5 Best Trap Bar To Get Insane Results (2023 Edition)
Are you wondering what is the best trap bar currently on the market?
If you want to upgrade your home gym or use it as gym accessories the trap bar is the perfect tool.
Due to its multifunctional feature, you can perform various workouts such as rows, suitcase carry, deadlifts, and shrugs.
However, the main benefit it provides is lumbar spine protection when deadlifting and rowing.
As with the trap bar you are standing in the middle while grabbing the handles at the side. This centers the weight in line with your body allowing your torso to be more upright.
Unlike the traditional barbell where the weight is in front of your body. It puts an added force on your posterior chain which can be great for building strength, however this also exposes your lower back to injuries.
In this article, I will break down the best trap bar and their pros & cons.
What Are The Best Trap Bar?
- ROGUE TB-2 TRAP BAR
- Rep fitness OPEN TRAP BAR
- Synergee Hex Trap Bar
- Titan RACKABLE HEX TRAP BAR V3
- Eleiko Öppen Deadlift Bar
ROGUE TB-2 TRAP BAR
Specification:
- Weight-60lbs (27.2kg)
- Dimensions- 88.5 inch (L) x 28.5 inch (W) x 9 inch (H)
- Weight capacity- Na
- Warranty- Lifetime limited
Having a spacious area in the middle is extremely important for a trap bar as your position should not feel restricted. The width is 28.5 inches, giving enough space for bigger and taller lifters.
Even though the width will feel right for most people, shorter lifters might find that it’s a bit too far apart.
The handles have a dual mechanism~ you can switch between the regular handles and raised handles. Depending on your goals you can swap between the heights to provide better results.
Their knurled handles give you the perfect amount of grip without ripping through your skin.
The rogue trap bar includes one of the longest sleeves (16 inches). This allows you to load up an insane amount of weights~ which is great for long-term progression.
Even though the weight capacity is not listed I can presume from the long sleeve and videos online it can hold up to 1000 lbs (453.5kg) if needed to be. It would be extremely tough to get to this stage, however if you do you are a beast!
Product Pros
Product Cons
REP FITNESS OPEN TRAP BAR
Specification:
- Weight- 58.4lbs (26.4kg)
- Dimensions- 84.3 inch (L) x 33.1 inch (W) x 26 inch (H)
- Weigh capacity- Na
- Warranty- 5 year
Rep fitness trap bar is the most versatile among the others on the list. It’s all thanks to the open-frame design. This makes performing exercises like squats, bench presses, and lunges easier.
You get the option of choosing three different removable handles~ narrow, standard, wide, and rotating. The narrow is 23 inches, the standard is 25 inches, the wide is 27.3 inches, and the rotating is 24.6 inches, giving you a broad enough range to fit your needs.
On the other hand, this can also be a negative thing because at the beginning you might not know what handles are the right fit for you.
The deadlift jack is integrated into the bar, which allows for easier loading and unloading of the plates. It also helps the bar to keep a steady balance throughout your session.
The bar is rackable, so if you have access to a squat rack it will support you with executing movements like the squats and shoulder press.
Product Pros
Product Cons
Synergee Hex Trap Bar
Specification:
- Weight- 44lbs (20kg)
- Dimensions- 56 inch (L) x 23 inch (W) x 21 inch (H)
- Weight capacity- 750lbs (340.1kg)
- Warranty-3 years
Buying a trap bar can be a pricey purchase~ if you are on a tight budget then Synergee hex trap bar comes at an affordable price.
It includes two handles, a raised and a regular. You can switch between them by just flipping over the bar. To provide a firm grip, the handles got 1.2mm knurling.
One thing to look out for is the width of the bar which comes to 23 inches. This can make you feel slightly cramped, depending on your body size.
Another limitation is the 10-inch sleeve size. The size can restrict the amount of weight being loaded up. One way to work around this is by using thinner weighted plates.
Synergee bar is an excellent place to start your trap bar journey since it is not pricey. However, if you are an experienced lifter, the small width and the short sleeve size can be a turn-off.
Product Pros
Product Cons
Titan RACKABLE HEX TRAP BAR V3
Specification:
- Weight-60lbs (27.2kg)
- Dimensions- 85.5 inch (L) x 28.5 inch (W) x 7.5 inch (H)
- Weight Capacity- 800lbs (362.8kg)
- Warranty- 1 year
Same as the Rep fitness bar titan bar is also rackable. Due to this feature, the bar shines when used inside a power rack for exercises like heavy shrugs and rack pulls.
