9 Best Trap Bars in 2024

Working out with a standard barbell is highly estimated by professional deadlifters due to its simplicity and efficiency at the same time. They prefer using a straight bar thanks to its ability to boost strength and lifting potential. However, in some cases, barbell training can end in muscle strain and injury because of improper technique, lack of physical shape to pull the weight, and getting into an uncomfortable position. In this case, you might consider the best trap bar that will enable you to train longer with a shorter time for recovery.

Our team of experts and professional athletes, among which are coaches and medical professionals, has tested and compared 30 trap bars to bring you the 9 best ones. The trap bars were subjected to meticulous evaluation across 7 key factors and our team spent over 500 hours in total testing most of them. In addition to the testing process, they have also reviewed hundreds of online user reviews. We update this list all the time, so leave a comment, share your experiences with us and let’s chat!

In this overview, we’ll show you our best hex bars options for diverse uses by investigating their features, perks, and benefits. So, you’ll be able to analyze them thoroughly and define what model is the best variant for your lifting goals.

Top 9 Best Trap Bars Reviewed

1. REP Fitness Trap Bar – Top Pick
2. Rogue TB-2 Trap Bar – Runner-Up
3. Eleiko Open Bar – Best Open – Side
4. Sunny Olympic Barbell Hex Bar – Budget Pick
5. Titan EZ Load Hex Bar V2
6. HulkFit Olympic Hex Weight Lifting Trap Bar
7. CAP Barbell Olympic Trap Bar – The Cheapest Option
8. RitFit Olympic Weight Lifting Trap Bar
9. Signature Fitness Olympic 2-Inch Hex Weight Lifting Trap Bar

Product	Total	Steel quality	Tensile strength	Knurling	Spin	Crushing resistance	Versatility	Price/ Quality
REP Fitness	68.5	10	10	9.5	9	10	10	10
Rogue	68.5	10	10	10	9	10	10	9.5
Eleiko	68	10	10	9.5	9	10	10	9.5
Sunny	67.5	9.5	9.5	9.5	9.5	9.5	10	10
Titan	66.5	9.5	9.5	9.5	9.5	9	9.5	10
HulkFit	66	9.5	9.5	9.5	9	9.5	9.5	9.5
CAP	65	9.5	9.5	9	9	9.5	9	9.5
RitFit	64.5	9.5	9.5	9	9	9.5	9	9
Signature Fitness Olympic	63	9	9	9	9	9	9	9

1. REP Fitness Trap Bar – Top Pick

• Material: chromed steel
• Weight: 55 lb
• Length: 71”
• Diameter: handles – 0.9”, sleeves – 1.9”
• Shaft length: 28.3”
• Knurling: medium
• Weight limit: 500 lb
• Sleeve length: 16”
• Finish type: chrome
• Handle adjustment: yes

This is a classic, old-school trap bar that has nothing superfluous – a basic construction which decreases strain occurrence and puts less pressure on your back when performing deadlifts. This gear is versatile enough to perform diverse exercises starting from standard deadlifts to various carrying workouts.

The bar has two options of handles: the standard and the raised ones which vouch for trap bar versatility. The knurled 0.9″ handles have medium-depth knurling that won’t tear up your hands, but still gives a good grip.

The REP trap bar frame is chrome-coated, guarantees good oxidation resistance, making it look solid over time unlike with the powder coating, and has long 16″ sleeves out of the rib. You can use this gear with standard 2″ diameter center hole plates.

All in all, the trap bar won’t give much stress and tension to the lumbar spine and improve the efficiency of deadlifts. It’s a perfect option for beginners in weight training, people rehabbing from injuries, and sportsmen with limited mobility. It’ll be easier to learn the proper pulling technique because the barpath is restricted by its hexagonal shape and inside placement brings more stability.

2. Rogue TB-2 Trap Bar – Runner Up

• Material: stainless steel
• Weight: 60 lb
• Length: 88.5”
• Diameter: handles - 1.34”, sleeves - 1.91”
• Shaft length: 25”
• Knurling: aggressive
• Weight limit: no information
• Sleeve length: 16”
• Finish type: black powder coat
• Handle adjustment: yes

Known for its exceptional product quality and being responsible for its reputation, the Rogue company presents a highly durable hexagonal trap bar with a dual-handle design, SCH 80 pipe long Olympic sleeves, and considerable weight capacity. 

