Good for you. While they have grown in popularity over the past few years, they are still an underused and under-appreciated piece of equipment.
And if you think they are just for deadlifts, you are way wrong. They have many more uses than just that and are something every serious lifter should have at their gym.
Let’s get more into what you should look for in a good trap bar.
BestTrap Bars on the Market
Ok, enough with the foreplay. Let’s get to it. Here are the best trap/hex bars on the market today.
Topping off our list, we have an awesome trap bar that is newer to the market with the Open Trap Bar from Bells of Steel.
This bar comes in is at the top of our list because of its great versatility and value.
First off, it has a built-in jack so you can just turn it on its side to load and unload weight plates easily. Anyone who has ever loaded plates on a traditional hex bar knows what a pain it can be, so this is a real luxury. It also makes for easy storage.
Unlike many trap bars out there, this trap bar also has rotating sleeves to give it more of a barbell feel.
The sleeve is a little shorter than a traditional barbell. They did shorten the plate block, though, so you will be able to fit seven metal plates on the sleeve.
This bad boy also has a weight limit of 700 lbs which is more than enough for most of us mortals. If you need a trap bar that can hold more than that, you are a beast, and you will probably want to go with the bar from Rogue.
This bar features an open design on one end so you can perform exercises like lunges, Romanian deadlifts, and loaded carries without banging your legs into the bar.
Another nice part about this bar is the price. This is one of the more affordable bars on the list, and it also comes with free shipping, which is hard to beat.
Overall this is a really nice bar for a great price that you will love.
Next on our list, we have the Force USA Walkthrough Trap Bar.
This bar is a bit different than what you are probably used to due to the fact that the bar has an open side to it.
The open side is actually a great benefit. It allows you to use the bar for exercises like lunges without hitting your legs against the bar as you do with other trap bars.
Another nice feature with this bar and the open side is that it can be turned on its side for loading and unloading plates. As most of you know, loading and unloading conventional trap bars is a real pain. Not anymore.
This bad boy also has low and high rotating handles with medium knurling for a non-slip grip that isn’t over the top.
We also like the extra handle on the side that allows you to use the bar for a suitcase carry, as you can see in the video below. Loaded carries are still an underrated exercise that people should be doing, and this handle makes it easy to do one-handed carries with this bar.
On the negative side, this bar is not always in stock, but you can put your name on a waiting list for when they get more. Also, the sleeve length is a little on the short side. If you are using a lot of bumper plates, it could be an issue for you.
Quick Specs:
Width: 69″
Depth: 10″
Length: 29″
Weight: 65 lbs
Weight capacity: 661 lbs
Sleeve Length: 12.8″
Pros
Built-in bar jack for easy plate loading and unloading
Open design allows for lunges and other exercises without banging your legs against the bar
Excellent reviews
Cons
Not always in stock
Sleeve length may be too short for people using bumper plates
Next on our list of the best hex trap bars, we have another really nice trap bar from Titan Fitness.
Quick Specs
Length 87.5 inches
Handle spread – 25 inches
Handle diameter – 1.25 inches
Sleeve length – 15.75 inches
Weight – 60 lbs
Weight capacity – Tested at 810 lbs over a 24-hour period
We like that this Olympic trap bar was made to be used with a power rack. This means easier loading and unloading of the plates. It’s also great to be able to pull it straight off the rack when doing exercises like heavy shrugs rather than lifting it from the floor.
This bad boy was tested at 810 lbs. Some of you may say that’s less than the others on this list, but it was tested at that weight for 24 hours. Meaning this is one tough piece of equipment.
We also like that it has raised handles on one side and flat handles on the other so you have the option to use either one.
The knurling on the upper handle of this bar is also excellent. Unfortunately, the knurling on the lower handles is not as good. You would think they would both be the same, but for some reason, they aren’t.
Another negative about the Titan hex trap bar is that it is not made in America. They are made overseas and shipped in. Also, on the negative side, many reviewers said it was not as rackable as it claimed to be and that it only works on some racks and not others.
The price tag on this bar is on the lower end, and it comes with free shipping, so there is no extra expense.
Overall this is another really nice bar that can handle whatever punishment you can deliver. It is certainly worth consideration.
Pros
Excellent grip on the top set of handles
Rackable trap bar – according to the manufacturer
Less expensive
Has raised handles and regular handles
Cons
Not made in the USA
Reviewers say it is not as rackable as it is claimed to be
Next up we have a really nice trap bar from Rogue. This bad boy is a complete overhaul of the original and they made it bigger and better.
Quick Specs
Weight – 60lbs
Length – 88.5″
Width – 28.5″
Knurled Handles
16″ sleeves
We like how they have the raised handles on one side and the regular flat handles on the other side. This way you can just flip it over and use whatever preference you prefer.
We like the 1.34” in diameter knurled handles that make it very easy to keep your grip, in fact, they might be a little too knurled for those out there with sensitive hands. If you are one of those people you might want to sand the handles a small amount, most people will love it though.
This beast also features 16 inches of loadable sleeve length so unless you are some kind of a god there will be plenty of room for as much weight as you need.
