As a physical therapist, I routinely work with individuals who suffer from shoulder pain and dysfunction. Experience has taught me that the majority of shoulder injuries arise due to improper training. What Tim Fitzpatrick has developed in the T-Grip barbell is essentially a standard barbell with a modified grip (T-Grip), which protects the shoulder. When I first learned about the T-Grip barbell I was thrilled; it is a piece of equipment that has been designed with the shoulder in mind.

If one looks at the standard bench press maneuver with a straight bar, two possible hand grips can be used – a pronated or supinated grip. The pronated grip is the most commonly used, and can lead to impingement of the supraspinatus tendon, which can result in degenerative changes involving fraying and potential rupture of the tendon (especially with greater resistance). The supinated grip is commonly advised in the context of an existing rotator cuff injury or shoulder impingement. The negative effect of this grip is that the long head of the biceps tendon can be impinged.

The neutral grip of the T-Grip barbell however, protects both the rotator cuff and the long head of the biceps from unwanted forces while still allowing the athlete to reap the benefits of this compound movement. There are several other exercises that can also be improved with the use of the T-Grip barbell – the overhead press and the bent over row are two such examples.

I am confident that, as the body of knowledge regarding proper weight-lifting mechanics grows, we will develop an even greater appreciation for the T-Grip barbell. And it is only a matter of time before this barbell becomes a household-gym item.

I sincerely hope that the T-Grip barbell becomes more widely used in strength training, as it will increase the longevity of many athletes and recreational lifters.

Christopher Johnson, MPT, MCMT