Why I like the Trap-Bar Deadlift better than the regular Deadlift

Posted by admin on March 25th, 2009 at 12:14pm

In my quest to get stronger, I have employed the use of all the basics, squats, deadlifts, bench press, etc.  The one lift that I have always had a hard time with form was the regular old deadlift.  I never could settle into a comfortable set-up, I never felt like I could keep my back tight, and I always felt the lift more in my back than my legs.

Yet none of this kept me from removing the deadlift from my program.  You have to deadlift to get stronger right?  In planning my next training cycle, I decided to swap out the regular deadlift with my trusty pal, the trap bar deadlift.  For those unfamiliar with a trap bar deadlift, check out this video.

This is not to bash on the regular deadlift.  I think it is a great lift, however for me and for what I am looking for out of my training, I like the trap bar deadlift for a few reasons.  First and foremost, my form is much tighter when using a trap bar rather than a regular bar for deadlifts.  I am not lifting with my back, the stress is shifted in greater proportion to my legs.  Which is my second point, in wanting to gain in my vertical jump, I felt like the trap bar was better suited to hit my leg muscles than the regular deadlift.

I just did trap bar deadlifts on Monday for the first time in a long time.  I really felt it in my hamstrings, which was a real nice feeling.  I hit 325 for a big time rep PR of 10.  Hopefully I notice some results in my vertical jump, which I plan to test tomorrow. 

Which deadlift variation do like best and why?

Under Training