The Bells of Steel trap bar is my current favorite specialty bar in the garage.
Mainly because of its built-in deadlift jack that makes it so much easier to load/unload.
Having used a regular trap bar for many years, I’m never going back.
With an open-ended frame and rotating sleeves, the BOS open trap bar has some great features that make exercising more efficient.
Let’s dig in!
Unboxing
The Bells Of Steel open trap bar came in a long rectangular box.
Wasn’t very heavy to lift, just awkward cause of its length.
You can see the jack stand feet sticking out of the box but no damage was done.
Once I got the box open, the trap bar came in one piece.
On each side they added a plywood rectangle and a rubber pad around the sleeves.
I thought this was smart on Bells of Steel’s part so that the weight sleeves wouldn’t poke through the box during shipping.
Speaking of shipping, I ordered this on a Thursday and I got it on Saturday so it only took a couple days to get it.
Out of the box, this thing is a beauty.
Love the black frame with zinc coated sleeves look.
And it stands up on its own for easy loading and unloading!
Specs
- Weight: 47 lbs
- Length: 59″B
- Width: 22.2″
- Height: 4.8″
- Shaft coating: Black oxide
- Sleeve coating: White zinc
- Sleeve diameter: 1.9″ (Fits Olympic size weight plates)
- Sleeve length: 10″
- Weight capacity: 700 lbs
Built-In Jack Stand
One of my favorite features of the BOS open trap bar is the built-in jack stand.
If you used to a regular trap bar, this will feel like you’re cheating.
But it makes it so much easier to load and unload especially as you add more weight to the bar (similar to how a barbell jack works).
The open end of the Bells of Steel trap bar has rubberized feet.
These feet lift the bar on its side and keep the sleeves high enough so that your weight plates don’t touch the floor.
Here’s what the bar looks when it’s on the jack stand and with a plate loaded on each side.
The bottom of my competition bumper plates is about 2″ off the floor.
When I’m ready to workout I tilt the bar to any direction so that the plates touch the floor.
Loading / Unloading
Because the open trap bar only weighs 47 lbs, it does tilt to one side when you load the first plate.
But it doesn’t make it any less stable.
I actually felt like raising the other sleeve made it easier to load.
Once you add a plate on the other side to balance it out, all other plates you add don’t tilt the bar.
Rotating Sleeves
The rotating sleeves on the BOS open trap bar make things easier on my wrists.
Until I got this trap bar, I’ve always had a problem with a regular trap bar tilting forward or back.
When you’re lifting and the weight plates start rotating, they pull the bar with them.
So my wrists always have to fight that tilt plus it throws my balance off.
But with rotating sleeves I don’t have that issue because the sleeves spin while the bar shaft stays neutral.
Taking a closer look at the inside of the rotating sleeves you can see it uses bronze bushings.
On the other end of the sleeve, it has a Bells of Steel end cap.
Looking closely at the sleeves, they have ridges on them.
This helps the weight plates from sliding.
You can also add clamps on them to make it more secure.
So how many plates can each sleeve hold?
That’ll depend on how much you lift and the type of plates you use?
For regular dudes like me who are just looking to stay in shape, the sleeves will hold plenty of weight.
If you’re a powerlifter who uses only bumper plates and deadlifts over 700 lbs then you might run out of room.
Knurling
The knurling on this trap bar is mild.
When I go heavier I use weight lifting straps to make sure my grip is secure.
There’s two ways to use the handles, raised handle down for more range of motion.
Or go with the raised handle up if your lower body range of motion is not the best.
Open Ended Frame
Having an open side on the trap bar has some advantages over regular trap bars.
Thanks to whatever crazy engineering they use, the bar surprisingly stays balanced.
The open end adds the ability to have a built-in deadlift jack.
And it makes it more versatile so you can do more exercises with it.
Open Trap Bar Exercises
Having an open end gives me the ability to add lunges with a bigger stride.
I could be also throw in some Bulgarian split squats.
With reverse lunges I don’t have to worry about hitting anything behind me.
With farmer walks or loaded carries I can take bigger strides.
And with exercises like a bent over row, I have plenty of room in the back to hinge as much as I want.
And of course, you can do deadlifts, squats, shrugs, etc.
I’m sure there’s plenty of exercises that can be done, just showing you a few.
Bells of Steel Trap Bar vs Regular Hex Bars
Most obvious difference between a regular trap bar and the Bells of Steel open trap bar is…. the open end.
The IFAST Fitness trap bar I own is closed all around and there’s nothing wrong it.
It works just like it should.
In fact, I laid the BOS trap bar on top of the IFAST Fitness and they’re almost identical in size.
The sleeves on Bells of Steel’s stick out more but frame and handles are almost identical in size.
But the rotating sleeves, open end, and built-in jack, give Bells of Steel the edge.
Bells of Steel Open Trap Alternatives
Rep Open Trap Bar
An alternative to Bells of Steel open trap bar is the Rep Open Trap Bar.
For about $100 more, Rep’s open trap bar is rackable, beefier, has fully knurled handles, and a round tube frame that can be used as a cambered bar.
This gives you more exercise options like bench press and shoulder press.
Rep also gives you the option to select from four fully knurled detachable handles.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Built-in jack: Loading and unloading takes less effort and time
- Rotating sleeves: Keeps your wrists safe and helps maintain neutral shaft during exercise
- Open frame: Gives you more space to add more exercises
- Build: Solid steel with a 700 lbs weight capacity
- Price: At less then $300 it is one of the more affordable open trap bars
Cons
- Sleeve length: Sleeves might be too short for powerlifters who use thick bumper plates. Thin weight plates like XMaster chrome plates and Weight It Out plates work best if you already load up the bar.
Bells of Steel Trap Bar Review
I’m very happy with the BOS open trap bar.
For me it was an upgrade from a regular trap bar that I had always used.
I can do more exercises, rack the weights easily, and the rotating sleeves make it more stable.
If you’re looking for a fancy budget open trap bar, Bells of Steel has them.
Check Out The Bells Of Steel Trap Bar Here
Bells Of Steel Open Trap Bar 3.0
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