Originally Posted by
DRice311
Kind of like a sumo pull with more range of motion (assuming you are using the low handles), in that you can maintain a much more vertical back angle. Trab Bar def has more demand on the Anterior chain, less mobility demands and less shear force on the spine. I've seen it described as a spectrum on these 3 aspects: Trap bar Deads <-------->Sumo Deads<---------->Conventional Deads
Oldster uses them as a regular part of his training for the exact reason you mentioned. My gym just got one, the only thing I've used it for so far are shrugs, and I actually didn't really like them because my hands were too wide - but I have incorporated them in the past.
So, to answer your question - I do think they would work for your intended purpose (getting some pulling in, while not over taxing your recovery on lower back), but I don't know how much transfer you would see to a conventional pull, since they are recruiting different musculature, if that is what you are going for, imo.