We compared every single bar REP Fitness makes, rated them all, and chose winners in 7 categories – from the classic (multi-purpose, Olympic, powerlifting) to specialty bars (curl, camber, trap, beginner).
I’ve worked with many of these bars over the past two decades (both as a personal trainer and a gym owner). I know how to compare them to each other and to other brands, with one goal in mind – squeezing the most out of your home gym budget.
If you’re not particular about brands, you might want to go wider and look at our top picks from the whole market – best Olympic barbells and round-up things with our guides on top weight benches or bumper plates. If you’re a REP fan, you’ll wanna see our top picks among REP squat racks.
Editor’s note: This guide was last updated on June 04, 2024. We included a few specialty bars (like the Camber Swiss) and adjusted the ratings in favor of value. The rating of the trap bar (classic vs. open) will soon be updated with new tests and data.
Compare REP Fitness Barbells
Best for | Overall | Powerlifting | Olympic WL | Curl | Multi Grip | Trap | Beginners |
Rating (*) | |||||||
Quality | 90% | 94% | 95% | 85% | 88% | 88% | 68% |
Versatility | 96% | 88% | 90% | 49% | 72% | 68% | 79% |
Brand & reputation | 93% | 91% | 90% | 88% | 90% | 90% | 85% |
Value for money | 68% | 66% | 58% | 87% | 94% | 88% | 94% |
Bar Type | Multipurpose | Power | Olympic WL | Curl | Multi Grip | Trap | Practice |
Bushing/ bearing | Composite Bushing | Bronze Bushing | Hybrid | Hybrid | No Bushings/Bearings | No Bushings/Bearings | Brass bushings |
Bar diameter (mm) | 28.5 | 29 | 28 | 30 | 35 | 25 | 28 |
Length (") | 86.6 | 86.6 | 86.6 | 55 | 80.7 | 71 | 72 |
Loadable sleeve length (") | 16.1 | 16.3 | 16.3 | 10 | 14.03 | 16 | 9.4 |
Knurl | Volcano/Medium | Deep Mountain/Very Agressive | Volcano/Medium | Medium | Medium | Medium | Hill/Light |
Knurl Marks | Dual | IPF | Dual | Yes | N/A | N/A | Dual |
Center knurl | No | Yes | Yes (Passive) | No | N/A | N/A | No |
Shaft coating | Hard Chrome or Cerakote | Cerakote or none | Hard Chrome, Black Chrome, or None (Stainless Steel) | Hard Chrome or None (Stainless Steel) | Textured Powder Coating | None (Stainless Steel) | None (Stainless Steel) |
Sleeve coating | Hard Chrome or Duracoat® | Duracoat®, Hard Chrome, or None (Stainless Steel) | Hard Chrome or None (Stainless Steel) | Hard Chrome or None (Stainless Steel) | None (Stainless Steel) | None (Stainless Steel) | Duracoat® |
Tensile strength (k PSI) | 190 | 200 | 190 | 190 (Chrome) 200 (SS) | N/A | N/A | 37.5 |
Rackable? | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No | Yes |
Warranty | Lifetime | Lifetime | Lifetime | 5-year/ Lifetime for SS | 5-year | 5-year | 1-year |
Bar weight (lbs) | 44.1 | 44.1 | 44.1 | 30 | 45 | 55 | 15 |
Sleeve diameter (inches) | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Price | $$$ | $$$$$ | $$$$$ | $$ | $$$$ | $$$ | $$$ |
Our testing and selection process
We always use a 5 step process in our reviews:
- We start as the buyer- most of our team have bought at least a few REP Fitness bars before. As mentioned earlier, I own an 8,000 sq ft gym with multiple barbells from most of the noteworthy brands out there.
- We do a ton of research – we collect information on as many REP barbells as possible and insert it into a spreadsheet.
- We rate each REP Fitness bar using our exclusive ‘weighted’ rating system. You can learn more about this in the section below.
- We use data to decide our top picks rather than personal biases toward brands.
