Safety Squat Bar vs. Dave Draper's Top Squat

[vikingsrule92]

Which do you think is better? Does anyone have any reviews of either of these products? What are the pros and cons of each? Which is best for the money?

SSB: http://newyorkbarbells.com/im-0210.html

Top Squat: http://topsquat.com/

[michaelnel]

Yes, absolutely!

[vikingsrule92]

Yes, absolutely!

What?

[michaelnel]

Of course!

[Dinotrainer]

Which do you think is better? Does anyone have any reviews of either of these products? What are the pros and cons of each? Which is best for the money?

The safety squat bar is the more versatile tool, out of those two choices.

[makiphile]

I purchased a Top Squat and have had no problems with it. I bought it because I injured my rotator cuff and it was very uncomfortable to grasp the bar when squatting. For this purpose, it has been good....but I am very careful to still use good form. Having said that, you should know that I have not done any REAL heavy ( for me) squats yet. As I go heavier, I have a natural tendency (and I think we all may) to sgueeze the bar tighter.....and as I squeeze tighter, I do feel my shoulder engaing ever so slightly. So I do worry that the Top Squat does has not solved all my sproblems. I was not aware of the Safety Squat when I made my purchase and if I had it to do over, I would have opted for the Saf Squat. In fact, I may still buy it.

I should add though that I love the Top Squat for my Good mornings. It is VERY comfortable. Likewise, I also use it for my lunges with little problem. Over it is a good versatile piece of equipment that is worth its weight in gold if you have a rotator cuff problem. I just get the feeling that the Safety Squat might be even better....even if it is more costly.

[billy]

Can't really say anything about the top squat because I've never used it. I did take look at the video of Dave using it and from that, I think the only reason someone should get one is if they have shoulder or other issues preventing them from doing squats with a regular bar. That is the main reason why Dave invented the top squat.

The handles on the SSB are much closer together and runs striaght down across the clavicle bone thus spreading some of the weight to the front. This along with curve of the bar that is almost parallel to the handles allows for the hands free usage. Dave Tate and other powerlifters has emphasize a lot about how the SSB develops lower and upper back strength and tightness during squats. I never knew what they meant until I started using one.

My vote is for the SSB and I'm willing to dish out the extra cash for it.

[Dinotrainer]

I got a chance to actually use a 'Top Squat' tonight, and I liked it. It's a different tool than a Safety squat bar, so you really cant say one is 'better' than the other. I stated before that the safety squat bar was "more versatile", and I still say that, but thats not to say that the Top Squat isnt a worthwhile piece. It performed exactly as advertised, and feels more like a conventional squat (which it is), than the Safety squat. I say get both if you can

[C Man]

There's also the cambered squat bar:

http://newyorkbarbells.tv/im-0200.html

I feel like my torso is kind of long, so when I squat with a normal straight bar it really feels like I lean forward too much. I'd like to try something like that cambered bar to see what it would feel like to squat with the center of gravity lowered.

[neonfxr]

I bought this one about a month ago. It was really the cheapest one I could find. Just a very little bit cheaper than NYBB. They were good to deal with and it took about 4 days to get to me. The bar is badass though. It's a monster and really would've liked the shorter version. This sucker weighs 65#. It is nice for doing squats though.
http://cgi.ebay.com/SAFETY-SQUAT-BAR...em250063038962

[vikingsrule92]

I bought this one about a month ago. It was really the cheapest one I could find. Just a very little bit cheaper than NYBB. They were good to deal with and it took about 4 days to get to me. The bar is badass though. It's a monster and really would've liked the shorter version. This sucker weighs 65#. It is nice for doing squats though.
http://cgi.ebay.com/SAFETY-SQUAT-BAR...em250063038962

That is the shorter version. The longer is 92" and 72lbs.

[neonfxr]

That is the shorter version. The longer is 92" and 72lbs.

Sorry about that. Man I couldn't imagine that friggin bar needing to be bigger than that. Here is what I thought you were talking about.
http://www.power-systems.com/nav/clo...67&Power/Yoke™

[Bluerain]

Sorry about that. Man I couldn't imagine that friggin bar needing to be bigger than that. Here is what I thought you were talking about.
http://www.power-systems.com/nav/clo...67&Power/Yoke™

Nice !!

I would love to get this short one..too bad I didn't know it existed otherwise I would have bought it instead of the longer safety squat bar.It's the same one but shorter.

The cambered one is different then the safety squat one.

Blue

[Dinotrainer]

Nice !!

I would love to get this short one..too bad I didn't know it existed otherwise I would have bought it instead of the longer safety squat bar.It's the same one but shorter.

The cambered one is different then the safety squat one.