The frame is welded from 1.5” square steel tubing that is coated with a black powder. The fully knurled handles come with a diameter of 1.34” and are spaced 25” on the center. 1.91” SCH 80 pipe sleeves that are Olympic compatible, with 16” loadable length.

It’s easy to change the handles set by flipping over the bar. This option makes the trap bar versatile and beneficial for mitigating overload on shrugs, reducing shoulder stress while bench press performance, and building lockout strength.

For beginners and those who are in rehab, it’s a great tool to improve their range of motion and advance the deadlift technique without getting too much tension on the lower back.

The Rogue trap bar is also rackable which makes it versatile and applicable to more exercises, i.e., bench presses, and shoulder presses by utilizing a power rack. Additionally, you can perform hex squats, farmer walk, shoulder shrugs, and bent-over rows.

It needs to be mentioned that the sleeves aren’t compatible with other brands’ equipment, so some can find it troublesome to find proper weight collars to keep the plates in place.

Generally, the trap is applicable both for novices and pro lifters: with the raised handle set, beginners can learn the correct deadlift technique, while handles underneath can boost their mobility. It allows athletes with sensitive lower back and hip issues to get in shape and pull off the floor gradually.

3. Eleiko Open Bar – Best Open-Side

• Material: stainless steel
• Weight: 55.12 lb
• Length: 84.65”
• Diameter: handles - 1.1”, sleeves - 1.9”
• Shaft length: 24.61”
• Knurling: moderate
• Weight limit: 1102.31 lb
• Sleeve length: 12.6”
• Finish type: black matte powder coat
• Handle adjustment: no

Here we have a prime-quality open trap bar from the Swedish well-known sports gear company that distinguishes it from the previous models with its construction. It features two handles height to simplify the lifting process and provide a maximum range of motion for a wider range of training opportunities, unlike a standard hexagonal bar. 

You can utilize this equipment for performing deadlifts, bent-over rows, bench presses, Bulgarian split squats, back squats, reverse lunges, forward lunges, walking lunges, farmer carrying, and so on.

This open-sided trap bar comes with an integrated rubber-footed loading jack, which enables an athlete to load and unload plates easily without lifting the bar, and keeping it balanced at a time. It’s also adjustable to power racks and platforms.

The bar features hard-wearing sleeves and handles knurling for a secure grip to promote neutral hand positioning. The sleeves are 2” in diameter which makes them compatible with all standard weight plates. It also has a durable scratch-resistant coating, and, what’s more, stable rubber feet which prevent scratching the floor.

A distinctive feature of this open bar is the curved rubber jack that helps to move the bar quickly between the upright and loading position, and the horizontal lifting position. Due to such a bar construction, even a beginner can use it to master their deadlifts that aren’t so technically intensive.

4. Sunny Olympic Barbell Hex Bar – Budget Pick

• Material: alloy steel
• Weight: 22 lb
• Length: 57.5”
• Diameter: sleeves - 2”
• Shaft length: no information
• Knurling: diamond knurled
• Weight limit: 400 lb
• Sleeve length: 11”
• Finish type: powder coated
• Handle adjustment: yes

Sunny Health&Fitness presents a budget Olympic trap bar that comes with the 360° swivel hand grips, so you can train your deadlift technique with a vertical and horizontal grip. Also, an athlete can find a grip position that is more comfortable for him to execute shoulder presses, bent-over rows, curls, carries, etc.

The bar has diamond-knurled handles that improve your grip and prevent slipping during the workout. The knurling patch complements your grip power and corrects hand placement on the bar. You can supinate your grip for hitting the trap more intensely, use a neutral grip or flip it over to get a locked grip position with a lower grip height to improve your range of motion.

Another perk you get is a set of safety clips that are included into the package. So, if you don’t have or forget to take weight clamps with you to work out, here you have such a useful addition. They keep weight plates in place securely, thus you can concentrate on your lifting technique.

