I’m about to have my second shoulder surgery in 4 months and I decided I’m going to by a SSB so I can start squatting again. I’ve used one in the past but don’t have access to one right now.
Has anyone else bought one and if so do you have any recommendations, preferably outside of EliteFTS? Nothing against those guys but this would pretty much only ever be used by me and I don’t necessarily need commercial quality and would prefer something a little more budget friendly.
is front squatting not an option?
I own a newyorkbarbells (TDS) safety squat bar. It’s bare bones, but it definitely gets the job done. Absolutely love it, and has held up for about 6 years of squatting at least once a week with no issue. I wish I got it years sooner.
[quote]Yogi wrote:
is front squatting not an option?[/quote]
Nope. Can’t raise the elbow. I tried it about a month after the first surgery and could barely hold onto 95 lbs. This second surgery is going to be more extensive than the first. Doc wasn’t too happy when I told him about it either. The last thing I want to do is compromise the repair.
I’d kind of like to have a SSB regardless anyways.
[quote]T3hPwnisher wrote:
I own a newyorkbarbells (TDS) safety squat bar. It’s bare bones, but it definitely gets the job done. Absolutely love it, and has held up for about 6 years of squatting at least once a week with no issue. I wish I got it years sooner.[/quote]
Thanks. This is one of the ones I was wondering about. I didn’t want to call them out by name as they seem to elicit some strong reactions. I’ve never used their stuff, but have always wondered if the strong opinions against them were just coming from fanboys of higher priced equipment.
The bar I used in the past looked identical to this style as well.
[quote]tedro wrote:
[quote]T3hPwnisher wrote:
I own a newyorkbarbells (TDS) safety squat bar. It’s bare bones, but it definitely gets the job done. Absolutely love it, and has held up for about 6 years of squatting at least once a week with no issue. I wish I got it years sooner.[/quote]
Thanks. This is one of the ones I was wondering about. I didn’t want to call them out by name as they seem to elicit some strong reactions. I’ve never used their stuff, but have always wondered if the strong opinions against them were just coming from fanboys of higher priced equipment.
The bar I used in the past looked identical to this style as well.[/quote]
It’s definitely not top of the line, and some of their stuff can be sketchy, but it’ll do the job. I have used a higher quality one before, and it was definitely nice (the padding was a lot stiffer, handles were longer/thinner, and the sleeves seemed to rotate better), but especially if it’s just being used by one lifter, it should last you a while and provide you good service.
I’ve got a home-made safety bar. Took an old rusty barbell and a couple of old pipes down to a machine shop about a block away from me and asked them to weld the pipes on at the angle I wanted. I’ve been squatting with it for about four years now and I freaking love that thing. I’ll take a look and see if I can find a picture to post.
[quote]on edge wrote:
I’ve got a home-made safety bar. Took an old rusty barbell and a couple of old pipes down to a machine shop about a block away from me and asked them to weld the pipes on at the angle I wanted. I’ve been squatting with it for about four years now and I freaking love that thing. I’ll take a look and see if I can find a picture to post.[/quote]
That’s awesome. You get him to put the camber in the old barbell as well, or is this more like a top squat?
[quote]tedro wrote:
[quote]Yogi wrote:
is front squatting not an option?[/quote]
Nope. Can’t raise the elbow. I tried it about a month after the first surgery and could barely hold onto 95 lbs. This second surgery is going to be more extensive than the first. Doc wasn’t too happy when I told him about it either. The last thing I want to do is compromise the repair.
I’d kind of like to have a SSB regardless anyways.[/quote]
yikes, good luck with the surgery then man. Hope it works out for you
I have the one from Rogue Fitness. I like it; padding is very sturdy.
I’ve had and use the same bar from NYbarbell - 4 yrs since cuff surgery. Has worked like a champ. Bought their buffalo bar for Xmas and finally have the flexibility to use also. Both are great
http://www.bellsofsteel.us/powerlifting/specialty-barbells/safety-squat-bar-safety-squat-bar.html
Went with this one and it arrived yesterday. I did some very light stuff last night, but it’s going to be a little while before I can put much weight on it. I think I’m going to have to lower the pins and start at a half squat or below. Loading 45lb plates with one arm that still isn’t completely healed isn’t easy!
Anyways, this definitely seems to be good quality. I have to think it is every bit as good as a TDS/newyorkbarbells bar and the bar I had used previously, and for quite a bit less money. Time will tell, but I’m happy with the purchase. I emailed the guy that runs Bells of Steel a few times beforehand as well and service was great. Apparently he’s been doing this in Canada for a little while but just recently opened a warehouse in the US.
I am 2 years post shoulder rebuild. I now have to use the SSB almost all the time. I also use a 14" cambered bar ( started off as an EFS Spider bar but that thing eff’d my back up like nobodies business so I chopped off the freaking handles, problems solved) anyways, with my shoulder surgery the weight of the bar pushing down on my shoulder was my limiting factor. take it from me, go EASY. Let that shoulder heal because you may not get a second chance at a refix so be extra cautious. The squat will be there for you when you get back.
I was going to say Black widow training gear has some sweet stuff too, in case you’re ever in the equipment market in the future. Plus, Dean will make you just about anything if you can sketch it up.