and what to look for when testing fitness products and equipment.

Our lead reviewer for Garage Gym Reviews Everything, Lindsay Scheele, tested out the REP Fitness Helios Bar, and took it through lots of repetitions of squats, testing out its knurling, tensile strength, and whip throughout the movements.

REP Fitness Helios Squat Bar

REP Fitness Helios Squat Bar

GGR Score: 4.3

Check Price

Product Highlights

• 55-lb squat bar
• Thick diameter 
• Powerlifting knurling pattern
• Aggressive knurling
• Black cerakote coating

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Free shipping
• Affordable price range
• 1% weight tolerance
• Rigid bar, no whip
• 1,500-lb weight tolerance

Cons

• Not for beginners or casual lifters
• Knurling may be too aggressive for some
• Not designed for deadlifts or benching

Bottom Line

The REP Fitness Helios Squat Bar is a super-rigid, thick, 55-pound barbell designed to tolerate weight up to 1,500 pounds. This barbell offers aggressive knurling and traditional powerlifting marks and a center ring. The Helios bar comes with a durable black cerakote coating that can withstand the wear and tear of the weight room.

A Quick Look at the REP Fitness Helios Squat Bar

For a long time, REP Fitness has been known as a budget-friendly brand and company, like Titan Fitness. They provided solid items with competitive prices. However, in recent years, REP Fitness has really been pushing the envelope to innovate and create premium products, from some of the best weight benches like the REP Blackwing adjustable bench, to quality cable system attachments, like the REP Ares cable attachment.

This innovation and creation of premium products has led them to become more of a competitor with top brands in the market, like Rogue Fitness. REP Fitness’ latest line of premium barbells continues to compete with top companies, with standout barbells like the REP Fitness Colorado Bar and Double Black Diamond Power Bar.

Their latest squat bar is the Helios Squat Bar, named after the Greek god of the sun. With a high tensile strength and thick diameter, this 55-pound barbell is stiffer than most power bars, allowing for more control and less bar whip during heavy squats. An aggressive mountain knurling across the entire bar allows for a strong grip both in your hands and on your back. The sleeve diameter is 2 inches, which will accept Olympic weight plates.

RELATED: Best Weight Plates

The barbell also comes with high-end touches, like laser-etchings of the barbell name and weight on the inside of the sleeves as well as unique metal endcaps.

Before You Buy

• This bar is great for squatting, but won’t have the versatility of other mixed-use barbells. With a 32-millimeter diameter and an aggressive knurling throughout the entire bar, it won’t be ideal for deadlifts, bench press, Olympic lifts, or high-repetition workouts. If you want something more versatile, a power bar or mixed use bar is probably the better choice.
• In our testing, the knurling was very aggressive. Lindsay says of her experience, “Some people might like the knurling, but I found it to be pretty aggressive, and I don’t think I’d like training with this bar all the time—probably only when I’m going for a one-rep max and need a solid grip.”
• This bar is heavier, thicker, and longer than most Olympic barbells people are used to. No worries, though; it’ll still fit on most power racks and squat stands.

Is the REP Fitness Helios Squat Bar Worth It?

This high-end barbell from REP Fitness is designed for one purpose—heavy squats—and it does it exceedingly well. If you’re looking for a solid squat barbell, the Helios Squat Bar is one of the best value squat bars on the market today at under $400 and with free shipping.

RELATED: The Best Budget Barbells

Still, this barbell won’t have the versatility of other barbells. Lindsay explains, “This bar is great for those looking for powerlifting movements, but because of the very aggressive knurling and the heavier weight at 55 pounds, I wouldn’t recommend this bar for all lifts. It wouldn’t be a great multipurpose training bar either.”

If you’re looking for a specialized bar for squatting, this is a great bar with fantastic value. However, if you’re looking for a bar that can do it all, it’s not going to be your best option.

REP Fitness Helios Squat Bar Specs

Using the REP Fitness Helios Squat Bar 

While not the most versatile barbell available, the REP Fitness Helios Squat Bar is made for one thing—back squats—and it does it well. With its thick shaft diameter, long length, and high tensile strength, the Helios Squat Bar provides a stiff bar with little to no whip during a heavy squat. For a squat, you don’t want excessive spin or rotation of the sleeves, so the bronze bushings keep the rotation to a minimum.

RELATED: How to Squat Heavier, According to an Olympian

After testing out the Helios, Lindsay says, “This is a big bar! The knurling is very aggressive and won’t move if you are loading some serious weight. This would be a great bar for those serious about squatting, and squatting heavy.”

With a shaft length of 56.3 inches, the Helios Squat Bar will fit on most any squat rack. At heavy squats, the rigidity of the barbell helps keep the bar from oscillating, which would affect your drive out of a back squat. For what it’s made for, the Helios performs well. However, as with other specialty bars, it won’t perform well for other purposes or exercises.

Construction & Durability

This steel barbell is built differently from Olympic barbells that most are used to. Most 20-kilogram barbells have a shaft diameter between 28 and 29 millimeters, which makes it an ideal grip for a wide range of exercises—bench, deadlifts, Olympic lifts, overhead movements. The 25-kilogram (55 pounds) Helios, however, has a staggering 32-millimeter diameter, giving the barbell a rigid feel when in use. The tensile strength of 200K also will keep the barbell rigid while moving.

RELATED: Deadlift Muscles Worked

The rotation system consists of bronze bushings, which won’t provide a lot of spin on the barbell. However, squats don’t require a lot of spin either, so this is an ideal rotation. Lindsay gave the rotation a 4 out of 5, saying, “The bronze bushing system is great for the smooth, slow movement of a back squat.”

The Helios is finished with a black cerakote on the shaft, and black Duracoat on the smooth sleeves of the barbell, giving it a sharp, blacked-out look. Duracoat is a chemical process that hardens the outside of the steel sleeves, creating a sleeve that is more resistant to wear and corrosion than other finishes. For this, Lindsay gave the bar a durability score of 4.5 out of 5.

Knurling

Unlike most Olympic barbells, the Helios Squat Bar has complete knurling across the entire barbell, with powerlifting knurl markings, as well as a center ring to aid in proper positioning. The knurling is a deep mountain knurling, one of the most aggressive knurls used for barbells. This aggressive knurling ensures that the barbell won’t slide off your back during heavy reps.

RELATED: What Is Barbell Knurling?

Lindsay found the knurling a bit too aggressive for her tastes, although she also recognizes some may appreciate the aggressive knurling, especially on a heavy max. “I couldn’t see myself training with this bar all the time, just because of how aggressive the knurling is,” she says. “I’d see the benefit for a one-rep max, but this wouldn’t be an everyday barbell for me.” She gave the knurling a 4 out of 5.

Versatility

Lindsay gave the versatility of the Helios Squat Bar a 3 out of 5. Although it’s a well-made barbell for squatting, it won’t provide the versatility that other Olympic barbells can usually provide. If you’re looking for a multi-purpose barbell that can be used for a broad range of workouts and exercises, then this won’t be the best barbell to use.

Comparison to Rogue 32MM Squat Bar 

Rogue 32MM Squat Bar

Rogue 32MM Squat Bar

GGR Score: 4.6

Community Score: 4.6

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Product Highlights

The 32MM Squat Bar is another Rogue-exclusive, Ohio-built power bar, featuring a deep, coarse knurl pattern for optimal “stick” and an oversized stainless steel shaft for reduced whip/flex on heavy loads. We sent the prototype through the gauntlet of abuse (aka product testing) at Westside Barbell, and only after they gave it their approval did we move forward into mass production.

Made in USA

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Thick and stiff bar for squatting
• 32mm shaft diameter
• 200K PSI tensile strength
• Stainless steel shaft
• Aggressive knurl runs along entire bar
• Bronze bushings
• Made in the USA
• Full, lifetime warranty

Cons

• Extremely specialized bar
• End caps scratch easily

Bottom Line

The Rogue 32MM Squat Bar is the Cadillac of squat bars. In review, it's a fully stainless shaft bar that is thick, has an aggressive knurl and is made for one thing, squatting heavyweight. If you're not squatting a ton of weight and don't get a lot of flex on a traditional power bar, then we don't see much reason getting this one other than you just want it, as we do. It's a high-quality, made in America bar that will last for decades.

While the Helios Squat Bar may not have the 250K tensile strength of the Kabuki Strength Squat Bar, the specs are comparable to other top squat bars, like the Rogue 32MM Squat Bar, for example. Each bar has a tensile strength of 200K, which with the thick 32-millimeter shaft diameter, is a stiff bar for squatting. Both barbells use bronze bushings for minimal rotation, and center knurling, too. While neither bar has the versatility of a mixed-use bar, they’re still great powerlifting barbells for squatting.

The main difference between the two barbells is the level of knurling and the finish. The Helios Squat Bar has Duracoat sleeves and a black cerakote finish, whereas the Rogue Squat Bar is stainless with a chrome finish on the barbell sleeves. The stainless steel will allow for a bit more grip, which is nice, since the Rogue barbell also has a slightly less aggressive volcano knurling. 

Another major difference is the price. At just under $400, the REP Helios Squat Bar comes in $50 cheaper than the Rogue 32MM Squat Bar, without even accounting for shipping costs. REP also offers free shipping, which makes this the greater value squat barbell out of these two options.

Customer Experience 

Lindsay gave REP’s Helios Bar a 4 out of 5 in its warranty and returns, as they are fairly solid policies. The Helios Squat Bar has a lifetime warranty on the barbell, but it only covers defects in material or workmanship. Along with this, REP allows returns on products up to 30 days after receipt. Just make sure to save the original packaging, otherwise there’ll be a 15% restocking fee taken from your refund.

REP Fitness can be contacted in a multitude of ways, all listed on their website: phone, email, and a live chat, too. In our experience, REP Fitness has responded quickly and has been very helpful, leading us to rate their customer service a 4.5 out of 5.

Ordering the REP Fitness Helios Squat Bar

We had no issue in ordering and receiving the Helios Squat Bar from REP Fitness, and Lindsey gave the delivery process a 5 out of 5 for its ease. The bar can be purchased directly from REP’s website, and it came packaged well and with no damage from the shipping or delivery.

