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A trap barbell is a bar made with a gap or a niche you could stand within with vertical handles. It’s called a trap bar because many lifters use it to perform shrugs, which work the trapezius muscles. Nevertheless, it’s also great for lower body training and even other movements comparable to the deadlift or bent-over row for the upper back.

Most home gym owners will want to add a second top-rated barbell to their weight rooms, and the trap bar can be a fantastic alternative to go along with. It will possibly add a whole lot of variety and recent challenges to your workouts. But which can be the perfect in your personal workout space? We did the research for you and have found the five best trap bars to select from. All of those bars work with Olympic plates and have neutral grips, meaning you hold the handles at your sides together with your palms facing one another. Look over each barbell fastidiously to find out which can be the perfect for you based in your training discipline and goals.

Our Top Picks for the Best Trap Bars

Best Trap Bar Overall: REP Fitness Open Trap Bar

REP Fitness Open Trap Bar

• Dimensions: 84.3” L x 11.3” H
• Weight: 58.4 kilos without handles
• Weight capability: 1,350 kilos
• Sleeve length: 16.5 inches
• Rackable: Yes
• Warranty: Five years

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Pros

• Works inside or outside of a squat rack
• Dual adjustable handles
• Open design
• High weight capability

Cons

• Not very rigid
• Wider handles
• May not suit lifters with short arms

The REP Fitness Open Trap Bar checks off many boxes for dedicated fitness enthusiasts. It has an open end you could walk into and comes with its own deadlift jack to make changing weights easier. The 4 removable handles offer a wide range of grips to challenge your grip strength and forearms. The handles range from 23 inches to as wide as 27.6 inches, and so they all have medium knurling.

Since there are multiple moving parts, the bar may not feel as solid whilst you’re using it. Nevertheless, that doesn’t mean it would collapse on you. It should serve you well. This one piece of apparatus generally is a game changer for strength training at home or in a business gym because it could actually add a whole lot of variety to your workouts.

Best Hex Trap Bar: Rogue TB-1 Trap Bar

Rogue Fitness TB-1 Trap Bar

• Dimensions: 89” L x 3” H x 28.5” W
• Weight: 60 kilos
• Weight capability: Unknown
• Sleeve length: 16 inches
• Rackable: Yes
• Warranty: Limited construction warranty

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Pros

• Rigid and sturdy
• Rackable
• Easy to make use of

Cons

• Not suitable for all collars
• Close-ended
• Unknown weight capability

Enclosed trap bars are also called hex bars due to hexagonal shape in the center that you simply stand in. In case you’re seeking to maximize your training around deadlifts or squats, a trap bar just like the Rogue Fitness TB-1 can be a fantastic asset to have.

The TB-1 can be rackable, so you possibly can perform exercises comparable to rack trap bar deadlifts or rack bent-over rows. Unlike open trap bars, chances are you’ll not have the option to do exercises comparable to lunges with this one because your legs may hit the front of the bar. It’s very rigid and solid, though, so don’t be afraid to load it up. It should hold a whole lot of weight. The knurled handles will provide adequate grip support for lifters of all levels. It will possibly be a implausible tool for powerlifting and strongman athletes in addition to beginners who need a more budget-friendly trap bar.

Best Luxury Trap Bar: Eleiko Öppen Bar

Eleiko Öppen Bar

• Dimensions: 84” L x 8.9” H x 23.19” W
• Weight: 55.12 kilos
• Weight capability: 1,102 kilos
• Sleeve length: 12.6 inches
• Rackable: Yes
• Warranty: Five years

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Pros

• Might be used for squats
• Excellent knurling
• Bar stays balanced while loading or unloading
• Might be used for function training or general fitness

Cons

• Limited sleeve length
• High price
• No knurling on center

The Eleiko Öppen Bar has a high price point, but when you desire to put money into high-quality equipment, it must be at the highest of your list. This rackable bar permits you to perform exercises comparable to overhead press variations inside an influence rack and lunges outside of it. You possibly can even use it for squats as long as you’re comfortable with the thicker bar in your shoulders and the burden being positioned otherwise than a barbell.

This Olympic trap bar has a high weight capability as well. The sleeves have a chrome finish for durability, and the built-in deadlift jack makes unloading plates easier during a tough training session.

Best Rackable Trap Bar: Titan Fitness Rackable Hex Trap Bar

Titan Fitness Rackable Hex Trap Bar

• Dimensions: 85.5” L x 28.5” W x 7.5” H
• Weight: 60 kilos
• Weight capability: 800 kilos
• Sleeve length: 16 inches
• Rackable: Yes
• Warranty: Comes with a one-year warranty; can add up to 3 years for a further cost

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Pros

• Very solid bar
• Comfortable knurling
• Easily matches in most racks
• Suitable for beginners

Cons

• Extra warranty comes at a price
• Thicker handles
• Doesn’t include a jack

A “rackable” bar is long enough that you may position it on the protection arms or J-hooks of a squat rack. This permits you to lift from different heights as an alternative of only from the ground. In case you need a trap bar that may go inside a rack, the Titan Fitness Rackable Hex Trap Bar is a fantastic alternative.

