REP Double Black Diamond Energy Bar Assessment (2023)

REP Health has been making a reputation for themselves for a while now. However when the home gym equipment firm launched a brand new line of barbells in the summertime of 2023, we have been excited to see how they improved upon their predecessors.

After coaching with the Double Black Diamond Energy Bar for a number of weeks, we will truthfully say that it’s one in all our favourite powerlifting barbells. We accomplished dozens of squats, bench presses, and deadlifts with it and even used it for lifts like overhead presses. On this REP Health Double Black Diamond Energy Bar assessment, we’ll share our experiences and break down the fee, development, knurling, and different particulars of this premium powerlifting barbell.

Key Takeaways

• The Double Black Diamond Barbell retails for round $329.99 to round $449.99.
• As this can be a energy bar, it options aggressive mountain-style knurling that can assist you get a safe grip for deadlifts.
• The barbell is offered in three choices: a Cerakote shaft with Duracout sleeves, a stainless-steel shaft with exhausting chrome sleeves, or a stainless-steel shaft with stainless-steel sleeves.

REP Health Double Black Diamond Execs

• The Cerakote model of the barbell could be ultimate for house health club homeowners who practice in non-temperature-controlled basement or storage gyms. The coating might help forestall rust and corrosion from creating shortly.
• The Double Black Diamond Energy Bar comes with a restricted lifetime guarantee. You possibly can relaxation assured that REP stands behind the bar’s high quality and can rectify any points that will come up. (For the report, although, we don’t suppose that’s seemingly.)
• This Olympic barbell has a excessive tensile power of 200,000 PSI. Even for probably the most elite powerlifters, it ought to be capable to deal with any weight you load on it.

REP Health Double Black Diamond Cons

• The Double Black Diamond bar is an influence bar with aggressive knurling and isn’t meant for dynamic lifts like snatches and energy cleans. CrossFitters, Olympic weightlifters, and useful health athletes ought to contemplate a multi-purpose barbell as a substitute.
• All of REP’s barbells are made abroad, so lifters preferring to purchase American-made merchandise could need to have a look at different manufacturers.
• The worth of the Double Black Diamond Barbell is affordable for the standard you get. However for athletes on a good finances, a extra inexpensive energy bar just like the Bells of Metal Powerlifting Bar 2.0 could also be a greater possibility.

REP Health Double Black Diamond Specs

REP Health Double Black Diamond Ranking

Our professional product testers, who embody licensed private trainers, power and conditioning coaches, CrossFitters, and aggressive powerlifters, have examined over 80 barbells. After coaching with them for every thing from squats to bench presses to CrossFit Exercises of the Day (WODs), we used a proprietary scorecard system to rank them. Classes that we scored the barbells on embody value, tensile power, knurling, and sturdiness.

Right here’s how the REP Double Black Diamond Energy Bar scored.

REP Health Double Black Diamond Overview

The Double Black Diamond bar is a newcomer in REP’s barbell lineup. It replaces REP’s Deep Knurl Energy Bar EX. The identify pays homage to the state of Colorado, the place REP’s headquarters are situated, and the state’s sturdy winter sports activities tradition. “Double black diamond” refers back to the most difficult ski slopes and can also be consultant of this barbell’s depth and toughness.

Like its predecessor, the Double Black Diamond barbell is an influence bar meant for the three powerlifts: squats, bench presses, and deadlifts. As such, it options aggressive mountain knurling and Worldwide Powerlifting Federation (IPF) knurl markings. You possibly can select from a number of finishes, which supply various ranges of sturdiness. And like different respected health gear manufacturers, REP affords a restricted lifetime guarantee on this top-tier barbell.

REP Health Double Black Diamond Energy Bar In-Depth Assessment

Whereas we’ve liked lifting with the Double Black Diamond Energy Bar, we understand that it will not be the best barbell for everybody. As talked about, the aggressive knurling could not swimsuit all kinds of lifting, and it’s not the most cost effective energy bar accessible. Relying on which end you get, it will not be utterly immune to rust or corrosion. However its excessive tensile power means it might deal with tremendous heavy hundreds, and we predict it’s nonetheless a superb worth contemplating its high-quality development and the way properly it performs for powerlifting coaching.

Value and Worth

The REP Health Double Black Diamond Barbell prices round $330 for the Cerakote choices, round $400 for the stainless-steel and exhausting chrome mannequin, and round $450 for the all-stainless metal model. It’s not too far off in value from the Rogue Ohio Energy Bar, which prices wherever from about $275 to about $415, relying on the end. Nevertheless, the Double Black Diamond bar is costlier than a solid budget barbell just like the Bells of Metal Barenaked Powerlifting Bar 2.0, which prices round $220.

That mentioned, REP Health affords free transport on all orders as of this writing. Contemplating that transport a barbell can price $25 or extra, the Double Black Diamond Bar generally is a cost-efficient possibility. Plus, with the sturdiness and glorious efficiency high quality it affords, we predict it’s an honest worth. We rated it 4.5 out of 5 stars for the worth.