REP Fitness does offer financing through a couple different methods, as well. PayPal users can use their Pay-In-Four option, where four payments are made bi-weekly. REP also offers financing through Affirm, although it’s only for orders over $650. So you’d have to buy the Helios bar with some bumper plates or other gym equipment to take advantage of this financing option.

RELATED: Best Bumper Plates Guide

Customer Reviews

Because of how new REP’s latest line of premium barbells is, there aren’t many reviews out on REP’s website. However, the few reviews out are extremely positive. As of this writing, five reviews on REP’s website all give 5-star reviews for the Helios Squat Bar.

All five reviews talk about the great specs of the barbell, from the thick and stiff feel of the barbell to the aggressive knurling and grippiness on your back while squatting. One customer reported some shipping damage from a packaging issue, but this seems to be uncommon in REP’s shipping and delivery.

Final Verdict of Our REP Fitness Helios Squat Bar Review

REP’s latest line of premium barbells continues to shine with the Helios Squat Bar. Compared to other squat barbells on the market, the Helios bar is priced competitively and has similar specs to other top brands, giving it high value. 

Due to its longer length, heavier weight, and thicker shaft diameter, this bar won’t be very versatile outside of heavy squats. But if you’re looking for a stiff, strong bar for heavy squats, the Helios Squat Bar is one of the best choices out there right now.

REP Fitness Helios Squat Bar Rating

REP Fitness Helios Squat Bar

If you're in the market for a bar that's made for heavy lifting, check out our REP Fitness Helios Squat Bar review to see if this bar’s right for your gym.

Product Brand: REP Fitness

Product Currency: USD

Product Price: 399.99

Product In-Stock: InStock

Editor's Rating:
4.3

REP Fitness Helios Squat Bar: FAQs

This may be most evident with the launch of the REP Fitness Double Black Diamond Power Bar, which certainly rivals the Rogue Ohio Power Bar. REP pulled out all the stops on this one in order to offer one of the most premium power bar options on the market. Check out our full REP Fitness Double Black Diamond Power Bar review for all the details on this bar.

RELATED: The Best Powerlifting Barbell

We “Set the Bar” for Fitness Reviews

It’s been nearly a decade since Coop Mitchell founded Garage Gym Reviews, so we’ve had plenty of time to wrap our sweaty mitts around an abundance of the best Olympic barbells. In fact, we have tested more than 80 bars using our in-depth methodology to rate them on factors like knurling, tensile strength, workout performance, and durability.

Coop and several members of our team used the Double Black Diamond bar for several workouts to assess its pros and cons.

Our testing team is stacked with including certified personal trainers, CrossFit L1 trainers, gym owners, and a bona fide Olympian, so we know about good gym equipment and barbells. We say what we mean, we mean what we say, and we will always do our best to help you make the best decision possible for your fitness equipment purchases.

REP Fitness Double Black Diamond Power Bar

REP Fitness Double Black Diamond Power Bar

GGR Score: 4.3

Check Price

Product Highlights

• Powerlifting 20-kg barbell from REP Fitness
• Aggressive deep mountain knurling
• IPF knurling marks for benching
• 29 mm shaft diameter
• Tensile strength of 200K PSI
• Bronze bushings

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Aggressive knurling for powerlifting
• IPF markings
• High tensile strength
• Bronze bushing for smooth rotation
• Stainless steel option (for a higher price)
• Priced competitively for a high end power bar
• Free shipping

Cons

• Knurling may be too aggressive for some
• Not for versatile use

Bottom Line

The Double Black Diamond Power Bar is REP Fitness’ top-tier powerlifting barbell, and provides a solid powerlifting barbell for a competitive price. The bar comes in cerakote coating with Duracoat sleeves, or stainless steel with chrome or stainless steel sleeves. The sleeves are smooth with a slight bevel at the end for easy adding of plates. With a high tensile strength and aggressive knurling, it’s a solid powerlifting barbell.

A Quick Look at the REP Fitness Double Black Diamond Power Bar 

The REP Fitness Double Black Diamond Power Bar comes hot on the heels of a number of new releases by the brand, including barbells that include like the Alpine, Hades, and Helios, and the multi-use REP Fitness Colorado Bar, which serves as a stellar option for standard weightlifting, powerlifting, high rep sets, and high altitude drops.

REP intends to set the new gold standard for power bars with the Double Black Diamond Power Bar, offering a similarly excellent customer experience to the lifter, an unbeatable price point, and a competitive collection of features like IPF knurl marks, 29-millimeter shaft, and 1,500-pound weight capacity.

We’ve been impressed with the new line of products so far and, not to bury the lead, but it’s looking as though that trend is set to continue. More on that below!

RELATED: REP Fitness Discount Code

Before You Buy

• The Power is Yours: The REP Fitness Double Black Diamond Power Bar is just that— a power bar, meaning it’s not the best barbell for dynamic movements
• An FYI About TPI: The bar features a mountain style knurling with a high TPI, meaning it’s aggressively grippy while delivering comfort simultaneously
• Trust, Not Rust: The Double Black Diamond comes in a slick stainless steel finish, but the cerakote shaft and Duracoat sleeve finish provides better corrosion resistance, as well as some nifty color options
• A Warranty Warning: REP includes a lifetime warranty with the product, but it’s limited to manufacturing defects only

REP Fitness Colorado Bar Video Review

Is the REP Fitness Double Black Diamond Power Bar Worth It?

We have an in-depth Rogue Ohio Power Bar review where we talk about just how great that bar is, but does the REP Fitness Double Black Diamond Power Bar make a worthy competitor? 

Short answer—yes.

REP Fitness intended to create a top-tier product to serve as their flagship power bar, and boy did they deliver.

“This is a tremendous value bar,” Coop says. Prices (with free shipping!) include: 

• Cerakote with a duracoat finish is $350
• Stainless with chrome sleeves $400
• Stainless with stainless sleeves is $450 

RELATED: Best Budget Barbells

The technical specs are in line with anything else you’d find on the market, including the 29-millimeter shaft diameter, 200 KSI tensile strength, and IPF standard knurl marks, but there are some fine details that make the product feel super premium at a price that undercuts competitors by as much as a few hundred dollars.

The attention to detail is unworldly, including a bevel at the edge of the sleeve, sleek black end caps, and spiffy etching on the inside of the collar sleeve position the Double Black Diamond Power Bar as a bar that’ll be hard for other companies to outdo, especially given the price point.

Powerlifters, bodybuilders, and exercise enthusiasts who predominantly perform lifts like the deadlift, back squat, and bench press will find this barbell to be a worthy addition to their home gym; whereas CrossFitters and Olympic lifters might get more value from an Olympic bar.

REP Fitness Double Black Diamond Power Bar Specs

Using the REP Fitness Double Black Diamond Power Bar 

We’ve been super stoked to see a reputable company like REP Fitness take the reins and revamp their power racks and weight benches recently, so it’s only natural that the next thing to get a serious makeover would be their line of barbells.

RELATED: REP Fitness Safety Squat Bar Review

The REP Fitness Double Black Diamond Power Bar is positioned to be among the most popular, if not the most popular, barbells in the REP Fitness product line, and that’s because it’s a power bar, meaning it’s designed specifically for the squat, the deadlift, and the bench press.

“I love power bars for most home gym owners, and this one specifically is designed to have a lot of the attributes of very high-end bars but come in at a more value-oriented price,” says Coop Mitchell, GGR’s founder.

Straight out of the gate, that means you won’t get the same type of versatility you’d get from a multi-use or Olympic barbell, but the Double Black Diamond Power Bar does, however, excel at what it does best—deliver an exceptional user experience on these fundamental lifts.

Construction

On our barbell testing methodology, this bar takes a 4 out of 5 for construction overall. The REP Fitness Double Black Diamond Power Bar boasts attributes you’d find in most high-end powerlifting bars, which we will get into below.

Tensile Strength

The Double Black Diamond Power Bar has 200K PSI tensile strength. That isn’t the highest on the market, but it’s ideal for a power bar because it can withstand some heavy drops without being so stiff that it will break. That’s why we gave it a 4.5 out of 5 in this category.

Bar Shaft

A 29-millimeter shaft diameter is what Coop considers “ideal.”

“There are power bars out there, like the Texas Power Bar that has a 28.5mm, but really, for most people, 29 is the spec. It’s the standard,” says Coop.

Knurling

One of Coop’s favorite features of the REP Fitness Double Black Diamond Power Bar, which ostensibly elevates it from a decent powerlifting bar to a “creme de la gym” contender, is the barbell knurling.

The knurling gets a near-perfect 4.5 out of 5 from us for several reasons. 

While most competitors are defaulting to a volcano style knurling pattern, REP Fitness goes against the grain to offer something that’s more aggressive yet somehow almost as comfortable as a medium knurling. 

The Double Black Diamond Power Bar uses a mountain-style knurling that’s as intense as the ski paths from which the barbell gets its name. REP Fitness mitigates the deep knurling by increasing the total TPI, or teeth per inch.

Because there are essentially so many peaks in one small region, they are smaller, and consequently less sharp, improving ergonomics big time.

“I love this knurl,” says Coop. “This is a bar where you’re lifting and it’s not so aggressive that it’s going to rip your hands all the time, but you know it’s there. It’s similar to the knurling on the Kabuki Power Bar.

RELATED: Kabuki Power Bar Review

That said, it still is sharper than other barbells in the category, and REP Fitness uses that same aggressive knurling on the center knurl. That’s a godsend for the back squat, ensuring the bar stays snug and slip-free across your shoulders and upper back, but it’s a detriment for power cleans, overhead presses, and front squats, as that same mountainous knurl might feel more like a cheese grater against your upper chest.

REP built the Double Black Diamond with IPF standards in mind, incorporating powerlifting knurl marks. There is also an aggressive center knurl to help the bar stick during back squats. 

Our testers had their hands on the stainless steel version of the Double Black Diamond bar, so nothing came between their hands and the knurling.

