REP Health Colorado Bar Overview

Discovering a barbell that performs nicely for powerlifting, Olympic weightlifting, and basic energy coaching with out burning a deep gap in your pocket could be difficult. Fortunately, REP Health leveled up its barbell lineup in the summertime of 2023 with a high-quality mannequin that checks these containers (and lots of extra): the Colorado Bar. Our Breaking Muscle crew of licensed private trainers, CrossFit fanatics, and energy and conditioning coaches completely examined this multi-purpose bar’s potential to deal with conventional powerlifting actions like squats and deadlifts, in addition to dynamic lifts like cleans and snatches.  

Sturdy, reliable, and numerous, the brand new flagship barbell from one of the respected health gear producers delivers severe bang to your buck. On this REP Health Colorado Bar evaluation, we’ll dive deeper into what makes this mannequin among the best values in the marketplace by breaking down its specs, highlighting its strengths, and seeing the way it stacks up in opposition to the competitors.

Key Takeaways

• The Colorado Bar checks in at an affordable value level of $319.99 to $329.99 for the 20-kilogram (44-pound) mannequin. There’s additionally a 15-kilogram (33-pound) model that prices between $269.99 and $279.99.
• You’ve two end choices with this barbell: a tough chrome shaft with chrome sleeves, or a Cerakote shaft with Duracoat sleeves. Plus, the Cerakote model provides you the liberty to flex your artistic muscular tissues with 5 coloration decisions for the shaft.
• Whereas IPF knurl markings and a 1,500-pound weight capability give it an influence bar really feel, the inclusion of IWF knurl markings and the absence of a middle knurl additionally make the Colorado Bar well-suited for Olympic lifts. As well as, composite bushings make for an general quieter lifting expertise.

REP Fitness Colorado Bar

4.5

• Materials: Metal
• Weight: 20 kilograms (44 kilos)
• Weight capability: 680.2 kilograms (1,500 kilos)
• Tensile energy: 190 KSI
• Loadable sleeve size: 16.1 inches
• Knurling: Average
• Guarantee: Lifetime

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REP Health Colorado Bar Execs

• The flexibility to buy a Cerakote model of the Colorado Bar ought to attraction to dwelling gymnasium house owners who practice in a non-climate-controlled setting. As a result of this kind of shaft coating offers superior safety from the weather than laborious chrome, those that practice open air or in humid garages will admire higher corrosion resistance courtesy of Cerakote.
• The Colorado Bar’s composite bushings not solely permit for a clean and regular spin but additionally give it a tighter tolerance. One other good thing about choosing composite over bronze bushings is much less noise when your weight plates hit the ground.
• Between its versatility and construct high quality, the Colorado bar can function the one barbell in your house gymnasium. For those who don’t have an enormous finances for gymnasium gear, you may cowl a number of bases by investing in a multi-use bar that’s able to dealing with a variety of lifts.

REP Health Colorado Bar Cons

• A scarcity of aggressive knurling and a solid-but-not-elite tensile energy of 190,000 PSI make this barbell simply an okay selection for powerlifters. In case your exercises primarily revolve across the squat, deadlift, and bench press, a specialty bar tailor-made to your coaching type could also be a wiser selection.
• Paying north of $300 for a barbell produced exterior of the USA may forestall some folks from going the Colorado route. There are American corporations that supply comparable options at a extra tolerable value level.
• Though Cerakote shaft coating affords higher corrosion resistance than laborious chrome, it nonetheless falls in need of a chrome steel end. Those that desire the high-end look and distinct knurling of a chrome steel bar ought to go on the Colorado barbell. Nonetheless, be ready to pay a premium for these benefits.

REP Health Colorado Bar Specs

REP Health Colorado Bar Ranking

From specialty bars designed for energy racks to Olympic barbells made for extra dynamic actions, the Breaking Muscle crew has put varied barbells by means of the wringer to find out what separates the most effective from the remainder. Testing greater than 75 fashions utilizing a gauntlet of squats, cleans, presses, and different lifts, we developed a proprietary scoring system to rank them primarily based on a number of components, resembling value, knurling, versatility, and sturdiness.

