Collars

Öppen is the Swedish word for open, which illustrates our design philosophy — opening up the possibilities for better lifting.

— Björn Welde, Product Development Manager at Eleiko

Öppen philosophy puts lifters first

The Eleiko Öppen Collars are a fresh take on a traditional weightlifting staple with distinctive, user-friendly features. Björn Welde, Product Development Manager at Eleiko, discusses collar functionality, where the name ”Öppen”comes from and why the lifter is at the core of Eleiko’s design philosophy.

What was the inspiration behind the open-ended design? Simplicity and efficiency. With Öppen Collars, we reconsidered a design that has been a staple in strength training for decades with a “less is more” approach. We boiled it down to the essentials - do collars actually need to be full circle to fulfil their intended function? Öppen is the Swedish word for open, and just as with our Öppen Deadlift Bar, our human-centric approach illustrates our design philosophy - creating innovative products that make a difference and open up the possibilities for better lifting.

The collars are designed as part of a larger product ecosystem, seamlessly working together with our current assortment of bars and plates for weightlifting, powerlifting and functional fitness along with our Prestera Rack Series.

How important was ergonomics when developing the collars? At Eleiko, the user is at the heart of everything we do. Identifying just the right product feeling is integral to our product development process. A key consideration was creating a smooth and comfortable feeling when you hold the collar in your hand. The Öppen Collars have no protruding edges or sharp corners, they have a minimalistic construction that allows for single-handed operation and encourage a proper and ergonomic grip – all features that are chosen with the user in mind.

How did you find the perfect mix of materials? Precision was a leading principle in the development process. We wanted collars with a low weight, while still maintaining product longevity. To achieve this balance, we

chose aluminium, a durable yet lightweight material, and recyclable rubber. At 250 grams, the collars add minimal weight. The aluminium casing, NBR rubber and internal components are fully recyclable, making the Öppen Collars a conscious choice that minimizes environmental impact.

What role do the rubber components play in the product’s construction? The recyclable rubber provides good friction and a strong grip, keeping the collars in place throughout the toughest of training sessions. The interior lining also protects the barbell sleeve and plates from scuffing and general wear and tear. Since the rubber surrounds the entire edge of the product, this provides effective shock absorption that feathers back slightly as the barbell is dropped – without sacrificing the strong clamping force.

How do the integrated magnets improve the user experience? Built-in magnets allow users to stick the collars on stands, racks and benches when changing weights, keeping the collars close at hand instead of placing them on the floor. With collars stored on metal racks, they are always easy to find and ready to be used for the next lifter. The integrated magnet also automatically suctions the collars tightly to the metal in the plates, leaving minimal space between the two to provide a reliable hold that simply won’t budge. What type of tests have been performed with the Öppen Collars? Eleiko is synonymous with quality - a guiding factor in all our decisions, from what materials we use, how they are combined and how they are packaged into a finished product.

The Eleiko Öppen Collars have been thoroughly tested with drop tests and opening/closing lever tests. Testing and quality control is done at our headquarters in Halmstad, assuring our products are built to last and live up to the premium quality that we are known for.

What common collar problems do the Öppen Collars solve? A part of our development process is to identify the problems lifters face today and focus on how we can turn them into solutions. We carefully considered, observed and analysed the entire training session, from finding and storing collars to application and the lift itself, to upgrade every aspect of the experience. For example, collars are normally thrown on the floor, are hard to find, or difficult to use. Thanks to integrated magnet and quick operation, the Öppen Collars will improve that experience and are designed not only to increase safety, but to really simplify the everyday life of the lifter.