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The 10 Best Trap Bars Reviewed

last updated: Feb 11, 2020

If you are going to get serious about your deadlifts, you will want to consider investing in a quality trap bar. These bars are designed to keep your workout going while relieving some of the stress in your back. A bar like this will help you develop those explosive movements you strive for. The trap bar deadlift will help develop your lower back, glutes, hamstrings, quads, abs, forearms and of course your traps.

In this article, we will talk about what makes a quality trap bar, the most effective way to use them, as well as our top ten choices of the bars available on the market.

In a Hurry? The test winner after 25 hrs of research

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CAP Olympic
94/100 our score
Features
98
Durability
97
Ease of Use
90
Capacity
90
Effectiveness
95
CAP Olympic
Why is it better?

25 inches of inner room

750-pound weight capacity

Use with standard Olympic plates

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Researched Sources
42
Researched Sources
Reviews Considered
11k
Reviews Considered
Hours Researching
25
Hours Researching
Products Evaluated
14
Products Evaluated
Sorting Options
Features Durability Ease of Use Capacity Effectiveness By Default
Rank
PictureProduct
Name
Rating
Shops
#1
The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
94
Features
98 %
Durability
97 %
Ease of Use
90 %
Capacity
90 %
Effectiveness
95 %
Price Comparison Last Updated (05.10.24)
Amazon Link
#2
The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
92.6
Features
95 %
Durability
95 %
Ease of Use
89 %
Capacity
90 %
Effectiveness
94 %
Price Comparison Last Updated (05.10.24)
Amazon Link
#3
The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
90.4
Features
90 %
Durability
95 %
Ease of Use
87 %
Capacity
90 %
Effectiveness
90 %
Price Comparison Last Updated (05.10.24)
Amazon Link
#4
The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
88.8
Features
90 %
Durability
90 %
Ease of Use
87 %
Capacity
90 %
Effectiveness
87 %
Price Comparison Last Updated (05.10.24)
Amazon Link
#5
The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
87.2
Features
85 %
Durability
90 %
Ease of Use
86 %
Capacity
90 %
Effectiveness
85 %
Price Comparison Last Updated (05.10.24)
Amazon Link
#6
The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
86.2
Features
85 %
Durability
85 %
Ease of Use
86 %
Capacity
90 %
Effectiveness
85 %
Price Comparison Last Updated (05.10.24)
Amazon Link
#7
The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
85.6
Features
85 %
Durability
84 %
Ease of Use
85 %
Capacity
90 %
Effectiveness
84 %
Price Comparison Last Updated (05.10.24)
Amazon Link
#8
The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
83.8
Features
80 %
Durability
82 %
Ease of Use
85 %
Capacity
90 %
Effectiveness
82 %
Price Comparison Last Updated (05.10.24)
Amazon Link
#9
The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
83.4
Features
80 %
Durability
82 %
Ease of Use
85 %
Capacity
90 %
Effectiveness
80 %
Price Comparison Last Updated (05.10.24)
Amazon Link
#10
The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
83.2
Features
80 %
Durability
81 %
Ease of Use
85 %
Capacity
90 %
Effectiveness
80 %
Price Comparison Last Updated (05.10.24)
Amazon Link

10 Best Trap Bars

1. CAP Olympic

The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
94
CAP Olympic Hex Bar
Amazon Link
Features
98
Durability
97
Ease of Use
90
Capacity
90
Effectiveness
95
best offer for today
Amazon Link
Pros:

25 inches of inner room

750-pound weight capacity

Use with standard Olympic plates

Cons:

Shipped in low-quality packaging

The CAP Olympic Hex Bar is designed to help you build muscle mass and strength in legs, back, core, and of course your traps with this bar which has combination neutral grips and a nice zinc finish. This bar is made with heavy-duty alloy steel and then sealed with a durable zinc finish. The bar is sturdy and dependable, designed to stand up to daily wear and tear no matter how intense your workout is. It provides plenty of room for deadlifts, farmer’s walks, shrugs, and more.

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The CAP Olympic Hex Bar is a sturdy piece of equipment perfect for your home gym. It weighs about 52 pounds and has a weight capacity of 750 pounds. The bar is made of 25 mm solid steel which is zinc plated. There are a nice roomy 25 inches between the grip handles so you have plenty of room to stand. This bar also features grips which are a combination of raised and flush neutral grips. It is meant to be used with Olympic plates and will put a lighter load on your lumbar spine. It is especially helpful for users with lower back issues.