“It’s exactly as the knurling scientists at REP designed it to be,” says Coop.

RELATED: The Best Olympic Barbell Collars

Bushings

The bar also features self-oiling bronze bushings to assist in sleeve rotation.

“I prefer bronze bushings,” says Coop. “More often, we’re seeing companies use composite bushings…they last a long time, but, as for me in my garage gym, we use bronze bushings.”

Finish

The bar comes in various finishes:

• Red, blue, green, or black cerakote shaft options coupled with a black Duracoat sleeve, 
• A stainless steel shaft and hard chrome sleeve combination
• A fully stainless steel version

“We have had experiences with past REP bars with their stainless steel rusting, only time will tell if they have addressed this issue with this bar,” Coop points out.

Sleeves

The sleeves seem unassuming, and most might dismiss them as “just sleeves,” but Coop’s well-trained eye noticed the details that REP Fitness incorporated to both to give the bar a premium feel while also optimizing the user experience.

The sleeves are completely smooth, rather than ribbed, so weight plates slide on and off with relative ease. That in and of itself is a delight, but the sleeve end also is beveled. Even the grippiest of bumper plates can be loaded easily without having to precisely line up the center hole perfectly each time, so you can save your energy for the lift, not the setup!

RELATED: Barbell Anatomy 101

Durability

We give REP Fitness Double Black Diamond Power Bar a 5 out of 5 on durability. You’re not going to get the same kind of durability from REP’s powerlifting barbell as you would find with, say, the Kabuki Strength New Generation Power Bar, for instance, but that doesn’t mean REP hasn’t taken measures to maximize the lifetime of this impressive piece.

From the 200 KSI standard tensile strength and low whip to the friction-welded sleeves, the REP Fitness Double Black Diamond is primed to perform rep after rep after set after session for many years. Given the general durability of cerakote, hard chrome, and stainless steel, based on Rogue’s F-Scale, it’s not the kind of quality that would withstand the use and abuse of a commercial gym, but most home gym applications will be totally fine.

With a little barbell maintenance every now and again, the Double Black Diamond should last decades in a home gym, especially with a lifetime warranty.

REP Fitness Double Black Diamond Power Bar vs Rogue Ohio Power Bar 

Rogue Ohio Power Bar

Rogue Ohio Power Bar

GGR Score: 4.7

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Product Highlights

• Volcano knurl provides a great grip
• IPF-approved
• Lifetime warranty
• Four coating options: bare steel, black zinc, Cerakote, and stainless steel
• 205K PSI tensile strength

Made in USA

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Great value
• Volcano knurl
• Fantastic grip
• IPF-approved
• Lifetime warranty
• Four coating options: bare steel, black zinc, Cerakote, and stainless steel
• Made in the USA
• 205K PSI tensile strength
• F-8R rating
• Self-oiling bronze bushings

Cons

• 205K PSI tensile strength is not the strongest on the market
• Some may feel the knurling is too passive
• Bare steel Version rusts quickly

Bottom Line

The Rogue Ohio Power Bar is the power bar we recommend most often. You cannot spend less and get a better bar. You can spend more, and depending on your preferences get something maybe better, but even then, it's debatable.

The REP Fitness Double Black Diamond Power Bar and Rogue Ohio Power Bar share many similarities, including a negligible difference in barbell and sleeve lengths, matching shaft diameters and tensile strength. 

They both lack dual knurl marks, featuring only the IPF standard powerlifting knurl marks, and they’re similarly priced, with Rogue’s black zinc option taking the win before shipping and REP Fitness’ free shipping giving it some serious leverage over the competition.

“This is definitely a bar that goes toe-to-toe with the Ohio Power Bar, the American Barbells of the world, and also the Texas Power Bar,” says Coop. “This is a very freaking good bar!”

RELATED: Rogue Ohio Power Bar Vs Texas Power Bar

It’s hard to declare a winner, given how similar these bars are in terms of the specs, but the Rogue Ohio Power Bar has a proven track record that gives it a serious leg up against its new and unproven adversary.

For starters, the Rogue Ohio Power Bar boasts an F10-R score for durability, meaning it’s among the most durable barbells on the market and ostensibly an option for use in even commercial gyms and CrossFit affiliate boxes. Being brand new to the scene means the REP Fitness Double Black Diamond can’t claim to do the same.

And that’s not the only glaring question mark regarding how the Double Black Diamond will age. REP Fitness, in Coop’s experience, has historically used a lower quality stainless steel that rusts over time, and he’s not sure if the new line of products will do the same.

“The stainless steel that I’ve used from, say, Rogue Fitness or from, say, American Barbell has been a higher [quality and] more corrosion resistant stainless steel than I’ve used from REP in the past,” says Coop. “Did REP fix that on this bar? I have no idea. We’ll just have to find out in a year or so how rusty this is…that is something I worry about with REP’s stainless.”

So, you’ll generally receive a similar user experience using the REP Double Black Diamond Power Bar and Rogue Ohio Power Bar, but Rogue’s proven track record gives it favor.

“But I will say, I think I actually prefer the knurling on [the Double Black Diamond], which that’s to say a lot because I absolutely love the Ohio Power Bar knurling,” says Coop.

Customer Experience 

Coops refers to the REP Fitness Double Black Diamond Power Bar as a bar that provides “tremendous value,” and that’s present in the construction and design of the product as well as the company’s policies and level of customer service.

The lifetime warranty is generous, although it does only cover manufacturing defects. REP will also allow you to return the product up to 30 days after the delivery date provided it is unused and undamaged.

Pro tip: Unpack the barbell carefully and hold onto the original packaging until you’re sure you want to keep it. REP charges a 15% restocking fee unless it’s returned in the original packaging.

REP Fitness is available to respond to customer inquiries during business hours via the phone number on their site, email, or a dedicated contact form on the company site.

Ordering and Assembling the REP Fitness Double Black Diamond Power Bar 

One of the ways REP seeks to keep an edge over the competition is through direct-to-consumer sales, which means the best place to purchase the REP Fitness Double Black Diamond Power Bar is right there on the REP website. Shipping is free for all online orders, so it’s an all-around great deal considering the already competitive price point.

RELATED: How to Choose a Barbell

Your Double Black Diamond Power Bar will arrive in a sturdy cardboard tube and plastic end caps to contain the bar, which is also wrapped in cushy foam and plastic to ensure it doesn’t suffer chips and dings en route.

REP Fitness works with Affirm to allow financing options for cart orders exceeding $650, so you can qualify by bundling the barbell with weight plates, adjustable collars, and/or other accessories, but the barbell alone won’t be enough.

Customer Reviews

The REP Fitness Double Black Diamond is, at the time of writing this, a brand new product, meaning there aren’t too many customer testimonials to paint the good, the bad, and the ugly.

The feedback features on REP’s website is overwhelmingly positive— six reviews all giving it a perfect score. Brendan M. said, “Exactly what I was looking for! Perfect addition to a home gym.”

RELATED: The Best Home Gym Equipment 

As it turns out, Coop wasn’t the only one impressed with the knurling. 

Aaron H. said, “The knurling is extremely satisfying without being overly aggressive,” while William A. said, “It feels grippier than any bar, but the individual ridges do not [feel] sharp at all.”

Final Verdict of Our REP Fitness Double Black Diamond Power Bar Review

So, the results are in and the verdict has been reached—

The REP Fitness Double Black Diamond is one heck of a barbell, and possibly Coop’s top pick for the category of “Best Knurling.” It boasts a spiffy design that marries smart branding, exquisite attention to detail, and user-friendly features that make it an absolute pleasure to own and use for your fundamental lifts.

That said, it still has something to prove if it’s going to overthrow the reigning champ, the Rogue Ohio Power Bar. Without the same proven track record and REP’s checkered history in a few areas, we’ll need to see how the Double Black Diamond Power Bar holds up before we can call it a true equal to the already proven Rogue counterpart.

From what we have seen, however, it’s an excellent barbell that offers incredible value, a fantastic user experience, tons of smart features, and a price point that’s very difficult to compete with.

We’ll be very excited to see what else REP Fitness has in store for us as they continue rolling out their new product line.

REP Fitness Double Black Diamond Power Bar Rating

REP Fitness Double Black Diamond Power Bar Rating

Has the Rogue Ohio Power Bar met its match? Check out our full REP Fitness Double Black Diamond Power Bar review and find out!

Product Currency: USD

Product Price: 330

Product In-Stock: InStock

Editor's Rating:
4.3

REP Fitness Double Black Diamond Power Bar FAQs

Along with powerlifting and Olympic lifting barbells, REP Fitness has released their Colorado Bar, a multipurpose bar designed to do it all, and REP’s new flagship bar. As their signature bar, a lot of pressure is on this barbell to perform, so how does it stack up? In this REP Fitness Colorado Bar review, we’ll take a look at its specs, construction, and performance to see how it competes with other high-end barbells.

We’ve Tested So Many Barbells

Seriously, I have nightmares about the number of barbells we’ve tested (OK, not so seriously). 

Hyperbole aside, it’s no joke; our team of certified personal trainers, coaches, and athletes has tested lots of Olympic barbells, specialty bars, and curl bars since Coop Mitchell founded the website in 2014. Coop himself has had his hands on nearly 100 bars, and researched double that amount. We have the experience and knowledge to help you find quality products and gym equipment. 

For the REP Colorado Bar, Coop was able to see and test it at REP’s headquarters, as well as at our testing site, taking the multi-use barbell through a wide range of uses—squatting from a power rack, dropping from overhead, heavy deadlifts, and more.

