If you are looking for garage gym gear on a budget, the internet is usually no help. Most sites want you to buy mid-tier or higher products, so that’s all they review. “Serious” home gym sites don’t review or even look at entry-level gear because it’s beneath them.
So, if you’ve been looking at the new Rep Fitness Delta Basic bar, you’ve probably noticed there isn’t much out there about this bar other than what Rep says themselves.
Let’s change that.
Unboxing Video
GymCrafter Ratings
OVERALL
75
SLEEVES
22
SPIN
20
FINISH
13
KNURL
20
Sleeves: 22/25
Radial play: 7 pts.
Lateral play: 10 pts.
Ribbed/Smooth: 5 pts.
Spin: 20/25
Smoothness: 10 pts.
Bushing type: 5 pts.
L/R consistency: 5 pts.
Finish: 13/25
Corrosion resistance: 5 pts.
Durability: 3 pts.
Application: 5 pts.
Feel: 0 pts.
Knurl: 20/25
Grip: 5 pts.
Feel: 5 pts.
Terminations: 5 pts.
Consistency: 5 pts.
You can see a detailed explanation of our barbell scoring process here.
Delta Basic Bar Review, The Short Version
The Rep Fitness Delta Basic bar is, hands down, the single best sub-$200 barbell we’ve ever tested. Available in a bright chrome finish, this barbell has features you normally only find on much more expensive bars. If you are on a budget and need a barbell, this is probably the bar you should buy.
Finding a good quality entry-level barbell that will last has always been challenging. Most offerings on Amazon are mediocre at best. And most of the options, until this point, have been downright disappointing.
Until recently, my #1 recommended budget barbell has been the CAP barbell OB86. While it’s not a bar I’d ever use myself, it was the best bar I could find under $200. And I bought and tested every sub $200 bar I could find.
Well, Rep Fitness has changed all of that with the introduction of their new Delta basic bar. While there are a few things I’m not a huge fan of, you simply can’t get a better bar in this price range.
Most basic barbells do terribly at three things: finish, sleeve spin, and knurl. The Delta bar kills it in 2.5 of these categories. The knurl is a medium volcano knurl and is expertly applied. The sleeve spin is butter smooth, something you never ever ever find in a budget barbell!
The finish is okay. Bright chrome isn’t my favorite, but it’s all you can get at this price point. On the whole, it’s evenly applied, but there are a couple of blemishes you can see in the unboxing video below.
Does the Delta bar sound like a good fit for your gym? Head over to Rep Fitness to get yours now!
Not sure the Delta bar is right for you? Check out our recommended barbells page here!
- Bar Use – Mixed-Use; Powerlifting
- Weight – 20kg (44.1lbs)
- Length – 86.6″
- Loadable Sleeve Length – 16.3”
- Shaft Diameter – 29mm
- Sleeve Diameter – 50mm
- Bushing/Bearing – Brass Bushings
- Sleeve Style – Smooth
- Knurl Style – Volcano/Medium
- Center Knurl – Yes
- Knurl Markings – Dual (IPF and IWF)
- Material – Steel
- Shaft Coating – Bright Chrome
- Sleeve Coating – Bright Chrome
- Whip – Medium
- Static Rating – 700lbs
- Tensile Strength – 135ksi
- Tolerance – 1%
Image Gallery
Delta Bar Pros & Cons
PROS
Fast shipping
Buttery sleeve spin
Smooth sleeves
Medium-depth volcano knurl
Dual knurl rings
Center knurl
Best value at this price point
CONS
Could be packaged better
Several small finish blemishes
Bright chrome finish
What I Like About The Delta Bar
There’s a lot to like about this bar, especially when you consider its price point. But there are a few things in particular that really stand out to me about this bar.
Sleeve Spin
Rep’s previous basic barbell offering had bolt-on sleeves that didn’t spin at all. To me, that’s a non-starter. A barbell’s sleeve must spin for safety reasons.
The brass bushings on the Delta bar give its sleeves a buttery smooth spin that is as good or better than bars I’ve tested at 2-3 times the price.
Knurl Quality
There are two impressive things about the knurling on this bar.