Right here’s how the REP Colorado Bar scored throughout every class.

REP Health Colorado Bar In-Depth Overview

The Colorado Bar is probably not a real celebrity at one process, however its versatility is what makes it shine. With a number of end choices, high-quality construct supplies, and ample tensile energy for many lifters, we imagine it’s a fantastic possibility for anybody who likes to modify up their kind of coaching. Most significantly, REP’s flagship barbell offers glorious worth since it will possibly fulfill a number of duties.

Value and Worth

The value for the Colorado Bar varies relying on what measurement and end you favor. The 15-kilogram (33-pound) mannequin, which is greatest fitted to newcomers, feminine lifters, and smaller athletes, begins at $269.99 for the laborious chrome end. For $10 extra, you may select a black or pink Cerakote shaft coating with Duracoat sleeves.

Then again, the bottom value for the 20-kilogram Colorado Bar is $319.99. For a mixed-use barbell in a tough chrome end, the fee falls about according to the business common. For instance, the Rogue Health Ohio Bar ranges between $275 to $415, relying on the end. Nonetheless, it might be price upping your finances a bit to get higher corrosion resistance and longevity. At $329.99, the Cerakote-finished Colorado Bar nonetheless brings loads of worth, particularly since you may select between 5 shaft coating colours so as to add some artistic aptitude to your house gymnasium setup.

Furthermore, you don’t have to stress about freight prices. As of this writing, REP Health affords free delivery, which might prevent at the very least $25. Total, the Colorado bar packs a ton of customizable choices right into a well-priced piece of gymnasium gear, making it our choose for the best budget barbell. We rated it 4 out of 5 stars for the worth.

Supply

Let’s simply say ordering a barbell on Amazon is usually a bit like taking part in with fireplace. Once I ordered a budget-friendly one for my dwelling gymnasium, the supply course of ended up being a serious dud, with a low-quality bar from a wholly totally different model than I had chosen arriving in broken packaging that left the endcaps uncovered. Evidently, that disappointing expertise left a bitter style in my mouth about having a barbell shipped to my entrance door.

Fortunately for our product testers, REP Health made certain the Colorado Bar arrived at our warehouse in Springfield, MO, with zero points. I used to be happy to listen to it suffered no injury throughout its journey. Effectively-packaged and well-protected, we gave REP 5 out of 5 stars for a clean, painless supply course of.

Development, Supplies, and Coating

With a 28.5-millimeter shaft, the 20-kilogram Colorado Bar comes near the 29-millimeter mark you’ll discover in most energy bars. A part of its attraction is that it has a shaft diameter that falls proper in between Olympic and powerlifting requirements.

REP provides you ample end choices with the Colorado Bar, together with Cerakote (which is available in black, blue, inexperienced, crimson, or white) or laborious chrome with laborious chrome sleeves. Nonetheless, take into account that chrome plating can scale back the longevity of a bar by 50 p.c, which isn’t preferrred in case you drop the bar loads. Based mostly on our collective data about barbells and the particular metal every model makes use of, we’d estimate that the Colorado bar can final at the very least 30 years in a house gymnasium setting.

In the meantime, the Cerakote bars have a lifespan of greater than 50 years due to their F2-R ranking. Not like the F1-R-rated chrome model, they function Duracoat sleeves that present increased ranges of scratch and corrosion resistance by means of a chemical course of that hardens the skin of the metal to create a clean black end.

Talking of seamless, the Colorado Bar’s clean sleeves make loading and unloading your weight plates a breeze. Whereas I benefit from the effectivity of clean sleeves, different Breaking Muscle employees members like our Evaluations Editor Amanda Dvorak desire ribbed sleeves because the plates keep in place higher even with out collars.

Mix that with an aesthetic endcap design that has the corporate emblem, title, and weight of the bar laser-etched on the within of the sleeve, and you’ve got all of the makings of a premium bar at a non-premium value. Total, the Colorado scored 4.5 out of 5 stars for development.

