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Deadlifting with Barbell vs Hex Bar

Posted on 4/30/26 at 4:42 am
Posted by meeple
Carcassonne
Member since May 2011
11164 posts
Posted on 4/30/26 at 4:42 am
I recently (2 wks ago) started deadlifting. I have been and am being coached by someone on proper form, and I’m taking it slow as far as weight goes. I’ve been using a barbell.

At nearly 48 yrs old, should I use a hex bar instead? I’ve worked out since I was 18, so in pretty good shape. But I can already tell that the deadlift is working muscles in a different way than I’ve felt before.
Posted by dangerousdon
Baton Rouge
Member since Jun 2008
661 posts
Posted on 4/30/26 at 6:23 am to
Don't think I can actually answer this question or not. But I am 53 and am doing barbell dead-lifts. And I am pretty sure that you probably have more strength training under your belt that I do, since I didn't start doing serious strength training until about three years ago. I look at the hex bar at the gym and it just seems foreign to me. But am curious what others have to say about it.
Posted by LSUfan20005
Member since Sep 2012
9224 posts
Posted on 4/30/26 at 6:36 am to
Is it a Trap Bar?

I switched over entirely at 43 after buying one for my kids. Mine is “open” vs hex style.

Things I love:
-Over the years, I’ve caught my balls a few times with conventional deads, and I love that this is no longer possible.
-The neutral grip is just better
-If I completely drop the bar, no chance of injury.

Watch Outs:
-You can easily turn it into a hack squat if you don’t manage your hip angle.
-If your form changes enough to neglect the posterior, add in RDLs to offset
Posted by Randall Savauge
Member since Aug 2021
698 posts
Posted on 4/30/26 at 8:17 am to
mid 40's and i also switched to a trap bar. the form i use came from a guy i saw on a video that said think of it as trying to close your truck door with your butt while picking up grocery bags. probably the only time a grown man should be sticking out his butt, lol.
This post was edited on 4/30/26 at 8:36 am
Posted by bdavids09
Member since Jun 2017
1498 posts
Posted on 4/30/26 at 8:18 am to
I love the hex bar. I Really have gotten stronger traps and legs since I switched.
Posted by boxcarbarney
Above all things, be a man
Member since Jul 2007
26693 posts
Posted on 4/30/26 at 9:05 am to
Do what works for you. Personally I prefer the barbell deadlift and I'm 49 years old.

Using the hex bar (trap bar) changes the range of motion so you're going to use more of your quads. Barbell deadlift will work your posterior chain more.

Posted by Big Scrub TX
Member since Dec 2013
39838 posts
Posted on 4/30/26 at 12:02 pm to
quote:

Deadlifting with Barbell vs Hex Bar
I think at our age the hex bar makes more sense. I think you are more likely to injure yourself with the barbell. The hex bar sort of forces more proper form.

I would also say maybe go so far as to put the hexbar on a 45 on each side - just those couple of inches also reduces injury risk. Just my two cents.
Posted by LemmyLives
Texas
Member since Mar 2019
16043 posts
Posted on 4/30/26 at 1:57 pm to
quote:

I think you are more likely to injure yourself with the barbell.

Based on what?

The last time I injured myself deadlifting with a barbell was 20 years ago, and the hamstring sure wasn't the fault of the barbell. I intensely dislike the position the hex bar puts my arms/hands.
Posted by Schmelly
Member since Jan 2014
16161 posts
Posted on 4/30/26 at 3:06 pm to
The hex bar is 1000x more forgiving on your back & a lot easier for people who aren’t the greatest at hinging.
Posted by Schmelly
Member since Jan 2014
16161 posts
Posted on 4/30/26 at 3:07 pm to
quote:

Based on what?


