User Review
( votes)Open Trap Bars have become a popular alternative to traditional trap bars for strength training enthusiasts. These bars offer an open-sided frame that provides a greater range of motion during exercises, making them a versatile addition to any home gym.
This article has compiled a list of the best open trap bars on the market, chosen based on their overall design, build strength, specifications, and pricing.
Whether you’re a seasoned weightlifter or just starting, our list will help you find all of the perfect open trap bars to elevate your strength training routine.
Table of Contents
Rep Fitness Open Trap Bar
Rep Fitness
Open Trap Bar
The Rep Open Trap Bar, in our opinion, tops most lists of the best open trap bars thanks to its comfortable tubular design, interchangeable handles, large loadable sleeves, deadlift jack, and more.
The Rep Fitness Open Trap Bar is a specialty bar designed to provide versatility in strength training. Its open-sided frame allows lifters to easily step in and out of the bar, making it functional for various movements such as lunging and carrying.
The built-in deadlift jack makes loading and unloading plates much easier, and the plastic liners on the feet protect your floor when the bar is upright.
The removable handles come in various widths to add versatility to your training. The narrow handle pair weighs 17.2 lbs, the standard handle pair weighs 15.9 lbs, the wide handle pair weighs 12.8 lbs, and the rotating handle pair weighs 34.0 lbs. They are effortless and quick to change out.
I love the medium knurling on the handles. The knurling is strong but not overly aggressive, allowing for a decent grip without digging into my skin.
The frame of the Rep Fitness Open Trap Bar is comprised of round tubing, making it comfortable to use for pressing and squatting. The 6” knurling provides a solid grip to help stabilize the bar on your back while squatting.
The bar is also rackable, with the distance between the sleeve collars allowing for easy racking and unracking. On our Rogue RM-4 Power Rack, we’ve had no issues while racking this open trap bar.
The bar’s hard chrome sleeves are a premium coating that’s durable when sliding plates on and off, and the signature textured matte black powder coat provides extra grip for presses.
The Rep Fitness Open Trap Bar weighs 58.4 lbs, and the overall length of the bar is 84.3″, while the length from collar to collar is 50.5.”
Rep Fitness Open Trap Bar - Main Specs
| Specification | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Bar Use | Specialty |
| Bar Frame Weight | 58.4lbs |
| Handle Pair Weight (Narrow) | 17.2lbs |
| Handle Pair Weight (Standard) | 15.9lbs |
| Handle Pair Weight (Wide) | 12.8lbs |
| Handle Pair Weight (Rotating) | 34.0lbs |
| Overall Length | 84.3" |
| Length From Collar To Collar | 50.5" |
| Loaded Height Of In-Line Handles | 8.3" |
| Loaded Height Of High Handles | 11.3" |
| Width Of Frame Interior (Handles Removed) | 33.1" |
| Width From Handle To Handle (Narrow) | 23" |
| Width From Handle To Handle (Standard) | 25" |
| Width From Handle To Handle (Wide) | 27.3" |
| Width From Handle To Handle (Rotating) | 24.6" |
| Length Of Knurl On Frame | 6" |
| Static Rating | 1350lbs |
In summary, the Rep Fitness Open Trap Bar is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a specialty bar that provides versatility in strength training. Its unique features, including the open-sided frame, built-in deadlift jack, removable handles, round tubing with knurling, rackable design, and premium finishes, make it stand out among other trap bars in the market.
The bar’s specifications, including its weight, length, handle width, loaded height, width, knurl length, and static rating, make it a durable and functional choice for your strength training needs. There’s a good reason that among all of the Open Trap bars on this list, this is the one we use in our garage gym.
Check out over 100 five-star reviews on the official Rep Fitness Open Trap Bar product page.
Titan Fitness Open Trap Bar
Titan Fitness
Open Trap Bar
This budget-friendly Open Trap bar offers a built-in deadlift jack, fixed handles, and a hex frame that you can lift with included skinny and fat grips.
