Traditional Romanian deadlifts with a straight bar keep the load in front of your body, which can stress your lower back. The trap bar allows more range of motion at the hips—but you can go heavier than with dumbbells.

How to Do It: Trap-Bar Deadlift

1. Grab the handles of a loaded trap bar and stand up straight.

2. Bend your hips to lower your torso. Bend your knees slightly and keep your lower back arched. Stop when you feel a stretch in your hamstrings. Then return to the start.

Quick Tip

You can use the trap bar for deadlifts, shrugs, bentover rows, and farmer’s walks.

 

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