The manufacturer provides a 1-year warranty for the frame and 180 days for the components and parts.

5. Titan EZ Load Hex Bar V2

• Material: steel
• Weight: 54 lb
• Length: 66.5"
• Diameter: handles - 1”, 1.5”, 2”, sleeves - 1.9” (50 mm)
• Shaft length: 25"
• Knurling: medium diamond texture
• Weight limit: 500 lb
• Sleeve length: 10"
• Finish type: powder-coated black
• Handle adjustment: yes

This unique hex weight bar from Titan impressed us greatly with its design and versatility: this gear is made for mastering deadlifts, farmer's carrying, bent-over rows, shrugs, squats, etc.

The gear assists to work out separately specific muscle groups and tighten the body while doing deadlifts with no tension to the lower back. You can tone your abdominals, glutes, legs, and arms separately due to 3-grip options.

The noticeable spec of the bar is its rotating handle with three gripping options measuring 1", 1.5", and 2" in diameter. Here you'll find 10" length sleeves that are elevated 11.5" height from the ground. Handle grips come with a medium knurling pattern that vouches for a secure bar hold. The hex bar is compatible with the 2" Olympic-sized weight plates and has built-in steel feet to lift the bar to make loading and unloading weight an easy process.

6. HulkFit Olympic Hex Weight Lifting Trap Bar

• Material: solid steel
• Weight: 45 lb
• Length: 56.1"
• Diameter: sleeves - 2
• Shaft length: 20.07" for narrow grip (23.25" for wide grip)
• Knurling: machined micro-incision knurling
• Weight limit: 1000 lb
• Sleeve length: 11.42"
• Finish type: powder-coated black paint
• Handle adjustment: no

This hex trap bar is another worthy option for standard Olympic barbell snobs that comes with regular construction. Meanwhile, it gives the option to switch between regular and raised handles to add some flexibility to your workout. With this durable tool, you'll keep a more upright torso position during exercises. This trap weight bar is also quite versatile by enabling you to perform multiple exercises such as deadlifts, shrugs, squats, Bulgarian split squats, farmer’s walk, and lunges.

By reducing stress on the lower back, the trap bar also offers a decent mobility range and improves grip strength. Knurled handles provide a good grip and allow you to avoid slippage during high-intensity workouts. You will succeed in developing better grip strength.

7. CAP Barbell Olympic Trap Bar – The Cheapest Option

• Material: alloy steel
• Weight: 28.2 lb
• Length: 50.4”
• Diameter: sleeves - 1.9"
• Shaft length: 29”
• Knurling: no knurling
• Weight limit: 500 lb
• Sleeve length: 9.5”
• Finish type: powder coated
• Handle adjustment: no

This cheap trap bar fits for a full body workout by engaging large muscle groups, building strength, and promoting muscle growth. It’s designed for working out with Olympic weights. The trap bar features neutral-placed grips for better comfort and elevated sleeves for minimizing stress impact and strain on the back muscles.

Additionally, it has built-in feet to protect the surface from weights and balances the bar while loading and unloading. You can do deadlifts, shrugs, bench presses, calf raises, and other strength exercises. Considering the hex bar reviews, the CAP bar is equipped with the shortest sleeves in our guide which are just 9.5” in length.

Speaking about the equipment’s durability and strength, its medium carbon steel bolts are SAE 429 grade with a tensile strength of 74,000 PSI and shear strength of 37,000 PSI.

8. RitFit Olympic Weight Lifting Trap Bar

• Material: stainless steel
• Weight: 41 lb
• Length: 55.7"
• Diameter: handles - 1", sleeves - 2"
• Shaft length: 28.7"
• Knurling: diamond texture
• Weight limit: 800 lb
• Sleeve length: 12"
• Finish type: black electrophoretic painting
• Handle adjustment: no

Like other hexagonal bars, this gear increases leg, hip, and back strength and mobility while minimizing tension on the lower back. It’s also a good trap bar for rehab, as well as for performing deadlifts, shrugs, squats, overhead presses, Farmer’s carrying, bent-over rows, etc. 