The Titan Fitness Open Trap Bar is designed to reduce stress on the spine and is perfect for various exercises such as lunges, shrugs, and carries. The open-ended frame, designed to be a fully versatile trap bar, features fixed dual knurled handles, a built-in loading jack, and elevated weight sleeves and can be racked on most standard-size power racks.
The open-ended frame of the Titan Fitness Open Trap Bar is 23″ wide, allowing for variations beyond your standard deadlift, including loaded carries, split squats, lunges, and more.
The dual handles on the Titan Open Trap Bar feature two offset grip diameters of 32mm (skinny) and 38mm (fat) with a medium diamond knurled grip, adding versatility to your workout. The handles are fixed to the hex frame, with the skinny handles higher than the fat grips.
The built-in bar jack of the Titan Fitness Open Trap Bar features rounded feet, making it easy to rock the frame. When the bar is positioned vertically, each leg has a large 7″ x 2.5″ footprint to provide stability when the bar is positioned vertically for loading/unloading.
This bar is also rackable on most standard power racks, making plate loading easier. Athletes can begin their movements directly from any starting height rather than having to pick the bar up off the ground.
Titan Fitness Open Trap Bar - Main Specs
| Specification | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Overall Length | 88.5-in. |
| Overall Width | 9.5-in. |
| Overall Height | 27.5-in. |
| Distance Between Grips | 23-in. |
| Grip Diameter | 32mm and 38mm |
| Grip Length | 7.25-in. |
| Loadable Sleeve Length | 16-in. |
| Sleeve Diameter | 50mm |
| Knurling | Medium Diamond Texture |
| Frame Finish | Powder-Coated Black |
| Sleeve Finish | Hard Chrome |
| Material | 11-Gauge Steel |
| Weight Capacity | 1,500 lb. |
| Product Weight | 65 lb. |
In summary, the Titan Fitness Open Trap Bar is an excellent option for anyone looking for a specialty bar that reduces stress on the spine and allows for a versatile range of movements. With its open-ended frame, dual handles, built-in bar jack, and rackable design, this bar is a great addition to any home gym or commercial fitness space. The open trap bar space is growing and Titan Fitness has offered a great competitor with some solid specifications, including its weight capacity, grip diameter, grip length, sleeve diameter, and overall dimensions, making it a durable and functional choice for your strength training needs.
Check out Titan Fitness Open Trap Bar reviews from real customers.
The Bells of Steel Open Trap Bar / Hex Bar 3.0 – Rotating Sleeves
Bells Of Steel
Open Trap Bar / Hex Bar 3.0
The Bells of Steel Open Trap Bar is among the best open trap bars thanks to its budget-friendly pricing, Olympic sleeves, and decent built-in deadlift jack.
This specialty bar is designed to reduce spinal stress and increase versatility in strength training. This hexagonal bar features rotating sleeves, making loading and unloading plates and holding up to 700 lbs easier. It is perfect for various exercises, including deadlifts, shrugs, carries, lunges, etc.
The rotating sleeves of the Bells of Steel Open Trap Bar / Hex Bar 3.0 is a standout feature. This barbell features rotating sleeves, unlike almost any other trap bar on the market.
To keep the bar more compact for storage and shipping, the sleeves are a little shorter than full-length barbell sleeves; however, the plate block has been made extra thin, allowing for a full 7 B.o.S.45lb iron plates to be loaded on each side. The sleeves’ rotation makes the loading and unloading of weights an effortless task.
The Bells of Steel Open Trap Bar / Hex Bar 3.0 has a pair of built-in bar jacks like the other open trap bars on our list.
The open-ended frame of the Bells of Steel Open Trap Bar / Hex Bar 3.0 offers several benefits over the traditional closed-frame design. The open-ended design opens up the front end of the bar, making it possible to use the bar for split squats, Romanian deadlifts, weighted carries, lunges, and more. This design adds versatility to your training while balancing your deadlifts and shrugs perfectly.
