THE BEST Hex Bar for Deadlifts-Bells of Steel- Hex Bar Unboxing

[@stephengreenwood8129]

I have an Olympic BB and set of bumper plates, I have not given it its due diligence because I’m running kettlebells, maces and now clubs. I prefer hex bar as it felt a lot more neutral when I used to do it in the dark days of going to a gym. I have given thought to buying one to replace the barbell

[@xyzct]

After careful consideration of space, money, flexibility, ergonomics, safety, stability-training, etc., I chose to skip going the barbell route, and opted for dumbbells (while, of course, also including kettlebells, steel clubs, and maces). I chose IronMaster adjustable dumbbells because those can be loaded up to 180lbs per dumbbell. So, at 62, I am hoping that that setup will cover my not having a hexbar setup. I think the added bonus of all the single-leg variations is a huge plus. Thoughts, guys?

[@144avery]

Grip strength will be more of a limiting factor with dumbell carries in my experience, but both work pretty well.

[@maxpower8052]

In my opinion, you have some bad@$$ dumbbells. I think working with those would definitely cover not having a hexbar. You can still deadlift with a neutral grip like the hexbar. Plus, similar to how you can bench press with X lbs of weight using a barbell, you cannot bench press X/2 lbs of dumbbells; the same is very likely true with the hexbar vs dumbbell deadlifts. If it challenges you, it will change you. I would bet money your dumbbells are in no way a compromise.

[@markrene6108]

Your fine mate, l'm 63 & l use dumbbells, kettles & different size bars. You don't need these fancy contraptions, l would love your dumbbell stack though as setting up with 8 dumbbells before WO's takes time and space. Stay functionally strong, fit with mobility exercises, stretching & at our age you can still give 25 to 35yos a run for their money, if they can catch up 👍

[@xyzct]

@@markrene6108, thanks for the input, mate. Yeah, I just couldn't get into have a whole "power rack" thingy, and deadlifting pad, etc., etc.. Just one of a zillion things I love about DBs is the demand for independent stabilization. That's such a huge bonus. I also think they are WAY more versatile. Btw, if you haven't already incorporated it into your life, seriously consider getting a few steel clubs and a few maces. It's just recently -- thanks to Mark -- that I'm starting to get my mind around kettlebells, clubs, and maces as an integrated set of tools. Mind-blowing! Keep it up! Peace.

[@powskier]

I have a simple trap bar with no kickstand or raised handles. What I do is put on a bumper plate first. Then regular 20kg steel plates slide on and off easily without picking it up because the bumper plate is slightly taller.

[@markridley2877]

Hey! Love the bar! Seen the short clip of you inset in video where your standing on cinder blocks. FYI- those are the weakest the way you have them stacked. Please consider turning them the way they are designed for strength. Safety first!

[@SmudgeOne7Three]

Mark, love all of your videos & the programs I've bought. Some feedback as a long time viewer: you seem to frequently say that THIS exercise or THIS tool is the best. The most efficient to improve in the least amount of time. It gets confusing. I'm sure you've said it about clubs, kettlebells, and on many of the individual exercise breakdowns you've done.

[@WiseOneSun]

As I was perusing your well worded post, I was thinking- okay, for sure he's going to have an equally cogent question... only to be disappointed! I know this is presumptuous: but Mark and I both want to know how would do you prefer he proceed in order to preclude confusion?..

[@SmudgeOne7Three]

@@WiseOneSun There's no need to be rude, it is just honest feedback of something he does in his content - which I perceive to be negative for a viewer who watches most of his stuff

[@MarkWildman]

I feel like I’m pretty consistent Kettle bells are the most accessible best way to spend your money on your health and fitness long-term Clubs are the absolute best way to improve your overall basic human movement patterns on the things that separate you from everything else There are six most important kettlebell moves, and their variations are very important Clubs improve peoples movement patterns, better than anything else based on inside circle outside circle and shield cast moving to mill and reverse mill. Am I not communicating this idea clearly There is no one perfect answer to everything Each thing does one thing better than anything else and I’m trying to be very very very clear about that

[@WiseOneSun]

@@SmudgeOne7Three Rude?!! Fascinating how easily people take offense these days. Truly fascinating. Wayne Dyer said it best when he stated so many people walk around looking to get offended! Unfortunately pal, you fall into that category. Nonetheless, may you continue clubbing in a celebratory fashion!