This bar is versatile, designed to help you target your hamstrings, quads, glutes, core, your forearms, and even your grip strength by doing a variety of exercises. It puts less stress on your back so you can still get a good workout. The bar gives you a comfortable non-slip grip with raised neutral grip handles that have diamond knurling so you can get a tight grip when lifting heavy.

2. HulkFit Olympic 2-Inch

The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
92.6
HulkFit Olympic Trap Bar
Amazon Link
Features
95
Durability
95
Ease of Use
89
Capacity
90
Effectiveness
94
best offer for today
Amazon Link
Pros:

Two styles to choose from

1000 pound weight capacity

Multiple knurling positions and lengths

Cons:

The black finish is disappointing

The HulkFit Olympic Hex Bar comes in two different styles. You can choose the regular design or the open back design. Both of them have the two-inch diameter ends which will fit all the standard plates. Both of the bars are made from solid heavy duty and have a 1000 pound capacity. They have extra long loadable sleeves so you can load more weights on the bar. There are numerous knurling positions you can use for convenience and safety. Having two kinds of handles will give you more flexibility.

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When you are doing deadlifts you are using the trap or hex, bar to get a total body workout, exercising muscle groups in both the lower body and upper body. Lifters use the trap bar for deadlifts and shrugs. This bar has many advantages over lifting with a barbell and is more effective. You have two styles to choose from there is an open back design or the regular design. Both of them will fit standard plates with two-inch holes.

These bars are made of solid steel, not hollow. They have loadable sleeves that are extra long so it is easy to load more weight onto the bar. There is knurling design on the grip handles which will help you keep your grip and safety. There are raised and regular handles. The regular bars are 45 pounds and the open back bars are 77 pounds. They have a 1000 pound weight capacity and are designed to be long-lasting. You will be able to perform your lifts with a bigger range of muscle development and contraction. The handles have a lot of knurling in different lengths and at different positions so you have more convenience and safety. You also have regular handles or raised ones.

3. TITAN FITNESS

The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
90.4
Titan Fitness Hex Bar
Amazon Link
Features
90
Durability
95
Ease of Use
87
Capacity
90
Effectiveness
90
best offer for today
Amazon Link
Pros:

Dual knurling handles

Durable, heavy-duty steel

Weight capacity of 500 lbs

Cons:

Grips are a little small

The Titan Fitness Hex Bar has a goal of helping you safely achieve your dream body. Their hex bar is specially designed to fine-tune your form while you are performing your deadlifts, doing squat jumps, bent over your rows, and more. Plus, the hex bar gives you a wider range of exercises. For example, you can do push-ups with the trap bar which will help you to build your core. If you use the proper form, you can reduce the risk of injuring your muscles so you can enjoy good health.

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The Titan Fitness Hex Bar is designed especially to help you perfect your form and technique when lifting. If you use proper form, you have a less chance of straining your muscles or hurting yourself. It helps you build muscle more quickly and is designed to assist in doing your deadlifts or other exercises accurately. When you work out you naturally work up a sweat and that sweat is going to make it harder to get a firm grip on your equipment. This hex bar features two knurled handles that will give you a sturdy grip.

When going through your weightlifting, you want to focus on one specific set of muscles at a time. This hex bar will help you to isolate certain muscle groups so you are able to tone and tighten specific areas. You can use it to isolate your abs, legs, glutes, and arms and be bulked up in no time. This hex bar is made from durable, heavy-duty solid steel. It is made to last. Part of what will make this bar so effective is the dual-knurled handles which will give you a firm, sturdy grip during your lift. Your hands might get sweaty as you lift, but the knurling grooves will help you get a firm grip on the bar. These dual handles also have a design that is easy to flip. To switch the grips over, all you have to do is turn the bar over. It is that simple.

4. Synergee

The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
88.8
Synergee Hex Barbell
Amazon Link
Features
90
Durability
90
Ease of Use
87
Capacity
90
Effectiveness
87
best offer for today
Amazon Link
Pros:

Designed to be ergonomic

Dual handles

Comes in black or chrome

Cons:

Very poor packaging

The Synergee Hex Bar is perfect for deadlifts. You can use it to strengthen the same muscle groups a standard barbell works, but you can keep your weight closer to your body. This way you will use more quads to lift the bar and keep the stress off your lumbar spine. It has knurled, neutral grip handles to help keep the lift centered. This bar has raised handles to make it easier to pick up off the floor, and also reduces the strain on your hands and back.

