Getting into a traditional deadlift position with a straight bar can be challenging.
And this is where the benefits of open trap/hex bars’ come in.
The open trap/hex bar is one of the most popular specialty bars out there and majority of home and commercial gyms have one. This particular equipment has long been used to strength-train professional athletes safely and effectively.
Standard deadlifts are not only their primary use, but you can also use your open trap bar to train:
- Farmers Carries
- Romanian Deadlift
- Single-Leg Deadlift
- Shrugs
- Seated Deadlift
- Walking Lunges
- Split Squats
Well, you might be wondering if an open trap/hex bar is actually necessary or if a barbell would be enough for your workouts.
To help you decide, we’ll go over two of Bells of Steel’s best specialty bars for building strength and developing power.
Olympic Open Trap Bar / Hex Bar
We’ve had our standard hex bar for a long time and it has been one of our most popular products because it has a pair of built-in bar jacks. This means it can sit upright, which allows you to easily add and remove weight plates.
Since it has an open-ended frame, you can enter and exit the bar easily and it also allows for a greater range of motion for a wider variety of exercises for functional strength training.
The opening between the handles is 23.6”, and built using 25mm solid steel tubing with a warrantied weight capacity of 700 lbs. The handles are textured with moderate knurling. It’s neither too aggressive nor too mild.
It also has rotating sleeves which is unique among trap bars and many specialty bars in general. The sleeves are a bit shorter, measuring 9.7″ in length, to keep the bar more compact for storage and shipment. The weight of the Olympic Open Trap Bar / Hex Bar is 47 lbs (21 kg) and 59″ (1500 mm) in length.
Industrial Rackable Open Trap/Hex Bar
The Industrial Rackable Trap / Hex Bar is an upgraded version of the standard open trap/hex bar. It has a lot of similarities but has a lot more features and benefits. This black-gold combination not only gives the appearance of a luxury bar but it also helps prevent rust.
Similar to the regular open trap/hex bar, the Industrial Rackable Trap / Hex Bar also has a built-in bar jack. This allows for simple loading and unloading of the bar by giving the plates just enough clearance from the floor.
Another resemblance is the open-ended design, which has several advantages over the usual closed frame.
The weight of the Industrial Rackable Open Trap/Hex Bar is 80lbs (36.3kg) and can hold up to 882lbs (400kg). Its rackable feature means this bar is wide enough to be used in a power rack. It is 85.25″ (2,165mm) in length and has a 23.6-inch opening in the centre.
The handles are 29mm in diameter and the knurlings so aggressive, with a thick and rigid steel tubing, and a sleeve length of 17.1.” This is excellent for loading it up with iron or bumpers.
How much does a trap bar weigh?
Understanding the hex bar weight as well as the advantages of using a trap bar over a standard straight barbell is important.
Depending on the type, make, and model, an open trap bar or open hex bar weighs between 44 and 66 pounds (20 and 30 kilograms). Several factors go into determining the overall weight of an open trap bar or hex bar, so be sure you know which one you’re using before calculating your total weight lifted.
Benefits of a trap bar
- Good balance
When you lift a straight barbell, balance can be tricky. Open trap/hex bars are safer to use because they provide more balance due to its open-ended design and neutral lifting stance. - Easier on the Joints
The hex bar’s neutral grip is a big benefit (palms facing in towards each other). A double-overhand pronated grip with a straight bar is more difficult on the joints and gives a weaker hold. - Has A Lot of Versatility
Since the weight of the open trap bar is one solid piece, this opens up your options and you can definitely perform more exercises with it. - Great for Beginners
It helps beginners to fast track them towards increasing muscle growth, pulling strength, and understanding proper hinging mechanics. - Less stress for your lower back
Training your lower back is essential for your overall progress and health. Due to the more upright starting position of the trap bar, your lumbar spine won’t be under the same stress compared to using a standard barbell.
To learn more about what you can do with our open trap bar, which you can’t do with standard trap bars (and prevent injury), check out Open Trap Bar Exercises for Your Lower Body.
Open Trap Bar Regular vs Industrial Summary
Specialty bars are exactly what they are. Special.
The Bells of Steel Olympic and Industrial Open Trap/Hex Bar provide specialty. They aren’t meant to replace all of our basics, but rather to enhance the adaptations we may be looking for when using them to train general movement patterns necessary for heavy straight bar lifts.
Whether you’re a beginner or just have some technical issues with the deadlift, an open trap/hex bar can definitely increase your strength levels, and form, and reduce the chance of injury Try it!