Knurling

As a mixed-use bar, the Colorado comes with twin knurl markings for Worldwide Weightlifting Federation (IWF) and Worldwide Powerlifting Federation (IPF) specs. This makes it straightforward to establish the place to put your arms when bench urgent or performing different lifts, like snatches. On the identical time, the absence of a middle knurl means that you can comfortably carry out Olympic-style actions (like cleans) or high-volume overhead presses with out having to fret about scraping up your throat.

The knurling sample on the Colorado Bar isn’t fairly as aggressive as what you would possibly discover in an influence bar like REP’s Double Black Diamond Bar, which options deep mountain-style knurling that makes it preferrred for deadlifting however not preferrred for extra dynamic actions. As an alternative, REP went with a medium-depth, volcano-style knurling that also offers ample grip with out tearing up your arms throughout high-repetition coaching classes. For many athletes, volcano knurling works greatest, because it offers 4 factors of contact on every marking, resulting in a superior grip and fewer slippage.

Creating ample friction with out being too abrasive, the Colorado Bar’s medium knurling sample scored 4.5 out of 5 stars on our grading scale.

Rotation System

REP actually paid consideration to the main points of the Colorado Bar’s rotation system. Reasonably than following the business normal of placing bronze bushings in a multi-purpose bar (like Rogue did with each the Ohio Bar and the extra economically priced Echo Bar), they went the additional mile through the use of composite bushings.

Moreover lasting longer than their bronze counterparts, composite bushings scale back the quantity of noise when dropping the bar whereas nonetheless offering good spin — one thing our product testers took word of throughout their coaching classes with the Colorado. Plus, composite bushings additionally make for tighter tolerances, which means there’s much less wobble between the sleeve and the shaft. 

REP’s determination to make the Colorado Bar with bushings as a substitute of bearings caters on to followers of the large three lifts. Energy bars normally function bushings as a result of the sleeves spin extra slowly, which makes the barbell really feel extra balanced whereas performing deadlifts and bench presses. 

Then again, weightlifting bars sometimes use faster-spinning bearings that play a important function when the barbell is rapidly altering instructions throughout snatches and cleans. As well as, the superior spin charge from bearings additionally helps scale back stress on the joints if you execute the “catch” portion of a clear or snatch. Nonetheless, most multi-purpose bars depart bearings behind for bushings because the latter are extra versatile, quieter, and cheaper. 

Between a clean spin charge, enhanced sturdiness, and a quieter lifting expertise, the Colorado Bar earned 4.5 out of 5 stars for its rotation system.

Versatility

Particularly designed to accommodate a wide range of exercise types, the Colorado Bar is the last word Swiss military knife. With a tensile energy ranking of 190,000 kilos per sq. inch (PSI), you may confidently crush PRs with none issues. In reality, the Colorado bar has the identical PSI ranking as rivals just like the TITAN Collection Cerakote Olympic Barbell from Titan Health and the Rogue Ohio Bar.

Additionally able to getting used for non-powerlifting workout routines like curls, overhead presses, and cleans, the Colorado Bar can deal with absolutely anything you throw its approach. It could not outperform a specialty bar, however in case you’re on the lookout for one barbell to rule all of them in your house gymnasium, this all-around beast can actually stand as much as the duty.

All in all, we gave the Colorado Bar 5 out of 5 stars for versatility.

Sturdiness

As one in all its newer fashions, the Colorado Bar has but to point out the way it can maintain up over time. However primarily based on the supplies and design, we’re assured it should proceed to carry out nicely and look good for the lengthy haul.

That stated, the most secure route — at the very least from a sturdiness standpoint — is to go along with the Cerakote model. Different barbells we’ve examined that function this end have lasted greater than six months with out rusting. Contemplating a lot of them are saved in non-temperature-controlled rooms, that speaks volumes concerning the stage of safety Cerakote offers.

And in case you’re nonetheless involved about longevity, REP stands behind its barbells with a lifetime guarantee (extra on that beneath). Finally, we rated the Colorado Bar 5 out of 5 stars for sturdiness.

