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How many of you liked taking apart your pen in class and putting it back together just to see how it worked? Well, some of us here at Garage Gym Reviews still do that, except we’ve exchanged writing utensils for home gym equipment—and you’d be surprised what you can learn about some things by doing that.
Our REP Open Trap Bar review is a perfect example of how tinkering with a product can often lead you to reveal features you may not have otherwise known about. And let me tell you, this specialty bar is packed with special features that you’ll want to be aware of should you decide to purchase it for your home gym.
Read on to find out why this is one of the most versatile and high-value barbells we’ve ever reviewed.
Don’t Get Trapped By Phony Home Gym Equipment Reviews
If you truly want to know what it’s like to use a certain trap bar or run on a particular treadmill, you’ve come to the right place. Our expert product testers include certified personal trainers, CrossFit Level 1 Trainers, nutrition experts, competitive athletes, and people who have spent years in the fitness industry, so we know what we’re talking about when we’re testing and reviewing products.
REP Open Trap Bar
REP Fitness Open Trap Bar
Product Highlights
- Removable handles turns this trap bar into a cambered-design bar that can be used for squats, lunges, and presses
- Costs around $400 (good price for a trap bar)
- 6 inches of knurling on the frame
- Chrome-plated sleeves
- 1,350-lb weight capacity
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Removable handles increase its versatility
- Rackable
- Durable chrome coating on sleeves
- Costs around $400
Cons
- Not the most stable trap bar
- Handles are wider apart than other trap bars
- Knurling leans on the passive side
Bottom Line
The REP Fitness Open Trap Bar is a great value specialty bar filled with features that separates it from the competition.
A Quick Look at the REP Open Trap Bar
As Garage Gym Reviews founder and barbell baron Cooper Mitchell puts it, the REP Fitness Open Trap Bar combines the best parts of the Kabuki Strength Trap Bar and the Eleiko Öppen Deadlift Bar, two of the best trap bars on the market, at a budget-friendly price.
In addition to the open bar design, which allows lifters to easily step in and out of the frame, the REP Open Trap Bar also has a built-in deadlift jack, removable handles, center knurling on the frame, and a 1,350-pound weight capacity.
In other words, this specialty barbell encompasses two of our favorite words: versatility and value.
Coop’s Tips
- Find a REP Fitness discount code to help you save money on your next order.
- REP is developing additional stainless steel handles for this bar, so you may want to consider waiting until those are released.
Is the REP Open Trap Bar Worth It?
The REP Open Trap Bar is a specialty barbell, meaning it’s something you purchase after you get a multipurpose Olympic barbell that can be used for weightlifting and powerlifting moves. You have one of those already, right? OK, good.
This trap bar is what we call a “good value,” or something that’s not necessarily the crème de la crème, but for the price ($400), there’s a lot to like about it. If you’re on a budget you can find cheaper trap bars, though they won’t perform nearly as well as REP’s.
Great for:
- Anyone who’s focused on finding the best value
- Home gym owners who want highly versatile products
- Those with back issues who still want to deadlift
- People looking for a rackable trap bar
Not recommended for:
- Home gym owners looking for a really rigid trap bar
- Those with shorter wingspans
- Anyone who prefers aggressive knurling
- People looking for the best-of-the-best
REP Open Trap Bar Specs
| Overall length | 84.3” L |
| Weight | 60 lbs |
| Weight capacity | 1,350 lbs |
| Width from handle to handle | 27.3” |
| Height when vertical | 26” |
| Frame width | 33.1” |
| Length of knurl on frame | 6” |
| Loadable sleeve length | 16.5” |
| Handle diameter | 28 mm |
Getting a Handle on the REP Open Trap Bar’s Versatility
Coop says REP Fitness truly thought out each feature when designing their open trap bar. “Very well thought through and allows a lot of versatility in a bar for a garage gym where that’s what people are looking for,” he says.
To start off, this trap bar has low and high handles that come with some good knurling (it leans on the passive side, which can be a good or bad thing depending on your preference). Some trap bars only come with one set of handles, but having two offers versatility and allows the lifter to grab the bar in a way that’s most comfortable for them.
