Monday, November 19, 2007

  • Al Gerard and The Gerard Trap Bar

    • Al Gerard and The Gerard Trap BarAl Gerard and The Gerard Trap Bar

    Al Gerard was a powerlifter from North Carolina who devised a unique "frame" which allowed him to increase his deadlift without putting undue stress on his back.

    He named his invention the "Trap Bar" because of its shape -- using the Trap Bar, Al was able to deadlift over 745 pounds. Soon the Gerard Trap Bar was featured in many strength publications such as Iron Man Magazine, Powerlifting USA and Hardgainer Magazine (above.)

    Once people understood its unique advantages, The Gerard Trap Bar became one of the "must have" pieces of training equipment for leg and back development..

    Here's a few reasons why:

  • The knees don't interfere with the bar while the lifter assumes a more upright position when starting a lift.

  • The weight moves directly upward instead of sideways, placing more emphasis on the target musculature.

  • The lifter has better control of the bar throughout the full range of motion.

  • The weight moves in line with the ankles which improves leverage.

  • Lower back stress is reduced while the weight is moved in line with the natural center of gravity.

  • Shearing forces on spine and knees are reduced.

  • The shrug exercise is an integral part of every strength athlete's program. Strong upper back, neck and shoulder muscles are essential in all sports. The Gerard Trap Bar makes "shrugs" more comfortable because there is no bar contact with the upper thighs and lower front torso area; thus, more range of movement yields more muscle use and development.

  • It's easier to maintain good form -- elbow and wrist-joint strain is reduced by eliminating opposite grips, and standing shrugs yield improved trapezius development because the bar never contacts the thighs interfering with range of motion.

  • The Gerard Trap Bar moves the weight mass 16% closer to the perpendicular plane of the lower back than a conventional straight bar.

    Unlike most of the classic equipment that is featured on this blog, The Gerard Trap Bar is still available, and you can get your own right here: The Gerard Trap Bar - It's Back!

    Labels: , , , , , , , , , ,

    • Posted by John Wood @ Monday, November 19, 2007

    www.oldtimestrongman.com

    <<< BLOG Home

    All Contents, Including Images and Text, Copyright © 2010 by John Wood and Thunderdome Media Inc., Not to be reproduced without permission, All Rights Reserved

    Bookmark and Share

    Welcome to the Strongest Blog on the Net!

    This is THE PLACE where you will find interesting bits of Iron Game history, lore and training tips from the strongest men of all time.

    Monthly Archives