- We get our hands on as many of the top picks as possible. Our community is great at helping with this.
You can read more about this process in our review guidelines.
If you’re wondering how we got the ratings of REP barbells, the section below explains it – clearly and concisely.
It’s also a good reference if you’re buying outside of our picks because it goes into stuff you likely never thought about.
All our rating factors belong to one of the following 4 groups:
- Quality of a REP barbell (30%)
- Versatility (30%)
- Reviews (10%)
- Price/value of a good REP bar (30%)
“Quality is intangible”… Hmm… Well, let’s change that.
Below listed are sub-factors we looked at to judge the quality of a REP barbell:
- The steel REP Fitness uses for their barbells (yield and tensile strength) – 3 out of 7 standard REP barbells are made of steel with tensile strength in the 190-220 range (K PSI).
That’s the sweet range because it indicates a balance between flexibility and sturdiness – i.e. it will flex some but not permanently bend. - Weight capacity – the weight capacity of REP barbells is in the 700-1500 pounds range.
We awarded points for it, not because it would be limiting for the average lifter, but because it separates the wheat from the chaff in terms of steel quality. - Finishes and coats of REP bars – for the coats REP Fitness commonly uses hard chrome, Cerakote, zinc, or their proprietary Duracoat. In the top tier, you might see stainless steel (like the Alpine bar).
My opinion – I like the Duracoat because it’s not a “coat” in literal terms. It’s a chemically treated metal. In my experience, Duracoat is more resistant than Cerakote to metal-to-metal contact. Simply put – it’s a better finish for the sleeves.
- Build precision – welds, joints, knurling termination (2.5%) – all REP bars belong to the higher-medium tier of the market. The differences in build precision are minor, hence the low gravity of the factor.
- Spin (5.5%) – bushings vs. bearings – sleeves with bearings spin more freely which makes them ideal for an Olympic weightlifting bar like the Alpine.
The majority of the REP line-up, including the top-rated Colorado, relies on composite bushings, which make less noise than brass (used on the REP Delta Basic bar).
Also… Composite lives longer because there’s no metal-on-metal contact and it doesn’t need lubrication.
In a word – if the choice is brass or composite for a multi-use bar, go with the latter. For power bars, go with durable bronze bushings, like those on the REP Double Black Diamond bar.
- Type of REP barbell – we did not award points for “type” because none is better per se. We made an effort to represent all bar types made by REP Fitness.
- Classic, full-length barbells – multi-use, power and barbells for Olympic weightlifting
- Specialty bars – curl, camber (Swiss), trap and technique barbell
My guess is that 8 out of 10 home-gym owners will be primarily interested in the multipurpose bar, among which Colorado scoffed the highest.
The good news here is that choosing REP over Rogue saves you money and offers similar quality, which means you get a nice curl bar without buyer’s remorse.
- Knurling falls under quality if you’re comparing similar barbells. If you’re looking at the totality of a brand’s portfolio like we are today – it’s more accurate to nest it under “versatility.”
Here’s why…
The most versatile REP barbell on this list is the Colorado. The medium volcano knurl is a big part of that versatility because the grip is “sticky” enough for power lifts and, yet, it won’t shred your palms.
- The precision of the build – welds, joints, knurling termination (2.5%) – all REP bars belong to the higher-medium tier of the market. The differences in build precision are minor, hence the low gravity of the factor.
- Spin (5.5%) – bushings vs. bearings – sleeves with bearings spin more freely which makes them ideal for an Olympic weightlifting bar like the Alpine.
The majority of the REP line-up, including the top-rated Colorado, relies on composite bushings, which make less noise than brass (used on the REP Delta Basic bar).
Also… Composite lives longer because there’s no metal-on-metal contact and it doesn’t need lubrication.
In a word – if the choice is brass or composite for a multi-use bar, go with the latter. For power bars, go with durable bronze bushings, like those on the REP Double Black Diamond bar.
Finally…
Those available as women’s bars (Colorado, Alpine, and Black Canyon) also come at 25 mm, which is the standard.