First is the quality of the application. The knurl terminations (where the knurl meets the smooth part of the bar) are crisp and defined. The knurl itself is evenly applied and consistent across the entire bar.
Second is the knurl itself. The Delta bar has a medium-depth volcano knurl that’s grippy without eating up your hands. It’s also the perfect amount of aggressive for the average lifter. I’ve heard from more than a few readers how much they hate knurl which is too aggressive.
They will not have that complaint with this bar.
Shipping Speed
Recently, Rep opened two distribution centers in the US. This has allowed them to fulfill US orders incredibly quickly. This one was no exception. I ordered the bar on a Wednesday evening, and it was delivered that Saturday.
Price/Value
The Delta bar retails at $179.99 (you can check its current sale price here). There simply isn’t another bar out there at this price that is this well-made.
What I Wish Was Different About The Delta Bar
All entry-level products have things that could be better. All of them. And the Delta bar is no exception. While none of these issues is a deal-breaker for me on a budget-priced bar, they are issues nonetheless.
The Packaging
Dammit, Rep, please fix this!!!
Every single Rep bar I’ve ever ordered has come in a shipping tube with significant damage. The Delta bar is no exception.
Not only was the tube cracked, but the bar literally fell out of one end of the tube when I picked it up from my driveway.
With that said, I will also add that I’ve never received a Rep bar that has shipping damage on the actual bar. They do a nice job of placing a protective covering on the bar so that even though the tube itself gets damaged, the bar does not.
So while I’ve gotten lucky (and it is luck, I’m shocked none of my bars have come damaged since the packaging is always in terrible shape), I would love to see Rep start using a heavier gauge cardboard shipping tube-like American Barbell and Rogue use.
The Finish
I want to start by making something clear… Bright chrome is the best finish you can get at this price point from any manufacturer. There just isn’t a better option that would allow the price to remain as low as it is.
Bright chrome bars usually have a few spots where the finish isn’t perfect. On my Delta bar, there are 3 blemishes on one of the sleeves. They are small and inconsequential, but they are still there. After just a couple of weeks of use, you’ll see scratches and nicks on just about any bar you can train with.
To be fair to Rep, these spots could also be shipping damage. Hard to tell for sure, but in either case, there they are.
Low-quality bright chrome also tends to chip and peel easily. The good news is that when I compare the finish on the Delta bar to a really crappy Body Solid bar I have, the Delta bar clearly has a much higher-quality bright chrome finish than the Body Solid bar.
I’ve trained with the Delta bar for almost 6 weeks, and there have been no issues with the finish. I’ve banged it around and used it in a pretty rickety landmine too. Still no durability issues. Even so, this isn’t a “lifetime” bar. That chrome will start to come off eventually.
The Product vs. The Competition
I’ve mentioned several times that I compared the Delta bar to quite a few other budget bars. Here are the most common competitors you’ll see and how they compare to the Delta bar.
The OB86 has been a go-to in the budget barbell world for many years. And at $129, it was always the best choice for the price. If you need to save the extra $50 over the Delta bar, it’s not a bad choice.
The finish isn’t as nice and will wear very quickly. They moved to a black color instead of bright chrome, and that black wears off easily.
The sleeve spin is also not great on the OB86. Smooth isn’t a word you’d think of when spinning the sleeves on the OB86.
The knurl is a bit rougher than the Delta bar, but that’s because it isn’t applied as well. It’s rough not by design but because of the application.
There’s an ongoing debate about whether or not the CAP OB86 is the same barbell as the Body Solid OB86. There shouldn’t be, as they are distinctly different barbells.
For me, the Body Solid OB86 is a complete waste of money.
The sleeves on this Body Solid bar bolt on and do not spin. Never buy a barbell like this.
This is a great example of a low-quality, bright chrome finish. Mine was already missing chips of chrome when I unpacked it. Not to mention, the finish also ruined the knurling on this bar because it was applied so poorly.
The sleeves sound like they’ve never been within a mile of any lubrication when they spin (although at least they DO spin).
The knurl would probably be just fine if it wasn’t ruined with the chrome finish. But as it sits, it’s not even close to the Delta bar’s knurl quality.