Supply

I’ve purchased shut to 2 dozen items of house health club gear through the years and have additionally acquired complimentary objects as a result of my job as a health author. Most merchandise arrived completely packaged with none harm. Nevertheless, I’ve acquired two barbells whose packaging was broken upon supply. The bars had knicks and chips on the sleeves and shaft earlier than I even had an opportunity to make use of them.

I used to be blissful to listen to from our product testers that the supply of the Double Black Diamond barbell to our warehouse in Springfield, MO, went way more easily. The barbell arrived in a cardboard tube with plastic finish caps that had remained intact throughout transport. The bar was additionally wrapped in foam and plastic to additional defend it from dings and scratches. We scored the supply course of 5 out of 5 stars.

Development, Supplies, and Coating

The Double Black Diamond Bar has a 29-millimeter shaft. This diameter is widespread in energy bars. Some, just like the Authentic Texas Energy Bar, have a 28.5-millimeter diameter. However in response to our product testers, 29 millimeters is the gold normal.

When ordering the Double Black Diamond Bar, you possibly can select from three finishes: Cerakote (which is available in black, blue, inexperienced, or crimson colour choices), stainless-steel with chrome sleeves, or stainless-steel with stainless-steel sleeves. The Cerakote bars have Duracoat sleeves, which makes them more durable, extra corrosion-resistant, and fewer prone to scratches and scuff marks from plate inserts.

No matter which end you select, you’ll get a bar with easy sleeves. I usually want barbells with ribbed sleeves as a result of I don’t use collars usually, and the ribbing helps maintain my weight plates in place. However once I educated with the Double Black Diamond Bar at our testing facility in Springfield, MO, I did respect how straightforward it was to slip plates on and off it. I additionally liked how the tip was beveled. The beveling made loading plates a breeze as a result of I didn’t need to completely align the plate inserts with the tip of the sleeve.

One factor I like in regards to the Double Black Diamond Bar is the endcap design. The black endcap boasts raised silver lettering with the REP identify and a double diamond define. It’s a small however distinctive contact that provides the barbell a high-end aesthetic. Equally, REP additionally added etching with its brand and the bar’s identify to the within of the collars. These traits could not appear to be a lot, however the high quality craftsmanship and a focus to element assist this bar stand out from its opponents.

All in all, this barbell will get 4 out of 5 stars for its development high quality.

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Knurling

As this can be a energy bar, the Double Black Diamond Bar options powerlifting knurl marks as specified by the IPF. This implies it has single knurl rings and a small space of heart knurling. The knurl rings act as a reference level for the place to position your fingers when bench urgent, whereas the middle knurl helps maintain the barbell in your again for again squats.

The knurling itself may be very aggressive. It’s a mountain-style knurling, which means it has a diamond-shaped sample with sharp, pointy peaks. Mountain knurling is widespread in energy bars as a result of it affords a superior grip for deadlifts. Nevertheless, energy bars with mountain knurling aren’t probably the most snug to raise with, particularly for brand spanking new lifters, due to how aggressively they dig into the fingers.

Then again, for those who’re already used to lifting weights and have calluses constructed up in your palms, the knurling on the Double Black Diamond Bar could not hassle you as a lot. I’ve calluses on my fingers from years of lifting weights and doing pull-up bar workouts in CrossFit WODs. After I educated with the Double Black Diamond Bar, I undoubtedly observed the stickiness and grippiness of the knurling, however I wasn’t in a ton of discomfort.

As well as, REP makes use of greater tooth per inch (TPI, the variety of seen tooth per inch on the barbell) than different firms use on their energy bars. The mountain sample can also be much less pointy than what you’d discover on different energy bars. Primarily, you get a strong grip however don’t have to fret about tearing your pores and skin throughout each deadlift exercise. For these causes, we rated the knurling 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Tensile Power

Tensile power refers to how a lot weight a barbell can maintain earlier than it fractures. It’s measured in kilos per sq. inch (PSI). A excessive tensile power is necessary in an influence bar, particularly for lifters who can squat, bench press, and deadlift a whole lot of kilos. Usually, the upper the tensile power, the extra abuse a barbell can deal with.

REP’s Double Black Diamond Bar has a tensile power of 200,000 PSI. Different barbells we’ve examined and reviewed have greater tensile strengths. For example, the Rogue Ohio Energy Bar has a 205,000 PSI tensile power. Then again, the tensile power of the Double Black Diamond Bar is greater than extra economical barbells, just like the Efficiency Sequence Energy Bar from Titan Health. Titan’s energy bar solely has a tensile power of 165,000 PSI.

For these causes, we rated the Double Black Diamond Bar 4.5 out of 5 stars for its tensile power.

Rotation System

The rotation system refers back to the mechanism a barbell makes use of for its sleeve rotation. Some barbells use bearings to rotate their sleeves, and others use bushings. Bushings are extra widespread in powerlifting bars as a result of they don’t spin as shortly or easily. For slower, extra grindy lifts just like the squat, bench press, and deadlift, slower rotation is useful as a result of the barbell will really feel extra steady.

The Double Black Diamond Bar makes use of bronze bushings. The bushings supply some spin, but it surely’s not as important as what you’d discover on an Olympic weightlifting bar, like REP’s Alpine Weightlifting Bar. However since a low quantity of spin is precisely what we’d hope for in an influence bar, we scored the rotation system 4 out of 5 stars.