This trap bar distinguishes itself with its unique coating: it comes with a black electrophoretic painting that guarantees high corrosion resistance, smooth touch, extra durability, and sturdiness. Featured with the T-shaped connector, it reinforces the connection between the sleeve and the bracket, making the trap bar more sturdy.

It has two various handle positions that enable performing diverse lifting exercises and lifting techniques. Handles have a fine gnarled pattern that feels comfortable on hands, neither too light nor too harsh, generally, it provides a moderately firm grip.

You can diversify your training with the hex bar by using some additional equipment, i.e., a stretch band or a stepping platform. For instance, you can loop one end of a band around both the right and left bar ends. Then, you connect the other end of the stretch bands to a heavy weight. When you lift the trap bar, it’ll be more troublesome to perform and it requires more exertion to lift.

With a stepping platform, you can execute a deficit deadlift exercise that can increase your muscular mobility by increasing the height from which you begin the deadlift.

Additionally, the trap bar is compatible with the 2” weight plates including Olympic grip plates, Olympic bumper plates, and Olympic cast iron plates. So, you get a wide range of exercises you can perform to train various muscles, i.e., glutes, hamstrings, quadriceps, forearms, or grip strength.

9. Signature Fitness Olympic 2-Inch Hex Weight Lifting Trap Bar

• Material: alloy steel
• Weight: 28 lb
• Length: 32.3"
• Diameter: handles - 1", sleeves - 2"
• Shaft length: no information
• Knurling: minimal knurling
• Weight limit: 500 lb
• Sleeve length: 11.8"
• Finish type: chrome
• Handle adjustment: no

This Signature Fitness Olympic weight lifting hex bar is another budget option that will fit beginners most and those who prefer moderate mild training without harsh movements and loading extra weight. The gear has two handle positions: a regular and the raised one. The latter gives more mobility and a better range of motion when working out with different weights. Also, you won't have problems putting on and off the plates thanks to the station feet.

The sleeves have a 2" diameter which ensures it will suit all standard plates with holes of 2". You can load the sleeves with more weights, so you'll be able to execute exercises with greater mobility, incorporate more muscle groups, and advance your strength.

What Are Trap Bars?

A trap bar, known as a hex bar, is named for its hexagon shape, with two side-by-side sleeves for plate loading. The construction of this gear looks like this: it comes with two sets of neutral handles, one at the same level as the rest of the bar - that is low handles, and one elevated set that is high handles are placed in the middle. Due to such a design, an athlete stands in the middle of the trap bar. To perform a deadlift they should bend down to take the load.

The trap bar appeared in the '80s when an American powerlifter Al Gerard invented it to reduce the stress on his back from performing deadlifts.

1. What the Trap Bar Is Used for and Who Does It Fit?

Besides it's a common bar among powerlifters and weightlifters, it can help runners and other field athletes to boost their speed, while WOD devotees will be able to develop their overall power and endurance.

If you like working out a conventional deadlift and want to lift as much weight as possible, a trap bar is an outstanding alternative to a straight bar. It's safer for your back and joints, requires less technical expertise in correct deadlift performance, and allows newbies in weight lifting to train and scale up their capabilities.

Even experienced lifters succeed in lifting more weight with a hex bar than with a standard bar. Thus, you'll be able to promote your athletic performance.

It’s most often used for such exercises as shrugs and deadlifts by reducing the lumbar strain compared to conventional barbells. Unlike the traditional barbell, a trap bar takes away most of the load from your low back and moves it onto your legs, particularly quadriceps. So, it makes a trap bar a good tool to have a great leg development and be a safe option in case you have some back issues.

There's a belief that a trap bar is a perfect option for beginners in lifting and those who want to improve their technique in deadlifting. It assists in mastering the correct performance and key components of lifting exercises. You’ll know how to keep the right form, i.e., how to hinge properly, how to keep your knees and control your body tightness. Besides it, a trap bar helps to get a strong core which is essential in working out with heavier weights.

