[quote]Lonnie123 wrote:
CT, I notice you have been using and/or recommending the Trap Bar (specifically the Dead/Squat Bar, but the Trap Bar has been your recommendation before that came out) So I had a few questions for you: [/quote]
I don’t really like the question since it makes it seems like a trap bar is just as good as the Dead-Squat bar, which it isn’t… far from it. The Dead-Squat is a lot more than an upscale trap bar.
Anyway…
[quote]Lonnie123 wrote:
1 - Any idea why its called a “trap bar?” Is it because you are “trapped” in it, or is it a better bar to use for Trap exercises like Shrugs and the dead lift? I know you are somewhat of an Iron History buff, so maybe there is some weird explanation from the past you know. [/quote]
It’s much simpler than that. The original trap bar was… trapezoid in shape (I attached a picture). Eventually they also make an ‘hex bar’ which was in the shape of an hexagon and they even had one where the bar was a cicle (it was called the Peary Rader Magic circle).
[quote]Lonnie123 wrote:
2 - Would you say its mainly a Leg/Quads exercise? Or does it hit the lower/upper back better? Or is it really, truly a great combo of the Dead lift and Squat, hence the name for the premier Dead-Squat bar?[/quote]
It is truly a combo of the squat for the leg involvement and deadlift for back development. I’d say that it is about 90% the effect of squats on the legs and 90% of the deadlift on the back, to me that makes it more than worth it as a main lower body exercise. For people with long legs, the Dead-Squat bar is actually more effective than squats to build the legs.
[quote]Lonnie123 wrote:
3 - If one were to use this as their primary leg exercise, as in your Layer System, are they any potential weaknesses that could arise that would need to be addressed with a secondary exercise?
[/quote]
I do some posterior chain work (reverse hyper, sometimes RDL and some leg curls). Most people will get the hamstring stimulation they need from high pulls and the Dead-Squat, but hamstrings have always been way overpowered by my quads and I feel the need for some direct work to reach maximum performance and development.