Bells Of Steel Open Trap Bar _ Hex Bar 3.0 – Rotating Sleeves - Main Specs
| Specification | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Weigth | 47lbs / 21kg |
| Length | 59" / 1,500mm |
| Width | 22.2" / 565mm |
| Heigth | 4.8" / 124mm |
| Handle Sleeves Diameter | 1.9" / 50mm |
| Warrantied Weight | 700lbs / 318kg |
Overall, the Bells of Steel Open Trap Bar / Hex Bar 3.0 – Rotating Sleeves is an innovative specialty bar that offers a range of benefits to your strength training.
The rotating sleeves, built-in deadlift jack, and open-ended frame design make this hexagonal bar one of the best on the market. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced lifter, the Bells of Steel Open Trap Bar / Hex Bar 3.0 will take your training to the next level and it deserves its place among the Open Trap Bars on our list.
We are big fans of Bells of Steel at Garage Gym Products, and we highly recommend checking out the hundreds of customer reviews on the official Bells of Steel Open Trap Bar page.
Eleiko Öppen Deadlift Bar
Eleiko
Öppen Deadlift Bar
This high-end open trap bar is designed specifically for deadlifts, but it can also be used for curls, squats, and various other workouts. It’s also one of the best open trap bar’s in terms of overall strength and build.
If you’re a fan of deadlifting but want to make the process easier and less technique-intensive, Eleiko’s patented Öppen Deadlift Bar might be the solution you’ve been searching for. In fact, it was developed with the concept of an open trap bar deadlift in mind. With its open design and unique features like an integrated loading jack that raises the sleeves off the ground for easy loading and unloading of plates, this bar is unlike any other.
But it’s not just about convenience – the Öppen Deadlift Bar also offers a wide range of lifting and training possibilities, including lunges and carries, and deadlifts. And with a balanced knurling of 1.2, you’ll have a secure grip for all your lifting needs.
Made in Sweden from the finest materials, this bar is built to last and has a 5-year warranty. It also features durable rubber feet that protect your platform while keeping the sleeves off the ground, making it easy to move between the upright storage and loading position and the horizontal lifting position.
Eleiko Oppen Deadlift Bar
| Specification | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Length | 1960 mm / 77.17 in. |
| Width | 589 mm / 23.19 in. |
| Height | 226 mm / 8.9 in. |
| Weight | 25 kg / 55.12 lbs |
| Warranty | 5 years |
| Knurling | 1.2 - Balanced |
| Max Training Weight | 500 kg / 1102,31 lbs |
| Loadable Sleeve Length | 415 mm / 16.34 in. |
| Distance between Handles | 625 mm / 24.61 in. |
| Sensor ready sleeves | No |
| Handle Diameter | 28 mm / 1.1 in. |
So, whether you’re a seasoned lifter or just starting out, the Öppen Deadlift Bar is a great investment for your home gym. Its approachable design and ease of use make it a great addition to any workout routine. The Eleiko open trap bar is definitely worth a closer look if you have the money to spend on a premium specialty bar.
Kabuki Trap Bar HD
Kabuki
Trap Bar HD
Kabuki is a leader in the open trap bar space. Their bar is a precious piece of equipment that offers near-perfect balance, excellent knurling, and much more.
The Kabuki Trap Bar HD is a versatile, heavy-duty bar made in Portland, Oregon. The bar can hold up to 1500 lbs and has a balanced in-hand design for both handles, making it easy to use.
Like the other open trap bars on our list, it also features a built-in bar jack, which solves the age-old problem of loading and unloading plates from your trap bar. The jack is designed with two-inch-thick “legs” with tread for grip and stability.
The bar also has swappable grips, two pairs of 29mm stainless steel (included), and optional 2″ Love Handles for rolling or fixed usage. The handles are easily swappable for your specific training needs.