- Sleeve texture – smooth vs. grooved – this is not a major factor and carries no points one way or the other. But it deserves a mention because I’ve seen people being surprised by grooved sleeves.
I’ll let you in on a juicy tidbit – the makers (not only REP) will present the groves as a benefit. They’re supposed to prevent the plates from slipping.
In reality, grooved sleeves are cheaper to make because it’s less “CNC-ing.” I prefer smoothness (like that of the Colorado), paired with good collars.
REP Fitness has found a way to carve out a niche – just below premium brands like Rogue, and well above the rest of the crowd.
When comparing barbells within the REP brand, this rating isn’t about reputation.
It’s about looking at each barbell separately – the first-hand experiences – both good and bad, and the warranty terms.
Yet, the use of this factor is limited because a chunk of the data comes from the REP website.
I’m not saying REP is messing with the ratings or reviews, it’s just our policy to award more gravity to third-party testing and experiences.
We always pursue value over absolute quality, because a home gym does NOT have to be expensive.
That’s one of our core values, but it’s also a common reason people choose REP over Eleiko or Rogue.
But we also try to cover all price ranges…you know, just in case you’re rich.
This “price” rating is weighted to do just that.
To find the winners across all price ranges and types – from the Basic Delta to the most expensive REP bars, like the Helios Squat or Hades Deadlift bar.
Find the perfect REP Fitness barbell for you
Overall | Powerlifting | Olympic Weightlifting | Curl | Multi Grip | Trap | Beginners
1. Colorado bar
The Colorado bar is not cheap but it over-delivers in all key aspects, especially the finish options (Hard Chrome, Cerakote, Duracoat®).
Quality (30%)
Versatility (30%)
Reputation & reviews (10%)
Value for money (30%)
Main praises – what I like
- The whip feels just right on deadlifts, unlike the Double black, which feels too rigid for my taste.
- I love the red-black combo, especially with a hard chrome shaft and Duracoat sleeve (not a huge fan of the Cerakote shaft because it dulls the knurling a bit).
Main grievances – what could be better
- I might be wrong but, it seems the green used here is not the same as what they use for their benches. If I’m ordering all REP stuff, it’s because I want it to match…
Pros
- High tensile strength and weight capacity – you can pack a lot of weight on this bar!
- Hard Chrome, Cerakote, and Duracoat® finish options – This enables you to adapt your purchase according to your preferences.
- Lifetime warranty – This bar will serve you as long as you live and then some.
Cons
- 190k PSI may limit pros – pros and advanced lifters may find the tensile strength of this bar not sufficient for their needs.
Colorado is the highest-rated REP barbell because it’s the most versatile and hits the best balance between price, durability, and quality (bushings, steel, finishes, colors).
It’s “better” than Alpine and Double Black (runner-ups) because of the more universal appeal.
Specifically:
- Has a medium whip, as opposed to the Double Black, which is rigid (low whip)
- Offers more finish/color options than the Alpine (for 20-30% less money)
- The sleeves are smooth
In other words – if you gave 1000 people the three REP bars and asked them to choose one in a year, most people would choose the Colorado.
(rated 11 out of max 15)
Our rating models are unforgiving towards the costlier bars (out of the maximum 15 points, 5 are distributed in the price category).
And, for a REP bar, the Colorado is not cheap.
Still, it’s the best value here.
Here’s why – Colorado falls 10% above the median price* for a standard straight REP barbell for men, but it’s well above the medium range of quality.
What it means for your garage gym
If you’re looking for a multipurpose barbell, the choice will be between the Colorado and the Black Canyon, which is the more budget-friendly option.
Yet, the price difference doesn’t make up for the differences in quality. Here are a few main examples…
- The finish of the barbell is much better on the Colorado (stainless steel and hard chrome on the Colorado, zinc on the Black Canyon)
- The smooth spin of the sleeves (Black Canyon is a hybrid of bushings and bearings, while Colorado features both Composite bushings)
- The warranty terms (lifetime versus one year)
Black Canyon is still the more popular bar of the two. Not because it’s better. It’s because it’s cheaper.
