Balancing Physics of Farmer Carry Handles

[MGXM26]

Can someone explain the physics behind why Farmer carry handles are easier to balance than if you were to just grab a barbell of the same length?

https://www.google.com/search?q=rog...AUIDygC&biw=1422&bih=960#imgrc=9twW0_dA0EzGAM:

https://www.google.com/search?q=bar...UIDigB&biw=1422&bih=1058#imgrc=zuX_7zR0lW-REM:

<< Mentor Note: Adding in images to illustrate the question >>

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/...Tg2nZJR4AnIcBncbNO6DXM4iAFXl74F1p3x7WNFwyfrva

https://crossfit314.files.wordpress.com/2014/07/adam-erickson-farmers-carry.jpg?w=1024&h=680&crop=1

 

[berkeman]

Welcome to the PF.

Looks like it has to do with the lower center of gravity, and the wider support points on the bar compared to just the bare hand. Others will be able to give more quantitative answers...

 

[DaveC426913]

When carrying a barbell, it is free to rotate (pitch) - causing your hand to have to act as both the hinge and the brake.

Your grip is weakened when not horizontal, so you will have to exert much more grip just to hold on to it at all.

At the same time, there is nothing to stop it from bobbing back and forth and even hitting the ground - except the braking power of your hand (and you have virtually zero torque).

Adding the carry bars raises the handle above the center of mass of the barbells. Gravity will keep the barbells - and thus the handle - horizontal at all times. Now the barbells don't pitch at all, and thus don't require any exertion except straight lifting.