REP Fitness Colorado Bar

REP Fitness Colorado Bar, 20 Kg

GGR Score: 4.5

Check Price

Product Highlights

• 20-kg Olympic barbell for mixed use
• Hard chrome or cerakote coating with Duracoat sleeves
• 28.5 mm shaft diameter
• Dual knurl markings for IPF and IWF
• 190 KSI tensile strength
• Composite bushing

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Durable composite bushings reduce noise when dropping
• Medium volcano knurling
• Dual knurl markings for IPF and IWF
• Designed for versatile use
• Free shipping
• Different color options
• 28.5 mm shaft provides great grip

Cons

• No center knurling, which may be important for some
• Shaft diameter not to IWF specs

Bottom Line

The 20-kilogram Colorado Bar from REP Fitness is a durable, versatile Olympic barbell made for heavy powerlifting, Olympic weightlifting, and cycling weights in CrossFit workouts. The barbell has two knurl markings for IWF and IPF specs. The bar is available with a hard chrome finish or different-colored cerakote finishes with Duracoat on the sleeves. With composite bushings, the barbell provides decent spin and durability that helps dampen noise when dropping weights.

A Quick Look at the REP Fitness Colorado Bar

REP Fitness has recently released some new Olympic barbells, including the Alpine, Helios, and Hades bars. Each barbell is made for a specific purpose—weightlifting or powerlifting—but the Colorado Bar is a multi-use barbell, meaning it can be used pretty well for powerlifting, weightlifting, and high repetitions and drops.

The Colorado Bar is REP’s signature bar, named after the state where REP headquarters are located, and where they engineered the barbell and its specs. However, it and other fitness equipment from REP are built and constructed overseas using imported materials. The imported materials help keep costs down while making high-quality equipment like this bar.

Being a multi-use barbell, the Colorado Bar is suited to be the only barbell you’d need in your home gym—aside from specialty bars, perhaps. It does it all: heavy lifting, Olympic lifts, repetitions, and drops from overhead.

RELATED: How to Deadlift Heavier

Before You Buy

• Shots fired! With its name, REP has made the Colorado Bar a direct competitor to the Rogue Ohio Bar, each named after their respective headquarter’s location.
• To suit the versatile use of the bar, the shaft’s diameter is right in between typical Olympic weightlifting and powerlifting specs, and there are dual knurl markings for IWF and IPF specifications.
• The bar comes in two finishes, hard chrome or cerakote with Duracoat sleeves. For only $10 more, the cerakote and Duracoat finish will provide more lasting corrosion protection.
• We’ll mostly be discussing the 20-kilogram version in this article, but the Colorado Bar also has a 15-kilogram variation, with a 25-millimeter diameter suited for Olympic weightlifting, making it a great option as a barbell for women.
• While the Colorado Bar has a lifetime warranty attached to it, it’s not as robust of a warranty as other bars, only covering defects.

Video Review

Is the REP Fitness Colorado Bar Worth It?

The REP Fitness Colorado Bar is a well-made barbell with a lot going for it, but because of its name and specs, it’s a direct competitor to Rogue’s Ohio Bar. And while it is a close competition, it will mostly depend on your specific preferences on barbells.

One notable difference between the two bars is in durability. Looking at Rogue’s F-scale ratings for barbell durability, REP’s hard chrome and cerakote finishes are on the lower end of the ratings at F1-R and F2-R, respectively. They aren’t rated to last in a CrossFit gym very well with so many repeated drops—only a few years for an F2-R rating. However, for garage gym use, both types of bars should last for a long time, 30 and 50 years, respectively.

Coop is a fan of the bar, but still leans toward the Rogue Ohio Bar as the barbell to go with if you’re looking for one multipurpose barbell for your gym. Still, with a comparable price at just over $300 and nice features, he understands the appeal for the Colorado Bar, and predicts a lot of people will have a tough choice between the two barbells.

“This bar is fantastic,” he says. “From REP’s previous bars, this blows those away. This is now a true contender. There are many of you out there who I think are going to have a really hard time deciding between the Colorado Bar and the Ohio Bar, and if you’re looking for a general purpose bar within that price range, these are the two you should be looking at.”

REP Fitness Colorado Bar Specs

Using the REP Fitness Colorado Bar 

The Colorado Bar is made for versatile use; for a well-rounded athlete, it should be the only barbell you need in your garage gym. The shaft diameter sits at 28.5 millimeters, which is split between the 28 millimeters common for Olympic lifting and 29 millimeters used in powerlifting. 

RELATED: How to Squat Heavier

Additionally, the bar has dual knurl markings, made for both weightlifting and powerlifting federations (IWF and IPF) specs. There’s no center knurl, however, to keep the bar feeling comfortable on the neck throughout high-rep CrossFit exercises like power cleans.

The bar uses composite bushings to provide a smooth spin as well as provide durability for drops. The composite bushings make for tighter tolerances, and less give or wobble between the sleeve and shaft. Not only does this help protect the bar on drops, but it also keeps the bar quieter during drops.

The tensile strength of the bar is rated at 190,000 pound-force per square inch (psi), which is a good middle-of-the-road tensile strength. It has a bit more bend and bar whip than a power bar, but not so much as to cause too much whip.

Construction

The REP Colorado Bar comes in two different coatings: hard chrome with hard chrome sleeves, or a cerakote shaft with Duracoat sleeves. Coop mentions that a third-party test done by Rogue found that chrome coatings can actually reduce the durability of a barbell by up to 50%. While the chrome bar should still last for years in a home gym setting, it may be best to go with the cerakote for corrosion resistance. Plus, they have color options!

The Duracoat on smooth sleeves is made to be durable. Not only does it provide corrosion resistance, but also wear resistance. Coop explains, “It’s a coating that hardens the steel…it doesn’t just go on top, which means when you put plates on this, you’re not going to wear this out like you would with cerakote. What will happen is it will look silver, but all that is the metal flaking off of the plates…you wipe it off and it’s good to go.”

The cerakote is thin enough to not negatively affect the knurling, which is medium volcano knurling, and pretty good according to Coop. For a medium knurling, it’s still a fairly aggressive knurling—more so than the Ohio Bar. Coop also notes that the knurling is finely done, with no imperfections, and stops short of the bushings so as to not wear them down.

With composite bushings, the barbell has a tighter tolerance, which is much less wiggle on the sleeve, but it still provides good spin. Because of it being tight, the sound is quieter when dropped; you’ll mostly just be hearing the impact of the weights against the floor and bar instead.

Because this is REP’s signature premium bar, they made an effort to add those finer details. Along with a solid construction, the bar has the company logo laser-etched on the inside of the sleeve, as well as the name and weight of the bar. Coop was also excited to see the end caps of the barbell, as it’s multi-layered and intricate. It’s little details like this that make the bar like a premium, high-end barbell.

Durability

Coop had a few questions about the durability of the barbell, mostly looking at the F-scale research provided by Rogue Fitness, a measurement designed to measure durability. While not everyone is a fan of F-ratings, Coop likes to use it as it does seem pretty accurate.

When inputting the specs of the Colorado Bar into the F-rating calculator, the hard chrome bar was rated their lowest rating, F1-R, and the cerakote option was F2-R. In a home gym setting, this probably won’t make a big difference, being that those bars are rated for 30 and 50 years of high repetitions and dropping, respectively. However, in a commercial CrossFit gym, they are rated for only 2 and 4 years.

Again, for personal use in your own space, this shouldn’t be a problem, but if you own a CrossFit box, it may be wise to look at the longevity of barbells.

Comparison to the Rogue Ohio Bar 

Rogue Ohio Bar

Rogue Ohio Bar

GGR Score: 4.6

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Product Highlights

• 190K PSI tensile strength
• Multipurpose bar with great versatility
• Lifetime warranty
• Bushing sleeves
• Snap ring design

Made in USA

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Made in the USA of US-Sourced Steel
• Somewhat passive knurling
• Grips with chalk
• Great for a variety of training styles
• Dual knurl marks
• 28.5-mm shaft
• Bronze bushings
• Lifetime warranty
• Coatings include stainless steel, Cerakote, black zinc, and more.
• 190K tensile strength

Cons

• Not outstanding for powerlifting or weightlifting in comparison to more specialized bars
• Expensive
• Diameter doesn't meet IWF standards
• No center knurl, which may matter to some

Bottom Line

The Rogue Ohio Bar is one of the most iconic barbells in the world. It's been used at the CrossFit Games by some of the fittest athletes in the world and is just as well suited in your garage gym. The Ohio Bar is priced well despite its features and being made in the USA. Although we prefer the Rogue 2.0 Bar for its price, we don't blame you if you decide to spring for the Ohio Bar, although we'd suggest getting the Stainless Steel or Cerakote version.

It’s hard not to talk about the Rogue Ohio Bar when we talk about the REP Colorado Bar. Not only do the bars have similar specifications, but the inspiration for their names is the same, based on each company’s headquarters’ location. Coop calls the Colorado Bar “a shot across the bow to Rogue Fitness,” putting itself in direct competition with the Ohio Bar.

Looking at the specs, the barbells are very similar, with matching shaft diameters, tensile strengths, and knurl markings. They have a similar price point, as well, although Rogue offers a stainless steel option of the bar that raises the price significantly.

The composite bushings give the REP Colorado Bar a tighter tolerance and quieter sound when dropped. Coop noted it doesn’t have the slight wiggle between sleeve and shaft that other bars have, like the Ohio Bar. Additionally, the Colorado Bar’s knurling is a bit more aggressive, which Coop prefers in his bars.

Using the F-scale formed by Rogue, the Ohio Bar will be a more durable bar, although the Colorado Bar is still rated to last for years with home use. Additionally, the warranty from Rogue is a bit more robust, covering bends as well as defects, unlike REP’s defects-only lifetime warranty.

The biggest difference between the two bars is where they were manufactured. While both are named after their headquarters, Rogue’s Ohio Bar is made in the USA, whereas REP imports their fitness equipment from China. If you’re looking to support American-made products, Rogue is the choice here. However, if that isn’t a deciding factor, it will mostly come down to preference as to which one is best for you, since they are both high-quality bars.

Read more about the barbell in our in-depth Rogue Ohio Bar review.

Customer Experience 

REP Fitness provides a lifetime warranty on the Colorado Bar, although it only covers defects in the materials, functionality, or workmanship of the barbell. It won’t cover bends like some other companies do.

Returns are accepted up to 30 days after receiving the product, unused and undamaged. You don’t have to send it in the original packaging, but REP will charge you a 15% restocking fee…so it’s best to return it in the original packaging and condition.