[@SmudgeOne7Three]

​@@MarkWildmanThanks for the thoughtful response! Only giving this feedback for you to improve how you deliver your content. And it's just my opinion. Skip to 4:08 of this video when you mention that this hex bar paired with posterior chain kettlebell movements is the fastest way to improve in the least amount of time. As a viewer, that sets alarm bells off in my head: "wait, didn't he say that about clubs? Kettlebell only programs? Some specific movement breakdown videos?" It seems nitpicky, but after hearing a similar sentiment about multiple things over time... It does start to feel confusing. You cover a wide range of tools & movements, which is great. And I'm sure each have their strengths. But because you cover so much, it's a bit like shopping for a product and the company has a 100x similar products and it's hard to choose which one is best for you. Not sure if you've felt that feeling haha I know the conversation about which tool & which exercises might be nuanced, because it depends on the athletes development, and a 1 on 1 coaching program wouldn't have this problem because it can be tailored. Maybe be more explicit in future to avoid any confusion (best at developing short amount of time.. Under X circumstances or for Y type of people) Or perhaps a video about a "bigger picture" overview about all the main tools & exercises you recommend and how they relate to each other. Maybe an "ideal tetris of training routine" for 3-5x situations / types of people, where there's different variations of the tools, programmes or exercises. One of my favourite videos of yours... Was the "99% fail at..... TOI Program Integration" video. Because it was bigger picture and really helped me able to navigate your content / programmes better. I personally would love to see more content like that, as I feel like a lot of your content is more specific / ground level. Again - love your stuff, and this is just my opinion. You might disagree!

[@zanehuether6031]

An interesting piece of equipment. I hope to add this to my gear someday in the future.

[@busyrand]

Holy Smokes... I've never seen a Hex Bar with an opening before... That's absolutely genius!

[@michaelsenft6205]

Hey Mark - my friend Al Girard was the inventor of the Trap Bar, back in 1987. The point of the bar was to create better biomechanics while retaining the range of motion of a straight bar. These “bastardizations” of his idea all have “cheater” handles that reduce the range of motion. Unfortunate…..

[@aaronthompson192]

I think they're there to help people with varying heights or mobility still be able to do the movement safely. And the handles are only on one side (for most) so just flip the bar over if you don't want to use them.

[@MarkWildman]

My favorite thing to do with a bar like this is an Olympic plate fits inside the center, which allows you to adjust the height. Adding plates all allows you to get a greater and greater range of movement by building a stand in the center.

[@drunknnirish]

Maybe it’s because I learned how to do it before anything else but to me the conventional barbell deadlift will always be the best deadlift to do. Most amount of muscle mass over the longest effective range of motion. I will 100% say though not everyone can teach it well so that is surely a factor.

[@MarkWildman]

That is the biggest factor

[@144avery]

Are there any good travel options for farmers carries? Something compact but easy to grip?

[@crayzmarc]

Don't they do a bag like a KB that can be filled with sand? You talking about travelling? Also hydra like hydrocore

[@maxpower8052]

How about doing a MacGyver like thing on that one if you can't travel with dedicated equipment? Not building something out of random stuff but just using what is nearby to accomplish the task. Like if I flew in somewhere, I like to visit the grocery store to buy a case of purified bottled waters since if you drink 2 or 3 of them, it's cheaper than buying them from a vending machine. You could always farmer carry the case of water, provided you are sensible in how you open and retrieve water from the case. Of course, you could always use your luggage to carry.

[@MarkWildman]

This thing is a really good option because of its open side it all allows you to walk lunch and even do step ups with the hexx bar

[@144avery]

@@MarkWildman yeah but it's not something I can throw in a car or a gym bag. I think I'll go with the Synergee mini farmers carry handles for now

[@WiseOneSun]

Mark how do I get sign up info for your Los Angeles Workshop you're doing next month with the other mace guy?

[@MarkWildman]

Go to the website and it’s under event tab. And every day or so we put a link up on Instagram.

[@antonomaseapophasis5142]

The Army Combat Fitness Test uses this sort of bar for a deadlift. I am going to assume this is a well-thought out, lifetime fitness benchmark.

[@samullen]

Hey, the giraffe is back. You must be setting up shop again. Very happy for you.

[@MarkWildman]

Ethel we live in every gym I ever have

[@MarkWildman]

This giraffe was a gift to me back during my circus days before I ripped my leg in half

[@owentomlinson924]

How does the weight go up to 700lb if you can only do 3 plates

[@EdwardsNH]

Personal trainer for 35 years... hex bar deadlifts are the standard for athletes as it's a much more functional pattern. I have been drooling over this style of hex bar for years, but they're so expensive

[@albertfischer8804]

The one from REP fitness is much nicer.

[@deantorres760]

I totally want that.

[@crayzmarc]

Why isn't a KB Deadlift Valid? Range of motion?

[@drunknnirish]

They just aren't heavy enough.

[@nirpy]

KB (or dumbbell or just plates on diy farmers handles) deadlifts are great if you can find enough weight. Single leg variations, staggered stances or elevated deficit deadlifts stretch a lighter weight much further--Mark has talked about these. Also lifting a pair of KBs in each hand work well too as does banding your bells.

[@MarkWildman]

Kettle bells are absolutely fantastic but 270 pound kettle bells is a high rep proposition, I do lots and lots and lots of extremely high stuff so I’d like to counterbalance with a low rep thing that I can put by the door whenever I walk in and out of the space

[@mikemorin7411]

It does not look that function to bumper plates I each side fills it out, can hardly put any weight on it, bad design, and who cares if you can tip it up to add wage to it does not hold that much weight, people sell anything these days might be good for a little kids , don’t waste your money

[@MarkWildman]

My other one takes 800 pounds of Olympic plates.

[@MarkWildman]

I have videos on that one as well

[@SpikeTFA]

"Bar none"... I see what you did there