Trap Bar Training: Part II
by Thom Van Vleck
Thom Van Vleck performing Trap Bar Deadlifts with the addition of 60 pounds of chains attached to the bar. Thom joined us at the Dino Gym for one of our "Tuesday Night Workouts" and discovered the FUN OF TRAP BAR DEADLIFTS. (photo and caption courtesy of Al Myers)
Now, to continue with the Trap bar, I learned a couple of things as I began to work this lift. First, I needed to start with the bar where the center of gravity was where it normally would be with a regular deadlift. Then, as I pulled up, I would shift that center towards the center of my thigh. The began to engage the hips more. Your “groove” might be different but it’s critical you play around with it and find it…it’s different than a straight bar for sure!!!!
My plan is to work this lift hard over the winter with a goal of 700lbs! I will let you guys know what I end up with, but the truth of the matter is that I’m as motivated about pulling again as I was 10 years ago when I got the 640 deadlift! When I got that lift I was on a quest for 700 but had worked for so long and so hard on doing deadlift after deadlift after deadlift I got burned out on heavy lifting from the floor. So it’s more more important to me the trap bar has captured my imagination and made me believe I can hit big numbers again. That’s the real gift of it. Maybe I’ll finally pull that 700! Even if it’s on a trap bar! So, try some trap bar pulls to spice up your training….and don’t forget, it’s a USAWA official lift so you can set records on it, too!!!!!
Rules for the Trap Bar Deadlift are pretty basic.
Al Myers even has a two man trap bar! So you can go to the Dino Gym with your training partner and hit some big “two man” lifts.
So go “Trap” and see if your pulling power doesn’t come up!