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Versatility

As talked about, the Double Black Diamond bar is an influence bar. It’s not a multi-purpose bar like REP’s Colorado bar or Rogue’s common Ohio bar. Whereas it’s nice for powerlifting, it wouldn’t be appropriate for the dynamic actions you’d discover in CrossFit. The aggressive knurling received’t be snug in your palms throughout actions the place the barbell could rotate in your fingers continuously, like thrusters or push presses.

Additionally, as a result of the barbell solely has single IPF knurl marks and doesn’t conform to Worldwide Weightlifting Federation (IWF requirements), it’s not ultimate for Olympic weightlifting (snatches and clear and jerks). We solely gave it 3 out of 5 stars for versatility since we don’t suggest utilizing it for something aside from powerlifting. A high-quality, all-purpose bar with medium knurling and twin knurl marks could also be extra appropriate for power sports activities that make the most of extra explosive barbell actions.

Sturdiness

We’ve solely had the all-stainless metal Double Black Diamond Bar at our testing heart for a few months. To this point, it has held up properly. However in our expertise, REP’s stainless-steel bars are inclined to rust shortly. We’ll need to let extra time move to see if the Double Black Diamond Bar begins to rust or if it continues to look pristine.

Even so, we rated the bar 5 out of 5 stars for sturdiness. As talked about, the barbell can also be accessible with a Cerakote end. Different Cerakote barbells we’ve examined, like Rogue’s Cerakote Barbell, have lasted for greater than six months with out rusting. That is regardless of each day use and being saved in non-temperature-controlled rooms. Plus, REP additionally affords a restricted lifetime guarantee on all of its barbells. An organization wouldn’t supply the sort of assure if it didn’t actually stand behind its merchandise.

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REP Health Double Black Diamond Energy Bar vs. Rogue Ohio Energy Bar

By way of specs, the REP Double Black Diamond Bar and the Rogue Ohio Energy Bar are related. They each have a 29-millimeter shaft diameter, a middle knurl, and IPF knurl marks. Their complete size and loadable sleeve size are practically equivalent. The stainless-steel variations of each bars boast a 200,000 PSI tensile power, however a number of the Ohio Energy Bar variations have a 205,000 PSI tensile power.

The Ohio Energy Bar is barely extra inexpensive. The most affordable model begins at round $295, whereas the Double Black Diamond Energy Bar begins at just below $330. REP affords free transport on all purchases whereas Rogue doesn’t, however relying on the place you reside, the Ohio Energy Bar should still find yourself being cheaper.

Like REP’s energy bar, Rogue’s Ohio Energy Bar is available in a number of finishes. There’s a Cerakote shaft coating (which is offered in black, blue, crimson, or inexperienced), black zinc, naked metal, stainless-steel, or e-coat. In our expertise, Rogue’s stainless-steel doesn’t rust as shortly as REP’s. In the event you want a stainless-steel energy bar, chances are you’ll need to go together with the Ohio Energy Bar.

Then again, if knurling is extra necessary to you, we’d suggest the Double Black Diamond Energy Bar as a substitute. One in every of our professional product testers, who’s examined a whole lot of items of health club gear, says he prefers the knurling on the Double Black Diamond Energy Bar. For him to say that could be a massive deal. Up till just lately, the Ohio Energy Bar’s knurling was his favourite out of all the ability bars he’s educated with.

Rogue Ohio Power Bar

• Materials: Metal or stainless-steel
• Weight: 20 kilograms (44 kilos)
• Weight capability: 680.2 kilograms (1,500 kilos)
• Tensile power: 200k to 205k PSI
• Loadable sleeve size: 16.25 inches
• Knurling: Very aggressive
• Guarantee: Lifetime guarantee towards bending

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REP Health Double Black Diamond Energy Bar Buyer Opinions

For the reason that REP Health Double Black Diamond Bar was simply launched this previous summer time, there aren’t many critiques on it but. The shoppers who’ve left critiques have been happy with the development high quality. Those that purchased Cerakote variations of the bar famous how vibrant the colours look in particular person. Clients are additionally happy with the knurling; many have mentioned that it’s grippy and sharp however not overdone.

Consumers who selected the stainless-steel barbell left feedback about points with corrosion. Nevertheless, it seems that REP has mounted these points and provided to switch these barbells.

Remaining Verdict: Is the REP Health Double Black Diamond Energy Bar Value It?

All in all, we contemplate the Double Black Diamond Energy Bar one of many prime energy bars in the marketplace. In the event you’re a powerlifter who has some further money to spend and also you’re on the lookout for a top-notch barbell, this one may very well be for you. It’s made to IPF specs and boasts IPF knurl marks and a 29-millimeter diameter. We liked the sensation of the knurling, as we discovered it sharp and grippy however not as uncomfortable as different energy bars we’ve examined. That mentioned, we nonetheless wouldn’t suggest it for CrossFit or Olympic weightlifting. For extra of an all-purpose barbell that may deal with extra explosive and dynamic lifts, you’ll have to look elsewhere.

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