The dual handles are actually one of the bar’s best features because they can be removed, turning the bar into a cambered bar that can be used for back squats, lunges, overhead presses, and more. The round tubing sits comfortably on the back, and the frame has six inches of knurling for extra grip.
This is a huge win because similar bars with interchangeable handles aren’t always comfortable on the back.
Even better, the handles can be taken on and off without a tool…kind of. That’s how they’re advertised but Coop noticed it’s a little tough to get enough leverage to fully tighten the screws. It’s not a huge deal, but it’s something worth noting.
Another con of the handles is that they’re too far apart. Most trap bar handles are 25 inches apart whereas REP’s are 27 inches, and when it comes to something like that size does matter. REP is in the process of designing interchangeable handles for this bar (narrow, wide, and rotating), but the standard ones may be a bit too wide for those with shorter wingspans to get a comfortable grip.
Deadlifting with the REP Open Trap Bar
Those with lower-back issues who still want to deadlift heavy weights should go for a trap bar over a standard straight bar because trap bars offer a better range of motion and reduce any strain on the lumbar spine. And an open design offers even more benefits due to the fact that you don’t need to step over the bar to get in and out of the frame.
RELATED: Deadlift Muscles Worked
It also means that there’s a built-in deadlift jack so you can prop the bar up to easily slide weight plates on and off (we love added functionality in our fitness equipment). The REP Open Trap Bar’s sleeves have a chrome finish to ensure there’s minimal scratching while loading and unloading plates.
The REP Open Trap Bar feels comfortable to deadlift with, Coop says, up until the point where you load 500 pounds on it, which is when you start to notice that this is indeed a budget-friendly trap bar. What we mean by that is it’s not as rigid as the Kabuki or Eleiko trap bars and you’ll notice some sway during heavier lifts (nothing that’s dangerous or that will impact your form, but it’s noticeable).
“If you’re looking for the most rigid trap bar in the world, this isn’t the one,” Coop says.
Rackable
Another feature that makes this trap bar so versatile is that it’s rackable on squat racks up to 49 inches wide, meaning it should be able to work with just about any power rack on the market. This is useful if you want to use the bar for squats or shoulder presses.
REP Open Trap Bar vs Kabuki Strength Trap Bar
Versatile But Expensive
Kabuki Strength Trap Bar
Product Highlights
- Built-in bar jack
- Open-ended design
- Multiple grip options
- 16.5-inch loadable sleeve length
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Open-end design makes it much more versatile
- Angled legs make it easy to load the bar
- Swappable grips
Cons
- Expensive, at around $700
- Feet can easily scratch floors
- It’s rackable, but won’t work with j-cups
Bottom Line
If you have the money, this is the best trap bar you can get. It is pricey at around $700, but it lives up to the hype with angled legs, swappable grips, and more.
If trap bars were cars then the REP Open Trap Bar would be a Toyota Camry and the Kabuki Strength Trap Bar would be a Mercedes-Benz. Both have interchangeable handles, though Kabuki’s are the standard 25 inches apart as opposed to the wider 27 inches found on REP’s.
While Kabuki’s trap bar can also be used for squatting and lunging, we found the frame to be less comfortable than REP’s and there’s no knurling on the frame (not a necessity but a nice thing to have). Kabuki’s sleeves also have a black powder coat, which can lead to scarring over time.
The one area where Kabuki blows REP out of the water is the rigidity. You can load up to 1,000 pounds on this thing and there’s absolutely no sway on it.
That said, Kabuki’s trap bar is around $750 (not including shipping) compared to REP’s $400.
If you have the money for it then we’d say go for Kabuki but if you’re just focused on the best value for your home gym, REP’s is a great choice.
Check out our full Kabuki Strength Trap Bar review for our full thoughts.
REP Open Trap Bar vs Eleiko Öppen Deadlift Bar
Even More Expensive
Eleiko Öppen Deadlift Bar
Product Highlights
- Open design for versatility
- Exceptional knurling
- Great attention to detail
- Eleiko steel
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Some of the best knurling on a trap bar
- Open-end design increases its versatility
- Rackable, and can be used with most squat racks
Cons
- Most expensive trap bar, at around $800
- Welds aren’t the best, especially for Eleiko
- Could use some knurling on the center of the bar
Bottom Line
If you want a high-end trap bar, the Eleiko Bar is fantastic thanks to its exceptional knurling, open-end design, and the fact that it is rackable.
