Elite FTS Super Shoulder Saver Bar? Worth it?

[Jeebus987]

Wondering if I should invest in this bar to help my shoulders with decreased stress and load.

Anyone own one?

[ButcherPLer]

I don't own one, but I own a regular barbell that can be used for multiple types of exercises, and I own boards should I want to bench with a restricted range of motion. They just came out with some kind of pad that is about two board thickness that attatches to the bar, does the same thing as the shoulder saver bar without restricting the bar to a specific use. Or you can just shove boards up you shirt or wrap bands around your chest and the boards.

[weisgarb]

Perhaps I'm missing something, but if you don't want to bench with a full range of motion to avoid putting extra stress on your shoulders, wouldn't it be cheaper to just . . . bench with a shorter range of motion? If you like to bounce the bar off your chest I can see how this might help, but otherwise, why not use a regular bar and terminate the descent early and do partials?

When I saw the thread title I assumed it was some variation of a parallel grip bar, but the actual product seems like a solution in search of a problem. Then again, I never understood board presses either.

[817boy]

Wondering if I should invest in this bar to help my shoulders with decreased stress and load.

Anyone own one?

I think its worth it if you have bad shoulders or if you want to switch things up.

You can either buy the EFS shoulder saver bar or buy their new shoulder saver pad (that just slides on the bar)

http://www.flexcart.com/members/elit...d=212&pid=5063

http://www.flexcart.com/members/elit...d=182&pid=5804

[Keetman]

Perhaps I'm missing something, but if you don't want to bench with a full range of motion to avoid putting extra stress on your shoulders, wouldn't it be cheaper to just . . . bench with a shorter range of motion? If you like to bounce the bar off your chest I can see how this might help, but otherwise, why not use a regular bar and terminate the descent early and do partials?

When I saw the thread title I assumed it was some variation of a parallel grip bar, but the actual product seems like a solution in search of a problem. Then again, I never understood board presses either.

Actually, I kind of agree with this....at least I do insofar as I understand what is going on....which may be not so much!

Just like with the board presses you refer to, couldn't the lifter just set the safeties higher (Obviously this only works in a cage)? Maybe there is something else going on that I'm not familiar with, just seems like it would work.

I'm certainly asking for clarification more than doing any challenging here, just curious and your post made me question it.

[Cleveland33]

have you tried benching with a neutral grip with a swiss/football bar?

If I recall correctly, Wendler's shoulder(s) was injured earlier this year and he used one of these instead of the shoulder saver bar (which I assume he as access to).

[Kodokan]

Actually, I kind of agree with this....at least I do insofar as I understand what is going on....which may be not so much!

Just like with the board presses you refer to, couldn't the lifter just set the safeties higher (Obviously this only works in a cage)? Maybe there is something else going on that I'm not familiar with, just seems like it would work.

I'm certainly asking for clarification more than doing any challenging here, just curious and your post made me question it.

The problem with setting the safeties higher is that if feels a bit less natural and if you have one side of the bar contact the safeties first you could get messed up and miss the lift. I do that as part of my workout rotation and it does work, though...you just have to be careful.

I can't remember where I read it...but the 'shoulder saver' pad is what Wendler was calling the 'Manpon' (like tampon, but for men)...not because it was a bad idea but because that's what they thought it looked like. I think that 'shoulder saver' will help sell these a lot better than 'Manpon'...lol!

You can also get a kids pool noodle and make one. I don't know that I'd pay 60 bucks for one. It does have a better feel than just setting the safeties higher.

[Keetman]

Thanks! That makes sense, although I'm sure there still some issues with balance once the pad hits your chest? I'm sure that would quickly be adapted to though.

Glad to see you back on here!

[Kodokan]

Thanks! That makes sense, although I'm sure there still some issues with balance once the pad hits your chest? I'm sure that would quickly be adapted to though.

Glad to see you back on here!

Thanks...yeah I've been busy. In the middle of moving and let me tell you having your own perfect man-cave filled with plywood/stall mats/equipment is just awesome...until you have to move it somewhere else!

[KalleA]

The problem with setting the safeties higher is that if feels a bit less natural and if you have one side of the bar contact the safeties first you could get messed up and miss the lift. I do that as part of my workout rotation and it does work, though...you just have to be careful.

This.

Lowering the bar onto the chest/board instead of onto the pins gives you a "soft landing" and makes it easier to use the stretch reflex and to stay tight, irrespective of whether you bounce or pause at the bottom.

The last thing you want to do, particularly if you already have a shoulder injury, is to lose tightness at the bottom as this might really increase the risk of adding to the injury.

Cheers

[KalleA]

Wondering if I should invest in this bar to help my shoulders with decreased stress and load.

Probably not, but impossible to answer with the total lack of information you have provided about your situation.

Do you have a shoulder injury? Are you an experienced lifter? Do you lift competitively? Equipped/unequipped? What sort of weights are you moving in the bench? Do you know how to bench?

If you do have an injury, you should ideally get it diagnosed by a good MD, specialising in Sports Medicine, and follow whatever he and/or your physio therapist recommends.

What the "Shoulder Saver" does, is limit the range of motion, reducing the amount of shoulder rotation. "Overextending" past the the plane of the body (elbows below shoulders) can produce potentially dangerous stress on the shoulder, particularly if combined with a wide grip, flared elbows and poor setup.

IMO, the "Shoulder Saver", board presses, floor presses, et.al. are only for advanced lifters, who know what they are doing.

If you don't know what your are doing/how to bench, getting strong with a reduced ROM can be a really bad idea and a recipe for disaster.

There are a whole range of things a novice or intermediate lifter should first look into or consider w respect to shoulder health before a "Shoulder Saver Bar". Too big a topic for a forum post, but a few random headings:

- Learn to bench properly
- Incline presses
- Dumbbell presses
- Swiss Bars and Football Bars
- Shoulder Prehab (Rotators, etc.)

Cheers