2. What Muscles Are Activated During the Trap Bar Workout?

To use it, you stand in the middle and grip the side handles. Pulling from the floor involves the hamstring, hip, and back muscles by strengthening them, and promotes the development of the posterior chain. The trap bar enhances your general explosiveness which can be useful in plyometrics, decreases back pain, and corrects poor posture. By the way, the trap bar deadlift incorporates hamstrings, glutes, quads, lower back, lats, and traps, and also improves your grip strength.

3. Trap Bar Technique

Speaking about the technique of the trap bar deadlift, it roughly resembles several separate motions like deadlifting and squatting. The reason is that when bending down to pull the weight, your knees can come forward, which looks like squat biomechanics. Although, it includes hip-hinge motion that activates your posterior chain (erector spinae, glutes, and hamstrings) which pulls your hips forward during extension. At the same time, you can include more quadriceps if you choose a deadlift performance technique.

Let's outline key points of the trap bar deadlift technique:

• When standing you should move your buttocks back until the shoulders are placed over the feet. Keep your back tight and your legs loaded.
• Here you have two variants of the legs position. The first is to keep shins vertical which will involve hamstrings and hip flexion dominantly. The second is to activate more quads, so your knees come forward. Performing this way, you'll mimic the biomechanics of the squat.

Why Buy a Trap Bar?

1. Building Strong and Lifted Buttocks

Working out with a trap bar involves your body muscles in different ways by executing various positions that slightly differ from a standard barbell. Compared to a straight barbell that activates more back muscles, a trap bar deadlift focuses on your leg muscles such as the glutes, quadriceps, and hamstrings. That means you’ll feel more tension in your buttocks which makes these muscles grow.

2. Increasing Power and Stamina

A trap or hex bar got its name from the specific construction - it looks like a hexagon within the center that comes with a step-in design. And it aims to train trapezius muscles, that’s why it’s a trap bar. A lifter stands inside this hexagon by getting enough space to pull and lift the bar without hassle.

A trap bar will come in handy if you do plyometrics exercises since this gear can enhance strength and power. Generally, a trap bar deadlift involves pulling from inside the bar that enables activation of dominantly larger leg muscles, i.e., quadriceps, hamstrings, and glutes. So, if you want to gain strength, a combination of plyo exercises (box, squat jumps) and trap bar deadlifts will significantly build lean muscle mass.

3. Decreasing Lower-Back Pain

If you have some pain in the lumbar area, training with a trap bar will mitigate your problem. Due to the upright position, this bar will limit the stress and take off the shearing force on your back, so all the tension goes to the legs.

4. Developing a Range of Motion

You can find trap bars with a second handle set, which makes this gear fitting for people with limited mobility in the lower body and poor range of motion. Such an option enables an athlete to start weight training from a higher starting position. The second set of handles may become helpful for those with tight hamstring muscles, or who have some hip or knee issues.

Thanks to the possibility to vary handles and your grip, there’s a wide range of exercises: improve standard motions of deadlifts and squats, shrugs, farmer walks and carries, deep push-ups, mid-thigh pulls, overhead presses, chest presses, and so on.

Depending on the bar design and its size, it’s possible also to do walking lunges or unilateral squats (these options are possible with the open frame), without worrying to hit the bar with your knees.

5. Providing Gradual Progress With No Harm

A trap bar structure assists with the gradual lifting of heavy weights with minimal strain possibility, unlike training with a straight bar. So, a lifter can overcome a power plateau and move forward to new lifting goals. You’ll also learn how to distribute the body weight evenly throughout the training session.

6. Enabling You to Get Prepared for Greater Loads

The vast majority of athletes confess that they succeed in lifting heavier weights with a trap bar, than with a straight one. The difference is usually up to 5–10% heavier weight with the trap bar. This is due to the option of two handles - low and high grip handles. So, you can perform better with the latter option overally and do heavier deadlifts. Consequently, greater weights will place more load on the lower body leading to muscle development in further. This can matter to functional fitness sportsmen who lean on long and intensive WODs.

The studies showed the difference in the kinematics of the straight barbell deadlift and hexagonal barbell deadlift by indicating that the increased mechanical stimulus with the trap barbell brings a more effective exercise than with a standard barbell. The investigation also displayed that male lifters succeeded to perform their 1RM (repetition maximum) with a result of 265 ± 41 kg with a trap bar deadlift compared to 245 ± 39 kg with a conventional bar. 