If you have questions about orders or products, REP is pretty easy to reach, as they have a phone number available during business hours, as well as an email address and contact form on the website.

Ordering the REP Fitness Colorado Bar

The REP Fitness Colorado Bar can be ordered directly from REP’s website, and shipping is free for all online orders. The bar is shipped in a sturdy cardboard tube with plastic end caps; inside the tube, the bar is wrapped with plastic and foam is wrapped around the sleeves. This is pretty standard practice for shipping most Olympic barbells, and there was no damage on our bar when we received it.

Financing options are available through Affirm, although only on cart values over $650. So purchasing the Colorado Bar by itself won’t qualify for financing.

Customer Reviews

At the time of this writing, there aren’t many reviews for either the 20-kilogram or 15-kilogram version of the Colorado Bar, but reviews are overall positive, with the 20-kilogram bar having 4.6 out of 5 stars, from five reviews. Most people are happy with the product and its quality.

Complaints were mainly based on preference, as one person wished for more aggressive knurling and a 45-pound version, and another didn’t like that the cerakote color didn’t match his squat rack.

Final Verdict of Our REP Fitness Colorado Bar Review

The REP Fitness Colorado Bar is a fantastic piece of workmanship and engineering. Finer details were added to make this bar really feel like a premium barbell. It makes me excited to see the other barbells they’ve released.

Whether or not this is a better barbell for you than the Rogue Ohio Bar will ultimately depend on what’s most important in your barbell. Because of the durability and warranty of the Ohio Bar, Coop favors Rogue in this debate. Still, with comparable pricing and durable composite bushings and Duracoat sleeves, the REP Colorado Bar is still a solid choice.

REP Fitness Colorado Bar Rating

REP Fitness Colorado Bar

REP’s newest signature bar is here; in our REP Fitness Colorado Bar review, see how it stacks up to the competition.

Product Brand: REP Fitness

Product Currency: USD

Product Price: 319

Product In-Stock: InStock

Editor's Rating:
4.5

REP Fitness Colorado Bar Review: FAQs

While this Buffalo-style barbell may live in the shadow of the famous Kabuki Duffalo Bar, Vulcan throws a hat in the ring with the release of a budget-conscious cambered bar with some high-quality finishes like the center knurling and bronze bushings. 

Regardless if you squat high-bar or low-bar, if you’re a powerlifter on a budget, this Vulcan Buffalo Bar review is for you. 

We’ve Tested Over a Dozen Barbells and Counting

Here at Garage Gym Reviews, we collect not only the best equipment to test and review—we also collect the best and most knowledgeable folks to test, train, and write reviews on equipment. Our expert product testers are fitness industry professionals, ranging from Olympic athletes to certified personal trainers, with decades of collective experience. 

For this Vulcan Buffalo Bar review, lead reviewer for Garage Gym Reviews Everything, Lindsay Scheele, put the cambered bar to the test with both squats and bench press. 

Vulcan Buffalo Bar

Vulcan V-Buffalo Barbell V2.0

GGR Score: 3.7

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Product Highlights

• 47-lb buffalo bar
• Specialty bar for squat or bench
• Curve alleviates strain on biceps, back, and chest
• Doesn’t change positioning of the squat or bench
• 165k tensile strength 
• 800-lb weight capacity
• Black hard chrome shaft
• Matte hard chrome sleeves
• Medium-sharp knurling

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Inexpensive buffalo bar
• Hard chrome finish
• Good knurling

Cons

• Not as high of a weight capacity as similarly priced bars
• Not many reviews

Bottom Line

The Vulcan V-Buffalo Barbell V2.0 is a solid option for specialty bars. Designed with a slight curve to the bar, this buffalo bar will help relieve some strain on your back, chest, or biceps, without adjusting the position of the squat. Finished with black hard chrome on the shaft and matte hard chrome on the sleeves, this bar is rated to hold up to 800 pounds, a weight suitable for most lifters.

A Quick Look at the Vulcan Buffalo Bar

Vulcan Strength Training Systems is a Veteran-owned company based in North Carolina. The brand manufactures a wide variety of equipment for pretty much everything you’ll ever need for strength and conditioning exercise. 

In addition to a variety of straight bars, the brand offers more than a few specialty barbells including axle bars, curl bars, football bars, safety squat bars, trap bars, and strongman log bars. It’s worth noting that Vulcan manufactures equipment both internationally and in the USA. 

Later in this review, we’ll compare the Vulcan Buffalo Bar to other big names in the strength manufacturing industry including Rogue and Titan. 

Before You Buy

• Buffalo bars are specifically designed for squatting and can be used for pressing, too.
• Bronze bushings require less maintenance than composite or stainless steel bushings. 
• The knurling patterns may feel or look different in certain areas due to the fact the barbell is bent after the knurl is cut. 

Is the Vulcan Buffalo Bar Worth It?

If you’re serious about strength training or you train for powerlifting competitions, the Vulcan Buffalo Bar might be worth the $370 investment. 

The design is meant to make squatting more comfortable for folks with shoulder pain or mobility issues because your torso is positioned more upright and allows you to put less stress on the biceps and shoulder girdle. This is due to the fact the bar is angled downward and you don’t have to reach nearly as far to grip the barbell. 

RELATED: Best Shoulder Exercises 

What’s interesting about this type of specialty barbell is the fact it does not change your fulcrum, stance, or muscles emphasized while lifting (like a safety squat bar does). Essentially, if you have shoulder issues this could replace your traditional Olympic barbell. 

Vulcan Buffalo Bar Specs

Lifting with the Vulcan Buffalo Bar

One of the first things Lindsay noticed was that the camber (curve) always spun downward in the rack. While that’s not uncommon, it’s something worth noting if you’re new to speciality bars. Unlike a straight bar, many specialty bars require you to rotate or fidget with the starting position because it rotates in the rack. 

Plus, the more weight you have on the bar the more difficult it becomes to rotate. The good news is that there is a mostly horizontal section that rests in the j-cups—you won’t have to fight the camber too much. 

RELATED: DIY J-Hook Liners

Lindsay also noticed that the knurling was more aggressive than she anticipated after the spec chart advertised it as a medium sharp knurl. Lindsay also read some reviews and comments online of other folks being surprised about the knurling, too. 

When it comes to usability and adding a camber bar to regular training, Lindsay wants to remind lifters at home that the versatility is limited on the Vulcan Buffalo bar. Overall, she rates this versatility as 3 out of 5 stars. 

“This is a great bar for the squat and bench. You could do some other movements on it as well, but overall this isn’t the most versatile bar,” says Lindsay. 

RELATED: What Muscles Does the Bench Press Work?

Bar Weight Capacity Suitable for Home Gym Owners

One of the first things we look at when we test any barbell is how much additional bar weight it can tolerate. The tensile strength is a way to measure how much force a barbell can take (aka stress or load). That is why tensile strength is measured in pounds per square inch (PSI). 

Lindsay rates the tensile strength of this barbell at 3.5 out of 5 stars because it’s rated at 165,000 PSI, which is less than some of the competitors on the market. The website stated that the bar is tested to a 800-pound lifting capacity—which is similar to some of the best budget barbells you’ll find. 

Although most folks don’t lift upwards of 800 pounds, I know that’s not the case for everyone. If you’re super strong or even teetering toward numbers like 800, you’ll want to check out our barbell buying guide.  

Steady with Some Rotation

When it comes to the rotation system, the barbell anatomy of the Vulcan features a quality bronze bushing rotation system. Lindsay gives the bar a 3-out-of-5-star rating. “It has some spin, but really not needed for the lifts you will do with this bar,” says Lindsay.

And she’s not wrong. You don’t want the bar rotating very quickly with the bow-shape of the bar. For Olympic Weightlifters, it’s more important to use a barbell that rotates more quickly because of how much wrist-turnover happens during Olympic lifts. 

Barbell Coating and Knurling 

The Vulcan Buffalo Bar has a black chrome shaft and finely grooved chrome sleeves. Lindsay approves of the coating and gives it 4 out of 5 stars. 

The knurling on the other hand is advertised as “medium sharp knurling,” but in reality, Lindsay says it’s quite an aggressive knurling. She also notes that it “feels different in different places because of how the bar is bent.”

RELATED: What is Barbell Knurling?

The website does state that the knurling is cut on a straight bar and then bent, so there will be some variations across the shaft because the knurl gets distorted during the bending process. It’s also worth noting there is center knurling featured on this bar with a line in the dead center of the bar. 

Vulcan Buffalo Bar vs Rogue Buffalo Bar

Rogue CB4

Rogue CB-4 38mm Buffalo Camber Bar

GGR Score: 4.0

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Product Highlights

• Buffalo-style barbell
• Features thick steel, heavy-duty materials
• Vetted by strongest athletes in the world
• Comparable to the Kabuki Strength Duffalo Bar
• Increased comfort due to the larger steel

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Thicker steel provides more comfort and security during lifts
• While expensive, it’s a great value for a specialty bar
• Features cerakote and brass bushings

Cons

• Multiple complaints of bars arriving in damaged boxes
• Knurling is blunted due to manufacturing process
• We’ve seen some complaints of bars having bent sleeves

Bottom Line

The Rogue CB-4 38mm Camber Bar is a well-made, and heavy-duty Buffalo-style bar that is great for powerlifters and other lifters with shoulder issues.

While the Vulcan is more affordable than the Rogue CB4, the CB4 has a higher weight capacity (966 pounds). Both comes with a lifetime warranty—two elements we consider when thinking about durability. 

OG product tester and founder of GGR, Coop Mitchell, says the oversized 38 millimeter shaft on the Rogue CB4 is a really nice feature and stands out against the competition. That said, not everyone is going to like gripping around something bigger than a traditional barbell. 

