Eleiko Öppen Deadlift Bar Review 2026: The Open Bar Nobody Else Makes
The Eleiko Öppen is the strangest barbell you will ever load — one side is open, letting you stand inside it and drop plates on without fighting a loaded sleeve. It is Swedish engineering solving a problem most lifters never thought to fix: the awkward, knuckle-bruising, back-taxing ritual of loading a heavy bar on the floor.
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📋 Key Takeaways
- →What the Öppen Bar Is
- →Eleiko Öppen Bar Specs
- →What We Like
- →What to Know Before Buying
- →Öppen vs Alternatives
📑 Table of Contents
What the Öppen Bar Is
Öppen is Swedish for "open" — and that is the whole idea. Unlike a traditional straight bar or a full trap bar, the Öppen has one open side: you step inside it, the weight loads around you, and the handles position the load at your sides instead of in front of your shins. The result is a deadlift that is easier to load, friendlier on the lower back, and accessible to lifters who cannot or should not pull a straight bar from the floor.
Eleiko Öppen Bar Specs
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Type | Open deadlift bar (one-sided open) |
| Weight | ~24kg |
| Handles | Dual handle heights |
| Loading | Stand inside, load around you |
| Steel | 215K PSI Swedish steel |
| Sleeve fit | Olympic 50mm sleeves |
| Made In | Sweden (Halmstad) |
| Warranty | Lifetime warranty |
| Price | ~$700 |
What We Like
- •The open design — step in, load plates without lifting the bar or fighting collars; loading a heavy trap bar is a miserable ritual this eliminates
- •Back-friendly pulling — the weight sits at your sides (neutral grip), not in front of your shins; less shear, more trap-bar-style comfort
- •Swedish build — Eleiko tolerances, 215K PSI steel, and a finish that outlasts cheap hex bars by decades
- •Dual handle heights — flip it for high or low pulling position, accommodating beginners and tall lifters
- •Accessible pulling — for lifters with limited mobility, bad backs, or new deadlifters, the open position is a game-changer
What to Know Before Buying
- •~$700 is a lot for a specialty bar — a straight bar and a cheap hex bar together cost less
- •It is not a straight bar replacement — you still need a real barbell for competition deadlifts and squats
- •Availability — specialty Eleiko bars are made in smaller runs and can be out of stock
- •Commercial-gym oriented — it is built for facilities, though home buyers with the budget love it
Öppen vs Alternatives
| Bar | Price | Loading ease | Pull style | Build |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eleiko Öppen | ~$700 | Step in, load around you | Neutral grip, sides | Swedish, 215K |
| Standard hex/trap bar | ~$150-350 | Must lift bar to load | Neutral grip, sides | Varies (usually import) |
| Straight deadlift bar | ~$300-500 | Roll onto jack/blocks | Overhand, in front | High |
| Rogue TB-2 Trap Bar | ~$425 | Must lift bar to load | Neutral grip, sides | American, high |
Who Should Buy the Öppen
Gym owners who want members deadlifting safely without coaching every rep, older lifters and those with back issues who need a kinder pull, and home gym owners with the budget for the best trap-style bar made. If you are a competitive powerlifter, you still need a straight bar — but for 90% of people pulling heavy, the Öppen is the better tool.
The Verdict: 4.4/5 — The Bar That Loads Itself
The Eleiko Öppen is a specialty bar done perfectly. It costs what a specialty bar should not — and it is worth it if the deadlift is your lift.
Check Barbell Prices →The Bar That Loads Itself
Step in, load, pull — the Eleiko Öppen is the deadlift bar nobody else makes.
Check Barbell Prices →Related Guides
BarbellNearMe Editorial Team
Reviewed by certified strength coaches · How we test
Our editorial team includes competitive powerlifters, Olympic weightlifters, and CrossFit athletes with 10+ years of experience. Every guide is fact-checked against manufacturer specs, peer-reviewed research, and hands-on testing. We do not accept paid placements — recommendations are based solely on performance, value, and durability.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Eleiko Öppen deadlift bar?
An open-side deadlift bar from Eleiko — you step inside it and load plates around you instead of fighting a loaded sleeve. Neutral grip, back-friendly pulling, Swedish steel, ~$700.
Öppen bar vs trap bar?
Similar pulling position (neutral grip, weight at sides) but the Öppen is open on one side — easier to load and unload, and you can walk in/out instead of stepping over. It is the premium evolution of the trap bar.
Is the Eleiko Öppen worth it?
For gyms and serious deadlifters — yes. For budget home gyms, a standard hex bar does the job for a third of the price. The Öppen is the best version of the concept, not the cheapest.
Can you compete with the Öppen bar?
No — it is a training tool, not a competition implement. Powerlifting meets use straight bars; the Öppen builds the strength, the straight bar tests it.
How much weight can the Öppen hold?
Plenty — 215K PSI Swedish steel handles 400kg+ loads comfortably, far beyond what most lifters will ever pull on it.