Trap Bars

[PikeKing]

Anyone got one of these or used one?

Any good?

[Robert]

I have managed to convinve my gym owner to buy one, so i'll let ya know.

[PikeKing]

git! can i borrow it? :D

[Wipe]

I've used one and to be honest, I actually prefered it to conventional deadlifts as your grip has more of a natural feel to it. That said though, I wouldn't use it to replace conventional deadlifts but it could be useful if you have previously injured your back as I found it put less stress on the lower back than deadlifts.

[Robert]

Persoanlly, I am of the opinion (having use done once) that unles you intend to compete in PL, you should use a trap bar exclusively as they allow you to pull more weight, and thta is NEVER a bad thing.

[666]

Robert, any update on the trap bar? Never used one myself so would be interested to know the difference.

[Knighty]

I've decided on going to improvise with army surplus holdalls filled up with plates:035:

[Robert]

Robert, any update on the trap bar? Never used one myself so would be interested to know the difference.
Have moved gyms since that last post. New one has one already, thought the knurling is none existant. Have used one befor and could pull another 10-20lbs ontop of conventional DL 1RM with ease. IMO, if your not a PLer, you should be using a trap bar regularly.

[666]

Why is that? Just the mechanics of the lift being a bit more efficient?

[ATZ]

Being as I'm on the lookout for one of these, what are the supposed benefits
and different mehanics of this lift? Is is likely to stress my legs/hams/glutes more than my back? All mental masturbation on the subject appreciated.

[PikeKing]

The loading on the back is considerably less, i forget the figures though. I found it hit the overall leg harder but prob the post chain less.

[ATZ]

Any drawbacks as such? I see a lot of coaches use them exclusively over normal deads.

[PikeKing]

It depends...

If you use a barebones approach and use just squats and trap bar deads you may not be getting enough post chain work. So in that situation a regular dead would prob be better.

If you're doing rdls, pullthroughs etc then you could prob use the trap bar for all your deadlifting and be fine.

More and more coaches are using the trap bar now as there is probably less chance of injury, thats a big issue obviously.

[chi]

im seriously considering running trap bar deads with box squats for the first 4 months of 2010 (along with push press for my 531 routine)

[PikeKing]

im seriously considering running trap bar deads with box squats for the first 4 months of 2010 (along with push press for my 531 routine)

do it

[ATZ]

im seriously considering running trap bar deads with box squats for the first 4 months of 2010 (along with push press for my 531 routine)

Pretty much what I was gonna do on my next exercise rotation (having a trap bar dependant).

[JumboTron9million]

Ya, i like them. GHGRs + trap bar deads make for good pulling / SQing strength when you want to stay away fro the conventional lifts for a while.

[ATZ]

Gav, are you now back around? Be good to have your input around here. What are you currently up to?

[JumboTron9million]

ATZ,

MY wee boy is now 13 months old, wife is finally recovering from pregnancy complications / illnesses though still signed of work and I'm doing OK thanks :)

Work wise i am now a part of EZ Sports (www.ez-sports.net) having met the guys on a PHD open day at their Stirling shop. We now have a shop up in Inverness that I am running and it is going well. I'm not doing any coaching at all and not looking to - it's to time intensive for very little financial reward sadly.

Training wise I am getting some done but nothing substantial, priorities have been very different due to wife being so ill, so training has taken a back seat for 2 years now!
Hope all is well with all at IC and yes, I'll be posting nd what not again as I am in the shop for 10 hours a day with only my Tinterweb connection standing between me and outright insanity....lol.

Cheers,

JBT

[666]

Sorry to hear about the complications, glad your missus is on the mend.

[ocaz]

I used the trap bar for quite a while for deadlifts as struggled with form on normal deadlifts as you arms and grip seems in an ideal position for them, however I have switched gyms and the new one doesn't have a trap bar to back to normal deadlifts now.

[plateau2]

Sorry to hear about the complications, glad your missus is on the mend.

Ditto

[ATZ]

Just been watching the WSM 09 qualifier on Bravo. I was struck how simlar the car deadlift with handles to the side was to the trap bar dead, hence I'm suprised more strongmen don't do trap bar deads as assistance. Or are regular deads sufficient?

[PikeKing]

yeah I'd of thought it would be good for strongman

[madcap]

Just been watching the WSM 09 qualifier on Bravo. I was struck how simlar the car deadlift with handles to the side was to the trap bar dead, hence I'm suprised more strongmen don't do trap bar deads as assistance. Or are regular deads sufficient?

one of the guys I used to train with did strongman and when he had no access to kit, he'd do trap bar deads and trap bar OHP as part of his strongman training.

[PikeKing]

Trap overhead sounds fun, you can't clean that ****er

[plateau2]

Reckon the overhead may be easier as the neck could stay static?