The Eleiko Öppen Deadlift Bar can theoretically be used in every way the REP Open Trap Bar can, but unlike REP’s, it doesn’t come with detachable handles. To some this might matter, especially during back squats and lunges, while others might only find it to be a slight annoyance.
Eleiko’s trap bar also only comes with one set of handles, compared to REP’s two.
If your main priority is versatility and/or value, you should go with REP’s trap bar. If you’re a deadlift specialist who wants the absolute best trap bar out there and you have the money for it, go for Eleiko.
See more of our thoughts on this bar by reading our full Eleiko Öppen Deadlift Bar review.
Returns, Financing, Warranty
You have 30 days from the date of delivery to return the REP Open Trap Bar for a full refund, minus shipping and handling. There’s a 15% restocking fee for items that are used and not in their original packaging.
Financing options are available at checkout.
The REP Fitness Open Trap Bar comes with a five-year warranty that covers every part of the bar.
Ordering and Assembling the REP Open Trap Bar
The REP Open Trap Bar arrives at your house in a compact box and should take no longer than 15 minutes to assemble, and all you’ll need is a 17-millimeter wrench to attach the different parts to the main frame.
Customer Reviews
As of this writing, the REP Open Trap Bar only has three reviews and all of them are five stars.
Final Verdict of Our REP Open Trap Bar Review
In a cruel twist of fate, the REP Open Trap Bar is fantastic for just about everything except for very heavy deadlifts, which is what most people buy a trap bar for. So, if you’re looking for a versatile bar that can be used for a variety of moves and holds up well to deadlifts below 500 pounds, then this is our recommendation.
However, if deadlifts are your priority and you want to lift really heavy weights we’d recommend waiting until you have the budget to purchase either the Kabuki Strength Trap Bar or the Eleiko Öppen Deadlift Bar.
REP Open Trap Bar Rating
REP Open Trap Bar
Our REP Open Trap Bar review looks at one of the most highly-anticipated specialty barbells and whether it’s right for your home gym.
Product Brand: REP Fitness
Product Currency: USD
Product Price: 399.00
Product In-Stock: InStock
3.8
REP Open Trap Bar FAQs
Is an open trap bar better?
An open trap bar offers more versatility than a close-ended trap bar because it can be used for moves like lunges and squats, and it allows the lifter to enter in and out of the frame without having to step over the bar.
Are trap bar deadlifts worth it?
Trap bar deadlifts take significant pressure off the lumbar spine when compared to a traditional barbell deadlift, which can allow people with lower-back pain to continue to deadlift heavy weights and may even translate to a heavier deadlift.
What kind of trap bar is best?
That depends on your training needs and your home gym space, but in our opinion, the best trap bars on the market are:
Best Trap Bar Overall: Rogue Fitness TB-1 Trap Bar 2.0
Best Open Trap Bar: REP Fitness Open Trap Bar
Best Rackable Hex Bar: Titan Fitness Rackable Hex Trap Bar
Best Budget Trap Bar: Titan Fitness Olympic Hex Weight Bar
Best Upgrade Trap Bar: Kabuki Strength Trap Bar
Best Luxury Trap Bar: Eleiko Öppen Deadlift Bar
Further reading
Are you tired of cranking out crunches and slogging through sit-ups? Stand up, grab a dumbbell, and try out our dumbbell core workout instead! Read more
Are you bored stiff with your current strength training routine? The stiff-leg deadlift may be just the thing to shake things up and keep the gains a-coming! Read more
The Kabuki Strength Trap Bar is the latest specialty bar from powerlifter and engineering mastermind, Chris Duffin. It combines an open-end design with a built-in deadlift jack, swappable handles, and amazing attention to detail. This is the most versatile trap bar we've used and we recommend it to anyone who doesn't mind spending extra for the quality. Read more
Get your heart pumping and your muscles moving with our trainer-written kettlebell cardio workout. Read more