It should stay centered and balanced should you’re changing plates within a rack, and you possibly can store it in your rack’s J-hooks. Most lifters will have the option to load it as much as its 800-pound capability and train safely. It doesn’t have short sleeves, either, so you possibly can fit a whole lot of plates on it. It should support each iron and bumper weight plates. 

This rackable trap bar comes with only a one-year warranty, but Titan Fitness has a fame for making products that last an extended time. The handles don’t have aggressive knurling, so even beginners will have the option to carry them comfortably.

It may be on a best budget trap bar list. It might not be the most cost effective option, but it surely’s removed from the costliest.

Best Trap Bar With Multiple Grips: Kabuki Strength Trap Bar HD

Kabuki Strength The Trap Bar HD

• Dimensions: 77” L x 23.5” H x 9” W
• Weight: 66 kilos
• Weight capability: 1,500 kilos
• Sleeve length: 17 inches
• Rackable: Yes on safety arms, no on J-hooks
• Warranty: Lifetime construction

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Pros

• Long sleeve length
• Capable of select handle distance
• Two months of Kabuki EDU+ included
• Very high weight capability

Cons

• Feet may scratch floor
• Won’t work with standard J-cups in a rack
• Not suitable for all power rack exercises

The Kabuki Strength Trap Bar HD is a barbell that will be personalized to your specific training needs. Most trap bars have a niche of 25 inches between handles. With the Kabuki bar, you possibly can select the handles and brackets to set the width between the grips. The bar also has a really large weight capability, so you should utilize it for very heavy rack deadlifts or traditional deadlifts off the ground. The built-in bar jack makes it easy so as to add or remove plates.

The semi-gloss powder coat finish gives it a sleek appearance. Whether you’re in search of home gym equipment or something for a business gym, this trap bar will last for a very long time to return. As an added bonus, Kabuki offers access to their subscription service, Kabuki EDU+ so you possibly can learn more about training and programming whilst you’re working to enhance.

How We Selected the Best Trap Bars

We do extensive research on trap bars and have put several of them to make use of. We dive deep to seek out the perfect trap bar features and whether the bars will be used inside a rack. Between analyzing the specs, taking our experience with the bars into consideration, and browsing customer reviews, we gather all the knowledge needed to find out which trap bars are the perfect of the perfect.

What Are the Advantages of Trap Bars?

Trap bars assist you to stand in the course of the burden so it’s closer to your center of gravity, which may make it easier to lift. When performing a trap bar deadlift, the burden isn’t in front of you as it could be with a straight barbell. This might help beginners or those working around injuries because they will still train and improve with minimal risk.

Moreover, they’ve vertical handles so you possibly can hold them with more of an anatomically-friendly grip than a horizontal grip that will require internal rotation of the shoulders (which can result in shoulder impingement). If the trap bar can fit inside an influence rack, you should utilize it for much more exercises, comparable to rack pulls, overhead presses, and bent-over rows contained in the rack. Trap bars can enable you to improve your athletic ability, get stronger, and construct muscle, just as a straight bar can.

What To Look For When Buying a Trap Bar

The more versatile a trap bar will be, the higher. The perfect trap bar will be used inside a squat rack and can support barbell Olympic plates. It also needs to have the option to support heavy weights. Many may have raised handles to diminish the range of motion and assist you to potentially lift heavier. A trap hex bar is closed while other trap bars are open-ended, meaning you possibly can step out and in of them easier, so that you’ll need to think about which style you like. Obviously, you desire to stay inside your budget as well, so listen to the worth tag.

Materials and Finish

A variety of trap bars consist of chrome steel, and so they include a black powder coat finish or have a chrome look to them. Either way, have in mind that when you add plates to them, the finish on the sleeves may suffer wear and tear.

In case you want your trap bar to look nearly as good because it performs, caring for it must be a priority. Brushing any chalk or sweat off it with a nylon- or brass-bristled brush at the top of your workout is a superb idea.

Weight

It’s very hard to seek out a trap bar that weighs 45 kilos like a conventional Olympic weightlifting bar would. They are going to likely weigh more due to extra material needed to make them. All of the bars on this list weigh 55 to 70 kilos, but there are others in the marketplace that weigh much more. Keep that in mind as you’re shopping, as you’ll need to select a bar with a starting weight you could handle.

Weight Capability

It’s good to know the trap bar’s weight capability and tensile strength (how much weight it could actually hold before it breaks). Most may have upwards of a 1,000-pound rating and a tensile strength of 190,000 PSI.

But simply because the bar could hold 1,000 kilos doesn’t mean you possibly can fit that much weight on it. The sleeve length and kinds of plates you utilize might be an element as well. In case you’re using thicker bumper plates, they’ll take up more room than traditional iron plates. Still, it is best to feel confident that the trap bar can hold whatever you place on it, which is why the tensile strength or weight rating matters.

