How do Hex/Trap bar squats compare to back squats. ?

Does anyone have an opinion on the above ?
 
Couldnt squat this week, as my shoulder has been injured recently and i couldnt reach the bar comfortably with my hand, also the bar across the traps was painful on my shoulder ( not just namby pamby painful... it fookin hurt, lol )
 
so i did some hex bar squats, no aggravation to the shoulder and felt much the same in my legs, better feel to the movement for me tbh.
Im not a gifted squatter by any means, well make that im pretty sh1t at it, so havent done for a long long time but have recently made the decision to 'shut up and squat' lol
well at least im trying... yeah ?
 
I used to use a trap bar years ago but it took a while for me to get it right the other day, ie squatting on a platform so i could get the depth etc ?
 
Any input, good bad etc ?

Anyone ???

They are very good imo.  They are not really a lot of use for a powerlifter from what I've heard the carry over to squat or deadlift is limited, but for a general trainer they are a useful tool.

Cheers Wheels,
in terms of how the exercise feels in the legs there was little difference to me.
Just wondered if there was any actual difference in how the legs are worked.
 

I recon the only thing would be depth,be easier to get depth on squats and would be harder on the legs,also because the weight is carried higher on squats this would make it much harder to stabalize yourself,so again would recruit more leg muscle fibres,and not forgeting the core needed to stabalize yourself too.
have you tried front squats,save you having to reach back for the bar on back squats.
or lunges with dumbells.

There are differences, mostly due to the different leverages given the bar position.  The plus is you should be able to handle 10% more or so than used for a straight bar deadlift.
 
I wouldn't use it as an exclusive leg exercise, but combine a trapbar deadlift with front squats/lunges/setups you get a good mix.  Although if I have to pick one leg exercise a TB deadlift would probably be the one lol.

brit iron


I recon the only thing would be depth,be easier to get depth on squats and would be harder on the legs,also because the weight is carried higher on squats this would make it much harder to stabalize yourself,so again would recruit more leg muscle fibres,and not forgeting the core needed to stabalize yourself too.
have you tried front squats,save you having to reach back for the bar on back squats.
or lunges with dumbells.

Thanks for your comments Brit-Iron, good points about the stabilisation mate.
Also re the depth i used a platform for this very reason mate, we have a wooden block something like 30'' x 30'' and 10'' deep in the gym, standing on this allowed me to get a good depth.  Mentioned use of platform in first post but didnt make it very clear, thanks for you help mate.

Also, front squat was uncomfortable on shoulder area too.
 
Cheers Wheels, im going to def add something like lunges or step ups as you suggest to this, at 6'6'' ive never been a fan of squatting and really avoided it like the plague since i had a spinal op. Really liked the trap bar though and im actually looking forward to my next leg session with it. Need to hone the session a bit with other stuff like the lunges etc as you suggest but going to keep at these now.... the leg press will be redundant for a while..lol
 
Talk about coincidence but look what has been posted up on TNation today.
 
 http://www.t-nation.com/free_online_article/most_recent/the_trap_bar_deadlift
 
 

Nice link mate,interesting reading,wouldn't mind getting one of them.
should imagine it would be much easier on the shoulders for more than one reason.
I didn't miss that you deadlift from a block,i just think its easier to go lower on squats,like ass to grass,as they say.if you look at the vid in your link ,where he is deadlifting from a block,you will notice his leg depth is still not that great,from a squating perspective.
check this out. http://www.gymratz.co.uk/gymratz-safety-squat-bar
 

Cheers Brit, got you now... yes mate i see what you mean.
 
Ive seen a safety squat bar before but never used one, id like to have a play with one.
Might suggest it to gym owner and see if i can raise his interest a little, he's like a kid who wants the new toys in the Argos book with gym kit...lol
Thinking about it the engineers at work could knock one of them up for me... hmmm