How heavy is a trap bar

Hex bars come in various shapes and sizes, including single-handle, dual-handle, and open variations.

We’ve seen and used them all.

With so many variations, it’s not easy to know how much a hex bar weighs.

To save you the time and hassle of searching through numerous manufacturers, we’ve compiled some of the most popular options for you

Let’s dig in.

Table of Contents

• What is a Hex Bar?
• How Much Does a Hex Bar Weigh?
• Factors that Influence Hex Bar Weight
  • Dimensions
  • Steel
  • Handles
  • Open vs. Closed
• Single-Handle Hex Bar Weight
• Dual-Handle Hex Bar Weight
• Open Hex Bar Weight
• FAQs about Hex Bars
• Final Thoughts

What is a Hex Bar?

The hex bar, also known as the trap bar, is one of the most popular specialty bars. It offers several excellent benefits that make it comfortable, versatile, and fun to use. Because of its unique design, it can also be safer than other types of barbells, including straight bars.

Invented by Al Gerard in the 1980s, the bar derives its name from its hexagonal shape (hex bar) and its effectiveness in training the trapezius muscles (trap bar).

By positioning the load in the center of the body instead of in front, the trap bar can help train around injuries, boost athletic performance, and open up a wide range of exercises.

How Much Does a Hex Bar Weigh?

Most hex bars weigh between 45-76lbs or 20-35kgs. Unlike the uniform weight of traditional Barbells, trap bars range in thickness, length, height, materials, and more. Refer to the chart below to see hex bar types, weights, and lengths by brand.

Factors that Influence Hex Bar Weight

There are a few factors that determine how much a hex bar weighs. 

Dimensions

Unsurprisingly, bigger hex bars weigh more than smaller ones. Compact trap bars typically measure ~56″ long, while larger ones can reach almost ~90″. This can lead to weight variances of 15lbs or more. The biggest factors of total length include sleeve length and rackability.

Longer sleeves allow you to load more weight onto the bar, so if you’re a heavy lifter, I recommend focusing on bars with long sleeves of ~15″+. 

A rackable hex bar allows you to rack the bar in your squat or power rack. This opens up more exercises, including rack pulls, overhead presses, etc. Of course, this adds additional length and increases the weight of the hex bar. 

In addition to length, depth is also a consideration. Some trap bars have bigger frames than compact ones, which can benefit larger lifters. Generally, depth will range from 23″ to nearly 30″.

Steel

Some trap bars are built with solid bar steel, while others are built with square tube steel. While weight capacity is largely consistent between the two, tube steel bars are often heavier. This is due to steel diameter and the fact that most bars that use tube steel are simply larger than solid bar steel bars.

Handles

Hex bars commonly offer a single handle height or a dual/raised handle height. Dual handles allow for greater training variety because you can lift from two elevations. 

Because hex bars with dual handles have more material, they’re often heavier than their single-handle counterparts. 

Open vs. Closed

Although traditional hex bars with fully enclosed frames are the most common, open hex bars have grown tremendously. By removing one of the long edges in the frame, an open hex bar provides even more exercise variety. For instance, open hex bars allow you to perform walking lunges, sprint outs, etc.

All else equal, an open trap uses less material and is generally lighter than a closed one. However, most open trap bars are larger overall, which actually makes them heavier than many closed bars. 

Single-Handle Hex Bar Weight

Best For: Budget Shoppers and Beginners | Weight: 45-60lbs | Length: 55″-89″ | Price: $100-$300+

Single-handle hex bars are the most basic type of trap bar. As the name implies, this variation includes a single set of handles. Most single-handle hex bars weigh between 45-60lbs, but the majority are closer to 45lbs. 

