Farmer's Walks with a Trap Bar?

[Derek Weaver]

Originally Posted by Dave Van Skike

everything you want to do with a trap bar you can do fine with farmers, if you need a lower pick, stand on a couple plates. trap bars make me feel boxed in and the feel less stable when you walk, farmers allow you to get a little side to side waddle going.

trap bar you can probably pull more that with farmers but who cares. If it's not a deadlift it's shit anyway.

It's settled. Farmers it is

[Matt Matijevich]

If you decide to build the ones in the link I have a few ideas or pointers(these are probably obvious for most..I am not that bright). We just used a Sawzall and a handheld drill. We did not have a vice to grip the pipe, it would have been very helpful to have one though.

1. Get the correct drill bit

2. Make sure the handles are straight. The first time mine were put together one handle was a little crooked and it made it really awkward.

3. The pipe that holds the weight is a not quite as wide as a barbell so my barbell clamps would not hold the weights. My friend had the idea to use pins. So on the ends where the weights go drill holes through the pipe about every inch or so. Then buy four lock pins like this. Mine were about $10 total at a local supply store. Then you can keep weights in place like this:


4. Use a bastard file to file down your cuts. Those edges will be razor sharp.


As for picking it up and carrying it. In the photo the guy is using a hook grip. I just could not get the hang of that. This video has some pretty good pointers. For a long time I tried to hold them the way I would hold a deadlift with the handle more towards the base of my fingers. That was not working out too well. I started gripping it more in my palm and made some pretty good progress. Again this is probably obvious to most people.

And keep those calluses filed down. Otherwise you are going to have some rips.

[Arien Malec]

Originally Posted by Matt Matijevich

3. The pipe that holds the weight is a not quite as wide as a barbell so my barbell clamps would not hold the weights. My friend had the idea to use pins.

I've got the same issue, but I found a spring clip + a cloth sleeve works fine (I use a cut up sock).

[Dave Van Skike]

if you hold them in place with a pin, how to you keep adding weight?

these work with all manner of bars, axle, oly, farmers etc.



get cheapo ones from home depot for a buck.

[Matt Matijevich]

Originally Posted by Dave Van Skike

if you hold them in place with a pin, how to you keep adding weight?

Drill multiple holes along the bar. About 1 every inch or so. This pair needs so more drilled.

Originally Posted by Dave Van Skike

I didn't have any luck with those. If I had any tilt when I was walking the weights slid off. I will have to try again.

[Dave Van Skike]

weird. i guess if it doesn't jingle too much that's a good way to go.

i've never had prblems with the clamps, except they will occasionally fail and it's a big ole yard sale. that's usually form doing soemthing dumb anyway. but these get pretty widley used even for axle presses and heavily loaded squats.

[Derek Weaver]

Thanks Dave, Matt and Arien for links and input.

I'm going to try the clamps first so I can avoid doing any more drilling than I have to.

Maybe this thread is better in the equipment forum now.

[Hugh Gilmore]

[quote=1. Get two or three drillbits because they will go dull.=QUOTE]


I'm not sure this should be happening if your just making a set, a drill bit designed for steel should last a bit longer than this.

But a newbie mistake would be to not use lube, ie wd40 or even old engine oil, when drilling, it keeps the drill bit cooler and stops it from losing its temper which would result in premature bluntness. Try and keep the bit well lubed when drilling and you will only need one drill bit.

Awesome thread, I am making a pair for definite now.

[Matt Matijevich]

Originally Posted by Hugh Gilmore

I'm not sure this should be happening if your just making a set, a drill bit designed for steel should last a bit longer than this.

But a newbie mistake would be to not use lube, ie wd40 or even old engine oil, when drilling, it keeps the drill bit cooler and stops it from losing its temper which would result in premature bluntness. Try and keep the bit well lubed when drilling and you will only need one drill bit.

Awesome thread, I am making a pair for definite now.

Great advice. I will update my post.

[Ken Urakawa]

FWIW, I have a trap bar that someone abandoned to my care as well as commercial farmer's walk handles, and have used both for carries. I'm in that same 5' 7"ish range, and have never had an issue with shins, toes, etc., using the trap bar. Can usually jog along much quicker than with the FW bars. For taller folks, your mileage may vary.

I like the FW handles, as well. They seem to work my grip much more than the trap bar, especially since they're independent of one another, but the trap bar allows for heavier loads and makes things in the upper back work differently since my hands are much wider.

Different strokes, I suppose. I usually just use heavy kb or db, and save the effort of loading the bars, to be honest.