*Median price is the average cost within a range of products of the same type – in this case, it’s straight men’s REP barbells. It’s a statistical category we use to assess value.
2. Double Black Diamond EX
If you’re a powerlifter who prefers a more rigid feel and minimal whip, this might be your perfect bar.
Quality (30%)
Versatility (30%)
Reputation & reviews (10%)
Value for money (30%)
Main praises – what I like
- The spin feels well-balanced for power lifts.
- I’m loving the clean all-black look, and the end caps are a nice touch…they add a premium feel.
Main grievances – what could be better
- The knurling feels less aggressive than I’d expect from a “deep mountain knurl,” as they describe it.
Pros
- High tensile strength and weight capacity – you can confidently pack on more weight.
- Thicker shaft diameter (29 mm) – more comfortable for heavy presses (slightly, but still…) and allows for a good grip. It’s also the international standard.
- Medium spin of the bushings – less “wiggle” and stabler lifts compared to weightlifting bars.
- Lifetime warranty – you’re not wasting your money on this bar way or the other.
Cons
- Aggressive knurl – will feel like a cheese grater if you’re used to ‘regular’ bars.
If you’re looking for a low-whip bar for deadlifts and bench presses, REP’s Diamond Black is a great budget alternative to Rogue Ohio.
The is a peg less aggressive than Rogue’s Aggro but it’s still deep and grippy.
It also costs about $200 less than the Ohio.
(rated 9.7 out of max 15)
Our rating models are all about value, and the Double Black Diamond is not a cheap bar.
That means, to surpass the cheaper bars, the value it lends MUST be above and beyond.
That’s the case here.
This bar received the maximum available points in all rating categories – tensile strength to sleeve length, knurling, and finish to price and warranty.
For you, that means two things:
1 – If you’re not a serious powerlifter, this is probably not the bar for you.
The knurl cuts deep into the bare steel and creates an aggressive pattern…and I mean “cheese-grater” aggressive.
Old-school powerlifters will love it but it will be too deep for most people. A good multipurpose barbell like the Colorado or the Black Canyon will be a better fit. You can see the knurl of this bar compared side-by-side to the Black Canyon in the image below.
Click here to skip to the mini-review of the Colorado and here for the Black Canyon.
2 – If you’re looking into REP to save money, this is not where the magic happens.
If this is you, you’re better off with other bars, like the REP Black Canyon barbell.
Black Canyon is inferior to the Double Black Diamond in three major aspects (finish, weight capacity, and tensile strength), but it costs about half, and its knurl is more forgiving. The reality is for all but the specialists, you simply won’t need to pay the premium price for features you’re not going to benefit from.
The Double Black Diamond bar is made to compete with the likes of Rogue Ohio Aggro, Kabuki, and Texas bar.
And compete it does, my fellow gym bunny. Compete. It. Does.
3. Alpine bar
With all other things equal (thickness and length), Alpine is the strongest and “whipiest” barbell here – therefore the best for Olympic weightlifting.
Quality (30%)
Versatility (30%)
Reputation & reviews (10%)
Value for money (30%)
I have no first-hand experience with the Alpine bar.
Pros
- Higher yield and tensile strength – this is a super strong bar, more suitable for Olympic lifting.
- 28mm diameter- gives the bar more whip, which is ideal for the fast Oly lifts.
- Needle bearings make for an extra smooth spin – lower injury risk for Olympic lifts than a bushing bar.
Cons
- Five-year warranty – you’re on your own if it starts bending in six years. In this price range, they could (should) have done better (gimme lifetime).
Alpine is the best REP barbell for Olympic weightlifting.
Smooth needle bearings paired with stainless steel and a medium knurl make it comparable to the Rogue OLY bar, which costs $150-200 more.
(rated 9.35 out of 15)
In the Olympic weightlifting category, the laurels went to the Alpine bar.