Vulcan Buffalo Bar vs Kabuki Strength Duffalo Bar

Duffalo Bar

Kabuki Strength Duffalo Bar

GGR Score: 4.2

Community Score: 4.7

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Product Highlights

• 55-lb cambered barbell
• Designed for squat and bench 
• Engineered by Chris Duffin
• Bronze bushing system
• 3 metal finish options

Made in USA

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Made in the USA
• 3 knurl markings
• 195,000 PSI tensile strength
• Good for anyone lacking shoulder mobility
• Aggressive knurling
• 17.25” loadable sleeve

Cons

• Expensive price tag
• No warranty offered with the bar
• Curved design does not sit well in many J-cups

Bottom Line

The Kabuki Strength Duffalo Bar is one of the best specialty bars on the market, however, it comes at a high price. We've tested and reviewed it for nearly two years and find ourselves using the bar for squats more than just about any other. The knurling and bend are vastly superior to cheaper buffalo bars and, as usual, the attention to detail is high. If you're in the market for a new specialty bar and have the cash, this is a great option (but we'd suggest a safety squat bar first.)

The Kabuki Strength Duffalo Bar is most similar to the Rogue CB4, but because we included the CB4 in our comparisons, I’m going to include the Duffalo Bar, too. The Duffalo was designed by Chris Duffin, who is known for being an entrepreneur in the strength and conditioning industry (and his crazy strength and massive physique). 

Compared to the Vuclan, the Duffalo is longer, heavier, and more expensive. It’s also rated for a 1,500-pound weight capacity and has a 17.25-inch sleeve for loading on a ton of weight plates. 

Vulcan Buffalo Bar vs Titan Fitness Yukon Bar

Titan Yukon

Titan Yukon Bar

GGR Score: 4.5

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Product Highlights

• Cambered speciality barbell
• Priced under $300
• 6” curvature
• 50 lbs
• 1,500-lb weight capacity

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Self-oiling bronze bushings
• 17.5” loadable sleeve
• 2,000-lb weight capacity
• Affordable price tag

Cons

• Curvature doesn’t sit well in J-cups
• Bar can flip due to curvature
• Passive center knurling

Bottom Line

The Titan Yukon Bar is the best priced buffalo bar that we have tested and reviewed. The bar can handle whatever poundages you plan to lift, has a decent knurl, rotating Olympic Sleeves, and an awesome price to boot. If you want the best, go with the Kabuki Duffalo Bar. If you want the best priced that is also something we would not be scared lifting with, this is the one.

The Titan Yukon Bar is the most comparable in price to the Vulcan. However, the Titan features a price point under $300 and is rated for 1,500 pounds on the bar and has tensile strength rated at 180,000 PSI. 

It’s worth noting that the main thing our product testers don’t like about this bar is the fact you need to load it evenly to prevent the bar from flipping. Coop goes over that (and more) in the Titan Yukon Barbell review video. 

Customer Service and Experience 

Lindsay rates the customer service at Vulcan Strength at 3.5 out of 5 stars. She notes the brand has a general inquiry form where you have to wait for an email response back, and says, “I wish there were more options to get ahold of them, but I also don’t see any negative reviews about their customer service.”

After a little more website sleuthing, I found a phone number you can call on the returns and exchanges page. They list the physical address of the company on the return page, too.  

Company Policies  

Overall, Lindsay rated Vulcan Strength at 5 out of 5 stars when it comes to company policies. Here’s what you can can expect: 

Warranty Policy

There is a lifetime warranty on the Buffalo Bar. 

Return Policy 

Vulcan offers a pretty standard 30-day window to return items, but you will be on the hook for the return shipping costs and potentially a 20% restocking fee for items that are not being exchanged for an item of equal value. 

And before you decide to pack anything up and make a return, make sure you contact Vulcan for a return authorization number, otherwise they’ll send it right back to you. The brand also expects returned items in the original packaging and in unused condition. 

Ordering and Assembling the Vulcan Buffalo Bar

Here’s what you can expect when ordering the Vulcan Buffalo barbell: 

Financing Options

At checkout, Vulcan offers the option to use your credit card, PayPal, Venmo, or PayPal’s Pay Monthly option. It’s worth noting that the financing option through PayPal has a fixed APR starting at 9.99% to 35.99% based on your credit history. 

Also, the fine print notes that rates can go as low as 4.99% from time to time. Yes, it literally says “from time to time” on the website. Loan terms can also vary depending on the purchase amount.

Shipping

Firstly, we’re impressed with the fact that heavy and large items like rigs, racks, and barbells ship for free from Vulcan. While free shipping does not extend outside of the contiguous United States, it will be a nice price break for folks living within the lower 48. 

Some items require freight shipping. On the website, the brand states that freight shipping doesn’t include unloading items off the truck and that responsibility falls on you (which I find odd, not going to lie). 

In our case, we received the Vulcan Buffalo barbell at our warehouse in Missouri as a normal shipment. Lindsay notes it was “well protected in the box” and rates it as a 5-out-of-5-star experience as far as shipping and delivery goes. 

Customer Reviews

At the time of writing this review, the current 2.0 version of the Vulcan Buffalo bar is still relatively new to the market. There are currently 4 reviews featured on the Vulcan Strength website for the Buffalo bar, all of which have a favorable 5-out-of-5-star review.

While it’s a little suspicious the two most recent reviews are written by Eric (potentially the same Eric), we’ll let it slide. Additionally, for what it’s worth, I couldn’t find additional reviews on Amazon or Google.

Final Verdict of Our Vulcan Buffalo Bar Review

The Vulcan Buffalo Bar is not the barbell for every home gym owner. You’ll find it beneficial if you have shoulder pain while squatting or you actually can’t squat due to your lack of shoulder mobility. 

While myself and the GGR team hope that you take care of yourself and practice your mobility exercises, the Vulcan Buffalo Bar can allow you to train safely while you rehabilitate your joints. Plus, the Vulcan Buffalo Bar won’t break the bank with a price tag under $400 and free shipping. 

Vulcan Buffalo Bar Rating

Overall score: 3.7

Vulcan Buffalo Bar FAQs

In this BalanceFrom Open Trap Bar review, I’ll talk about everything from specs to user experience and will compare this bar to the Bells Of Steel Open Trap Bar, a similar piece of equipment. Let’s dive into the specifics. 

We’ve Tested a Wide Variety of Trap Bars

Our goal at Garage Gym Reviews is to write honest reviews to help people determine which fitness products are best for their home gym. Our team includes CrossFit Level 1 Trainers, certified personal trainers, weightlifting coaches, Olympic athletes, and other experts who work to provide the most factual scientific data and most reliable opinions. 

Almost all the products featured on our site, including the BalanceFrom Open Trap Bar, have been personally tested by our team to demonstrate the user experience and provide detailed reviews. 

BalanceFrom Open Trap Bar

BalanceFrom Open Trap Bar

GGR Score: 4.02

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Product Highlights

• Open trap bar
• Priced below $100
• 1,000-lb weight capacity
• Rotating sleeves
• Minimal knurling
• Arrives fully assembled

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Priced at $99.99
• Rackable
• High weight capacity of 1,000 lbs
• Free returns for 90 days

Cons

• Knurling is not aggressive
• Paint easily chips and scratches
• Poor packaging
• No warranty available

Bottom Line

If you’re looking for an inexpensive and rackable trap bar, you should consider the BalanceFrom Olympic 2-Inch Hex Weight Lifting Trap Bar. Weighing only 45 pounds with a 1000-pound weight capacity, this bar offers the benefits of an open-ended design at a lower cost. When using this bar, its footprint is 70 inches long by 22 inches wide by 8 inches high, and it is also rackable for easier storage. The bar is constructed from steel and has a black paint finish. It also comes fully assembled, so you simply add weight plates to the loadable sleeves to begin your workout. If you’re an experienced lifter who’s putting a lot of weight on the bar, this is not the right product for you; however, if you’re a beginner, this is a good trap bar to check out.

A Quick Look at the BalanceFrom Open Trap Bar

The founder of BalanceFrom started the brand after making his own DIY bathroom scale due to a lack of quality scales on the market. He listed it on Amazon so other people could enjoy his product, and soon had many orders. After, BalanceFrom joined the fitness market to create affordable products with good quality and has since expanded to sporting goods, home, and apparel categories.

The BalanceFrom Open Trap Bar is a budget-friendly piece of gym equipment that has a wide range of workout possibilities. With a 1000-pound capacity and rotating sleeves, this bar is good for home gyms, especially for people who do not need a state-of-the-art bar. 

Before You Buy

• The loadable sleeves are short so you will only be able to fit two to three 45-lb plates on each side if you’re using calibrated plates or bumper plates.
• The quality is good for the less-than-$100 value, but it could be more durable.
• The most common complaint about this bar is the packaging; don’t be surprised if your box or the bar inside shows up smashed. 

Video Review

Is the BalanceFrom Open Trap Bar Worth It?

The BalanceFrom Open Trap Bar is a good option for those who want to do pressing, lunges, deadlifts, and more. This piece of equipment is considerably more budget-friendly than other trap bars on the market and offers the benefits of an open-ended design. If you are more advanced and need a heavy-duty bar that can hold more than 90 pounds on each side, then you should consider a different trap bar. 

BalanceFrom Open Trap Bar Specs

Using the BalanceFrom Open Trap Bar

GGR founder and barbell aficionado Cooper Mitchell tried out the BalanceFrom Open Trap Bar because there was so much buzz about it in our Home Gym Community on Facebook. A decent trap bar for $100? Let us be the judge of that. 

All in all, Coop was surprised by its performance. After testing the BalanceFrom Open Trap Bar and using both sets of handles for deadlifts, he said that he was impressed because the bar felt like a “normal” open-ended trap bar. He also did lunges and RDLs with ease and had no problems.

When adding Rogue HG 1.0 plates, Coop noted that the jack does work, which is a nice added benefit. He was able to comfortably fit two plates and said you could fit a third without a collar. If you do add Olympic barbell collars, you will only have about 7 of the 9.5 inches left to add plates. 