Oh, and here’s what Titan hides behind a tab on this barbell’s page:
TITAN MAKES NO WARRANTY WHATSOEVER WITH RESPECT TO THE EQUIPMENT, INCLUDING ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR WARRANTY OF FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, WHETHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED BY LAW, COURSE OF DEALING, COURSE OF PERFORMANCE, USAGE OF TRADE OR OTHERWISE. BUYER ASSUMES ALL LIABILITY IN USE OF THE EQUIPMENT.
So, they basically won’t even come out and say it’s safe to use as a barbell. Yeah, that’s not good.
I’ve lost count of how many people have emailed me to tell me how bad the XMark bars are. They are only sold on Amazon, and they hit some pretty attractive price points. But even if they were free, I’m not sure I’d ever get one again.
I tested 3 different XMark bars several years ago (Blacksmith, Lumberjack, and Voodoo). I sent them all back. They weren’t worth writing reviews about (I train with these products before reviewing them, and I didn’t want to waste even one training session using these bars).
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it a million times more… Never buy gym gear that’s only sold on Amazon.
Alternatives To The Delta Bar
So you like the idea of the Delta bar but want something it doesn’t offer? Here are a couple of alternatives that hopefully address those additional needs.
The CAP OB86 is your best option if the $179.99 price point of the Delta bar is too high. It’s usually on sale for around $50 less than that on Amazon. Don’t expect to be blown away, but it’s the best you can get at that price.
The Rep Fitness Black Canyon multi-purpose barbell would be an ideal choice if you want to step up a bit from the Delta bar. It runs about $70 more at retail. What you get is a much nicer finish (bright zinc at $249 and black chrome at $269), grippier knurl, better quality bushings, a longer warranty, and a much higher static rating.
The Verdict
Let’s be honest. Most people cannot tell the difference between a $180 barbell and a $680 barbell. Even if they can, they usually don’t notice a difference that’s worth $500 of their money.
But do you know what everyone can tell the difference between? A crappy budget bar only sold on Amazon and a well-made basic bar like the Delta. There’s a huge difference!
Am I saying not to buy an expensive bar? Nope. I train with a very expensive bar every day and wouldn’t have it any other way. But if I was on a tight budget, I would not hesitate to pick up the Delta bar.
In the last 6 weeks of training with it, I never once turned my nose up at it. Not once did I think it could be better for the price. Not once have I had any second thoughts about recommending it as the GymCrafter best budget barbell pick.
So, if money is a concern and you need a barbell, the Delta bar is the ideal solution.
FAQ
How long will the bright chrome finish last?
That depends on a lot of variables. But maybe a callback to your childhood will answer the question for you…
When I was a kid, I had a cheap no-name bike from KMart. My best friend had a really sweet HARO. Both bikes were bright chrome. My bike developed rust spots the first summer I had it. My friend’s bike never developed them.
The second summer I had my bike, the chrome started coming off. By the third summer, I needed a new bike. I wouldn’t be surprised if my friend still has that HARO, and it’s probably in pretty great condition.
The Delta bar is that HARO bike.
Is the knurl aggressive enough for deadlifting?
Yes! First, it’s a myth that you need razor-sharp, mountain-style knurling to deadlift. For most people, that’s just painful, not helpful.
The Delta bar knurl is medium aggressive. Enough for great grip. Not enough to hurt or tear apart your hands.
That said, if a more aggressive knurl is important to you, you should probably not be looking at basic barbells.
What if mine arrives damaged?
One of the reasons I go with Rep so often is their customer service. I’ve had several product issues over the years, and they have always made it right. Always.
If your bar shows up damaged, contact Rep immediately. Take pictures too.
Rep Fitness Delta Basic Bar
The Rep Fitness Delta Basic bar is a multi-purpose, entry-level barbell with features only found on higher end bars.
3.8
Pros
- Quality construction
- Smooth sleeve spin
- Medium knurl
Cons
- Knurl may be too passive for some
How do you think the bright chrome finish will hold up? Every bar I’ve seen with that finish has the chrome coming of in big chunks and flakes.