Its tensile and yield strength is the highest I’ve seen in a REP Fitness barbell – 230 and 210 K PSI, respectively. In fact, after comparing over 100 bars this was the runner-up for PSI behind the Kabuki power bar!
With all other things equal (thickness and length), Alpine is the strongest and “whipiest” barbell here.
4. Curl bar
REP classic curl bar is in the top 10% of the massive curl bar market, which is no small feat.
Quality (30%)
Versatility (30%)
Reputation & reviews (10%)
Value for money (30%)
Main praises – what I like
- The geometry feels biomechanically correct and balanced with the spin. There’s little tension in the shoulders when doing curls and the bar feels calm.
Main grievances – what could be better
- I’d like to see them extend the knurl – maybe an inch on all 4 sections. As is, I can see it being a problem for bigger guys/palms.
Pros
- One of the best out there – you’d be hard-pressed to find a better curl bar on the market.
- Great value for money – undoubtedly this is one of the cheaper REP bars and comes with great bang for the buck.
- Ergonomic design – the design of this bar is such that the biceps are targeted exceptionally well.
Cons
- Lack of versatility – compared to a regular bar, the REP curl bar doesn’t offer great versatility.
- The knurling doesn’t extend through the bends – which some may view as a limiting factor.
REP makes two curl bars – the classic (this one) and a longer, rackable version (74 inches long).
Apart from the size/rackability (and price), they’re pretty much the same bar. They both have direct competitors from Rogue that cost about 30% more.
Both curl bars that REP Fitness makes are excellent, and I don’t use that word lightly.
When making these, REP was less concerned about the price point and more about actually competing with industry leaders like Rogue.
Not that I assume it matters, but if someone from REP is reading this, I honestly believe this is the way forward for them.
Cheap Chinese bars are a dime a dozen, and there’s space to be filled in the medium price and quality range. Tap into that, Ryan…
Anyway, back to the REP curl bars…
The classic REP EZ curl barbell was the second-highest rated in the last update to the guide on best EZ curl bars.
The rackable version didn’t rank as high because it costs significantly more than the classic.
Both bars come in either stainless steel or hard chrome finish and feature a combination of one needle bearing and one bushing per sleeve.
5. Cambered Swiss bar
REP’s Camber bar gets the cambered geometry right and it’s an awesome budget alternative to the Kabuki Cadillac.
Quality (30%)
Versatility (30%)
Reputation & reviews (10%)
Value for money (30%)
I haven’t used the REP Cambered bar.
Pros
- Solid geometry – the inner-most handles are nicely angled and knurled.
- Comfortably rackable – with over 51 inches between the collars, making racking a simple task.
- Considerable weight limit – 810 lbs weight limit, which is more than enough for most lifters out there.
Cons
- Passive knurling – Passive knurling is hand-friendly but not ideal for heavy training or PR attempts.
I wouldn’t pay more than $300 for a cambered bar in 2024, and this REP fits that criteria.
Cheaper bars like the Titan Camber aren’t as good (not a fan of the rough rectangular tubing), and the better bars like Kabuki Cadillac or Rogue MG-4CN NARROW cost much more…30-80% more.
And you don’t get anything substantial for the extra money.
We owe REP an apology here – we haven’t updated our main guide on multi-grips after the arrival of this bar (hence the n/a rating).
To be fair, it’s just been a short while since this eye candy was released into the wilderness of the Swiss bar market.
You can see John and Sam from REP talk about the ideas behind this bar below:
From what I’ve seen, it might give the Kabuki Cadillac and the Rogue MG-3 a run for their money (fingers crossed, ‘cause competition means better products and lower prices).
REP Cambered Curl bar vs. Kabuki Cadillac vs. Rogue MG-3
Still, everything we do is data-based, and we lack that for this bar.
Here’s what we have so far:
- The geometry is solid – the inner-most handles are angled and knurled.
- At over 51 inches between the collars, it’s comfortably rackable.
- With a weight limit of 810 lbs, it’s just as rugged as the Kabuki Cadillac.