Blue

The maximum capacity on that is only 200 pounds, and you cant use it in a rack, so I think you already made the better purchase

[Bluerain]

The maximum capacity on that is only 200 pounds, and you cant use it in a rack, so I think you already made the better purchase

Hmmmmm... Your correct !!!

I didn't think about not being able to use it in the rack..nice catch

Thanks

Blue

PS:I have the GHR with the hamstring leg extension and let me tell you..It's so smooth and solid .It has pillow block bearings which are so smooth and quiet as a mouse peeing on cotton.

I also bought the foot rest attachment for it and they sent me the BIG foot attachment at no extra cost.

I'm glad I went thru with the purchase Very happy

Takecare and be well

Blue

[Dinotrainer]

Hmmmmm... Your correct !!!

I didn't think about not being able to use it in the rack..nice catch

Thanks

Blue

PS:I have the GHR with the hamstring leg extension and let me tell you..It's so smooth and solid .It has pillow block bearings which are so smooth and quiet as a mouse peeing on cotton.

I also bought the foot rest attachment for it and they sent me the BIG foot attachment at no extra cost.

I'm glad I went thru with the purchase Very happy

Takecare and be well

Blue

Here's a little info I found on getting the best use out of the glute/ham raise http://www.biggerfasterstronger.com/...Ham%20Book.pdf

[Al Swearengen]

I have a Safety squat bar and have always enjoyed using it, it's definitely not a top notch bar but it works well for what it is.

[vikingsrule92]

What do you mean it's not a top notch bar? What's wrong with it?

[kethnaab]

i have the safety squat bar from nybarbells, and i love it

it is absolutely invaluable for me, since i had shoulder surgery and can't squat

it also makes lunges, step-ups, "strongman walks", and good mornings more effective and "easier" to do (easier for your balance, tougher for your muscles)

i'd recommend the bar to anyone

[Bluerain]

Here's a little info I found on getting the best use out of the glute/ham raise http://www.biggerfasterstronger.com/...Ham%20Book.pdf

Nice !! Great link I saved it in my favorites

Thanks again Dino

Blue

[Al Swearengen]

What do you mean it's not a top notch bar? What's wrong with it?

Compared to a Good quality 3 or 4 hundred dollar straight bar with needle bearing's, no it's not top notch, but I like it.

[kethnaab]

Compared to a Good quality 3 or 4 hundred dollar straight bar with needle bearing's, no it's not top notch, but I like it.

sure, but that's kinda like having a new Shelby Mustang and complaining that it doesn't have 4x4 capabilities

it fills a different niche than a regular bar

[TheSlash]

SSB for sure!

[l958010]

I have both.

The Top Squat is nice, in theory, because you don't have to buy and store another bar. In practice, at higher weights (say over 200) the bar wobbles or shifts inside the Top Squat and it feels very unsafe. I have stopped using it because of this issue.

The safety squat bar from New York barbells is my favorite. It is easy to position the weight on your back and then steady it with the handles. I have shoulder issues that prevent squatting with a standard bar, but I can squat again with the safety squat bar.

Good luck on your decision.

[Al Swearengen]

sure, but that's kinda like having a new Shelby Mustang and complaining that it doesn't have 4x4 capabilities

it fills a different niche than a regular bar

For sure and I do enjoy using it for goodmornings as well. It's really good for people with shoulder problems like you mentioned in another thread as that's why I bought it originally.

I just wish they would have gone lighter on the bar's end knurling, it wears the heck out of plates.

[vikingsrule92]

A few more questions for anyone who has/ has used a safety squat. Can you do front squats with this? How? Is it comfortable? What other excercises can you do with this besides good mornings, squats, and calf-raises?

[Dinotrainer]

A few more questions for anyone who has/ has used a safety squat. Can you do front squats with this? How? Is it comfortable? What other excercises can you do with this besides good mornings, squats, and calf-raises?

I tried doing 'eyes closed, hands behind your back, jump up, spin around, 2 steps up, and 1 step back splits' with it, but it didn't work out too well

[vikingsrule92]

I tried doing 'eyes closed, hands behind your back, jump up, spin around, 2 steps up, and 1 step back splits' with it, but it didn't work out too well

So are you saying that you're best off doing regular squats? Can you do the others safely? Why didn't they work too well?

[Dinotrainer]

So are you saying that you're best off doing regular squats? Can you do the others safely? Why didn't they work too well?

Well......I was chewing gum at the same time, and I think it might have thrown off my equalibrium. Plus......my doorbell rang, and my Dogs started barking, then all Hell broke loose (I'm just messin' wit' chu)

[vikingsrule92]

lol, ok but can I get a straight answer? Can you do different squats, etc with this because I want to have all info possible before purchase?