I’ve been lifting and training for most of my life. Over the years, I’ve collected just about everything you can imagine—squat racks, barbells, curl bars, Olympic plates, punching bags, Roman chairs, even a sled in the backyard. At one point I welded my own pull-up bar upgrade for my rack just because I thought I needed more options.
But lately, I’ve been trying to simplify. Instead of chasing every new piece of equipment, I wanted something that could do a lot with very little. That’s how I ended up buying the CAP Barbell Olympic Trap Bar and Shrug Bar.
Why I Bought It
The idea was simple: one tool that could replace half of my other gear. I wanted something I could take outside, load up, and use for a workout that hits everything—strength, cardio, and endurance. With the trap bar, that became possible.
I started using it for farmer’s carries, walking heavy for 20 meters at a time, and suddenly I realized it was giving me exactly what I’d been missing: grip strength, conditioning, and muscle all in one movement.
When It Proved Itself
One day, instead of setting up my whole squat rack routine, I just grabbed the trap bar, loaded some plates, and took it to the yard. I did rounds of carries, trap shrugs, rows, and even a few stiff-leg deadlifts. By the time I was done, I was drenched in sweat, my grip was cooked, and my legs were smoked.
That was the moment it clicked—I didn’t need all the extra stuff. This one piece of equipment was giving me the best workouts I’d had in years, without overcomplicating things.
A Small Drawback
If I had to point out one thing, it’s that the bar isn’t huge or flashy. It’s not a competition-grade piece of equipment, and the knurling isn’t the most aggressive out there. But for the price (around $70–$80), it’s ridiculously solid. I leave mine outside in the dirt and sun, drop it on rocks, and after three months it hasn’t rusted or bent at all.
Final Thoughts
For me, the CAP Trap Bar has become the MVP of my home gym. If you’re looking for something simple that can handle deadlifts, squats, carries, shrugs, rows, and more—all without needing an entire rack setup—this is it.
Sometimes less really is more.
👉 Check it out here: CAP Barbell Olympic Trap Bar and Shrug Bar