• Dimensions: The biggest weight factor for a single-handle hex bar is its size. These bars are typically between 55″-89″ long. Because they only have one height, they’re the shortest type of trap bar at 3″ or less. This can be a benefit if you’re training in a small space and storage is at a premium. 
• Rackability: These bars are available in rackable and non-rackable forms, but most are non-rackable. 
• Sleeve length: Most single-handle hex bars have sleeves ranging from 9″-16″.
• Price: On average, this is the most affordable variation. Budget versions can cost less than $100, while premium versions can cost $300+. 

Single-Handle Hex Bar Recommendations

• Rogue TB-1

• Synergee Hex Trap Bar

• CAP Olympic Trap Bar

Dual-Handle Hex Bar Weight

Best For: Most People | Weight: 44-60lbs | Length: 55″-89″ | Price: $120-$400

Dual-handle/raised hex bars are the best for most people because they blend function and price. Having two handle heights lets lifters train partial ranges of motion, which can be beneficial in working around injuries and training sticking points. I recommend dual-handle hex bars over single-handle variations unless you’re on a tighter budget.

Dual hex bars typically have weights between 44-60lbs, but some can be as heavy as 76lbs.

• Dimensions: For the most part, raised hex bars have the same dimensions as single-handle versions. Length will typically range between 55″-89″. The biggest difference is height since this variation includes an extra handle. Most dual-handle bars will be 5.5″-9″ tall
• Rackability: These bars are available in rackable and non-rackable forms. There are more rackable options with this variation compared to others.
• Sleeve length: Most dual-handle hex bars have sleeves ranging from 9″-16″.
• Price: On average, this variation is the middle-priced tier. Budget versions start around $120, while premium versions can cost ~$400. 

Dual-Handle Hex Bar Recommendations

• Rogue TB-2

• Titan Hex Trap Bar

• Synergee Hex Trap Bar

Open Hex Bar Weight

Best For: Advanced Lifters and Larger Budgets | Weight: 45-73lbs | Length: 59″-85″ | Price: $300-$800+

Open hex bars are the most versatile variation because of their unique design. This is the bar I predominately train with and what I recommend to those looking to explore additional variety. 

In addition to an open frame, these trap bars have integrated deadlift jacks to load plates effortlessly. Although they use less material in the frame, they’re typically heavier than traditional trap bars due to features like the deadlift jack, Olympic-sized sleeves, etc. 

Open trap bars weigh between 45-73lbs, but most weigh 55lbs or more.

• Dimensions: Open hex bars can vary in dimensions, but they’re at least 59″ long, and most are longer than 75″. This is mainly because they have longer sleeve lengths than other trap bars. 
• Rackability: Many open hex bars are rackable, which increases their versatility. It also contributes to more weight and a longer profile. 
• Sleeve length: Most open bars have 15″+ sleeves, with some reaching 17″. Heavy lifters may benefit greatly from using this bar type compared to others. 
• Price: On average, open hex bars are the most expensive option. This variation generally starts at $300 and can surpass $800 for the premium options.

Open Hex Bar Recommendations

• REP Open Trap Bar

• Kabuki Trap Bar HD

• Eleiko Oppen Deadlift Bar

FAQs about Hex Bars

1. Do Hex Bars Weigh 45lbs?

   Some hex bars weigh 45lbs, but most are heavier depending on size, materials, and design. Unlike Olympic bars that have a consistent weight, hex bars typically range from 45-76lbs.

2. What Exercises Can you Perform with a Hex Bar?

   Hex bars are versatile specialty bars that let you perform exercises like deadlifts, shrugs, carries, rows, presses, lunges, and more.

3. How Much do Hex Bars Cost?

   Hex bars can cost anywhere from under $100 to over $800 depending on the manufacturer and features. For example, a high-end open hex bar will cost much more than a basic single-handle hex bar.

Final Thoughts

Hex bars are versatile specialty bars that can help you lift safer and add fun, challenging variety to your training. A trap bar is one of the first specialty bars I recommend if you’re looking to add to your barbell collection. 

Knowing how much your hex bar weighs will help you progress your training by providing a benchmark and improving tracking accuracy.

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