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Deadlifting with Barbell vs Hex Bar
Posted on 4/30/26 at 4:42 am
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.
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 on 4/30/26 at 6:23 am to meeple
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 on 4/30/26 at 6:36 am to meeple
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
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 on 4/30/26 at 8:17 am to LSUfan20005
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 on 4/30/26 at 8:18 am to meeple
I love the hex bar. I Really have gotten stronger traps and legs since I switched.
Posted on 4/30/26 at 9:05 am to meeple
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.
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 on 4/30/26 at 12:02 pm to meeple
quote: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.
Deadlifting with Barbell vs Hex Bar
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 on 4/30/26 at 1:57 pm to Big Scrub TX
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 on 4/30/26 at 3:06 pm to meeple
The hex bar is 1000x more forgiving on your back & a lot easier for people who aren’t the greatest at hinging.
Posted on 4/30/26 at 3:07 pm to LemmyLives
quote:
Based on what?
Biomechanics
Posted on 4/30/26 at 5:01 pm to LemmyLives
quote:Based on the relative biomechanics of the 2 positions. IMO, the pure deadlift opens you up more to injury.
Based on what?
quote:I didn't say injury was guaranteed.
The last time I injured myself deadlifting with a barbell was 20 years ago
quote:Sounds like you have a great answer for how to do the sets you like to do.
I intensely dislike the position the hex bar puts my arms/hands.
Posted on 4/30/26 at 7:39 pm to Big Scrub TX
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 on 5/1/26 at 9:05 am to Schmelly
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 on 5/1/26 at 10:19 am to MWP
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 on 5/1/26 at 10:25 am to jennyjones
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 on 5/1/26 at 10:56 am to meeple
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
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 on 5/1/26 at 11:21 am to meeple
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 on 5/1/26 at 11:55 am to T1gerNate
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 on 5/1/26 at 12:14 pm to Schmelly
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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