Trap Bar!!!!

TANK25 · 03-07-2008, 06:43 AM

John Prophet had talked about trap bars on another thread.I have never used one,but I`M always looking to add on to my gym.Have you use one?Do you think they are any better then a straight bar?

Bando · 03-07-2008, 07:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TANK25

John Prophet had talked about trap bars on another thread.I have never used one,but I`M always looking to add on to my gym.Have you use one?Do you think they are any better then a straight bar?

I tried one Monday for the first time, loved it. I was able to up my shrug weight by 20lbs and it gave me some sore traps the next day (they usually never get sore.) I don't miss that barbell rubbing me in the wrong places either.

StudHammer · 03-07-2008, 07:25 AM

I believe the actual name of these bars is a Gerard Trap Bar. Try searching under that name and see if any websites come up.

StudHammer · 03-07-2008, 07:26 AM

http://www.trapbartraining.com/

StudHammer · 03-07-2008, 07:28 AM

http://www.oldtimestrongman.com/gerard_trapbar.html

http://www.trapbar.com/

http://www.davedraper.com/insider-te...technique.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trap_bar

Hikemike · 03-07-2008, 07:39 AM

Love the Dave Draper link! Man he looks great 25 years later!!

Sorry TANK, didn't mean to hijack!

TANK25 · 03-07-2008, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hikemike

Love the Dave Draper link! Man he looks great 25 years later!!

Sorry TANK, didn't mean to hijack!

It`s cool with me,I post them and they go where ever they go

TANK25 · 03-07-2008, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StudHammer

http://www.oldtimestrongman.com/gerard_trapbar.html

http://www.trapbar.com/

http://www.davedraper.com/insider-te...technique.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trap_bar

thanks for the links

TANK25 · 03-07-2008, 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bando

I tried one Monday for the first time, loved it. I was able to up my shrug weight by 20lbs and it gave me some sore traps the next day (they usually never get sore.) I don't miss that barbell rubbing me in the wrong places either.

Thanks for your input.That`s what I`M looking for!!!!

namtrag · 03-07-2008, 08:29 AM

They are awesome for doing a squat/deadlift!

XXXL_Bryan · 03-07-2008, 08:33 AM

I really think you get better overall contraction at the peak. is it a better development tool? maybe. it allows you to focus directly without the bar rubbin your "boys" and puts you in much better posture.

CYLON RAIDER · 03-07-2008, 03:57 PM

Also a good sub for squats because though a deadlift, it's really about 70/30 legs/back

BePrecise · 03-07-2008, 05:23 PM

I love the bar but my gym doesn't have one. Definitely a good alternative if your body type doesn't agree with straight bar squats or deads.

John Prophet · 03-07-2008, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CYLON RAIDER

Also a good sub for squats because though a deadlift, it's really about 70/30 legs/back

yep....shifts the emphasis more to the thighs and somewhat off of hams/glutes/low back

bigeugene · 03-07-2008, 07:11 PM

Is there a reason that if these are so great, why we don't see them very often?

Is it simply b/c it looks like the ugly duckling?

Bando · 03-07-2008, 07:15 PM

I think it's because few people know what it is or how to use it. I wondered what the one in my gym was for a year until I used it. When I picked it up I got some looks like "oh, that's what it's for."

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigeugene

Is there a reason that if these are so great, why we don't see them very often?

Is it simply b/c it looks like the ugly duckling?

bigeugene · 03-07-2008, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bando

I think it's because few people know what it is or how to use it. I wondered what the one in my gym was for a year until I used it. When I picked it up I got some looks like "oh, that's what it's for."

I hear ya. That's what I was thinking.

SYNBAD · 03-07-2008, 09:12 PM

I have one on my christmas list along with my next 2 dumbbells which my set is up to 110#. And I get 2 new ones each year so 120# and 130#.

NotTooLate · 03-08-2008, 01:50 AM

Thanks TANK, I've never heard of this bar until now. New toys

TANK25 · 03-08-2008, 05:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NotTooLate

Thanks TANK, I've never heard of this bar until now. New toys

I`M always on the the look out

TANK25 · 03-08-2008, 05:50 AM

Thanks everyone for your input.I will be picking up my new toy Monday and breaking it in Tuesday!!!!

boathead · 03-08-2008, 05:54 AM

here's a decent link.

http://www.t-nation.com/article/perf...t_part_iii&cr=

if you scroll down, the author discusses the trap bar a bit. he cautions that going straight up and down is wrong. that it is still a pulling exercise, and that you should still be leaning forward. there is some video showing the right and the wrong.

TANK25 · 03-08-2008, 06:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boathead

here's a decent link.

http://www.t-nation.com/article/perf...t_part_iii&cr=

if you scroll down, the author discusses the trap bar a bit. he cautions that going straight up and down is wrong. that it is still a pulling exercise, and that you should still be leaning forward. there is some video showing the right and the wrong.

Thanks for the link bro!!!!

namtrag · 03-08-2008, 06:45 AM

http://www.davedraper.com/trap-bar-deadlifts.html

A little article on deadlifts using a trap bar. I love them.

amoreno · 03-08-2008, 07:25 AM

Never heard of using one for squats, good info!

johnrich69 · 03-08-2008, 08:18 AM

I use a straight bar my self. I love doing traps because they grow so easy for me but I'm always reminding myself not to get carried away and out of proportion like I've seen some guys have in the gym. Sorry back to the topic, I wouldn't say that one is neccisarily better than the other as long as good form is being used. Johnny

bodyhard · 03-08-2008, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amoreno

Never heard of using one for squats, good info!

LMFAO!! using the trapbar for squats..............UFR....

namtrag · 03-08-2008, 09:39 AM

I don't know what UFR means.

I assume you are making fun of it.

It isn't a replacement for squats, just a different way to hit the legs. It's more a deadlift than a squat, and it is good.

Try it and see, you can go really heavy.

I am disappointed that my new gym doesn't have a trap bar.

StWolf · 03-08-2008, 09:48 AM

I was most interested in the link that suggested a trap bar for rows, I don't mind DL's with a straight bar or shrugs with DB's but I hate bent over rows with a passion.

Anyone try standing rows using a trap bar? The site suggested better rom but I am skeptical.

bodyhard · 03-08-2008, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by namtrag

I don't know what UFR means.

I assume you are making fun of it.

It isn't a replacement for squats, just a different way to hit the legs. It's more a deadlift than a squat, and it is good.

Try it and see, you can go really heavy.

I am disappointed that my new gym doesn't have a trap bar.

UnF'ckingReal =UFR

OK I'll just say this one time, as I am truly getting frustrated with all the stupidity on the forums lately about exercises and since there are so many "know-it-alls" I am just keeping my mouth shut, after all I don't know ****

But here it is, The trap bar in no way can be used to do a good quality squat, why? Because of your arm length. You see in order for you to perform a good quality squat you need to at least "hit" parallel. Unless you have exceptional short arms there is no way that you can do an affective squat in this manner.

Now you can probably do partials and go extremely heavy but honestly why would you do that?

Now using the Trap bar for deads is an excellent idea as you can eliminate the bar scrapping against your shins, the only downfall to using a trap bar is that you can not use an over/under grip for a stronger grip, but you can always use straps.