Guarantee

All REP barbells include a lifetime guarantee. Nonetheless, the coverage solely covers manufacturing defects. So, in case your Colorado Bar will get broken as a consequence of negligent use (i.e., dropping it with iron weight plates loaded on it), you’re a bit out of luck. You’ll additionally run right into a roadblock in case you retailer your barbell exterior, as this may robotically void your guarantee. 

In comparison with different producers, REP Health doesn’t provide fairly the identical stage of protection. For instance, Rogue’s lifetime guarantee additionally contains bending that’s not as a consequence of defective use or abusive dropping of the bar.

So, although the Colorado Bar features a lifetime guarantee, the defect-only disclaimer led to a rating of 4 out of 5 stars on this class.

REP Health Colorado Bar vs. Rogue Ohio Bar

It’s clear REP had one in all its rivals in thoughts when arising with the Colorado Bar. Not solely is it named after the situation of the corporate’s headquarters similar to Rogue’s Ohio Bar, but it surely packs comparable options right into a similarly-priced product.

Regardless of minor variations in dimensions (the Colorado bar is 0.15 inches shorter with 0.3 fewer inches of loadable sleeve size), each bars have the identical shaft diameters (28.5 millimeters) and tensile energy ranking (190 KSI). Nonetheless, the Colorado Bar’s composite bushings give it a tighter tolerance and quieter sound than its competitor’s bronze bushings. Plus, our testers discovered it to have a bit extra aggressive knurling than the Ohio Bar.

Then again, Rogue affords a wider vary of end choices. The Ohio Bar is available in 5 totally different shaft coatings (black oxide, stainless-steel, black zinc, E-coat, or Cerakote) and 4 totally different sleeve coatings (chrome, proprietary black matte, brilliant zinc, or stainless-steel). In consequence, the worth for this American-made barbell ranges from $295 to $465.

Total, both bar will work nicely together with your squat rack and might face up to loads of pounding. REP could manufacture their merchandise in China, however they’ve established a rock-solid fame for high quality within the health gear business. Finally, although, in order for you a barbell produced within the USA that has a barely extra inclusive lifetime guarantee, Rogue’s Ohio Bar would be the technique to go.

Rogue Fitness Ohio Bar

4.5

• Comes with a lifetime assure in opposition to bending
• Weighs 20 kilograms (about 44 kilos) and has a 28.5-millimeter diameter
• 16.4-inch loadable sleeve size
• Twin knurl rings and no heart knurl

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REP Health Colorado Bar Buyer Evaluations

There’s little doubt REP hit a house run by releasing the Colorado Bar throughout the summer season of 2023. Inside just some months, prospects have discovered it to be a worthwhile funding for his or her dwelling gyms primarily based on the overwhelmingly constructive suggestions. With 4.9 stars primarily based on 75 critiques, lifters across the nation have fallen in love with the newest addition to REP’s line of dwelling gymnasium gear.

Moreover being impressed with the look and general end of the Colorado Bar, prospects additionally admire the medium-aggressive knurling and clean spin charge courtesy of the composite bushings. One person famous that the oil out of your fingers reveals by means of on the black end, which can make going with one other coloration a much less aggravating various. 

Closing Verdict: Is the REP Health Colorado Bar Value It?

The REP Health Colorado Bar brings a premium really feel at a reasonably inexpensive value. Whereas there are actually cheaper choices out there, dwelling gymnasium fanatics who worth versatility and a spotlight to element shouldn’t hesitate to drag the set off on REP’s new flagship barbell.

For lower than $330, you may get a high-quality, Cerakote-finished bar that’s designed to deal with nearly any kind of exercise, comes with a lifetime guarantee, and might anchor your storage gymnasium setup all by itself. Though the Rogue Ohio Bar is actually a worthy contender as a consequence of its sturdiness, value, and efficiency, you may confidently name upon the Colorado Bar that can assist you obtain your strength- and muscle-building targets.

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