The trap bar (also referred to as the hex bar) is an implement used in

weight training Weight training is a common type of strength training for developing the strength, size of skeletal muscles and maintenance of strength.Keogh, Justin W, and Paul W Winwood. “Report for: The Epidemiology of Injuries Across the Weight-Trai ...

. It is an assemblage of bars bent into an angle, then welded into a shape which lies flat in a plane, consisting of: # A barstock welded into a hexagonal or diamond shape, sized to allow a person to stand in the middle # Two (almost always) coaxial stub bars, welded to opposing positions on the outside of the perimeter of the hollow portion to hold weight plates. The stubs are used for loading the trapbar with plates. # A set of handles pointing forward and back are welded inside the hollow portion. The handles are used to hold the trapbar while an exercise is performed. Note that these handles are aligned at a 90 degree angle to the plate-loading bars. The trap bar was invented, patented and trademarked by Al Gerard, a competitive

powerlifter Powerlifting is a strength sport that consists of three attempts at maximal weight on three lifts: squat, bench press, and deadlift. As in the sport of Olympic weightlifting, it involves the athlete attempting a maximal weight single-lift effor ...

. It is often thought to have been named after the (upper fibres of the)

trapezius muscle The trapezius is a large paired trapezoid-shaped surface muscle that extends longitudinally from the occipital bone to the lower thoracic vertebrae of the spine and laterally to the spine of the scapula. It moves the scapula and supports the ...

s, the muscle it was designed to train, with

shoulder shrug The shoulder shrug (usually called simply the shrug) is an exercise in weight training used to develop the upper trapezius muscle. Form and execution The lifter stands erect, hands about shoulder width apart, and slowly raises the shoulders as ...

s. In addition to shrugs, the bar is also used for

trapbar deadlift The deadlift is a weight training exercise in which a loaded barbell or bar is lifted off the ground to the level of the hips, torso perpendicular to the floor, before being placed back on the ground. It is one of the three powerlifting exercises ...

, trapbar jumps, overhead/

military press The overhead press is an upper-body weight training exercise in which the trainee presses a weight overhead while seated or standing. It is mainly used to develop the anterior deltoid muscles of the shoulder. The standing version was once a compon ...

es, upright rows or "high pulls," and stiff leg

deadlift The deadlift is a weight training exercise in which a loaded barbell or bar is lifted off the ground to the level of the hips, torso perpendicular to the floor, before being placed back on the ground. It is one of the three powerlifting exercises ...

s. However, the original shape was similar to a 'bear trap' when opened, leading to it being referred to as the "trap bar". Its design has since changed from various original diesigns into a hexagonal shape, and can be correctly referred to as a "hex bar". Variants are produced by several vendors.

References

Weight training equipment {{weightlifting-stub