- The listed weight capacity is higher than that of the top-rated bar in the category – the Bells Of Steel Arch-Nemesis (810 vs. 600 lbs).
What I expect from this bar
The earliest I see us including this one in the top 10 of the main Swiss-bar guide is the beginning of 2024.
Whether it actually finds its way to the top will ultimately depend on how the powder coat meets the challenges of the real world. The reality is we can’t give you an honest review of a bar without it being out in the real world for a good while. We have to see how it stands up to long-term use.
I don’t like that the warranty terms aren’t explicitly listed either on the product page or the warranties page. That can mean one of two things – it’s either only covered by their run-of-the-mill 30-day money-back guarantee, or they simply misstepped and didn’t list it.
If it turns out that it is covered by a lifetime warranty, I can see the REP Trap bar shooting up right into the top five by this time next year.
You can see the current masters of the Swiss-bar domain in our guide on best multi-grip barbells here.
Check the REP Fitness Cambered Swiss Bar price and overview here.
6. Trap bar
If you need a classic trap bar with accurate geometry that doesn’t break the bank, this REP won’t disappoint.
Quality (30%)
Versatility (30%)
Reputation & reviews (10%)
Value for money (30%)
REP’s trap bar is relatively new to the market and I’m yet to get my hands on it.
Pros
- Great ergonomy – the neutral grip feels great on the lower back
- Long sleeves – 16 inches sleeves allow for some heavy lifting with this bar
Cons
- Not too aggressive knurling – some may find that the medium knurling on this bar is not according to their preference.
REP’s classic trap bar is fairly basic and decent value for money, it’s not among the top 20 (out of the 50+ trap bars we compared) – you can see our list of best trap bars here.
On the off chance that you are unfamiliar, a trap or hex is a specialty bar designed specifically for the deadlift.
Compared to a standard straight bar, a trap bar deadlift puts less stress on the lower back and feels more natural because of the neutral grip.
REP Fitness only makes one trap bar, and it’s decent – not great, but good for the money. You won’t go wrong with it, but you won’t high-five your friends because you own one.
How REP hex bar compares to other trap bars
We compared 50 trap bars in the main guide, and this one from REP Fitness is ranked 22nd.
At 71 inches, it’s one of the longest bars of this type, but it’s still not rackable (courtesy of the extra-long sleeves).
7. Mesa technique bar
REP’s Mesa technique bar is one of the better beginner/learning bars out there, with the smooth-action bushings and finishes as its main forte.
Quality (30%)
Versatility (30%)
Reputation & reviews (10%)
Value for money (30%)
I haven’t used REP’s Mesa with any of my clients so far.
Pros
- Great price point – if you’re a beginner, this bar is a great addition to your home gym at a low cost.
- Versatile – you can use this bar to nail down the techniques for dozens of exercises, targeting your entire body.
Cons
- Quality – this bar is not one of the highest order and quality, but at that price, one shouldn’t expect wonders either…
If you’re looking for a beginner bar, I’ll make it real simple – it comes down to REP’s Mesa and Rogue and ROGUE T-15LB.
The key difference is the length – Mesa is 2.5 inches longer (1.5 “ longer sleeves). This gives you more room to grow and makes the Mesa more flexible (in terms of what plates you use).
In other words, you squeeze more out of your buck.
This REP is one of the better learning bars out there – light aluminum shaft, zinc sleeves, and a moderate price.
To be clear, this is a barbell ONLY for the beginner looking to learn the ropes. It weighs 15 pounds, and the max listed capacity is 200 lbs. REP even goes out of their way to stress that you should start looking for a new barbell as soon as you start lifting over 130.
For what it is, this bar gets two thumbs up from me.
It’s one of the highest-rated barbells among owners that I have ever come across.
That’s outside of manufacturer website ratings, of course, where every single barbell is 4.8 stars or above.
This one is universally loved based on a solid set of data from third-party sources…and when I say universally, I mean I’m yet to see a negative review.
Check the REP Fitness Mesa Technique Bar price and overview here.
