9 Hex Bar Deadlift Benefits to Get Fit Without Barbell Deadlifts

Hex Bar Deadlift vs Barbell Deadlifts – Introduction

The hex bar deadlift benefits an enormous amount of muscle.

Especially if you are looking for an alternative to the conventional deadlift.

On one hand, the traditional deadlift is one of the best exercises you will ever do.

Indeed, some say that the deadlift is the king because of its many remarkable benefits.

But, what if you’re concerned about lower back pain and want a safer alternative to the straight bar deadlift?

Do you have a better option?

This is where the hexagon-shaped bar comes into play, also known as a trap bar.

Hence the names, hex bar, or trap bar deadlift.

Hex bar deadlift benefits many muscle groups - Image Credit: Frederic Delavier's Strength Training Anatomy — Hex bar deadlift benefits many muscle groups – Image Credit: Strength Training Anatomy

Strength Training Anatomy, 3rd Edition

HUMAN KINETICS
Delavier, Frederic (Author)
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It is true that there are those who say that trap bar deadlifts are not deadlifts at all.

However, strongman and powerlifting athlete Alan Thrall explains why he now uses the trap bar deadlift in this video:

The regular deadlift exercise places a much greater emphasis on your often neglected posterior chain muscle groups, such as your:

erector spinae muscles
latissimus dorsi muscles
gluteus maximus
hamstrings muscle group
calves

essentially the major muscle groups along the back half of your body besides so many other muscles in your body.

On the other hand, trap bar deadlifts put more stress on the same muscles as the squat.

In fact, if you do not care for leg presses or squatting with a heavy weight loaded onto your upper back, you can use a trap bar deadlifts to target the same muscles.

Trap bar deadlifts can be used as a reverse squat.

As well as for shoulder shrugs.

However, since it targets so many of the same muscle groups as the conventional deadlift, it is fair to say that the trap bar deadlift is an excellent deadlift alternative.

This article reveals the top benefits of a hex bar deadlift that will make you a fit and happy camper.

Hex Bar Deadlift vs Barbell Deadlifts: Which is Better for You?

#1. Reduce Back Stress

A traditional straight bar deadlift puts more stress on the back because the bar is in front of the body.

On the other hand, the hex bar is a specialty bar where you stand in the middle of the hexagonal bar and grip the side handles with a neutral grip.

The biomechanics of the hex bar deadlift allows you to maintain an upright position while lifting the weight.

As a result, trap bar deadlifts can help you build a stronger physique with less risk of injury to your back.

This is because your hips are right in the middle of the trap bar, so the weights are closer to your center of gravity.

This better position reduces the stress on your back and lumbar spine.

#2. Deadlift Heavier Weights

As a result of the reduced pressure on your back, you will be able to lift more weight than the straight barbell deadlift.

Heavier loads can lead you to get stronger faster with less chance of back injury.

Some powerlifters report that they can add up to 50 to 100 pounds more weight doing the hex bar deadlift.

#3. Great for Beginners

The hex bar deadlift benefits novice lifters.

Proper form for deadlifting and weightlifting, in general, is critical.

Achieving good form with a hex bar is easier than a perfect form deadlift with a barbell, which is a higher level of difficulty.

#4. Weaker Backs

The hex bar deadlift benefits people who already have a back issue or injury.

In this case, you can test if doing hex bar deadlifts is possible despite your back injury or instability.

You have a much better chance that you can still perform deadlifts with a hex bar.

They are the best alternative to barbell deadlifts when you have a back injury.

#5. Deadlift Alternative

Trap bar deadlifts benefit the same muscle groups as the conventional deadlift.

Therefore, it is an excellent substitute for the barbell deadlift.

You can still build overall body strength without doing conventional barbell deadlifts.

People ask if there are other practical total-body exercises to build overall body strength other than the barbell deadlift.

For many exercisers, the barbell deadlift is uncomfortable because the weight is far out in front of your body.

And for others, the barbell deadlift is not only uncomfortable, but it even bothers their back, sometimes to the point of potential injury.

While hex bar deadlifts engage the same muscle groups as the barbell deadlift, more of the stress is placed on the quadriceps, the front of your legs, and less strain on the lower back, hamstrings, and glutes.

Because you will experience less stress on your back, glutes, and hamstrings, you might be able to build even more strength and power by doing hex bar deadlifts.

#6. Hex Bar Deadlift Requires Less Mobility

It is easier to keep your back straight and neutral when doing hex bar deadlifts.

This is good news for beginners and individuals who do not have as much mobility.

The hexagonal barbell opens the door to training for even individuals who have been sitting at their desks all day and night and now want to get into shape.

#7. Variety is the Spice of Life

There is no reason that you cannot use hex bar deadlifts for your traditional or beginner barbell deadlift workout program.

The trap bar deadlift will allow you to lift heavier weight with less stress on your back.

The trap bar deadlift will also let you train your quadriceps and calves more than you will get from regular deadlifts.

So, add some variety to your deadlift workout by incorporating the hex bar deadlift into your deadlift program for beginner fitness or powerlifting.

#8. Reverse Squats

Because of the muscles worked with the hex bar deadlift, you might find that it is a reasonable substitute for squats.

If you do not like having weight on the back of your shoulder when doing squats, you can opt for the hex bar deadlift to build lower body strength.

#9. You Don’t Have a Coach

Hex bar deadlifts are fantastic if you don’t have a coach or personal trainer to help you master the technical aspects of a standard deadlift.

On the other hand, hex bar deadlifts benefit the coach too because it is easier to instruct a new athlete on his or her form by using the trap bar.

Make sure to start out with light weights and to build up gradually.

Here is a tutorial for the hex bar deadlift:

But, if you are serious about entering a powerlifting competition, then the barbell deadlift is for you.

Even if you continue to do mainly barbell deadlift workouts, you can still do the hex bar deadlift for variety and to get the feel of even heavier deadlifts.

Do you have additional hex bar deadlift benefits to share?

What’s Next

See 11 Steph Curry Deadlift and Training Secrets that explain how the hex bar deadlift rehabilitated his injury-prone ankles and his NBA career!

9 Hex Bar Deadlift Benefits to Get Fit Without Barbell Deadlifts

Hex Bar Deadlift vs Barbell Deadlifts – Introduction