The bar also features an industry-first variable handle system that allows for a 23″, 25″, or 27″ intra-handle width using swappable handle brackets. The standard bar includes 25″ brackets, and customers can use the checkboxes to add a wider or narrower handle bracket.
The Trap Bar HD has a unique, balanced design, making it less unstable than regular trap bars with low handles. The low handles are slightly higher than the centerline of the bar, resulting in the same effect as the high handles. It allows the bar to return to the center rather than dive forward or backward, making it easy to self-balance without using the wrists.
The Trap Bar HD also has an open design that allows for much more variation beyond your standard deadlift, including loaded carries, split squats, RDLs, and lunges. Its heavy-duty build and American-made quality make it a reliable and durable piece of equipment.
Kabuki Trap Bar HD - Main Specs
| Specification | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Length | 77" |
| Width | 9" |
| Height | 23.5" |
| Weight | 30 kg |
| Sleeve Length | 17" Loadable Area |
| Finish | Semi-Gloss Powdercoat |
| Sleeve Finish | Clear Zinc |
| Handles | 29mm (included), 1", 1.5", 2", 2" rolling |
| Handle Width | 23" (narrow), 25" (standard), 27" (wide) |
| Handle Finish | Zinc Plated |
| Knurl | Medium |
| Corrosion Resistance | High |
| Capacity | 1500 lbs |
Overall, The Kabuki Trap Bar HD is an innovative, versatile, heavy-duty bar perfect for any lifting enthusiast. Its unique features, including the built-in bar jack, swappable grips and handle brackets, balanced design, and open design, make it a must-have for any home gym or training facility. It’s also a rackable open trap bar which is a huge added bonus.
At the end of the day, the best open trap bar for a home gym is going to come down to the price you are willing to pay and the features you find most necessary for your own workout routines.
If you check out our Rep Fitness Open Trap bar review, you’ll probably realize why we love that option, but any of the specialty open trap bars listed above, in our opinion, will offer you a positive experience.
The Best Open Trap Bars Questions From Buyers
Are open trap bars better?
Open Trap bars offer a few advantages over traditional closed trap bars or “hex bars.” The biggest advantages come down to safety and the available range of motion. If the open trap bar you are considering is properly balanced you will receive all the benefits of a closed trap bar plus the easier accessibility found with open trap bars.
What are the benefits of open trap bars?
Benefits of open trap bars include:
- Increased range of motion
- Versatility for different exercises such as curls and seal rows.
- Easier to step in and out of during workouts
What is the difference between a hex bar and a trap bar?
A hex bar and a trap bar are the same thing. They are both names for the same type of specialty barbell that allows for various exercises, such as deadlifts, shrugs, and farmer’s walks. The big difference as mentioned is between closed hex bars and open trap bars.
Is a trap bar worth it?
Whether you’re considering open trap bars or closed trap bars, they are both a valuable part of any exercise routine. Whether you love the Rogue TB-2 Trap Bar, the Titan Fitness Hex Trap Bar, or the Rep Fitness Open Trap Bar, you’ll find that they offer a lot of versatility. There are very few pieces of equipment that allow you to perform deadlifts, farmer carries, seal rows, and various other exercises all with a single piece of gym equipment.
What is the best trap bar for a home gym?
All of the open trap bars on our list are excellent choices for a home gym. If budget is an issue, we have found a lot of great use from the Bells of Steel Open Trap bar. If you have cash to spend and want versatility, the Rep Open Trap Bar is a great option. If money is no object and you love to deadlift, one of the best trap bars for a home gym is definitely the Eleiko Öppen Deadlift Bar.
How much do trap bars cost?
Trap bar prices vary widely based on factors like brand, quality, and features. You can find budget options for around $100 to $200, while high-end models may cost anywhere from $399 for the Rep Fitness open trap bar to $850 for Eleiko’s top of the line option.