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The Synergee Hex Bar keeps the weight centered along your midline through all your lifts. It features a 10-inch loadable sleeve which is plenty of room to add enough weight for a good work out. The bar can hold up to 750 pounds. It is made of high-quality steel with a combination handle placement. It has high and regular hex bars so you get the maximum versatility. The handles have knurled grips to help you hold them tight during an intense workout.

The raised handles and hexagonal frame let you pick it up from the ground while reducing your hand and back strain. The Synergee Hex Bar is perfect for heavy lifters who like to pull from the ground but want to lower their chance of back injury or strain. Less injury means you have fewer interruptions of your training so you can develop more gains over time. This Hex bar has a nice chrome finish with raised and standard handles, a 10 inch of loadable sleeve length on both sides, and it is 56 inches in length.

5. XMark Fitness

The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
87.2
XMark Fitness Trap Bar
Amazon Link
Features
85
Durability
90
Ease of Use
86
Capacity
90
Effectiveness
85
best offer for today
Amazon Link
Pros:

Raised handles for easy pick-up

Polished chrome finish

Constructed from solid steel

Cons:

Reports of the bar arriving with rust on it

The XMark Olympic Trap Bar is designed with the raised handles which are a must for you if you are looking to build up your muscle mass and strength in your traps and legs. It has raised handles that let you easily pick up from the ground and cut down on the strain on your hands and back. This is an effective piece of equipment with shoulder-width handles that are parallel with a knurled grip to prevent slipping. You can exercise with a better range of muscle development and contraction.

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XMark has long been a company focused on quality. They created this trap/shrug bar with that in mind. It has raised handles which are vital if you are interested in building muscle mass and muscle strength in your legs and traps. The handles of this XM-3686 lets you pick up from the ground easily and will help you reduce the strain on your back and hands as you perform squats, deadlifts, and other exercises.

The bar is constructed of solid, not hollow, steel and it is finished with a durable polished chrome. It has a 400-pound weight capacity. This bar is designed for a wide variety of exercises making it very versatile. It features parallel handles at shoulder width with non-slip knurled grips. You can expand your range of muscle development and contraction with XMark.

6. Day 1 Fitness

The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
86.2
Day 1 Fitness Hex Bar
Amazon Link
Features
85
Durability
85
Ease of Use
86
Capacity
90
Effectiveness
85
best offer for today
Amazon Link
Pros:

2-inch diameter to fit Olympic bars

750-pound weight capacity

Dual handle grips

Cons:

Needs more aggressive knurling

The Day 1 Fitness company is proud to offer its Olympic hex bar which is a quality piece of equipment that is capable of holding 750 pounds with 2-inch weights. It has a unique design that puts your arms at your sides instead of in front of you. This lets you lift straight upward to condition and gain muscles. This bar is perfect for many different bodybuilding activities like squats or traps. It is made with a durable silver chrome surface. This bar fits your preferred lifting style whether you like hex or high hex bars. The handles are knurled for a secure grip so you reduce your risk of injury.

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The Day 1 Fitness company provides you with professional and durable weightlifting equipment. The 45-pound trap bar is made with a quality silver chrome surface and durable knurled handles. It is perfect for your needs whether you are training in your garage or you are a gym owner. This is a powerful conditioning bar that can hold up to 750 pounds to suit your personal needs. Each hex bar will accommodate 2-inch Olympic weights. This gives you appropriate weight variation when doing squats, shrugs, deadlifts, or power pulls.

These barbells also offer two kinds of handles to match your desired exercise routine. They have both high hex and regular hex bar handles, which will let you isolate any desired muscle group while you are lifting weights. The octagon-shaped bar offers you a more secure centered way to do strength training so there is less risk of injury compared to the regular bars. The knurled surface of the handles also helps with a more secure grip during exercise. This bar works for anyone, men or women. The bar is wide enough for anyone and the solid construction allows for commercial use or as an addition to your home gym.

7. TDS Standard

The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
85.6
TDS Standard Trap Bar
Amazon Link
Features
85
Durability
84
Ease of Use
85
Capacity
90
Effectiveness
84
best offer for today
Amazon Link
Pros:

Fits standard plates with 1-inch diameter

Has a sturdy feel to it

1000 pound capacity

Cons:

Some spring clips work on it and some don't

The TDS Standard Trap Bar is a heavily recommended model. This is a sturdy bar, durable enough to survive a 1000 pound weight capacity. This bar is designed to fit standard bars, which is a little harder to find than the Olympic bar models. We are happy to say this is a good choice though. This bar is great for massive deadlifts and for shrugs. It is chrome plated for durability and knurled to help you keep your grip. The bar weighs about 40 pounds.