As a result, the study indicated a significantly greater peak of force, velocity, and power that were produced during the hex bar deadlift, compared to the standard bar. Such outcomes became possible due to the special design of a trap bar, which changes the resistance at the joints and knees and lowers the peak moment in the lower back, hips, and ankles.

Additionally, you won’t feel degradation when doing a regular deadlift set with a hex bar, since your back doesn’t receive the tension as when training with a standard bar.

How to Pick a Trap Bar?

1. Knurling

Like a standard barbell, hexagon bars have their specific knurling pattern on the grip for better handling during weight training. For instance, the diamond patch aims to provide extra grip and good friction, so your palms or weightlifting gloves won't slip on the bar.

Such bars are designed with aggressive tread for maximum grip and fit best experienced lifters. However, newcomers can find such a pattern a bit abrasive for their hands. Some trap bars come with moderate knurling and offer a bit lower tackiness.

2. Weight Capacity

When looking for a trap bar to upgrade your strength and lifting capabilities, it's better to consider equipment with a larger weight capacity in order to be able to load it with lots of plates. Generally, trap bars can withstand from 500 lb to 1000 lb. Thus, mind your workout goals and the way you plan to develop your power potential.

Consider the fact that hex bars can be utilized for diverse exercises and you'd better choose those gear with high potential, meaning you can apply it for multiple lifts and increase your lifting weight gradually.

3. Interior Dimensions and Design

The most widespread interior diameter, that is the distance between the handles, is around 25-30". This is a standard dimension that doesn't constrict an athlete while performing exercises. Also, you can find a walkthrough design that removes one half of the hexagon by opening the front or back part of it.

You should take into account the general bar length, as well as sleeve dimensions, including diameter to know whether you’ll be able to load it with several plates, its compatibility with Olympic plates, etc. In case you already have a home gym and have enough space for additional training equipment, check which trap bars can be racked on a power rack.

4. Construction

You’ll find two of the most popular shapes: a standard hexagonal construction and an open-back hex bar design. The first type is more fitting for starters in deadlifting who want to improve their technique in this exercise. The second design is more versatile, brings more mobility to an athlete, and generally, is better for more experienced guys.

It needs to be mentioned that an open trap bar is a better option for taller lifters who want to keep a flat back in deep angles. Also, it provides even more space than a simple hexagonal bar due to the open side, so those who have a poor range of motion can feel more freedom and have more space to lean forward and pull the weights.

Both options keep well the weight directly in line with an athlete’s center of gravity, which lumbar spine strain and you can position in the most fitting way to lift more weight while boosting your gains.

5. Handle Placement

There are trap bars with one and two-handle sets that just diversify your training and expand your range of motion. The handles shouldn't restrict your movements and shouldn't be placed too wide. They should provide an athlete with maximum comfort and stability while lifting heavy weights.

Difference Between a Trap Bar and a Standard Barbell

1. Centered Weight Distribution

You can transfer the weight to the center while trap bar deadlift performance. Unlike with a straight barbell, when you hold the weight in front of you, with a trap bar, the weight you lift is close to your gravity center which is better for your lower back. When working out with a straight barbell, you hold it in front of you. This position requires keeping the bar tightly to your shins and extending forward to grab it and pulling up toward you.

2. Activating Various Muscles

Despite the fact that you load both barbells equally, you'll be able to lift more weight with a trap bar because the hip hinge and knee movements are involved greatly. Consequently, different muscle groups will be activated: quads are better worked out with trap bar training, while the hamstring and spinal erector are most activated with a straight bar. Also, you'll succeed to load more thanks to the optional high handles.

3. Mobility Level

You’ll get a shorter range of motion when training with a trap bar because of the raised handles. You don’t need to bend down more to grab them like with a standard bar. But, generally, a larger range of motion is a better movement that makes a usual deadlift better than a trap bar one.

On the other hand, a shorter range of motion enables the majority to get into position and lift easier, and it provides less hip flexion due to the handles out of the side of the bar. Also, the weight pulls you down and to the center, rather than forward only.

