Author Topic: Safety Squat Bar  (Read 3893 times)

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mj

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Safety Squat Bar
« on: March 18, 2011, 09:39:46 pm »
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Hope this is the right place for this. What does everyone reckon about the safety squat bar (SSB)? I don't do machines or gimmicks but this thing gets awesome wraps pretty much everywhere.

Reason I'm interested is that I have really long legs and back squatting with a really upright torso is farkin impossible (at any kind of decent depth and weight). My best torso position is in the front squat. Actually I love front squatting. But I can't bear enough weight in front position to overload my legs proper.

SSB puts the weight out in front squat kinda territory and high on the back. Seems ideal for my goofy mechanics.

I've read that it can be easier on the back than a high bar back squat cause you can stay bolt upright, specially if you free the hands and hold an upright on the power rack. I've also heard it can be a mofo on the back. Not sure what to believe.


dirksilver

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Re: Safety Squat Bar
« Reply #1 on: March 19, 2011, 12:44:01 am »
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ever think about doing low bar squats?

i thought safety bars were more for when you had injuries...like rotator cuff stuff so you don't have to mess your shoulders up worse

mj

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Re: Safety Squat Bar
« Reply #2 on: March 19, 2011, 01:17:50 am »
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I grew up on low bars man. That's my main squat. But I've been trying to switch to high bar for ages. It seems to carry over to my jump way better.

And yeah the safety bars are good for amputees, injured people etc. But the camber is the money for me. It puts the weight forward so torso lean is minimal. My long levers make me bend over heaps, high or low bar, to keep the weight over mid foot. Its not a good environment for loading the legs.

Like I was saying front squats I do with mad form.... just can't support the same weight as a back squat.

I'm just gonna buy it and see how it goes. I'm working Saturday right now anyway on o/t..... fark it  ;D

dirksilver

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Re: Safety Squat Bar
« Reply #3 on: March 19, 2011, 01:25:59 am »
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do it to it man!

when you say fark it you make me think of battle star galactica and how they say frak on that show hahaha

Kellyb

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Re: Safety Squat Bar
« Reply #4 on: March 19, 2011, 01:43:40 pm »
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I wouldn't waste your money. As you descend the bar really pulls you forward and you have to contract your back a ton to stay upright. To me the effect is more like doing a Zercher squat in a high bar squat position. If you're into front squats you'll probably hate the safety squat.  Definitely try to try one out before you buy one.
« Last Edit: March 19, 2011, 01:47:56 pm by Kellyb »

adarqui

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Re: Safety Squat Bar
« Reply #5 on: March 19, 2011, 08:13:31 pm »
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I wouldn't waste your money. As you descend the bar really pulls you forward and you have to contract your back a ton to stay upright. To me the effect is more like doing a Zercher squat in a high bar squat position. If you're into front squats you'll probably hate the safety squat.  Definitely try to try one out before you buy one.

x2, if you think front squats are tough, SSBAR's are pure rape.. they really rape your core just like in a zercher from what i've experienced.

if you can lift more low bar, keep lifting low bar, but use high bar workups etc, until you get better at them.. i like more of a mid-bar position. so ya regardless, you'll be able to lift more with a regular bar, unless you have shoulder issues, which you don't, ssbar is brutal.

pc

mj

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Re: Safety Squat Bar
« Reply #6 on: March 19, 2011, 10:11:19 pm »
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Guess I better listen up when the old hands agree like that  8) $200 saved

Peace guys

John Stamos

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Re: Safety Squat Bar
« Reply #7 on: March 20, 2011, 10:06:55 am »
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But we all know shit happens when you workout and you can tear a muscle without warning, and when i tore something in my shoulder i was pumped that my buddy had a SSbar or else i would have been limited to doing leg press.  Plus its always nice to switch it up between different style bars.  Idk i love the SSbar, but if you can find a gym selling theirs or on craigslist for less than 200 id say go for it
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JackW

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Re: Safety Squat Bar
« Reply #8 on: March 23, 2011, 02:33:00 am »
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I am with Eric, I love the SSQ Bar and use it extensively. However as Andrew said you will drop down in how much you can squat with it. When I first got mine I was squatting 135kg x 5 on a straight bar and I could barely do 105kg for 2 on the SSQ Bar.

After a while you get used to the different positioning of the weight though and now it feels more comfortable to use it than the regular bar.

Some thoughts on my time with the SSQ Bar

1) It is more comfortable than a straight bar
2) You have to use less weight
3) It makes a nice change to a straight bar
4) if you have thorasic or shoulder flexibility issues it is a really good choice
5) it is easier to maintain an upright position (see above)
6) works your core like a bastard due to the way the weight is forward
7) In terms of results - probably makes very little difference





John Stamos

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Re: Safety Squat Bar
« Reply #9 on: March 23, 2011, 08:17:59 pm »
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yeah, the first time i used it we were doing box squats and the bar felt uneven and was flopping around so i said fuck it, but then when the SSbar block came up again i man'd up and the third week i got the hang of it and i was able to get that squat up near my straight bar and cambered bar.  Plus doing rounded good mornings to build up your upper and lower back feels more natural and less awkward than doing it with a straight bar
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