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Trying to find a standard hex bar is not an easy task since standard bars are not nearly as common as than Olympic bars. If you only own standard plates, you have far fewer options but luckily TDS has you covered. They have the TDS Shrug/Hip bar. Users have reported nothing but good things about this bar’s sturdiness and overall integrity. The knurling which covers the handgrips has a comfortable design and it is roomy enough to accommodate a 6-foot plus man using it to do squats.

You may never use the 1000 pound weight capacity, but it is definitely a testament to just how sturdy this bar is. This is a simple basic bar which has all the features you need in order to get a good workout while minimizing the chances of injury and going easier on your lower back.

8. GOPLUS Olympic

The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
83.8
GOPLUS Olympic Hex Bar
Amazon Link
Features
80
Durability
82
Ease of Use
85
Capacity
90
Effectiveness
82
best offer for today
Amazon Link
Pros:

Solid steel-Chrome-plated

It includes two snap springs

800-pound weight capacity

Cons:

It has bad packaging and shipping

The GOPLUS is designed to help keep your body weight evenly centered throughout the midline during shrugs, power pulls, and deadlifts. The change in the overall angle will let you do deadlifts that use your glute area less and your lower back when you increase using your quads. The two handles have knurling to improve your friction and grip. The sleeve diameter is 2 inches so it fits the Olympic plates. This hex bar is high quality, extremely durable and resistant to rust resistant with proper use and care. They are also easy to clean.

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GO PLUS presents this solid pure steel chrome-plated trap bar. It is extremely durable and sturdy and features knurled handles for improving your grip to avoid your hands slipping during a lift. The hex bar will help you reduce the amount of pressure that your back feels. It is designed for squats, deadlifts, shrugs, and power pulls. It is useful for at home or in the gym.

This hex bar comes equipped with 2 snap springs. It is completely convenient and easy to load your plates on or off and they tight lock the plates.

This bar is heavier than a lot of the others at 53 pounds and it has a maximum weight capacity of 800 pounds. If you are serious about your strength training and muscle building, this trap bar is a great option. The construction is heavy-duty steel with an attractive chrome plating. The knurled handles help your grip for more efficiency and safety. Using the trap bar for lifting will help to reduce the pressure on your lower back. Your angle and posture will put you in a better position to get a quality lift. This bar is perfect for squats, shrugs, deadlifts, and power pulls. It also includes two snap springs. It is easy to load and unload your plates. The bar is easy to clean. It is also sturdy and rust-resistant. It fits two-inch Olympic plates.

9. Sunny Health & Fitness Olympic

The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
83.4
Sunny H&F Olympic Hex Bar
Amazon Link
Features
80
Durability
82
Ease of Use
85
Capacity
90
Effectiveness
80
best offer for today
Amazon Link
Pros:

750-pound weight capacity

22 1/2 inch center

Diamond knurled handle

Cons:

Chrome finish is not very durable

Sunny Health & Fitness has been coming out with high-quality health and fitness products for over 10 years. Their bar is no exception. This sturdy, durable bar offer plenty of center room, about 22 inches, so you can get a safe lift. The shaft is about an inch in diameter. The sleeves are about 9 ½ inches so they have plenty of room for loading plates. The handles are made with a diamond knurled handle which gives you a safe and secure grip. It has a 750-pound weight capacity.

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The Sunny Health and Fitness bar are designed and ready to help you build strength, power, and muscle. This bar gives you a safer, more effective way to handle your deadlifts. It is all about your center of gravity and having a mechanical advantage. The bar allows you to get the best positioning of your hands and arms, your head and your back to perform excellent squats. It will help you reduce the strain on your back, knees, and hips. You have diamond knurled handles for comfort and a solid grip. The ample space on the sleeves makes this bar versatile to work in any strength program.

This bar is a little over 22 inches in the center so there is plenty of room for a good workout. It is 6 inches from the floor to the center of the handle. The weight capacity is 750 pounds. It has loadable sleeves which are about 9 ½ inches long so they have room for a good amount of weights to get an effective workout. You can load them with Olympic weight plates. The diamond knurled handle gives you a good secure and comfortable grip. You can use this trap bars for deadlifts, trap shrugs, farmer’s walks, floor push-ups, bent over row and many more.

