Are Trap/Hex Bars Worth The $$$???

[Texas Ranger]

Hey guys, my 13 year old son and I have been using low rack pulls to train the posterior chain. Lately, I've been seeing alot of strength coaches advocate the trap bar for deadlifts. In your opinion, do you really think they're worth the money?

[tmor6]

Personally, I don't think so. It's one of those things where if you have the extra $$, sure, pick on up - no one every said, "I have too much weight lifting equipment choices in my gym." But if you don't have the extra money, or the money is best spent elsewhere (like a college savings account for your son or other equipment), a regular ol' bar is the way to go. The exception to this is if you, or your son, are experiencing pain/discomfort that a trap bar will reduce/eliminate. But this is just my opinion.

[Off Road]

Trap Bars are fantastic. A lot of strength coaches recommend them because they take very little instruction to get a bunch of guys lifting heavy weights. They are espcially useful for younger lifters just starting out before they get their form dieled in on squats and deads. They are also useful for older lifters that might have issues with squats and deads because of flexibility or injury. Or they are just a nice change now and then when you might want to give your low-back a little break.

[Tom Mutaffis]

I purchased a Trap Bar for my home gym (found one for $125 shipped on Amazon), although it was not something that I purchased until I had already acquired a number of other items. If you are going to deadlift regularly I believe that it would be a worthwhile investment since it engages the legs a bit more and takes some of the strain off of the low back.

Another option would be a set of farmers handles - which could be used for deadlift as well as carries (and cost about the same).

[BendtheBar]

I am training my 14 year old nephew and we alternate between high rack pulls and trap bar deadlifts. I really like having the trap bar as an option, especially for teens.

[Texas Ranger]

I purchased a Trap Bar for my home gym (found one for $125 shipped on Amazon), although it was not something that I purchased until I had already acquired a number of other items. If you are going to deadlift regularly I believe that it would be a worthwhile investment since it engages the legs a bit more and takes some of the strain off of the low back.

Another option would be a set of farmers handles - which could be used for deadlift as well as carries (and cost about the same).

Tom, do you have a regular trap bar or the mega trap bar? When I was deadlifting from the floor, I could get 475lbs for 2 reps. I stick to 365-405lbs on low rack pulls(1st peg) and keep the reps in 8-10 rep range. The regular trap bar holds 5 plates on each side & the mega holds 9 on each side. Not sure which one to get....

[Tom Mutaffis]

Tom, do you have a regular trap bar or the mega trap bar? When I was deadlifting from the floor, I could get 475lbs for 2 reps. I stick to 365-405lbs on low rack pulls(1st peg) and keep the reps in 8-10 rep range. The regular trap bar holds 5 plates on each side & the mega holds 9 on each side. Not sure which one to get....

I have the mega trap bar and got a good deal on Amazon. Not only does this one hold more plates but it also weighs a bit more which means you do not have to load quite as much weight (I believe it is 70 lbs).

[Off Road]

Why did they start making Trap Bars (hex bars or shrug bars) with raised handles?

[Cards]

Why did they start making Trap Bars (hex bars or shrug bars) with raised handles?

was thinking the same thing, maybe farmer walks?

[Off Road]

I read somewhere that the raised handles actually help to target the quads more, but I don't know about the legitimacy of that claim. It would certainly limit the ROM and make the lift easier. At least you have the option to lift it both ways by turning it upsidedown.

[Tom Mutaffis]

Why did they start making Trap Bars (hex bars or shrug bars) with raised handles?

I believe just for variation and to accommodate more people, if a trainee had poor flexibility and could not get into position with the standard handles then the higher handles would offer an alternative. The high handles also allow people to 'overload' the movement since you can generally lift more from the elevated high.

As you mentioned you can simply turn the bar over to use the low handles, so having both options is nice.

[Texas Ranger]

I have the mega trap bar and got a good deal on Amazon. Not only does this one hold more plates but it also weighs a bit more which means you do not have to load quite as much weight (I believe it is 70 lbs).

Thanks Tom! I think I'll go ahead and get the mega trap bar just in case my son reaches 6-7 plates one day.

[Texas Ranger]

Has anyone tried doing deficit trapbar deadlifts? Do you feel them more in your hamstrings and glutes than doing them off the floor?

[NITF]

I plan on getting one some day...

[Tom Mutaffis]

Has anyone tried doing deficit trapbar deadlifts? Do you feel them more in your hamstrings and glutes than doing them off the floor?

Might be better to just do stiff leg deadlifts (which could be done with a trap bar) rather than pulling from a deficit.