Fall Into A Trap

Fall Into A Trap

 

Some people have never felt comfortable when doing a traditional barbell deadlift. It might be from an existing back problem, the length of the femurs, or any number of issues, but scientists feel that a reasonable alternative is the trap bar deadlift. Sometimes called a “hex bar,” this implement is shaped like a hexagon and more evenly distributes the weight of a deadlift across across the body. In a study published in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, sports scientists measured muscle activity during a barbell deadlift and a trap bar variation. The former instigated more muscle activity in the lower back and the front of the quad, while the latter produced greater stimulus in the vastus lateralis, the muscle that gives bodybuilders the coveted “outer quad sweep.” (The trap bar is also much better for training jumping/power variations of the deadlift as well.) If you have trap bar at your gym, start putting it into your rotation.