10. Merax Foldable Chrome Olympic

The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
83.2
Merax Foldable Trap Bar
Amazon Link
Features
80
Durability
81
Ease of Use
85
Capacity
90
Effectiveness
80
best offer for today
Amazon Link
Pros:

Has foldable handles for easier storage

Solid steel with a chrome finish

800-pound weight capacity

Cons:

Is a little cramped for a large user

The Merax Foldable Hex Bar will help you get your deadlifts, squats, and other of your favorite workouts on schedule while you are at your home. You can take your training to a whole new level with the Merax Chrome Bar. It is made in the normal Olympic style. You just need to make sure you are positioned in the center of the hexagon. You will then use your center of gravity and pull up. The bar’s raised handles help you not have to crouch in an awkward and unsafe position as you do with a normal standard bar.

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The most interesting aspect about the Merax Hex Bar is the foldable design. It has a dual handle design so you get an easily controlled lift to target the muscle groups you want to work on while at the same time reducing injury risk. It is perfect for squats, shrugs, deadlifts, power pulls and more. The hex frame design will keep your weight centered during your lift and will work with your quads instead of stressing your lower back.

The trap bar is made with solid steel construction and a sweat-resistant chrome finish. It is designed to be highly durable with anti-rust capabilities is you use it and take care of it properly. The knurled handles help you get a solid improved grip and much more comfort during your lift. The raised handle positioning gives you an easier ground pickup. It will reduce strain on your hands and your back so you can get a longer and heavier lift.

Criteria Used for Evaluation

Features

The trap or hex bars as they are often referred to are a very basic piece of equipment which will give you a perfect tool for doing safe and secure lifts which are going to be easier on your lower back and give you a better positioning and posture for your lifts, which is important to get a proper lift without risking back injury.
These bars tend to be made from solid steel construction with a durable chrome finish to protect against rust. They have a large roomy area in the center so you have room to stand and do your lift and good-sized sleeves you can put your weight plates on to get the lift you are seeking.

There are a few different handle types. Most are flush with the bar and then there is an added raised handle. They are designed with knurling on the grip handles so you will get a safe and secure grip during your lift. The variety helps you get the perfect hand position for any lift and exercise. The Merax even has foldable handles so you can put them out of the way when you are not using it. There are also two different designs available, the regular one which goes completely around your body and the one with the open back.

Durability

Durability is vital when it comes to your bar for deadlift. Not only do you want a worthy investment in something which is going to last, but you also want to be able to feel secure and safe during your lift. Your bar should be constructed with the highest quality materials. Most of these bars are made of solid steel, not hollow, so they can stand up to the weight you put on them. They are plated with zinc or chrome to help with durability as well.

When you are researching trap bars, make sure you find one made of steel and check the plating to be sure it is solid and will not chip off. Make sure that the welds are also smooth and strong. The knurling should be strong but not so deep that it is going to grind into your hands during your lift. Your lift should not be painful. To make sure it stays durable, you will want to keep it clean and dry so it will not develop rust.

Ease of Use

These bars are easy to use by definition but there are still a few things to keep an eye out for. The room in the center of the bar needs to be ample, so you can exercise with it no matter what your size is without feeling cramped. There is one design which has an open back so it is even easier because you do not have to step inside it. Most of the centers are between 22-25 inches in the center. The sleeves should be at least 9 inches long, a little longer is better. Make sure they are the right size for the type of plates you have so they will slip right on and stay secure.

The handles should be ergonomic so they fit your grip. They should also be marked with knurling which is deep enough to help you keep a good grip but not so deep that they will cut into your hands during heavy lifts. Having multiple knurling positions is helpful as well since you will have more options for hand positioning during your exercises.

Effectiveness

If your trap bar is durable and easy to use then it is sure to be effective. It should have plenty of room so you have the room to do the exercises that are necessary for you to hit your target muscles. The sleeves need to be long enough and strong enough, as well as the right size to add enough plates for the right amount of weight to accomplish the workout you want.

These bars may be more effective than the regular barbells because they are designed to keep your body in proper form and position during your heavy lifts so you can get the most out of the exercise as well as avoid back pain or injury. These bars are great for targeting your glutes, hamstrings, quads, core, and your forearms. They will also help improve your grip strength which is a very important part of physical fitness.

Capacity

These bars do have different capacities. To start with, you want to make sure the bar you choose is going to fit your body size. The centers are different widths so make sure you give yourself plenty of room, especially if you are a bigger person. They go from 22-25 inches wide in the center. The capacity of the sleeves is important too. They need to be long enough to hold all the plates necessary to get the weight you need for your lift. Double-check to make sure the bar will hold the type of weights you use, either standard or Olympic.