Open vs. Closed Design

An open-ended trap bar is taken into account safer than a conventional closed design since you don’t need to worry about stepping over the bar at the top of a set and risk tripping. It’s a fantastic feature to have, but it surely isn’t essential for a trap bar to be effective. The closed bar may be higher balanced, so chances are you’ll feel more comfortable using them for farmer’s walks or bent-over rows. Consider your personal priorities when selecting whether an open or closed bar can be higher in your training.

Size

Most trap bars range from six and a half feet to over seven feet long. Shorter trap bars are easier to store, and so they can keep the middle of gravity closer to the body. But in the event that they have shorter sleeves, chances are you’ll not have the option to make use of as much weight as you’ll with an extended bar. You will even need more room around you should you’re training with a trap bar inside. Consider your training space and where you’ll keep the bar when it’s not in use before hitting that order button.

In case you don’t have much space for storing, chances are you’ll also want to think about a rackable trap bar just like the Titan Fitness Rackable Hex Trap Bar. Having the ability to store it in your rack will help keep it out of the best way when it’s not in use.

Price

A high quality trap bar won’t be that low-cost unless yow will discover it on a yard sale website. It will possibly and might be an even bigger investment than a straight barbell. You can find a top quality trap bar for around $300, but some cost greater than $800. You shouldn’t need to break the bank to get a superb trap bar, but have in mind that this might be a long-term investment. You’d quite buy once than need to reorder something since it broke down on you.

Warranty

Trap bars aren’t any different than every other type of fitness equipment. Something may go improper and it’s essential return the bar. The highest firms will offer long construction warranties, meaning that if something goes improper whilst you’re using the trap bar as intended, the manufacturer will replace it. Concentrate to the main points of the warranty so that you’re fully educated on what you’re buying. If an organization offers longer warranties for a further cost, consider that before placing the ultimate purchase order.

Knurling

The knurling is the rough portion of the handle that you simply hold on to, and it helps support your grip. Beginners may not want very aggressive knurling, while advanced trainees might want moderate to aggressive knurling. If hand care is a priority, you would like less aggressive knurling, or it is best to think about using lifting straps or gloves. If you desire to work in your grip, consider how sharp the knurling on the handles is, in addition to if the knurling is on all handles. Some trap bars with two or three handles only have knurling on one set of handles.

Handle Height

Trap bars with multiple handles may enable you to lift more weight because they supply a shorter range of motion. The lower handle might be the identical height as a conventional straight bar, and the upper handle will even be anywhere from two to 5 inches higher. Some trap bars even have three handles that allow tall and/or long-limbed lifters to deadlift from a position that suits their body proportions.

Grip Diameter

Some trap bars even have adjustable handles that modify in diameter. They are going to range from 28 millimeters to as much as 32 millimeters. The thicker the handle, the more your grip will develop into an element. They might help with forearm development, but in addition they may impact the burden you possibly can lift. If you desire to minimize grip impact, go along with the thinner handles.

Final Thoughts

The straight barbell is the inspiration for any home gym, but a trap bar is a fantastic specialty bar and would make for a terrific second bar. Though it’s most famous as an alternative to the straight bar deadlift, you should utilize it to coach multiple muscle groups effectively. In case you can place it inside a rack, it makes the barbell much more invaluable.

Any of the six trap bars above will add a whole lot of variety and challenges to your training, which might help make you a greater athlete, improve your personal fitness, and achieve your goals.

FAQs

What’s the perfect beginner trap bar?

A superb trap bar option for beginners is the Titan Fitness Rackable Hex Trap Bar. It’s not super expensive, and it doesn’t have aggressive knurling that could be uncomfortable for brand spanking new lifters. Whicher trap barbell you select, search for one with a high weight capability. You’ll quite have one bar that can serve you whilst you advance in training as an alternative of getting to purchase a second trap bar afterward.

Are trap bars effective?

Trap bars might help center the burden so that you don’t have the burden in front of you want you’ll with a conventional barbell. They’re very effective at helping you get stronger, construct muscle, and improve overall fitness. Trap bars are also helpful for deadlifting without placing excess strain on the lower back.

What’s the difference between a hex bar and a trap bar?

A hex bar is a sort of trap bar, but it surely’s enclosed and has a hexagonal shape. Meaning you could have to step over a part of the barbell to face contained in the hexagon. Other trap bars are open-ended, meaning you possibly can step inside or outside of it with a standard step.

What’s the perfect width for a trap bar?

The perfect width for a trap bar is determined by your body proportions, but it is best to have the option to succeed in down and grab the bar without having to spread your arms too far apart. Most bars have fixed handles, but others, comparable to the Kabuki Strength Trap Bar HD, assist you to select the width you like. Most trainees will need a bar that permits them to maintain their arms near their sides while grabbing the handles.

Is a closed or open trap bar higher?

Most lifters will prefer an open trap bar to make use of for exercises comparable to farmer’s walks and lunges, and since many have a built-in deadlift jack that permits them to alter the weights easier. A lifter who desires to get monetary savings or start training with a trap bar for the primary time could also be more comfortable with the closed trap bar.