We test and review fitness products based on an independent, multi-point methodology. If you use our links to purchase something, we may earn a commission. Read our disclosures.
REP Fitness is undergoing a massive revamp of their repertoire, increasing the quality and selection of their fitness equipment. Rogue Fitness is well-known for producing some of the highest quality home gym equipment, but REP is coming for Rogue’s crown.
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
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.
Great for:
- Those who prefer an aggressive knurling
- Lifters who primarily bench, deadlift, squat, and overhead press
- People who love premium gear at a competitive price point
Not recommended for:
- Olympic weightlifters, CrossFitters, and anyone who cleans or snatches regularly
- Lifters who prefer hill or volcano style knurling or require knurling markings for IWF
- Those who prefer products that are made in America
REP Fitness Double Black Diamond Power Bar Specs
| Price | $329.99 to $449.99 |
| Weight | 20 kg (44.1 lbs) |
| Length | 86.6” |
| Loadable sleeve length | 16.3” |
| Shaft diameter | 29mm |
| Shaft coating | Cerakote or stainless steel |
| Sleeve coating | Duracoat, hard chrome, or stainless steel |
| Bushing/bearing | Self-oiling bronze bushings |
| Tensile strength | 200 KSI |
| Warranty | Lifetime warranty on defects |
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
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.
| REP Double Black Diamond | Rogue Ohio Power Bar | |
| Price | $329.99 to $449.99 | $295 to $415 |
| Weight | 20 kg (44.1 lbs) | 45 lbs or 20 kg options |
| Length | 86.6” | 86.75” |
| Loadable sleeve length | 16.3” | 16.4” |
| Shaft diameter | 29 mm | 29 mm |
| Shaft coating | Cerakote or stainless steel | Black zinc, stainless steel, cerakote, e-coat, bare steel |
| Sleeve coating | Duracoat, hard chrome, or stainless steel | Chrome or stainless steel |
| Bushing/bearing | Self-oiling bronze bushings | Bronze bushings |
| Tensile strength | 200 KSI | 200 KSI |
| Warranty | Lifetime warranty on defects | Lifetime warranty |
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
4.3
REP Fitness Double Black Diamond Power Bar FAQs
Can you squat with a power bar?
Power bars are designed to excel during the back squat, as well as the deadlift and bench.
The REP Fitness Double Black Diamond specifically is an excellent choice for squatting thanks to the grippy center knurl, which keeps the bar snug and secure throughout the range of motion.
What bars are used in powerlifting comps?
The International Powerlifting Federation, or IPF, outlines specifications for competition-grade powerlifting bars. Typically, the IPF uses the Eleiko IPF Powerlifting Competition Bar for competitions.
That said, the REP Fitness Double Black Diamond does meet these specifications, so, if you compete or want to compete in powerlifting competitions, you can train with this bar and it should directly translate on game day.
What is the Rogue Ohio bar?
The Rogue Ohio Power Bar is a high-quality power bar made and manufactured by the reputable company, Rogue Fitness.
The REP Fitness Double Black Diamond Power Bar has positioned itself to compete directly with this product, but, so far, we still prefer the tried-and-true Rogue Ohio over the REP Double Black Diamond.
The Double Black Diamond is definitely a worthy competitor though.
What is the difference between a power bar and a squat bar?
Squat bars, as the name suggests, are designed specifically for squats. They feature a greater shaft diameter, greater tensile strength, a wider center knurl, and tend to be slightly heavier than standard powerlifting and weightlifting bars.
Since squat bars are highly specialized, most lifters and home gym owners will get more bang for their buck by picking up something more versatile like a power, Olympic, or multi-use bar.
Further reading
We considered various features like rope adjustment, handle shape and overall performance to come up with this shortlist of the best weighted jump ropes. Read more
Did you know Schwinn makes more than just great exercise bikes? Here’s a Schwinn 870 treadmill review and, since it’s discontinued, a great alternative, as well! Read more
Read our Klean Creatine review to see how the experts rate this simple creatine powder and whether we recommend it for meeting your fitness goals! Read more
Does protein powder cause acne? Learn the truth about the relationship between protein supplements and skin health, plus natural alternatives to try. Read more