If you’re in the market for a trap bar (aka a hex bar), and it fits your budget, there is no better option for your garage gym than an open-back trap bar. If I get to pick, it’s the Rep Fitness open trap bar.
This newish design has recently taken the fitness world by storm. And with good reason! With features and functions that aren’t present on conventional trap bars (see our detailed explanation of this here), open trap bars have become an essential and versatile implement that belongs in most garage or basement gyms!
But like anything else that proves to be a great idea, almost every fitness company has thrown its hat in the ring. What used to be available from only one or two companies is now available from a wide variety of manufacturers.
If you read my review of the Rep Fitness open trap bar, you know that’s the bar I own, love, and recommend. But why? Why didn’t I go with a Kabuki or Eleiko model? How about a cheapo version from Amazon?
In this article, I’ll compare the Rep Fitness open trap bar to its primary competitors. I’ll outline the pros and cons of each as well as provide a direct comparison so that you can make an educated decision.
All of these comparisons are based on my personal experience with each of these bars. I researched and tried many different options before buying the Rep bar for my gym.
Who Are The Competitors in the Open Trap Bar Market?
The primary competition for the Rep Fitness open trap bar is made by Eleiko and Kabuki Strength. Other models to consider are either Titan Fitness or some of the less expensive options you could buy on Amazon.
By looking at these four options, you will be able to pick out the perfect open trap bar for your needs. And if I missed a model you’d like to know about, please leave a comment, and I’ll help if I can!
Rep Fitness Open Trap Bar vs. Eleiko Öppen Bar
Eleiko (as asserted in their current lawsuit against Kabuki Strength) was the first to bring an open-design trap bar to market. The “Öppen Deadlift Bar” was designed primarily for deadlifts.
Rep Fitness
Open Trap Bar
Length: 84.3″
Weight: 58.4 lbs
Rackable?: Yes
Static Rating: 1350 lbs.
Removable Handles?: Yes
Round Bar Stock?: Yes
Knurled for Squats?: Yes
Bar Finish: Powder coat
Sleeve Finish: Hard Chrome
Sleeve Length: 16.5″
Warranty: 5 Years
MSRP: $399.00
Check Current Price
Eleiko
Öppen Bar
Length: 84.65″
Weight: 55.12 lbs.
Rackable?: Yes
Static Rating: 1102 lbs.
Removable Handles?: No
Round Bar Stock?: Yes
Knurled for Squats?: no
Bar Finish: Powder Coat
Sleeve Finish: Hard Chrome
Sleeve Length: 12.6″
Warranty: 5 years
MSRP: $850
Check Current PriceIn my opinion, the Eleiko Öppen bar is the second-best open trap bar on the market. It’s rackable. It has a solid floor jack. Fit and finish are excellent, and it’s got almost everything the Rep bar has… Almost.
Where the Eleiko Öppen bar falls short of the Rep model:
- No interchangeable handles
- No center knurl for cambered squats
- Lower weight rating by 250 lbs.
- 4″ shorter sleeves, so less capacity for plates
- It’s $450 more expensive!!!
- Lead time is 2-3 weeks plus shipping
- $55 for shipping vs. free
Eleiko is an outstanding brand. Their products are top-notch and very well-made. But in this case, you get a better bar at almost half the price by going with the Rep Open Trap bar.
Rep Fitness Open Trap Bar vs. Kabuki Strength Trap Bar HD
The Kabuki Strength trap bar HD was the second open trap bar released to the consumer market. It differs from the Eleiko model significantly and, for several years, was the better selling of the two.
Rep Fitness
Open Trap Bar
Length: 84.3″
Weight: 58.4 lbs
Rackable?: Yes
Static Rating: 1350 lbs.
Removable Handles?: Yes
Round Bar Stock?: Yes
Knurled for Squats?: Yes
Bar Finish: Powder coat
Sleeve Finish: Hard Chrome
Sleeve Length: 16.5″
Warranty: 5 Years
MSRP: $399.00
Check Current Price Kabuki Strength
Trap Bar HD
Length: 77″
Weight: 66 lbs.
Rackable?: Yes w/ mod
Static Rating: 1500 lbs.
Removable Handles?: Yes
Round Bar Stock?: No
Knurled for Squats?: No
Bar Finish: Powder Coat
Sleeve Finish: Clear Zinc
Sleeve Length: 17″
Warranty: Lifetime
MSRP: $750
Check Current PriceUntil recently, the Kabuki Strength Trap Bar HD has been the best-selling open trap bar for several years. With its high load capacity, interchangeable handles, and renowned Kabuki quality, it’s easy to see why.
But as good as this bar is, it also falls short of the Rep Fitness version. Here’s what it’s missing:
- 6″ shorter
- 8 lbs heavier
- Must be modified to be rackable
- Square bar stock
- Can’t squat with it (per the Kabuki site)
- It’s $350 more expensive!!!
- 14-week lead time!!!
- Over $100 in shipping charges vs. free
After shipping, you’ll pay almost $500 more for the Kabuki bar than the Rep. For that extra $500, you’ll get a bar you can’t use for squats, cambered presses, or yoke walks. It literally has half or less the functionality of the Rep for more than twice the price!