These are the 4 criteria we used for our research and selection process:
- Quality of the REP bars (30%)
- Versatility of the REP bars (30%)
- Reputation & reviews of the brand (10%)
- Value for money (30%)
Our selection process will be interesting to you if you belong to one of these two groups:
- You already have a favorite but want to understand how we got the results.
- You want to learn or systemize what you already know about REP Fitness barbells.
Whatever the case, this section is the meat of the guide.
We aimed to be detailed and helpful without watering down the key points.
Below is a short overview of other barbells from REP Fitness that didn’t make it to the top eight, or as we like to call this section – close-but-no-cigar.
- Black Canyon barbell (rated 8.05) – a strong, budget competitor to Colorado. It costs less than the Colorado, but it’s not cheap enough to justify the corners cut. REP skimped with the Black Canyon on a few key categories, from the Zinc finish (vs. hard chrome and stainless steel of the Colorado) to the 1-year warranty (versus 5 years on the Alpine and the lifetime warranty on the Colorado). Again, a solid bar for the money.
- Stainless Steel Power Bar V2 (rated 7.6) – this is an awesome barbell. It’s one of my favorites from REP and also the biggest letdown in this guide. In some aspects, it’s just as good as the top-rated Double Black Diamond, and it’s better in others (tensile strength – 205 vs. 200). The problem is a hard-to-explain 5-year warranty. Why REP isn’t offering a lifetime warranty on a brawny bar like this is beyond me.
- Gladiator MX Barbell (rated 7.35) – One of their best multipurpose barbells. It didn’t find its way to the top because it’s almost the same as the Alpine Olympic barbell but not as robust. The tensile strength is significantly lower (230 vs.190). Still, the 190K is plenty strong, and if you prefer whippy over rigid bars, go with the Alpine bar.
- Basic barbell (rated 6.55) – this one’s, well…basic. It is cheap, and I could forgive the lower tensile strength because not everyone is lifting heavy. But the no-spin sleeves are a deal-breaker.
Is REP Fitness a good brand?
Yes, REP Fitness is a good brand, with 70% of their customers rating them as great or excellent on TrustPilot.
That especially goes if you’re a value-oriented, conservative buyer. Two areas where they could improve are shipping/handling and in-stock items management.
In any case, opting for a high-quality caliber product such as e.g. the Alpine Bar is sure to deliver both in terms of quality and value for money…
Where is REP Fitness made?
REP Fitness is mostly made in China.
They do have a sizable US-based operation with over 100 employees. They also describe their manufacturing as “global.”
If you ask me, the days of judging home gym equipment just based on where it’s made are long gone.
Consider the top quality of the Double Black Diamond bar, per se, and you get the idea…
They do have a sizable US-based operation with over 100 employees. They also describe their manufacturing as “global.”
What is the best REP Fitness barbell for most gyms?
The REP Fitness Colorado barbell is our overall top pick, and surely it is a contender for the best REP Fitness barbell.
With its high tensile strength, a good amount of whip, precise medium knurl, and a balanced spin, this bar from REP Fitness is sure to serve any gym for a long time.
REP Fitness barbells – where to from here?
For most people’s garage gym, the Colorado bar is head and shoulders above the rest of the REP lineup. High tensile strength with enough whip, precise medium knurl, and a balanced spin.
And it’s all backed by a lifetime warranty…good stuff.
Click here to skip back to the mini-review of the Colorado bar.
The Double Black Diamond stood out as the most complete barbell among the power bars. It’s not cheap, and it’s not for the inexperienced lifter (super aggressive knurling), but powerlifters will appreciate every inch of it.
Click here to skip back to the mini-review of the Double Black Diamond or jump back to our best REP bars table to get all the info you need.
If Olympic lifts dominate your workouts, the extra sturdy Alpine bar might be where your search ends. Its yield strength is higher than the tensile strength of any other REP barbell.
I’d highly recommend you check out our main guide on buying an Olympic barbell if you’ve made it this far. It has all of our top picks and recommendations after hundreds of hours of research into barbells.