Some exercises that you can do with this bar include:

• Lunges
• RDLs
• Pressing 
• Deadlifts 
• Bent over rows
• Squat jumps
• Ab roll-outs

RELATED: The Biggest Trap Bar Benefits

Footprint and Portability

The BalanceFrom Open Trap Bar’s footprint is small relative to other bars on the market. This 45-pound bar is also rackable on most power racks, allowing it to be easily stored. The sleeves are advertised as being 17 inches, yet Coop measured approximately 9.5 inches on the bar received at GGR HQ (which was ordered from Walmart.com). 

The trap bar we received also has a Signature Fitness logo on the end caps, not a BalanceFrom logo; Signature Fitness is BalanceFrom’s “high-end residential fitness brand,” so they are related, but the fact that we ordered a BalanceFrom bar as indicated on Walmart.com and didn’t receive the exact product is a touch worrisome. 

Is the BalanceFrom Open Trap Bar Durable?

The BalanceFrom Open Trap Bar is constructed from steel and includes a black paint finish. The rotating sleeves have no bushing, which may cause more friction due to the steel on steel construction. 

The BalanceFrom Open trap bar also has dual handle heights that are 24 inches, which is a good size for most people and just slightly smaller than the 25-inch average. The handles are thin, but Coop says that they’re not too thin. 

The bar does have knurling, however, it is extremely minimal; it’s faded on the sides, very uneven, and painted over, although for being less than $100, Coop says that the company did not have to include knurling at all, so it’s a bonus.

The construction of this trap bar could be better. After adding Rogue HG 1.0 plates to either side, Coop noticed that the bar did not sit evenly on the ground—instead, there was a little wobble to it. 

Comparison to Bells of Steel Open Trap Bar 

Bells of Steel Open Trap bar

Bells of Steel Olympic Open Trap Bar / Hex Bar

GGR Score: 4.1

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Product Highlights

• Has rotating sleeves
• Open-end frame
• Built-in deadlift jack
• Costs under $200
• 700-pound weight capacity

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Budget-friendly
• Rotating sleeves
• 700-pound weight capacity should be enough for most users
• Built-in deadlift jack
• Open-ended frame
• Free shipping
• 30-day money-back guarantee

Cons

• Knurling is inconsistent
• Bends at higher weights
• Poor packaging

Bottom Line

For less than $200, the Bells of Steel Open Trap Bar/Hex Bar is a great product with a unique design that sets it apart from the competition in its price range.

The Bells of Steel Open Trap Bar is similar in weight to the BalanceFrom trap bar, but the Bells of Steel Open Trap Bar has a lower weight capacity of 700 pounds, which may restrict more experienced users who need a trap bar for Olympic weightlifting.

The BalanceFrom Open Trap Bar is advertised as having a 1,000-pound weight capacity, which can hold a good number of Olympic weight plates. However, Coop says that he would personally not lift 1,000 pounds with this bar because it may bend. 

Reviews for the BalanceFrom Open Trap Bar indicated that there were nicks and scratches on the paint. Likewise, the Bells of Steel Open Trap Bar is powder coated in black oxide, which may scratch and peel over time. 

Both bars have dual handle heights, which increases their versatility, and is great for new lifters. This feature can help with balance, form, and back and hip strength. A con of the BalanceFrom Open Trap Bar is that the knurling is extremely minimal, which may affect grip strength. Yet, the Bells of Steel Open Trap Bar does not have the most aggressive knurling either. 

Also, unlike the BalanceFrom Open Trap Bar, the Bells of Steel Open Trap Bar is not rackable and will take up more space in your home gym. 

Read our full Bells of Steel Open Trap Bar review for our full thoughts on this specialty bar.

Ordering and Assembling the BalanceFrom Open Trap Bar

The ordering process shouldn’t be very difficult; you can purchase the trap bar from Walmart. There is free shipping available with this purchase and the bar will arrive a little over one week after it ships. 

Some people had no issues with shipping and handling. However, negative reviews mentioned that the bar came scratched or bent, or the bar poked through the packaging. Others commented that the shipping packaging is poor and arrived in bad condition. 

The BalanceFrom Open Trap Bar comes completely assembled, so all you have to do is add Olympic plates. 

Customer Experience 

Since we ordered our bar from Walmart.com, that’s what we’ll focus on here. The customer experience ranges from excellent to poor. 

Of those who received damaged products, two people said Walmart Customer service was very helpful and offered to exchange the bar, but one person said that Walmart did not help them get a refund for this product. Multiple people have complaints about Walmart’s customer service, specifically the long wait time to receive their product. 

For a $100 barbell your expectations have to be realistic, but it isn’t acceptable that people aren’t receiving help with damaged products. We had no problems ordering and receiving this bar, although the fact that we got a Signature Fitness barbell is a red flag. 

Customer Reviews

Customer reviews for the BalanceFrom Open Trap Bar are extremely mixed, with some customers loving the product and others hating it. 

Positive reviews state that the bar fits their needs or is durable and better than expected, especially for the money.

Negative reviews note the poor packaging and state that the product came damaged. 

Final Verdict of Our BalanceFrom Open Trap Bar Review

The BalanceFrom Open Trap Bar is a good option for people who want a budget-friendly piece of equipment for strength training. It would work great for new lifters or experienced lifters with a back injury. Although the sleeves are short and the knurling is not aggressive, its $100 value, dual handle heights, and open-ended design make this bar a good value proposition.

BalanceFrom Open Trap Bar Rating

BalanceFrom Open Trap Bar

This BalanceFrom Open Trap Bar review will explain how a budget-friendly bar is great for everything from beginner exercises to powerlifting reps.

Product Currency: $

Product Price: 99.99

Product In-Stock: InStock

Editor's Rating:
4.02

BalanceFrom Open Trap Bar FAQs

A smaller American company, Grey Man Gear, has taken a stab at innovation with their Simmons Swiss Bar. And in the words of GGR Founder Coop, it is “quite possibly the most unique multi-grip bar in the world; however, unique doesn’t necessarily equal good.” Let’s unpack what that means in our Grey Man Gear Simmons Swiss Bar review, where we’ll go over the good, the bad, and the ugly of this product.

Specialty Bars Are Our Specialty

We’ve tested a lot of specialty bars at Garage Gym Reviews, from the latest open trap bars to cambered Swiss bars, and even the best curl bars on the market. When it comes to the Swiss bars, our team has tested the high-end bars from brands like Rogue Fitness and Kabuki Strength, as well as budget-friendly options from the likes of REP Fitness and Bells of Steel. We know what to look for in these bars when it comes to value for the consumer.

RELATED: REP Fitness Cambered Swiss Bar Review

Outside of GGR, we just love fitness. Our team is composed of certified personal trainers, competitive athletes, former gym owners, and CrossFit L-1 trainers. We understand the necessity for good equipment and what to look for in a great value product, so we make sure to provide the best information possible to help you in making an informed decision on purchases.

Grey Man Gear Simmons Swiss Bar

Grey Man Gear Simmons Swiss Bar

GGR Score: 3.6

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Product Highlights

• Patent-pending swiss bar with adjustable handles
• 45 pounds and fits both half racks and power rack
• 5 different grip positions: standard pronated, supinated, neutral, 45-degree supinated, and 45-degree pronated
• 8 grip width adjustments to accommodate different users and exercises
• 3 handle positions 

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Unique
• Multiple positions/grips
• Quickly adjusts
• Tooless adjustment

Cons

• Width of bar may feel clunky/awkward
• Price
• Handles are raw steel and may rust

Bottom Line

If you’re looking for a uniquely designed Swiss bar, the Grey Man Gear Simmons Swiss Bar comes with adjustable handles that have five different grip positions and eight grip widths.

A Quick Look at the Grey Man Gear Simmons Swiss Bar

Grey Man Gear is an American company owned by BeaverFit USA, another American brand that specializes in training equipment and gear for the U.S. Military. Grey Man Gear is named after “grey men” and “grey women,” those who train not for fanfare, but who work daily towards reaching their goals. This is often related to military and first responders, but the brand says it can mean people who train without needing to be in the limelight as well.

RELATED: Military Discounts on Home Gym Equipment

The Simmons Swiss Bar was created by Jordon Simmons, a strength coach at Colorado State University. The patent-pending design allows for the handles to be detached, rotated, and attached back on in five different angles, along with adjusting through eight different grip widths. In addition, there are three holes in the center, allowing the bar to be used for carries as well.

The goal for this innovative bar is to provide a multi-grip bar capable of adjusting to anyone—athletes of all sizes, experience levels, and injury history. With so many angles and widths to choose from, it’s certain to be able to accommodate most anyone’s lifting needs.

Before You Buy

• The biggest drawback of the Simmons Swiss Bar is the price. While very innovative, it is still priced well above other top competitors.
• The chassis is a bit on the wide size, at 11 inches wide. This can make presses awkward, having to lean back to get out of the way of the bar. Also, the width can cause stability issues with your wrists at heavier loads.
• Unlike the couple other Swiss bars with adjustable handles on the market, the Simmons Swiss Bar has a toolless change. It’s a much quicker change for angles and width adjustments than having to pull out an Allen wrench for every adjustment. 
• While a great tool for powerlifting and general strength training, specialty bars are not necessary for a home gym. Only look into Swiss bars if you’re going to actually use them.

Video Review

Is the Grey Man Gear Simmons Swiss Bar Worth It?

The Grey Man Gear Simmons Swiss Bar has a very cool and unique design. A lot of the pros and cons would be just about getting into the finer details of the build of the Swiss bar and preferences—if it weren’t for the price, that is. At $800 before shipping, this innovative piece of equipment is just not going to be a good pick for a lot of people.

Looking at other premium Swiss bars and multi-grip bars on the market, the Simmons Swiss Bar is priced a couple hundred bucks over top competitors, and it simply doesn’t provide enough to justify it. In Coop’s honest review of this Swiss bar, he says it best, “They [Grey Man Gear] have absolutely priced themselves out of the market with that price.”

RELATED: The Best Budget Barbells

Unless money is no limit and you’re searching out unique bars, there are just more options available at lower prices and that provide greater value. While unique and innovative, we can’t recommend it for the price.

