I can remember when my high school football coach introduced the “1000-pound club” (and it’s heavier, more exclusive compatriots) to our lifting regimen.
Not really knowing what “good” lifts were, I was stoked at the prospect of getting my name up on the “big board” and a shirt indicating that I had hit a collective 1000 pounds in the bench press (yep), power clean (..hmmm..), box squat (what?!), and…hex bar deadlift (……wow…..)
Yeah…some “1000-pound club” that was!
Regardless, it introduced me for the first time to the hex bar and all of the magic it could do for my deadlift. At the time, I probably deadlifted under 275 pounds with a traditional barbell, but you better believe I locked out 400+ pounds with that hex bar bad boy! Strangely, I never wondered why I could deadlift so much more with a hex bar (I never even asked “how much does a deadlift hex bar weigh?”)
In this article, we’re going to go over some of the key attributes of hex bars to give you a better idea of what including one in your training program can do for you!
Table of Contents
Deadlift Hex Bar: A Quick Overview
Hex bars have become a very popular piece of equipment for heavy lifting. One of the main reasons for this is because they put less pressure on the lower back than a regular barbell, particularly during movements such as deadlifts. Reducing this low-back pressure is exactly why legendary powerlifter and engineer, Al Gerard, invented it in the mid-1980s.
This hexagonal device was created for the purpose of increasing the lifting results without aggravating injuries.
According to Stronger By Science, the hex bar has a couple of more benefits:
- “It’s easier to learn than the barbell deadlift.
- No hyperextension at lockout.
- No need for a mixed grip.
- High handles for people with insufficient hip ROM.
- Less chance of getting pulled forward/spinal flexion.
- It can still be just as hip-dominant as a barbell deadlift.
- Likely higher transfer to other sports.”
Hex bars are commonly referred to as “trap bars” because they’re a popular tool for trapezius shrugs. In recent years, the trap bar deadlift has experienced an exponential surge in popularity. Heck, even the United States Army has implemented it into its bi-annual physical training tests for all of its soldiers.
But are all hex bars created equally? Are all deadlift hex bars the same size? How much does a deadlift hex bar weigh? We’ll discuss these items and provide a few examples of legit hex bars.
How Much Does A Deadlift Hex Bar Weigh?
The weight of the hex bar depends on several factors:
- Size
- Material
- Design
Although the particular steel that the hex bar is made of can influence its weight, the most important factor is the size. Simply put, the longer the bar is, the heavier it is.
Plus, some bars are designed with or without an additional bar across the front. Naturally, the additional bar increases the weight of the hex bar.
Now, let’s see the average weights of different hex bars.
The Average Weights of Deadlift Hex Bars
The weight of hex bars ranges from 30-70 lbs. However, the average weight is 45 to 52 lbs.
Here are the most common hex bar styles and their weights:
Standard Hex Bar
Design
- the minimal, hexagonal shape
- single bar handles on both sides
Material
- steel
Weight
- 45 lbs
Raised Handle Hex Bar
Design
- additional elevated handles raised 4-8 inches
Material
- steel (an additional amount is used in handles)
Weight
- 50-55 lbs (although you can find some models that weigh 45 lbs)
Benefit: easier grip
Heavy Duty Hex Bar
Design
- square steel tubing instead of solid steel
Material
- steel
Weight
- 60 lbs
Benefits: more rigid and durable, supports heavier load
Multi-Handle Hex Bar
Design
- adjustable handles with different diameters
Material
- alloy steel
Weight
- 60-65 lbs
Benefits: adjusting the handles helps you find the right grip
Open Back (Walkthrough) Hex Bar
Design
- the bar is open on one side instead of being a fully-enclosed hexagonal shape
Material
- steel
Weight
- 50-75 lbs (although you can find 45 lbs models)
Benefits: you can step into the bar instead of over it
The Weight of the Most Popular Hex Bars
- Rogue TB-1 Trap Bar 2.0 – 60 pounds
- Rogue TB-2 Trap Bar – 60 pounds
- Marcy Olympic Hex Trap Bar – 50 pounds
- Force USA Walkthrough Trap Bar – 65 pounds
- Eleiko Öppen Bar – 55 pounds
- Eleiko Öppen Deadlift Bar – 55 pounds
- METIS Olympic Hex Bar – 60 pounds
How Much Weight Should You Be Able to Lift With a Hex Bar?
Most people are able to deadlift significantly more weight with a hex bar than with a traditional barbell. So…if you want to increase your deadlift max overnight…just use a hex bar! According to a recent study, lifters are able to exert more power when deadlifting with a hex bar than with a traditional barbell.
These studies are confirmed when we look at the respective hex bar vs. barbell deadlift strength levels for “regional-athlete sized” CrossFitters. For the 200-pound men, the numbers look like this:
and for the 140-pound women:
For slightly lighter men, the hex bar vs. barbell deadlift numbers look like this:
and for women:
And for men who are slightly heavier, the numbers look like this:
and for women:
Depending on your answer to the question “how much does a deadlift hex bar weigh”, using these standards, you should have a pretty good idea of how many plates to load up your first time using the bar.
Frequently Asked Questions
One of the hex bars from this article caught your eye and you’re just about ready to buy? Check out some of the most popular hex bar questions before you decide to pull the trigger!
Is a hex bar deadlift easier than a traditional barbell deadlift?
A hex bar deadlift is generally considered to be easier than a traditional barbell deadlift. During a hex bar deadlift, the weight is kept closer to your center of gravity. This makes the lift easier on your grip and creates an anatomically advantageous lifting position.
Using hex bars with handles creates a shorter overall range of motion, making the lift easier to lock out. Also, the hex bar’s design prevents the rolling of the bar or possible friction between the bar and thighs (you can leave the soccer socks at home when hex bar deadlifting!)
Is the hex bar deadlift better?
Since deadlifting with a hex bar is easier, it allows you to lift heavier weights than when performing a traditional deadlift. Placing a heavier load on your muscles can help your muscle growth. So, yeah…”better” in that regard!
Why is the hex bar deadlift safer?
A hex bar deadlift is considered safer than a traditional deadlift because it reduces stress on the lower back. The more upright position maintained during the lift shifts much of this pressure away from the lower back. As a result, the risk of injuring your lower back is decreased.
Conclusion…Hex Bar Deadlifting is Good!
The hex bar makes a nice addition to your garage gym “arsenal” and for those susceptible to low-back stress, can be used in a number of alternative movements.
Although the answer to the question “how much does a deadlift hex bar weigh?” isn’t very…conclusive, at least the multitude of size and weight options provide you plenty of bars to choose from!
Although our list of the top deadlift WODs are comprised of traditional deadlift workouts, feel free to give one a try with your hex bar. Breaking 2:00 in Diane is a major accomplishment…no matter what type of bar you did it with!