The Rogue TB-2 Trap Bar is finished with its signature black powder coat. One of the negatives of this is that any metal-to-metal contact, such as adding and removing plates, can cause the coating to wear off over time.
We also like the fact that it comes with a lifetime warranty. If you are somehow able to break this thing (you won’t), you get a new one.
The price tag on this one is $375.00 which is actually pretty reasonable considering the high quality. If you want to save a few bucks, you can also try their Rogue TB-1 Trap Bar 2.0. It is essentially the same thing without the raised handles so if you don’t mind not having those it will save you some decent money. It is priced at $295.00.
The negative on this bar is that the raised handles are too high for deadlifts, in my opinion. It really limited the range of motion for me when using it, and I am 6’3″ tall. For deadlifting, I would definitely use the other side without the raised handles.
Pros
Made in the USA
Knurled handles for a no-slip grip
16 inches of sleeve space for lots of plates
Not outrageously priced
Cons
Coating on sleeves rubs off with plates going on and off
Next up, we have another really solid trap bar with the Deadlift/Trap Bar from Valor Fitness.
This trap is made specifically for deadlifting. As you can see in the picture, it has the sleeves raised up so you can easily load and unload plates. Anyone who has loaded plates on a trap bar before knows what a pain it can be. We like this feature a lot.
It also has four different grip sizes on it, so you should easily be able to find one that you like.
The bar itself weighs 68 lbs, and it can be a bit clumsy to move around on its own, and storage is difficult. This is a piece that needs its own full-time area of your gym.
If you love the trap bar deadlift, this bar would be one to consider. It isn’t as versatile as the other bars though so if you are looking to do more than the deadlift or farmer’s walk, you will be out of luck.
This trap bar is moderately priced at about $250, and the shipping is free.
Pros
4 different grips so you can be sure to find the perfect size
Rubber stoppers protect your flooring
Raised sleeves for easy plate loading and unloading
Sturdy build
Cons
No easy to move around or store, needs its own space
The Öppen Bar made by Eleiko is next on our list. This weird-looking, patent-pending design is made for increased versatility. It is also made for loading and unloading plates than it is with a traditional hex bar. Simply flip it up on its side, and loading plates becomes a breeze. It also has rubber bumpers on end, so when you stand it up, you don’t mar the gym mat, which is a nice bonus.
Quick Specs:
Weight – 55lbs
Length – 84.65 inches
Width – 23.19 inches
Height – 8.9 inches
Sleeve length – 16.34 inches
Max training weight – 1100 lbs
Warranty 5-years
This premium trap bar allows you to use the bar for lunges without busting your legs against the bar. Other than that, it’s mainly the same exercises as with a regular trap bar.
The Öppen Bar also comes with some really high-quality handles, like the best grip of all the bars on the list, so if you are a grip fiend, this would be your bar.
Overall this is a really nice bar that has had some serious engineering involved in making it. It’s not just tubes of steel welded together like some bars. Not that there’s anything wrong with welded steel tubes, but this one is a cut above when it comes to engineering and design.
Unfortunately, this one also has a pretty high price tag at $796.00 plus shipping. Is it worth it? If we thought it was it would be in first place.
We promise the next trap bar on the list will be reasonably priced.
Pros
Stands up on end for easy plate loading and unloading
Open design allows you to do lunges
Superior engineering
Excellent grip
Cons
Pretty expensive
Only a 5-year warranty
Check Price
#7XMark Fitness Hex Bar
Best Hex Bar On A Budget
Last but not least…ok, I guess it actually is the least, but some of you have probably reached this point in the article and your wallet is screaming. If that is the case, then this is the bar for you. Granted, it is definitely not as good as the top 4 bars, but it will work and it is the best budget trap bar on the list.
Quick Specs:
Weight – 56 lbs
Length – 55 inches
Width – 26 inches
Polished chrome
400 lb weight capacity
It has knurled handles that are actually above average, which is nice, they aren’t as good as others on the list but they will definitely suffice for most people. The handles are raised on one side, too, which I like for versatility, so you can go flat or raised, whatever your preference.
The sleeves on this one are 10 inches, and it has a weight capacity of 400 lbs which is enough for most people.
Most of the reviews are positive, but some noted receiving a bar that had rust spots, and others noted sharp slag where it had not been ground down before it was coated.
The price of this budget trap bar is $149.00, and it comes with free shipping on top of that, so it is a good price.
The max weight for this bar is 400 lbs, so if you are a beast who lifts more than that, you should pick another bar. That weight limit should be ok for average lifters, though.
Overall this is a good, traditional trap bar that will work well for most people, it’s not the best but it will do the job that most people want and will go a bit easier on your wallet.
Pros
Less expensive than most trap bars
Good grip/knurling
Free shipping
Raised Handles
Cons
400 lb weight capacity may be too low for some
Short sleeves won’t hold a lot of bumper plates
Reviews complain about rust and sharp spots on new bars they receive
Weight Capacity – When it comes to lifting heavy, you’ll need a sturdy hex bar. Luckily the market offers an extensive range of weights for all your deadlift needs – from 500 pounds up to 1000. But be careful if you decide on a hollow trap bar – they are likely more prone to bending than solid bars and won’t provide as much support in comparison. If weight capacity is important to you, make sure whichever option best meets your strength requirements ranks high in your options list when deciding which hex bar will give lift-off success every time.
