There aren’t many pieces of equipment that change how you lift. Most are simply nicer versions of what already exists—better finishes, slightly improved knurling, maybe a prettier silhouette if you’re lucky. But every once in a while, something comes along that genuinely elevates the training experience.
The Eleiko Öppen Bar is one of those rare, intelligent upgrades that makes you wonder how we all settled for traditional trap bars for so long.
© Iron House Design
Jim and I test equipment constantly—partly because it’s our business, partly because we're both incredibly particular after decades in the fitness world. So when we both agree on something, and agree immediately, it’s worth paying attention. This bar impressed us within minutes.
The Open Design: A Trap Bar That Doesn’t Trap You
Traditional trap bars feel… well, trapping. Bulky, awkward, unforgiving, and often a nightmare to maneuver in both home gyms and commercial spaces.
The Eleiko Öppen Bar is the exact opposite.
The open-sided architecture instantly makes the bar more inviting—and more usable. Whether you’re stepping into a deadlift, lunging, carrying, or rowing, it never feels like you’re fighting the equipment. Instead, it adapts to you.
From a design standpoint, it’s beautiful. From a functional standpoint, it’s one of the smartest specialty bars on the market.
The Built-In Loading Jack: Eleiko’s Stroke of Genius
Let me say this plainly: once you use a trap bar with a loading jack, you will resent every bar that doesn’t have one.
Instead of tilting the bar onto a plate, shimmying it around, and risking a low-back twinge just to load the thing, the Eleiko Öppen Bar simply lifts itself. Positioning the bar on it rubber feet allows the plate holders to automatically be off the ground. You slide plates on and off effortlessly—no wrestling match required.
Jim actually laughed the first time he did this because of how obvious the solution is. It’s one of those “how did no one do this sooner?” innovations.
The rubber feet also stabilize the bar throughout the lift, keeping it balanced and smooth—something serious lifters appreciate the second they pick it up.
Handle Heights That Make Lifting Accessible for Everyone
Two handle heights, both clearly marked, give lifters flexibility depending on strength level, mobility, or training intent. The neutral grip keeps the shoulders and elbows aligned naturally, and the 28mm handle diameter feels comfortable for almost every hand size.
Jim’s take?
The higher handles are a game changer for anyone with limited hip mobility or lower-back sensitivity, while the lower handles still allow experienced lifters to train a true hinge pattern.
The 1.0 mild knurling is intentional—it gives grip without tearing skin. This matters for high-volume sessions or for people who want strength without calluses as souvenirs.
Versatility: One Tool, Endless Training Options
Because the bar is open, balanced, and not overly heavy, it broadens the training possibilities:
Deadlifts (both high and low handle)
Walking lunges
Farmer’s carries
Split stance deadlifts
Rows
Step-ups
Loaded holds
Overhead presses (yes, you actually can with this one)
For home gym owners—especially our Iron House clients—this matters. You get multiple high-value training modalities from a single premium piece.
Jim pointed out how smooth the transition feels between movements. Nothing wobbles, nothing shifts. That’s Eleiko’s engineering showing through the moment your hands touch the bar.
Swedish Craftsmanship: Precision You Can Feel
This bar is built in Eleiko’s Halmstad, Sweden facility, and the quality is unmistakable:
Chromed sleeves with over 12 inches of loadable space
Rigid 60 mm steel tubing for ideal weight distribution
Perfectly balanced frame
Five-year warranty
Over 1,100 lbs of max training capacity
Even with significant weight, the bar doesn’t flex unpredictably or tip. The lift feels centered and controlled—something that’s rare even among high-end trap bars.
Rack-Ready and Platform-Friendly
One of the biggest frustrations with specialty bars is that they often don’t play well with racks or platforms.
The Öppen Bar does.
It fits most racks comfortably, the plates land inside platform drop zones, and the width feels deliberate rather than clunky. For anyone building a luxury home gym where space and flow matter, this bar cooperates instead of complicating the design.
How It Feels to Lift: The Part That Actually Matters
From my perspective, the bar feels smooth, stable, and surprisingly light on its feet. It doesn’t rattle, doesn’t pitch forward, and doesn’t force you into awkward angles.
From Jim’s perspective—and this is where his 30+ years in performance matter—the Öppen Bar promotes a more efficient hip hinge, keeps the shoulders aligned, and encourages stronger leg drive without compromising form. He called it “a safer, smarter deadlift for 95% of lifters,” and I agree.
It’s the kind of bar that gives you confidence from the first rep.
Are There Downsides?
Only a few:
The price – It’s Eleiko. Premium engineering comes with a premium cost.
The knurling – Lifters who love aggressive, cheese-grater knurling may want something sharper.
Ruins you for other trap bars – Once you train with this, everything else feels prehistoric.
And honestly, that’s about it.
Final Verdict
A Best-in-Class Trap Bar for Lifters Who Want Longevity, Quality, and Ease
The Eleiko Öppen Bar is one of the best strength tools available today and one of the most thoughtfully engineered specialty bars we’ve ever tested. It’s versatile, beautifully constructed, easy to use, and genuinely enhances the lifting experience.
For home gym owners, designers, trainers, and serious lifters alike—this bar is an investment that pays dividends every single training session.
And yes, we both absolutely love it.