Lastly, you want to consider the weight capacity of the bar you choose. You are going to have different needs if you are a bodybuilder as compared to a CrossFit athlete. If you are going for goals of being a heavy weight lifter or powerlifter, you will need a much higher capacity of 750-1,000 pounds so you can build a higher muscle mass. If you are just looking for muscle toning and general workout, you can get away with a lower capacity.

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expert tips icon
Give Your Lower Back A Break

If you have been lifting with a straight bar, every couple of weeks you should switch to a trap bar. This bar lets you get more leg drive and it is a good lift for athletes. Some research studies which were performed with the trap bar demonstrates that athletes do not tolerate the soreness as powerlifters do. This bar can help athletes get stronger without interfering with their sports practice.

Remember Not To Round Your Back

One of the most common and preventable mistakes lifters make when deadlifting is rounding or curling their back. Moderate rounding throughout your upper back is okay, but it will be an issue when this occurs throughout your lower back or when your back starts to look like a lot like a boomerang. This happens a lot with lifters who are inexperienced. It also puts a lot of stress throughout your entire spine, which can end up causing a back injury like herniation of a disc.

Rounding of the back usually has one or more causes:

1. Setting up poorly: It is important to make sure that your back is in a flat position; try to picture yourself squeezing a softball underneath your armpits. This will help your lats to engage. You will also want to tighten your core, almost as if you are preparing yourself for taking a punch.

2. Core weakness: Put simply, it is imperative for you to build a stronger core. Try using our innovative 27 Best Core Exercises for Athletes to help strengthen your core.

3. Minimal back strength: Your back muscles and your lats have to be up to the task. These need to be strong in order to support all of the heavy liftings during deadlifts. A couple of the best strengthening exercises for these particular muscles are to strengthen for doing deadlifts are Barbell Rows, Dumbbell Rows, Snatch-Grip Deadlifts, Good Mornings and Pull-ups.

4. Lifting too much weight: If this is the case, it is important that you back the weight off a bit until you are confident in lifting with the perfect form.

Other Factors to Consider

Versatility

This type of bar is very versatile and can be used for a wide variety of exercises. Most of them have two different kinds of handles so you can put your hands at different angles so you can get the perfect position for your lifts. This will help you work a wide variety of different muscles.

Frequently Asked Questions

q: Why is it called a trap bar?

a:

A competitive powerlifter named Al Gerard invented, trademarked, and invented the trap bar. He named it after the trapezius muscles which are the muscles it was designed to train using shoulder shrug exercises.

q: Is using a trap bar deadlift safer?

a:

Yes, this is actually a much safer exercise than using the straight bar version of deadlifting. It is also more effective to help you build maximum power. Since power is measured by an object's force times its velocity. Scientifically, this means performing a deadlift with a trap bar will allow you to lift more weight over a greater distance and much faster.

q: What is the best way to hold this type of bar?

a:

Start by bending slightly at your knees and keep your back straight in a horizontal position. Stick your butt out just slightly after you grip the bar. Then lift it straight up. When your arms are extended to a 90-degree angle, lower the bar slowly back down.

q: What if the best way to do a regular dead lift with the bar?

a:

Stand up straight with your feet apart about hip-width in the center of the bar. Bend your hips and your knees. Then reach down to grab the handles at your sides. Be sure to tighten up your body core, pull your shoulders back and down, and be sure to tuck your chin. Extend your hips and your knees. Then drive through your heels to stand up straight with the bar in hand.

q: Is it okay to use if I have lower back issues?

a:

If you are in pain when you are training then something is wrong. With many different exercises, lower back pain will make an effort to shut you down quickly. Then it will interfere with future workouts because of the discomfort. If you have a history of this kind of pain using the trap bar should be your first choice. Working from the inside of the bar makes a huge difference because you do not have to lean forward and grab the bar.

q: Will it help me lift more weight?

a:

The trap bar will help you lift more weight. It helps with the leverage and mechanical advantages since you are working from inside the path of the bar. As long as everything works in your favor and your technique is perfect, you will be able to lift quite a bit more weight than you can with a straight bar.

Sources

  1. Ali Eaves, How The Trap Bar Deadlift Compares, Article
  2. Greg Nuckols, Trap Bar Deadlifts, Article
  3. Alexa Tucker, Here's Why Trap Bar Deadlifts, Article
  4. Adam Vogel, The Trap Bar Deadlift, Article
  5. Staff, Four Benefits Of The Trap Bar, Article
  6. Staff, Benefits Of A Hex Bar, Article