Sleeve Length – This is the length of the tube that you put the weights on. It is something you should take into consideration if you will be lifting a lot of weight and also if you will be using bumper plates which are a lot thicker than standard metal plates.
Standard or Olympic Weights – I think Olympic weights have almost become the standard but when you are using a trap bar you definitely want to go with one for Olympic weights. The Olympic style is more heavy-duty and can handle more weight and wear and tear. Also, the Olympic weights are taller, which is better for use with the trap bar.
Knurling – This refers to the grip that is etched in the handles. With a hex bar, you will generally be using a good bit of weight so you want to make sure it has good knurling so the bar won’t slip out of your hands. All of the bars on our list have adequate knurling so if you choose any of them, you will be all set in that department.
Coating – Coating is another thing to consider as it helps prevent rust and corrosion. We have a variety of coatings on this list, from powder to chrome, for you to choose from.
We love the trap bar so much that we even wrote an entire article about the best exercises you can do with a trap bar. Give it a read if you would like to expand your mind without doing psychedelic drugs.
If you don’t feel like clicking over to that other article though it’s ok, we can give you a quick rundown of the best trap bar exercises right here.
The best trap bar lifts are:
Trap bar Deadlifts
Farmer’s walk
Trap Bar Shrugs
Overhead press
Floor press
Bent over rows
Lunges (open trap bar required)
Benefits Of Using a Trap Bar
For athletes of any background, the trap bar is an invaluable tool for their training regimen. Not only great for injury rehab since it distributes weight to a more centered area than anterior loading offers, but it’s also perfect when needed to teach proper hip hinging techniques. Plus with additional handles and features available on some models – this piece of equipment can make your workout routine as versatile and effective as possible.
Helps Teach Hip Hinge
In strength training, the hip hinge is essential but can be tricky to perfect. Trap bars are a great tool for beginners – with arms at your side instead of in front of you, it’s easier and more user-friendly than traditional barbells! Strength coaches have been using them successfully to teach new lifters for years. Ready to master that hinging movement? Try out a trap bar today.
Centered Load Distribution
The trap bar deadlift is widely recognized as the safer and more efficient way to lift heavy weights. Unlike normal deadlifts which have a load placed towards the front, with this type of technique, you get advantageously centered weight distribution, making it much easier on your back muscles. Not only does this prevent excessive strain and injury risk but many medical professionals see these lifts as ideal for rehabilitation programs because of increased safety features due to centrally loaded stress points! So what are you waiting for? Give yourself peace of mind when lifting by using that trusty old Trap Bar today.
More Versatility
If you thought trap bars were just for deadlifts, think again. With their elevated handles and built-in front handle, they provide endless possibilities of exercises. From lunges to jump squats and suitcase carries to rows, a trap bar can turn your workout routine into something much more dynamic. The sky’s the limit when it comes to utilizing this gym essential – get creative with yours today.
Why Trap Bars May Be Better For Deadlifts
If you are wondering if there is a difference between doing deadlifts with a straight bar and deadlifts with a trap bar the
In a nutshell, the reason you might want to do trap bar deadlifts is that they are safer than your traditional deadlift. Since the weight is under your hips rather than in front of you, it reduces the amount of stress on your back tremendously. The bulk of that stress that would normally be on your back is moved to your quads. Less stress on your back and a better quad workout, what’s not to like?
What is the Difference Between a Tarp Bar and a Hex Bar?
Honestly, nothing. They are the exact same thing. Some people call it a hex bar due to its hexagon shape. Others call it a trap bar. It seems like half the people call it one name, and the other half call it the other. Whichever name you use, they are both the same.
Trap Bar Conclusion
There you have the best trap bars on the market. We have to admit some of them are a bit outrageous when it comes to price but they are all pretty awesome, and you can easily find one that will do the job and also fit into your budget. We like the Open Trap Bar / Hex Bar 3.0 the best for its high quality and versatility. If you have a hex bar that you love that isn’t on this list, leave us a comment below, and we will check it out.
Ryan is a former college wrestler and lifelong fitness fanatic. He has run half marathons, done mud runs, placed in body transformation contests, coached wrestling, and now coaches girls’ soccer. Not to mention he has also tried literally hundreds of supplements over the years and has a vast and thorough supplement knowledge. He has written for Muscle & Strength, Testosterone Junkie, The Sport Review and other publications. He is also the editor-in-chief of this website and has over 25 years of experience in the fitness industry. Feel free to connect with him on his LinkedIn page below.
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Quinn
October 28, 2020 12:18 pm
I bought the Walkthrough Force USA trap bar a few weeks back, it is an awesome piece of equipment, seriously heavy duty. Thanks for the recommendation.
I bought the Walkthrough Force USA trap bar a few weeks back, it is an awesome piece of equipment, seriously heavy duty. Thanks for the recommendation.