Grey Man Gear Simmons Swiss Bar Specs

Using the Grey Man Gear Simmons Swiss Bar 

Coop was able to test out the Simmons Swiss Bar, and while the design was very innovative, there were quite a few design choices that felt oddly outdated—in his words, archaic. This led him to theorize that the bar has been in development for several years now, and still had some older designs still integrated.

The 45-pound Swiss bar is flat, which is fine, but camber bars have become more popular as of late. The round bend or angle to the bar allows for more range of motion in many upper body exercises. Also, the chassis width is 11 inches, which is much wider than most newer designs. It makes you have to stabilize the bar a bit too much on presses, as well as duck your head out of the way when you lower the bar to your chest.

The Swiss bar is rackable, meaning you can load the bar on a power rack or squat rack, for presses, benching, and weight changes.

RELATED: The Best Squat Racks

The handles are the fun part. Attached with knurled chrome knobs, the handles can be easily detached and reattached without the use of tools. This makes for a quicker adjustment than other adjustable multi-grip bars—maybe quicker than some adjustable dumbbells. However, Coop does note that adjusting these handles can be cumbersome enough to where he’d think most people would want to only adjust the angle and width of the handles at the start of a training block.

You can get five different grips through adjusting the Simmons Swiss Bar—a pronated, supinated, 45-degree pronated, 45-degree supinated, and neutral grip. With a quick adjustment, you can go from a neutral grip to a 45-degree grip, to double as a football bar. No matter how they are adjusted, the handles are locked and solid, and feel great.

The three center handle positions are a nice touch, but felt like an afterthought. One bar can be used for suitcase carries, but you’d need two bars for farmer’s carries. One bar is expensive, but two bars? Coop remarks, “I’m just guessing, based upon the price just so you know, you’re probably not going to want to buy two of these bars.”

The one bar can be used well enough for suitcase carries, but it does feel awkward and clunky due to the wide chassis.

Construction & Durability

The Simmons Swiss Bar has a few hits, but a few misses, too. One of our favorite positives is the adjustable handles. The tool-less adjustment is great and provides the ability for quicker adjustments. The entire bar—save the handles—is coated in a solid, even black powder coat finish, which gives it a nice initial look.

Some choices felt archaic, like Coop said. The wide chassis made some movements feel awkward. In addition, the sleeves are 1.9 inches in diameter, which is an axle bar diameter, just slightly smaller than Olympic barbell sleeves. This slight difference makes the weight plates clang a little bit, and you’ll also need collars that will fit axle bars specifically. This is a strange choice, since a lot of new Swiss bars have Olympic-sized sleeves now.

While the powder coating looks pretty sharp, the bar is not built to keep that nice look. The bar sleeves do not spin, which means the weights will easily grind against the sleeve and start wearing the coating down pretty quickly. In our testing, we were able to get some scratches in our sleeves pretty easily. While rotating sleeves aren’t necessary for a Swiss bar, it would have helped keep the coating from getting damaged (that or a different coating altogether).

A unique choice was that the handles were not powder-coated—nor were they knurled. The handles were just taped off in painting it, so they are exposed, raw steel. While grip-wise, it’s similar to powder coating, the raw steel has a better chance of rusting, especially in a garage gym with less climate control.

The chrome knobs for adjusting the handles have a knurled edge, to make twisting the knob easier. While the knurled knobs were nice, Coop didn’t understand why they didn’t do the same for the handles. “Now, they recognize knurling would be of value on these [knobs], but didn’t recognize it on the handles, which I think was a bad decision.” Also, there was no protection on the knobs against the powdercoat of the chassis, further scratching the finish of the bar.

Overall, the quality of the welds and overall build of the product is great, as is what is to be expected from a high-quality American company like BeaverFit. Still, there were some odd design choices that we would have liked changed.

Comparison to Rogue and Kabuki Strength Multi-Grip Bars 

Rogue MG-4C

Rogue Fitness MG-4C Multi-Grip Camber Bar

GGR Score: 4

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Product Highlights

Perhaps the most versatile camber bar on the market, the Rogue MG-4C gives you options for handle positions as well as angles: straight, 16 degrees, and 20 degrees. Also, choose between two sleeve length options and two finishes (matte black and stainless steel).

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Customizable handle spacing and angles
• Comes in matte black or stainless steel
• 200K PSI tensile strength
• Choose from short or longer sleeves

Cons

• Stainless steel upgrade costs extra
• Might be expensive for a specialty bar for some

Bottom Line

The Rogue MG-4C Multi-Grip Camber Bar is loaded with optionality for sleeve length, finish, and handles, making it one of the most versatile camber bars on the market.

Kabuki Strength Kadillac Bar

Kabuki Strength Kadillac Bar

GGR Score: 4.5

Community Score: 4

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Product Highlights

• Cambered the same angle as the Duffalo Bar for increased range of motion.
• Machined Sleeves allow the use of regular barbell collars and include our signature end caps.

Made in USA

Pros & Cons

Pros

• The Kadillac Bar is Kabuki Strength's version of the football bar that utilizes the same curvature as the ever-popular Duffalo Bar.
• Sleeves are machined to the Olympic standard which allows the use of regular collars, and traditional end caps for both tight tolerances on plates, but also a great look. This is something overlooked A LOT by other companies.
• The entire bar, san sleeves, is coated in a highly-textured powder-coat that grips extremely well. This is honestly the best textured powder-coat we've seen on a bar. Reminds us of Williams Strength/EliteFTS but with even more grip.
• Various grip angles at 10°, 12.5°, and 15° to "promote optimal, stacked joint position and improve movement mechanics."
• The camber of the bar matches the Duffalo Bar which increases range of motion.
• Can be used in the standard or reverse grip positions.
• Thinner than many other multi-grip bars which means it's easier to use for overhead press and curls.
• Shipping cost is lower than other Kabuki Bars due to the removable sleeves, yet it's just as strong.

Cons

• Although we love the heavily-textured powder-coat, we would have preferred to see the handles knurled. This said, that likely would have increased the cost substantially and we don't think it would be worth it since the bar won't be used often for pulling. Some may disagree.
• One reviewer claimed the bar didn't fit in their rack due to its width. "the diameter of the sleeves doesn't fit in my bench press rack (I have a Fortis rack with moving bar holder). I had to swap the J cups from my squat rack just to fit the bar onto the cups, and now it slides around." We have not had this issue.

Bottom Line

The Kabuki Strength Kadillac Bar is one of the best multi-grip bars that we've tested and reviewed. It's certainly unique and has a niche, but if you don't mind the premium cost of a Kabuki Bar, you're going to get one of the best designed, featured, and finished specialty bars on the market. We've used the bar for everything from bench to overhead press, to even seal rows. This is another bar from the mind of Chris Duffin that makes you think, "why hasn't this come out sooner."

For this comparison, we’re going to look at another similarly designed adjustable Swiss bar: the Rogue MG-4CN, an updated narrow grip camber bar from their MG-4C. Additionally, we’ll look at the Kabuki Strength Kadillac Bar, one of Coop’s highest recommendations for Swiss bars, and what he uses in his own home gym. 

Both of these bars are on the higher end of pricing, and the biggest difference between these bars is already evident. Rogue’s camber bar with all of its bells and whistles is still over $100 cheaper than the Simmons Swiss bar, and the Kadillac bar comes in over $200 less than Grey Man Gear’s bar. 

There are other small differences, notably in the handles’ textures. The Rogue bar has stainless steel knurled handles, which will feel great throughout your pressing. Kabuki does not have knurling, but the powder coat finish has a strong texture that will maintain a solid grip throughout your set. Both these other bars have a chassis width at about 7 inches, which will feel like a more balanced bench press bar.

Another design choice that Rogue and Kabuki does just a little bit better is using an Olympic sleeve, instead of the slightly smaller axle bar sleeve. The 2-inch width will fit your bumper plates much better, and you won’t have to buy new collars just for this bar.

The Kabuki Kadillac Bar has fixed handles, so if you are looking for customization, then the Rogue MG-4CN is your best pick. The Simmons Swiss Bar is just too pricey compared to other top brands.

Read more on Rogue’s latest generation of Swiss bars in our Rogue MG-4 Multi-Grip Bar review. You can also see why Coop is all the rage on Kabuki’s Swiss bar in our Kabuki Strength Kadillac Bar review.

Customer Experience 

While there are individual warranties for each of Grey Man Gear’s products available, as of the time of this writing, there is no warranty information on Grey Man Gear’s website for the Simmons Swiss Bar. They do offer a 30-day return, but only for unused and undamaged items in their original packaging. Unfortunately, you will have to foot the bill on shipping costs.

Grey Man Gear does have financing options available, though. If you’re considering this bar, it will definitely help make the initial investment less painful.

Ordering and Assembling the Grey Man Gear Simmons Swiss Bar

The SImmons Swiss Bar can be purchased directly from greymangear.com, and the product will ship out between four and six weeks after the initial order. The bar is pretty much one piece, aside from the adjustable handles, so it is ready to go out of the box.

Customer Reviews

I searched far and wide for any customer reviews on the Simmons Swiss Bar, but was unable to find any. The website has zero reviews or ratings, and there just isn’t much about this bar elsewhere. 

More than likely, this is due to the fact that this bar (and brand) is relatively new, and is just beginning to pick up some momentum as a company. I would imagine as well that with its current price, there haven’t been too many purchases yet, either.

Final Verdict of Our Grey Man Gear Simmons Swiss Bar Review

Grey Man Gear built a high-quality, innovative and unique specialty bar with their Simmons Swiss Bar. With five adjustable grip angles and eight width adjustments, there are endless combinations of grip positions. However, with such a high price tag, we can’t help but feel like there are other similar products available that provide much more value.

Grey Man Gear Simmons Swiss Bar Rating

Grey Man Gear Simmons Swiss Bar

This is a versatile and unique Swiss bar, but how much value does it bring? Read on in our Grey Man Gear Simmons Swiss Bar review.

Product Brand: Grey Man Gear

Product Currency: USD

Product Price: 799

Product In-Stock: InStock

Editor's Rating:
3.5

Grey Man Gear Simmons Swiss Bar FAQs