Rep Fitness Open Trap Bar vs. Titan Fitness Rackable Open Hex Bar
Titan Fitness is usually the budget alternative to most pieces of gear in the home gym space. It is often the case that you can get solid gear for considerably less through Titan. Their X3 rack (what I use and recommend) is a great example of a product that will save you a ton of money and work well for a very long time.
Unfortunately, this comparison with their open trap bar is not as favorable to Titan.
Rep Fitness
Open Trap Bar
Length: 84.3″
Weight: 58.4 lbs
Rackable?: Yes
Static Rating: 1350 lbs.
Removable Handles?: Yes
Round Bar Stock?: Yes
Knurled for Squats?: Yes
Bar Finish: Powder coat
Sleeve Finish: Hard Chrome
Sleeve Length: 16.5″
Warranty: 5 Years
MSRP: $399.00
Check Current Price Titan Fitness
Rackable Open Hex Bar
Length: 88.5″
Weight: 65 lbs.
Rackable?: Yes
Static Rating: 1500 lbs.
Removable Handles?: No
Round Bar Stock?: No
Knurled for Squats?: No
Bar Finish: Powder Coat
Sleeve Finish: Hard Chrome
Sleeve Length: 16″
Warranty: One Year
MSRP: $349
Check Current PriceThe biggest issues with the Titan offering are build quality (specifically weld quality) and the fact that it is square bar stock instead of round. Add to that the fact you can’t change handles, and you have no reason to save the $50 you would save by buying the Titan model over the Rep one.
Another issue with this bar is the jack design. The bar tips over to one side very easily while loading. It’s light weight doesn’t help this issue, either.
No detachable handles make this bar less versatile, and the shape is not conducive to using the bar for cambered squats.
Last, when I used this bar, I felt very cramped. The distance between the handles is too narrow for my frame.
Sometimes, Titan Fitness is a solid budget option, but in this case, it’s not.
Rep Fitness Open Trap Bar vs. Inexpensive Amazon Alternatives
I love Amazon. I’ve been a Prime customer for longer than I can remember. I buy stuff there very regularly.
But I don’t buy gym equipment there—accessories sometimes, but never major pieces of gear. With the prevalence of counterfeit merchandise, fake reviews, and cheap Chinese import garbage, I’d rather go straight to the mfr. You should too!
But I realize that is not the case for many. Some of the most viewed home gym videos on YouTube are about building budget gyms on Amazon.
So, how does a well-built bar like the Rep Fitness model stack up against some of the budget options on Amazon?
The short answer is that they don’t. Sure, you’ll save $100-$200 over the Rep Fitness model, but you won’t get the following things:
- A floor jack that works
- A good warranty
- Full-length sleeves
- Rackable
- Ability to be used for squats and presses
- Durable finish
If I tried, I could probably make that list at least 50 items long. But I think you get the idea. There are many times when the less expensive option on Amazon works great. This isn’t one of those times!
The Verdict
It won’t come as any surprise that I’m not only a fan of open trap bars (see why here) but a massive fan of the Rep Fitness open trap bar.
While a lot of barbell comparisons come down to preference or brand loyalty, this one does not.
The Rep Fitness open trap bar stands above every competing model on the market. And it does so at a price that also comes in below most of the competition. There has never been an easier choice!
FAQ
What’s the knurling like on the handles?
The knurl on this bar is fairly aggressive. If you are familiar with Rep’s barbells, it’s not quite as aggressive as the power bar EX, but it is definitely more aggressive than their standard power bar.
If you don’t have callouses, the knurl may be uncomfortable for you.
Why is the Rep open trap bar shaped more like a rectangle than the traditional hexagon shape?
The longer bar section towards the front/back of the bar allows you to comfortably rest the bar on your shoulders for squats and yoke carries. Traditionally shaped hex bars, like the Titan model mentioned above, don’t leave enough room on the bar to use them this way.
I see that the sleeves bolt onto this bar. Are they secure?
Yes! There are zero issues with the toughness of this bar. With a 1350 lb static weight rating, you should have no worries about the strength of the sleeves.
Do the sleeves spin on an open trap bar?
No, and they don’t need to. The safety of spinning sleeves only applies to straight barbells where a turning weight plate might spin the bar out of your hand if the sleeves don’t spin instead. Since you don’t have to worry about that on a bar like this, no bushings or bearings for sleeve spin are needed.
What about Rogue? Why not give them a comparison too since they are the biggest player out there?
First, Rogue does not yet make an open trap bar. Second, I’ve never, ever, ever had a good experience with them. And I’ve tried many times! Third, while their stuff is well-made, it’s overpriced in almost every instance. At least a portion of the price of their gear is so that it says “Rogue” on the side of it. But in the end, after my last several interactions with them (in person and via email), I don’t want to give them any airtime at all. Literally every other home gym site features them, My .02 won’t make a difference one way of the other.
Great review. Great bar. Agree with everything you said.
Thanks for the feedback!
I ordered one on your advice. I love it. My wife loves it. But we have nowhere to put it! I can’t believe how big this bar is, it’s the 2nd biggest thing in our gym after our rack!
Agreed!!! I end up moving mine out of the way almost every time I work out these days.