However, there were some reviews mentioning that they faced difficulty fitting the bar onto the rack, so double-check the measurements to confirm the sizes match.
The specs and shape are nearly identical to the ROGUE TB-2 bar. The key distinct factors differentiating them are the handle spread and handle size.
Titan bar has a handle spread of 22 inches and a handle size of 32mm. Compared to Rogue handle spread of 25 inches and handle size of 34mm.
These components will be the deciding factor if they are your final 2 choices. Smaller lifters will find Tian more comfortable whereas larger lifters will prefer the Rogue.
Product Pros
Product Cons
Eleiko Öppen Deadlift Bar
Specification:
- Weight- 55lbs (24.9kg)
- Dimensions- 77.17 inches (L) x 23.19 inches (W) x 8.9 inches (H)
- Weigh capacity- 1102,31lbs (500kg)
- Warranty- 5 years
If you are looking for the most top-quality bar that will take your strength training to the next level, there is no better than the Eleiko Öppen Deadlift Bar.
Eleiko is known for its high-standard pieces of equipment and this trap bar is no different.
It has an open frame to add more versatility to your workouts. The front and back of the bar are perfectly balanced~ providing stability when lifting.
It includes a built-in deadlift jack with a rubber stopper at the bottom. Having a jack is super convenient for putting in and taking out the weighted plates.
Another great feature is their handles. They use their barbells and knurl them in a way that fits into the trap bar as a handle. If you are used to the traditional barbell, the Eleiko handle will feel the most comfortable for you.
With that being said the handles are not removable and don’t have dual characteristics. Some taller lifters might find the handle positioning to be a bit low.
The bar also uses hollow tubing, which provides rigidity to the bar.
Product Pros
Product Cons
What Is A Trap Bar?
A trap bar is most commonly in a hexagon shape, which is why it’s also known as a hex bar. Lifters mainly use the trap bar for shrugs, squats, and deadlifts.
You stand in the middle of the hexagon and pick it up by the side handles. This puts the weight in line with your body rather than in front like how a barbell would.
What Are The Benefits Of Using A Trap Bar?
Even though conventional deadlifts and trap bar deadlifts are similar, your standing position is different from your hand grip to your hip flexion.
Due to this, the trap bar provides additional benefits compared to the conventional deadlift:
Less strain on lower back
When you’re using a barbell, the weight is most likely in front of you while performing exercises such as deadlifts and rows. Barbell path puts tension through your posterior chain and without a correct form, further pressure will be inflicted on the lumbar spine.
Whereas with a trap bar, the weight and the handles are beside your body. This prevents your torso from leaning too far forward~ allowing a more upright position, thus less pressure will be imposed on your lower back.
Easier to use
Learning the right form for a conventional deadlift can be challenging for various reasons such as lack of mobility.
The trap bar helps take away some of the obstacles you might encounter~ examples:
- The handles are higher above the ground, so you won’t have to bend as far down~ supporting you with mobility
- With weight closer to the body’s center of gravity, there is less requirement for the hip hinge.
- The trap bar comes with a neutral grip which will reduce the chance of the bar rolling out of your hand~ supporting you if grip strength is one of your limitations.
Lift extra weight
Being in an upright position gives you greater leverage to lift heavier weights. The way the weight is in line with your body and you holding onto side handles, your body is less likely to sway.
You won’t have to focus as much on your form, so you can put all your strength into pulling up the weight.
No shin scrapes
Sometimes while lifting heavy weights painful shin scrapes cannot be avoided. Since it’s required to keep the bar close to your body for keeping the correct tension throughout the lift.
However, with a trap bar, the bar is essentially surrounding your body. This helps the weight to get evenly distributed while giving you enough space to bend your knees without the bar hitting your shins.
Conclusion
The trap bar can be an excellent alternative to your barbell deadlifts. If you have existing back troubles, the trap bar can make lifting the weights off the floor safer.
If your wrists are hurting from the pressing exercises it could be due to hyperextension. In this case, you can benefit by having a neutral grip.
For the best overall best trap bar the ROGUE TB-2 and Titan ticks all the boxes in terms of specs and built quality.
If you are just starting and looking for a budget-friendly best trap bar then there is no better than Synergee.
For added versatility to your workouts, the rep fitness will provide greater freedom to move around.
Now for the best of the best trap bar, there is no better than Eleiko. However, it is pricey compared to the other bars, which is why it should only be brought if you know you are going to use the bar frequently.