Biomechanics
Posted by Big Scrub TX
Member since Dec 2013
39838 posts
Posted on 4/30/26 at 5:01 pm to
quote:


Based on what?
Based on the relative biomechanics of the 2 positions. IMO, the pure deadlift opens you up more to injury.

quote:


The last time I injured myself deadlifting with a barbell was 20 years ago
I didn't say injury was guaranteed.

quote:

I intensely dislike the position the hex bar puts my arms/hands.
Sounds like you have a great answer for how to do the sets you like to do.
Posted by Schmelly
Member since Jan 2014
16161 posts
Posted on 4/30/26 at 7:39 pm to
quote:

Based on the relative biomechanics of the 2 positions. IMO, the pure deadlift opens you up more to injury.


It’s not just your opinion. It’s fact. 20+ years training (and retired lol) everybody from pro athletes to soccer moms speaking
This post was edited on 4/30/26 at 7:40 pm
Posted by MWP
Kingwood, TX via Monroe, LA
Member since Jul 2013
11053 posts
Posted on 5/1/26 at 9:05 am to
1000% agree that doing deads with the hex bar is much more forgiving on your back than doing them with a barbell and you are still getting the same benefits. Not saying barbell deads are bad at all. If you can maintain strict form they are awesome, but as you get older, that margin of error for injury gets smaller. Honestly I wouldn’t consider a barbell deadlift program unless I was a powerlifter.
Posted by jennyjones
New Orleans Saints Fan
Member since Apr 2006
9963 posts
Posted on 5/1/26 at 9:55 am to
quote:

Deadlifting with Barbell vs Hex Bar


I’ll just add that bent over rows with a hex bar are significantly better (for me) than barbell bent over rows . Neutral grip plus less lower back strain makes a big difference

LINK
Posted by Schmelly
Member since Jan 2014
16161 posts
Posted on 5/1/26 at 10:19 am to
quote:

1000% agree that doing deads with the hex bar is much more forgiving on your back than doing them with a barbell and you are still getting the same benefits. Not saying barbell deads are bad at all. If you can maintain strict form they are awesome, but as you get older, that margin of error for injury gets smaller. Honestly I wouldn’t consider a barbell deadlift program unless I was a powerlifter.


I use a BB for RDLs but only cause my shitty gym doesn’t have a hex bar. I have to lock tf in those last few reps when I’m bout to fail or I’ll lean over instead of sit back. I don’t do traditional deads
This post was edited on 5/1/26 at 10:20 am
Posted by Schmelly
Member since Jan 2014
16161 posts
Posted on 5/1/26 at 10:25 am to
quote:

I’ll just add that bent over rows with a hex bar are significantly better (for me) than barbell bent over rows . Neutral grip plus less lower back strain makes a big difference


Never tried. You don’t bang your shins?
Posted by lsu777
Lake Charles
Member since Jan 2004
37977 posts
Posted on 5/1/26 at 10:56 am to
personally for those that I coach or have coached, i have found more problems with the trap bar than with traditional or sumo.

i prefer sumo because it has the best carry over to athletics but what happens is most people get way too comfortable with trap and end up getting sloppy and get hurt

all forms of deadlift are fine but you must concentrate on form and dont slack off
Posted by T1gerNate
Member since Feb 2020
3310 posts
Posted on 5/1/26 at 11:21 am to
I think if you do it with a hex bar it’s not really a true deadlift it’s more of a farmer carry type of movement. Doesn’t hit the posterior chain in the same way which is really what you’re after with the DL.
Posted by Schmelly
Member since Jan 2014
16161 posts
Posted on 5/1/26 at 11:55 am to
quote:

I think if you do it with a hex bar it’s not really a true deadlift


Who cares unless you’re powerlifting? Safety & results are all that matter. I refer to any hinging movement as a “deadlift” just outta convenience. All that you really need to understand is how much you want your hips involved and how much you want your quads involved. Everyone thinks the hex is more of a squat moment. It can be. It allows it to be. But it doesn’t have to be. I can involve or keep the knees out of the hex as much as I want. I’m not shitting on the BB in any way. All tools have their place
This post was edited on 5/1/26 at 11:56 am
Posted by jennyjones
New Orleans Saints Fan
Member since Apr 2006
9963 posts
Posted on 5/1/26 at 12:14 pm to
quote:

Never tried. You don’t bang your shins?


Never had an issue with that. Only thing is almost tripping on the front of it after exiting the last rep
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