The trap bar is a terrific aid for the deadlift and is considered by many much superior to a straight bar for sport specific training. It reduces spine stress relative to the straight bar deadlift, and puts the arms and hands into a near-perfect position.

This rhombus-like bar lets users get the best?benefits?from the deadlift while keeping technique problems to a minimum and is fantastic for beginners. It is an outstanding bar. All who use it will benefit.

If you are a competitive powerlifter and thus must use a straight bar at meets and in most of your training, a trap bar can still be a valuable off season training tool. It greatly reduces unnecessary stress but while developing strength that may have carry-over value to the straight bar deadlift (or even squat).

The trap bar was originally patented in 1985 by a powerlifting aficionado named Al Gerard, who was trying to find a way to train around a recurring lower back injury. It has since gained widespread support among many coaches as a back-friendly alternative to both traditional straight-bar deadlifts and squats.

Studies have shown??the Trap Bar to be able to develop more power than regular deadlifts, less stress on the spine and being more beneficial for beginner athletes because of the ergonomic design.