Video: Is The "Trap Bar Deadlift" Best for Athletes?
Analyzing the basic properties of a trap bar vs a barbell deadlift and its place in training - "pros & cons"
The Trap Bar Deadlift gets hyped as the “best” deadlift and better for non-powerlifters. The following video lecture below goes over “why this is” and where it’s true and where it isn’t so true.
It’s important to understand that “benefits” only exist in context. A tool or approach has “properties” and those properties can be more or less beneficial within the context of an entire system complex.
This lecture will dive into some basic concepts about the use of the trap (or “hex”) bar as a deadlift from the floor, as its most commonly used, and what some of its general benefits may be and where those elements are not so beneficial.
Using the Trap Bar Deadlift (Pros & Cons) For Athletes
However, here is a summary for those with no access or attention span:
(Reminder, that if you want the best results in something to really get to a high level you need to be willing to study and learn. Begging for “easy answers NOW” will rarely get you very far)
General Summary (video covers much more):
Good:
> Less back stress (if you need less low back stress)
> Lots of joint angle and exercise manipulation options for different muscle group & strength development - *Super versatile for different body types and sports/weak-points*
> Good for “short range” neural drive which is commonly good for sport
Bad:
> Less hypertrophy (usually)
> Harder to control form / setup to target the correct joint angles → form can be “cheated” easily (most do this)
> Less carryover to other barbell lifts (for powerlifters)