Bodybuilding is a large area of physical training and exercise. Usually, people who are trying to develop their muscles or strength make use of weights or other equipment. One of the most common and also oldest pieces of equipment is the bar, or barbell. The stainless steel hex bar is one variation of this piece of equipment.
The principle behind the barbell is extremely simple. It is simply that the weight is raised using both hands at the same time, at an even height. Some people shift the weight to knee height (dead-lift), others to shoulder height, and sometimes even right above their heads. Unlike the dumbbell, the bar makes it possible for them to shift greater weight because they are using both hands.
There have been various design modifications of the barbell throughout its history. The most basic and perhaps oldest design is the straight bar, which is the standard or ordinary one. The weight plates are then attached to its ends. No matter how simple it looks, though, it is worth taking a closer look at it, since there have been attempts to improve certain factors associated with its design.
An obvious example of this is the position of the hands on the bar. The straight bar forces the hands to grip it at an angle. This puts significant pressure on the wrists, since they rotate through an acute angle as the bar is raised, or they are stationary in a flexed position. Given the immense weight that is being lifted, this can result in wrist pain or damage.
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.
Another development is the hex bar. The hex bar, as its name suggests, has a hexagonal aperture at its centre, instead of a single piece of metal spanning the gap between the plates. It also has a handle on either side of the aperture. 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.
The principle behind the barbell is extremely simple. It is simply that the weight is raised using both hands at the same time, at an even height. Some people shift the weight to knee height (dead-lift), others to shoulder height, and sometimes even right above their heads. Unlike the dumbbell, the bar makes it possible for them to shift greater weight because they are using both hands.
There have been various design modifications of the barbell throughout its history. The most basic and perhaps oldest design is the straight bar, which is the standard or ordinary one. The weight plates are then attached to its ends. No matter how simple it looks, though, it is worth taking a closer look at it, since there have been attempts to improve certain factors associated with its design.
An obvious example of this is the position of the hands on the bar. The straight bar forces the hands to grip it at an angle. This puts significant pressure on the wrists, since they rotate through an acute angle as the bar is raised, or they are stationary in a flexed position. Given the immense weight that is being lifted, this can result in wrist pain or damage.
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.
Another development is the hex bar. The hex bar, as its name suggests, has a hexagonal aperture at its centre, instead of a single piece of metal spanning the gap between the plates. It also has a handle on either side of the aperture. 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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