4. Body Positioning

As we already mentioned, you can keep your trunk vertically when working out with a trap bar that limits your ROM a bit. At the same time, you don’t need to bend over to take the bar thanks to the raised handles. The advantage of such body positioning is that you won’t suffer from the spine and lower back load. Additionally, with a trap bar, you can grip it neutrally, without using a wrist strap to lift heavier loads.

5. Muscles Work

In general, a deadlift with a traditional or trap bar focuses on the same muscle groups. But, when pulling a barbell, you involve dominantly glutes and hamstrings, while being also glutes and hamstring-focused, a trap bar deadlift brings more work to the quadriceps. During the barbell deadlift, your body goes lower.

FAQ

Are Trap Bars Any Good?

With a trap bar, you have a great variety of motion patterns to work out, for instance, squatting, hinging, lunging, pushing, pulling, and carrying weight. A trap bar keeps your spine properly and also limits your ability to hyperextend at the top of a deadlift by locating all the loaded weight on your gravity center, but not in front of you.

What Trap Bar Does the Army Use?

According to the ACFT (Army Combat Fitness Test), a hex bar is utilized to assess a soldier’s upper-body pulling strength, core stability, and overall endurance and conditioning, and a soldier must deadlift 340 lb total to get 100 points to the max. The reason for this choice is obvious: a trap bar isn’t so demanding to the deadlift technique and fits more beginners.

Since they need to perform a 3-repetition maximum deadlift, a hex bar is the best option in this case because it doesn’t affect badly the back muscles and spinal cord generally. So, it mitigates and lowers the possibility of serious injuries while pulling heavy plates.

Is a Trap Bar Safer Than a Deadlift Bar?

Yes, a trap bar workout brings a milder impact on your back and knees. This special bar is designed to build explosive power by lowering the possibility of injuries. The main reason is that a weight is centered equally on your body by ensuring a balanced position.

It’s also a well-known fact that a hexagonal bar reduces the stress on the lumbar area and is more a quadriceps-oriented movement. Additionally, a trap bar is more efficient in facilitating force production and growing explosive strength for performing deadlifts.

Conclusion

Having investigated multiple trap bar reviews of the most outstanding models in the market, we hope that we helped you to determine that a hex bar is a worthy option concerning your preferences and fitness level. Meanwhile, we rea commend you take into account our top pick model that is the REP Fitness Trap Bar which will bring you an effective power workout, even with no sufficient level of proper lifting technique.

Being the best trap bar on our list, this highly functional, versatile gear of premium quality will spice up your training without compromising your drilling in quality and efficiency. You’ll learn proper deadlift performance by getting a better physical form and having more natural body positioning. With this trap bar, you’ll get the load you want to lift centralized and balanced with your body center.

To sum up, we offer you our scrupulously analyzed trap bars that come with a diverse budget, handle, and knurling type, of various dimensions that will fit any apartment and gym size. Still, want to know more about how to enhance your athletic performance, and gain more explosive power and endurance for your weight training?

Also read:

• Best Barbells for Functional Fitness
• Trap Bar Deadlift Benefits
• Trap Bar vs Barbell Deadlift
• How Much Does a Hex Bar Weigh
• Best Weight Plates
• Hex Bar Exercises
• Portable Landmine Attachment
• Dimensions of Olympic Barbell
• How to Clean a Rusty Barbell

References:

1. 13 benefits of an open trap bar // Repfitness: https://repfitness.com/blogs /training/13-benefits-of-an-open-trap-bar
2. Effect of a Hexagonal Barbell on the Mechanical Demand of Deadlift Performance // Ncbi: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29910442/
3. A biomechanical analysis of straight and hexagonal barbell deadlifts using submaximal loads // Ncbi: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21659894/
4. Relationships Between Hex Bar Deadlift One-Repetition Maximum and Maximal Isometric Pulls // Ncbi: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36895846/
5. An Examination of Muscle Activation and Power Characteristics While Performing the Deadlift Exercise With Straight and Hexagonal Barbells // Ncbi: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26840440/
6. Effect of an Exercise Program That Includes Deadlifts on Low Back Pain // Ncbi: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33626500/