Advantages Of The Stainless Steel Hex Bar

By April Briggs


Exercise and fitness often involve the use of weights and weightlifting equipment. They may be used to improve strength or to increase muscle mass. One of the most common items in the gym is the barbell, otherwise known as the bar. This piece of equipment has different versions, one of which is the stainless steel hex bar.

The barbell's concept is easy to understand. It is a weight that is gripped with both hands and lifted equally, either to knee (dead-lift) or shoulder height or raised above the head. Using both hands means that the person can lift more weight than is possible on the dumbbell, which is raised using only one hand.

The barbell has not remained static in its design over time. The older, more classic style, which is simply the straight bar with the weight plates on either end, is still used and remains the simplest option. Yet there are aspects of its design that are worth discussing and which have been targeted by later versions.

One prime example is how the bar is held in the hands. Because the straight bar is straight, the hands cannot hold it at perpendicular angles. The wrists are then under strain as the weight is raised because they change their angle to the bar through the movement. They might also sometimes have to remain flexed under extreme weight. This is obviously hazardous and can injure them or cause pain.

The EZ bar (pronounced easy bar) negates this issue through its zigzag design. It uses the same material and specifications as the straight bar but it has a zigzag shape. The person is then able to grip and raise the bar with straight wrists. The hands can be positioned directed outwards or inwards, depending on the user's preference. This is the EZ bar's primary aspect of improvement.

The hex bar goes far further, however. It has a hexagonal opening in the middle of the space between its ends, hence its name. This opening is formed by a bar on either side. At each side of the opening, there is a handle. Once again, it is made of the same material as other bars.

The design of the hex bar permits exercises which are, of course, not an option using the other types of bar. One such exercise is the dead-lift, which the user of the hex bar can perform by standing in the opening and raising the bar up around themselves. This means that they are lifting the weight on either side of their body, or straight up, instead of keeping it awkwardly in front of them with extended arms, as they are required to do using the other bar designs. This latter issue can result in injury. This exercise also shows how adjustments to or variations of gym equipment can result in new exercises being devised.

Those who are interested in using the hex bar should take note of the different exercises that are possible with it. Its designer may have envisaged exercises that the ordinary user won't be able to figure out themselves.




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