I owned a Body Sold barbell for a long time that was finished in bright chrome. I spent time after every workout picking little flecks of chrome off of my hands. So I totally understand why you are asking this. I believe the chrome on this bar is a different grade than what was on that Body Solid barbell. I’m currently putting this bar through its paces and using it weekly in a pretty beat up landmine. If anything is going to cause the finish to fail, that will. And no wear so far!
Thanks for reviewing this bar. I usually can’t find reviews on the budget stuff and I appreciate you taking the time to do this.
You bet! That’s exactly why I wanted to review this bar. I think too many home gym YT channels make it seem like everyone needs a $10k+ garage when they absolutely do not!
I haven’t had any shipping issues with Rep’s bars and I’ve bought 3 in the last few months. The double black diamond and the squat and deadlift bars all showed up perfect with no shipping issues at all.
I’ve got a double black diamond on the way. I’ve heard the same thing as you just commented from many people now. I’m very comfortable telling people that Rep’s shipping is good now based on all the feedback.
Thank you for making this review. We don’t have a lot of money and don’t want to waste it. This looks like the perfect thing for our gym.
It’s really a fantastic bar for the price.
Why do you say the Xmark bars are so bad? Reading online I have never seen any complaints about them and that they are a good value given their $140 – $160 price range. So I am curious why you dislike them so much
For people who have never used a better barbell, they tend to like them and give them good Amazon reviews. Once people use a better bar that’s not an Amazon only budget bar, they feel differently. I’ve seen more than a few bend without that much weight or stress, regardless of their published weight capacity. The knurl is just okay and the sleeve spin is not ideal. Early on when I started GymCrafter, I wrote an article on the best budget bar on Amazon and tried a few of them, all pretty bad. I ended up recommending the OB86 Beast from Cap, but they’ve raised the price so much on that one it doesn’t make sense to get a bar on Amazon anymore at all. Right now I also really like the Living.Fit cerakote bar for a budget bar. Outside of not having a center knurl, it’s turned out to be a really great barbell.
The bar only has a 135k tensile strength. Is this not a problem? Everywhere I see that around 165k is the bare minimum that is recommended which is why I am concerned.
I dont understand why a high quality company like Rep would release a bar with such a low tensile strength. $180 is not even that cheap either. XMark and Titan have cheaper bars with higher tensile strength so idk what Rep was thinking here
Great question. For a budget bar, this is appropriate. People lifting the amount of weight needed to need a higher tensile strength shouldn’t be buying a budget bar. This is a great example of saving money where it won’t affect performance. For XMark, I’ve never trusted their specs. It’s been an Amazon only company for years and I’ve seen more than a few of their bars bend over time. Not to mention, their sleeve spin degrades very fast. That won’t happen with the Rep bar. As far as Titan, I haven’t tried their new bars, so can’t speak on them. I saw their better bars at Home Gym Con and they were nice. Their budget stuff was still very obviously budget. If I had to pick a lower priced bar between Titan and XMark, I’d go with Titan all day long. I’ll never buy another XMark product again. If you are lifting enough to be concerned with the tensile strength, I’d look at nicer bars all around. There’s a lot more that goes into a good bar than that one spec.
What about the low tensile strength of only 135k? Is that not a problem? Every barbell buyer guide I have seen recommends at least around 165k tensile strength at minimum. I would expect much more than 135k at $180 so I am confused why a good quality company like REP would release such a weak bar
If you are lifting very heavy, the tensile strength will matter (225 bench, 305 squat or dead). If not (and over 90% of the population can’t hit those numbers), it doesn’t matter as you’ll never be able to see or feel the difference. What you can see and feel, things like knurl, bar spin, finish quality, etc, are all solid on this budget bar. $180 is about as low as you can go price wise and still get a decent bar. Bars on Amazon with great looking specs and lower prices are pretty much all junk that won’t last. Not to mention, their specs are all bogus (because no budget bar customer will be able to actually test them). If you are lifting over those numbers (first of all, great job!), then you shouldn’t be looking at bars at this price point anyway. Step up to a nicer bar that will actually last and feel/work great.