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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.
One such aspect is the way that the hands grip the bar. If the straight bar is used, the hands grip it at an angle. This can, in turn, place the wrists under stress, since they are flexed at an angle. This may lead to pain in the wrists, since they change their angle as the bar is lifted into the air. A joint changing its angle under extreme strain, such as the weight of the plates, can contract injury.
In order to counter this issue, the EZ ("easy") bar was introduced. The EZ bar has the shape of a zigzag, even though it has exactly the same material specifications as the straight bar. Its design allows the weightlifter to raise the bar with straight wrists, since the hands are pointing inwards or outwards, according to the preference of the user. This is the EZ bar's main advantage.
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.
This modified design allows for exercises which were not possible with either the straight or EZ bar. This illustrates the principle in gym equipment design that a modification sometimes enables new exercises. Users of the hex bar can stand within the hexagonal space and dead-lift directly upwards, holding the handles. They therefore, effectively, are holding the weight plates directly at their sides. This is in contrast to the other bars, which require their users to hold the weight in front of their bodies as they lift it, something which is potentially dangerous, or at least awkward.
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.
One such aspect is the way that the hands grip the bar. If the straight bar is used, the hands grip it at an angle. This can, in turn, place the wrists under stress, since they are flexed at an angle. This may lead to pain in the wrists, since they change their angle as the bar is lifted into the air. A joint changing its angle under extreme strain, such as the weight of the plates, can contract injury.
In order to counter this issue, the EZ ("easy") bar was introduced. The EZ bar has the shape of a zigzag, even though it has exactly the same material specifications as the straight bar. Its design allows the weightlifter to raise the bar with straight wrists, since the hands are pointing inwards or outwards, according to the preference of the user. This is the EZ bar's main advantage.
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.
This modified design allows for exercises which were not possible with either the straight or EZ bar. This illustrates the principle in gym equipment design that a modification sometimes enables new exercises. Users of the hex bar can stand within the hexagonal space and dead-lift directly upwards, holding the handles. They therefore, effectively, are holding the weight plates directly at their sides. This is in contrast to the other bars, which require their users to hold the weight in front of their bodies as they lift it, something which is potentially dangerous, or at least awkward.
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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